Secretary Clinton With New Zealand Prime Minister Key U.S.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Prime Minister John Key
of New Zealand shake hands at the Pacific Islands Forum in Rarotonga,
Cook Islands, August 31, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]
Remarks With New Zealand Prime Minister Key
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State
New Zealand High Commissioner's Residence, Cook Islands
August 31, 2012
PRIME MINISTER KEY: Okay,
so good afternoon. Welcome to Ngatipa, the New Zealand residence here
in the Cook Islands. It’s been a pleasure for me to host Secretary
Clinton and her team for lunch today. It’s always wonderful to have
Secretary Clinton in this part of the world. New Zealand very warmly
remembers your visit to our country back in 2010 when you signed the
Wellington Declaration, which describes in celebrating the strategic
partnership of our two countries here. In the almost two years since
Secretary Clinton’s visit to New Zealand, the bilateral relationship has
gone from strength to strength. Earlier this year, the Wellington
Declaration was complemented by the Washington Declaration (inaudible)
relationship.
Secretary Clinton and I discussed a number of areas
of cooperation, and I’ll mention just a few. The (inaudible) and the
Cook Islands are the forums and executive office is fully committed to
supporting inspirations and initiatives of Pacific Island countries. As
the outgoing chair of Cook Islands Forum, New Zealand welcomes the full
(inaudible) historically strong engagement with the island nations of
the Pacific.
We’ve been pleased to announce this week a number of
joint initiatives, including the areas of (inaudible) economic
development, clean energy, and maritime surveillance. We discussed
Afghanistan. New Zealand has stood alongside the United States as part
of an international coalition there since 9/11 joined by other countries
to tackle the threats posed by al-Qaida and its allies. We’ve endured
the terrible loss of life suffered by our coalition partners in
Afghanistan, particularly the recent New Zealand and Australian losses
and those of the United States.
Secretary Clinton and I discussed
the broad range of issues in the Asia Pacific region as we look towards
the APEC summit in Russia in around 10 days time. New Zealand warmly
supports the United States rebalancing towards the Asia Pacific, and we
welcome the opportunity to cooperate with the U.S. in the next
conflicts. We discussed our ongoing (inaudible) along side a number of
other countries (inaudible) partnership agreement. Secretary Clinton and
I share the goal of securing a high quality, (inaudible) free trade
agreement, would be a significant (inaudible) countries involved, indeed
to the region as a whole.
Before passing over to Secretary
Clinton, I’d like to convey publicly my personal gratitude for all that
she’s done for the past relations between our two countries and our two
peoples over the past four years. Secretary Clinton’s personal interest
and involvement in our country is greatly appreciated by the New Zealand
people. You’ve been great friends to New Zealand and you’re always
welcome (inaudible). SECRETARY CLINTON: Well,
Prime Minister, thank you very much for the warm welcome that you have
provided. As the first Secretary of State to make this journey, I am
especially delighted and honored. I was pleased to meet with leaders of
the Pacific Island Forum, member states, to attend the Pacific Island
Forum, post-forum dialogue where I had a chance to reaffirm the Obama
Administration’s commitment to our engagement in the Asia Pacific with
an equal emphasis on the Pacific part of that phrase. The United States
is very proud to be a Pacific nation, a long history in this region, and
we are committed to be here for the long run.
Today, I’m
announcing new programs and new funding to support our friends in this
region in three key areas: promoting sustainable economic development
and protecting biodiversity; advancing regional security; and supporting
women of the Pacific as they reach for greater political, economic, and
social opportunities.
To give just a few examples, the United
States will work with Kiribati to protect its marine ecosystem and help
coastal communities throughout the region adapt to the effects of
climate change and to develop renewable energy resources.
We will
expand our security partnership so U.S. ships can be of even greater
help in preventing illegal and unregulated fishing, and we will take
additional steps to clean up unexploded ordnance in the region, much of
it still there from World War Two. We will support the Rarotonga
Partnership for the Advancement of Pacific Island Women, launched just
today, and I’ll be looking forward to meeting with women from the region
later this afternoon.
I’m also very committed to expanding
investment and trade in the region, in pursuit of sustainable economic
growth. Later today, I’ll meet with local pearl vendors from here in the
Cook Islands who are running their businesses while also protecting
marine resources.
