Recently, as presidential candidates Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama were gearing up for their first scheduled debate, slated to focus on foreign-policy issues, the U.S. Asia Pacific Council’s Washington Report newsletter interviewed senior advisors for both candidates about their approach to critical issues in the Asia Pacific region. McCain advisor Randall G. Schriver and Obama advisor Michael Schiffer shared their candidates’ views on issues ranging from regional economic integration and free trade agreements to U.S. relations with Asia’s Muslims, the Six-Party Talks on North Korean denuclearization and relations with China, Japan and South Korea.

What follows here is an overview of their responses on several key issues. To download a pdf text of the full interviews, visit www.eastwestcenter.org/fileadmin/resources/washington/schiffer.schriver0908.pdf

Issue: As the region has become more integrated economically, the nations of Asia have been exploring the creation of new regional architectures that would exclude the United States. Is this a concern for your candidate, and how would he keep the United States engaged in the region?

McCain’s position:
Schriver said that Sen. McCain would focus first on existing alliances. “The first response to new initiatives on regional architecture is to ensure the integrity of the existing architecture,” Schriver said. “Namely, that our military alliances are healthy, that we continue to invest in alliance modernization, and that the regional organizations in which we currently participate are empowered to promote our interests.”

In addition, he said, McCain believes that the U.S. should take the initiative to ensure countries in the region see positive alternatives, including the possibility of establishing a like-minded League of Democracies.

Obama’s position:
Schiffer said that Sen. Obama is committed to enhancing and deepening the U.S. presence and partnerships in the region. At the same time, Schiffer said, Obama also believes that in recent years the U.S. has been “asleep at the switch” as Asia has begun to consider new vehicles for dialogue and cooperation.

“While [Sen. Obama] recognizes that we need not be a member of every institution that is created,” he said, “he believes the United States should be actively engaged in both strengthening existing institutions and in the on-going discussion about, and development of, new institutions” that complement existing security structures.

Issue: Asia is home to the majority of the world’s 1 billion-plus Muslims. What initiatives would your candidate undertake to improve U.S. relations with Asian Muslims?

Obama’s position:
Schiffer said Obama believes that the first step in improving relations with Asian Muslims is to reverse the widespread perception among them that the so-called U.S. “war on terrorism” is a war on Islam.

“Senator Obama has made clear that he intends to bring the U.S. occupation of Iraq to an end, close down the detention centers in Guantanamo Bay, and re-establish the rule of law to begin to restore the U.S. reputation around the world, including in Muslim nations,” he said.

In addition, he said, Obama recognizes that the U.S. needs to listen more to Asian Muslims’ perspectives on how to address the threat of terrorism and extremism, to align itself with their developmental interests, and to contribute more of the resources they require to attack the extremist challenge from within.

McCain’s position:
Schriver said McCain believes the first step to improving the United States’ image around the world must be to get its own house in order – and in this regard he’s cited the need to close Guantanamo Bay and to end any blurring of lines on torture.

“But Senator McCain also understands that America’s strengths are the very same attributes that can appeal to the Muslim world if communicated properly,” he said. “America’s strong support for family values, our principled stand in welcoming people of all faiths in our country, and our strong international record in condemning religious persecution can all help form a foundation for improving our communication with Asia’s Muslims.”

Issue: How would your candidate secure denuclearization of North Korea?

Obama’s position:
Schiffer said Obama believes the current Six Party Talks “must be accompanied by direct, principled, tough-minded talks” with North Korea.

“Senator Obama believes that we must engage with North Korea not because we trust them, but because we do not,” he said. “We should proceed on the basis of action for action, fulfilling our commitments provided that the North verifiably dismantles all its nuclear weapons facilities, hands over its fissile material, and returns to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

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