Foreign Minister blends in with the crowd

Prime Minister Helen Clark's reputation in Southeast Asia has proved a counterweight to any negative feelings some leaders might have about Foreign Minister Winston Peters' "anti-Asian" reputation.

Asean Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong said Southeast Asian leaders might be "aware of" Mr Peters' previous comments but "we are not going to hold that against him".

Mr Ong said Mr Peters was now a "representative" of the New Zealand Government.

Prime Minister Helen Clark "is very positive about us and she has been the champion of New Zealand's involvement with Asean", he said.

Mr Peters was said to have been in listening mode at their working lunch.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer was effusive and involved and asked questions, said Mr Ong.

Mr Peters was "quiet and listening ... he had to leave slightly early to meet other members of the New Zealand delegation".

The Foreign Minister helped defuse any tensions by introducing himself as the "newest boy" on the block.

Mr Ong also played down remarks by former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad who objected to the presence of New Zealand and Australia at the summit.

Dr Mahathir - who has long been opposed to admitting "Caucasians into Asia" - branded the Tasman neighbours pawns of the United States.

"We were startled by the former Prime Minister's comments because although they are not new the timing came as a shock," Mr Ong said.

He said the Malaysian Government had tried to put a gap between itself and the Mahathir attack.

Asean leaders should not be hung up on geographical baggage but should instead focus on the vital geopolitical issues affecting the region.