STILL4HILL

Video: Secretary Clinton with Jordanian FM Judeh

2012-03-02T16:50:00.000-05:00

Remarks With Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh Before Their Meeting

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
March 2, 2012

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, it’s wonderful to welcome once again my colleague and my friend. We are delighted that Minister Judeh could be here, because we have a very large agenda between the United States and Jordan. We stay in very close touch, but nothing replaces face-to-face meetings to catch up on what’s happening in Jordan, what’s happening in the region, and around the world. So Nasser, thank you and welcome.
FOREIGN MINISTER JUDEH: Thank you very much, Madam Secretary. I will just echo what you said and our commitment to maintain constant dialogue with you and consultations, building on the excellent results of His Majesty’s visit with the President and yourself last January. And this is a relationship that we will describe as much more than a friendship, a true partnership. And in this context, we have lots to discuss. I will brief the Secretary on our domestic situation, the economic challenges that we have, and the irreversible political reform program that is led by His Majesty, the King. And we will also discuss the peace process and the other issues. It’s always a pleasure to be here, and it’s very, very important for us to keep this dialogue continuing.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you very much, my friend. Thank you all.

Hillary Clinton Hails Serbia's E.U. Candidacy

2012-03-02T13:11:00.000-05:00

Serbia Granted European Union Candidate Status

Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
March 2, 2012

The March 1 announcement by the European Council that Serbia has been granted European Union candidate country status is an important step forward for Serbia’s future. I want to congratulate the leadership and the people of Serbia for their hard work, commitment and determination toward this goal.
I also welcome the announcement by the European Union that it will launch a Feasibility Study for Kosovo’s Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), which builds on the European Council’s conclusions on Kosovo from December. This is important for Kosovo’s European orientation and a key sign of Europe’s commitment to Kosovo.
Greater European integration is beneficial for Serbia, Kosovo and the entire region. I commend the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia for their courage and commitment in making the tough political decisions necessary to reach these milestones. I encourage the leaders of both countries to continue making progress in the EU-led dialogue, and to fully implement the decisions already agreed upon. The United States shares strong and enduring friendships with Kosovo and Serbia, and we will continue to work closely with both countries in support of a peaceful and prosperous European future.

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for March 2, 2012

2012-03-02T12:37:00.000-05:00

I apologize that this is coming so late. We had a power outage, so I had no connectivity. Well, now it is back and I wish all of you and Mme. Secretary a wonderful weekend! This will be her first weekend off in three weeks.

Public Schedule for March 2, 2012

Public Schedule
Washington, DC
March 2, 2012

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

10:15 a.m. Secretary Clinton attends a meeting at the White House.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY WHITE HOUSE)

11:45 a.m. Secretary Clinton meets with President Obama, at the White House.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY WHITE HOUSE)

1:30 p.m. Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, at the Department of State.
(CAMERA SPRAY PRECEDING MEETING)

2:30 p.m. Secretary Clinton meets with young leaders from the Middle East and North Africa, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for March 1, 2012

2012-03-01T11:06:00.000-05:00

Public Schedule for March 1, 2012

Public Schedule
Washington, DC
March 1, 2012

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

9:15 a.m. Secretary Clinton meets with the regional bureau secretaries, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

11:00 a.m. Secretary Clinton meets with Tony Blair, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

2:30 p.m. Secretary Clinton meets with Special Representative for North Korea Policy Glyn Davies, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

3:00 p.m. Secretary Clinton holds a meeting with General Martin Dempsey, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

Hillary Clinton's St. David's Day Greetings to Wales

2012-03-01T00:13:00.000-05:00

Our assiduous SOS sends greetings to every friend and ally on their national days. I only post the ones with some kind of special significance. So, in honor of our shared Welsh roots, here are Hillary's greetings on St. David's Day!

On the Occasion of St. David's Day in Wales

Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 29, 2012

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Wales as you celebrate St. David’s Day this March 1.
This is an opportunity to reaffirm the strong bonds that unite us and to reflect on the rich and varied contributions Welsh people have made to America over the centuries. Several of our founding fathers – including former Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams – were able to claim Welsh ancestry. Today, almost two million people living in the U.S. can trace their roots back to Wales. I am proud to say that I am one of them.
But there is far more to our enduring relationship than our heritage. Today, we enjoy shared values, extensive cultural exchange, and benefit from a vibrant trade in goods, services and knowledge. As we continue to deepen these ties, our friendship will only grow stronger.
As you celebrate this special day with family, friends and loved ones, know that the United States is committed to strengthening our partnership as we work together to build a more peaceful and prosperous future for all our people.

Hillary Clinton at House Foreign Affairs

2012-02-29T21:08:00.000-05:00

Mme. Secretary testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee today to explain the rationale for her 2013 budget proposals. When she is before this committee, it always seems that time it at a premium, and so she ends up submitting much of what she would like to say and explain as text. Apparently that was the case today regarding her opening remarks.

Assessing U.S. Foreign Policy Priorities Amidst Economic Challenges: The Foreign Relations Budget for Fiscal Year 2013

Testimony
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Opening Remarks Before the House Foreign Affairs Committee
Washington, DC
February 29, 2012

Thank you very much, Madam Chairman and Ranking Member, and it is very good to be back here. I am grateful to your committee and the members for the support and consultation that we’ve enjoyed over these past three years. I look forward to your questions. I will submit my entire statement to the record and look forward to having a chance to exchange views with you today. Thank you.

Video: Hillary Clinton at the Budget Hearing for Department of State

2012-02-29T13:13:00.000-05:00

Budget Hearing forthe Department of State and USAID

Testimony
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February29, 2012

MayI change out my chair for that chair right there? Thank you. I very muchappreciate that. That’s much better.
Well, let me begin by thanking the chairwoman for her leadership along withRanking Member Lowey. I have found this to be a committee that is so concernedabout what’s right for our country, especially in a time of constrainedresources. I always feel like I have an open door, and I hope you do as well –all of you on this committee – because we’re living in a very volatile anddifficult time.
Before I begin, I want to say a few words about North Korea. And with yourpermission, I want to just share with you the statement that we just put out.We are looking to a continuing effort and we have completed a third exploratoryround of U.S.-North Korean bilateral talks to improve the atmosphere fordialogue and demonstrate its commitment to denuclearization. North Korea hasagreed to implement a moratorium on long-range missile launches, nuclear tests,and nuclear activities at Yongbyon, including uranium enrichment activities.
The DPRK has also agreed to the return of IAEA inspectors to verify andmonitor the moratorium on uranium enrichment activities and confirm thedisablement of the five-megawatt reactor and associated facilities.
Now, the United States, I will be quick to add, still has profound concerns,but on the occasion of Kim Jong-il’s death, I said that it is our hope that thenew leadership will choose to guide their nation onto the path of peace byliving up to its obligations. Today’s announcement represents a modest firststep in the right direction. We, of course, will be watching closely andjudging North Korea’s new leaders by their actions.
We also have agreed to meet with the North to finalize administrativedetails necessary to move forward with a proposed package of 240,000 metrictons of nutritional assistance along with the intensive monitoring required forthe delivery of such assistance.
Now, this is just one more reminder that the world is transforming aroundus, from Arab revolutions to the rise of new economic powers to a moredispersed by still dangerous al-Qaida terrorist network to nuclear diplomacy onthe Korean Peninsula. In this time, only the United States of America has thereach, the resources, and the relationships to anchor a more peaceful andprosperous world.
The State Department and USAID budget we discuss today is a proveninvestment in our national and economic security, but it is something more. Itis a down payment on American leadership.
When I took this job, I saw a world that needed America but also one thatquestioned our focus and our staying power. So we have worked together in abipartisan fashion to put American leadership on a firm foundation for thedecades ahead. We have ended one war, we are winding down another. We have cementedour place as a Pacific power while maintaining our alliances across theAtlantic. We have elevated the role of economics within our diplomacy, and somuch else. We are necessarily updating our diplomacy and development for the 21^stcentury. And after the first-ever Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review,we created two new bureaus focused on counterterrorism and on energy, ChairmanRogers – and I’d be happy to go into that because it is critically important –and we reorganized a third one focused on fragile states.
Now, like most Americans in these tough economic times, we did makedifficult tradeoffs and painful cuts. We have requested 18 percent less forEurope, Eurasia, and Central Asia. We are scaling back construction, and I willcertainly tell everyone to keep an eye on the Embassy in London. We areimproving procurement and we are taking other steps for greater efficiencies.
Of the Foreign Ops request, $51.6 billion represents USAID and StateDepartment requests, and that is an increase of less than the rate ofinflation, just over 1 percent of the federal budget.
I just want to quickly highlight five priorities.
First, our request allows us to sustain our vital national security missionsin Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and reflects temporary extraordinary costsof operating on the front lines. As President Obama has said, “The tide of waris receding.” But we still have to establish firm relationships in Iraq andAfghanistan to go forward in developing a positive partnership.
In Iraq, civilians are now in the lead as we try to work to help Iraqdevelop a stable, sovereign, democratic country. And we have increased ourcivilian budget, but State and USAID together are asking for only one-tenth ofthe $48 billion the U.S. Government spent on Iraq as recently as 2011. Defensespending, as all of you know so well, is now $40 billion less than just twoyears ago. So we are certainly seeing increases in civilian presence butdramatic decreases in federal outlays.
Despite this past week’s violence, we expect similar government-wide savingsin Afghanistan. This year’s request supports the ongoing transition. Next doorin Pakistan, we have a challenging but critical relationship. We continue towork together on counterterrorism, economic stability, regional cooperation.
Second, in the Asia Pacific we are making an unprecedented effort to build astrong network of relationships and institutions, because we believe in thecentury ahead no region will be more consequential to America’s economic andsecurity interests.
As we tighten our belts around the world, we are investing the diplomaticattention necessary to do more. In Asia, I call it forward-deployed diplomacy.It includes even pursuing a possible opening in Burma.
Third, we are intently focused on the wave of change sweeping the Arabworld. Alongside our bilateral and security support, we are proposing a $770million Middle East and North Africa incentive fund. There are two reasons forthat, Madam Chairwoman. First, we know from past experience we need a fund ofmoney that is flexible and easily deployed after consultation with Congress, aswe did after the fall of the Soviet Union. In 1989, such a fund was establishedjust for Poland and Hungary in the cost of $1 billion for two countries. After thewar between Georgia and Russia, we had a fund of a billion dollars just forGeorgia. So we think there’s precedent, and it certainly does pay off in termsof American presence and responsiveness.
Secondly, what we found this past year is that there were a lot ofcircumstances that were coming up all the time that we had, in no way,predicted prior to the budget. So we need to have credible proposals that areevaluated by rigorous analysis and by the Congress to commit to democraticchange, building effective institutions, and broad-based growth. And thisbudget request also will allow us, Chairman Dicks, to help the Syrian peoplesurvive a brutal assault and plan for a future without Assad.
It continues our assistance for civil society and Arab partners in Jordan,Morocco, Tunisia, and elsewhere. It does provide, Mrs. Lowey, a record level ofsupport for our ally, Israel. It makes possible our diplomacy around the worldand, through the great work of the Congress and our diplomacy at the UN andelsewhere, the toughest sanctions that Iran has ever faced.
The fourth priority is what I call economic statecraft – how do we usediplomacy and development to create American jobs? We have more than 1,000State Department economic officers working to help American businesses connectto new markets and consumers. Every single day, we are working with our largestcorporations to our smallest businesses, pushing back against corruption, redtape, favoritism, distorted currencies, intellectual property theft. And we haveworked closely together to pass three free trade agreements that will createtens of thousands of American jobs, and we hope to work with Congress to ensurethat as Russia enters the WTO, foreign competitors don’t have an advantage overAmerican businesses.
And finally, we are elevating development alongside diplomacy and defense.Poverty, disease, hunger, climate change destabilize societies, sow the seedsfor future conflicts. Through the Global Health Initiative, we areconsolidating programs, increasing our partners’ capacity, shiftingresponsibilities to host countries that helps us target our resources wherethey are most needed. Along with our Feed the Future Initiative to driveagricultural growth and improve nutrition, we think we’re making cost-effective,results-oriented investments. We want to see measureable outcomes.
Now these five priorities are each crucial to American leadership and theyrely on the work of some of the most capable, hardest working, bravest people Ihave ever met – the men and women of State and USAID. Working with them is oneof the great honors I’ve had in public life.
Let me end by just saying that American leadership is very personal to me.It is my job everywhere I go. And after three years, 95 countries, over 700,000miles, I know very well what it means to land in a plane that says UnitedStates of America on the side. People look to us to protect our allies, standby our principles, serve as an honest broker in making peace, to fight hunger,disease, poverty, to stand up to bullies and tyrants. And American leadershipis not just respected; it is required. It takes more than just resolve; it doestake resources. This country is an unparalleled force for good in the world,and we all want to make sure it stays that way, so I would urge respectfullythat you work with us to continue making this investment in both strongAmerican leadership and a more peaceful and prosperous future for us all.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for February 29, 2012

2012-02-29T12:46:00.000-05:00

Public Schedule for February 29, 2012

Public Schedule
Washington, DC
February 29, 2012

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

10:00 a.m. Secretary Clinton testifies before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, on Capitol Hill.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)

1:30 p.m. Secretary Clinton testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on Capitol Hill.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)

Video: Hillary Clinton at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing

2012-02-28T20:07:00.000-05:00

National Security & Foreign Policy Priorities in the FY 2013 International Affairs Budget

Testimony
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Testimony Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Washington, DC
February 28, 2012