Obviously, I could go on because there’s a lot
to do in this very important region of the world, and there is no doubt
that our relationship with New Zealand provides a strong foundation for
our engagement across the Pacific. I especially want to thank Prime
Minister Key for his leadership in revitalizing the partnership between
New Zealand and the United States. As he said, we signed the Wellington
Declaration two years ago, and then in June our countries signed the
Washington Declaration, which emphasized our defense cooperation.
We
are working together on a number of important issues, from establishing
security in Afghanistan where Kiwi soldiers have made extraordinary
sacrifices. Just recently, the losses are ones that we are equally
grieved by and offer our condolences to the families as well as the
people of New Zealand. We also are very appreciative of New Zealand’s
leadership in addressing climate change and conserving natural resources
and opening the doors of opportunity.
In particular, I want to
thank the Prime Minister for his government’s support of women across
the region. And we’re going to create an exchange program connecting
women in the Pacific with women in the Caribbean who work in agriculture
so they can learn from each other and understand better how to improve
the incomes and opportunities for themselves and their families.
The
United States welcomes the chance to work with a broad array of
partners in the region –Japan, the European Union, China – we all have
an interest in advancing security, prosperity, and opportunity. And as I
said this morning, the Pacific is certainly big enough for all of us.
So thank you Prime Minister, the United States values our relationship.
We celebrated its 70th anniversary this year. We feel a
special kinship and closeness to New Zealand and your people and we
continue to look, as you said, for our relationship to go from strength
to strength. So thank you again for your leadership and partnership. MODERATOR:
Secretary Clinton and Prime Minister Key have kindly allowed two
questions from each side. May I remind you to please (inaudible)? We’re
going to start with New Zealand and (inaudible). QUESTION:
Good afternoon, Madam Secretary. How concerned is the U.S. that China’s
growing influence in the region (inaudible) how it administers aid, and
also its growing links with (inaudible)? SECRETARY CLINTON:
So this is an area that the Prime Minister and I discussed over lunch,
and I have to say that we think it is important for the Pacific Island
nations to have good relationships with as many partners as possible and
that includes China as well as the United States, and we believe there
is more that China can do with us, with New Zealand, with Australia,
with others, to further sustainable development, improve the health of
the people, deal with climate change and the environment, and I look
forward to discussing these issues when I am in Beijing next week.
New
Zealand sets a good example for the work that we think can be done with
China. New Zealand has worked with China on water issues, for example.
We want to see more multinational development projects that include the
participation of China. And as part of our strategic and economic
dialogue with China, we have a section on development. And it’s been my
observation over the last four sessions that we have now held that China
is becoming more interested in learning from, understanding best
practices and cooperating with other countries.
Our policy, as
expressed by President Obama and myself many times, is we want a
comprehensive, positive, cooperative relationship between the United
States and China. We think it is good for our country, it’s good for our
people, and in fact, it’s not only good for this region, it’s good for
the world. We’ve invested a lot in our strategic and economic dialogue.
We speak very frankly about areas where we do not agree. We both raise
issues that the other side would prefer perhaps we not, or they not. But
I think our dialogue has moved to have a positive arena because we are
able to discuss all matters together.
Now here in the Pacific, we
want to see China act in a fair and transparent way. We want to see them
play a positive role in navigation and maritime security issues. We
want to see them contribute to sustainable development for the people of
the Pacific; to protect the precious environment, including the ocean;
and to pursue economic activity that will benefit the people.
So we think that there’s a great opportunity to work with China, and we’re going to be looking for more ways to do that. MODERATOR: Next question. QUESTION: Thank
you, Madam Secretary. If I could follow up first a little bit on the
previous question. You mentioned that there was room for cooperation
between the United States and China in development (inaudible) one
introduced here in climate change. Can you tell the leaders of the
Pacific Islands that the United States is doing all that it can? SECRETARY CLINTON:
Well, after the first question, I know Admiral Locklear is here with us
and he’s certainly more than capable of speaking for himself about what
PACOM is doing. But several things: We are beginning to discuss
cooperation with respect to disaster prevention and response. We would
like to see China play a role in that. There are a lot of disasters in
this region, from earthquakes, which New Zealand knows so well, to
tsunamis and cyclones and terrible flooding as we saw in the Philippines
just recently. So we think that that is an area that should be explored
in more depth.
We also believe, on the aid front, that there is a
lot of opportunity for cooperation between us and China. It is
something we are modeling after New Zealand. New Zealand has been
working on water issues with China, we want to learn the lessons about
what works. PACOM has a great reach in the Pacific and is involved in
everything from overseeing our hospital ships to working to train local
officials in protecting their environment and protecting their water.
