Remarks With Indonesian Foreign Minister Raden Mohammad Marty Muliana Natalegawa
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Jakarta, Indonesia
September 3, 2012
FOREIGN MINISTER NATALEGAWA: (In Indonesian.)
I will say a few words in Bahasa, and for those who are not proficient in Bahasa (inaudible.)
(Via
interpreter.) I am pleased to be able to have welcomed Secretary of
State Madam Hillary Clinton to Indonesia today. Our meeting today
constitutes a continuation of the series of consultations and
conversations we have had over the recent past, including at the
sidelines of the recently concluded ASEAN Regional Forum in Phnom Penh
in July 2012. As a matter of fact, in just a little over two weeks time,
I will once again meet Her Excellency Secretary Clinton, this time
within the context of the third Indonesia-U.S. Joint Commission Meeting
in Washington, D.C. on the 20th of September, 2012.
Such
intensive consultations reflect the robust state of the two countries’
relations. In keeping with its designation as a comprehensive
partnership, comprehensive suggests the broad range of issues covered in
our bilateral relations, including cooperation in economic and
development, social, cultural, educational, scientific and technological
as well as political and security affairs, whereas partnership entails a
relationship that is mutually beneficial. I can convey that and can
inform you and pleased that this evening, during the course of our
meeting this evening, we were able to take stock of the state of our
bilateral relations, which efforts have certainly yielded results.
Both
ministries have identified a number of products that we have received
both in the Joint Commission Meeting in Washington, D.C. to come. Our
meeting today as certainly injected a strong momentum in such
directions. No doubt, of course, our discussion today extends beyond
bilateral issues. We were able to have had a very productive and
thorough exchange of views on regional and global issues. This reflects
the fact that the significance of Indonesia and the U.S. relations
extend beyond bilateral dimension. It has ramifications to the region
and beyond, most especially in the same way that Indonesia’s
relationship with other key partners in the region, the relation between
Indonesia and the U.S. have proven to be a strong contributor to the
region’s peace, stability, and prosperity.
More specifically, we
were able to exchange views, for example, on ASEAN-U.S. relations, the
importance of the region’s architecture building, including the East
Asia Summit, as well as developments on the Korean Peninsula and
maritime issues, such as the South China Sea.
On the latter, I
believe the two countries continue to share the view that the
overlapping claims between the parties concerned must be resolved
peacefully – I repeat, must be resolved peacefully – and also by
diplomatic means, based on the principles of international law and the
Law of the Sea. In particular, I believe both sides recognize the
importance of making further progress on the what is called code of
conduct on the South China Sea. Indonesia, for its part, will certainly
continue and, indeed, enhance its diplomatic efforts on this issue. In
essence, I believe both the United States and Indonesia recognize the
importance of continuing to maintain peace and stability in the Asia
Pacific, a condition which has been instrumental in promoting the
region’s prosperity and the region’s progress.
I and the Secretary
of State of the U.S. also discussed a number of global developments of
common concern, including that in the Middle East, more specifically on
the development in Syria. I have also informed the Secretary of State of
the role of the President of the Republic of Indonesia as a co-chair of
the High-Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda and its
forthcoming chairmanship of APEC 2013.
The Secretary of State of
the U.S. and I will continue discussions on the above issues in the
working dinner following this press conference. Tomorrow, God willing,
in (inaudible) the Secretary of State of the U.S. will pay a call on
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. And of course, in a few days time, I
shall have the occasion of working closely with the Secretary of the
U.S. at the forthcoming APEC meeting at Vladivostok.
I would like to continue now. I invite her Excellency, the Secretary of State, to deliver, to convey her remarks.
SECRETARY CLINTON:
Well, let me begin by thanking the Foreign Minister for his very warm
welcome and let me express how pleased I am to be back in Indonesia. As
the Minister said, we had a long, comprehensive, very constructive
conversation on a full range of issues. That is what I have come to
expect from the Minister. Minister Natalegawa is highly respected in
representing his nation on behalf of the President, the government, and
the people.
Before I address the issues that Marty raised, let me
just very clearly condemn the attack on our consulate personal in
Peshawar, Pakistan. We pray for the safe recovery of both American and
Pakistani victims and once again we deplore the cowardly act of suicide
bombing and terrorism that has affected so many people around the world,
and which we all must stand against.
