A new tone as Clinton comes calling

By NEHGINPAO KIPGEN

Asia Times – February 11, 2009

Hillary Clinton is soon to begin her maiden overseas trip to East Asia as the 67th secretary of state of the United States of America . The week-long trip starting on February 15 includes stops in Indonesia , Japan , South Korea and China .

Four fundamental issues are expected to dominate the visit. First, reshaping America 's image in the Muslim world; second, the ongoing global financial crisis; third, global warming; and fourth, tensions surrounding the two Koreas and Pyongyang 's nuclear program.

A trip to the world's largest Muslim-majority nation appears to be high on the agenda. Indonesia is "an important country for the United States ... and the secretary feels it's important that we need to reach out and reach out early to Indonesia ", said US State Department spokesperson Robert Wood on February 5.

Clinton 's predecessor, Condoleezza Rice, began her tenure with a trip to Europe and the Middle East. Rice's predecessor, Colin Powell, first visited the Middle East, while Madeleine Albright made her inaugural trip to Europe and East Asia .


The selection of destinations in Southeast and East Asia carries a significant message. It is a sign of renewed US interest in strengthening ties between East and West. Clinton was a widely known figure in that part of the world even before she accepted the job and will not require a lengthy introduction.

The visit to Indonesia is an implementation of President Barack Obama's vision for a new way forward with the Muslim world. After his election, the first African-American president promised to deliver a major speech in a Muslim capital. Clinton 's visit is largely viewed as laying the groundwork for an Obama visit to Jakarta .

Five days after his inauguration, Obama sat down with Dubai-based al-Arabiya television network and said, "I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries. My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy."

The choice of Indonesia was made not only because it is the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, but also due to Obama's personal connections. He lived in Indonesia and attended schools there between the ages of six and 10. During this time, his mother remarried to an Indonesian. When he was inaugurated, Obama's former classmates gathered at his old school to celebrate the triumph of the student they once called "Barry".

Although the US and Japan fought during the World War II, their bilateral relationship is now cordial. Japan is a good regional ally of Washington both economically and in the fight against terrorism. Japan also plays an important role in the six-party talks on North Korea 's nuclear program.

South Korea is also a long-time US ally in the region. Like Japan , South Korea is a good partner in trade and politics and plays a key role in the six-party nuclear talks. Clinton 's stops in Seoul and Tokyo will serve to reaffirm these friendships and to explore areas of further cooperation. Besides the global financial crisis, Clinton is expected to discuss the US 's new strategy in Afghanistan with both countries.

The Sino-US relationship is dominated by economic issues, and has been noticeably closer in recent years. China , now the third-largest economy in the world, has forced the US to acknowledge its growing influence in the region and the world.

The two opposing ideologies - capitalist and communist - have conflicting interests and differing approaches to many international conflicts. This divergence has often surfaced in the United Nations Security Council. Yet despite their differences, China and the US have worked together on North Korea and other issues.

The Obama administration is apparently interested in moving beyond just economic talks with China . During her confirmation hearing, Clinton envisioned a new "comprehensive" China policy that will incorporate a broad non-economic agenda.

Both Obama and Clinton have emphasized the need to use diplomacy and engagement in dealing with the troubled regions of the world. The secretary of state's first overseas visit to East Asia will indicate where US foreign policy is headed under Obama - and may shed light on the new administration' s ability to deliver on its message of change.

Although many regional analysts are already clamoring for Clinton to bring up some of the region's troubling political problems, such as Myanmar and Tibet , it is unlikely such controversial subjects will be discussed on her visit.

Nehginpao Kipgen is general secretary of US-based Kuki International Forum (www.kukiforum. com) and author of several analytical articles on the politics of Asia published in different leading newspapers.

(Copyright 2009 Nehginpao Kipgen.)