Politics | 02/18/2009 8:00 am
Clinton Trip Draws Protest in Indonesia

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton isn’t exactly being welcomed with open arms in Indonesia, her second stop on a tour through Asia.
Though government officials were excited to discuss policy, Muslim women protested Clinton’s trip to that country outside the U.S. embassy in Jakarta on Monday. About 100 people came out to decry her visit as part of a U.S. plan to "divide and rule" Muslims around the globe. Indonesia is the world’s most popular Muslim country and her presence there signals that the U.S. hopes to improve relations with the Muslim world. [It also doesn’t hurt matters that President Obama spent some of his childhood there.]
Secretary Clinton will meet with Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, among other top officials. Topics are expected to include Iraq, Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Guantanamo Bay. She departs for South Korea on Thursday.
"We have a responsibility to speak out and to work with the Muslim world on behalf of positive change and to enlist the help of Muslims around the world against the extremists," Clinton told students at Tokyo University in Japan on Tuesday, ahead of her visit. "And it is very difficult in many parts of the world today to do that."
Clinton said she wanted to follow Obama’s example after he gave his first presidential interview to a Muslim news channel, and "speak directly to Muslims."
When asked about the "prejudice" in the United States against Muslims because of terrorism, Clinton rejected the idea.
"I am a Christian," she said. "Through the centuries we have had many people who have done terrible things in the name of Christianity. They have perverted the religion."
The Jakarta Post says police there have added 2,800 security officers to the capital in preparation for Clinton’s visit. They will be prepared should any rallies or protests turn violent.























14 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment
"You know, I am an eternal optimist. That doesn’t mean I’m a sap." - President Barack Obama
Debra,
I have no doubt as to her ability of doing her job. She is one sharp cookie when it comes to foreign policy and foreign relations.
Divide and conquer the Muslim world? Is that what they think we’re hoping to accomplish? If what we want to do is "stop" the extremists from violence and aggression, I think "development" may be the best tool in the box…but how do we pay for any of that at this point?
Well, at least the leaders were happy to talk with her, but as we’ve seen so often, leaders don’t always have the best interest of their populations at heart. Wonder what they want.
Just like all the Left-Wing liberals to continue to blame the Bush Administration for the Muslim Worlds Hate of America, and our countries support for Israel.
Well when I see them (muslim protesters) holding signs saying we’re a rubbish society, and Islam will rule the world, burning our flag, and throwing shoes at Hilliary’s efigy, it’s evident Hillary will never get the respect she deserves because she is a woman. What’s happening now has nothing to do with the Bush administration, and everything to do with the Obama administration.
But while all this is happening, the UNITED NATIONS is giving 345 million dollars to the Palistinians in the West Bank, and half of that is coming from AMERICA, and YOUR TAX DOLLARS. Yes I said half~! Look it up, this is factual information. While you get a lousey $13.00 a week on your paycheck that will be burnt up in new taxes by states trying to save their own budgets taking that 13 bucks back from you, our Government is giving billions to Countries around the world who hate us.
But just remember this; when you got a drunken BUM on the street corner remember the money you gave him today will never be enough, and he’ll be back on the same street corner in the morning asking for more~!
BECAUSE ONCE A DRUNK, ALWAYS A DRUNK~!
Ace…..
Muslim Nations do not respect womens rights, nor do they allow women to hold such postions.
Paul…Great post!