On the sidelines at ASEAN in Thailand, Mme. Secretary help a few bilaterals.
Remarks With Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Phuket, Thailand
July 23, 2009
FOREIGN MINISTER KASIT: Good
morning, dear friends from the press, from the media circle. This
morning, Madame Secretary of State of the United States Hillary Clinton
did have a short bilateral meeting with me. We went through some of the
important aspect of the bilateral relations.
We also touch upon some
of the major international issues, and we also reaffirmed to one
another working very closely bilaterally and within the ASEAN context,
particularly the ASEAN-U.S. dialogue, and also in other regional
organizations.
We are being reaffirmed by the continued President's
interest and full participation of the United States in the area for the
well-being of the Asia Pacific area, for Southeast Asia, for –peace,
security, and development.
And, having said that, may I give the floor to Madame Secretary, please?
SECRETARY CLINTON:
Thank you so much, Minister Kasit, and it is such a pleasure to be here
in one of the most beautiful places on earth. And I want to thank the
Government of Thailand for hosting the ASEAN post-ministerial
conference.
I’ve had a
number of productive conversations here in Phuket, with our partners in
ASEAN and the ASEAN Regional Forum. And I think we’ve laid the
groundwork for future collaboration on urgent issues, from North Korea
and Burma, to the threat of terrorism and the scourge of human
trafficking. And I’m looking forward, in the weeks to come, to do the
follow-up that has come out of our discussions.
The foreign minister
and I have just had an excellent conversation about how our nations can
deepen and broaden the partnership that we have for the good of our
people. As I said yesterday in Bangkok after my meeting with the prime
minister and the deputy prime minister, Thailand is a leader in the
world that is of great economic and strategic importance.
The
United States is committed to working closely with Thailand on
national, regional, and global issues. We’re going to make even better
one of the longest and strongest friendships that my country has
anywhere in the world. And as Thailand resolves its current political
challenges, the people of Thailand can count on the United States to
work with you to find a path forward that honors your democratic
traditions.
So I want again to thank you, Minister, for such an
important and extremely well-organized and implemented conference. I
thank the people of Thailand for your hospitality, and I look forward to
returning in the future, and to working together to strengthen and
deepen this important friendship and alliance that has stood the test of
time. Thank you so much, sir.
FOREIGN MINISTER KASIT: Thank you very much.
Remarks With Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Sheraton Grande Laguna Hotel
Phuket, Thailand
July 23, 2009
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well,
I am delighted to have this opportunity to meet with the foreign
minister. Minister Qureshi has been an instrumental part in the actions
taken by the Government of Pakistan to demonstrate the commitment to
stability, and peace and prosperity that is at the core of their
governmental mission. The United States has offered and continues to
ensure to work with Pakistan in however Pakistan feels it’s appropriate
in their courageous struggle against violent extremism. And I must say,
Mr. Minister, that the progress that your government is making in this
effort, of the significant return of people back to their homes because
of the success of the government policy and military action has been
encouraging and impressive.
And I’m looking forward to visiting
Pakistan in the fall to work further with you and demonstrate not only
our commitment, but also to learn more about what we can do to be of
help to (inaudible).
FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI: Well, I’m delighted to see you up and kicking again. I wish you a very, very speedy recovery.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.
FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI:
The United States and Pakistan have been working in close harmony
(inaudible) terrorism and extremism. We have been allies and we continue
to be allies with the common objective of defeating this menace.
Pakistan
is grateful for the (inaudible) it has received from Madame Secretary
and the G8 Conference (inaudible) resolve and determination to achieve
this objective. You will be delighted to know that the public opinion in
Pakistan has changed decisively against extremism and terrorism. The
military operation has gone beyond our expectations, and it is a great
success -- supported by the people of Pakistan. We have challenges. We
have challenges possibly (inaudible). We are grateful to the
international community to help Pakistan, and we (inaudible) impact and
Ambassador Holbrooke’s (inaudible) personal fulfillment.
We have
economic challenges (inaudible), but the difference is that today,
Pakistan is a democracy, and democracy can deliver. And Pakistan will
prove that it is part of the solution, and not part of the problem.
SECRETARY CLINTON: As always, eloquently well said, Mr. Minister.
