May 27 04:42 PM US/Eastern
WASHINGTON, May 27 (AP) - (Kyodo) — U.S. President Barack Obama unveiled a national security strategy Thursday, focusing more on diplomacy and international cooperation and seeking to enhance economic strength in a departure from unilateralism and reliance on military powers seen under the previous administration of President George W. Bush.
The security strategy also noted the importance of Asian allies in the pursuit of stability and peace in the region and pledged to reinforce the United States' alliances with these countries.
"Our alliances with Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines and Thailand are the bedrock of security in Asia and a foundation of prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region," the document said.
"We will continue to deepen and update their alliances to reflect the dynamism of the region and the strategic trends for the 21st century," it said.
The national security policy also noted, "Japan and South Korea are increasingly important leaders in addressing regional and global issues."
While stating that the United States will maintain the military superiority, Obama said in a preface of the document, "The burdens of a young century cannot fall on American shoulders alone."
He also said, "Our armed forces will always be a cornerstone of our security, but they must be complemented."
"We will build new and deeper partnerships in every region, and strengthen international standards and institutions," Obama added.
The 52-page document is a comprehensive security doctrine for the Obama government's national security policy.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a think tank speech in Washington, "This is a comprehensive national security strategy that integrates our strength here at home, our commitment to homeland security, our national defense and our foreign policy."
Clinton said the document was compiled against the backdrop of changing global landscape, and "a difficult inheritance -- two wars, a struggling economy, reduced credibility abroad, international institutions buckling under the weight of systemic changes."
On Iran and North Korea, the document said that Washington will pursue the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and work to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.
"If North Korea eliminates its nuclear weapons program, and Iran meets its international obligations on its nuclear program, they will be able to proceed on a path to greater political and economic integration with the international community," the paper said.
Otherwise, the United States warned it will resort to "multiple means" to increase their isolation and bring the two nations into compliance with international nonproliferation norms.
As for China, the document said, "We will continue to pursue a positive, constructive and comprehensive relationship with China."
It added the United States welcomes "a China that takes on a responsible leadership role" in working with Washington and the international community to address priorities such as economic recovery, climate change and nonproliferation.
The paper also noted the relationship with emerging economies which also include Brazil, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa is "no longer a zero sum game."
The document said that while the United States is at war with terrorist group al-Qaida and its affiliates, it is developing new partnerships with Muslim communities around the world.
Posts
