On behalf of the United States, I want to thank Foreign Minister Alatas of Indonesia for his hard work over the last year to ensure our success today. The presence of 21 nations around this table attests to the great changes brought to the Asia-Pacific region by the end of the Cold War. A decade ago, the idea that we would all gather to address security issues would have seemed perhaps as far-fetched as someone predicting in 1945 that Asia would lead the world in economic growth. Although our nations have never had a greater chance to work together on behalf of peace and stability, important challenges remain. Economic growth is spurring cooperation and integration, but competition for resources and markets is creating new tensions.
Many Asian nations are in the process of transition.
And all of us must contend with complex new threats such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the spread of terrorism, crime and drug trafficking, and the far-reaching consequences of damage to the global environment. The United States shares the belief of almost every Asian nation that American engagement remains essential to the security and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region in this new era. Indeed, President Clinton has recognized that with the end of the Cold War, this region ione. Our goal is to help build a Pacific community based on shared interests, shared goals, and the pursuit of mutually beneficial cooperation. The foundation of our engagement in the region remains our five treaty alliances, beginning with our partnership with Japan.