The future of this country is so inextricably intertwined with this region.

All parties have good reasons to make concessions. None of them can afford to watch Burma descend further into isolation and desperation and wait to act until another generation of its people is lost.

Certainly it is the view of the United States that that kind of upstream/downstream communication needs to be enhanced and improved.

I have spent a great deal of my adult life, as you know, trying to build bridges so that we could move it forward.

I have been among those here who are very concerned about what is happening in the Mekong River Delta.

I personally have had strong concerns over many years about territorial claims in the South China Sea by the Chinese.

This is, indirectly, a sovereignty issue. Water, that is the availability of water in that region, can become a national security issue too if one country or another decides they can shut water off.

We are very sympathetic in this regard to Vietnamese concerns, and we will be watching, very closely, in the run up to the next Mekong River Commission meeting how this decision plays out.

I think they realize, as we have, as I said in my statement, that pure engagement, pure pressure is not necessarily getting the results we want.

I think, frankly, where Burma is today--I mean, ASEAN recognizes that Burma is an outlier, that Burma is somewhat of an embarrassment to the organization.

This is an absolutely critical issue. This is a core concern of ours.

These five countries present an opportunity, an almost unique opportunity, in terms of the ability for the United States to make a big difference in support for democratic reform.

We would be remiss if we did not recognize that there has been dramatic improvement in this area over the years.

The State Department issued a public statement the day after we heard that Dr. Vu had been sentenced. We stated in that release that we were deeply concerned by the sentencing and we called for the release of Dr. Vu.

What type of model do you see for Burma's political and economic transition?

If confirmed, I will do my best to continue to strengthen relations between the United States and each of these five countries.

I once said that I didn't know whether to offer her a congratulations or condolences on the job.

Vietnam is one of the most important countries in terms of our relationships in this part of the world.