We
also know that there’s a real threat from climate change, which gets me
to your second question. This is real. I will underscore that. It is
one that the leaders of these nations speak about with great passion
because they are all very low lying land and are worried that they’re
going to be swamped in the next 10, 20, 30, 40 years. So we understand
very well the feelings that the Pacific Island nations have about
climate change. And we stand behind our pledges in the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change to prompt substantial action to
help vulnerable countries adapt.
Among the programs we discussed
today at the new coastal community adaptation project. It’s a five-year,
$25 million project to help build the resilience of vulnerable coastal
communities of the Pacific to withstand extreme weather, and not only in
the short run, but rising sea levels over the longer term. USAID, which
as you know we brought back to the Pacific and established a
headquarters in Papua New Guinea, is contributing $3 million over three
years to Germany, coping with climate change in the Pacific Islands
programs. And we’re working continually to develop an international
consensus on reducing green house gas emissions, and other short – and
on the short list – climate pollutants initiative that I started a year
ago. As you know, in part because of the economy, U.S. emissions are the
lowest that they’ve been in 20 years.
But look, we know we have
more to do, and we have made a commitment, we’re going to stick with our
commitment. I hope that we’ll be able to go beyond those commitments in
the future. MODERATOR: (Inaudible.) QUESTION:
Australia and New Zealand suffered one of the greatest losses of life
since the Vietnam War in Afghanistan. Do you think the sacrifice was
worth it, and do you (inaudible) stand by the United States? SECRETARY CLINTON:
Well first, let me say to both New Zealand and Australia, we are deeply
grateful for their participation in this coalition effort under ISAF.
And we’re also very sorry about their losses as we are at the loss of
any of our coalition partners and ourselves. But I think it’s important
to stress that both New Zealand and Australia have played a crucial role
in the ISAF mission. Their soldiers and civilians are highly regarded.
New
Zealand’s contributions are far beyond what one would ordinarily expect
of a country the size of New Zealand. Prime Minister Key and I of
course discussed Afghanistan today. I also called Prime Minister Gillard
to express condolences and exchange views with her. And I’m gratified
that despite the challenges we’ve all had, including the losses that we
have suffered at the hands of insurgents and turncoats, we are all
resolved to see this mission through as the commitments we’ve made
suggest.
I think it’s important to just reflect on the fact that a
lot of progress has been made. Any time we lose the lives or see one of
our soldiers or civilians – I mean, I lost an aid worker, I have a
seriously injured foreign service officer in – at Walter Reed – every
time this happens, soldiers and civilians alike. we are reminded of the
incredible sacrifice that our nations are making.
But we should
also remind ourselves of the progress we have made since we went into
this together. Over lunch, the Prime Minister was sharing some
statistics from the New Zealand PRT in (inaudible) province that are
really impressive in terms of advances in health, education, and
infrastructure. So we are committed to seeing this through as we all
agreed to at Lisbon, as we reiterated at Chicago, because we cannot
afford see Afghanistan turn back into a haven for terrorism that
threatens us all. And the work we have done together to prepare the
Afghan national security forces to defend themselves and take the
security lead is a much greater positive than negative story.
So
we offer our condolences, but we also offer our appreciation to the
people of New Zealand – soldiers and civilians alike who have been part
of this important global effort. MODERATOR: One last question. Steve Myers from New York Times. QUESTION:
Thank you. Madam Secretary, (inaudible), can you talk a little bit
about the (inaudible) this designation of the Haqqani Network as a
terrorist organization? What is your thinking on the pros and cons of
that before the deadline next week? And Prime Minister, if you would,
I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on the prospect of a
negotiated settlement with groups like the Haqqani Network or the
Taliban as part of the effort to drawing down the war there? SECRETARY CLINTON:
Well, Steve, I’m not going to comment on any stories about any internal
discussions, of course. But I’m aware that I have an obligation to
report to Congress. Of course, we will meet that commitment. And I’d
like to underscore that we are putting steady pressure on the Haqqanis.
That is part of what our military does every single day along with our
ISAF partners. We are drawing up their resources, we are targeting their
military and intelligence personnel. We are pressing the Pakistanis to
step up their own efforts. So we’re already taking action and we’ll have
more to say about the specific request from Congress next week. PRIME MINISTER KEY:
Well, as Secretary Clinton indicated, from New Zealand’s point of view,
we think two goals in Afghanistan have been to try and train both
Afghanis (inaudible) crisis response units in the Afghan police. And
we’ve done that – (inaudible) we will be doing it in (inaudible) but we
hope (inaudible) look after its own security.
