Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said Indonesia has yet to see any particular change in its relations with the United States under the new President Barack Obama, who has promised to end hostilities with the Muslim world.
"We have yet to perceive the direction of the United State's foreign policy under the new administration. We have heard many promises but sometimes things might just be different after they are in power. But, we have to note that *Secretary of State* Hillary Clinton pledged to use smart power that would use persuasion and negotiation to address world issues," Hassan said after his annual statement at the foreign ministry building on Thursday.
Clinton has vowed to renew US leadership through a mix of diplomacy and defense during her senate confirmation hearing last week.
The former first lady signaled a move away from the militarization of US foreign policy and toward "building a world with more partners and fewer adversaries."
"This is something we did not observe in the past eight years of the Bush administration," Hassan said.
"We have reason to build strong relations with the US because we promote similar values of democracy, human rights and pluralism. As democracies, we can have better relations but we still have to be realistic (about what kind of changes could be made)," he said.
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|