Last weekend, the President-elect's office sought to correct the record. It pointed out that Bush had stopped over in Japan during his 1975 China trip, and that he had been to London. Even so, this is remarkably little travel - especially considering his considerable personal wealth and obvious interest in politics. Plus vice-president Dick Cheney. And George Bush senior, who is likely to have influence on the administration.
Rice is a Russian specialist.
George Bush visited Australia as president. Clearly the Bush White House will have a focus on the Asia Pacific, including Australia. This will be all the more so if future appointments include the likes of Richard Armitage, Arnold Kanter, James Kelly, Douglas Paal, Paul Wolfowitz and Bob Zoellick. Yet interest is one matter, engagement is another. Some of Clinton's senior advisers were known to hold privately the view that the US could and should have done more to assist Australia's leadership of the InterFET forces in East Timor.