US Seeks 'Leadership Role' in Asia: Obama [-How about leadership in human rights respect, where does the US stand? 2nd to last?]

President Barack Obama, center, is joined for a photo with ASEAN leaders, from left, Lao President Choummaly Sayasone, Vietnam Priesident Nguyen Minh Triet, Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Raza, before a luncheon in New York, Friday, Sept. 24, 2010. (Photo: AP)

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington, D.C Tuesday, 28 September 2010

“The United States intends to play a leadership role in Asia. So we've strengthened old alliances; we've deepened new partnerships, as we are doing with China; and we've reengaged with regional organizations, including Asean.”

In his meeting with Asean leaders in New York last week, President Barack Obama vowed to deepen ties with the 10 Southeast Asian nations, including Cambodia.

“The United States intends to play a leadership role in Asia,” Obama said during the first US-Asean Summit on Friday. “So we've strengthened old alliances; we've deepened new partnerships, as we are doing with China; and we've reengaged with regional organizations, including Asean.”

Obama said the US is focusing on economic trade and growth with Asean—a bloc of about 600 million people.
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