Secretary Clinton's Travel to the Pacific: A Preview

This was posted here last week when it was released, but since this trip is imminent, I thought I would re-post it. An article from a New Zealand source regarding security issues has been circulating on the internet. I would like to say here that I really wish host countries would cease and desist in publishing articles that in any way impinge on the security measures taken in the run-up to visits by our very precious Pacific pearl of a Secretary of State whom we want to see protected as carefully as humanly possible. (I also think it is less than helpful when Hillary's admirers tweet and link those articles to Facebook since spreading that information can be dangerous and counter-productive.) I know some readers here feel better when they can light Gratefulness Candles for her when she travels, hence the link. I, personally, am grateful every day to be walking the earth at the same time that she does.

Bon Voyage, Madame Secretary! Stay safe and have a fruitful journey!

Secretary Clinton's Travel to the Pacific


Ian Kelly
Department Spokesman
Washington, DC
January 6, 2010

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to the Pacific January 11-19, 2010.

Secretary Clinton will deliver a policy speech in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 12, focused on Asia-Pacific multilateral engagement, and will be consulting with Pacific Command.

From Hawaii, Secretary Clinton will travel to Papua New Guinea on January 14 where she will hold bilateral meetings as well as meet with local civil society leaders to discuss environmental protection and women’s empowerment.

On January 15, Secretary Clinton will travel to Auckland, where she will meet with senior New Zealand officials, including Prime Minister John Key. In addition, the Secretary will engage in discussions with New Zealand citizens and meet with U.S. and New Zealand veterans at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Secretary Clinton will continue on January 17 to Canberra, Australia and Melbourne, Australia. While in Canberra, the Secretary, along with U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, and Australian Defense Minister John Faulkner, will participate in the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) to discuss key global and regional security challenges.

Note: This schedule does not include the information that while in Hawaii she will be meeting with Japanese FM Okada on the continuing issue of the Marine air station at Futenma, a meeting which clearly is scheduled, and will precede a joint statement by President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama. Japan, US to issue statement on security anniversary

Final arrangements for the statement will be made when Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meet in Hawaii on Tuesday, the Yomiuri said.