Thank you very much, and I greatly appreciate Chairman Kerry, Ranking Member Lugar, members of the committee to be here once again to have this opportunity. And I want thank you for the support that this committee has given to the State Department and USAID over the last three quite consequential and unpredictable years. And I especially am grateful for the very kind words about our diplomats and development experts who are serving around the world, some in very difficult circumstances.You have seen the world transforming right before your eyes, from Arab revolutions to the rise of new economic powers to a more dispersed but still dangerous al-Qaida and terrorist network. And in this time, only the United States of America has the reach, resources, and relationships to anchor a more peaceful and prosperous world. The State Department and USAID budget we discuss today is a proven investment in our national and economic security, but it is also something more. It is a down payment on America’s leadership.
When I took this job, I saw a world that needed America, but also one that questioned our focus and our staying power. So we have worked together to put American leadership on a firm foundation for the decades ahead. We have ended one war and are winding down another. We have cemented our place as a Pacific power. We have also maintained our alliance across the Atlantic. We have elevated the role of economics within our diplomacy, and we have reached beyond governments to engage directly with people with a special focus on women and girls.
We are updating diplomacy and development for the 21^st century and finding ways to work smarter and more efficiently. And after the first Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, we created two new bureaus, taking the work we were already doing on counterterrorism and combining it with other assets within the State Department to create a much more focused effort on counterterrorism and on energy. And I really commend Senator Lugar, because it was his idea. It was his talking with me when I was visiting with him prior to my confirmation that made me determined that we would actually accomplish this. And we have reorganized our assets into a bureau focused on fragile states.
Now, like many Americans in these tough economic times, we have certainly made difficult tradeoffs and painful cuts. We have requested 18 percent less for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia, preserving our most essential programs and using the savings for more urgent needs elsewhere. We are scaling back construction of our embassies and consulates, improving procurement to save money, and taking steps across the board to lower costs.
Our request of 51.6 billion represents an increase of less than the rate of inflation and just over 1 percent of the federal budget, and this is coming at the very same time that our responsibilities are multiplying around the world.
Today, I want briefly to highlight five priorities.
First, our request allows us to sustain our vital national security missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and reflects the temporary extraordinary costs of operating on the front lines. As President Obama has said, the tide of war is receding, but as troops come home, thankfully, civilians remain to carry out the critical missions of diplomacy and development.
In Iraq, civilians are now in the lead, helping that country emerge as a stable, sovereign, democratic power. This increases our civilian budget, but State and USAID are asking for only one-tenth of the $48 billion the U.S. Government spent on Iraq as recently as 2011. The 2013 U.S. Government-wide request for Iraq, including defense spending, is now $40 billion less than it was just two years ago. So we are doing what must be done to try to normalize our relationship at a far lower cost than what we have been expending.
Over time, despite the tragic violence of this past week, we expect to see similar government-wide savings in Afghanistan. This year’s request will support the ongoing transition, helping Afghans take responsibility for their own security and their own future, and ensuring that this country is never again a safe haven for terrorists.
We remain committed to working on issues of joint interest with Pakistan, including counterterrorism, economic stability, and regional cooperation.
Second, in the Asia Pacific, the Administration is making an unprecedented effort to build a strong network of relationships and institutions, because we believe, in the century ahead, no region will be more consequential to our economic and security future. As we tighten our belts around the world, we are investing the diplomatic attention necessary to do more with less. In Asia, we are pursuing what I call forward-deployed diplomacy – strengthening our alliances, launching new strategic dialogues and economic initiatives, creating and joining important multilateral institutions, even pursuing a possible opening with Burma – all of which underscores America will remain a Pacific power.
Third, we are focused on the wave of change sweeping the Arab world. As the nation transforms, so must our engagement. Alongside our bilateral and security support, we are proposing a $770 million Middle East and North Africa Incentive Fund. This fund will support credible proposals validated by rigorous analysis and by Congress from countries that make a meaningful commitment to democratic change, effective institutions, and broad-based economic growth. In an unpredictable time, it lets us respond to unanticipated needs in a way that reflects both our agility and our leadership in the region.
This budget request would also allow us to help the Syrian people survive a brutal assault and plan for a future without Assad. It continues our assistance for civil society and Arab partners in Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, and elsewhere. It provides a record level of support for our ally Israel and it makes possible our diplomacy at the UN and around the world, which has now put in place, with your help, the toughest sanctions that I think any country has ever faced against Iran.
The fourth priority is what I call economic statecraft; in particular, how we use diplomacy and development to create American jobs. We’ve more than 1,000 State Department economic officers working to help American businesses connect to new markets and consumers. We are pushing back every day against corruption, red tape, favoritism, distorted currencies, and intellectual property theft.
Our investment in development also helps us create the trading partners of the future. We have worked closely on three trade agreements that we believe will create tens of thousands of jobs in America, and we hope to work with Congress to ensure that as Russia enters the WTO, foreign competitors do not have an advantage over American businesses.
And finally, we are elevating development alongside diplomacy and defense. Poverty, disease, hunger, climate change can destabilize societies and sow the seeds for future conflicts. We think we need to make strategic investments today in order that we can meet our traditional foreign policy goals in the future. Through the Global Health Initiative, through our Feed the Future Initiative, we are consolidating programs, increasing our partners’ capacity, shifting responsibilities to host countries, and making an impact in areas of health and hunger that will be a real credit to our country going forward.
And as we transform development, we really have to deliver measurable results. Our long-term objective must be to empower people to create and seize their own futures.
These five priorities are each crucial to American leadership, and they rely on the work of some of the most capable, hardest working, and bravest people I’ve ever met: the men and women of State and USAID. Working with them is one of the greatest honors I’ve had in public life.
With so much on the line, from the Arab world to the Asia Pacific, we simply cannot pull back. Investments in American leadership did not cause our fiscal challenges, and retreating from the world will not solve them.
Let me end on a personal note. American leadership means a great deal to me personally. It is my job everywhere I go. And after three years, 95 countries, and over 700,000 miles, I know very well what it means to land in a plane that says the United States of America on the side. People look to us to protect our allies; stand by our principles; serve as an honest broker in making peace; to fight hunger, poverty, and disease; to stand up to bullies and tyrants everywhere. American leadership is not just respected. It is required. And it takes more than just resolve. It takes resources.
This country is an unparalleled force for good in the world, and we all want to make sure it stays that way. So I would urge you to work with us to make this investment in strong American leadership and the more peaceful and prosperous future that I believe will result. Thank you.

Video: Secretary Clinton at the Senate Appropriations Hearing

2012-02-28T14:42:00.000-05:00

Opening RemarksBefore the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, andRelated Programs

Testimony
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Opening Remarks Before the Senate AppropriationsSubcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Washington, DC
February28, 2012

Thank you very much, Chairman Leahy and Ranking Member Graham and members ofthe committee; it is good to be back here in the Senate again, and I greatlyappreciate the excellent working relationship that we have had over the lastthree-plus years. I wish also to register my concern and my best wishes forSenator Kirk. Of course, I wrote him as soon as I heard about his healthchallenges, and we all wish him a speedy return.
I also greatly appreciate the travel that both of you have just describedhaving taken. I think it’s absolutely essential to see what is going on in theworld with your own eyes and to hear from leaders and citizens with your ownears. So let me express to you and to all members our appreciation.
We know how quickly the world is transforming, from Arab revolutions to therise of new economic powers, to a more dispersed but still dangerous al-Qaidaterrorist threat. In this time, only the United States of America has thereach, resources, and relationships to anchor a more peaceful and prosperousworld. The State Department and USAID budget we discuss today is a proveninvestment in our national and economic security, but it’s also something more.It is a down payment on continuing American leadership.
When I took this job, I saw a world that needed America, but also one thatquestioned our focus and our staying power. So we have worked together to putAmerican leadership on a firm foundation for the decades ahead. We have endedone war, we are winding down another. We’ve cemented our place as a Pacificpower while maintaining our alliance across the Atlantic. We have elevated therole of economics within our diplomacy, and we have reached beyond governmentsto engage directly with people with a special focus on women and girls.
We are updating our diplomacy and development for the 21^st centuryand finding ways to work smarter and more efficiently. After the first everQuadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, we created two new bureausfocused on counterterrorism and energy, and reorganized a third focused onfragile states.
Now, like many Americans in our tough economic times, we’ve made difficulttradeoffs and painful cuts. We have requested 18 percent less for Europe,Eurasia, and Central Asia, preserving our most essential programs and using thesavings for more urgent needs elsewhere. We are scaling back on construction,improving procurement, and taking steps across the board to lower costs.
Now, within the Foreign Ops budget, the State Department and USAID arerequesting $51.6 billion. That represents an increase of less than the rate ofinflation and just over 1 percent of the federal budget, even as ourresponsibilities multiply around the world.
Today, I want to highlight five priorities.
First, our request allows us to sustain our vital national security missionsin Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and reflects the temporary extraordinarycosts of operating on the front lines. As President Obama has said, the tide ofwar is receding, but as troops come home, civilians remain to carry out thecritical missions of diplomacy and development.
In Iraq, civilians are now in the lead, helping that country emerge as astable, sovereign, democratic partner. This does increase our civilian budget,but State and USAID are asking for only one-tenth of the $48 billion the UnitedStates Government spent on Iraq as recently as 2011. The 2013 U.S.Government-wide request for Iraq, including defense spending, is now $40billion less than it was just two years ago. So we think that this is acontinuing good investment to stabilize the sacrifice that our men and women inuniform, our civilians, our taxpayers, have made.
Over time, despite the past weeks’ violence, we expect to see similargovernment-wide savings in Afghanistan. This year’s request will support theongoing transition, helping Afghans take responsibility for their own futureand ensure their country is never again a safe haven for terrorists who cantarget us.
Next door, we have a challenging but critical relationship with Pakistan,and we remain committed to working on issues of joint interest, includingcounterterrorism, economic stability, and regional cooperation.
Second, in the Asia Pacific, this Administration is making an unprecedentedeffort to build a strong network of relationships and institutions in which theUnited States is anchored. In the century ahead, no region will be moreconsequential. As we tighten our belts around the world, we are investing thediplomatic attention necessary to do more with less. In Asia, we pursue what wecall forward-deployed diplomacy – strengthening our alliances, launching newstrategic dialogues and economic initiatives, creating and joining importantmultilateral institutions, pursuing a possible opening with Burma – all ofwhich underscores that America will remain a Pacific power.
Third, we are focused on the wave of change sweeping the Arab world. As theregion transforms, so must our engagement. Alongside our bilateral and securitysupport, we are proposing a $770 million Middle East and North Africa IncentiveFund. This fund will support credible proposals validated by rigorous analysisand by Congress from countries that make a meaningful commitment to democraticchange, effective institution building, and broad-based economic growth. In anunpredictable time, it lets us respond to all of the unanticipated needs in away that reflects our leadership and agility in the region.
This budget request would also allow us to help the Syrian people survive abrutal assault and plan for a future without Assad. It continues our assistancefor civil society and Arab partners in Jordan, Morocco, and elsewhere. And Iwant to echo Senator Graham’s emphasis on Tunisia, a country that I thinkdeserves a lot of attention and support from the United States.
The budget also provides a record level of support for Israel and it makespossible our diplomacy at the UN and around the world, which has now put inplace, with your help, the toughest sanctions Iran or any nation has everfaced.
The fourth priority is what I call economic statecraft; in particular, howwe use diplomacy and development to create American jobs – jobs in Ohio and NewJersey and Maryland and Vermont and South Carolina and Indiana. We have morethan 1,000 State Department economic officers working to help Americanbusinesses connect to new markets and consumers. We are pushing back againstcorruption, red tape, favoritism, distorted currencies, and intellectualproperty theft.
Our investment in development helps create the trading partners of thefuture, and we have worked closely on the three trade agreements that webelieve will create tens of thousands of new American jobs. We hope to workwith Congress to ensure that as Russia enters the WTO, foreign competitors donot have an advantage over American businesses.
And finally, we are elevating development alongside diplomacy and defensewithin foreign policy. Poverty, disease, hunger, climate change can destabilizeentire societies and sow the seeds for future conflict. We have to makestrategic investments today to meet even our traditional foreign policy goalstomorrow. Through the Global Health Initiative, we are consolidating programs,increasing partners’ capacities, and shifting responsibilities to help targetour resources where they are most needed and highest impact, including in areaslike maternal and child health. Our Feed the Future Initiative is helpingmillions of men, women, and children by driving agricultural growth andimproving nutrition to hasten the day when countries no longer need food aid atall.
As we pursue these initiatives, we are transforming the way we dodevelopment, making it a priority to partner with governments, local groups,and the private sector to deliver measurable results. Ultimately, our goal isto empower people to create and seize their own opportunities.
These five priorities, Mr. Chairman, are each crucial for Americanleadership, and they rely on the work of some of the most capable, hardestworking, and bravest people I have ever met: the men and women of State andUSAID. Working with them is one of the greatest honors I have had in publiclife. So with so much on the line, we simply cannot pull back. And I know thissubcommittee understands this.
But for me, American leadership is personal. After three years, 95countries, over 700,000 miles, I know very well what it means to land in aplane that says United States of America on the side, to have that flag rightthere as I walk down the stairs. People look to us to protect our allies andstand by our principles and serve as an honest broker in making peace; infighting hunger, poverty, and disease; to standing up to bullies and tyrants.American leadership is not just respected, it is required, and it takes morethan just resolve and a lot of hours in the plane. It takes resources.
This country is an unparalleled force for good in the world, and we all wantto make sure it stays that way. So I urge you to work with us to make thisinvestment in strong American leadership and a more peaceful and prosperousfuture. Thank you very much.

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for February 28, 2012

2012-02-28T10:23:00.000-05:00

Public Schedule for February 28, 2012

Public Schedule
Washington, DC
February 28, 2012

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

10:00 a.m. Secretary Clinton testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee Foreign Operations Hearing, on Capitol Hill.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)

2:00 p.m. Secretary Clinton testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing, on Capitol Hill.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)

7:15 p.m. Secretary Clinton attends Secretary Panetta’s dinner for NATO, at the Department of Defense.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)

Note to Democratic Primary Voters in Michigan

2012-02-27T22:21:00.000-05:00

According to information given to a poll worker directly from the Michigan Democratic Party, there will be a write-in option on the ballot tomorrow, however, write-in votes will not be counted. The other two possibilities on the ballot are Barack Obama, of course, and "uncommitted." Those will be counted. So, as difficult as it may be, you should probably resist the temptation to write Hillary in and vote "uncommitted" if you oppose Obama as the nominee. That way you can send uncommitted delegates to Charlotte.

