Much-awaited Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton finally arrived here in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. She just got back from Japan and would spend two days here before flying to South Korea and, finally, China.
The eight-day Asian tour marks her premiere overseas trip as the new US Secretary of State. The reasons of her country choice, well ... is still somewhat a mystery for the Indonesian case.
In Japan, well, I guess it's obvious that the US and Japan have been having good economic and security partnership since the end of the World War II. Her coming there has been confirmed as part of way to maintain the good partnership amid especially this time of crisis.
In South Korea, aside of economic stuff, the North Korea nuclear issue will surely be among of her agendas.
In China, we all know this will have something to do with economy, as China is now dubbed as the world's most emerging economy. And, from what I've read, Clinton will also discuss environmental issues with Chinese leaders. China has reportedly replaced the US as the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases.
In Indonesia ... well, speculations have indeed arisen as the public is still poorly-informed over her real intentions for coming here.
We (Indonesians, I mean) have proudly (though I have to admit -- naively, too) said over and over again that the new U.S. President Barack Obama had spent tiny part of his childhood in Jakarta.
And that;s why after the US and Kenya, it looks like we're the most joyful country in welcoming Obama's victory in the US presidential elections last year.
So, no wonder that many people here think that Clinton's visit to Indonesia -- hardly significant in previous US administration's foreign polices, must be attributable to Obama's "emotional link" with the archipelago.
Some also think this must have something to do with Obama's intention to improve US relationship with the Muslim world "based on mutual interest and ... ". Well, I think you have learned geography will know that Indonesia is the country with biggest Muslim population globally, though we never declare ourselves as an Islamic state.
The Indonesian government itself claims Clinton's visit must be because of Indonesia's emerging position in the global economy. Indonesia is now member of the G-20 countries, they said.
Well, well, well ... although Clinton has met with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda today, the reasons of her coming remains a mystery.
I'm looking forward to know the answer from her scheduled meeting tomorrow with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. And after that I can perhaps inform you again about the answer of the mystery ... Ciao!!