In terms of any
negotiation with the Taliban or with groups in Afghanistan, we
fundamentally believe that will ultimately be a matter for the Afghan
Government, but they will (inaudible) find a way through a very
difficult situation and its coming to the (inaudible) I wouldn’t be
surprised if some part of it attempts to deliver greater security in
Afghanistan some discussion. But it’s ultimately up to President Karzai.
This ends 25 years of contention between our two countries. Duncan Garner of 3news.co.nz reports remarks of John Key and Hillary Clinton thus:
Mr. Key: "The Declaration formalises our relationship with America after a 26-year stand-off.
In1984, New Zealand banned American nuclear powered warships from entering our harbours – we were kicked out of ANZUS; the formal alliance with America.
But relations have been warming since 2001 and today that was put on paper."
“This will give us the framework to work together to solves issues practically,” Ms Clinton said.
Here is the State Department press release on the declaration. Now, every time I see Hillary signing something I wonder if it requires ratification in Congress. She has, over the past 21 months done a powerful amount of signing!
Wellington Declaration on a New Strategic Partnership Between New Zealand and the United States
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 4, 2010
Minister of Foreign Affairs for New Zealand Murray McCully and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton of the United States met today to reaffirm the close ties between their two nations and to establish the framework of a new United States-New Zealand strategic partnership to shape future practical cooperation and political dialogue.
New Zealand and the United States are both Pacific nations. Our governments and peoples share a deep and abiding interest in maintaining peace, prosperity, and stability in the region, expanding the benefits of freer and more open trade, and promoting and protecting freedom, democracy and human rights worldwide. We recall the long history of shared United States and New Zealand sacrifice in battle and we honor those, past and present, who have borne that sacrifice.
As we look to the challenges of the 21st century, our shared democratic values and common interests will continue to guide our collective efforts. The United States-New Zealand strategic partnership is to have two fundamental elements: a new focus on practical cooperation in the Pacific region; and enhanced political and subject-matter expert dialogue – including regular Foreign Ministers’ meetings and political-military discussions. We resolve to further our two nations’ joint cooperation in addressing broader regional and global challenges, such as climate change, nuclear proliferation, and extremism.
We resolve also to develop new joint initiatives that confront the challenges faced by the Pacific. Particular areas of focus are to include renewable energy and disaster response management. We recognize that climate change adaptation in the Pacific is also a priority for both countries and is an issue to which the United States and New Zealand are committed. We intend also to work closely to enhance dialogue on regional security issues.
We endeavor to develop deeper and broader people-to-people ties between the United States and New Zealand, encouraging innovation, and expanding our commercial and trade relations, building on the creativity and rich diversity of our societies.
To ensure the broadest participation of our citizens in strengthening the relationship between our two nations, we should focus efforts across our societies, including women, youth, minorities and future leaders.
We are dedicated to working together to address trade, security and development issues through APEC, the East Asia Summit, the United Nations, and other regional and multilateral institutions.
Our goal is a partnership for the 21st Century that is flexible, dynamic, and reflects our fundamental beliefs and aspirations.
Remarks With New Zealand Prime Minister John Phillip Key and New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray Stuart McCully
Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State
Parliament Theatrette
Wellington, New Zealand
November 4, 2010
PRIME MINISTER KEY: Okay. So firstly, can I start by saying I’m delighted to welcome you, Secretary Clinton, and your team to New Zealand. We’re very pleased you’ve taken the time in your extensive travel schedule to come to Wellington. The people of both Canterbury and New Zealand will deeply appreciate your display of solidarity in visiting Christchurch tomorrow, and we thank you very much for that.
I understand you’ve already braved Wellington’s wind during a walk around the waterfront this morning, so you’ll have a firsthand appreciation of why the local rugby team is called the Hurricanes, and you’ll see what that’s like.
The relationship between our two countries is in great shape. It’s the best it’s been for 25 years. I want to thank you personally, Secretary Clinton, and of course, President Obama, for your personal commitment to New Zealand and to this relationship. Ours is a relationship built on shared values and principles where we have a great deal in common, and where we understand and respect one another.
Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Murray McCully will shortly sign the Wellington Declaration, but let me first add we have appreciated the opportunity to canvas a wide range of issues in our discussions today. These have included our shared interests in the Pacific, security interests including Afghanistan, the trade agenda, and U.S. engagement in the region. We talked about playing our respective parts in delivering a safer and more secure global environment. I’ve also welcomed the U.S. participation in both the Trans Pacific Partnership, and of course, its move to join the East Asian Summit held here a few days ago.
