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| Sunday, 3 February 2002 |
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Asian leaders question Powell on 'axis of evil' NEW YORK, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Asian leaders questioned U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell about the "axis of evil" doctrine on Friday and heard that the United States was serious about dealing with what it considers despotic governments that support terrorism and develop weapons of mass destruction. U.S. President George W. Bush called Iran, Iraq and North Korea an "axis of evil" on Tuesday, provoking widespread concern that the United States was expanding its avowed war against terrorism into new and dangerous territory. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and South Korean Foreign Minister Han Seung-soo asked Powell about the speech at meetings in New York, on the sidelines of the annual World Economic Forum meeting, spokesman Richard Boucher said. South Korea favors reconciliation with its communist neighbor. Arroyo's government has accepted U.S. assistance in training the military for a campaign against Muslim Abu Sayyaf guerrillas but her critics are wary of U.S. involvement. In answer to Arroyo's inquiries, Powell said: "There are a number of countries where the support for terrorism, and the pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and despotic regimes are mixed together," Boucher said. "He emphasized the need to pursue our policies," the spokesman added. With the South Korean minister, Powell said the United States supported President Kim Dae-jung's "sunshine" policy of engagement with North Korea but was skeptical so far. "We expressed support for his effort but we don't think we've seen the kind of response from North Korea that we would all hope to see," Boucher said. Powell told Han that Bush's remarks on the "axis of evil" were "well considered," a U.S. official said. "Our concerns about the axis of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction are real. We need to pursue our non-proliferation policy and international cooperation in that regard," added the official, who asked not to be named. The U.S. position, elaborated by Bush again on Friday, is that the United States might act against the three countries if they do not change their policies but is also open to dialogue with at least two of them -- Iran and North Korea. |
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