Early in chapter 3, Hillary refers to an essay published in Foreign Policy Magazine. In it she summarizes the rationale behind the policy the Obama administration called the "Asia Pivot."
Hillary Rodham Clinton Op-Ed: America’s Pacific Century
October 11, 2011 by still4hill |
In Hard Choices, she asserts that the decision to begin her 112 country pilgrimage as secretary of state in Asia was hers. She points to her February 2009 speech at the Asia Society in New York as her launch site for this grand pivot and her charter journey.
Hillary Clinton at the Asia Society in New York
February 13, 2009 by still4hill |She landed first in Japan - dramatically and in breathtaking style! Her remarks upon arrival are at the link below.
Hillary Clinton: Wheels Down Tokyo
February 17, 2009 by still4hill |
She comments on how pleased she was that the Japanese Special Olympics Team greeted her.
The Town Hall at Tokyo University she refers to was her first enormous encounter with civil society on foreign soil as secretary of state. There would be many more over the years.
Hillary Clinton’s Town Hall at Tokyo University
February 18, 2009 by still4hill |
Her next university town hall was at Ewha Women's University -the largest women's university in the world! I had graduate students who were Ewha alums. They were surprised I knew about it, but of course I learned about it from Hillary! When I told them that they were thrilled that she had been at their alma mater.
Hillary Clinton’s Town Hall at EWHA Women’s University
February 21, 2009 by still4hill |
In Indonesia, she appeared on a morning show called The Awesome Show. She refers to it as being something like MTV.
Hillary Clinton’s TV Interview in Indonesia
February 20, 2009 by still4hill |
Also in Indonesia, in a much more sedate setting, she stopped at ASEAN headquarters where Dr. Surin Pitsuman greeted her with yellow roses noting that they are the symbol of hope and new beginnings.
Hillary Clinton With ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan
February 20, 2009 by still4hill |
In this chapter, Hillary describes how Euna Lee and Laura Ling, journalists from Al Gore's Current TV, were arrested for accidentally crossing an unmarked border between China and North Korea. Several potential rescuers were suggested, but Bill Clinton was the knight-in-shining-armor of choice.
WJC and HRC left Andrews AFB the same day and at about the same time (they arrived together, of course), he on his rescue mission, she on her first official State Department visit to Africa. In a Vogue article published in December 2009, Jonathan Van Meter described consternation among her press corps that Bill was stealing Hillary's limelight. But Hillary, of course, was the one who had provided the approval for the former POTUS to embark on that mission.
Upon its success, she commented from Kenya.
Hillary Clinton’s Statement on Bill Clinton’s Rescue of Laura Ling and Euna Lee
August 5, 2009 by still4hill |The chapter continues in a somber tone on the topic of North Korea as Hillary recalls her visit with Defense Secretary Robert Gates to the DMZ in 2010 and a rather disconcerting moment in the negotiation room - precisely on the dividing line of the 38th parallel - when a North Korean Guard peered through a window.
Slideshow: Secretaries Clinton and Gates in Korea
July 21, 2010 by still4hill
In July 2009 on her first official trip as SOS to India, she states that she choose to stay at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel that had been subject to a terrorist bombing in November 2008. Here are her remarks (video) upon arrival at the hotel.
Hillary Clinton at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
July 19, 2009 by still4hill |
In reference to a 2012 visit to Laos, she calls that country "the most heavily bombed country in the world." Many remember Nixon and the "incursions." Those who view Obama as the "worst president since ____________ " (fill in the blank) would do well to remember those incursions - or read about them.
Hillary Clinton Makes History … AGAIN! First SOS in 57 Years to Visit Laos
July 11, 2012 by still4hill
If you would like to know what Hillary was saying about democracy on her July 2012 visit to Mongolia, go here!
Hillary Clinton at the Community of Democracies Governing Council in Mongolia
July 9, 2012 by still4hill |
End of chapter 3.
