UPDATED:  November 29, 2008 11:26 PM
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Asia in Washington

By: Peter Hickman

East-West Center Launches 'Asia Matters for America' Website

The Washington office of the Honolulu-based East-West Center (EWC) has launched “Asia Matters for America,” which it describes as “an initiative dedicated to illustrating U.S.-Asia interactions, initially by state and congressional district.” The website is www.AsiaMattersforAmerica.org. Dr. Satu P. Limaye, director of the EWC Washington office, says Asia Matters “provides an online hub for U.S. and international audiences to explore the importance of Asia to states and congressional districts. This graphic, interactive website displays data on exports, employment, ethnicity and students from Asia in innovative and understandable ways.” He says Asia Matters contains “surprising findings” through maps, charts, graphs and raw data” and allows for comparison across counties, states and districts. One example of this, he said, is that in 2006, Vermont had nearly as many exports to Asia per capita as California and Texas combined. Dr. Limaye said EWC welcomes feedback on this free resource at asiamatters@eastwestcenter.org.

 

Vietnam Envoy Visits Colorado; Embassy Has New Press Officer

Mr. Phung Cong Le, Vietnam's relatively new ambassador to the U.S. (he presented his credentials to President George W. Bush November 9, 2007), recently visited Colorado where he met with Governor Bill Ritter, former Governor Bill Owens and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, and with local business owners and Vietnamese-Americans. Ambassador Le also talked with University of Colorado students about Vietnamese-American relations. The Vietnamese embassy in Washington said the trip was “the start of Ambassador Le's outreach program to...Americans. And speaking of the Vietnamese embassy, Asia in Washington would like welcome its new press attache, Mr. Pham Hoang Tung, who arrived last month. Mr. Pham was previously working at the Vietnamese foreign ministry in Hanoi. His wife and children will join him later. Welcome, Mr. Pham—Hoan-nghenh!  

Central Asia-Caucus Publication Looking for Articles

The current issue of the bi-weekly Central Asia-Caucus Analyst includes analytical articles on Russia's “accomplishments” in the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan); India's “foray” into space cooperation with Kazakhstan; the “social effects” of the global economic downturn in Central Asia; food production in Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic's new tax code. The CACI Analyst is published by the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and Silk Road Studies Program, a joint center affiliated with the Washington-based Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the Institute for Security and Development Policy in Sweden. The publication is interested in submission of articles on development, economics and finance in Central Asia and the Caucus region (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia). For more information, contact the editor, Svante Cornell, at scornell@jhu.edu.

Pakistan, Philippine Journalists Named ICFJ Exchange Fellows
The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) has named three Asian journalists out of a total of eight as participants in the 2008 International Journalism Exchange. The eight editors from seven countries are working at the Los Angeles Times, the Christian Science Monitor, the Rocky Mountain News and other publications. The Asian journalists are Ansar Ahmad Abbasi, editor of investigations for The News of Pakistan, who is at the Los Angeles Times; Agapito Jr. Joaquin, managing editor of the Mindanao Daily Mirror of The Philippines, whose assignment is to the Monterey County Herald in California; and Mahim Maher, city editor of the Daily Times of Pakistan, who is at the Oakland Tribune, also in California. The other journalists are from Argentina, Kenya, Croatia, Macedonia and South Africa. The eight journalists spent several days in Washington and two weeks at their media organizations of assignment, where they worked directly with their American counterparts. The group was selected from more than 200 applicants.

 

Realtor Group Names Asian American as Fellow

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says that to help more young professionals “gain a solid foundation legislative advocacy and national housing policy,” it is funding a fellow in each of the Tri-Caucus organizations, including the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF). APAICS fellow Gregg Orton, an Asian American from Arcadia, California, was assigned to the office of Representative Al Green (D-TX). Orton was graduated from Vassar College with a degree in political science. N AR says the fellowships are designed to “provide a unique public policy learning experience and encourage young professionals to consider careers in public service policy work focused on housing and community economic development.”

 

Internet Role in Korean Politics Seen Growing

Internet culture is playing an increasingly important role in “shaping Korean public and political life,” from the campaign leading to the election of President Roh in 2002 to the candlelight vigils of the Spring of 2008, according to Dr. Youngmil Kim, a Leverhulme Trust Fellow at the School of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Dr. Kim presented her paper on this issue at Washington's Korean Economic Institute last month. The paper focused on the mechanisms through which large demonstrations, strikes and clashes with police have emerged and spread across Korea, and also addressed online networks and hoe they can mobilize a large segment of the population. Dr. Kim thinks that “What appears as a form of direct participation may have serious consequences for Korea's economic institutions.

 

Philippine Ambassador Salutes U.S., Filipino Vets

The Philippine envoy to the U.S. celebrated Veterans Day November 11 by recalling that, “As a key ally, the Philippines has stood by the United States in promoting and protecting peace regionally and globally.” During World War II, Ambassador Willy Gaa recalled, “Filipino soldiers serving under the American flag fought side by side with American soldiers and freed the Philippines and the Pacific from foreign aggression.” Mr. Gaa also thanked the U.S. Senate for passing this year the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 “with an overwhelming vote of 96 to 1.” The bill recognizes the service of Filipino veterans who fought during World War II.

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