ID :
12166
Fri, 07/11/2008 - 11:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/12166
The shortlink copeid
Rudd pushes his Asia-Pacific plan
(AAP) - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd plugged his Asia-Pacific community plan during a whirlwind visit to Malaysia, while tip-toeing around political controversies swirling in the South-East Asian nation.
Mr Rudd had two hours of talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after jetting in overnight from his Group of Eight (G8) appearance in Japan.
The two leaders touched on climate change and rising oil and food prices, and announced deals on education, government-to-government contacts and working holiday visas.
Mr Rudd avoided meeting opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, once more facing damagingsodomy allegations, citing Malaysian protocol against meeting government opponents.
However, the prime minister alluded to recent election advances by opposition parties united by Mr Anwar, praising Malaysia for its "vibrant" and "robust"democracy.
He was keen to push the Asia-Pacific community grouping he proposed last month whichhas seen a lukewarm response among Asian neighbours.
"I think we need to start the discussion about where we want to be in 2020 andbeyond in terms of our regional architecture," Mr Rudd told a business lunch.
"We need an organisation that can discuss all of the challenges we will face in the century ahead - economic, political and security challenges." He said the idea was inspired by the achievements of the Association of South-EastAsian Nations, which would remain at the core of the region.
Mr Abdullah did not speak about the regional plan during their joint pressconference on Thursday.
He did respond on climate change, criticising developed nations for not going farenough on commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
"I have always felt the view that developed countries should do more, should make agreater contribution" Mr Abdullah told reporters.
"The failure to do that is, of course, regrettable." He said that while developing giants like China and India had strong arguments tomake on climate change policy, they were not helping to resolve the problem.
Mr Rudd has come under criticism for not finding time in the hectic schedule of his one-day visit to Kuala Lumpur for Mr Anwar, who did not request a meeting with theAustralian leader.
"The government is observing long-standing protocol when visiting Malaysia of notmeeting with opposition politicians," a spokesman for Mr Rudd said.
"That was the protocol followed by the previous government and continued by this one. It's a Malaysian protocol, it's not ours." The bilateral deals included a plan to train Afghan teachers in Malaysia with Australian support, joint training of regional peacekeeping forces and regularmeetings between foreign ministers.
Mr Rudd also visited a high school in Kuala Lumpur and had an audience with theMalaysian King, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.
He was to attend a formal dinner with Mr Abdullah and Malaysian cabinet members andfly back to Australia overnight.
Mr Rudd had two hours of talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after jetting in overnight from his Group of Eight (G8) appearance in Japan.
The two leaders touched on climate change and rising oil and food prices, and announced deals on education, government-to-government contacts and working holiday visas.
Mr Rudd avoided meeting opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, once more facing damagingsodomy allegations, citing Malaysian protocol against meeting government opponents.
However, the prime minister alluded to recent election advances by opposition parties united by Mr Anwar, praising Malaysia for its "vibrant" and "robust"democracy.
He was keen to push the Asia-Pacific community grouping he proposed last month whichhas seen a lukewarm response among Asian neighbours.
"I think we need to start the discussion about where we want to be in 2020 andbeyond in terms of our regional architecture," Mr Rudd told a business lunch.
"We need an organisation that can discuss all of the challenges we will face in the century ahead - economic, political and security challenges." He said the idea was inspired by the achievements of the Association of South-EastAsian Nations, which would remain at the core of the region.
Mr Abdullah did not speak about the regional plan during their joint pressconference on Thursday.
He did respond on climate change, criticising developed nations for not going farenough on commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
"I have always felt the view that developed countries should do more, should make agreater contribution" Mr Abdullah told reporters.
"The failure to do that is, of course, regrettable." He said that while developing giants like China and India had strong arguments tomake on climate change policy, they were not helping to resolve the problem.
Mr Rudd has come under criticism for not finding time in the hectic schedule of his one-day visit to Kuala Lumpur for Mr Anwar, who did not request a meeting with theAustralian leader.
"The government is observing long-standing protocol when visiting Malaysia of notmeeting with opposition politicians," a spokesman for Mr Rudd said.
"That was the protocol followed by the previous government and continued by this one. It's a Malaysian protocol, it's not ours." The bilateral deals included a plan to train Afghan teachers in Malaysia with Australian support, joint training of regional peacekeeping forces and regularmeetings between foreign ministers.
Mr Rudd also visited a high school in Kuala Lumpur and had an audience with theMalaysian King, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.
He was to attend a formal dinner with Mr Abdullah and Malaysian cabinet members andfly back to Australia overnight.
