rssCLINTON CONFIRMATION: HRC’s Opening Statement
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 10:25 am
- 3 Comments
Clinton, in her own words. Let’s do this liveblog-style.
On Sen. John Kerry: “I join in offering my congratulations… You have traveled quite a distance [since] your testimony as a young Vietnam veteran. You have never faltered in your care and your concern for our nation… America is in good hands with you leading this committee.” She’s also sad to leave the Senate and New York state. So sincerrrrrrrrre.
“Consultation is not a catchword, it is a commitment.” She and President-elect Barack Obama implicitly repudiate President George W. Bush’s high-handed approach to the Senate. Rhetorically, at least, so far.
Emerging since Obama’s election, new challenges: “New conflict in Gaza, terrorist attacks in Mumbai,” crises in Congo and Zimbabwe and even piracy” Time to “expand the progress and prosperity of people on the margins” of globalization. Indeed, on globalization, since the 1990s: “Both the promise and the peril of the 21st century could not be contained … a coalition of nations stopped ethnic cleansing in the Balkans but conflict in the Middle East spread from Africa to Asia… The clear lesson of the last 20 years is we must combat the threats and seize the opportunities… To do so, we must build a world of [more] allies and fewer adversaries.” The money line: the world can’t do it without America, either. “This is not a philosophical point, but rather our new reality.”
She endorses “smart power” — the “vanguard of our foreign policy. This is not a new idea.” But it does dip a toe into Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen’s waters. “The State Department will be firing on all cylinders… applying pressure wherever needed, but providing opportunities… partnering with non-governmental organizations… empowering negotiators who can protect our interests while understanding those of our negotiating partners.” Secretary of Defense Robert Gates “has been particularly eloquent in articulating [the need] for diplomacy…. [He is] more concerned about having an effective, integrated and agile U.S. strategy… than [fighting] petty turf wars.” Obama says “the State Dept. must be fully empowered… we must also use the United Nations whenever appropriate…. When they don’t work well… we should work with like-minded friends to make them more effective.”
Military force “will sometime be necessary… when and where needed as a last resort.” To promote interests around the world, “America must be an exemplar of our values.” Our “power and status have conferred upon us a tremendous responsibility.” Be realistic: “we don’t have unlimited time, treasure… to solve every problem… So we have to establish priorities.” Such as? “Insisting on measured results” and assessing the likelihood of success. Not spelling out those priorities so far, just a metric. This statement is somewhat high-altitude so far.
Wait, here she goes: “President-elect Obama is committed to ending the war in Iraq” and in Afghanistan, working toward “peace and security.” Security for Israel and “the just aspirations” of the Palestinians. Persuade Iran and Syria “to become responsible regional actors.” As intractible as the Middle East seems, “we cannot give up on peace.” “Deeply sympathetic” to Israel’s desire to be secure “however we have also been reminded of the tragic humanitarian cost in the Middle East and pained by the suffering of civilians,” so that must strengthen the resolve to bring peace. “Every effort” to support the work of Israelis and Palestinians “to undermine the forces of extremism around the world.”
“Defeat Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups” by rooting them out and their root causes as well. “Curb the spread and use of these weapons: nuclear, biological, chemical and cyber.” So will “seize the parallel opportunity … to [compel other nations] to reduce their nuclear stockpiles.” Seeking further reductions from Russia. “At the same time, we will continue to work to prevent proliferation in North Korea and Iran… and shut down the market for selling [loose nuclear material].” She doesn’t say anything about reducing the U.S.’s nuclear stockpile, which is a sticking point for nonproliferation.
Outreach to traditional Asian and European partners. “Reach out” to Russia “while standing strong for international norms.” China? “We want a positive and cooperative relationship… but this is not a one-way effort. Much of what we do depends on the choices China makes at home and abroad.” Should work with China and Russia on “terrorism, climate change, and reforming financial markets.”
Response to the crisis: “Here again, as we work to repair the damage, we can find new ways to work together.” It’s time to reengage emerging economic powers. Why not mention India here? Ah there she goes: “China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia are feeling the effects of the current crisis” and can be part of the solution. Big shouts to Canada, “our biggest supplier of imported energy,” and Mexico. “We share common political, economic and… ancestral and cultural legacies” with Latin and South America. So we won’t just hector them on their leftism?
Africa. “Combatting Al Qaeda’s efforts to seek safe havens in the horn of Africa… stopping human devastation in Darfur.” Supporting African democracies and development goals. Obama’s foreign-policy campaign team was heavy on Africa experts like Scott Gration and Susan Rice, the U.N. ambassador-designee, but Africa seems like an afterthought here.
