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SCMP Reporter

Difficult diplomacy as differences remain on North Korea and free trade

US President George W. Bush was the first to tear off his baby-blue silk tunic after Apec's 21 leaders  posed in Vietnamese national costume for their annual summit's obligatory group photo.

Visibly uncomfortable in the flowing ao dai, a garment more recognisable on young Vietnamese women, he was seen scrunching up his costume into a tight ball and grumbling to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

For some observers, it was a telling symbol of a difficult weekend of Asian diplomacy for Mr Bush, who arrived  in former enemy territory just a week after his Republican Party was defeated in congressional elections.

The  Asian Pacific Economic Co-operation forum's summit - held for the first time in Vietnam - ended with a weaker-than-expected statement on the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Differences remain on the precise approach to Pyongyang among its partners in the six-nation talks - the US, China, Russia, South Korea and Japan.

The US-backed concept of an Apec free-trade area stretching from South America, across the Pacific to Asia and Oceania, has been predictably put back for later discussion.

And there is his on-going state visit to Vietnam, where Mr Bush has at times struggled for domestic attention alongside President Hu Jintao , another rare visitor from a recent former enemy.

The Chinese delegation, ever keen to cement Beijing's growing regional importance, stole a march by arriving earlier and Mr Bush has received little of the public adoration and fanfare that greeted predecessor Bill Clinton during his historic trip in 2000. His schedule has been cut back, with little room for public or press interaction.

But many regional diplomats are talking highly of a welcome attempt to show a humbler  side to the Bush administration's diplomacy. 'He's done about all he could be expected to do, in the circumstances,' said one South Korean envoy.

'It was never going to be easy for him after the election. Apec has never been known for its teeth, with any decision being non-binding.'

Mr Bush's secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, displayed the softer edge as she spoke to international business leaders, offering the prospect of peace and opportunity for isolated regimes such as North Korea and Myanmar.

Using the rapidly broadening US relationship with Vietnam as an example, Dr Rice said former enemies could be 'friends and partners' co-operating across commerce, health and diplomatic issues. 'This case of Vietnam is instructive,' she said. 'It shows the past can be overcome. The United States continues to look to the day when such co-operation is possible with Burma [Myanmar] and North Korea.'

Urging Pyongyang and  Yangon to make a 'strategic choice' to open to the outside world, she promised a 'new path to peace and opportunity'.

The weekend highlighted just how difficult it is to co-ordinate the responses of the US and Japan with South Korea, China and Russia.

The concept of five-party talks without North Korea was quickly scrapped, leaving a flurry of diplomacy as leaders met each other but not together. At one point the three traditional allies, Washington, Tokyo and Seoul, all met but still no breakthroughs emerged.

China and South Korea remain wary of US and Japanese plans to pressure Pyongyang by intercepting its shipping on the high seas. Both want a greater emphasis on talk as part of the 'dialogue and pressure' formula all five are following.

Despite being a fraternal ally of Communist Party-ruled Vietnam, North Korea has never been involved with Apec and its envoys were conspicuous by their absence as the October nuclear test dominated discussions.

They were not there to listen to a statement of 'serious concern' that was only issued verbally.



Bush endures a frustrating weekend