美国在东盟论坛发表强硬讲话

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The United States has upped the stakes in its efforts to force Iran to back down over its nuclear program. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the US is ready to boost the military capacity of its Gulf allies and take what she called 'crippling action' against Iran, a reference to sanctions. Mrs. Clinton made her remarks in Thailand where she’s arrived for ASEAN forum. She’s also directed some tough words at North Korea and Burma.

Upon arriving in Thailand for this year’s ASEAN Regional Forum, America’s top diplomat declared: the United States is back -- Hillary Clinton using her ARF debut to signal a reinvigorated relationship with Asia under the Obama administration. But ahead of the meeting, she issued a warning further afield to Iran that Washington was ready to boost the defences of its regional allies if Tehran didn’t back down on its nuclear program. While the door was still open to engagement, she cautioned that the nuclear clock was ticking, a message that also held for North Korea after its recent missile and nuclear weapons tests.

"We think there is a different path for North Korea to follow, that there is an opportunity which is theirs for the taking. But they have to be willing to change their behavior and agree to denuclearize..."

Those in the potential firing line such as Japan are calling on the forum to take a strong position on North Korea.

"The ongoing nuclearization as well as the ballistic missile development should never be tolerated."

Pyongyang’s relationship with Burma is also coming under scrutiny.

"We know that there are also growing concerns about military cooperation between North Korea and Burma which we take very seriously. It would be destabilizing for the region. It would pose a direct threat to Burma’s neighbors."

The forum is taking place amid international outrage over the trial of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi by Burma’s ruling military junta. Burma is a constant thorn in the side of ASEAN, sorely testing its doctrine of non-interference in member states’ internal affairs. But now some members are calling for tougher action against the junta for its abysmal human rights record, Indonesia in particular saying election slated for next year could not be considered free and fair if Suu Kyi was still detained and excluded from participating.

Jane Braslin, World News Australia.