James A. Kelly Delivers Remarks to the Woodrow Wilson Center Conference On George W. Bush and Asia

Political Transcript Wire › August 03, 2009

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Summary

The U.S. continues to lead the way on alleviating human misery in Asia by combating human trafficking, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, narcotics trafficking, international crime, and promoting human rights. We've noticed a large increase in interest in the region to these issues. The increased efforts by governments in the region to combat human trafficking and to fight HIV/AIDS are very positive signs.

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James A. Kelly Delivers Remarks to the Woodrow Wilson Center Conference On George W. Bush and Asia

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE KELLY DELIVERS REMARKS TO THE WOODROW WILSON CENTER CONFERENCE ON GEORGE W. BUSH AND ASIA, AS RELEASED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT

NOVEMBER 9, 2004

SPEAKER: JAMES A. KELLY, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS

[*] KELLY: I was very pleased to receive your invitation to introduce today's program assessing the Bush Administration's East Asia policy -- which, I can see, will result at the end of the day in my own report card for the last 4 years. Never before have I been given the opportunity to help write my own report card.

As I address this Administration's accomplishments thus far in furthering our foreign policy in East Asia and the Pacific, I hope you will conclude that we deserve "A's". We have come a long way since January 2001, with many successes that have expanded security and opportunity for America. While no Administration can claim to have resolved all the issues confronting it in only 4 years, we can say with confidence that we've had excellent achievements and made solid progress in Asia. We've faced many challenges during this Administration -- especially the realities of a post-September 11 world -- and we're proud of our record. We also put in place new structures and mechanisms that can serve as a foundation for further progress in the new century.

If there is one constant in Asia it is rapid change. For the most part, that change has been positive, dynamic, and very much in the interests of the United States. Asia is largely at peace. Democracy, perhaps the greatest success story in recent years, is blossoming. Economic growth has rebounded, led by China, a re- energized Japan, and an ASEAN region that has left the financial cr...

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