No Rice in Asean Meeting in Philippines

"This is a big blow of Asean-US relationship," said a Bangkok-based Asean diplomat, who asked not to be identified. "How can you say Asean-US friendship is important and then you are coming?"

Philippines will host the Asean ministerial meeting that will be followed by a series of meetings from 28 July to 2 August including the Post Ministerial

Meeting and the 14th Asean Regional Forum. Foreign ministers from dialogue partners including China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India will also take part in these meetings.

It would be Rice's second time to miss the important Asean meeting. When she took up the job in early 2005, she delegated her deputy Robert Zoellick to attend the meeting, which upset the Asean foreign ministers.

Last year, she made up and attended the meeting. After the end of Post Ministerial Meeting, she unwinded and played piano for the Asean leaders and their dialogue partners.

The source said that all Cabinet members of Bush administration are urged to stay put in Washington as criticism grows. Other senior officials including Defence Secretary Robert Gates has also cancelled his Latin American visits.

At present, there have been mounting public calls for early troops

withdrawal from Iraq.

Last week, President George W Bush postponed his scheduled visit on 5

September to Singapore for a summit meeting with the Asean counterparts.

He would then proceed to the Sydney for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting.

It would have been the first summit between the two sides, after their

longstanding relationship for 30 years. Asean was hoping to highlight the

importance of Asean-US friendship.

Singapore is hosting the Asean Summit in mid-November. Bush's visit could be rescheduled to coincide with the meeting. But the decision has yet to be made.

US is the only major power that has not institutionalized the so-called

Asean plus one meeting. All other dialogue countries have and they have been using the forum to discuss views on mutual interests and regional issues.

Leaders of US and Asean often meet on the sidelines of Asia Pacific Economic Meetings.

//The Nation