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FACTBOX-Issues to be raised on Clinton's Asia trip
16 Feb 2009 23:37:27 GMT
 Source: Reuters
Feb 17 (Reuters) - Hillary Clinton is visiting Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China this week on her first foreign trip as U.S. secretary of state. She arrived in Tokyo on Monday. Here are some issues likely to be raised:

JAPAN

- Strategic reassurance. Japan would like reassurance that it remains Washington's closest ally in Asia, amid pressure for Tokyo to take a bigger global role.

- Security. Prime Minister Taro Aso's popularity is sinking, and the opposition is able to stall bills in parliament, so Tokyo would prefer not to face tough demands for contributions to security efforts, including in Afghanistan, that could turn off voters.

- Trade. Japan wants assurances the United States is not turning protectionist.

- Japanese abductees in North Korea. Tokyo felt the Bush administration's removal of North Korea from its list of state terrorism sponsors last year eased pressure on Pyongyang to settle the issue of Japanese citizens abducted decades ago. Clinton said on her way to Japan that she planned to press North Korea to account for the abducted Japanese.

- - - -

SOUTH KOREA

- North Korea. Clinton has offered North Korea normal relations, a peace treaty and energy and economic assistance, but made clear it would have to abandon its nuclear programmes first. Pyongyang, which may be preparing to test-fire its longest-range missile, has not commented on the offer. It has recently threatened to reduce South Korea to ashes. The South has pledged in response to uphold hard-line policies against the North. Amid the North's rhetoric, Clinton will likely discuss how to revive six-country talks meant to lead to Pyongyang's nuclear disarmament.

- Trade. Seoul has also expressed concerns about U.S. protectionism. Lawmakers in the ruling Grand National Party say a South Korea-U.S. free trade pact now pending in parliament may not be ratified until April. The Obama administration has expressed reservations about the pact, and said the provisions on autos need to be revised.

- Command control. In April 2012, the United States will hand South Korea operational control of its own troops in times of war, ending a legacy of the Korean War. Clinton could discuss preparations for the handover and plans for the alliance.

- Afghanistan. Washington has approached Seoul informally about contributing troops to Afghan operations. There seems to be little appetite for such a mission in South Korea.

- - - -

CHINA

- Security. The United States and China will later this month resume military-to-military talks that Beijing suspended last year after U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. China regards self-ruled Taiwan as a renegade province that it has vowed to recover, by force if necessary. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, but remains Taiwan's biggest ally and arms supplier.

- North Korea. Clinton will likely discuss six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear disarmament with Beijing. Washington has has largely relied on China in recent years to pressure the North over its weapons programs. But China, host of the six-party talks, will also seek reassurances it will not be sidelined in any bilateral talks Washington holds with Pyongyang.

- Trade and protectionism. The United States buys more Chinese exports than any other country, and China is the largest holder of U.S. treasury bonds. Clinton could discuss China's concerns about U.S. protectionism and Beijing's role in restructuring the global financial system.

- The yuan. Obama has already urged China to continue appreciating the yuan, which the United States sees as undervalued. China has halted the appreciation in recent months. Beijing also criticised U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner last month after he said Obama believed China was "manipulating" its currency and would push for changes.

- Human rights. Clinton has said she would not be shying away from talking about human rights issues but has noted there is a "very broad agenda" in the relationship with China. Last year Clinton urged then President Bush to boycott the opening ceremony of the Olympics unless China improved human rights. China says it protects human rights, but critics say it tortures and jails dissidents and suppresses ethnic minorities.

- Climate change. Clinton is expected to lay the groundwork to work with China on climate change. She said last week that collaboration on "clean" energy offered a way to strengthen ties with China, saying she would visit a "clean" thermal plant while in Beijing that was built with U.S. and Chinese technology.

- - - -

INDONESIA

- Stability. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will showcase the country's stability. Jakarta is also eager to highlight how the world's most populous Muslim nation has remained predominantly moderate.

- Trade. The United States is Indonesia's second-biggest export destination after Japan, but Jakarta is concerned over a slide in exports of commodities such as palm oil, rubber and nickel to developed economies. A number of major U.S. resource firms such as Newmont and Chevron also operate in Indonesia and Jakarta wants to attract more investment.

- Security. Jakarta and Washington have cooperated in the fight against Islamic militants, but Indonesia also wants to modernise its poorly equipped military.

- Indonesia wants a bigger role in world affairs, notably in the Middle East. It has friendly ties with countries such as North Korea and Iran, and has previously sought ways to mediate in disputes. It may look to leverage off this.

(Reporting by Chris Buckley in Beijing, Jon Herskovitz in Seoul, Linda Sieg in Tokyo and Ed Davies in Jakarta; Editing by Nick Macfie, Dean Yates and Jeremy Laurence)


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Last updated:Mon Feb 16 23:40:09 2009