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Clinton to US House: 'Daunting Challenges'...'Priorities Clear.'

'Our priorities are clear. We are deploying the tools of diplomacy and development along with military power. We are securing historic alliances, working with emerging regional powers, and seeking new avenues of engagement. We’re addressing the existing and emerging challenges that will define our century: climate change, weak states, rogue regimes, criminal cartels, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, poverty, and disease. We’re advancing our values and our interests by promoting human rights and fostering conditions that allow every individual to live up to their God-given potential.'  -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Secy. of State Clinton Speaking before the US House Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington, April 22nd.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Ranking Member. Greetings to many friends and former colleagues. It is a pleasure to be here with you this morning. This Committee has been the source of many advances in our nation’s foreign policy and I look forward to working with you to continue that tradition.

When I appeared before the Senate – that’s that other body on the other side of the Capitol – I spoke during my confirmation hearing of a commitment to pursue a policy that would enhance our nation’s security, advance our interests, and uphold our values. Today, nearly 100 days later, I am pleased to report that we have begun making progress toward achieving that goal.

I want to begin by recognizing and thanking the men and women of the State Department and USAID, who are serving our country around the clock and around the world. I’m extremely proud of their work. With their talents, and under President Obama’s leadership, we have put forward a new diplomacy powered by partnership, pragmatism, and principle.

PHOTO: United States Department of State

A week of Diplomatic Surprises - Cuba, Chavez and now a Qadhafi

This week has seen a major diplomatic opening by the White House to Cuba, multiple greetings exchanged between Obama and Hugo Chavez... and today's meeting with with Libyan National Security Adviser Dr. Mutassim Qadhafi and Secy. of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State, Washington, DC, April 21st.

SECRETARY CLINTON: I am very pleased to welcome Minister Qadhafi here to the State Department. We deeply value the relationship between the United States and Libya. We have many opportunities to deepen and broaden our cooperation. And I’m very much looking forward to building on this relationship. So, Mr. Minister, welcome so much here.
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR QADHAFI: Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. We’re delighted you’re here.
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR QADHAFI: Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you all very much.

'wonderful working with our Dutch allies'

'the Dutch “3D” approach – defense, diplomacy, and development – pursued simultaneously, which may sound familiar to some of us, is a model for our own efforts and the future efforts in Afghanistan. There’s a lot of work for us to do there...'

'I also want to thank the Dutch Government for their leadership in the G-20 process. The successful London Summit was enhanced by the prime minister and the foreign minister’s strong support for open markets and opposition to protectionism. We know that the Dutch economy has been hard hit by this global downturn. With the world’s seventh largest international financial sector, the Netherlands is a major participant in the global economy...'

Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen of the Netherlands met with Secy. of State Hillary Clinton in

Washington, DC on April 20, 2009. Here are their comments to the press which covered a wide range of foreign policy issues:

Jordan's King Abdullah speaks with Clinton on 'how to bring Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiation table'

Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein met with US Secy. of State Hillary Clinton, Washington, DC, April 21, 2009 and made these remarks to the press prior to their meeting:

SECRETARY CLINTON:  Well, His Majesty is no stranger either to the State Department or to Washington.  He has been a partner, an ally and a friend of the United States on behalf of his country and on behalf of the search for peace that would result from a two-state solution in the Middle East.  And I am deeply honored and greatly delighted to welcome His Majesty back to the State Department for the series of important meetings.

 

KING ABDULLAH:  Mrs. Clinton, thank you very much.  It’s a great honor for me to be back here in Washington.  We’ve had some very fruitful discussions this morning with President Obama.  I’m here at the State Department now to go over the priorities that Jordan and Arab countries need to put in front of themselves on how to bring Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiation table, and hopefully open a new chapter of peace and stability in the Middle East and move the peace process forward.

 

So it is a great honor to be here, and I look forward to working with you, Mrs. Clinton, and working as hard as we can to finally bring peace and stability to the Middle East.

State Dept. - Clinton pauses Latin America for Europe

US foreign policy has been focused on Latin America. Now that the Summit of the Americas has closed, President Obama is once again focused on domestic issues and the economy. Secy. of State Clinton is able to broader her foreign affairs agenda. Today she has meetings with two of her European counterparts, from Europe.
Daily Appointments Schedule for April 20, 2009, Washington, DC,April 20, 2009, Secretary of State Clinton:

10:45 a.m. Bilateral Meeting with Maxime Verhagen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands.
2:15 p.m. Bilateral with Meeting Marcos Kyprianou, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cyprus.

