*EPF314 12/12/2001
Text: Press Release on Establishment of U.S.-Asia Policy Forum
(Sen. Burns announces new forum for U.S., Asian policymakers) (400)

Senator Conrad Burns (Republican from Montana) announced December 12 the launch of a new forum for U.S. and Asian policymakers, corporate leaders, and scholars to discuss emerging issues of importance to U.S.-Asia relations.

The new U.S.-Asia Policy Forum will begin by exploring the impact of global and national policy issues on trade relations and economic development between the United States and Asia, according to a press release from Burns' office.

Burns will co-chair the Forum's Information Technology Committee. The forum includes committees on trade, foreign affairs/defense policy, international monetary policy, technology, telecommunications, health care, energy, and agriculture.

Following is the text of the press release:

(begin text)

For immediate release:

Friday, August 3, 2001

Burns To Co-Chair U.S.-Asia Policy Forum Committee on Information Technology

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana Senator Conrad Burns today announced the United States launch of the U.S.- Asia Policy Forum. The goal of the forum is to create an arena for a non-partisan dialog among U.S. and Asian policymakers, corporate leaders, and scholars on emerging issues of importance to U.S. - Asia relations. Burns will co-chair the Information Technology Committee of the Forum with Korean Assemblyman Namgoong Suek, the former CEO of Samsung.

At a press conference today at the Capitol, Burns reiterated the importance of technology and the Internet to commerce. "We know even more today the role the Internet plays in commerce and more importantly in freedom. Safe, secure, and private communications and the free flow of ideas will be key in the future of trade not just along the Pacific Rim, but across the world."

"This Forum is going to be great for Montana," said Burns. "Strengthening our relations with Asia will not only help with advancing technology partnerships, but will lead to improving trade relations in general. Around eighty percent of Montana's grain is exported to the Pacific Rim, and we are always looking to expand to other commodities."

The Forum includes committees on trade, international monetary policy, foreign affairs/defense policy, technology, telecommunications, healthcare, energy, and agriculture. Starting this week the committees will explore the impact of global and national policy issues on trade relations and economic development between the U.S. and Asia.

"I just know we're going to get some great things done, working with our friends in Asia" said Burns.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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