January 14, 2009 

Secretary of State-Designate Hillary Clinton Acknowledges Indonesia

 

Jakarta, January 14 – Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton gave her testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s confirmation hearings on January 13.  As the incoming Secretary of State, Clinton said she would work to “renew America’s leadership through diplomacy that enhances our security, advances our interests and reflects our values.”

During her testimony, Clinton highlighted Indonesia as a country with a role to play in solving the global economic crisis. “We know that emerging markets like China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia are feeling the effects of the current crisis,” said Clinton.  “We all stand to benefit if they are part of the solution, and become partners in maintaining global economic stability.”  In November 2008, Indonesia participated in President George Bush’s economic summit of G-20 leaders in Washington, D.C. 

Clinton also mentioned President-Elect Barack Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham, regarding her work creating economic opportunities for women and small businesses during her time in Indonesia.  “[She] was a pioneer in microfinance in Indonesia,” Clinton stated.  “In my own work on microfinance around the world, I've seen firsthand how small loans given to poor women to start businesses can raise standards of living and transform local economies.”  Ann Dunham lived and worked in Indonesia from the late 1960s until the early 1990s.

Clinton, formerly a Democratic U.S. Senator from New York, was nominated by President-elect Barack Obama to head the U.S. Department of State in his new administration.  As part of the nomination process, Clinton must be confirmed by a simple majority from members of the U.S. Senate.  The Senate is expected to confirm Clinton as the new U.S. Secretary of State shortly after Inauguration Day on January 20, 2009.

For more information about the U.S. Embassy Jakarta, please visit our website at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov.

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