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Clinton Continues Asian Tour in Papua New Guinea

   VOA News 03 November 2010
   U.S.  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gestures as she speaks
   during  an  event  to  showcase  Malaysia  Airlines' partnerships with
   American companies near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 03 Nov. 2010.

Photo: AP

   US  Secretary  of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaking at an event to
   showcase  Malaysia Airlines' partnerships with American companies near
   Kuala  Lumpur,  Malaysia,  before heading to Papua New Guinea, 03 Nov.
   2010.

   U.S.  Secretary  of  State  Hillary  Clinton  has arrived in Papua New
   Guinea,  becoming the first holder of that office to visit the Pacific
   nation since 1998.
   During a meeting Wednesday with Prime Minister Michael Somare, Clinton
   is  expected  to discuss the island's plans for developing its massive
   natural gas reserves.
   Recent  finds  are  expected  to  inject  billions of dollars into the
   Papuan  economy, but there are concerns about how the windfall will be
   spent.  Papua  New  Guinea  has  been ranked among the world's 20 most
   corrupt countries by [1]Transparency International.
   Clinton  will also attend a women's empowerment event. The country has
   one of the worst records in the region for domestic abuse and rape.
   Clinton  arrived  in  Port  Moresby from Malaysia, where she sought to
   boost  cooperation  in  trade,  science,  education,  Afghanistan  and
   non-proliferation. She also expressed support for Prime Minister Najib
   Razak's call for a global movement to promote inter-faith dialogue and
   religious moderation.
   Clinton  urged  Malaysian  officials  to ensure a fair and transparent
   trial  for  opposition  leader  Anwar  Ibrahim,  who  is  charged with
   sodomy.   Anwar  claims  the charges are politically motivated.  His
   party made unprecedented gains in 2008 elections.
   Papua  New  Guinea  is the fifth country stop on Clinton's tour, which
   has  also  taken  her  to Vietnam, China and Cambodia.  She will also
   visit New Zealand and Australia.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

References

   1. http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010

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