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SINGAPORE: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stressed the Obama administration's commitment to substantive cooperation with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies. She made this point to the media after a day-long meeting with APEC trade and foreign ministers.
Mrs Clinton's arrival in Singapore caps an almost year long engagement process with Southeast Asia under the new Obama administration.
So when the US commander in chief himself arrives in Singapore this weekend, APEC leaders will be looking out for President Barack Obama to signal his administration's long-term commitment to the region - even as he grapples with his country's many internal issues.
"When President Obama arrives here later this week, he will underscore our view that APEC is an essential forum for engagement and action," said Mrs Clinton.
Her meetings with APEC ministers saw discussions that covered North Korea and Myanmar.
The US recently started a new policy of engagement with Myanmar's military leaders. But Mrs Clinton stated that US sanctions on Myanmar will remain until meaningful progress is seen in the country.
She added that ASEAN as a group can offer support to ensure the elections due by 2010 in Myanmar are fair and credible.
"If we can encourage the Burmese leadership to meet in dialogue with representatives of various aspects of Burmese society, we hope that that can be encouraged by other nations, by ASEAN and maybe facilitated by ASEAN, because planning for these elections must be a priority," Mrs Clinton said.
In an unprecedented move, the US will also meet all 10 ASEAN heads of state at the inaugural US-ASEAN Leaders meeting this Sunday.
According to observers, the fact that the meeting is taking place - with Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos present - is significant.
Moreover, ahead of the Copenhagen meeting next month on climate change, Mrs Clinton also outlined some key deliverables that the US is pushing for. These include ensuring any agreements reached are transparent, accountable and involve global action.
- CNA/sc
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