So once again, Secretary Clinton, thank you very much for visiting us in New Zealand. I’m now going to invite you and Minister McCully to sign the Wellington Declaration and then for the Minister, and of course, yourself to make any remarks you may wish.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you, Prime Minister.
(The declaration was signed.) (Applause.)
FOREIGN MININSTER MCCULLY: Well, thank you, Prime Minister and can I just take this opportunity of extending my formal words of welcome to Secretary Clinton in saying how much we appreciate this visit and the fantastic support that you’ve given this relationship in the time that you’ve held this office.
Can I also take the opportunity of greeting your delegation, and in particular, mention Dr. Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for this region, who has been an enthusiastic advocate for this relationship, and publicly express my appreciation of his great support. Can I say how much the New Zealand Government appreciates the commitment of your government to stepping up the level of engagement in the Asia Pacific region. It’s reflected in the decision to join the East Asia Summit and to reestablish the USAID office as a partner in the Pacific. It’s also reflected in the intensity of your own activity in the region. I think this is your sixth visit as Secretary of State to the Asia Pacific region. I think you’ve got eight stops on this visit alone.
Secretary Clinton and I have both, on previous occasions, commented very positively on the state of the relationship between our two countries. But today, we have decided we want to be more ambitious for the U.S.-New Zealand relationship. The Wellington Declaration, which we have just signed, has asserted a determination to do more and achieve more together. It starts from a base of shared history, shared values and interests, and commits us to what the document itself describes as the framework of a new United States-New Zealand strategic partnership.
That partnership will focus on two areas. First, it will focus on practical cooperation in the Pacific region, a neighborhood that has more than its share of challenges, and one in which our two countries can, along with our good friends, make a serious difference. The partnership will also see us working together in critical areas like meeting the challenges of climate change, the pursuit of renewable energy initiatives, and disaster recovery initiatives within the region.
The second feature of the new strategic partnership will focus on the framework for greater dialogue between ministers, officials, and experts in the many areas in which our two countries share interests. To some extent, this formalizes a process of greater engagement that’s already been occurring in recent times, but we welcome the formal agreement to regular contact and a wider range of exchanges.
We have enjoyed very constructive discussions today across a range of important topics. In my view, we have turned a very important page in the history of U.S.-New Zealand relations. I want to thank you very much indeed for your personal contribution to that process, to the very positive approach you have brought to the relationship, culminating in this signing today. And it’s my great pleasure to invite you to make some comments to our media.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, thank you so very much, Foreign Minister, and thank you for the work that you and I have done together over these past months. And Prime Minister, thank you for your leadership and your commitment to this relationship. We are very grateful for that. And thanks also for giving me the chance to experience (inaudible) and all that it means. I am very grateful. And the prime minister is right; I landed this morning and shortly thereafter, took a walk around the coolest little capital in the world – (laughter) – and enjoyed it immensely.
And I am grateful as well for the very strong ties that we have between our people, and this Wellington Declaration will give us the framework, as the foreign minister said, to really put our governments together, to work in practical ways to solve problems that we both are facing. My visit is part of a committed, concerted effort to restore America’s rightful place as an engaged Pacific nation. In this, as in so many other endeavors, we have a strong partner in New Zealand.
This is, for us, a very important relationship and it is probably, as the prime minister and the foreign minister have said, at its strongest and most productive in 25 years. Now, why is that so important? It’s because together, we can address issues in this region and beyond that have very real impacts on both of our peoples. So we are moving ahead. For example, earlier this year, the U.S. National Science Foundation partnered with New Zealand to install wind turbines in Antarctica to provide clean energy to our bases there. America and New Zealand teamed up to provide aid to Samoa and American Samoa in the wake of the devastating tsunami so that we weren’t duplicating, but amplifying what each of us was doing. Now, we are both rushing to deliver emergency aid to Mentawai, Indonesia.
I want to express my appreciation for the excellent conversations that I’ve had with both the foreign minister and the prime minister. And the signing of this declaration gives us a chance to explore greater cooperation on everything from promoting sustainable economic development and strong democratic institutions across the region to working on security issues, clean energy, responding to natural disasters. And it emphasizes the need to seek ideas from women, minorities, and young leaders.
