REAL REASON HILLARY WENT TO ASIA FIRST: TO SET UP OBAMA'S APPEARANCE IN INDONESIA

XINHUA:

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton would discuss the Middle East issue with Indonesian Foreign Minister Nur Hassan Wirajuda during her visit to the country on Feb. 18-19 as parts of her first week-long Asia trip starting on Sunday, Wirajuda said here Monday.

Minister Wirajuda told reporters before a hearing with the parliament that other issues would include the dispute on Iran nuclear, the issue of Afghanistan and the development in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"We predict that the discussion would be about how to boost bilateral relations and the progress in the region particularly ASEAN and East Asia and also the international problems such as the issue of the Middle East, Afghanistan and Iran," he said.

The Minister said Clinton's visit to Indonesia was in an effort to improve the relations between the United States and the East Asian nations. During her trip to Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China, Clinton will show the U. S. interest in the region.

BAH HUMBUG. IMHO: THE REAL REASON IS TO FINALIZE ARRANGEMENTS FOR OBAMA TO SPEAK THERE IN ... APRIL.