"ASEM Asks Japan To Change"  
An editorial in moderate Tokyo Shimbun observed (4/6): "Discussion at the ASEM summit centered on the Asian currency crisis and the 'Japan problem.' At the ASEM meeting, Prime Minister Hashimoto announced dramatic pump-priming measures. 
Why must Hashimoto announce changes in his economic policy only when he goes abroad? We are worried that if the government continues to act like this, Japan will become the butt of international ridicule. Japan's economic recovery became a major issue of discussion at the London meeting, in addition to discussion of measures to get Asian countries out of their currency crises. Even though the United States is not a member of ASEM, a deep sense of distrust about Japan's economic policy pervaded the ASEM meeting. This distrust is perhaps best typified by U.S. Treasury Secretary Rubin's earlier remark that 'a weak Japanese economy is to blame for the Asian currency crisis.' [A misquote from Rubin's Georgetown speech.]  

"The government of Japan criticizes foreign calls for Japan to take bold measures to boost domestic demand as interference in Japanese domestic affairs. But then the prime minister retracts or changes his economic policy at international conferences. He is hiding his economic policy failure by using the pretext of giving in to foreign pressure. The prime minister appears to have no fixed views and opinions.... Such being the case, Japan can hardly play the role of leader in resolving the Asian currency crisis." 

"Asia, Europe Should Cooperate On Resolving Asian Crisis" 
Top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri observed (4/2): "The second Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit opens in London today during a lingering economic crisis in Southeast Asia. Discussion at the ASEM summit will center on measures to get the ailing Asian economies back on track. Two communiques--a chairman's statement and a special statement on the Asian economy--will be issued at the summit. We hope summit participants will specifically urge each and every Asian economy to exercise self-help in overcoming its crisis and cooperate with the IMF and other organizations....  

"We welcome Europe's recognition of the seriousness of the Asian economic situation. Prior to the opening of the ASEM summit, Europe moved to create an ASEM trust fund to help the weak Asian economies. We hope Japan and Europe will cooperate in launching practical assistance programs for these weak economies. To overcome the Asian economic crisis, the IMF must urgently resume loans for Indonesia. Indonesian and IMF officials have been meeting since late last month to close the gap over an IMF economic reform package, but no breakthrough is in sight yet.... It is imperative that Prime Minister Hashimoto brief other summit participants on the details of Japan's latest economic stimulus package. He should also cooperate with British Prime Minister Blair, summit chairman, in overcoming the Asian crisis and opening the way for further development 
of a more cooperative Asia-Europe relationship." 

"Possibility For Vast Asian-European Cooperation" 
Li Wenzheng and Jiang Qianhong wrote in the official Communist party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao) (4/6): "Although ASEM's achievements are uncharted, the meeting is significant because it promotes the prospect of a new partnership and cooperation between Asia and Europe."  

"Fruitful ASEM Conference" 
The official English-language China Daily wrote (4/6): "The conference confirmed that the ASEM process should be conducted on the basis of equal partnership, mutual respect and mutual benefit. It opens a new chapter in Asian-European cooperation and common development. This serves the interests of both sides and is conducive to the drive for global multi-polarization." 

"ASEM Boosts Mutual Understanding" 
Leading, independent Kompas commented (4/6): "The Asian crisis, which needs to be dealt with jointly...should make Asian and European leaders aware that unity of the global economies is already a fact that is difficult to deny. Therefore, it is necessary for both parties to cooperate and help each other, while continuing to adhere to the principle of mutual respect and to understand the situation of other parties. It is within this spirit that we would like to see the shape of Europe's commitment in its participation in dealing with the Asian crisis."  

"Asia-Europe"  
Muslim intellectual Republika editorialized (4/6): "In the spirit [of reviving the Asia-Europe relations], we hailed the Second ASEM with a view of mutual respect. We, therefore, do not want any group to try to link this meeting with a political agenda, especially with one aimed at imposing pressure and interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign, independent country."  

"Awaiting ASEM Results"  
Muslim intellectual Republika's editorial stressed (4/3): "If what the Indonesian ambassador to the United Kingdom Rahardjo said turns out to be right--that ASEM will probably produce an alternative to the IMF aid package to Indonesia--it would be a significant step for an immediate end to the crisis. However, signals from European countries, including Britain and Germany, thus far indicate that Indonesia should stick to the IMF program. If so, what benefits will we gain, particularly concerning the crucial point for Indonesia--private foreign debt--a point which is not even included in the ASEM main agenda?"  