We are also working together, through the East Asia Summit where we were just a few days ago in Hanoi. And we are particularly grateful for New Zealand’s important leadership on nonproliferation. The prime minister was at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington earlier this year, where he participated in a series of discussions about effectively limiting the spread of nuclear weapons, which is in line with President Obama’s vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.
New Zealand contributes to global security through its proud tradition of global peacekeeping. Kiwi soldiers and police officers have deployed to nearly every corner of the globe, from the Solomon Islands to the Sinai, where it’s a New Zealand commander who is responsible for that mission.
I also want to thank New Zealand for the work we are doing together in Afghanistan. I expressed my condolence for the loss of the young soldier just recently. A few of us know that there is no way to express adequately to any family or loved ones about such a loss. But the sacrifice and service that our soldiers are doing side-by-side in the PRT and in the important mission inside Afghanistan is extremely important to our security in not only Afghanistan and the immediate region, but far, far beyond, as far as America’s shores and New Zealand’s.
We have found that even when our interest converge – and make no mistake, they overwhelmingly do – partnerships between countries do not build themselves. It takes sustained effort and coordinated action and leaders ready to breathe life into a shared commitment.
So thank you very much, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. In a world where solving problems takes more partners than ever before, New Zealand punches way above its weight in every sector of challenge in the world today. And it is, for me personally, a great pleasure to help build and deepen and broaden and strengthen this important partnership. I’m hopeful that the Wellington Declaration is a sign of even closer cooperation in the years ahead. Thank you very much.
FOREIGN MINISTER MCCULLY: So I understand there will be a few questions, Paul, and I ask you --
MODERATOR: First question from the United States media is from Lachlan Carmichael of AFP.
QUESTION: No microphone?
MODERATOR: Fire away.
QUESTION: Okay, fire away. (Laughter.)
FOREIGN MINISTER MCCULLY: Not literally. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, this question is more loosely to do with the common nuclear agenda you have with New Zealand. Are you concerned about the fate of the New START Treaty in both the legislatures of Russia and the United States? I mean, the Russian parliamentary committee just withdrew its recommendation that it pass the (inaudible). And back in the United States, do you think you will be able to get the treaty passed through this current lame-duck legislation?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Lachlan, let me start by saying that this treaty is not only very important to the United States and Russia, but it’s important to the goal that certainly we share with New Zealand of moving toward a world without nuclear weapons. The continuing efforts by the United States and Russia to reduce their stockpiles is essential toward any progress toward that goal.
So we take this treaty very seriously, and I know that the Russian Government does as well. We are working hard to pass the treaty. As you know, it was reported out of our Senate Foreign Relations Committee by an overwhelming vote. We believe we have enough votes to pass it in the Senate. It’s just a question of when it will be brought to the vote. It may be brought – and it would certainly be my preference that it be brought in any lame-duck session in the next several weeks. And that is what I’m working toward seeing happen. But we’ll have to wait and work with the Senate and the leadership when they come back for that session.
So both Russia and the United States are committed to ratifying it.
MODERATOR: Okay. Next question, New Zealand media, is Tracy Watkins of Fairfax.
QUESTION: Yes, Secretary. You referred in the declaration to (inaudible) political (inaudible) talks. I’m just wondering if you can explain in practical terms what that will mean. And I’m just wondering, is that going to be at the level of (inaudible) and how will that play out? What sort of change will that mean and (inaudible)?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first, let me commend the government here for the recent defense white paper which has just been issued. It says clearly that the United States and New Zealand will continue to be close security partners – and I’m quoting – over the next 25 years.
This Wellington Declaration makes it clear that we want to cooperate across the board in every aspect of our civilian efforts and our military as well. The United States and New Zealand have a procedure for handling military-to-military cooperation on a case-by-case basis. If possible, we want to do more. We’re exploring that as an opportunity for our respective militaries to consult over – for example, more joint training and exchanges among our officers, opportunities where we can do joint exercises together. But that I will leave to my colleague, the Defense Secretary, who will certainly be consulting with his counterpart here.
Perhaps, Prime Minister, would you want to add anything?
PRIME MINISTER KEY: Well, only that New Zealand very highly values our ability to work alongside and train with the United States, and in a practical sense because we find ourselves operating together in countries like Afghanistan that’s clearly of both importance and significance that we can extend our training exercises. And from the government’s perspective, we’ve made it clear through our defense white paper that we intend to beef up our front line and deployable capability. And obviously, engaging with our very good friends in the United States is an important part of it, and that’s what we’ll be doing.
