The U.S. State Department says it is sending two senior diplomats to South Asia later this month to consult with government and civil society leaders on issues that include education and human trafficking, as well as accountability and reconciliation processes. Officials announced the plans for Maria Otero and Robert Blake in a press release Monday. […]
US Has “No Desire” for New Bases in Pacific
A top U.S. military commander for Asia and Pacific says there is no desire to build new military bases in the region. Admiral Robert Willard, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, told reporters in Washington Friday that the military’s goal is to have a network of places where American forces can visit on rotation. But […]
Human Rights Group Condemns Conditions Across Asia
The group Human Rights Watch released its annual World Report Sunday, painting a bleak picture of conditions across much of Asia. HRW said Burma’s human rights situation remained dire last year, despite the transition to a military-backed civilian government. The report accuses Burma’s military of rape, torture and the killing of civilians in ethnic minority […]
UN, Southeast Asian Nations Work to End Violence Against Women
An international gathering in the Philippines has concluded that widespread violence against women and children in Southeast Asia can be prevented with the implementation of strong laws and policies. Representatives from the United Nations and Southeast Asian nations met for two days in Manila this week to explore ways to address violence against women and […]
Senior US Diplomat to Meet Top South Korean Nuclear Envoy
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell held talks Thursday with South Korean officials in Seoul on how to revive stalled nuclear disarmament negotiations with North Korea following the death of Kim Jong Il. Campbell met with Lim Sung-nam, South Korea’s top negotiator to six-party talks aimed at convincing North Korea to abandon its nuclear […]
Senior US Diplomat to Meet Top South Korean Nuclear Envoy
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is set to hold talks in Seoul with South Korean officials on how to revive stalled nuclear disarmament negotiations with North Korea following the death of Kim Jong Il. Campbell is expected to meet Thursday with Lim Sung-nam, South Korea’s top negotiator to six-party talks aimed at convincing […]
Senior US Envoy Visits China Following Kim Jong Il’s Death
Senior U.S. diplomat Kurt Campbell held talks with senior Chinese officials Wednesday in Beijing on the stability of North Korea following the death of former leader Kim Jong Il. Campbell, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said after his meeting with foreign ministry officials that the United States and China […]
High Level US Diplomat Begins Asia Tour
Senior U.S. diplomat Kurt Campbell has arrived in China, the first stop on a four-day tour that will also take him to South Korea and Japan. Campbell, the assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, made no comments on arrival at the airport in Beijing Tuesday, but the State Department had said […]
High Level US Diplomat Begins Asia Tour
Senior U.S. diplomat Kurt Campbell has arrived in China, the first stop on a four-day tour that will also take him to South Korea and Japan. Campbell, the assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, made no comments on arrival at the airport in Beijing Tuesday, but the State Department had said […]
High Level US Diplomat Begins Asia Tour
Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is in Beijing, the first high-level U.S. visit to Northeast Asia since the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Campbell arrived in China Tuesday evening for the start of a four-day diplomatic tour that will also take him to Seoul and Tokyo. The State Department says he […]