Posts Tagged ‘Asia Trip
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Yokota Air Base in Japan
The State Department released these shots of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton upon her arrival at Yokota Air Base in Japan earlier this week:
Hillary Clinton's Winning Trip Abroad
In her first official trip overseas, Hillary Rodham Clinton showed herself to be a different kind of secretary of State for a different time. She broke with almost half a century of tradition in choosing Asia rather than Europe or the Middle East for her initial voyage, going to countries not only where American prestige is largely intact but whose help with the global economic crisis is, as she put it, “indispensable.” Throughout her tour of Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China, it might be said that Clinton aggressively projected a nonconfrontational foreign policy — and rightly so.Human rights activists were understandably worried when Clinton decided to soft-pedal concerns with the government of China over Tibet, the jailing of dissidents and other violations of civil liberties. She went too far in saying that human rights “can’t interfere with the global economic crisis, the global climate change crisis and the security crisis.” There is real cause for concern about China’s human rights record, and who will press the Asian giant if not the United States? Unfortunately, the decision reflects political and economic realities of the moment. It is difficult for the United States to deliver lectures on human rights in the wake of waterboarding. What was Clinton to say: Release your prisoners next year, just as soon as we close Guantanamo and figure out what to do with ours?
Furthermore, the United States isn’t in a position right now to extol the virtues of American capitalism. Clinton could hardly urge less state intervention in the economy and currency exchange liberalization when the U.S. financial system has seized upand the government is practically nationalizing banks. And especially not when asking China to keep buying U.S. debt on top of the more than $600 billion it already owns.
So what did she do? Clinton used President Obama’s popularity and the force of her personality to try to restore America’s standing abroad. She opted for direct talk over the usual diplomatic caution in highlighting international concern about leadership changes in North Korea. She spoke with women in Japan about balancing career and family, and working with men. She honored a democratic transfer of power in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country.
Rather than lecturing China about greenhouse gas emissions, Clinton urged the government not to make the mistakes the United States and Europe had made, effectively taking partial responsibility for the problem. She said that lecturing China has never been productive and that it was time to give the country some of the respect due the world’s third-largest economy. It was a successful first foray by the secretary of State. She’ll have other opportunities to use the moral and political force of a superpower — once this country has regained its standing — to address human rights abuses in China.
Hillary Clinton's Asia Trip: Complete Remarks
The State Department has all of Hillary Clinton’s collected remarks from her Asia Trip online now. It was a successful first trip abroad for the new Secretary of State, with much meaningful dialogue between the US and our Asian partners overseas.
–02/22/09 Online Chat Hosted by China Daily: The U.S. and China Working Toward Clean Energy
–02/22/09 Dragon TV Interview: Developing a Comprehensive, Integrated Dialogue With China
–02/21/09 Dialogue on U.S.-China Partnership on Clean Energy
–02/21/09 Remarks With Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi
–02/20/09 Press Roundtable: Working Toward Change in Perceptions of U.S. Engagement Around the World
–02/20/09 Korean Journalist Roundtable: Toward a More Comprehensive Strategic Relationship With South Korea
–02/20/09 Town Hall Meeting at Ewha Women’s University: Women’s Empowerment Is Key To Progress
–02/20/09 CNN Interview: Reengaging North Korea in the Six-Party Talks
–02/20/09 Fox News Interview: North Korea and the Six-Party Talks
–02/20/09 Appointment of Ambassador Stephen Bosworth as Special Representative for North Korea Policy
–02/20/09 Remarks With South Korean Foreign Minister Yu: The U.S. and South Korea Working Together on Regional and Global Issues
–02/19/09 Briefing En Route Seoul, South Korea: Putting the Elements of Smart Power Into Practice
–02/19/09 Indonesian Journalists Roundtable: Expanding the U.S.-Indonesian Dialogue
–02/18/09 Indonesian Civil Society Dinner: The Role of Civil Society in Building a Stronger, More Peaceful World
–02/18/09 Remarks With ASEAN Secretary General Pitsuwa: Beginning a New Era of Diplomacy in Asia
–02/18/09 Remarks With Indonesian Foreign Minister Wirajuda: Developing a Comprehensive Partnership With Indonesia
–02/17/09 Yomiuri Shimbun Interview: The Importance of U.S.-Japan Relations
–02/17/09 Asahi Shimbun Interview: U.S. and Japan Working in Partnership on Regional Issues
–02/17/09 Town Hall Meeting at the University of Tokyo: The U.S. and Japan Helping To Chart New Courses
–02/17/09 Fuji TV Interview: U.S. Values Relationship With Japan
–02/17/09 NHK Interview: U.S.-Japan Cooperation on Global Issues
–02/17/09 CBS Interview: The Secretary’s Trip to Asia
–02/17/09 NBC Interview: U.S.-Japan Cooperation Essential for Global Recovery
–02/17/09 ABC Interview: U.S., Japan Work Together for Global Recovery
–02/17/09 Remarks With Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone
–02/16/09 Remarks Upon Arrival in Japan: The U.S. and Japan Collaborating To Address Global Concerns
–02/15/09 Overview of Trip to Asia
–02/13/09 Preview of Upcoming Trip to Asia
What's Hillary Clinton Doing Today?
