Deputy Secretary Zoellick to Southeast Asia

Deputy Secretary Zoellick Travel to Southeast Asia

Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick will travel to Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines May 2-11. He will be seeking the perspectives of these countries on a variety of economic, political, and security issues, as well as presenting ideas on how we might strengthen ties in President Bush’s second term.

While in Indonesia, the Deputy Secretary will travel to Banda Aceh in order to review the efforts of the United States and many others as we transition from post-tsunami humanitarian aid to reconstruction assistance, and to consult on the best uses of additional tsunami-related assistance that we hope Congress approves in the Administration’s FY2005 supplemental budget request. The Deputy Secretary will also observe the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam and the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II through events in Vietnam and the Philippines, respectively.

SOURCE: state.gov 2005/452 Released on April 29, 2005 Press Statement Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman Washington, DC April 29, 2005