MODERATOR: Okay. Back to USB* and we have Nicole Gaouette from Bloomberg.
QUESTION: Hi. Madam Secretary, I just want to shift regions to the Middle East. The Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu will be visiting the States next week. Will you be seeing him? And with the Arab League deadline for peace talks (inaudible) next week as well, I believe, do you think you will be able to continue the talks or (inaudible)?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Nicole, I do intend to see Prime Minister Netanyahu when he’s in the United States next week. We are in the process of firming up a time for us to meet. Our schedules are obviously very, very busy, and I don’t get back from this trip until late on Monday night.
But I want to reiterate that we are working on a nonstop basis with our Israeli and Palestinian friends to design a way forward in the negotiations. I am convinced that both leaders – President Abbas are Prime Minister Netanyahu – are committed to pursuing the two-state solution. And it is clear that that can only be achieved through negotiations. So I am very involved in finding the way forward, and I think that we will be able to do so.
MODERATOR: And the final question is New Zealand media. It’s Barry (inaudible) with (inaudible).
QUESTION: Secretary Clinton, this time last year, President Obama gave a commitment to the Trans Pacific Partnership and negotiation thereof. I’m just wondering what the timeframe of that has been? Will it ever preclude a bilateral negotiation for New Zealand and miracles* (inaudible)?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, let me say that we discussed at some length, both the foreign minister and I and then the prime minister and I, the way forward on trade. We are very committed to the Trans Pacific Partnership, and New Zealand, again, is playing a leading role. And we want to expedite the negotiations as much as possible. So we are exploring ways that we can try to drive this agenda. I am absolutely convinced that opening up markets in Asia amongst all of us and doing so in a way that creates win-win situations so that people feel that trade is in their interests.
And certainly, no country demonstrates that more or better than New Zealand. The emphasis that the prime minister has placed on exports is one that President Obama has actually ordered that we do similarly. He want – President Obama wants to see the United States double our exports over the next several years.
So we are very committed to TPP. As with any trade deal, it’s day by day negotiating over all kinds of issues to the satisfaction of the parties. And this is a complex negotiation. We’re not ruling out, we’re not ruling in any bilateral agreements with anybody else in the region, including New Zealand. But our priority is to really focus on the TTP and see how fast we can move that towards completion, and I think that’s very much in both New Zealand’s and the United States’s interests.
PRIME MININSTER KEY: I think the only other comment I would make about TPP is that you can see the significance that other countries are placing on TPP by their actions that they want to join the original eight countries. We’re now seeing Malaysia coming to the negotiating table. Canada and Japan have also indicated their strong interest to potentially join. And from New Zealand’s point of view, our only real condition is – *player it is* at the table is that we want a comprehensive and high-quality agreement. Anyone that wants to join in those negotiations that can meet those criteria would be welcome participants, but from New Zealand’s point of view, we share the ambitions that President Obama has, and we think it’s very important for the New Zealand economy. And we, in a purely bilateral basis, have concerns about the fact that Australia has an FTA. They’re a very important part of our market in New Zealand, so we see Trans Pacific Partnership as a very important item to be completed if at all possible.
So, President Clinton – I’m sorry. (Laughter.) (Applause.) Secretary Clinton – great. I thank you for your time here in New Zealand and I look forward to seeing President Obama when he is here in Japan next week.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes.
PRIME MINISTER KEY: That will be great. And I know it’s your first visit, but we hope it won’t be your last.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.
PRIME MINISTER KEY: Thank you so much.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so very much, Prime Minister. I really appreciate that.
A more detailed press release below provides additional information about her goals on this leg of her travel.
Public Schedule for November 4, 2010
Washington, DC
November 4, 2010
SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Secretary Clinton travels to the Asia Pacific region, accompanied by Assistant Secretary Campbell. For more information, click here.
Secretary Clinton's Visit to New Zealand
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 3, 2010
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s visit to New Zealand on November 4-5 reflects the value the United States places on our bilateral relationship, which encompasses broad political, economic, scientific, and security cooperation. The United States and New Zealand are global partners who share common values, interests and concerns. We collaborate bilaterally and through a variety of international and regional organizations to promote peace, security, and prosperity.
Revitalizing the U.S.-New Zealand relationship: Secretary Clinton will meet with the senior leadership of New Zealand, including Prime Minister John Key, Foreign Minister Murray McCully, and Leader of the Opposition Phil Goff. They will issue a Wellington Declaration that reaffirms our close historical ties and recommits us to a relationship that is vibrant and strong across a wide range of activities. They will also pledge to deepen regional cooperation and regularize high level meetings, creating a strategic partnership for the 21st century.
