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US foreign policy focus on Russia, India, China: Powell
Washington, Jan 02: The US Secretary of StateColin Powell has said that the US works hard to have the bestrelations it can with nations large and small, old and new,
US and Russian political and economic philosophies are
converging, he said in an article in the `Foreign Affairs`
journal.
He said the US has not ignored Chinese human rights abuses, China`s "still unacceptable" weapons proliferation activities, or the reluctance of China`s leadership to match political to economic reforms.
Nevertheless, the Sino-American relationship has improved for a reason that transcends all these particulars, Powell said.
"Neither we nor the Chinese believe that there is anything inevitably bad or inevitably good. Instead, we now believe that it is up to US, together, to take responsibility for our common future. Indeed, we welcome a global role for China, so long as China assumes responsibilities commensurate with that role," Powell added.
Referring to recent differences with "some of our oldest and most valued NATO allies" (France and Germany), he said these are differences among friends.
"We have new friends and old friends in Europe. They are all, in the end, best friends, which is why the president continues to talk about partnerships, not polarities, when he speaks about Europe," the Secretary of State said.
Powell said "some authorities say that we must move to a multipolar world. We do not agree -- not because we do not value competition and diversity, but because there need be no poles among a family of nations that shares basic values. We believe that it is wiser to work at overcoming differences than to polarize them further."
Bureau Report
He said the US has not ignored Chinese human rights abuses, China`s "still unacceptable" weapons proliferation activities, or the reluctance of China`s leadership to match political to economic reforms.
Nevertheless, the Sino-American relationship has improved for a reason that transcends all these particulars, Powell said.
"Neither we nor the Chinese believe that there is anything inevitably bad or inevitably good. Instead, we now believe that it is up to US, together, to take responsibility for our common future. Indeed, we welcome a global role for China, so long as China assumes responsibilities commensurate with that role," Powell added.
Referring to recent differences with "some of our oldest and most valued NATO allies" (France and Germany), he said these are differences among friends.
"We have new friends and old friends in Europe. They are all, in the end, best friends, which is why the president continues to talk about partnerships, not polarities, when he speaks about Europe," the Secretary of State said.
Powell said "some authorities say that we must move to a multipolar world. We do not agree -- not because we do not value competition and diversity, but because there need be no poles among a family of nations that shares basic values. We believe that it is wiser to work at overcoming differences than to polarize them further."
Bureau Report