President Obama’s trip to Asia & Australia – maybe

“We really wish the President would stop in New Zealand – they are good friends to us.” That was the message conveyed to me from one Asian-Pacific expert. He and many others are working very hard on President Obama’s scheduled trip to Australia, Indonesia, and Guam. It is his first international trip of the year. It has already been delayed for a few days, because President Obama continues to twist arms in the Congress. He desperately wants them to pass the massive health care reform bill before he leaves. American governments have been trying to reform health care in this country for over fifty years. But, there are many lobbyists and competing interests involved, and it is an uphill struggle.

At this time, the trip is supposed to take place after a delay of several days. This means Mrs. Obama and the two daughters will stay in Washington, so the girls do not miss school. The original trip was supposed to take place during their spring break. At the White House, I asked spokesman Robert Gibbs whether it was best for them to miss a few days of school, so they could visit these important countries. Indonesia has special significance, since President Obama spent part of his childhood there and has Indonesian relatives. But, Robert Gibbs said the children missed too many school days because of the massive Washington snowfalls, and they had to go to school.

The desire to make a stop in New Zealand is shared by many in the Obama Administration. They also worked in the Clinton Administration, and I joined them in their trip. In fact, I encouraged many of them to travel to Queenstown, where they bravely tried bungee jumping and other sports. Many of the officials and reporters said it was the best Presidential trip they had ever gone on.

We will see what happens this time. One of the goals in Australia is to discuss the U.S – Australian Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty. That and a similar UK one is stalled in the American Senate. During a special briefing at the Heritage Foundation, I asked expert Ted Bromund if Australia could share the arms with New Zealand, if the treaty is ever passed. He claimed it would not happen, and said there will be penalties if Australia tried to re-sell American arms. In his word, “I think we can rely on them not to re-export.”

In Indonesia, President Obama continues his outreach to the Muslim world, as well as to Asia and the Pacific in general. And in Guam, an additional 80,000 US personnel are expected there by 2014, including 8,000 Marines now in Okinawa. But, it is not a “done deal” yet, and Guam has to do a lot of building and preparation for such an influx. There are also questions about the impact on Asian defense, if the US troops have to leave Japan.

All in all – it could be a very important trip, if it ever gets off the ground.

Connie Lawn has a passionate love for NZ. She worked for Radio New Zealand for 20 years, and then for Radio Live for a few years. Connie has covered the White House and the world since 1968. Her other passion is skiing, and she calls herself "the skiing White House reporter." Her ski stories are on dcski.com and other outlets. Connie is also heard on thousands of radio stations, but firmly believes the internet is the future. She can be reached at connie@scoop.co.nz

© Scoop Media