On another note, we need to get 1000 Hillary delegates ( or more!) from each state at Americans Elect for the online convention in June. You cannot be validated as a registered voter if you register using fake information. The site is very secure and trustworthy. I know the questions are very specific, but they are trying to assure that all delegates are eligible to vote.

Here is the link where you can register. After you do that, you must go through a few more steps to be a validated voter.

Here is Hillary's page, but to track and support her, you need to start with the link above.

Let's get those numbers up!

On Hillary Clinton's Agenda For The Next Two Days!

2012-02-27T20:49:00.000-05:00

This information comes from Victoria Nuland's daily press briefing today. If you are lucky enough to be home, you should be able to catch these on C-SPAN.

Victoria Nuland
Spokesperson
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
February 27, 2012

... Coming off the Secretary’s trip to London for the Somalia conference, to Tunis for the Friends of the Syrian People, and then on along the Maghreb we had a bilateral visit in Tunisia and one in Algeria and one in Morocco. Just to advise that we will not have a daily press briefing tomorrow or Wednesday because the Secretary is testifying all day tomorrow in the Senate and all day on Wednesday in the House. So she will surely be covering the world in those testimonies.

Hillary Clinton Interviews with Samira Sitail and Michele Kelemen In Morocco

2012-02-27T19:42:00.000-05:00

Here are two more interviews Mme. Secretary did in Morocco.

Interview With Samira Sitail of 2M

Interview
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Sofitel Hotel
Rabat, Morocco
February 26, 2012

QUESTION: Madam Secretary, good evening.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Good evening to you.
QUESTION: And thank you for accepting our invitation.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.
QUESTION: You’ve been in Morocco several times.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes.
QUESTION: It’s a country you are familiar with.
SECRETARY CLINTON: And a country I love. Yes. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: You came the first time, I think, as a first lady.
SECRETARY CLINTON: That’s right.
QUESTION: And then as a U.S. chief diplomat.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes.
QUESTION: Geostrategically speaking, where does Morocco stand in the U.S. foreign policy today?
SECRETARY CLINTON: We have a strategic partnership with Morocco that we highly value. As I think you may remember, Morocco was the very first country to recognize our young republic, back in 1777. So ever since then, all these years, we’ve had a close relationship, and we cooperate on a full range of issues – economic issues, security issues, a lot of people to people and cultural exchanges. We have a very high regard for Morocco.
QUESTION: Your last visit dates back, I think, two years ago, in 2009. In the meantime, many changes have taken place. Maybe we can say that the most of which the constitutional reform.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes.
QUESTION: That was initiated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. As soon as it was introduced, you held the reform, referring to it as a model. What definition would you give that Moroccan model?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I think the way that His Majesty the King and the people of Morocco responded showed great political maturity, and it was a successful transition to a new constitution, to elections that were held and hailed as successful, and now to a new government that is very much in keeping with the democratic trends but within a stable, functioning society and country. So we look at that and we compare it to what is happening elsewhere in the region and around the world, and it is quite admired in the United States.
QUESTION: Speaking of which, there is, of course, a very strong relationship between the two countries, but over and beyond that, do you think we can really boost further especially economic relationship between the two countries? There is, of course, the free trade agreement, the Millennium Challenge Account, but what else?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think we are building some additional relationships. We started a program called Partnerships for a New Beginning, where we reached out to countries in the Maghreb, and beyond all the way to Indonesia, Muslim majority countries, and we said, “What more can we do to help create a culture of entrepreneurship and small businesses?”
QUESTION: That’s it.
SECRETARY CLINTON: And the group that was formed here in Morocco of leading businessmen and women has been among our most successful in the world. They just hosted a big conference in Marrakech last month. More than 400 businesspeople and young entrepreneurs came from elsewhere in the region. And Morocco is showing the way, looking at how we incentivize, particularly, young people because there’s what’s called this youth bulge of so many people under 30. And we want to make sure they’re educated and that they have employment opportunities. And I know that’s a particular emphasis of His Majesty the King, of the new elected government, and of the business community here. And we want to be partners.
QUESTION: I remember the – President Obama memorably formulated a new agenda, let’s talk about Africa. He formulated a new agenda for Africa, in light of which do you think the U.S. policy in Africa is about to bring once again economic and human development, or is your concern – your primary concern – to achieve security for the region?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think it has to be both because it’s very hard to develop an economy, to attract investors, to start businesses, if you don’t have security. You have to have security that is going to create an environment where people are free to send their children to school, start businesses, do what we would like to see them do. The Millennium Challenge Account, which you mentioned, is a very competitive effort. Morocco competed and won, and I have to tell you many of your neighbors are constantly saying, “We want one.” I said, “Well, we didn’t give it to Morocco. Morocco earned it.” And so what we’ve been doing in the entire continent is setting forth that agenda that President Obama set forth to help stimulate economic growth and more trade and investment. Everybody wants a free trade agreement, and they say, well, Morocco has one. I say they earned it.
QUESTION: Who’s the next?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yeah. That’s right. So I think we look to Morocco quite often as an example of how you create a climate in which businesses are welcomed, investors are attracted, people have jobs because of that. And that’s what we’re trying to do in other countries throughout the continent.
QUESTION: Still on the same theme of security, the American Administration aims to very well that no security is possible or achievable in the region unless there is a final settlement to the Sahara countries. In this regard, Morocco put forward a proposal for autonomy which was very soon – which the international community very soon (inaudible) by U.S. Administration. So where does the U.S. State Department stand today on this issue?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, where we’ve always stood.
QUESTION: In that particular moment?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes. And where we have always stood. We continue to support the UN process. We believe that is the appropriate vehicle. We continue to believe the autonomy proposal is credible. So we encourage the parties to make progress together, and that’s been my consistent position for many years.
QUESTION: But you know, Madam Secretary, Algeria was – through its dealings, is standing in the way of building an economically and politically strong Maghreb in the region. You were yesterday in Algeria. You think we can today believe in the sincerity of Algerian Government in that moment?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I was impressed by the conviction expressed to me that Algeria wants to find a way to move beyond the present situation. There will still be negotiations in the UN over the Western Sahara. But Algeria and Morocco, I hope will open their border, I hope will encourage trade, commerce, exchanges, cooperate on security, because both countries face some common threats coming from the south. So I was strongly urging that. I will be reporting that to the Moroccan Government as well because I would like to see – where there are areas of disagreement – the United States has areas of disagreement with many of our friends, partners, allies around the world. So we work on that area of disagreement, but then we try to expand the area of agreement so that it doesn’t become the only issue, the disagreement, that we’re worried about.
QUESTION: You were just talking about the security and terrorism in this part of the world. Coming back – so coming back to security, and the Sahara region particularly, it turns out today that al-Qaida in the region is posing serious threats to stability. To what extent does U.S. Administration take seriously those threats on the stability of this region?
SECRETARY CLINTON: We take them very seriously because we think that terrorists and extremists are spoilers. They disrupt economies, they destroy lives, they destabilize communities, countries, and regions, if they are permitted to do so. So we have worked very closely with the countries of the Maghreb to establish a security relationship, to share information, to cooperate wherever possible, because we are well aware that our friends such as our Moroccan friends are successful. And that, unfortunately, is often a target for the terrorists because they don’t want people to live lives that are of their own making, having a successful woman like you sitting in this chair --
QUESTION: Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: -- in front of the camera. And so we want to help you preserve your way of life, your economic progress, your constitutional changes. And therefore, we have to work against the terrorist threat.
QUESTION: But in concrete terms, how can you encourage, how can you help build this Maghreb which is now necessary for this region?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, one is encourage Morocco and Algeria --
QUESTION: Yes.
SECRETARY CLINTON: -- to cooperate more, because you two have so much that you have to do together against the terrorist threat. And the other is what we continue to do. We have joint programs, we have all kinds of cooperation that we offer, and we’re going to do whatever we can to help protect you and the Maghreb.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, let’s talk about the Palestinian issue. Two questions: Is a cause for grave concern to arrive public opinions, and perception around your support, the support of the United States to Israel, is, I would say, (inaudible) bad. If you were to be persuasive, what would you say on that issue?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think we should be judged by the very consistent, strong actions we have taken to try to create a two-state solution. It’s something that started with my husband, and I was deeply involved. I was the first high-level American who called for a Palestinian state back in the 1990s. It certainly has continued on both the Republican and the Democratic side in our country. It’s frustrating. I have every reason to understand how frustrating it is because I am often sitting across from a Palestinian leader or an Israeli leader or an Arab leader or a European leader, all of us trying to figure out how we’re going to accomplish it. But I want people here in Morocco to know we are absolutely committed. We believe in the aspirations of the Palestinian people and their right to have a state of their own.
QUESTION: I said earlier that you were in Nigeria, but before that, you were in Tunisia for – you took part in the meeting of the Friends of Syria. You stated that the Syrian regime will pay the price, the higher price, if it continues to ignore the voice of international community. In concrete terms, what do you mean by pay the higher price?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I think the regime will fall. I think that – I am not a fortuneteller. I cannot tell you when that will happen. But the Syrian army, which is largely a conscript army, is not going to continue to carry out these brutal assaults on the Syrian people. At some point, the defections will build, there will finally be created enough momentum against the regime from not only the security forces but business leaders, minorities who are worried about what’s happening. So it will happen. It’s just a question of when, and I wish it would happen sooner instead of later so that the killing could stop.
QUESTION: But how do you think you can lead (inaudible) to give up while Moscow and Beijing continue to (inaudible)?
SECRETARY CLINTON: It’s a very unfortunate situation because Moscow in particular, with its long history with Assad, the family, and the regime, it’s got an opportunity to try to help resolve the crisis. And instead, they stood in the way of the international consensus to do so. But I think even they are starting to get worried. I mean, these terrible pictures coming out of Homs are just heartbreaking, and people all over the world, including inside Russia and elsewhere, are seeing them.
So I do think that the pressure is building, the sanctions are beginning to really affect the economy within Syria, whether people can get what they need in the market. So I wish that this would end as soon as possible to stop the suffering, but the international community is resolved to keep the pressure on, to try to get humanitarian assistance in, and to keep helping the Syrian opposition build itself up so that it has credibility to be able to stand against Assad.
QUESTION: Mrs. Clinton, my last question, maybe you will answer – this is the issue that you are most sensitive, but I’m going to ask you – my last question is not intended for the Secretary of State, of course, but for the American citizen, for the woman you are, for the – Chelsea’s mother. You are – such qualities you enjoy once you go back home, relieved from – of your official obligations, responsibilities. Out of the crises and conflicts going on all around the world, which is the most sensitive to you at that precise moment? Which one?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, right now, Syria. That just is heartbreaking to see the deaths and the brutality. But that’s happening in many other places in the world; it’s just not on a television set.
QUESTION: Yes.
SECRETARY CLINTON: If you go to the Eastern Congo and you meet, as I have, women and children who have been brutalized by militias, or you visit with the survivors of terrible terrorist attacks in Spain or Indonesia, I mean, as a mother – you’re a mother – you ask yourself – all you want is for the world to be more peaceful and your children to grow up and become what God meant them to be, to use their talents to make the world a better place. And it’s distressing and somewhat troubling that here we are in the 21^st century, and instead of sitting down and resolving disputes peacefully, people are still using guns or machetes or bombs, and so it’s the level of violence, it’s the unfortunate consequences of that, that really undermine the human community that I remain focused on and will continue to work to try to prevent.
QUESTION: What is, for you, the biggest change in United States before and after September 11? You lived the two periods, as a first lady --
SECRETARY CLINTON: Right.
QUESTION: -- and then as Secretary of State. What is the biggest change in United States?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think the understanding that the United States was attacked. We’ve never been attacked like that, at least since the War of 1812 when the British attacked us. That was a long time ago. But this was such a terrible event in the consciousness of Americans. And I think it’s made Americans more vigilant, more careful about the dangers that exist in the world.
QUESTION: To finish on a cheerful note, Madam Secretary, you are best remembered in Morocco’s mind as a first lady dressed in Moroccan gown, kaftan, while greeting His Majesty King Mohammed VI in the White House. In my memory, the kaftan was red. I don’t know if I’m right, but I think it was red. My question is: Have you bought any more Moroccan gown or kaftans since then?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I certainly do. White and gold --
QUESTION: How many do you have (inaudible)?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I have probably three fancy ones --
QUESTION: Yes.
SECRETARY CLINTON: -- and I have about five plain everyday ones. I find them so comfortable to wear, and the fancy ones are so beautiful that I really delight in wearing them.
QUESTION: Well, thank you, Madam Secretary, to have taken the time to enlighten us on those issues, all important. Thank you and good evening.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Good evening. Thank you.
# # #

Interview With Michele Kelemen of NPR

Interview
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Sofitel Hotel
Rabat, Morocco
February 26, 2012

