Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, an old Asia hand if ever there was one ( ambassador to the Philippines, Vietnam Paris Peace talks, etc.) is upbeat about the region these days.

In a speech to the 5th annual conference of the Center-backed Asia-Pacific Council in Washington, Negroponte notes that Asian nations today are more stable, prosperous and (with a few exceptions) more democratic than ever before. But these new “global winners,” have additional responsibility to take a leadership role in resolving inernational challenges —
from global warming to the spread of nuclear weapons, he says.

Suppose anyone is listening?

To read the full text of Negroponte’s speech, go HERE.