Secretary of State-Designate Hillary Clinton Acknowledges Indonesia

January 14 – Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton gave her testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s confirmation hearings on January 13. As the incoming Secretary of State, Clinton said she would work to “renew America’s leadership through diplomacy that enhances our security, advances our interests and reflects our values.” During her testimony, Clinton highlighted Indonesia as a country with a role to play in solving the global economic crisis. “We know that emerging markets like China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia are feeling the effects of the current crisis,” said Clinton. (complete text)

U.S. Embassy Discusses Gaza with Indonesian Civil Society Group

January 9 – Chargé d’Affaires John A. Heffern exchanged views on the situation in Gaza with a group of around 30 leaders of Indonesian civil society organizations at the U.S. Embassy this morning. Led by Din Syamsuddin, Chair of Muhammadiyah, the delegation presented an open letter to President-elect Barack Obama. The letter reflected Indonesian concerns over the plight of the Palestinian people. Chargé d’Affaires Heffern welcomed the group of diverse Indonesian religious, political, and NGO leaders to the U.S. Embassy, and accepted the letter.  (complete text)

DPR Taps Major International Legal Data Base

December 16 – On December 16th the Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament (DPR) Agung Laksono inaugurated Indonesia’s participation in the international legislative digital data base called the Global Legal Information Network (GLIN). U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission John Heffern also attended the inauguration. Earlier this week a team of experts from the U. S. Congressional Library’s Law Library met with members of the Indonesian government and academic community to expand ways for the world’s third largest democracy to be a more active participant in the sharing of international legal information through the Internet.  (complete text)