QUESTION: You got a busy day here and there’s a lot to talk about. (Laughter.) I’d like, first of all, to ask you what did you tell the Egyptian foreign minister about these cases against democracy promoters? Would you ever let these Americans appear in a courtroom in Cairo?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Michele, obviously we’ve been working on this ever since December, when we learned of the actions against not only American NGOs but NGOs from other countries as well. And we have been engaging at the highest levels of the Egyptian Government.
Our two concerns were, number one, to try to understand what the issues were, since both we and the Egyptian Government believed that our NGOs had been invited to help assist in ensuring that the elections were done in a credible way, which they were. But then also, we know that, ever since the Mubarak regime, there are a wealth of laws that are difficult to follow, even if you are intending to do so, which, of course, we were. And our NGOs kept trying to register so they could be viewed as legally entitled to operate within Egypt. So there was a lot of confusion, and the confusion was at all levels of the Egyptian Government as to what this all meant. So we have been engaging persistently and we hope that this matter will be resolved.
QUESTION: And how many Americans are now sheltering at the Embassy?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I – the exact account, maybe, I think, 16, 17.
QUESTION: Turning to Syria, Syrian tanks have been battering Homs. There’s no sign of aid getting in. What do you and the Friends of Syria do now?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think, as I’ve said, we have to continue to consult with those who truly are Friends of the Syrian People, which of course, includes the United States and the many governments and organizations that gathered in Tunis on Friday. We are doing everything we can to facilitate humanitarian aid. It was distressing to hear that the Syrian Red Crescent and the ICRC, after many hours of negotiation just yesterday, were not permitted to go back into Homs. We are looking to set up and stage areas for getting humanitarian aid in. Secondly, we continue to ratchet up the pressure. It is an increasingly isolated regime. And third, we push for a democratic transition by working with and trying to build up the opposition so they can be an alternative.
QUESTION: But activists say you need, really, humanitarian corridors. You need to get aid in and people out. How do you do that without some sort of outside intervention?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, as you know, Michele, many of the people in the Syrian opposition have been quite vocal in their objection to any outside interference. And many of the countries that gathered on Friday are also quite vocal. What we tried to do in the Security Council was to get international support and legitimacy for the Arab League peace plan in order to have some leverage with the Assad regime. And unfortunately, Russia and China vetoed it.
So it’s a distressing and difficult situation. It’s not the first that the world has seen, unfortunately, but we remain engaged at every possible opening to accomplish our three objectives.
QUESTION: But there’s – there was a lot of talk about – and controversy about whether you arm the opposition, help them get arms. Is there anything the U.S. can do short of that, I mean, logistical support for the Free Syrian Army, satellite images to help them set up these humanitarian corridors?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, they don’t have tanks and they don’t have artillery. So I know there’s a lot of frustration, and I share it. This is a deeply, deeply distressing set of events. But you have one of the most highly militarized, best-defended countries on earth, because, of course, they spent an enormous amount of money with their Iranian and Russian friends so equipping themselves. And even if you were to somehow smuggle in automatic weapons of some kind, you’re not going to be very successful against tanks. And so the dilemma is how do we try to help people defend themselves? How do we push the Russians, Chinese, and others, who are, in effect, defending and deflecting for the Assad regime, to realize that this is undermining not only Assad’s legitimacy but theirs as well?
QUESTION: You, in fact, called the Russians despicable on this trip.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, not personally, but in terms of actions, I think continuing to arm a government that is turning its heavy weapons against their own citizens – I mean, there are a lot of words to describe that.
QUESTION: I want you to take a step back a bit and just to look at this political earthquake in the Arab world, as your Turkish counterpart likes to call it. How have you been adjusting to this new environment, and particularly the rise of political Islam, Islamist groups?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, look, I believe in freedom, and I believe in democracy, and I believe in self-determination, and I also believe in human rights and freedom and speech and freedom of religion. And so what we are supporting are – in countries that have every right to have self-determination and to set up their own democracies – the path that they’re on, and at the same time reminding Egyptians and Libyans and Tunisians and others that democracy is not one election one time. It is building institutions. It is carefully nurturing and tending the attitudes, what we call the habits of the heart, from our own early experience, a phrase of de Tocqueville.
And that’s difficult. It’s difficult for any political party or leadership. Everybody wants to believe that they’re best for their country and their people. But it’s important that the United States, which supports the aspirations of all people everywhere, also stand up for the values and principles that make democracy workable over the long term.
QUESTION: You spoke in Tunisia and Algeria about the need for moderate voices. And I wonder if you worry – if you’re worried that they’re being drowned out, that this – these changes across the region are becoming particularly violent. And what does that mean for U.S. interests?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Actually, I am not worried about where we are speaking today, here in the Maghreb. I mean, we’re in Morocco, which has had a very good election that led to new leadership taking place. I’m looking forward to working with them. I was just in Algeria, where they are planning for elections in May. And of course, you were with me in Tunis, where an Islamic-based party was elected but is in government in a coalition with parties representing other parts of view. That’s the way it should be in a democracy, because no matter who you are or where you live, there’s not unanimity of thought or feeling or political philosophy.
So I’m not expressing concern so much as speaking out about what we hope to see, because we’re judging these new governments no only what they say but what they do. And certainly in Tunisia, they are saying all the rights things. They are saying that they will protect women’s rights, that – they are saying that they will protect human rights. And now we want to see that actually take place.
But there is one element, which I am concerned about, and that is how people who were oppressed for so long – and particularly those who are of Islamic persuasion – are so well organized, because they had to be, it was a matter of survival, whereas many other voices in the society, the voices of business leaders, the voices of academia, the voices of young people are not politically organized. So wherever I go, I encourage those who are also hoping to reap the benefits of freedom and democracy to get involved in politics. I mean, politics is no easy game, as I know as well as anyone. But if you’re not at the table, then how can you blame people for pursuing certain programs that you may not agree with?
QUESTION: And you said you’re getting off the high wire of American politics after this job – (laughter) – so is there one thing that you really want to get done in this region before you leave office? You have a few months left. (Laughter.) Or is it just going to be putting out fires?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I’ve always said from the very beginning that we do the emergencies, which are the responding to the fires right now; we do the important, which are trying to make sure that the fires don’t get out of control; and then we are looking at the long term. So it’s a constant panoply of all of these challenges.

But in particular, with respect to the Arab Spring, the coming of democracy of the Arab world, I want to see it take root. And, of course, I want to see it understand that elections are not the end, they’re the beginning, that you have to build institutions, you have to have an independent judiciary, you have to have a free press, you have to protect the rights of all minorities, religious, ethnic, you have to certainly empower and protect the rights of women. And this is at the beginning. We’re watching something unfold that is probably a generational enterprise.
So I’m encouraged in many regards by what I’ve seen in Tunisia, what I see in Morocco. The jury is out on Egypt. We’re waiting to see how that will actually be implemented. But the United States will help those who are truly invested in democracy that is not based on elevating some voices over others, imposing philosophical or religious beliefs on others, but truly having the free flow of ideas within a political culture that takes hold in these countries.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, thank you very much for your time.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you, Michele.

Secretary Clinton: Video Remarks at Conference for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

2012-02-27T13:08:00.000-05:00

Video Remarks atConference for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February27, 2012

Iam delighted to be able to send greetings to all of you – our future leaders,and I hope our future diplomats – and welcome you to the State Departmentduring Black History Month. I know many of you have traveled a long way to behere today. Thank you for enlivening and enriching our celebration.
I’m sure the events of the past year across the Middle East have caught yourattention—they certainly have caught ours. We see people – especially youngpeople – across the region calling on their governments to be more open, moreaccountable, and more responsive. We’re busy supporting them as they work toachieve their aspirations.
Beyond the Middle East and North Africa, we’re working to make the Americanpeople safer and promote our interests – reducing the threat of nuclearweapons, fighting climate change, promoting Internet freedom, and solving somany other pressing problems.
We’re not only reaching out to governments, but we’re extending ourdiplomacy to individuals and communities by using new technology like Facebookand Twitter. But there’s much more to do, and that’s where you come in. Ifwe’re going to solve the most pressing problems of our day, we have to tap intoyour experiences and energy. So keep being ambassadors for your ideals; keepasking questions about our country and our world; and most importantly,consider lending your skills and abilities to the State Department when yougraduate. Log on to our websites, follow what we’re doing, and when yougraduate, give us a try, because we sure can use you. Thank you.

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for February 27, 2012

2012-02-27T10:26:00.000-05:00

Public Schedule for February 27, 2012

Public Schedule
Washington, DC
February 27, 2012

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

9:15 a.m. Secretary Clinton meets with the assistant secretaries, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

6:30 p.m. Secretary Clinton meets with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, at the White House.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY WHITE HOUSE)

Hillary Clinton With Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Saad-Eddine Al-Othmani

2012-02-26T21:36:00.000-05:00

Remarks With Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Saad-Eddine Al-Othmani After Their Meeting

Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Rabat, Morocco
February 26, 2012

FOREIGN MINISTER AL-OTHMANI: (In Arabic.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so much, Minister, for the warm words and the gracious welcome. It is wonderful to be back in Rabat. So much has changed since my last visit to Morocco two years ago, but what has not changed is our commitment to our partnership and friendship, which goes back to 1777 when Morocco became the very first country to recognize our new nation. And the United States and Morocco have been allies and partners ever since. We collaborate on everything from trade and economic development to joint military exercises and counterterrorism efforts. So we had a long agenda today, and I would very much look forward to continuing our conversation in Washington when the minister is able to come.
I want to say a few words about two issues in particular that are of great concern to the American and Moroccan people. First, Syria. I thank the foreign minister for the important role that Morocco has played, first within the Arab League and second within the Security Council. Morocco is in a unique position to help shape the international community’s efforts, and it is imperative that we continue working today. I visited with the minister first in London about Syria. And then in Tunis, we attended together the Friends of Syria meeting.
And I want to reiterate my message to those Syrians who still support Assad, especially members of the Syrian military and business community: The longer you support the regime’s campaign of violence against your brothers and sisters, the more it will stain your honor. If you refuse, however, to prop up the regime or take part in attacks on your fellow citizens, your countrymen and women will hail you as heroes. Assad would have the Syrian people believe that it is only terrorists and extremists standing against the regime, but that is wrong. So many Syrians are suffering under this relentless shelling. All Syrians should be working together to seek a better future. That is what we hope for the Syrian people. That is what Morocco has led us in the international community in trying to achieve.
There are three areas where concrete action is needed: providing immediate humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, increasing the pressure on the regime to assault its own brutal assault – to stop its brutal assault on its own people, and helping to prepare for a democratic transition. And I look forward to working closely with the foreign minister on all of these issues in the days ahead.
And what’s so exciting about being here in Morocco is that Morocco stands as an example, as a model of what can be achieved. Moroccans are strengthening their own democracy. Young people are having a say in their own future. His Majesty King Mohammed VI has begun the process of reform. We see women’s rights protected and expanded, a more transparent and accountable government, establishing the Arab world’s very first truth commission on human rights.
So Mr. Minister, on behalf of my government, let me congratulate your government and His Majesty on the successful constitutional referendum and parliamentary elections that occurred during this momentous last year. The Moroccan constitution provides for an independent judiciary. It contains new protections for freedom of thought, expression, and other universal rights. I was just briefed by the new speaker of the parliament, who advised me that Morocco now has more women in public office than any other Arab country. And frankly, the percentage is as good as we have in our own country in terms of women’s representation in the parliament.
But Morocco understands, as does the United States, that democratic reform takes constant effort and unending attention. It has to lead to the institutionalizing of democratic habits and practices, and of course to tangible improvements for the Moroccan people. And we stand with the government and people of Morocco as they continue this absolutely historic effort.
Let me close with a word about the Western Sahara. The United States continues to support efforts to find a peaceful, sustainable, mutually agreed upon solution to that conflict. U.S. policy toward the Western Sahara has remained constant for many years. We have made clear that Morocco’s autonomy plan is serious, realistic, and credible, and that it represents a potential approach that could satisfy the aspirations of the people in the Western Sahara to run their own affairs in peace and dignity. And we continue to support the negotiations carried out by the United Nations, and encourage all parties to work toward a resolution.
So again, Minister, thank you for hosting me and my delegation here today, and I look forward to working closely with you as we continue to move our countries toward even more productive partnership and friendship. Thank you, sir.
FOREIGN MINISTER AL-OTHMANI: Thank you. Thank you very much.
QUESTION: (In Arabic.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: No. Our policy on Western Sahara has not changed. We continue to (inaudible) efforts to find a peaceful, sustainable, and mutually agreed solution to the conflict that respects the fundamental human rights of all parties. We commend the UN envoy, Mr. Ross, for his continued leadership of the negotiating process. And we know that Morocco’s newly elected and appointed government leaders are fully engaged in pushing this process forward to an effective resolution. And as I said in my remarks, we think Morocco’s autonomy plan is serious, credible, and realistic.
And we also are pleased to see positive actions like Morocco and Algeria’s biannual intergovernmental meetings. They are a step in the right direction. We want to see both countries expand cooperation and constructive dialogue. That is the message I delivered in Algeria at the highest levels of the Algerian Government. I shared that with the meetings I had today here in Morocco because I think it’s, in today’s world, very much in the interests of Morocco and Algeria to work together on as many areas of agreement as possible. It’s good for the two countries, it’s good for the Maghreb, it would be good for economic development, it would be good for security, so we want to see that kind of continued progress between Algeria and Morocco.
QUESTION: (Inaudible) questions for you, Mrs. Secretary of State. First one is: What’s going to be of the Moroccan prisoners that are still held in Guantanamo Bay? And the second one is: Do you think that the political changes that Morocco has undergone in the recent months meet the United States’s criteria of democracy and political reforms?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, as to the first question, we remain in constant consultation with the government officials here in Morocco, and we are continuing to discuss that matter with them.
In regard to your second question, we are very pleased at the progress we have seen in Morocco. We applaud the millions of Moroccans who participated in last November’s parliamentary elections. It was exciting to see Moroccan men and women take part in this democratic process. And we are ready to work, as I enjoyed today, with the new government, with the new parliament, because there’s no denying Morocco has made significant progress along the path of democratic reform, and not only with an election, because after all, one election is not democracy. It takes a lot of hard work to establish a democracy. But the significant constitutional reform that has gone on under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI has led to the voters of Morocco approving a constitutional referendum. And the building blocks are all in place.
We understand. We’ve been at the business of democracy for 236 years. And we know how hard it is, and it does not happen overnight. It takes time and it takes the participation of every Moroccan. It doesn’t end when the votes are counted. It doesn’t end when the winners are announced, it’s not a spectator sport – for some, but not for others. Everyone has to be involved, and we think that the Moroccan experience is a very good model for others who are also seeking to have their own democratic reforms.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, if I may. The – as you know, the trial of the foreign and Egyptian NGOs (inaudible) apparently, and was postponed for two months. What happens to the Americans who have been at the Embassy now for several weeks? And more broadly, what does it say about the political transition underway in Egypt, about relations with the United States, and the question of American military aid? Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Steve, we are evaluating the outcomes of the legal proceedings today. We’ll have more to say after we have finished that analysis and gathered as much information as possible, because you’re right, it was a challenging procedure. But I will wait to comment further until I am fully briefed and have reached my own understanding of what was and was not decided today.
QUESTION: I have two final questions. First question is that (inaudible) in London and Tunisia and Algeria (inaudible), and what’s going (inaudible) from this region to bring (inaudible) back to Syria? And the second question is: What kind of (inaudible) could you (inaudible)? And the last one is: What (inaudible) U.S. presume to (inaudible) and bring more (inaudible)?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, those are three good questions. (Laughter.) With respect to the first question, Morocco and the United States are already cooperating very closely together, as we have done on many issues between ourselves but now are doing in the Security Council. Morocco provided the leadership for the resolution that was presented. Morocco has done a great deal to reach out and consult with other countries about the way forward. So we are working very closely together, and I think the minister and I are committed to looking for solutions.
Secondly, we’ve discussed at length security in the Maghreb and the Sahara, because we know that it’s difficult to develop the way you wish to and have the kind of future that people in Morocco deserve if you don’t have security. And so we already cooperate very closely, and we’re looking to expand that cooperation. And we also believe we have to bring in more countries to be part of the discussion – the Maghreb countries, the (inaudible) countries. So we’ve been discussing ways we might do that.
And finally on business and economic relations, everywhere I go in the region and beyond, people ask me if they could have a free trade agreement like Morocco and if they can have a Millennium Challenge grant like Morocco. And I tell everyone, we did not give that to Morocco; Morocco earned it. Morocco demonstrated what it takes to be in a free trade agreement and to meet the very high standards of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. So we discussed – the minister and I together and over lunch ways that he and I, along with other officials and under the work of the prime minister here and President Obama in our country, encourage more investment and more business in Morocco. And we will take steps to try to do that.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, I just want to follow up on Steve’s question, briefly. One is, do you know where the Americans are, or where are they, why were they not in the courtroom this morning? And does your answer to his question mean that there is no – there’s not yet any implication for the American assistance, that you are going to (inaudible) – that this decision to adjourn does not put that in jeopardy?
Then in Syria, I’d just like get your thoughts on – why is this so difficult? If it’s raining, you put up and umbrella. Why is – here you have a situation in which civilians are being killed. There is no shield or protection being offered to them.
And then lastly, on Afghanistan --
SECRETARY CLINTON: (Laughter.)
QUESTION: This not a good –
SECRETARY CLINTON: Why don’t we throw in Latin America and – (laughter).
QUESTION: Honestly.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Honestly (inaudible).
QUESTION: Well, I was only going to ask you two. Anyway, Afghanistan, it’s been a bad week. There’s another incident today in which some military trainers were injured. What is this – isn’t this a – hasn’t this (inaudible) the entire view as mission there? And how concerned are you about how things go forward? Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, if I can even remember all of your questions, I’ll try to answer them briefly. With respect to Egypt, I’m not going to add to what I’ve already answered because this is a fluid situation and there are a lot of moving parts that have to fully understand before I go any further than I have.
With respect to Syria, we have a very strong international group of friends of the Syrian people, and we understand how challenging the situation is when you have a government willing to shell their own people with heavy artillery, use tanks against their own cities, destroy homes, refuse to let the humanitarian workers in to remove bodies, to provide medical care. These are the kinds of terrible actions that deserve the condemnation of every country in the world. And we are consulting closely with those who are looking for ways of alleviating the suffering, first and foremost; of increasing the pressure on Assad and the people around him, because we continue to believe that those around Assad are quite concerned about the brutal attacks going on. We’re appealing to members of the Syrian army to put the people of their country first before a family or a political party. And we are pushing hard for a plan that would lead to a political transition. We welcome the help of those who are supporting the Syrian regime. We think that it would be appropriate for them to use whatever influence they have to at least get the humanitarian assistance in.
And finally on Afghanistan, Matt, look, we deeply regret the incident that has led to these protests. We are condemning it in the strongest possible terms, but we also believe that the violence must stop and the hard work of trying to build a more peaceful, prosperous, secure Afghanistan must continue.
QUESTION: (In Arabic.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: We certainly did discuss people to people relations because we believe strongly that the relationship between the American and the Moroccan people is the bedrock of our relationship. Government officials like myself come and go, but the underlying relationship between our people is what is enduring for now 235 years. So we want to increase people to people exchanges, business exchanges. There’s an excellent new program that we are very impressed by that we helped to start along with Moroccan business and government leaders to encourage entrepreneurship among Moroccans, particularly young people.
So there is a full range of such exchanges. Our ambassador and our Embassy have such a list. But we’re always looking for new ideas, and I would welcome any that any Moroccan might have.
Thank you.