Here in Indonesia, one
of the very first countries I visited as Secretary of State, we have
seen our relationship grow stronger and deeper. The U.S.-Indonesia
Comprehensive Partnership is a foundation for America’s renewed
engagement in the Asia Pacific, and I’m looking forward to welcoming the
Foreign Minister and the Indonesian delegation to Washington in just a
few weeks.
One focus of America’s engagement here is promoting
economic growth through trade and development. The Indonesian Government
has announced more than half a trillion dollars in planned
infrastructure improvement, and our government and our businesses
strongly support this commitment by the Indonesian Government. We want
to do even more in working to enhance jobs and economic growth for both
our countries and the people of them. We think Indonesia’s growth, which
continues to be so strong, is essential not only for Indonesia but
regionally and globally.
We also believe that education remains the cornerstone of economic growth and individual advancement in the 21st
century economy. To that end, I’m pleased to announce that USAID will
invest $83 million during the next five years to support primary
education in Indonesia, and we also providing a $20 million fund for
graduate training for Indonesian students in the United States. These
kinds of educational exchanges reflect the model of partnership that the
United States is pursuing based on shared values, delivering concrete
benefits for our people, and enhancing our partnership.
On
regional issues, I expressed to the Minister our gratitude to Indonesia
for supporting stronger American engagement in the Asia Pacific. It was
during Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN that President Obama became the
first American president to attend the East Asia Summit. I’m confident
that as Indonesia looks ahead to becoming the host of APEC next year, it
will bring the same expertise and commitment to consensus building and
results as the chair of that important group as well.
I thank the
Minister for the efforts that Indonesia has undertaken following this
year’s ASEAN Regional Forum. I expressed our appreciation for
Indonesia’s and the Minister’s personal efforts to advance ASEAN unity.
We believe that the U.S.-ASEAN relationship is one of our most important
and we want to support ASEAN unity in this region. The recent
U.S.-ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting in Cambodia and the largest ever
U.S.-ASEAN Business Forum, which I hosted in July in Cambodia, are
evidence of that. As we intensify our engagement with ASEAN, we look
forward to working with our dialogue partners to strengthen the ASEAN
Secretariat.
We discussed developments in the South China Sea, and
I commended, again, the Minister for his personal leadership under the
President’s guidance. The United States has a national interest, as
every country does, in the maintenance of peace and stability, respect
for international law, freedom on navigation, unimpeded lawful commerce
in the South China Sea. As I have said many times, the United States
does not take a position on competing territorial claim over land
features, but we believe the nations of the region should work
collaboratively together to resolve disputes without coercion, without
intimidation, without threats, and certainly without the use of force.
That
is why we encourage ASEAN and China to make meaningful progress towards
finalizing a comprehensive code of conduct in order to establish rules
of the road and clear procedures for peacefully addressing
disagreements. And we endorse the recent ASEAN six-point principles on
the South China Sea. We will continue to support the work that ASEAN is
doing, and in particular the leadership of Indonesia, to clarify and
pursue claims in accordance with international law, including the Law of
the Sea Convention.
The world looks to Indonesia as the leading
democracy in the region – as indeed the third largest democracy in the
world – to promote democracy and human rights, and we will work together
on behalf of those important principles. We both agree strongly that
there should be no discrimination against minorities on any basis –
religious or communal, sectarian, ethnic – and that we should promote
freedom and tolerance for all.
In pursuit of our shared democratic
values, we’re pursuing plans for our Triangular Cooperation program,
which aims to strengthen democratic institutions in countries such as
Burma. Once again, the United States will be sending a high-level
delegation to the Bali Democracy Forum to strengthen democratic reform
and civil society and to stand up for the human rights that democracies
are pledged to protect.
And finally, the Foreign Minister and I
exchanged views on Iran and Syria. On Iran, we believe – and we share
this common position – that Iran has a right to the use of peaceful
nuclear energy. But Iran must abide by its international obligations and
cannot be permitted to get a nuclear weapons.
