And good economic policies, combined with attention to education, made the lives of Southeast Asia's people better. No doubt some of it is justified. And it is certain that, outside Singapore and Brunei, these countries gave far too little attention to the environment. But that should not obscure the achievement. Since I came to Congress, income in the region has gone up almost ten-fold.
Literacy is now nearly universal throughout Southeast Asia.
And with the sad exceptions of Cambodia and Burma, as well as the unique case of East Timor, human rights records in Southeast Asia are vastly improved. All this makes a very good record - good for Southeast Asians, and for us as well. Once a destination for American foreign aid and military advisors, today it is a destination for exports. In this decade, Montana has exported more to the Philippines than to any country in Europe. Thus, our interest is clear.