East-West Center in the News

(2012-05-15) “Washington’s allies in the Pacific want a stable military balance in the region and I think they want Washington to encourage Beijing to pursue its goals according to accepted international norms, “ Gerard Finin, a senior fellow at the Hawaii-based East-West Center told VOA.

Finin said he expects the maritime dispute to be revolved diplomatically. “The key is keeping lines of communications open to avoid miscalculations,” he said.

... The East-West Center’s Gerard Finin agrees U.S. involvement in the dispute carries certain risks. “The Chinese tend to see U.S. involvement in the region as something of a challenge, if not a threat to long-term Chinese sovereignty.”

(2012-05-23) Senior fellow Denny Roy at the East West Center in Hawaii contends too much attention is being paid to the treaty's language and subsequent related statements of years past.

"Rather I would look at it from a more of a bird's eye perspective of what is in the United States' best interest to do in possible scenarios that we can foresee here. And certainly the United States and China getting into a shooting war with each other over any of the Spratly so-called islands would be insane," he said. "Neither the United States nor China is going to knowingly enter into an insane situation based on pieces of paper."

... Thus, Roy explains, it is no surprise Manila is asserting the United States is obligated to come to its aid in the event of such a conflict.

"Of course," says Roy, "the Philippines has an interest in taking the strongest possible interpretation of the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States - that is roping in the United States as strongly as possible. But we should understand here that all the players have their own specific agenda and that of the Philippines is to advance their claims now while they have their opportunity. It'll be more difficult in the future when forces that China is able to project in the area will be stronger."

-- Also appears in: States News Service

(2012-05-23) “This gallery will focus on the music, ceremonial sounds and natural sounds that make up these people’s lives,” said Michael Schuster, curator at the East-West Center Gallery. “Most galleries focus on the visual elements; we’re focusing more on the musical aspects.”

... “[Vorreiter] moved to Thailand about seven years ago and became very interested in the source of musical inspirations of people in Southeast Asia,” Schuster said. “The musical landscape is so important to their lives and she wanted to create something that was so basic to them.”

... “It’s a really beautiful understanding of life for these people and I hope visitors come to understand and appreciate the cultures,” Schuster said. “It’s a great opportunity.”