On Syria, both our
countries remain committed to three priorities: putting an end to the
violence, responding to humanitarian need, and helping to facilitate a
political, democratic transition that will benefit the Syrian people.
So
again, Minister, I thank you for these very substantive discussions. I
thank you for yours and the President’s leadership on behalf of regional
and global issues of great importance to us all. I look forward to
seeing you in Vladivostok in a few days, and welcoming you to Washington
in a few weeks. Thank you.
FOREIGN MINISTER NATALEGAMA:
Thank you very much, Hillary, for your remarks. I wonder whether we can
allow some of our colleagues to pose one or two questions before we
proceed to the working dinner that we had planned.
Yes.
QUESTION: Thank you for the opportunity to ask. My name is (inaudible). I’m from an English language daily newspaper, Jakarta Globe.
I would like to ask Mrs. Clinton if the U.S. Government proposal to
sell air-to-ground sales have been approved by U.S. Congress to accept
the F-16 jet fighters Indonesia? And what other defense system that U.S.
will provide assistance for Indonesia? And why would the U.S. want to
sell missiles to Indonesia despite human rights records in Papua? Thank
you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, let me begin by
saying that we support Indonesia’s security, including its defense, and
we believe strongly that Indonesia has a right to enhance its security.
We obviously work closely with Indonesia on a range of issues,
particularly on counterterrorism cooperation. And we commend the
Indonesian Government for the law enforcement-led approach to
counterterrorism and believe that Indonesia has made great strides in
protecting its citizens and citizens more generally who visit and travel
for business or recreation to Indonesia, which is such a wonderful
country to be able to see.
Regarding the very important question
on the situation in Papua, we support the territorial integrity and that
includes Papua and West Papua provinces. We believe strongly that
dialogue between Papuan representatives in the Indonesian Government
would help address concerns that the Papuans have and assist in
resolving conflict peacefully, improving governance and development. We
think there should be inclusive consultation with the Papuan people and
implementation of the special autonomy law for Papua. And of course, we
deplore violence of any sort in Papua, and when it does occur there
should be full and transparent investigations under the rule of law and
make sure that lessons are learned from that.
So we think
that there’s been an enormous amount of good work done by the Indonesian
Government, and we’re going to continue to work with them and raise
issues as that becomes necessary.
FOREIGN MINISTER NATALEGAWA:
Let me just – although the question was not directed to me per se, but
one thing to underscore, the point that I was trying to make at the
beginning, U.S.-Indonesia relations is a comprehensive one. If one was
to simply pick an issue, as you have just now identified, you can get
acute impression of what the full breadth of Indonesia-U.S. relations.
And whenever we have issues that we must discuss, as fellow democracies,
countries that enjoy very comprehensive and stable and stronger
bilateral relations, we have been able to discuss this matter in a very
frank and open and candid manner, in a problem-solving manner as well.
So
I mean, that’s how it is, and we respect and we thank the consistent
position by the United States with respect to the territorial integrity
of Indonesia. I think that has been a given. And it’s also, at the same
time, (inaudible) additional sense of responsibility to ensure that we
live up not only to the international community’s expectations but most
of all – most of all – to the expectation of our own people in terms of
how we conduct ourselves as a democracy nowadays.
MODERATOR: Next question, the gentleman from Reuters.
QUESTION:
Andrew Quinn from Reuters. Firstly, if I could go back to the South
China Sea. For you both, following the Phnom Penh conference, there was a
lot of concern that ASEAN had not unified its position on how to
approach China. After your talks today, are you both convinced that
ASEAN does indeed have a unified and strong position and will take on
China collectively on these various territorial disputes?
And
Madam Secretary, when you’re in Beijing, what’s going to be your message
to the Chinese over specific moves, such as establishing a garrison in
disputed territory?
And finally, Madam Secretary, if there’s
anything more you could tell us on the Peshawar incident, specifically
if we have any indication who might be behind it or if it’s related to
the drone strikes.
FOREIGN MINISTER NATALEGAWA: I guess I can – I’ll take the first question, the first part of your question.
On
the ASEAN unity, it’s important to underscore ASEAN unity is not meant
to be at the expense of any other party. It’s not about us rallying
around to counter or to put any other country on the spot or to put them
in a corner. ASEAN unity over the years, over the decades, has been
instrumental, has been critical even, in ensuring the stability and the
prosperity, as the result therefore, of the region.
