US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived in the Indonesian captial of Jakarta on the second leg of her Asian tour.
She's promising a new American willingness to work with that country and the rest of Southeast Asia.
In a joint press conference with Indonesian Foreign Minister, Hasan Wirajuda, Clinton announced plans to restart Peace Corps programmes in the country.
Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, said, "Building a partnership, a comprehensive partnership with Indonesia is a critical step on behalf of the United States' commitment to smart power, to listening as well as talking with those around the world."
Clinton said the two countries should cooperate on issues of climate change, trade, education,and regional security. She also indicated that more development aid was on the way.
She noted that her choice of Asia for her first overseas trip is a sign of the Obama administration's desire for broader and deeper relations with the continent.
She also visited the Jakarta-based headquarters of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
While there she said Washington would for the first time begin consideration of signing the bloc's non-agression pact, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, said, "An American-ASEAN partnership is an important part of our new approach to development and diplomacy, what we call smart power. As we move forward on the tack, I look forward to engaging with ASEAN in other ways."
After Indonesia, Clinton will travel to South Korea and China.
(CCTV February 19, 2009)