Clinton to Summit Americas: 'We are neighbors, friends, partners...'

'The United States wants to engage our hemisphere. This is our backyard. We are neighbors and friends and partners on so many fronts. We obviously have disagreements with some of the leadership in certain countries in Latin America. But we approach that from a practical, not an ideological perspective.'

Hillary Clinton offered some perspective on her (and Obama's) goals for the Summit of the Americas. She spoke from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic after meeting with the President of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernandez.

US Secy. of State Clinton: Later today, leaders from across the region will arrive at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. We will be discussing concrete ways to improve the lives of people...

Clinton Announced 4-point Counter-Piracy Strategy

I’d like to take a moment to discuss an issue that affects us all, and that is the scourge of piracy. The attempted capture of the Maersk Alabama and the attack yesterday on the Liberty Sun off the coast of Somalia are just the most recent reminders that we have to act swiftly and decisively to combat this threat. These pirates are criminals. They are armed gangs on the sea. And those plotting attacks must be stopped, and those who have carried them out must be brought to justice.

Last weekend, we were all inspired by the courage and heroism of Captain Phillips and his crew, and by the bravery and skill of the U.S. Navy. These men are examples of the best that America has to offer. And I salute and thank them. But now it falls to us to ensure that others are not put into a similar situation. As I said last week, we may be dealing with a 17th century crime, but we need to bring 21st century solutions to bear.

US-GEORGIA: Secy. Clinton meets with Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze

Remarks With Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze Before Their Meeting
Washington, DC, April 14, 2009
SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon. We welcome the foreign minister of Georgia here at a very challenging time in the country’s young democratic history. But we are going to discuss a range of issues that are important to our bilateral relationship, that will underscore our strong support for Georgian independence and democracy, and will look for ways to deepen and broaden our partnership. So we’re pleased that you could be here with us today.

ASIA: BENGALI, LAO & KHMER Diplomacy for the New Year

US Secy. of State Hillary Clinton pushed the 'Diplomatic Greetings Button' 3 times, sending New Year messages from the American people to people in Bangladesh, Laos and Cambodia.

FROM US STATE DEPT. -- SECY. CLINTON
Bangla New Year - Pohela Boishakh Message

I send greetings to all around the world who are observing Pohela Boishakh, the New Year festivities celebrated by those who share common Bengali cultural and linguistic traditions.

As you welcome the year 1416, I salute the spirit of tolerance and shared linguistic and cultural heritage that brings so many together, regardless of religion or nationality, to usher in a new year with music, drama, and traditional foods.

All New Year celebrations reflect the hope of new beginnings. As the world faces the greatest economic challenges in generations, we all must stand together to embrace the New Year’s promise of rebirth and renewal. It is our shared hope for the future - our shared dream of a better world for our children - that brings us all together to celebrate our common humanity. I send my best wishes for a special day shared with family and friends. Shubho Nobo Borsho.    --  PHOTO by:  Kazi Tahsin Agaz (Apurbo) --

Lao New Year:  On the occasion of the traditional Lao New Year celebration, I would like to extend my warm wishes for a peaceful, prosperous year to the Government and the people of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. In this year of new beginnings, I look forward to continuing and enhancing cooperation between our two countries on many areas of mutual interest. 
Transliteration: Sook dii pii mai or souksan van peemai or sabidee pimai  or Happy New Year!

Khmer New Year: On behalf of the American people, I wish to congratulate the people of the Kingdom of Cambodia on the occasion of Khmer New Year.

This past year has been marked by significant progress in our relations, including humanitarian ship visits by the U.S. military, new agreements to implement assistance programs in economic development and the rule of law, and Peace Corps volunteers in 11 provinces.I look forward to the year ahead, as our two nations identify even greater opportunities to strengthen our bilateral ties, as well as to work together on mutual areas of interest. We value Cambodia's commitment to further its social, economic and democratic development.

On the occasion of the Khmer New Year, I wish the Cambodian people peace, prosperity, and best wishes.

Statements by US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Washington, DC, April 10-11, 2009

US Secretary of State back on her Diplomacy Game

Secy Clinton had returned to her, often rigorous schedule home-based meetings with foreign ministers. This, following a week-long intense whirlwind of Head-of-state level diplomacy, where the actions of US Pres. Obama were front and center.
NOTICE: Two meetings with leaders from the Middle East; Panama today -- look out for continued duologue with Latin American leaders in preparation for the 5th Summit of the Americas; also Mrs. Clinton continues to keep Energy on the front burner -- recognizing the Energy Policy and Climate Change are key to her foreign policy and diplomacy.