Today, Hillary Clinton’s in South Korea, being amazing and saving the world, as usual.
Because of the time difference, most of her adventures today will have concluded before any of us stateside even hear about them (which has made following her Asian trip challenging, but exhilarating and interesting nonetheless).
Here are some photos of what she’s been up to in Asia, so many time zones away:
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton adjusts earphone during a news conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan at the foreign ministry's main office in Seoul February 20, 2009
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, right, is greeted by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak during their meeting at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Feb. 20, 2009. Clinton said Friday that North Korea can expect no change in its relationship with Washington if the regime continues to insult, provoke and shut out dialogue with South Korea.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton smiles as she waits for SKorean President Lee Myung-bak at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, on February 20. The top US and South Korean diplomats urged NKorea to stop provocative acts and stressed that Pyongyang's possession of atomic weapons can never be tolerated, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks as South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan listens during a news conference at the foreign ministry main office in Seoul February 20, 2009.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (C) smiles after signing a guest book beside General Walter Sharp (R), Commander of U.S. Forces Korea and Lee Sung-chool (L), deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, during her visit to Yongsan Garrison in Seoul February 20, 2009
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) talks with Commander of U.S. Forces Korea General Walter Sharp upon her arrival at Yongsan Garrison in Seoul February 20, 2009
We. Love. This. Woman.
Go, Hillary, Go!
What time is it where Hillary Clinton is now?
Some people are wondering what time it is in South Korea.
When people in South Korea wonder what time it is, they look at their watch. When we in Chicago wonder what time it is for Hillary Clinton in South Korea and China for the rest of the trip, we have to calculate that as best we can, remembering 12 noon in Chicago = 3am in Seoul.
So, as of this post, at 2:50pm in the Windy City, Hillary Clinton’s probably either still asleep or just waking up at 5:50am in Seoul, preparing for a big day of meetings and events in one of America’s strongest Asian allies before heading to her last stop, China, tomorrow.
What's Hillary Clinton Doing Today?
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spent today in Indonesia, before boarding a plane for South Korea, the third leg on her four-country tour of Asia. Here are some photos of her day:
U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton (L) is greeted by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the presidential office in Jakarta February 19, 2009. Clinton held talks with Yudhoyono on Thursday on a trip aimed at building ties with the Islamic world, before heading to South Korea for talks on the North's military threat.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gestures as she talks with local residents during her visit to a USAID-sponsored environmental and health services program at Petojo neighbourhood in Jakarta February 19, 2009. Clinton made small talk on a popular music TV show and toured U.S.-funded aid projects on Thursday as she tried to improve America's image in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton waves as she visits the Petojo residential area in central Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday February 19, 2009.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton waves to reporters before leaving for South Korea at Halim Perdanakusumah airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) talks with Han Duck-soo, South Korean ambassador to the U.S., upon her arrival at a military airport in Seongnam, near Seoul, February 19, 2009
Go, Hillary, Go!
Good luck and God bless in South Korea!
Hillary Clinton's Remarks Upon Arriving In Tokyo, Japan
Secretary of State Clinton’s remarks upon arriving in Tokyo, Japan:
Thank you very much, and I am delighted to be back in Tokyo. I have come to Asia as my first trip as Secretary of State to convey that America’s relationships across the Pacific are indispensible to addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities of the 21st century. By strengthening our historic Asian alliances, starting right here in Japan, and forging new partnerships with emerging nations, we can begin together to build networks around the world to help us solve problems that none of us can solve alone.
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