Britain's Labour foreign policy pu

[ausgeo@xxxxxxx]

Subject: Britain's  Labour foreign policy puts emphasis on Asia 

05 May 1997 

The Nation 

Labour's foreign policy puts emphasis on Asia 

Will Britain under the Labour Party develop a more Asian-orientated policy? It 
could do judging from newly-elected Prime Minister Tony Blair's speech and his 
Cabinet line-up. 

Although it is premature to say exactly what new direction Britain's foreign 
policy will take towards Asia, suffice to say that Blair would like to uplift 
the country's profile in global affairs involving peace and security issues, 
especially in developing countries. 

>From previous speeches, Blair has indicated that Britain under his leadership 
would give a high priority to the protection of human rights, the environment 
and the fight against global poverty. He will also revitalise the 
Commonwealth. 

Blair has said that Britain needs a outward-looking foreign policy that will 
be broader and more pro-active than the outgoing Conservatives. Although 
Europe has dominated British foreign policy throughout the last two decades, 
other areas of the world are also increasingly important to Britain's 
well-being. 

When he was opposition leader, Blair visited Japan and Singapore to expound on 
free trade and find a future access for British products. As far as Asia is 
concerned, this is significant as Britain will be the host of the second 
Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) next year. Currently Thailand, as a coordinator on 
behalf of Asian countries, is working closely with Britain in preparation for 
Asem. 

Senior Thai Foreign Ministry officials have welcomed Blair's foreign policy 
outlook and pledged to work together with Britain to ensure the success of the 
second Asem. Throughout the Conservative Party's rule, Britain had taken a 
back seat on issues related to Southeast Asia, except for the future of Hong 
Kong. London's position on Burma was at best unenthusiastic. Britain was among 
the few European Union countries that did not support the recent trade 
privilege sanctions against Burma. 

However, once the sanctions are in place, as now, Britain has stopped all 
activities and programmes promoting investment and trade in Burma. For 
instance, the current work at the Burmese Desk in the Department of Trade and 
Industry has been frozen following the sanctions. Now with the new government 
in place, a tougher position is expected on the political oppression in Burma. 


This attitude will sit well with newly appointed Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, 
who is known for his concerns over human rights. Although Cook is more 
sceptical on Britain's integration with Europe, and the adoption of a single 
currency, than many of his Labour colleagues, he is keen about what needs to 
be done on human rights issues and Britain's interest in Asia. 

Cook, 51, is an orator and leans to the left in the new Labour Party, which 
has some influence on the government's policy towards human rights and global 
poverty. Like Blair, he would like to revitalise the Commonwealth, which he 
considers an immense asset to Britain. 

Another important development is the appointment of Clare Short as Minister of 
Overseas Development. She will have a Cabinet post, a move which analysts in 
London said signals a new government emphasis on relations with developing 
countries. 

Short is famous for her left-wing views and straight-forward working style. As 
such, she will be keen to link the issues of human rights violations and the 
degradation of the environment with British assistance. 

In the security areas, Britain will continue to play an active role in 
security relations with the United States, as well as the North Atlantic 
Treaty Organisation. British troops are widely respected for their 
peace-keeping skills. 

As far as the Southeast Asian region is concerned, Britain will strengthen the 
five-powers arrangement, which gives it direct defence links with countries in 
the region. 

In addition, Britain will continue to contribute and seek a seat on the Asean 
Regional Forum, to highlight the fact that Britain is a major power to be 
reckoned with. The country is one of the five permanent members of the United 
Nations Security Council and a member of G-7, not to mention Asem. English is 
also spoken by 20 per cent of the world's population. 

As a member of the Security Council, Britain also played an active role in the 
Cambodian peace settlement. Its earlier activities in helping the Cambodian 
resistance forces were appreciated by the Thai government. 

Britain's ongoing interest in the future of Hong Kong has also given a sense 
of security for Southeast Asian investors. Hong Kong's future stability will 
also benefit businessmen from the region. 

After 18 years of Conservative diplomacy, Britain now has the opportunity to 
redefine its approach towards the world's most dynamic region. Being one of 
the longest-standing world powers, Britain can contribute positively to issues 
affecting peace and stability in the region, such as the Korean peninsular, 
South China Sea and the Burma situation. 

It remains to be seen how Britain, which used to be Euro-centric, will deal 
with geo-political events in the region. But one thing is clear, British 
diplomacy will never be the same again.