By Kenny Chee

THE Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leaders' Week to be held in Singapore next week will mark United States President Barack Obama's first visit to Asia.

It will also be the first time that a US-Asean summit is being held on the sidelines of the event, which Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday was a "good sign".

"It means the US has shifted its position (on Myanmar) and is now moving to engage (the country)," he said.

The US has, for decades, shunned Myanmar politically and economically due to what it believes to be the lack of human rights and democracy there.

But it recently changed its stance, stating in September that it would be starting talks with the South-east Asian country directly.

Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein is expected to attend the US-Asean summit, and PM Lee called this a "very significant step forward".

He said Singapore had always held the view that "ostracising Myanmar and cutting it off altogether is not a constructive way forward" and that "it is unlikely to yield any results".

PM Lee also noted that the previous US administration had been very preoccupied with many issues in the Middle East and "didn't pay as much attention to Asia or South-east Asia as we might have hoped".

Even today, the US continues to have other preoccupations, such as its health-care system and North Korea, he said.

Despite this, PM Lee hopes that the US and Asia will still be able to strengthen relationships not just on trade, but also on economic cooperation, security, politics and cultural issues.

Another item on Singapore's wish list for the US: free trade.

Media reports have highlighted concerns on protectionist moves by the Obama administration, after it implemented its

Buy American provisions and heavy tariffs on certain imports.

PM Lee said that the Obama administration is still considering how it will craft its trade agenda, which has not been a priority as it has been working on other pressing matters.

"But (we) hope that it will be able to take a position on this and be able to foster free trade in Asia-Pacific," he said.

During the Apec Leaders' Week that begins on Sunday, leaders from 21 countries will discuss how to sustain growth and integrate the region.

Said PM Lee on the discussions to come: "There is a real and significant benefit to Singaporeans, because it helps us to create a regional environment where we have peace, cooperation and the ability to prosper and do well for ourselves."

kennyc@sph.com.sg

Catch PM Lee's views on Apec at www.razortv.com.sg

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