Hillary Clinton at the Ground-Breaking for the New Embassy in Rabat

2012-02-26T20:49:00.000-05:00

: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (C) participates in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new U.S. Embassy in Rabat, February 26, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Reed (MOROCCO - Tags: POLITICS)

Remarks at New Embassy Compound Ground Breaking Ceremony
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Rabat, Morocco
February 26, 2012
AMBASSADOR KAPLAN: (In progress) One important additional feature: She is a woman who is focused. She’s focused on whatever the problem is or whatever the relationship is that she has to deal with at that moment. She’s one of the most powerful women of the world, but she’s very much a woman of the people. And I’ll tell you one last thing: I was watching and listening to her very carefully today. We had several different meetings, several different discussions, several different press conferences, and the tone was there – the tone of friendship between this Secretary of State and the country of Morocco. She can change the words, she can change the text, but she can’t change the tone. The tone comes through clearly and effectively. You’re about to hear from one of Morocco’s great friends, Secretary Clinton. (Applause.)
I’m sorry. We’re now going to hear – (laughter) – the program got – we are going to hear next from the foreign minister. And I don’t pay attention because I skipped you before. (Laughter.) The foreign minister is a renaissance man. He’s a man who is a psychiatrist, he’s a man who’s a doctor, he’s a man who understands politics, and now he joins the rest of us in the world of diplomacy. It’s not easy, but you’re welcome to join us, and we’re welcome to have you with us. So it is with great pleasure that I introduce the foreign minister of the country of Morocco. (Applause.)
FOREIGN MINISTER OTHMANI: (In Arabic.) (Applause.)
AMBASSADOR KAPLAN: The mayor of Rabat is a distinguished gentleman who has served as the finance minister of this country. He has been a member of parliament on several occasions. And he is a mayor of a very difficult city to govern, because after all, this is the city of government, and there are representatives from all over the world. We are here today because of the mayor’s cooperation and the willingness of his staff to help us through the extraordinary bureaucratic issues that are arising every time you have to build a building this complex in the middle of the city.
To the members of our Embassy, he is our hero, and I’m delighted to welcome him today. (Applause.)
MAYOR OUALALOU: (In Arabic.)
AMBASSADOR KAPLAN: Now, as I was saying about Secretary Clinton – (laughter) – she’s a remarkable woman, you know. Twelve years as the first lady of the State of Arkansas, eight years as the first lady of America, eight years as a senator from our most powerful state, the State of New York, and now the Secretary of State. I only regret, because I know so many of you, that there isn’t time for her to speak to each one of you, because I know her engaging quality and I know how it is when she talks to people and she focuses on what they are saying. If that isn’t possible to do, but it’s wonderful to have her on this day and to tell you she’s one of the great Americans and she’s really one of the great people of the world. So once again, I introduce you to the Secretary of State. (Applause.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, it’s wonderful being introduced by a friend and an ambassador and someone who represents our country so well here in Morocco. And I want to thank not only the ambassador but his wonderful wife, Sylvia, as well, for their tireless work on behalf of the relationship between the United States and Morocco.
I want to begin by thanking the foreign minister for the great hospitality and warm welcome he extended to me and to my delegation. I am so delighted at the prospect of working closely with him and the new government as we take our relationship to a new level of cooperation and partnership. And I look forward to welcoming you, Foreign Minister, to Washington, where we can continue our dialogue. Thank you, sir, very much.
I also wish to thank the mayor for hosting us in his beautiful city. I think there is not a city in Morocco that isn’t beautiful. Morocco is blessed by beautiful cities, and here today, on an absolute perfect day, which I’m sure the mayor helped to order up for us, we are, once again, having a chance to thank you for hosting us in this beautiful city.
And I wish to recognize all of the people here on the stage with me. I thank them for their tireless work on behalf of humanity, on women, on the law, on the rule of law, on a better Morocco, the work that is done for our embassies around the world, and *Sabi Abdul Baki*, thank you for serving not only in the United States Embassy for 40 years, but serving as a bridge between the Moroccan and the American people. We are deeply grateful.
So to all of you, thank you for joining us on this auspicious occasion. You represent many voices that will help determine Morocco’s future. And I’m looking forward not only to the partnership with the government but collaboration with many parts of Moroccan society for years to come.
As has already been said, our relationship stretches back more than two centuries. Sultan Mohammad III became the first world leader to recognize America’s independence. We entered into a treaty of friendship that has stood the test of time. And in 1820, Morocco presented the United States with a gift, a legation building in Tangier, our very first diplomatic property anywhere in the world. I don’t know how far along we would have made it without Moroccan help, so you’ve been thanked before, but let me thank you again. This is our only national landmark outside our own borders, so the connection between Morocco and the United States is deep and personal.
Now, of course, the way we conduct foreign policy has changed a great deal since those days, and I think it’s fair to say the challenges we face are far more complex, but the opportunities are greater, and the world seems smaller. But that legation building in Tangier stands as a testament to the continuity of our relationship. It has lasted through wars and upheaval. It has remained steadfast in times of crisis. Today, it is a museum and a cultural center that focuses on the rich history between our countries. But what that building in Tangiers preserves and symbolizes is the past. What we’re doing here today represents the future. And we are committed to renewing, in a profound way, our commitment in this new chapter of our long relationship.
I have talked often about how Morocco once again is leading the way, not just here in Morocco, where I have not had the privilege of being for two years, but throughout the Maghreb and the Middle East and beyond. The constitutional referendum last summer and November’s elections signaled an acceleration of reforms that began under his Majesty King Mohammad VI more than a decade ago. And the Moroccan Government is now moving forward with the momentum necessary to deliver on the promise of democratic reform.
Now, we understand, as well as any country in the world, having survived to be the oldest democracy in the world, that this is a long journey that you are taking together. But I want you to know, Minister and friends all, that the United States will stand with you on that journey. We’ve had a lot of our own ups and downs over 235 years, so we are not surprised when it is difficult to reach political compromise in the give and take of a parliament. We are not surprised when there has to be a lot of hard work done to translate into reality the promises of politics. So we will be there as you make your own way forward.
We are especially focused on efforts that will create economic opportunity and greater prosperity for all Moroccans. We are promoting entrepreneurship, because new businesses mean more jobs, faster growth, and greater innovation. We are spearheading new initiatives to bring together government officials, leaders from the private sector, and young entrepreneurs who have the vision and drive to succeed in the 21^st century global economy.
Last fall, we brought a group of American business leaders here and to neighboring countries to meet aspiring young innovators, to cultivate ideas, and to share promising ideas as well. And I want to acknowledge our friends on the Moroccan board of the North African Partnership for Economic Opportunity, called NAPEO. Will you raise your hand, those who are from NAPEO who are with us? I want everyone to see our businessmen and women who are part of a public-private program called Partners for a New Beginning. It represents a concerted effort by business leaders to reach the business leaders of the next generation, to create jobs, and grow prosperity.
And we remain committed to helping in every way. So I am proud to announce today that this spring the State Department will launch our Global Entrepreneurship Program here in Morocco. We will connect investors and thinkers, mentors and pioneers, so that we can tap into the ingenuity of young Moroccan women and men, who have good ideas, who may need to know how to do a business plan, who may need advice about getting credit from the bank, but who are willing to work hard to generate economic growth from the bottom up, right here in Rabat and across Morocco.
So the building that we are breaking ground for today will serve as the new home for America’s Embassy, but it will also stand for the new chapter in our relationship. It will be state-of-the-art, because we believe that we have no more important commitment than to our first partners, going back to the very beginning of America’s journey.
And we want to do all we can to help forge an even deeper relationship and to help Morocco deliver on the vision that Moroccans have set for themselves. This is coming organically from within Morocco. It is not being imported. It is not being imposed. It is coming because of the thinking and hard work, starting his Majesty, the king, going down to the men and women who stood in line to vote in the parliamentary elections. And we are very excited by what we see happening here, and we want you to know that you can count on your long-time friend and partner in the 21^st century, as we counted on you in the 18^th century so long ago.
Thank you very much. (Applause.)

I am sure her country squire would have LOVED to have been with her for this event. I remember him mentioning in an article that he had leveled a hill on his property by himself. Many may remember the tree-planting at the White House (early in the Obama administration) when he went beyond the photo-op of planting one tree and went on do plant one or two more, telling Obama "This is the way you do it."

Her remark about our long relationship with Morocco refers to their being the first country to recognize the United States as am independent country. I remember her mentioning this when the newly-minted SOS was visited at the State Department by Morocco's foreign minister in 2009.

Hillary Clinton at Embassy Rabat

2012-02-26T18:38:00.000-05:00

When Secretary Clinton met with staff and families at Embassy Rabat today, she also participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new embassy.

