*EPF307 06/02/2004
Text: Democracy Thrives in East Asia, U.S. Congressman Says
(Leach notes region's desire for a "strong American presence") (550)

After a recent 10-day trip to East Asia, Congressman James Leach says he came away "impressed by the vitality of democracy in the region" and "the continued desire for a strong American presence" in the region.

Leach, chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific of the House International Relations Committee, made his observations in an opening statement at a June 2 hearing on "U.S. Policy toward East Asia and Pacific."

Leach said he had just returned last week following visits to the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Taiwan, where he attended the inauguration of Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian. The Republican representative from Iowa said it was his "strong hope" that Chen's inaugural speech "will prove helpful in creating an opening for dialogue with Beijing."

Following is the text of the congressman's opening statement, as prepared for delivery:

(begin text)

Opening Statement
Representative James A. Leach
Chairman, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
Hearing on U.S. Policy toward East Asia and the Pacific
June 2, 2004

On behalf of the Subcommittee, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Assistant Secretary Kelly. In this regard, I think it is appropriate to take a moment to recognize his leadership and professionalism. During Assistant Secretary Kelly's tenure over the past three and half years, a time during which United States foreign policy could have easily been consumed by compelling challenges in Iraq and the Middle East, he and his team at the State Department's East Asia Bureau have played an integral role in advancing and enhancing America's historic leadership role in the region. Your steady hand has been much appreciated here and in East Asia and the Pacific.

Before we turn to Assistant Secretary Kelly, I would like to make a few brief observations.

Last week I returned from a ten-day trip to East Asia, the principal purpose of which was to represent the United States at the second inauguration of President Chen Shui-bian in Taiwan. In this regard, I had the honor of presenting a letter from President Bush to President Chen. In my view, President Chen's inaugural address was thoughtful and statesmanlike. It is my strong hope that his speech will prove helpful in creating an opening for dialogue with Beijing.

Following our visit to Taiwan, I also had the opportunity to meet with senior leaders in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

I come away from the trip impressed by the vitality of democracy in the region; the continued desire for a strong American presence in East Asia; the great sadness and in some cases anger at what many of America's friends in the region view as mistaken U.S. policies in Iraq and the Middle East; the professionalism and esprit de corps of our foreign service officers and other American citizens serving our country in Asia; and, above all, the extent to which U.S. management of dangerous cross-Strait tensions, as well as of the smoldering North Korean nuclear challenge, are fundamental benchmarks for maintaining America's strategic leadership in Asia and beyond.

In any regard, we look forward to the testimony of Assistant Secretary Kelly and the discussion to follow.

(end text)

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

Return to Public File Main Page

Return to Public Table of Contents