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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
February 9, 1999

Secretary's Trip to Asia

Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright will travel to China, Thailand, and Indonesia, departing from Washington on Sunday, February 28.

The purpose of Secretary Albright's trip is to affirm continued U.S. strategic commitments to Asia and take up specific regional and bilateral concerns, the Asian financial crisis, and progress toward free, fair and credible elections in Indonesia.

In China March 1-2, Secretary Albright will meet with senior officials to discuss our expanding strategic dialogue with China and to facilitate progress on a range of bilateral issues. Secretary Albright will also discuss issues related to the anticipated visit to the United States later this year by Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji.

On Wednesday, March 3, the Secretary will travel to Thailand where she will conduct meetings with senior officials in Bangkok following a visit to Chiang Mai where she will observe the substitution of commercial crops for opium cultivation as well as Thai NGO efforts to assist young women at risk.

Secretary Albright will travel from Bangkok to Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 4 for a visit that will provide her the opportunity to explore with government and opposition leaders key developments, including preparations for national elections scheduled for this June, the future of East Timor and strengthening prospects for early economic recovery.

Secretary Albright's plans to visit Thailand and Indonesia last November following the APEC leaders' meeting in Kuala Lumpur were postponed due to the crisis in Iraq.

The Secretary is scheduled to return to Washington on the weekend of March 6-7.

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