CLINTON CONSIDERS RI IMPORTANT COUNTRY IN ASIA : ENVOY

Jakarta, Feb 20 (ANTARA) - Hillary Clinton included Indonesia in her first overseas tour as America's new secretary of state because she considered Indonesia an important country in the Asian region, US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume said.
Indonesia is the fourth largest country in the world, so it is normal that she came to Indonesia where she listened to Indonesian people and leaders in an effort to enhance the bilateral relations, the ambassador told senior journalists here Friday.
Clinton paid her first visit to Indonesia as the US secretary of state from 18 to 19 February during which she met with Indonesian leaders including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and people of different groups including those from non-governmental organizations and woman figures.
According to the ambassador, the US secretary of state had had good meetings with Indonesian people to begin better relations between the two countries.
He also said that Clinton had even called on those who wanted to see democracy, Islam and women's rights to visit Indonesia which had showed big changes since the past ten years in those aspects.
In her remark at the Asia Society on February 13, 2009 in New York, she among others said Indonesia was one of Asia's most dynamic nations, where human energy and aspiration combine to help lead the country to a free and fair system of elections, a free press, a robust civil society, and a prominent role for women in the Indonesian government.
"We also will focus on the very fertile ground for cooperation that we believe exists with Indonesia. I don't need to remind you that our new President (Barack Obama) is well known and much admired there," she said.
The Indonesian government has also suggested the creation of a deeper partnership with the United States, she said, adding that this idea represents a positive approach to areas of common concern, and "we are committed to working with Indonesia to pursue such a partnership with concrete agenda".
On the occasion, she also expressed pride to have lent American assistance in response to natural disasters, including rebuilding efforts after the tsunami in Indonesia (in December 2004).
Likewise, she commended the Indonesian people and government for settling longstanding civil conflict in Aceh that threatened the country's progress, and similar positive efforts to achieve peace and stability that are working in Timor-Leste.