Obama welcomes Southeast Asian leaders to US for talks

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — President Barack Obama has opened a meeting of leaders from Southeast Asia, saying the landmark gathering on U.S. soil reflects his personal commitment to a strong and enduring partnership with the region's diverse countries.

Obama says he got to know Southeast Asia as a boy living in Indonesia with his mother.

He has worked as president to raise the U.S. profile in the region.

Obama says the people of a 10-nation bloc of Southeast Asian countries have always treated him well when he visits. He says that's why he's holding their two-day summit sunny California, not in Washington, where snow fell on Monday.

The summit marks the first time these leaders have met at the invitation of the U.S.