ASEAN chief wants Canada to step us as peacemaker in Asia disputes
OTTAWA – The head of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations wants Canada to play a larger role as a peacemaker in Asia.
Surin Pitsuwan, secretary general of the 10-nation ASEAN bloc, tells The Canadian Press that as Canada pursues deeper ties with Asia, it has to focus on more than just trade and investment, and should involve itself more deeply in security issues.
He says Canada should leverage its good reputation as a “soft power” nation to lend a hand in mediating some of the intermittent disputes that flare up in the region.
Surin would also like to see Canadian troops taking part in military training manoeuvres in Asia.
Surin said he planned to raise the issue with Defence Minister Peter MacKay, one of several cabinet ministers he is meeting in Ottawa.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has made forging deeper economic links with Asia a priority for his government.
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