Clinton seeks to improve US image with Muslims

[Turborama]

Source: AP

By MATTHEW LEE – 19 minutes ago

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is continuing the Obama administration's efforts to rehabilitate America's image abroad, especially with Muslims, during a visit to Indonesia that began Wednesday. The country, once the home of President Barack Obama, is the second stop in her inaugural overseas trip as the top U.S. diplomat.

The itinerary is intended to symbolize the administration's commitment to Asia.

In Jakarta, Clinton intends to announce plans to step up U.S. engagement with Southeast Asia in particular, stressing the growing importance of a region that often felt slighted by the Bush administration. Her two-day schedule in Indonesia includes a visit to the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) secretariat, the first by a secretary of state, where she is likely to signal U.S. intent to sign the regional bloc's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, officials said.

Clinton also plans to pledge to attend the group's annual regional security conference, they said. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice skipped the ASEAN Regional Forum twice during her four years in office, to the dismay of the region.

In addition, Clinton hopes to announce the resumption of Peace Corps operations in Indonesia after a more-than-40-year absence, the officials said. Peace Corps volunteers served in the country between 1963 and 1965 before being expelled by the government.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jsan6...

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Hillary holds meeting with F.M. Wirayuda

Source: The Jakarta Post

Wed, 02/18/2009

Visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived at the Pancasila Building in Jakarta where she is expected to meet Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda and discuss upcoming bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

=snip=

“The meeting will discuss regional and international issues that are of the concern of both countries,” Hassan told reporters prior to the meeting.

Earlier at the Halim Perdanakusmah Airport she was greeted by US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume and a group of students from SDN 01 Menteng, a school where President Barack Obama was once a student from 1969-71. The students sang her a traditional Indonesia song called Keroncong Kemayoran and took some pictures together with her.

Read more: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/18/hillary-h...

[dipsydoodle]

1. Should be easy enough

Just help the Kosovo Mulims when you should've and don't invade Afghanistan and Iraq.

[getthefacts]

2. It is about time

we start reaching out to the international community again to restore our standing in the world. The previous administration was too quick to destroy the "We Are All Americans Today" sentiment. And I think it all started with Kyoto.

Also, Clinton seems very happy in these pictures. I'm glad Obama was able to find a spot for her talents in his administration.

[pampango]

3. Well said. And welcome to DU. n/t

[getthefacts]

12. Thank you!

[ixion]

4. so tell me... how is increasing troops in Afghanistan going to help that?

well, it won't, really. It will make it worse.

Glad-handing with one side while slaughtering with the other is no way to peace. We the hell are we going to learn that?

[biopowertoday]

5. I am glad Obama choose her as SOS.

[Turborama]

6. Me too. I've recently added her Indonesia press conference to the video forum

Here's the link, if you'd like to check it out...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[biopowertoday]

7. thanks much. I will.

[ohio2007]

8. here is another link from Indonesia

they are vocal about their opinions of "Clinton" and "Obama" in the street protests

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6AyrrfdKAY&eurl=
I don't know what he is saying but it isn't good imo



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROXgX4Mdcls&feature=chan...

[Turborama]

10. "Those people are idiotic, brainwashed, know-nothings."

They are a very small loony minority. Every country has them, unfortunately...

[Lost in CT]

9. She is looking good as SOS

Nice job Obama..

[Olney Blue]

11. Thank you, Secretary Clinton!

[Turborama]

13. "Warm, flowery welcome for Clinton"

Abdul Khalik

Local journalists held their breath as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton exited a room at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry with her Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirajuda accompanying her.

Wearing a blue blouse, she looked fresh, and her smile never left her face despite the seven-hour nonstop flight from Tokyo.

“She looks more beautiful than on TV,” one female journalist said.

As she began to talk, all minds snapped to what she said.

“I bring greetings from President Obama, who has himself said and written about the importance of his time here as a young boy,” Clinton said. “It gave him an insight into not only this diverse and vibrant culture, but also the capacity for people with different backgrounds to live harmoniously together.”

While a group of protesters outside the US Embassy screamed out “Go home Hillary", her friendly gestures and sweet smile never faded during Wednesday's, putting a more humane face on the US.

A Foreign Ministry official said that as soon as she had arrived at Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport in East Jakarta earlier in the afternoon, she shook hands with “almost everyone at the airport, down to the cleaning service staff”.

Among those who welcomed her at the airport were 44 children from Obama's former primary school, singing traditional folk songs and waving Indonesian and US flags. She smiled, stopped and talked to them.

But the merriest welcome she got was at the ASEAN Secretariat, where dozens of employees shouted “Hillary! Hillary!” from the moment she stepped in to meet with ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan.

She was welcomed like a heroine, complete with a flower garland given to her before entering the building. Clinton then shook hands with the employees.

Later in the evening, Clinton hosted a dinner with the country's civil society leaders.

From: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/19/warm-flow...


Mending US ties: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (center)
waves as she poses for photos with students from the elementary
school where US President Barack Obama studied in his youth, upon
her arrival at Halim airport in Jakarta on Wednesday. Clinton arrived
in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, on a mission
to start mending US ties with the Islamic world.