Daily Appointments Schedule for Secy. Hillary Clinton, for April 8, 2009
Madame Secretary is in Washington, DC

11:30 a.m. -- Bilateral with His Excellency Ivailo Kalfin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.
12:00 p.m. -- Remarks to Department of State Spring Interns, Stay-in-School, and Cooperative Education Program Students.
1:15 p.m. -- Lunch with Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
2:30 p.m. -- Bilateral with His Excellency Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama.
3:00 p.m. -- Bilateral with His Excellency Elias Murr, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Lebanon.
4:00 p.m. -- Bilateral with The Honorable Stephen Smith, M.P., Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia.
5:00 p.m. -- Bilateral with His Excellency Dr. Taieb Fassi Fihri, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morocco.

Secy Clinton on US Role in Mexico Border Tensions: 'the demand for illegal drugs is what keeps these guys in business'

"...it would inaccurate to absolve ourselves of responsibility or to absolve the Mexicans of responsibility. This is a shared responsibility. We share the border. And as you rightly said, the demand for illegal drugs is what keeps these guys in business. And it's a, you know, multi-billion-dollar, $25-plus billion industry.
The guns that are sold in the United States, which are illegal in Mexico, get smuggled and shipped across our border and arm these terrible drug-dealing criminals so that they can outgun these poor police officers along the border and elsewhere in Mexico.
So we've got to help out here. We can't stand by and say: Well, you know, you guys just do the best you can, when we, unfortunately, are the market for drugs, when a lot of the money is laundered in the United States back into the hands of the drug kingpins, and when the weapons have come from our country. So I think recognizing the co-responsibility is just stating the obvious..."
                                                                                Interview with Greta Van Susteren of FOX News

Secy. Clinton, P.M. Rudd on Missile Defense, Poles, NATO

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd
Remarks and fielding press questions after their meeting, Washington, DC, March 24, 2009:
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I am delighted that we’ve had the opportunity, first with the President and now here at the State Department, to discuss a range of important issues with the prime minister and with his delegation. America doesn’t have a better friend in the world than Australia, a friend through good times and hard times on so many of the historic and difficult challenges that have faced the United States and Australia, both singly and together. And we have reaffirmed out commitment to working closely on the range of difficult problems, but also exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
So, Mr. Prime Minister, again, welcome here to the Benjamin Franklin Room in the State Department.
PRIME MINISTER RUDD: Thank you very much, Secretary of State. It’s good to be back here in the State Department. I’ve been here many times before, and it’s good to be here with you as Secretary of State. We regard you as a genuine friend of Australia, and it’s good to have had this discussion with you.
The Secretary is convening soon a conference in The Hague to galvanize international support for the good people of Afghanistan. This is something which Australia strongly supports. Foreign Minister Smith will be attending. This sort of collaborative effort is important for the future of Afghanistan. It is also further evidence of the strong leadership which we see from the Obama Administration and through the Secretary of State in so many areas of foreign policy.
The only other thing I would say is the Secretary of State’s recent visit to East Asia, I believe, sent a very strong and positive signal to our part of the world about this Administration’s engagement with the Asian Pacific, which will be such a dynamic part of the 21^st century.
So, Secretary of State, thank you for hosting me to the State Department today.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so much, Prime Minister. Thank you all.
QUESTION: Madame Secretary, one question if you would. The Polish foreign minister was quoted over the weekend with some unusually strong language saying that the Poles had taken considerable risk in agreeing to cooperate in American missile defense plans and that they are waiting on the current Administration’s announcement of its further plans with regard to missile defense and that he hopes that the Polish trust in the Americans was not misplaced. I’m paraphrasing, but it was close to that.
Now given the unusual nature of that language, what can you tell us about whether or not the Poles, to put it colloquially, are being left high and dry?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we have a very long and deep relationship with Poland and with the Polish Government and the Polish people. We are going to continue to consult with them and work through the issues concerning security that are of, you know, great interest to not only the Poles but all Europeans and the United States. As members of NATO, we take seriously our alliance commitments and I’m very confident that we will work through whatever issues lie ahead on any front. And that’s part of what will be discussed at the upcoming NATO summit.

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