The Meeting was attended by delegations from the government and private sectors of the ASEAN member countries and the US. The Meeting was co-chaired by their Excellencies, Dato Paduka Lim Jock Seng and Pengiran Anak Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Puteh, Permanent Secretaries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Joint - Leaders of Brunei Darussalam delegation and His Excellency Ambassador Winston Lord, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, leader of the US delegation. His Excellency Dato Ajit Singh, Secretary-General of ASEAN was also present.

The private sectors of ASEAN and the US were represented by Mr Razali Johari of Brunei Darussalam, Chairman of ASEAN-US Business Council (ASEAN Section) and Mr. Robert E Driscoll, President of the US-ASEAN Council for Business and Technology, Inc.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Dato Paduka Lim Jock Seng expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the dialogue cooperations since the last Dialogue meeting in Washington D.C. He stressed the need to continue the process of consultations on issues of mutual concern and the importance of this meeting as a mechanism to enhance the relations between ASEAN and the United States in order to keep up with the global changes. He also highlighted the importance of people relations as a prerequisite for a successful cooperation.

H.E. Ambassador Winston Lord, in his opening remarks stressed that the current US policies signalled a renewed commitment to US leadership role in both economic and political spheres, and would lay the ground work to ensure America would be a strong economic and political partner of ASEAN countries. He noted the growing trade relationship between ASEAN and the US and supported the ASEAN AFTA initiative, which like NAFTA and APEC, will promote open regional trade liberalisation. He emphasized that regional arrangements such as AFTA, NAFTA, and APEC were not substitutes for global trade liberalization through a successful Uruguay Round which remains the top US trade priority.

Ambassador Winston Lord also stressed the US had enormous stakes in contributing to political stability in South East Asia and the rest of Asia. The US would continue to base its security in the Pacific on alliances and other bilateral security relationship, and the US is prepared to move forward with multilateral security dialogue.

The Meeting reviewed the ASEAN - US Dialogue relations, since the last ASEAN-US Dialogue in Washington DC, 20-21 June 1991. ASEAN recalled the decision of the Fourth ASEAN Summit in Singapore 1992, calling for ASEAN to deepen and widen its external Dialogue relations. This Dialogue Meeting included the presence of the ASEAN-US Senior Officials and included for the first time political matters in the agenda.

A session was held especially for the representatives of the ASEAN and US private sectors to exchange views on a number of trade and economic issues. The ASEAN and the US private sectors believed that the Dialogue meeting was a key forum to ensure continuity and good relationship. The ASEAN private sector expressed a number of concerns over policies effecting ASEAN trade with the US. The US private sector presented its vision of future US-ASEAN trade and investment relations emphasizing the enormous potential for mutually beneficial growth.

The ASEAN-US private sectors emphasized growing investment opportunities which would flow from the implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area and the liberalisation measures taken by ASEAN.

ASEAN explained that with AFTA, there is a greater move to liberalize and expand intra-ASEAN trade and investment. The US indicated its support for ASEAN efforts towards economic cooperation and reiterated that it welcomes the decision to create AFTA.

The Meeting exchanged views on international economic issues. In this regard, both sides emphasized the importance of a successful and early conclusion of the Uruguay Round. ASEAN and the US also stressed the importance of APEC, in further enhancing economic cooperation in the Asia Pacific region.

The US apprised ASEAN on the latest developments of NAFTA. The US assured ASEAN that NAFTAraised no barrierstotradefromoutside North America and is intended to complement and extend trade liberalisation in the Uruguay Round. ASEAN hopes that NAFTA will remain outward looking so that AFTA and NAFTA could complement each other.

Bilateral economic issues such as trade, commodities and investment were also discussed. The Meeting noted a remark able growth of ASEAN-US trade which had more than doubled over the last decade. The US has indicated its willingness to cooperate with ASEAN on forestry. The US will continue to consult ASEAN on tin disposal by the Defense Logistics Agency. ASEAN expressed a number of concerns over US policies affecting ASEAN trade with the US. The US responded to the concerns and emphasized the importance of open markets.

The Meeting also reviewed the US development cooperation programme with ASEAN. The Meeting noted the progress made on the on-going development projects especially on the Private Investment Trade Opportunities (PITO). The meeting also noted that the Environment Improvement Project (EIP) will be implemented soon. Both ASEAN and US agreed to forge closer coordination programme.

The Meeting also exchanged views on current international and regional issues of mutual concern namely Cambodia, the Middle East, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the South China Sea and Indo-Chinese refugees. On Cambodia, the Meeting expressed its concern over the deteriorating situation. Both ASEAN and the US reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreements, in particular, the holding of general elections. They emphasised the need to strengthen measures of the security of all UNTAC personnel. They called on all personnel contributing countries to maintain their troops and personnel in Cambodia in line with the mandate of UNTAC.

On South China Sea the United States reaffirmed its support to the ASEAN Declaration on South China Sea, particularly for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

ASEAN also briefed the United States on the latest developments on the issue of Indochinese asylum seekers and the progress made thus far on the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan of Action (CPA). ASEAN emphasised the need for effective implementation of CPA and in this regard urged the US to speed up its intake of those who have been screened in as refugees.

The Meeting also discussed the current situation, in Bosnia Herzegovina. The Meeting condemned the continuing atrocities and the policy of ethnic cleansing committed by the Bosnian Serbs. The Meeting agreed decisive international actions within the UN framework were needed to stop the continuing slaughter of civilians and the destruction of Bosnia Herzegovina.

The United States briefed the Meeting on the outcome of the latest round of the Middle East talks. ASEAN commended the US Administration's efforts in reviving the peace talks. ASEAN emphasised the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach in the settlement of the Middle East problem.

It was agreed that the 12th ASEAN-US Dialogue would be held in the US on a date to be mutually agreed upon.

The delegations of ASEAN - US expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Brunei Darussalam for the warm hospitality accorded to them and the excellent arrangements made for the meeting.