Clinton Departs for Key Asia Trip

W A I K O L O A, Hawaii, Nov. 14 -- President Clinton has begun a week of “lasts” — and one important “first” — as he began a weeklong trip to Asia. He attends his last international summit and his final private meetings with the leaders of China and Russia. But President Clinton also makes the first trip by an American president to Vietnam since the end of the war in Indochina more than 25 years ago.

And when dozens of national leaders gather in Brunei Wednesday for the annual Asia Pacific Economic Conference, a gathering Clinton founded his first year in office, the world will be watching the United States political system, wondering how the democratic process will resolve itself in the close election between Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

For nations without a long tradition of regular popular elections, the current 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. This one convenes in tiny Brunei, home to the Sultan once described as the world’s richest man.

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.

Forgetting the War

“Vietnam should be seen not as a war but as a country,” said National Security adviser Sandy Berger in advance of the trip. Berger said the “cutting edge” of issues between the two countries continues to be a full accounting of Americans missing since the war, a figure that remains at approximately 2,000 servicemen.