Thursday, July 23, 2009

Hillary Clinton's Bilaterals in Thailand

On the sidelines at ASEAN in Thailand,  Mme. Secretary help a few bilaterals.

THAILAND-ASEAN

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.
THAILAND-ASEAN

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.