: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton participates in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new U.S. Embassy in Rabat

: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton participates in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new U.S. Embassy in Rabat

Meeting With Embassy Staff and Families
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Rabat, Morocco
February 26, 2012
Thank you. Thank you, Sam. That was really lovely. Thank you, Sylvia. Well, I don’t need to tell you how blessed you are here at Embassy Rabat and across Morocco to have such a dynamic duo as Sam and Sylvia. I want to personally thank them in front of their Embassy family, including the cute children, Sylvia, because they’ve brought so much enthusiasm and energy to representing our country. Thank you very much, Ambassador, and thank you, Sylvia, for all you do. (Applause.)
And the Ambassador is right. I wanted to come and thank you personally when I was last in Morocco as Secretary of State in ’09. I didn’t get to Rabat, and I missed having this opportunity, so I did not want to forego it today. And I also wanted to let you know I’m well aware of how much is asked of you, particularly this last year, whether you worked as election monitors or you got ready for the construction of a new embassy whose ground we will break in a very short time from now, or just, every day, handle the myriad of tasks that you are responsible for. We see the results of your hard work.
In the last eight months, the Moroccan people have made their voices heard through a constitutional referendum and an unprecedented parliamentary election. And the United States friendship with Morocco that dates back to 1777 – I want all the young people to know that Morocco was the very first country that recognized us before we really won our revolutionary war. We were just beginning it, and Morocco believed in us and said, “We’re with you,” and we’ve had that kind of partnership ever since.
I’m excited about the groundbreaking of the new Embassy. It will finally bring together our Foreign Service and development professionals under one roof. That’s part of our – what’s called QDDR, the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, where we have to maximize the impact of U.S. Government efforts. We have the best diplomats, the best development experts in the world, and we need to multiply the impact of each. And having everyone under one roof will help us do that.
I also want to thank the Peace Corps volunteers, because wherever I go, they always can bring a crowd of enthusiasm. (Applause.) When in doubt, bring on the Peace Corps and – (laughter) – we’ll get the energy going. And I’m also very much aware that we could not do the work that we do here without the locally employed staff, all of the Moroccans who have served with us and done so much for our relationship. (Applause.)
In fact, Ambassador, I know from many years, starting back in the 1990s when I would travel alone or travel with my husband when he was president that presidents come and go, and certainly secretaries and ambassadors come and go, but the locally employed staff is here. And they remember and they help and they greet every new representative from the United States Government with the kind of background and experience that we need.
This is an exciting time to be serving in Morocco. It’s an exciting time to be representing the United States. It’s also, I think it’s fair to say, quite a challenging time. But if we stick to our values of democracy and freedom, of human rights, of women’s rights, of the kind of protections that are now enshrined in the constitution of this country, then we will be able to help not only Moroccans who are doing quite well, but using Morocco as an example, reach out to the country that I was in yesterday, Tunisia, or Algeria or Libya, countries that are also seeking their own new democratic future. And then we have to work to make sure democracy delivers jobs and opportunity for the hardworking people of the Maghreb.
So I appreciate greatly everything you have done and are doing. I think it’s fair to promise you that the rollercoaster ride is not over. There will be a lot more ahead of us. But I think we are living through such a consequential time in world history, and nowhere more so than in this region. So again, thank you, and what I would like to do is first maybe go over and take a picture with the children, if I could, because I love being – I don’t tell my daughter, but I would love to be a grandmother. (Laughter.) Anyway, don’t tell her. So I will go and get our picture with the children – they’ve been so patient – and then I’ll shake as many hands as I can before we go on to the groundbreaking.
Thank you all very much. (Applause.)

She always gets a big response when she mentions the Peace Corps. Well, she is on her way home now, and Mme. Secretary do not think for a moment that we have not been watching. We are, and we appreciate that you have gone for two weeks straight without a weekend off. You are amazing! Thank you for all the personal sacrifices you make to serve our country. We love you!

Hillary Clinton's Interviews with BBC, CBS, and CNN

2012-02-26T17:47:00.000-05:00

Mme. Secretary did a slew of interviews along with bilaterals and a working lunch in Rabat, Morocco today.

Interview With Kim Ghattas of BBC
Interview
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Sofitel Hotel
Rabat, Morocco
February 26, 2012
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, thank you very much for speaking to the BBC. Just over a year ago, I asked you a question about Libya, and I know that Libya and Syria are very different, but in essence the question kind of remains the same. With no sign of rapid tangible action to stop the violence in Syria, if we wake up tomorrow and President Assad has leveled Homs to the ground, history will not judge the Obama Administration very kindly.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I just disagree with that premise, Kim. I think that if you look at what’s happening in Syria, and it’s very different from Libya – and you’re right, a year ago we were cautiously assessing what was possible, and what became possible, because the opposition controlled territory, had a united national presence that was quite prepared to not only engage diplomatically but organize against the Qadhafi regime is not present yet in Syria. And certainly that is a condition precedent for anyone who is trying to figure out how to help these defenseless people against this absolutely relentless assault.
I wish that people inside Syria were responding as people inside Libya responded. They are not, at this point, perhaps because of the firepower and the absolute intent that we’ve seen by the Assad regime to kill whomever. But the fact is we are moving to do everything possible with the international community.
QUESTION: But if the people inside Syria can’t get organized, and the rebels don’t have the territory to organize properly, what is the responsibility of the international community to make sure that we don’t end up with a large-scale massacre?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Kim, we still have a very strong opposition to foreign intervention from inside Syria, from outside Syria. We don’t have the United States Security Council approval, legitimacy, credibility that comes with the international community making a decision. We have a very dangerous set of actors in the region, al-Qaida, Hamas, and those who are on our terrorist list, to be sure, supporting – claiming to support the opposition. You have many Syrians more worried about what could come next. So I don’t want to say that nothing can be done, because I don’t believe that and I feel like we are moving to the best of everyone’s ability who is concerned as we are about this.
But I want to make clear that for anyone watching this horrible massacre that is going on to ask yourself: Okay. What do you do? If you bring in automatic weapons, which you can maybe smuggle across the border, okay, what do they do against tanks and heavy artillery? So there’s such a much more complex set of factors. But I want to assure you part of the reason for the Tunis meeting was to see whose side who was on.
QUESTION: At the Tunis meeting, the Saudi foreign minister said it was an excellent idea to arm the rebels. Others are perhaps already doing that. Are you discouraging them or encouraging them?
SECRETARY CLINTON: We are doing neither. We are only speaking on behalf of the United States.
QUESTION: But aren’t you worried that arms flowing into in the country will feed into the conflict?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, but that contradicts the point you were making earlier, and understandably, because it’s a very difficult set of considerations. I have no doubt that people are already trying, to the best of their ability, to get arms into those who are defending themselves. What I can’t understand is why the Syrian army is doing Assad’s bidding and taking these actions against defenseless people, staining their honor, undermining one of the institutional pillars of their country. I don’t understand that.
QUESTION: It’s starting to look like this is going to be a long conflict. Are you worried about that? Are you worried about years of conflict in Syria, perhaps something like a Lebanon scenario with regional pairs and different groupings and armies splintering?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I am worried about it. I think that there’s every possibility of a civil war. Outside intervention would not prevent that; it would probably expedite it. So I think that as you try to play out every possible scenario, there are a lot of bad ones that we are trying to assess while keeping our eye on the need to get humanitarian aid in, to try to do everything we possibly can to support the Syrian opposition, to make it credible, to have it be both inside the country and outside the country speaking on behalf of the Syrian people, inclusive, representative. And we’re trying to help push a democratic transition. It took more than a year in Yemen, but finally there was a new president inaugurated. People kept being killed all the time.
So these are very painful situations. There’s no getting around it. I feel like everyone else watching the video, and I also have the additional information that comes from all kinds of intelligence sources, so I know how terrible things are in parts of Syria. Other parts are totally unaffected. So this is a difficult but necessary engagement for the world to stay focused on.
QUESTION: In Tunis, you called the Chinese and Russian actions despicable on Syria. Is that wise? Aren’t you cutting them out of the solution? You may need them to negotiate a possible exit for President Assad.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, they’re free to negotiate anytime they want to try to bring this to an end. The best I can see is their negotiation is only to reinforce Assad’s existing tendencies and actions. And their actions are very distressing, because they could be part of the solution.
If you look at the Security Council resolution that they vetoed, there were no arms going into Syria under it, no foreign intervention of any kind, no basis for foreign military action, not even sanctions. What we were trying to do is to have the international community behind the Arab League’s leadership, which was to negotiate that kind of handover that proved successful with Yemen. And that is something that the Russians wouldn’t go for, so we, of course, would invite, welcome, encourage Russian and Chinese intervention that could lead to the end of the bloodshed.
QUESTION: But some argue that the United States and all the Friends of Syria are hiding behind Chinese and Russian obstructions. Because the reality is no one, as you said, is really ready to deal with the consequences that any sort of intervention to halt the violence would actually entail when it comes to Syria. This is a very complicated country. So in a way, the Russians and the Chinese are also making it easier for you to step back and see how this plays out.
SECRETARY CLINTON: No. If they had joined us in the Security Council, I think it would have sent a really strong message to Assad that he needed to start planning his exit, and the people around him, who are already hedging their bets, would have been doing the same. Because they know they’ve got Iran actively supporting them, Russia selling them arms and diplomatically protecting them, and China not wanting anybody to interfere with anybody’s internal affairs. So that gives them a lot of comfort. Those are three consequential countries, one right on their border, one nearby, and one that has a lot of influence.
So I think that we have to take the facts as we find them. I wish I could wave my magic wand and change them, but that’s not possible. So therefore, we are waiting for the Russians to play a constructive role, as they have continued to promise us. Unfortunately, that’s not been forthcoming.
And I would not be doing my job if I were not looking at the complexity. I mean, I could come on and I could do an interview with you and I could say, “Oh, we’re all for them. Let’s go get them.” But what would that mean? Because clearly I know how complex this is, and anybody who is thinking about it and having to actually consider what could happen next understands it. So what I’m trying to do is work through this with likeminded countries that so we can get to a point where there is sufficient pressure so that the people around Assad – the business community is still supporting him, the minorities, which you know so well from Lebanon, don’t know which way to jump and are scared about what might come after, the opposition, which doesn’t have any place that can really be a base of operations. I mean, there’s just so many features of what it takes to run an effective campaign against such a brutal regime that are still not in place.
QUESTION: I’m going to squeeze in a last question about Egypt. Regardless of the outcome with the issue of American NGO workers who are detained and others as well, because there aren’t only Americans who are facing charges – regardless of the outcome, it seems to show that the current political establishment, which is a result of the popular revolution, is just as opposed to the work of civil society as the government of President Mubarak was. That’s not a great result for a popular uprising.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Kim, I’m not sure what it shows, because there isn’t a government yet. I mean, that’s one of the problems, is that they’re still in transition. They finished elections for the parliament. They don’t have an executive that would have such authority to be able to determine what is and is not the policy of the new Egyptian Government. So we’re in a transition. And I think that’s one of the reasons why these difficulties flare up.
QUESTION: Would you trust the judicial system in Egypt?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think we are working with the highest levels of the existing Egyptian authorities and we’re hoping to get this resolved.
QUESTION: Thank you very much.
Interview With Wyatt Andrews of CBS
Interview
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Sofitel Hotel
Rabat, Morocco
February 26, 2012
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, good morning.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Good morning.
QUESTION: Thank you for doing this. Let’s get right to Syria, please. I know and respect that you think the Friends of Syria Conference on Friday was a success. But the shelling continues. I don’t think we have any evidence that humanitarian aid is going in as the conference demanded. So on what level exactly was the conference a success?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Wyatt, perhaps I take a longer view than some in looking at the way that, again, the Arab League has led, which has been one of the most remarkable developments in the last year that they would take positions against fellow Arab nations on behalf of the aspirations that we all hold for the Arab Spring. The fact that so many other countries were present and all speaking with one voice – this is not to be, I think, diminished in terms of its importance. It doesn’t mean that we aren’t deeply distressed by what has continued.
QUESTION: But the world is united. I take your point, but what does that do?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, except that – well --
QUESTION: What does that do?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think it does several things. Sometimes, overturning brutal regimes takes time and costs lives. I wish it weren’t so. I really, really do. I wish that those around Assad would realize that it may not be tomorrow, may not be next week, but they’re done. I wish the military that serves that regime would quit staining their own honor and stand up for the rights of the Syrian people. I wish the businesspeople who are still sitting on the fence would realize that they’re going to be so tightly sanctioned that it’s going to be a big price for them to pay and so on. Because it’s not just one man; it is a regime. And we think that we’re putting a lot of pressure on that regime, and that there will be a breaking point. And we think that the regime itself is dishonoring who they are and what they stand for. They don’t represent the Syrian people anymore; they represent a family, maybe the Ba’ath Party, a small group of insiders.
And so we’re – we are pushing this day by day. But they also have very, very strong friends, if you look at Russia, China, and Iran, who are in there determined to keep Assad because he does their bidding, he buys their arms, he sells them oil. This is as clear a contrast between the values that the world now is embracing and the past.
QUESTION: But on the point of the pressure and the pressure you’re trying to apply, our correspondent in Syria yesterday was interviewing some of the people still being shelled in Homs, and there was a poignant moment in this interview where this man says, who is under the shelling, says, “Where are you, Friends of Syria?”
SECRETARY CLINTON: Right.
QUESTION: He specifically mentions the conflict. He says Baba Amr – that’s the suburb of Homs --
SECRETARY CLINTON: The – right.
QUESTION: -- is being shelled as if you did not exist, that – meaning the Friends of Syria Conference.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Right.
QUESTION: Does he have a point?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Of course he has a point, and I am deeply, deeply distressed for the people that he represents who are trapped under this artillery bombardment. But the problem for everyone is you have a ruthless regime using heavy artillery and tanks that are war weapons of the greatest impact against defenseless people. So there will be – and I’ve said this before – there will be those who are going to find ways to arm these Syrians who are under attack. But even if they are given automatic weapons against tanks, against heavy artillery, the slaughter will go on.
And what I’m at – I’m wondering is what about the people in Damascus, what about the people in Aleppo? Don’t they know that their fellow Syrian men, women, and children are being slaughtered by their government? What are they going to do about it? When are they going to start pulling the props out from under this illegitimate regime?
QUESTION: You’re sending a message to them?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes, I am.
QUESTION: The Administration made a point this week of suggesting that if Assad does not step down, does not stop the violence, that the U.S. would consider additional measures.
Talk to me. What are the additional measures?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I’m not going to go into that, Wyatt. I think we did signal that this kind of wanton violence is just unacceptable. There are countries that are much closer with a much greater stake in the neighborhood who are looking at what they might do. Obviously, we are talking with them to see whether they intend to take action and whether they need any kind of logistical or other support, but no decisions have been made.
QUESTION: You’re suggesting nonlethal support? Or are you suggesting that the United States may support the closet backchannel arming of the rebels that’s going on now?
SECRETARY CLINTON: We have made no decisions to do any of the above. We are in consultations with others who are watching this as we are watching it, and trying to determine what more can be done.
QUESTION: When I go back to the plight of the folks being shelled and who are very plaintive in their requests of the international community to be stronger, the question is: How long does the killing go on before the additional measures you’re talking about kick in?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think, Wyatt, if you take just a moment to imagine all the terrible conflicts that go on in the world, we have seen in the last 15 years millions of people killed in the Eastern Congo in the most brutal, terrible, despicable ways. It wasn’t on TV. There were no Skype-ing from the jungles that were the killing fields. And I could point to many other places where governments oppress people, where governments are turning against their own people. And you have to be very clear-eyed about what is possible and what the consequences of anything you might wish to do could be.
I am incredibly sympathetic to the calls that somebody do something. But it is also important to stop and ask what that is and who’s going to do it and how capable anybody is of doing it. And I like to get to the second, third, and fourth order questions, and those are very difficult ones.
QUESTION: The U.S. has repeatedly said that it’s reluctant to support the direct arming of the dissidents. The U.S. has been reluctant to arm the dissidents. Why?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first of all, we really don’t know who it is that would be armed. We have met some of the people from the Syrian National Council. They’re not inside Syria. This is not Libya, where you had a base of operations in Benghazi, where you had people who were representing the entire opposition to Libya, who were on the road meeting with me rather constantly, meeting with others. You could get your arms around what it is you were being asked to do and with whom. We don’t have any clarity on that. We --
QUESTION: But what’s the – Madam Secretary, what’s the fear?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well --
QUESTION: On the ground, what is the fear --
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first --
QUESTION: -- of arming the rebels?
SECRETARY CLINTON: First of all, as I just said, what are we going to arm them with, and against what? You’re not going to bring tanks over the borders of Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. That’s not going to happen.
So maybe at the best, you can smuggle in automatic weapons, maybe some other weapons that you could get in. To whom, where do you go? You can’t get into Homs. Where do you go? And to whom are you delivering them? We know al-Qaida. Zawahiri is supporting the opposition in Syria. Are we supporting al-Qaida in Syria? Hamas is now supporting the opposition. Are we supporting Hamas in Syria?
So I think, Wyatt, despite the great pleas that we hear from those people who are being ruthlessly assaulted by Assad, you don’t see uprisings across Syria the way you did in Libya. You don’t see militias forming in places where the Syrian military is not trying to get to Homs. You don’t see that, Wyatt. So if you’re a military planner or if you’re a Secretary of State and you’re trying to figure out, do you have the elements of an opposition that is actually viable, we don’t see that. We see immense human suffering that is heartbreaking and a stain on the honor of those security forces who are doing it.
QUESTION: We’re out of time, but thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.

