ID :
44495
Fri, 02/06/2009 - 17:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/44495
The shortlink copeid
Hillary Clinton`s visit throws Seoul questions over protocol
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's trip to South
Korea later this month poses an important mission for South Korea in more ways
than one -- shaping the two countries' alliance under the new U.S. administration
and setting the right protocol for the top U.S. diplomat, who also happens to be
the former first lady.
Clinton is due here for a two-day visit Feb. 19-20 as part of her four-nation
trip that will also take her to Japan, China and Indonesia.
From the very outset, it will be a "business-like" visit as she and her South
Korean counterpart Yu Myung-hwan will discuss a wide range of urgent and serious
issues, an official at Seoul's presidential office said Friday.
Topics for the Clinton-Yu meeting include how to keep the momentum alive on
stalled negotiations on ending North Korea's nuclear ambition and matters
related to the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed here as a legacy of the 1950-53
Korean War, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
However, Seoul officials are no less concerned about determining the due
diplomatic protocol for Clinton's status as an incumbent U.S. secretary and
former first lady of her country.
"There are different protocols for a state minister and a former first lady," the
official, who advises President Lee Myung-bak on foreign affairs, said.
The official said diplomatic protocol for former first ladies usually entails
providing security guards and a warm cordial welcome.
"Protocol for Secretary Clinton will be focused on her visit as a state minister
because her visit itself will be a business trip," the official said.
Others say Seoul would have to offer something extra.
"We have to consider her status also as a former first lady," another official at
the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae told Yonhap.
"It means the president (Lee) could meet her for an hour instead of just half an
hour" usually granted to most of other visiting foreign dignitaries, said the
official, who also advises the president on foreign affairs issues.
The official noted the president may also have lunch with Clinton if they are
able to find time during her short two-day visit.
Clinton's Asia trip will take her to Japan and Indonesia before coming to Seoul.
The visits there will be closely followed by officials here, not only for
political or diplomatic outcome, but also for their protocol for the U.S.
secretary and wife of former U.S. President Bill Clinton that could set a
precedent for Seoul.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's trip to South
Korea later this month poses an important mission for South Korea in more ways
than one -- shaping the two countries' alliance under the new U.S. administration
and setting the right protocol for the top U.S. diplomat, who also happens to be
the former first lady.
Clinton is due here for a two-day visit Feb. 19-20 as part of her four-nation
trip that will also take her to Japan, China and Indonesia.
From the very outset, it will be a "business-like" visit as she and her South
Korean counterpart Yu Myung-hwan will discuss a wide range of urgent and serious
issues, an official at Seoul's presidential office said Friday.
Topics for the Clinton-Yu meeting include how to keep the momentum alive on
stalled negotiations on ending North Korea's nuclear ambition and matters
related to the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed here as a legacy of the 1950-53
Korean War, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
However, Seoul officials are no less concerned about determining the due
diplomatic protocol for Clinton's status as an incumbent U.S. secretary and
former first lady of her country.
"There are different protocols for a state minister and a former first lady," the
official, who advises President Lee Myung-bak on foreign affairs, said.
The official said diplomatic protocol for former first ladies usually entails
providing security guards and a warm cordial welcome.
"Protocol for Secretary Clinton will be focused on her visit as a state minister
because her visit itself will be a business trip," the official said.
Others say Seoul would have to offer something extra.
"We have to consider her status also as a former first lady," another official at
the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae told Yonhap.
"It means the president (Lee) could meet her for an hour instead of just half an
hour" usually granted to most of other visiting foreign dignitaries, said the
official, who also advises the president on foreign affairs issues.
The official noted the president may also have lunch with Clinton if they are
able to find time during her short two-day visit.
Clinton's Asia trip will take her to Japan and Indonesia before coming to Seoul.
The visits there will be closely followed by officials here, not only for
political or diplomatic outcome, but also for their protocol for the U.S.
secretary and wife of former U.S. President Bill Clinton that could set a
precedent for Seoul.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