So when we,
Indonesia, we worked hard a few weeks ago to restore ASEAN unity on the
South China Sea, it was very much imbued with that sense of how ASEAN
cohesion and unity is instrumental and essential if we are to make
progress on the diplomatic track on the South China Sea. That is why a
few weeks ago I had a very good, frank, and candid discussion with my
Foreign Minister of China colleague here in this very same building to
call on him to revert back to the diplomatic process.
I think the
track is quite clear what’s ahead of us, namely we must apply ourselves
to have the code of conduct done. Absent a code of conduct, absent a
diplomatic process, we can be certain of more incidents and more tension
for our region. So it is a win-win and relationship – it is not only
right that ASEAN must be united, but it is also the smart thing to do,
because absent an ASEAN unity, the question will become like a loose
cannon in the way the issue is being discussed.
So in the weeks to
come, we will have with all our partners – all our partners, I must
emphasize that – and in trying to bring about a diplomatic management
and solution to the problem.
SECRETARY CLINTON:
Well, I can only echo and reinforce what the minister said, because he
has led the diplomacy for the adoption of the six-point statement of
principles by ASEAN on July 20th. That showed unity was very
important, and the United States endorses those principles. We believe
too, along with ASEAN, that it is critical for the work that has begun
on the code of conduct to continue. The United States believes very
strongly that no party should take any steps that would increase
tensions or do anything that could be viewed as coercive or intimidating
to advance their territorial claims. It’s important that there be, as
the minister said, a mechanism for resolving the potential for the
outbreak of conflict or miscalculation by any party. Because remember,
there are many claimants. It’s not just ASEAN members claiming vis-a-vis
China. There are claims within ASEAN members themselves.
So this
is in everyone’s interest, and it is time for diplomacy. We have the
East Asia Summit coming up in Phnom Penh in November. This should be the
goal that diplomacy pursues to try to attain agreement, as the Minister
is doing, on a robust code of conduct to begin to try to literally calm
the waters and enable people to work together toward better outcomes.
And
I will be discussing these matters in Beijing with Chinese leaders. I
think we can make progress before the East Asia Summit, and it certainly
is in everyone’s interest that we do so.
Regarding your second
question, it is still early in the investigation of the incident. It
appears that a van filled with both American and Pakistani personnel, as
well as locally employed staff at the Embassy site, were targeted by a
suicide bomber who drove a vehicle into this van with the consequence
there were injuries to both Pakistanis and Americans in the van and on
the ground. The information I have is that the Pakistani authorities
responded very appropriately to the scene, and we don’t have any further
information at this point. The injured are being taken care of. Some
have been airlifted to Islamabad hospitals. But we appreciate the
support we are getting from the Pakistani law enforcement and government
personnel.
But I would just end by saying Indonesia has been a
victim of terrorism. So many countries have now. And it’s deeply
regrettable that there are those who pursue political goals through
terrorism. I mean, that’s what’s so important about a democracy like
Indonesia. I mean, as big a country with as diverse a population as
Indonesia has, people have an outlet. They can compete in the political
process. They can put their ideas forward. They can ask for the votes of
their fellow citizens. And in the 21st century, that is what
we all should be doing. And we have to stand against terrorism and move
toward political change and democracy everywhere.
Thank you.
FOREIGN MINISTER NATALEGAWA:
Thank you, Hillary. Let me also, on that note, one thing to express in
the clearest manner possible our strong condemnation of terrorist acts,
whomever committed against and whomever propagated by. And Indonesia, as
Hillary – as Secretary Clinton has said, has itself been victims of
terrorist acts, and we remain side by side with all our democratic
partners in wanting to overcome the price of terrorism. And we are
sympathetic, and we hope those who have been injured by this latest
incident can recover quickly and that the perpetrators are brought to
justice.
I think that that concludes our press statement, and I
would like to thank you very much once again, Hillary, for being
(inaudible) to continue in our discussions.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.
Seriously, in her years of mutual visits between Hillary Clinton and Marty Natalegawa, I have never seen all those other names that he has!
