Hillary Clinton gets a warm reception in Jakarta
Updated
The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton is in Indonesia, on the second leg of her first Asian tour as America's top diplomat.
In her first visit to the world's largest Muslim nation, as Secretary of State, Mrs Clinton said President Barack Obama wanted to "reach out to the entire world," and Indonesia would be an important partner.
Presenter: Geoff Thompson
Speakers: The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton
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(Children singing)
GEOFF THOMPSON: They may have been drowned out against the background roar of noisy jets at Jakarta's airport, but the kids from Barack Obama's former school who came to welcome Hillary Clinton still managed to make much more of an impression than the scant numbers of protesters scattered around this vast archipelago.
This new US Secretary of State couldn't have been more welcome in Indonesia.
HILLARY CLINTON: The United States recognises the importance of Indonesia and I bring greetings from President Obama who has himself said and written about the importance of his time here in Indonesia as a young boy. It gave him an insight into not only this diverse and vibrant culture but the capacity for people of different backgrounds to live harmoniously together.
GEOFF THOMPSON: Hillary Clinton emphasised the Obama administration's desire to engage more deeply with Indonesia and South-East Asia, with a particular focus on finding ways to bring democracy to Burma through cooperation with ASEAN.
But significantly, Secretary Clinton also announced that the United States would begin the process towards acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South-East Asia, which can potentially commit the US to renouncing the use of force in the region as well as it agreeing to not interfere in the internal affairs of South-East Asian nations. The Bush administration with its doctrine of pre-emption had baulked at signing the treaty.
Encouraging a cooperative democratic culture in Indonesia, Hillary Clinton offered a personal example of how winners and losers can work together.
HILLARY CLINTON: I was the most surprised person in the world when President Obama asked me to be the Secretary of State.
As I travel around the world over the next years, I will be saying to people, if you want to know whether Islam, democracy, modernity and women's rights can co-exist, go to Indonesia.
(Applause)
GEOFF THOMPSON: Indonesia's Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda echoed the wishes of millions of Indonesians by pleading for Barack Obama to hurry up and return to the country where he was schooled as a child.
HASSAN WIRAJUDA: I can say that we cannot wait too long.
GEOFF THOMPSON: Hillary Clinton promised to take that message to her boss but said that with all the difficult challenges now before him President Obama may be waiting for good reason.
HILLARY CLINTON: For a President, knowing he can go somewhere in the world where he is so loved as he is loved in Indonesia, he may just want to wait until he really needs that visit and you can (laughter), you can lavish on him all of the love that you are telling me you feel for him.
