Clinton Begins Asia Trip
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei, Nov. 14 -- Lightning flickered over the airport as President Clinton landed today in the tiny sultanate of Brunei for the last major summit of his presidency.
In a time zone 13 hours ahead of Washington, the president slipped quickly into his waiting limousine and drove off through the rainy night to a government guest house in advance of Wednesday’s opening ceremonies.
The tropical weather in Brunei feels much like Florida, but this is not a country that can fathom the election problems in the United States. Brunei has no elections and no political parties. The Sultan has absolute power, holds three of his government’s Cabinet positions, and was once considered the richest man in the world.
Clinton will spend two days meeting with 20 Asia-Pacific leaders, promoting more open trade in Asia, and trying to explain that the American electoral process will eventually produce a successor who will likely join this group at its annual summit next year.
The meeting is that of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, a gathering Clinton founded his first year in office.
For nations without a long tradition of regular popular elections, the current electoral chaos in America is a fascination. And it will no doubt have some wondering why Clinton, who has been more popular abroad than he has been at home on occasion, cannot just continue in office while his would-be successors slug it out.
Worlds Apart
Clinton founded the APEC Summit in 1993 as a Pacific version of the successful G-7 Economic summits in Europe.
Clinton is using the timing of his last world meeting as a springboard for his first trip to Vietnam. He has professed a desire to visit there ever since he was first elected, but because of strained relations, and the fact he avoided military service during the years he opposed U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, Clinton was unable to undertake the trip.
Now, with diplomatic relations established and active work in the business community to increase trade ties, the president is seizing his last opportunity to make the journey.
