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U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. /AFP
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U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice calls South Korea a "global partner" but Japan and Australia "allies¡± in an article in the July-August issue of bimonthly journal Foreign Affairs, in what appears the latest manifestation of a subtle shift in America¡¯s regional focus.
In a cover story entitled, "Rethinking the National Interest, American Realism for a New World," Rice writes, "Democratization is also deepening across the Asia-Pacific region... This is expanding our circle of allies and advancing the goals we share."
"We enjoy a strong, democratic alliance with Australia, with key states in Southeast Asia... and with Japan -- an economic giant that is emerging as a 'normal' state, capable of working to secure and spread our values both in Asia and beyond."
As for South Korea, it ¡°too, has become a global partner whose history can boast an inspiring journey from poverty and dictatorship to democracy and prosperity,¡± she adds.
There is a suggestion that while Rice views Japan and Australia as allies, she regards South Korea as ¡°merely¡± a partner in U.S. national security matters. That hints at a changing concept of security strategies in the U.S. regarding Asia and the Pacific. Indeed, it is becoming something of a trend in the U.S. to call South Korea a "partner", in contrast to Japan and Australia, which have been more fulsome in their support of the Bush administration¡¯s foreign policy.
South Korea's strategic value has been falling continuously as the U.S. focuses on the formation of a triangular alliance with Japan and Australia in the Asia-Pacific region. This was substantiated last September by the leaders of the U.S., Japan and Australia, who reaffirmed their trilateral cooperation at a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Sydney.
The shift is partly attributable to the decline of U.S. trust in South Korea under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, which had in some ways an uncomfortable relationship with Washington. "The U.S. believes that Japan and Australia will maintain alliance with the U.S. without taking advantage of anti-U.S. public sentiment, no matter which regime takes power,¡± says a source in Washington. ¡°But an increasing number of Americans think that South Korea is not as reliable."
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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