US, Republic of Indonesia (RI) pledge closer, comprehensive ties

Source: Jakarta Post

Abdul Khalik

The US and Indonesia have pledged to deepen cooperation, with visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton telling Indonesia it played a key role in US foreign policy.

In a joint press conference Wednesday after a bilateral meeting with her Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirajuda, Clinton said the US new administration recognized Indonesia’s role in handling global problems, including terrorism, protectionism, climate change and the economic crisis. “Building a comprehensive partnership with Indonesia is a critical step on behalf of the United States’ commitment to smart power,” she said.

Clinton said it was not an accident her first trip abroad as the top US diplomat included Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim-majority country, as it was meant to show support for the country’s vibrant democracy and efforts to fight terrorism while respecting human rights. She said US President Barack Obama’s administration wanted to reach out to the entire world and Indonesia would be an important partner in that effort. “Certainly Indonesia, being the largest Muslim nation in the world, the third largest democracy, will play a leading role in the promotion of that shared future. So we are looking forward to deepening our cooperation on a number of shared issues,” Clinton said.

Hassan said the US was a very important partner for Indonesia, and their bilateral relations went from strength to strength, with Indonesia having every reason to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. “We have proven here that democracy, Islam and modernity can go hand in hand. And through Indonesia, the United States can reach out to the Muslim world,” he said.

Clinton also pledged a new American openness to ideas from abroad, especially the Muslim world. “It's important to listen as well as talk to those around the world, to support a country that has demonstrated so clearly that Islam, democracy and modernity cannot only coexist but thrive together,” she said. She added the US stood ready to help Indonesia deal with the global economic crisis, saying concrete steps toward fostering closer and comprehensive relations had been taken, including the resumption of the Peace Corps program — where American citizens volunteer in villages — as well as cooperation in education by renewing a five-year Fullbright scholarship and agreement to be signed in science and technology.

Read more: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/19/us-ri-pledge-closer-comprehensive-ties.html

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The full press conference has been posted on the video forum: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x273461



(Edited to clear up what the title meant. Sorry guys, was originally strictly adhering to the rules ;-))

came in line with the rest of the US

oh, you mean...

never mind

Little Rhody has always been such rebel. ;)