"Fizz And Good Will At ASEM II, But No Panacea" 
Political desk correspondent Chua Mui Hoong filed this commentary from London for the pro-government Straits Times (4/8): 
"Certainly, all those who had hoped to see a solution to the Asian financial crisis emerging from the summit will be disappointed, because there was none. But the meeting did deliver as much as a summit of this nature can be expected to.... Asian leaders who went to London fearing their European partners might have lost interest, were persuaded otherwise. The Thai and Japanese premiers attested to this, with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong adding that he would give this message to the peoples of Asia: Europe cared.... Statements of support and solidarity during times of crisis like this are essential to boost confidence, and this second ASEM meeting deserves credit for having managed to deliver such an endorsement. But at the same time, as the British media noted in their reports, neither Britain nor Europe pledged more than they were already giving.... In the end, as 
far as the Asian crisis is concerned, ASEM II delivered what realists would have expected: strong political endorsement, a flurry of initiatives, but no panacea."  

"Partners In Progress" 
The pro-government Straits Times' editorial concluded (4/7): "It would be unrealistic to expect (ASEM II) to wish away Asia's current crisis. But held, as it was, against a backdrop of plunging shares in Tokyo, ASEM II did come to grips with the very real fear that recession in Japan could mean a second slump across Asia.... Perhaps ASEM II's single biggest achievement was to dispel the notion that Europe is unconcerned about conditions in Asia.... Asia is still the growth area of the future, and in its competitive ties with the us, Europe has much to gain in terms of economic and geopolitical benefits from alliance with Asia. Similarly, Asia, too, hopes for much from Europe's well-established scientific and technical skills. Truly can they be called partners in progress." 

"Summit Of Great Significance" 
Pro-government, Chinese language Lianhe Zaobao had this editorial view (4/3): "The economic crisis and reforms that are taking place in Asia are a cause for concern to the region's European partners.... For those countries hit by the financial crisis, their largest creditor countries are France and Germany, both EU members. Therefore, it is clear that prosperity or the decline of Asia will have an impact on Europe.  
"There is no doubt that the above-mentioned issues would become the key topics for discussion during the (ASEM) summit. In particular, on problems surrounding the East Asian financial crisis, both sides, in their dialogues, should be able to reach a greater understanding and consensus, identify the cause of the crisis, draw lessons from it and explore possible forms of assistance. But for their part, Asian countries should not expect too much. Firstly, the task of rescuing the affected economies rests mainly on the IMF. Intervention by other countries may cause confusion. European countries are expected to support the IMF's position and insist that affected countries take resolute actions to reform their economies. Of course, if European countries would adopt more substantive measures, it would help Asian countries get out of the current crisis and restore confidence." 

'Sales Diplomacy' Opens Up Possibilities"  
Moderate Hankook Ilbo judged (4/6): "Asia has until now long been considered a 'pond' that belongs to the United States. Because of this perception, Europe has kept its distance from Asia, remaining indifferent, while the region is going through its worst kind of economic crisis. Also, Europe still believed that Asia was the United States' problem and that it alone had to resolve it.... The ASEM meeting, however, has reached a world-wide consensus that Asia and Europe are never far from each other. That consensus was the greatest accomplishment the summit meeting saw." 

"ASEM's Meager Results Mean U.S. Is In Charge"  
Thitinan Pongsudhirak commented in top-circulation, moderately conservative, English-language Bangkok Post (4/8): "Summit meetings rarely end in outright failure, and ASEM II was no different. But the overriding issue of this summit had to do with the mitigation of Asia's raging financial crisis. On this score, the results were meager. Despite issuing catchy promises of continued support and cooperation--'through thick and thin', in British Prime Minister Tony Blair's words--the Europeans were short on concrete delivery. What ASEM II has illustrated is that the United States is ultimately in charge of the international financial 
system." 

"Europe Can No Longer Stand Idly By On The Sidelines" 
Charoon Seri held in largest circulation Thai Rath (4/6): "From now on, Europe can no longer stand idly by on the sidelines....Since the Asian financial crisis started in the middle of last year, Europe has shown no willingness to help its friends in distress. In the case of Thailand, only Germany spared no pains to help. Do not forget that European financial institutions also have to share the responsibility for the crisis.... Was it not the European investors and lenders who made available easy loans for Thai banks and trust firms to reinvest in the non-productive sectors that eventually triggered the crisis?"  

"ASEM And Sweet Words"  
Krailak commented in popular Siam Rath (4/6): "That the atmosphere of this ASEM Summit was not as cheerful as the first is not surprising, since not much tangible aid was forthcoming.... Europe has remained strictly passive throughout the crisis, leaving the United States, the controller of the IMF, and Asian giants China and Japan to deal with the situation on their own.... Now that the worst has seemed to pass, Europe thinks that only inspirational words should suffice."  

"Second Round Of ASEM Summit"  
Charnnarish Boonpharod commented in elite Naew Na (4/4): "What Asia is certain to get from the 15 European nations is 'moral support,' not cash. In return, Europe will get Asians' promises to open their markets wider.... The summit will also help stimulate Europe to become more active in Asia instead of letting the United States play the hero's role alone."