Interview With Elise Labott of CNN
Interview
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Sofitel Hotel
Rabat, Morocco
February 26, 2012
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, thanks so much for joining us. We’re here in North Africa a year after the Arab Spring. It’s a new region. Most – Islamists are in power in many of these countries. And when you were speaking in Tunis yesterday, you kind of suggested that you have concerns that maybe some of these transitions are faltering and risk being hijacked by extremists.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, that is certainly not my concern. It should be the concern of anyone who is watching these transitions. Let’s take a step back. On the one hand, the elections have gone well. People have been empowered and enfranchised. But democracies don’t equal elections. A lot more must be done to ensure that people’s rights are protected, women’s rights are protected, there’s no discrimination of the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and all the freedoms that really go with a democracy. So as I’ve said, we’re going to listen to what these new governments say and we’re going to watch what they do.
QUESTION: Let’s talk about Egypt, these 16 Americans working for NGOs expected to go to trial today. You’re having talks with them. Where do they stand?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Elise, we are having intense talks at the highest levels of the Egyptian Government because, obviously, we’d like to see this resolved. Our relationship with Egypt is, I think, very important to both countries, and we have a lot of work to do together. We want to support the new Egyptian Government, we want to support the aspirations of the Egyptian people, and we have to resolve this matter.
QUESTION: Are you going to surrender them for trial if you can’t resolve it?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I’m not going to go into any of the legal issues. We’re just trying to get it resolved.
QUESTION: But this is a country – I mean, how do you feel about this? Thirty years, you’ve been supporting the Egyptians, and this is what they do to the Americans?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I don’t want to go making this a dramatic confrontation. It’s a problem. We have problems with a lot of our friends around the world. We’re trying to resolve it.
QUESTION: Okay. On Syria, you’re really making an effort to peel away Assad’s inner circle. Are you hearing from anybody? Is anybody contacting you?
SECRETARY CLINTON: We have a lot of contacts, as do other countries, a lot of sources within the Syrian Government and the business community and the minority communities. And our very clear message is the same to all of them. You cannot continue to support this illegitimate regime, because it’s going to fall, so be part of an opposition that can try to have a path forward that will protect the rights of all Syrians.
QUESTION: But what about the message that the Syrian National Council is sending to those inside Syria? Do you think they’re sending the right message?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think it’s very difficult to form an opposition when you have no place to operate out of inside the country you’re trying to change. In Libya, we had a very effective operation in Benghazi that gave us an address. We could deal with people. It represented Libyans across the country. We don’t have that in Syria. And the Syrian National Council is doing the best it can, but obviously it’s not yet a united opposition.
QUESTION: What are you – how far are you prepared to go to get this aid in? I mean, the shame tactic, it doesn’t seem to be working. And today – and Russian state paper Pravda is calling you the despicable one. I mean, how are you going to get that aid in if they won’t – if President Asssad won’t do it and the Russians won’t pressure him to do it?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think that that speaks for itself. I think that the Syrian people themselves need to start acting on behalf of their fellow Syrians. Where are the people inside Syria who are going to demand that men, women, and children cannot be assaulted and left to die, given no medical care, no food, no water. And look, I think that Russia has a commercial relationship, ideological relationship with Syria. It’s made its decision to stand on their side.
QUESTION: Well, are there going to be – are there consequences to the relationship with Russia if they’re not willing to at least help, use their influence to provide the aid?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I mean, I think we’ve already seen some very clear disagreements played out in public between us, but at this point, we’re doing everything we can to marshal public opinion internationally and work with neighbors in the region to try to get that humanitarian aid in.
QUESTION: Let’s talk about Afghanistan. The Embassy’s in lockdown right now?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes.
QUESTION: And employees not allowed to go anywhere?
SECRETARY CLINTON: No.
QUESTION: Okay. Listen, President Obama’s apology has become very controversial. I mean, obviously Newt Gingrich and others have made this apology part of the campaign, but other experts in Afghanistan are saying this apology sends the wrong message, it gives the Taliban the excuse to go against us, to help use our enemies against us. And also, a lot of these attacks that are happening against Americans, these horrible attacks, seem to be in retaliation for something the U.S. is taking responsibility for.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I find it somewhat troubling that our politics would enflame such a dangerous situation in Afghanistan. I well remember during the eight years of President Bush’s administration, when something happened that was regrettable, unintentional, as this incident was, President Bush was quick to say, look, we’re sorry about this, this is something that we obviously did not mean to do. That’s all that President Obama was doing, and it was the right thing to do, to have our President on record as saying this was not intentional, we deeply regret it. And now we are hoping that voices inside Afghanistan will join that of President Karzai and others in speaking out to try to calm the situation. It’s deeply regrettable, but now it is out of hand and it needs to stop.
QUESTION: On Iran and the IAEA report, damning evidence that Iran is continuing to build these underground sites. What do you think is going on at these sites, and are they playing for time? If you’re going to have these talks, is it really that they’re playing for time and those talks would lead to Iran further constituting their program?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we want to know what’s going on in those sites. And the fact that they are secret, heavily protected sites seems to suggest something’s going on the Iranians don’t want the IAEA or the world to know about. That can only raise suspicions even higher than they already are. We have said that we would engage with the P-5+1 to meet with the Iranians if they came to the table prepared to talk about their nuclear program.
QUESTION: Do you think talks will happen?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we’ll – we’re moving toward them. Cathy Ashton has been empowered to negotiate on our behalf, but these latest actions by the Iranian Government, not permitting the IAEA inspectors to see what they wanted to see, are certainly troubling.
QUESTION: Your envoy for North Korea, Glyn Davies, had talks in Beijing.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes.
QUESTION: Any glimmers of progress there?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I think modest progress. We’ve always said that we are willing to talk. This is the first time that, under this new leader, we’ve had this opportunity, and we’ll follow through.
QUESTION: Did you learn anything – the way they’re negotiating about Kim Jong Un, is there – do you think there’ll a consistent approach from the North Koreans?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we’ll see, Elise. We are – yeah, there’s a lot of experience in negotiating with previous North Korean leaders, and it’s usually a challenging process, but we have some of our best, most experienced diplomats on the front lines.
QUESTION: You said yesterday that President Obama will be reelected. It’s not – it raised a lot of eyebrows. It’s not really the Secretary of State to say anything about an election, and it seemed to be kind of a campaign statement.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, remember the context of it. I was asked whether the comments in the primary campaign, some of which have been quite inflammatory, represented America. And I represent America, and I know what happens in campaigns. I’ve been there, done that. And I know that things are said that are not going to be put into practice or policy. But I did think I needed to point that out to the audience. And probably, my enthusiasm for the President got a little out of hand. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Well – no political juices flowing there?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I’m trying to dampen them down. I’ve tried to have them taken out in a blood transfusion, but occasionally they rear their heads.
QUESTION: Does that suggest maybe going back in at some point?
SECRETARY CLINTON: No. No. It just suggests that I want what’s best for my country.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, you have a year left. Last year was a crazy year – (laughter) – with the Arab Spring and so much other things going on – Iran, North Korea. What, this year, do you hope you’ll accomplish? And moving towards thinking about your legacy, where do you hope to have your priorities?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I’ll talk about legacy when I’m done because I don’t like looking back, I like looking forward, and we have an incredibly active year ahead of us. We are looking to consolidate a lot of the work we’ve done the prior three years – in Asia, in Latin America, is Africa, you name it. So there’s just an enormous agenda ahead of us, but we’ll stay focused on what keeps America safe, what promotes America’s values and furthers our interests. And that’s our – those are our three north stars, and we’re following them.
QUESTION: Just to wrap up, I mean, what were the – what are the key things you’d like to see happen by the end of this year?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Peace, prosperity, happiness everywhere. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: I think we all would. Thank you so much for joining us.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.

Here are some beautiful pictures from her very busy day! Thank you for your hard work, Mme. Secretary. Have a safe trip home!

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for February 26, 2012

2012-02-26T13:52:00.000-05:00

: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton participates in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new U.S. Embassy in Rabat, February 26, 2012. With Clinton are Morocco's Foreign Minister Saad Eddine Othmani (LP) and the Mayor of Rabat, Fathallah Oualalou. REUTERS/Jason Reed (MOROCCO - Tags: POLITICS)

Public Schedule for February 26, 2012

Public Schedule
Washington, DC
February 26, 2012

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

Secretary Clinton is on foreign travel in Rabat, Morocco and is accompanied by Under Secretary Otero, Assistant Secretary Feltman and Director Sullivan. Please click here for more information.

10:45 a.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Moroccan Royal Counselor Fassi Fihri, in Rabat, Morocco.
(POOL CAMERA SPRAY)

11:45 a.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Saad Eddine Al-Othmani, in Rabat, Morocco.
(CAMERA SPRAY PRECEDING BILATERAL MEETING)

12:00 p.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton attends a working lunch hosted by Moroccan Foreign Minister Saad Eddine Al-Othmani, in Rabat, Morocco.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

1:25 p.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton holds a joint press availability with Moroccan Foreign Minister Saad Eddine Al-Othmani, in Rabat, Morocco.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)

2:00 p.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton meets with the staff and families of US Embassy Rabat, in Rabat, Morocco.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

2:40 p.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton hosts a ground breaking ceremony for the new US Embassy Rabat, in Rabat, Morocco.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)

Since the groundbreaking is over, I think we can suppose that she is on her way home. Travel safely, Mme. Secretary. We love you and need you!

