H. Clinton: U.S. Indonesia to form comprehensive partnership

JAKARTA, Feb. 18 -- The U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said here Wednesday on the second leg of her Asian trip that the United States and Indonesia would form a comprehensive partnership.

She said at a joint press conference after meeting with the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda that the United States had recognized the importance of Indonesia, which shares not only common interests but also common values with it.

Thus, she expected that the partnership between the two countries, which is "the kind that we believe will drive both democracy and development", would "provide a framework for advancing their common interests on the range of regional and global issues, covering environmental protection and climate change, trade and investment, democracy promotion, health, education, regional security and counter-terrorism."

Clinton said the United States will support Indonesia to restore economic growth and prosperity.

"Each country is dealing with this problem, but no country can do it alone. And although Indonesia project a positive growth rate, it is clear that Indonesia needs support from its friends and ally here in Asia and around the world," she said.

She applauded Indonesia's hosting the Bali climate conference and its help in setting the framework for jointly preventing deforestation.

Clinton said she also exchanged thoughts with Wirayuda and thanked Indonesia about some Asian-Pacific issues, "including how to forward Burma (Myanmar), to achieve the goal that allowing people in Burma live freely and select their own leadership."

Clinton's four-nation Asian tour to Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China is to bring new vision under the government of President Barack Obama.

Her visit to Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, is deemed to have a great significance in restoring U.S. relations with Muslim countries.

While in Indonesia, Clinton is also scheduled to meet Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan on Wednesday and the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono on Thursday to discuss cooperation in education, climate change, and food and energy security.