“Climate change is an unambigous security threat.” Prevent these looming resource wars. “We will participate in the upcoming U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen.” Post-Kyoto, a return to the fold?
Whoa, praise for Bush on combatting AIDS in Africa. “America is seen as a leader in Africa on AIDS, Malaria and TB.” I withdraw the remark about Africa seeming like an afterthought. (See above.) “Investing in our common humanity is not marginal but essential to our goals… We have to expand civil and political rights… but our pleas will fall on deaf ears unless democracy improves people’s lives.” Why, that’s the Obama Doctrine right there! “The United States must be an unequivocal and unwavering voice in support of women’s rights worldwide.” There can be no doubt about that with Clinton at Foggy Bottom.
Nice words for Obama’s late mother. Really ending on a classy note. “Ensuring that our State Department is functioning at its best is essential for America’s success … The entire State Department bureaucracy in Thomas Jefferson’s day” was minimal. “Now the department consists of Foreign Service Officers, Civil Service officers and local staffs … and USAID carries out its critical development missions in some of the most dangerous places on earth.” Some have “lost their lives” in their mission “and need the resources and support to do … the work of the American people.” Not “the placid, idle bureaucracy that some have suggested.” Time to fund the State Department. She’s not talking about an expeditionary State Department or outgoing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s “transformational diplomacy,” interestingly.
Is it “the end of the American moment in world history? I disagree.” American power “has always been rooted and inspired by our values.” Because “we are guided by unchanging truths … and in these truths, we will find … the courage and the discipline and the creativity to meet the challenges of this changing world.” And that could make for a fine line in an inaugural address.
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3 Comments
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Comment posted January 24, 2009 @ 10:41 am
IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN WARS ARE THE LESSEN NOT LEARNED
Listening to the President Obama’s speeches and no plans so far is showing that “lessen are not learned from this wars”. The President is going to work against the wishes of the American people too. He is talking about the residual forces in Iraq and increase of the forces in Afghanistan. The Wars without economic plans are going to fail no matter what the military does Mr. President.
Mr. President first you are going to review the wars expenditures carefully. And figure out that there are corruptions within the US Government officials in Afghanistan and Iraq. The state department and defense department are fighting each other to control the funds and ask them why?
We are going to give you an example. The state department has parallel Government officials to Iraqi Government called the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in every province in Iraq. They are working closely with the Iraqi officials.
We are one fourth of the populations in Kurdistan region of Iraq. We are contacted Mr. Haward Keegan, the team leader of PRT in Kirkuk, Iraq and informed him about our miserable life in our regions. He did not want to listen to our grievances because probably of the advice of the corrupt Iraqi officials in Kirkuk. We can prove to you that all the Kurdish officials are corrupt in Kurdistan regions of Iraq and the US officials are working with them closely without any regards to the people complains in the region.
The US contracting offices in Iraq are involved with the corruptions. And they are known to the public that the American’s are taking money to give you contract.
Mr. President why so many billion’s of dollars is disappeared in Iraq and Afghanistan reconstructions’ projects. But the Iraqi and Afghans people are in very bad shape and those projects are useless. You think Mr. President all the money is gone to Iraqi and Afghans officials or there are people from your country; God forbidden could take some of that money too. What mechanism state department has to control that!!!
Mr. President first put your country house in order. And then try to understand the failure of your own Government policy in Iraq and Afghanistan.
With regard of Iraq we are hoping that you take more time to understand Iraq first. President Bush did have plan in his mind but it come out to be useless plan. America lost lot of the people; their lives are not replaceable. The costs are too high for the USA to be the servant of the divided country which does not want to be united. Iraqis are more loyal to the regional powers; than this artificial country called Iraq and imposed by the UK imperialist to serve its oil interest. Iraq never has been stable since the day one. Iraq used to be three regional Governorship during the Iranian and Ottoman Empires depend on who was the ruler of the territory.
Here is what we are thinking should be done. Total withdrawals without any conditions are the best choice for time being. If Iraq are so important to the USA security then has few bases in the Kurdistan regions only. And replace the corrupt Barzani and Talabani family of mafia with the people who want to serve the Kurdish people and American people too. Barzani and Talabani are using the good nature of the American people to make more and more money and the Kurds are starving.
Both Arab communities in Iraq does not want USA so why you want to help them any way. Let them to settle their own differences first without your interference.