Affirming our global commitment to peacekeeping: The United States and New Zealand stand shoulder-to-shoulder in Afghanistan, as we have in many other armed conflicts throughout history. Secretary Clinton’s visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior will honor those soldiers who have given their lives defending freedom.
Commitment to the environment: Secretary Clinton will visit the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) to underscore 50 years of United States-New Zealand joint scientific cooperation. Christchurch serves as the USAP’s gateway city for operations at McMurdo Station and the South Pole Base.
Highlighting our trade relationship: The United States and New Zealand are close economic partners, and we are committed to deepening that cooperation as we continue Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. The United States and New Zealand are already close trading and investment partners. Our top exports to New Zealand are aircraft parts, agriculture equipment, and medical equipment, with two-way trade equaling $5.2 billion in 2009. As of June 2009, New Zealand's total imports from the United States amounted to 10.1% (3 billion dollars) of total New Zealand imports. The U.S. Export and Business reception, hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand will spotlight New Zealand’s vibrant U.S. business community and our two countries’ strong economic relationship.
Support for Canterbury: In Christchurch, Secretary Clinton will participate in a town hall meeting where she will reach out to the city’s residents who recently suffered a 7.1 magnitude earthquake that caused widespread damage throughout the region. She will reiterate the readiness of the United States to assist and will highlight the strong spirit of the people of Christchurch.
Partners in the Pacific on Transnational Issues: The United States and New Zealand are partnering in the Pacific region to combat transnational crime and support sustainable development. The U.S. Department of State is working with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Police, and Customs to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal threats across the Pacific, particularly illicit transnational networks. New Zealand and the United States will co-host a symposium focused on these issues November 16-18 in Christchurch. Additionally, the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI), on behalf of the United States Government, will collaborate with the New Zealand Government to co-host a policy dialogue aimed at increasing the political participation of Pacific Island women through increased economic opportunities and empowerment.
As her day of departure (hours away) approaches, some issues surrounding Hillary Clinton's first trip to the South Pacific as Secretary of State are beginning to emerge and topics are beginning to solidify.
An academic in New Zealand says the key message of the US secretary of state Hillary Clinton’s visit to the Pacific is for the US to re-engage with the region.
Victoria University’s senior fellow for strategic studies, Terence O’Brien, says Mrs Clinton’s visit is signalling a change in US foreign policy. “The reasons for coming at this particular time are related to America’s desire to be seen to be active in the Pacific, more active than recent administrations.”
Terence O’Brien says aid is also set to be high on the agenda.
For Eni Faleomavaega, American Samoa's nonvoting delegate to Congress, the re-engagement is not broad enough. Commenting in the Honolulu Advertiser, Faleomavaega said he is disappointed Secretary Clinton will not be meeting with the leaders of some 15 island nations.
"My point is underscored by the fact that Secretary Clinton will be meeting with Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea while excluding some 15 Pacific Island leaders who could have gathered in one location to meet her," he said.
Faleomavaega said most administrations have disregarded the needs and concerns of Pacific island nations.
Certainly this was not meant as a slight. In light of O'Brien's comment, this visit signals a major shift in foreign policy. As with most major policy shifts, this one will probably be done incrementally. There are sure to be further Pacific Island outreaches following this initial approach.
Prime Minister John Key will stress United States leadership is crucial to getting a successful conclusion to the Doha trade round when he meets US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Auckland on Friday.
"We see that as a fundamentally important building block in terms of restoring economic growth," says Key. "It's one thing I want to talk to her about, not withstanding that trade doesn't fall within her broader remit ... but she's Secretary of State."
John Key is keen to hear United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's views on what progress has been made towards getting a corruption-free Government established in Afghanistan.
Our own Madame Secretary has an issue to address as well, according to the same article.
Mrs Clinton is expected to raise concerns that a New Zealand company has allegedly been involved in selling North Korean arms to Iran. Reports suggest the US Department of Justice is poised to indict the company under the US International Emergency Powers Act.
Mr Key says the Government takes the issue "very seriously".
Well, that he should, since it appears a very serious issue! So as the issues take shape and the news flows out about this trip, I will keep this page as updated as possible. (Given that my office is like Grand Central Station, and I have a ton of things to address. I might only be able to post at night.)
Have a safe and successful trip Madame Secretary! Light a Gratefulness Candle for her safe return to our shores.
