Friday, August 24th, 2007...3:13 pm
Regarding Paul Keating and APEC
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(to be published in tomorrow’s Herald)
Whether Mr. Keating is right or wrong about the danger the the North Asian ‘triangle’ represents to Australian security, he correctly asserts that the APEC leaders meeting is a wasted opportunity. The lack of a stated substantive agenda, and the deluge of advertising all indicate that it is merely an opportunity for (very expensive) talk. Australia’s role as both host and crucial source of resources suggests that we are in a uniquely strong bargaining position to effect positive change. The ball is in Mr. Howard’s court.
2 Comments
August 24th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Their agenda reads as follows:
1. Make Sydneysiders as uncomfortable as possible.
2. Get them used to being large swathes of their city locked up so we can slowly turn the place into a totalitarian state.
August 27th, 2007 at 10:54 am
APEC faces some difficulties in being relevant. Firstly, it happens once a year, and unless a big issue conveniently coincides with it, it can’t do much in dealing with new developments. This is especially so with the leader’s conference, which is just a talk fest.
Secondly, there are so many alternative forums these days — ASEAN + 3, ASEAN + 3+3 etc, that APEC really doesn’t have much to do beyond the level of the finance ministers meetings.
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