The Kurdish people are in need of the American protections. Arrest both corrupt Barzani and Talabani family members and let the Kurdish court decide their future. The Kurds love American laws and rule of laws. They are in love with the American culture and they do want to be like American. Let the UN to mark the boundaries between Arabs and Kurds using historical document and justice.
We are one fourth of the populations in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and we have very good relationship with Sourchi, Harkey, barware, and other large tribes in Kurdistan. We want to have free elections to form real parliament to watch the elected Government in the region. Barzani and Talabani are only few families. They are not that popular with their mafia political parties. You will be surprised how weak they are. We are going to punish them based on the verdict of the court. We promise you they are going to receive the punishment immediately based on the court orders. They are no body in Kurdistan. They are the creations of the Bush administrations.
The Kurds are real friend of the USA. We love your system of Government even collapsed because of the wrong doing of individuals not because the system are in fault.
Sincerely,
Jaff sassani
From the SKDC
jaff.skdc@googlemail.com
Comment posted January 24, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN WARS ARE THE LESSEN NOT LEARNED
Listening to the President Obama’s speeches and no plans so far is showing that “lessen are not learned from this wars”. The President is going to work against the wishes of the American people too. He is talking about the residual forces in Iraq and increase of the forces in Afghanistan. The Wars without economic plans are going to fail no matter what the military does Mr. President.
Mr. President first you are going to review the wars expenditures carefully. And figure out that there are corruptions within the US Government officials in Afghanistan and Iraq. The state department and defense department are fighting each other to control the funds and ask them why?
We are going to give you an example. The state department has parallel Government officials to Iraqi Government called the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in every province in Iraq. They are working closely with the Iraqi officials.
We are one fourth of the populations in Kurdistan region of Iraq. We are contacted Mr. Haward Keegan, the team leader of PRT in Kirkuk, Iraq and informed him about our miserable life in our regions. He did not want to listen to our grievances because probably of the advice of the corrupt Iraqi officials in Kirkuk. We can prove to you that all the Kurdish officials are corrupt in Kurdistan regions of Iraq and the US officials are working with them closely without any regards to the people complains in the region.
The US contracting offices in Iraq are involved with the corruptions. And they are known to the public that the American’s are taking money to give you contract.
Mr. President why so many billion’s of dollars is disappeared in Iraq and Afghanistan reconstructions’ projects. But the Iraqi and Afghans people are in very bad shape and those projects are useless. You think Mr. President all the money is gone to Iraqi and Afghans officials or there are people from your country; God forbidden could take some of that money too. What mechanism state department has to control that!!!
Mr. President first put your country house in order. And then try to understand the failure of your own Government policy in Iraq and Afghanistan.
With regard of Iraq we are hoping that you take more time to understand Iraq first. President Bush did have plan in his mind but it come out to be useless plan. America lost lot of the people; their lives are not replaceable. The costs are too high for the USA to be the servant of the divided country which does not want to be united. Iraqis are more loyal to the regional powers; than this artificial country called Iraq and imposed by the UK imperialist to serve its oil interest. Iraq never has been stable since the day one. Iraq used to be three regional Governorship during the Iranian and Ottoman Empires depend on who was the ruler of the territory.
Here is what we are thinking should be done. Total withdrawals without any conditions are the best choice for time being. If Iraq are so important to the USA security then has few bases in the Kurdistan regions only. And replace the corrupt Barzani and Talabani family of mafia with the people who want to serve the Kurdish people and American people too. Barzani and Talabani are using the good nature of the American people to make more and more money and the Kurds are starving.
Both Arab communities in Iraq does not want USA so why you want to help them any way. Let them to settle their own differences first without your interference.
The Kurdish people are in need of the American protections. Arrest both corrupt Barzani and Talabani family members and let the Kurdish court decide their future. The Kurds love American laws and rule of laws. They are in love with the American culture and they do want to be like American. Let the UN to mark the boundaries between Arabs and Kurds using historical document and justice.
We are one fourth of the populations in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and we have very good relationship with Sourchi, Harkey, barware, and other large tribes in Kurdistan. We want to have free elections to form real parliament to watch the elected Government in the region. Barzani and Talabani are only few families. They are not that popular with their mafia political parties. You will be surprised how weak they are. We are going to punish them based on the verdict of the court. We promise you they are going to receive the punishment immediately based on the court orders. They are no body in Kurdistan. They are the creations of the Bush administrations.
The Kurds are real friend of the USA. We love your system of Government even collapsed because of the wrong doing of individuals not because the system are in fault.
Sincerely,
Jaff sassani
From the SKDC
jaff.skdc@googlemail.com
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