Northern Marianas College students said it would be an honor to have the nation’s first African-American president visit the multi-cultural CNMI.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs announced on Monday that the president will pass by Guam during his scheduled March visit to Australia and Indonesia.
“En route to Asia, the president will visit Guam, where he will speak with U.S. servicemembers on the island. We’ll have more specific dates for you shortly after they are completely done with the pre-advance,” said Gibbs.
The president will be accompanied by first lady Michelle and their daughters in the trip scheduled for the second half of March.
Gibbs said the president will sign agreements with Indonesia and Australia during his visits.
The U.S. and Australia will mark their 70th anniversary of relations this year.
“The president looks forward to commemorating that milestone and consulting with [Australian] Prime Minister [Kevin] Rudd on ways that we can build on the strong relationship between our two countries and discuss issues such as global economic recovery, clean energy and climate change, non-proliferation and Afghanistan,” said Gibbs in the transcript of his news conference at the White House.
In Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country and home to the largest Muslim population in the world, the president will launch the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, an initiative aimed at tackling major security and economic issues in the Asia-Pacific Region.
“The president and the first lady will be traveling to Indonesia and Australia in the second half of March. This trip is an important part of the president’s continued effort to broaden and strengthen the partnerships that are necessary to advance our security and prosperity. Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country, the third largest democracy; is home to the largest Muslim population in the world; and an important partner in the G20.”
