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U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a two-day visit to Japan praised the island country as the engine of Asian development and reiterated Washington's support for Tokyo's ambition to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.
During an address at Japan's Sophia University, Rice placed Japan at the heart of the Bush administration¡¯s new East Asia policy.
¡°Japan¡¯s accomplishments have been transformational, and not just for Japan," Rice said. It "has set the example for political and economic progress in all of East Asia, helping to anchor the successes of the Republic of Korea and Malaysia, of Thailand and the Philippines, of Indonesia, of East Timor and of Mongolia.¡± She said the island country's post-war economic miracle "has been historic and it's been inspiring.¡± ¡°Japan has truly led the way [in East Asia¡¯s development],¡± she added.
Rice also expressed satisfaction with Japan¡¯s increasing international role. She said the country was assuming more wide-ranging international responsibilities, and its support for the spread of freedom was good not only for Asia, but also the entire world. She called Japan a U.S. partner in both the region and the world.
As for Korea, Rice said it too was "an essential partner for security and well-being in the region, and is also becoming a global partner.¡± She also emphasized the three-way relationship between the countries, saying, "When the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea stand together in support of peace and security and promote our common values, Asia and the world become better, and safer.¡±
The Washington Post said Rice's speech formulated a new U.S. vision for East Asia with an increased role for Japan as a world power in mind, and hinted that the U.S. views Japan as a nation to help keep China in check.
(Park Du-sik, dspark@chosun.com )
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