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Obama's Indonesian Dazzles at State Dept.
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ShareJanuary 22, 2009 6:13 PM
ABC News' Kirit Radia Reports: As President Obama worked the rope-line at the State Department Thursday, a State Department staffer named Charles Silver, knowing the President once lived in Indonesia, shouted out, "good afternoon" in the local language.
Obama responded back in what Silver later told ABC News was "very good" Bahasa Indonesian. The two then chatted briefly about the neighborhood Obama once lived in.
When the staffer asked if Obama had lived in the Jakarta neighborhood where embassy staffers live, Obama replied that was for rich people, and he lived in another neighborhood with a similar name, one that Silver said is where the "real people" live.
Silver told ABC News that he has been stationed in Indonesia off and on since 1969. He's currently working in the State Department's Office of Inspector General.
As far back as March 2007, Obama pointed to his years in Indonesia as helping to prepare him for the presidency.
"If I go to Jakarta and address the largest Muslim country on earth, I can say, 'Apa kabar,' -- you know, 'How are you doing?' -- and they can recognize that I understand their common humanity," Obama told the National Jewish Democratic Council during a Washington, D.C. forum.
"That is a strength," he continued, "and it allows me to say things to them that other presidents might not be able to say. And that's part of what's promising, I think, about this presidency."
ABC News' Teddy Davis contributed to this report.
January 22, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (96)
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Amen, Amen and even though I'm an Atheist, I say Amen. How better is it to have an intelligent president than the one we've been stuck with for 8 years? Amen....
Posted by: JR | Jan 22, 2009 6:40:56 PM
It's so exciting that being smart and having a world view is back in vogue in the White House.
Posted by: ScoutieDog | Jan 22, 2009 6:42:20 PM
Geez. He lived there for four years as a child. His teachers are on record as saying he didn't do very well learning the language. So how did he suddenly become so proficient?
Posted by: Keith | Jan 22, 2009 6:58:26 PM
we always welcome to you, Mr. President. I am Indonesian and i am glad because at last American people get a president with truly global blood inside like you.When you come to Indonesia, we will say " Selamat Datang kembali di Kampung Halaman anda, Barry "
Posted by: ferry | Jan 22, 2009 7:04:28 PM
Next, we'll learn how well he speaks Arabic from his myster tour to Pakistan in 1981.
Posted by: Bill | Jan 22, 2009 8:02:30 PM
Yes, a President speaking Spanish is just sooo pedestrian. Speaking Indonesian is much more relevant to the American people.
BTW, wonder why he didn't do a few Indonesian shout outs during the campaign...you know, to let folks know how cosmopolitan he is? Oh, that's right. He's too humble to show off.
Posted by: Grand Old Party | Jan 22, 2009 8:27:58 PM
Keith: Since when does being able to understand the phrase "Good Afternoon" and having the knowlege to respond "Very Good" proficient? If that's proficient I know quite a few languages... I think the President knows general greetings, but may not actually be able to carry on complex converstions. I suspect this is why he quickly changed the language of the conversation back to English. Regardless, it is incredibly refreshing to have a President that has an understanding and respect for all cultures, instead of just his own self interests.
Posted by: Wes | Jan 22, 2009 8:30:26 PM
They Speak Urdu in Pakistan not Arabic. We really need to educate ourselves about the world if we are to lead the world..
Posted by: Concerned Citizen | Jan 22, 2009 8:30:36 PM
Grand Old Party: Dubya spoke barely passable Spanish. He spoke what some might call "party trick" Spanish in that he could throw out a few key phrases to amuse and impress gringos. His brother Jeb, on the other hand, is truly fluent in Spanish. He's probably the smartest ad most accomplished of that generation of Bushes (#43 included!).
Autish: You tell 'em! Truth to power. Thanks for the free linguistics lesson.
Posted by: ExpatMama | Jan 22, 2009 8:59:46 PM
Details matter! Details is what got us in trouble in Iraq and Afghanistan. We need to studied these cultures carefully, develop necessary alliances if we are to invade these countries. Pouring trillions into Tanks and smart weapons has been a failed formula!
Obama's disposition towards foreign nation is friendly. However, rhetoric will need to be reflected into action as well. Otherwise he is just a slick salesman who can fool them once or twice. Thorough review of US Foreign Policy is needed to ensure that RULE OF LAW is upheld regardless of what national security interest?? it may allegedly compromise!
Posted by: Concerned Citizen | Jan 22, 2009 9:04:51 PM
I'm still not impressed. Saying "Terima kasih" and "Apa kabar" is like me saying "Gracias, como estas" and I will be embarrassed if anyone says I'm proficient in Spanish. I'm going to wait until he actually comes here to Indonesia and start spewing complete Indonesian sentences. Then I will be impressed.
Posted by: Ian | Jan 22, 2009 9:07:05 PM
ExpatMama: Dubya spoke barely passable English!
Posted by: Hardlyleft | Jan 22, 2009 9:10:53 PM
Ahhh.... what a great feeling. At long last we have a intelligent person as president!
Posted by: Sanjoy Das | Jan 22, 2009 9:15:13 PM
Being in Jakarta during the last 4 months, I am of the opinion that Indonesian think Barack Obama is their 'president'. Everybody here believe they're strongly connected to him. The elementary school Obama attended is continually having celebrations about Obama. Pathetic!
Posted by: wise spaniard | Jan 22, 2009 9:15:48 PM
That is how Indonesian people are. We welcome everyone. Even Obama speaks very little Indonesian, they will consider him as one of them. As a foreigner, if you speak Indonesian, even a little, they
will respect you more. Unlike in other countries. I have traveled to more than 70 countries.
Posted by: Indonesian | Jan 22, 2009 9:21:14 PM
To Bill: They speak Urdu in Pakistan, not Arabic.
Posted by: AB | Jan 22, 2009 9:29:16 PM
Obama speaks more than just a few words in Bahasa indonesian, I've heard him speak fluent Indonesian sentences. Although Bahasa Indonesian isn't a hard language to learn, geez some people here are jealous of the fact that we finally have a smart President.
Posted by: KB | Jan 22, 2009 9:30:47 PM
President Bush conversed with Vincente Fox in Spanish when they met. But don't let facts detract from irrational Bush-bashing.
Posted by: Grand Old Party | Jan 22, 2009 9:38:00 PM
his sister is half indonesian. his step father, mother's husband was indonesian. ignorance is not patriotism.
Posted by: paulette | Jan 22, 2009 9:42:34 PM
Yes! MY President! I won't pinch myself just yet!
Posted by: Jerry | Jan 22, 2009 9:47:14 PM
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