What can be expected from Clinton's Asia visit?

By Nehginpao Kipgen *

Hillary Clinton is soon to begin her maiden overseas trip to Asia as the 67th secretary of state of the United States of America. The week-long trip starting 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 the U.S. state department spokesperson Robert Wood on February 5.

Clinton's predecessor, Condoleezza Rice, began her 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 both Europe and East Asia.

The selection of countries in Southeast and East Asia carries a significant message. It is a sign of U.S. renewed interest in strengthening ties between the East and the West. The secretary was already a widely known figure in that part of the world even before she accepted the job. This means she will not need a lengthy introduction.

The visit to Indonesia is the implementation of president Obama's vision for a new way forward with the Muslim world. After his election on November 4, the first African-American president promised to deliver a major speech in a Muslim capital. Clinton's visit to Jakarta is largely viewed as laying the groundwork for Obama's visit to that country.

Five days after his inauguration, Obama sat down with the 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."

Not only is because of Indonesia being the largest Muslim-majority nation, but president Obama also has personal connections. He lived in the country and attended schools from age 6 to 10 when his mother remarried to an Indonesian. When he was inaugurated, Obama's former classmates gathered at his old school to celebrate the 44th president, whom they called him "Barry."

Though the United States and Japan fiercely fought during the World War II, their bilateral relationship is now cordial. Japan is a good regional ally of the United States both economically and in the fight against terrorism. Japan also plays an important role in the six-party talks on the North-Korean nuclear program.

South Korea is one of the longest allies of the United States in the region. Similar to Japan, South Korea is a good partner of the United States economically and politically. The country is also a key player in the North-Korean nuclear talks.

Selecting Japan and South Korea in the chief diplomat's maiden trip is to reaffirm their friendship and to continue exploring areas where they can better work together. Besides the global financial crisis, Clinton is expected to discuss the U.S. new strategy in Afghanistan with both countries.

The Sino-US relationship is dominated by economic issues, and has visibly been closer in recent years. China being the third largest economy of the world has made it difficult for the United States to ignore China's growing influence in the region and around the world.

The two opposing capitalist and communist ideologies have conflicting interests and differing approaches on many of the international conflicts. These conflicting ideas have often surfaced in the U.N. Security Council. Despite the political differences, China and the United States sat down together in an attempt to resolve the North-Korean nuclear problem, among others.

The Obama administration is apparently interested in moving beyond economic talks with China. During her confirmation hearing, Clinton envisioned a new "comprehensive" China policy that will incorporate a broad range of issues rather than just the economy. The two countries are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including the global economic crisis, climate change and the North-Korean nuclear program.

Both Obama and Clinton emphasize 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 Asia will indicate where the U.S. foreign policy is headed under Obama administration. Time will tell how successful the new administration is in delivering its message of change.

Although it is unlikely to come up during the meetings, analysts and observers alike would really wish Clinton to bring up some of the political problems of the region, including Burma and Tibet.

The article first appeared in Asia Times
, The Korea Times
and The Brunei Times

Nehginpao Kipgen

* Nehginpao Kipgen is the general secretary of the US -based Kuki International Forum and a researcher on the rise of political conflicts in modern Burma (1947-2004). He can be contacted at nehginpao(at)yahoo(dot)com . This article was webcasted on February 15, 2009.