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Politics | 02/18/2009 8:00 am

Clinton Trip Draws Protest in Indonesia

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© AP

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

Belinda Joy
Can you blame them? We have a lot of damage control and repair to do around the globe thanks to the past administration. We’re not trusted. We will need to gain their trust and the only way is by our actions. the upside is Clinton is the perfect person to handle this monumental task.
By Belinda Joy on 02/18/2009 8:25 am
alex harvey
I love it. The country where Barack Husseins mother married and lived are holding up signs that say "Stop Hillary" and you guys are still blaming Bush. Perfect for the job? She can’t even handle her husband. If I’m not mistaken N. Korea has already threatened war with S. Korea. Barack Hussein is now in charge. Time to change scorecards.
By alex harvey on 02/18/2009 12:04 pm
DeBúrca obj
The Damage Control Tour. Just like our new president’s challenges, Ms Clinton faces huge challenges in her new job.
By DeBúrca obj on 02/18/2009 9:53 am
caj p
We have made such a mess of our foreign realtions around the world during the Bush years, it is going to take some time to bring it back into the fold. What a mess all round we have to clean up, but it will eventually come good but it won’t be quick or easy….we have a good diplomatic team now and that’s a good start on the foreign policy side of things.
By caj p on 02/18/2009 10:04 am
DeBúrca obj

"You know, I am an eternal optimist. That doesn’t mean I’m a sap." - President Barack Obama 

By DeBúrca obj on 02/18/2009 10:50 am
Grande Camper
Not only do I wish Ms Clinton luck but personal safety too.  She has a tough job ahead of her.
By Grande Camper on 02/18/2009 10:36 am
Diana T

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.

 

 

By Diana T on 02/18/2009 1:41 pm
Grande Camper
Your right Diana!
By Grande Camper on 02/18/2009 3:05 pm
Ms. Dee

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.

By Ms. Dee on 02/18/2009 2:19 pm
Paul Bartels

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.

By Paul Bartels on 02/18/2009 3:39 pm
Robert Thompson

Paul…Great post!

By Robert Thompson on 02/19/2009 12:29 am
caj p
Nothing to do with the Bush administration….who do you think has caused so many in that part of the world to dislike American policy, it certainly wasn’t under Obama as he has been President for how long is it now….nearly a whole month!!!!!  It’s nothing to do with Hillary being a woman as you say, and certainly nothing to do with Obama…the resentment is so deep and it will take time and talking to bring us back into the fold again.  So your desperate need to blame Obama for all this is totally ridiculous to say the least….you really need to take off those blinkers now that you have worn for the past 8 years and get a grip on reality.
By caj p on 02/18/2009 9:27 pm
Zera Lee
Bush destroyed the Islamic balance of power when he took the side-trip into Iraq, and the aftershocks have been profound. Especially when he started promoting it as spreading ideology. We fought a cold war to keep the USSR from doing that! The Islamic balance of power is something we just cannot repair, simply because we are not an Islamic nation. Bush tried to spread democracy, and Hamas and Hezbollah got legitimately elected. He made empty threats against Iran, authorized a missile shield, and provoked Russia in to a bit of empire-building. He made a deal with India that undermined the nuclear NPT while having unresolved nuke problems with N. Korea and Iran. Way to hold the moral high ground. H. Clinton does not have a full plate, she has a freaking buffet to deal with. I hate to think who McCain would have put on the job… After a long absence, “the last best hope of earth” is open for business once again.
By Zera Lee on 02/19/2009 12:55 am
James Turnham
Does anyone remember any history at all in this country?  Remember the Iranian hostage crisis?  That was under Jimmy Carter.  The attack on the USS Cole?  First attempt to bring down the twin towers?  People hated us long before Bush took office but if it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside go ahead and blame Bush. 
By James Turnham on 02/19/2009 8:58 pm