November 9, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Schiffer or Keith Porter, 563-264-1500
(Muscatine, Iowa) - A new Stanley Foundation Policy Memo urges US leaders to promote regional stability and freer trade in Southeast Asia, where President Bush is scheduled to visit next week.
The five-page memo–which includes recommendations on security, regional architecture, domestic environments, and the economy of Southeast Asia–is available online at http://www.stanleyfoundation.org/reports/AsiaPMPDynamics.pdf
"US policy in the region has in many respects remained frozen in time as US foreign and national security policy has focused elsewhere in recent years," according to the memo developed at an October Stanley Foundation conference that focused on major trends, challenges, and policy recommendations for Southeast Asia.
"Although there is a strong desire for a continued US presence and positive role in the region, the United States has risked undermining its prestige and influence through episodic interest and selection attention.... The United States is under-engaged in the dynamics of economic growth and regional architecture that are high on the agendas of Asian states."
The foundation's project chair, Catharin Dalpino of Georgetown University, and project director Michael Schiffer of the Stanley Foundation are available for comment on the Policy Memo and the upcoming presidential visit to the region. Contact Michael Schiffer or Keith Porter, 563-264-1500, for details.
President Bush is scheduled to travel to Hanoi, Vietnam, to attend the 14th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting on November 18-19. The president will have meetings with President Triet and Prime Minister Dung in Hanoi on November 17, and will hold bilateral meetings with other leaders while at APEC. While in Vietnam, President Bush will visit Ho Chi Minh City.
The president also will travel to Singapore and Indonesia during his trip.
The Stanley Foundation brings fresh voices, original ideas, and lasting solutions to debates on global and regional problems. It is a nonpartisan, private operating foundation, located in Muscatine, Iowa, that focuses on peace and security issues and advocates principled multilateralism.