Hillary Clinton's Town Hall in Tunisia

2012-02-26T13:31:00.000-05:00

Town Hall With Tunisian Youth

Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Palais de Baron d'Erlanger
Tunis, Tunisia
February 25, 2012

MODERATOR: We are very proud of the youth of our country for being the catalyst and leaders of change. Madam, the Secretary of State, we're honored to have you visit our country for the second time in less than a year. And on behalf of the attendees today, I would like to welcome you and thank you for the time you are spending with us and for the exciting opportunity to have our youth exchange with you. The floor is to you.
SECRETARY CLINTNON: Thank you so much. Well, thank you very much, and it is a pleasure to be back here in a free Tunisia and to be at this beautiful center for Arab and Mediterranean music, and I want to thank the director and everyone associated with the center. But what is most exciting to me is to have this chance to talk with all of you, and I thank you for coming, and Leila, thank you for agreeing to moderate.
It is an exciting but also challenging time here in Tunisia. The riot police are gone, and the pepper spray no longer fills the air, but it is true that building a sustainable democracy and a modern economy, guaranteeing the universal rights of all Tunisians, the freedom of speech, the freedom of press, the freedom of religion, the freedom of association, all of that takes time to firmly establish. Building a modern economy that is open to the world, that takes advantage of Tunisia’s strategic location also takes time. But what I am impressed by is not only how inspiring the revolution in Tunisia has been, but how determined the people of Tunisia are about the future you are seeking.
Now, the future is always somewhat uncertain, but what is certain to me is that it will be the young people of Tunisia who determine what the future will be. And many have asked: Why after so many years did change finally come to Tunisia and that change here in Tunisia spark change across the Arab world? And why did young people here in Tunisia strike the first blows for freedom and opportunity?
Well, the first and general answer is that the rights and dignity of human beings cannot be denied forever, no matter how oppressive a regime may be. The spirit of human rights and human dignity lives within each of us, and the universal aspirations have deep and lasting power. A second reason is that you belong to a remarkable generation of young people, not only here in Tunisia, but across the world. It is an optimistic, innovative, impatient young people that I see everywhere I travel. Because in addition to your own courage and determination, there are underlying dynamics that are affecting young people everywhere – changes in demographics and technology, economics and politics that are bringing together this unique moment in history.
Young people are at the heart of today’s great strategic opportunities and challenges, from rebuilding the global economy to combating violent extremism to building sustainable democracies. And I have fought, as some of you know – some of the women that I was just saying hello to who are leading change here in Tunisia – I have fought for years to put women’s empowerment on the international agenda. I think it’s time to put youth empowerment there as well.
Now I realize, being young, you may be skeptical. It was a long time ago, but I remember being young myself. But the needs and concerns of young people have been marginalized too long by political and economic leaders. And the fact is today, the world ignores youth at its peril, because just look at the demographics. From Latin America to the Middle East to Sub-Saharan Africa to Southeast Asia, we are seeing what experts call a youth bulge. There are now more than 3 billion people under the age of 30 in the world. Ninety percent of them live in the developing world. And the numbers continue to grow.
And you are living in a world that your parents, and certainly your grandparents, could never have imagined – satellite television, the internet, Facebook. My late mother used to say, “What is this about faces on the internet?” (Laughter.) And new communications technologies shrink your world but expand your horizons. Now everybody can see how others are living – living in prosperity, dignity, and freedom, and they rightly want those things for themselves. And we can also see, as we have seen, terribly over the last weeks, what’s happening in Syria. And I really commend the Tunisian Government for hosting the conference which was held yesterday.
So as expectations are rising, what is being done to meet them? We are making progress politically, but more needs to be done economically. Young people are three times more likely to be unemployed than older people. And more than 100 million young people are scraping by with part-time employment and insufficient wages. And right here in Tunisia, I know there are many young people who are not yet fully employed, productively employed.
So the global economy is connecting us more than ever, but young people are finding, even with graduate degrees, they may not have the skills that the global marketplace is seeking. So there is this gap. So millions of young people leave families and villages for crowded cities and don’t find what they are looking for yet. The old patronage networks that provided jobs to previous generations were reinforced by corrupt systems that are now outmoded and would not be working in today’s modern world. Young people in many countries are combining technologies and ethics to reinvigorate grassroots public service, and we’re seeing the results as they stand up against corrupt governments. Many of the ties that existed in family and community are not as strong as they used to be, and so many young people find themselves on their own. And this is all a recipe for frustration and instability that can be exploited by extremists and criminals around the world.
So what do we do? How do we link up the energy and innovation of young people with the changes that are so necessary? In fact, last January, as protests were filling the streets of this city, I traveled to Doha and warned a conference of regional Arab leaders that if they did not act quickly enough to offer young people a better vision for the future, their regimes would sink into the sand. And the young people of Tunisia proved that point.
And so political reform is proceeding. And many times in the past, much longer. In Poland, it took a decade for a trade union to dislodge a repressive communist government. In Tunisia, it took you a month to dislodge a dictator. The global story that is happening here and elsewhere requires innovative thinking and economic entrepreneurship to ensure that the democratic revolution delivers results for individuals. That is happening in lots of places, but not enough, or not quickly enough.
Now, I have made the argument that in every region of the world, the needs and aspirations of young people should be more fully recognized. As an official in India recently said, the youth bulge will be a dividend if we empower our young, but it will be a disaster if we fail to put in place a policy and a framework where they can be empowered.
So here’s what the United States is trying to do. We’re forming youth councils at our embassies and consulates to have direct contact with young people like yourselves, because for every problem, we want to seek a solution. We’ve also created an Office of Global Youth Issues in Washington to ensure ways to partner with you. And we have a young 24-year-old activist, Ronan Farrow, who’s here today, who is our advisor on global youth issues.
To paraphrase Steve Jobs, we not only need to think different; we need to think big, because if we don’t, we will miss this moment in history. Now what do young people want? I think they want the same thing as what all of us want – peace, prosperity, and dignity, a chance to participate, a chance for your voices and your votes to be heard and counted.
And there are tried and true approaches that work. In economics, we need to encourage entrepreneurship. And we have here representatives from NAPEO. Where are our NAPEO representatives? We have Tunisians who have been successful in business who are partnering with us and others to create more economic opportunities. It is focused primarily on creating jobs for young people. And we’ve created the Global Entrepreneurship Program that connects investors with young people who have good ideas and are willing to work hard to see them realized.
For example, this past fall, we sent a delegation of American investors and business leaders to Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria to meet and mentor young entrepreneurs. One of the people they met was a 25-year-old Algerian who is pioneering new e-commerce tools for communities with limited access to financial services. He came from a poor village in Algeria, and he knew that the people in his village did not have access to credit, did not have access to markets, yet they had cell phones. So using cell phones, he is providing applications that give people access to credit, to mobile banking, to information about how to start a business and how to build a business plan. An accomplished Tunisian scientist along with other Tunisian entrepreneurs have received scholarships to study business and further develop their ideas in America.
We’re going to build a momentum by organizing a Global Youth Jobs Alliance to bring in more partners and reach more people. And one area we’re going to emphasize is expanding English language training all over the world, and especially here in Tunisia, because English has become the language of commerce, and to great extent the language of the internet, although obviously it’s available in other languages. But it serves as a port of entry into the global economy. The Peace Corps is returning to Tunisia, and they will be emphasizing speaking English. We’re using the internet to do English language instruction. We’re already helping thousands of Tunisian young people with job placement and skills training. And we want to expand university educational exchange programs between the United States and Tunisia. This spring, a team of expert educators from America will travel to the Maghreb to build new links with regional business schools and training centers.
Ultimately, we know what government needs to do. They need to crack down on corruption wherever it occurs, crack down on cronyism wherever it occurs, and diversify their economies and open their markets. I hear sometimes from leaders in this region that there is a certain fear about opening their economies, but I think that does a great disservice to the people of these countries that have so much energy, and especially to young people. Opening the economies will particularly advantage the young people of Tunisia and other places.
We also want to encourage the use of social networking tools. The social media that was used to bring down the Ben Ali regime now can be used to expose corruption, encourage transparency and good government. It’s also true that this goes hand in hand with the kind of freedom that is now available, so that it is not only to make a living but it is to enable and empower people to be participants. Because after all, dignity means being treated with respect and having a voice and having the right to participate and even lead. Your new democracy needs you. Participation is a means to an end, not an end in itself. And it really requires everyone to contribute to creating the new Tunisia.
Now, obviously, people will disagree. We’ve been disagreeing with each other for 236 years in the United States. We do not all see the world the same way. But we believe in the fundamental values that undergird our democracy. One of the most common questions I am asked as I travel around the world is how, after running against Barack Obama, would I agree to work with him as his Secretary of State? And the answer is simple. We both love our country. And yes, did we compete hard? We competed very hard. I wanted to win; he won. And therefore, I had to make a choice, because it wasn’t about me; it was about what we could do together for America.
And veterans of democratic transitions from Latin America to Eastern Europe to East Asia have learned the lessons of pluralistic democracy. All political parties, religious and secular alike, have to abide by basic ground rules: reject violence; uphold the rule of law; respect the freedoms of speech, religion, association, and assembly; protect the rights of women and minorities; give up power if you are defeated at the polls; and especially in a region with deep divisions within and between religions, avoid inciting sectarian conflicts that pull societies apart.
Now here in Tunisia, an Islamist party won a plurality of the votes in an open, competitive election which we applauded. And the party leaders promised to embrace freedom of religion and full rights for women. And in my meetings today with both the president and the prime minister, that commitment was reinforced.
Also, the job of writing a constitution and governing requires cooperation across society. No one person, no one party, has all the answers. Every country is stronger by listening with respect to those with whom we differ. So to write a constitution, the governing party now then will have to work with other parties, including secular parties, and persuade voters across the political spectrum to respect fundamental principles. And Tunisians will have to make sure to hold everybody to that promise.
Now, I know that there are those here in Tunisia and elsewhere who question whether Islamist politics can really be compatible with democracy. Well, Tunisia has a chance to answer that question affirmatively, and to demonstrate there is no contradiction. And that means not just talking about tolerance and pluralism, but living it. And it is up to you to hold all political parties to the same values.
Protecting democracy is the duty of every citizen. And for the young people of Tunisia, it is a special responsibility. We watched your courage on the front lines of the revolution, men and women alike, enduring the teargas and the beatings. It takes a different kind of courage to be a guardian of your new democracy. After a revolution, history shows it can go one of two ways. It can move in the direction you are now headed, to build a strong democratic country, or it can get derailed and detoured to new autocracy, to new absolutism. The victors of revolutions can become their victims. So it is up to all Tunisians, especially young Tunisians, to resist the calls of demagogues, to build coalitions, to keep faith in your system even when your candidates lose at the polls.
After I lost to President Obama, I had many supporters who did not want me to quit and wanted me to not cooperate and wanted me to say no to any request to help. And I said absolutely not. This is about our political system. This is about our agenda. It is not about any of us. And we have to therefore protect the core principles and institutions of democracy. I understand in Tunisia you have a saying: “Continuous effort can pierce through marble.” Well, that spirit helped protestors and dissidents withstand long years of repression and ultimately topple the old regime. And I think it’s that same spirit that can help you move forward.
So I think we’re at an especially important moment. And I want to speak directly to the young women who are here, and those you represent across Tunisia, the region, and around the world, because some of the obstacles that young women face are unique. In too many places in the world today, laws and customs make it harder for women to start a business, run for office, even make personal decisions. Tunisia has stood out as a place that protected the rights of women and sent a message that there was no contradiction between culture and religion and opportunity and empowerment. And so for the young women and the young men who are here, Tunisia will need all of its sons and daughters in order to have the success you are seeking.
Recently, one of our Supreme Court justices, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, visited Egypt and Tunisia, and she met with your judges and other high officials. And she said something which I thought was very apt: The daughters of the Middle East should be able to aspire and achieve based on the talent God gave them and not be held back by the laws of men. So please know that as you make this incredibly historic and important journey to a democracy that produces results, politically and economically for you, the United States will stand with you.
We know something about how hard it is to build a democracy. We have been working at it for a very long time. We are now the oldest democracy in the history of the world, but we had lots of obstacles along the way. We fought a civil war to free African Americans who had been slaves. We had to amend our Constitution to let women vote. We continue to try to perfect our democracy. So don’t be too impatient, but don’t be in any way complacent. You have to keep those two in mind at the same time.
Each of you deserve the same opportunity to live up to your own God-given potential. And I am very confident – I am very, very confident that Tunisia will be successful because of you. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
MODERATOR: We will now go for the questions and answers. And if you have a (inaudible). In your personal experience and given the history of other countries that (inaudible), what makes you feel that Tunisia (inaudible), and (inaudible) those transitions?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Linda, I will give you some of the reasons why I am optimistic, and even confident that (inaudible). First, Tunisia has, in the past, even under dictatorship, provided a set of protections for individual rights. The code of personal conduct and other laws gave to each Tunisian, man and woman, certain rights. But the government (inaudible) some of those rights. So there is a – whoo – (laughter) – there is a tradition of personal rights and empowerment in Tunisia that did not exist in most of the countries that have undergone revolutions, particularly now in the Arab world. I think that gives Tunisia a huge example, which is why I said it’s so important you cannot let anything or anybody roll back the rights that Tunisians should have.
Secondly, Tunisia is very strategically located. You look at the map – close to Europe; in the Maghreb, a region that is economically underdeveloped, where Tunisia has on average the highest standard of living and the highest level of education; to your south, huge economic opportunities. So I think Tunisia’s geographic location is very important and gives you a chance to expand your reach economically.
Thirdly, you have the benefit of your historic revolution. Tunisia was the first. Tunisia set the pace. People look to Tunisia to continue to demonstrate how one does democracy in this region. That’s a heavy responsibility, but it’s also a great opportunity. In my meetings with the government officials, one of the things we talked about is how to provide more economic help to get you through this period. And one of the big selling points is that everyone wants the Tunisian revolution and the Tunisian democracy to succeed.
And finally, I think that, as I look at the plans of the new government for job training, for employment, as I talk to the private sector, represented by NAPEO and the businesses here who invest in entrepreneurship, I think the elements are all right. There’s not any talk of, oh, let’s go back to state ownership, let’s go back to the kind of failed economic policies of the past. Tunisia’s looking forward, both in its public and its private sector.
So for all those reasons, I think that the political reforms that you’re making built on a foundation that you inherited, that, now being carried out in a democratic context, combined with the good ideas about economic growth, are quite a good combination for success. And I’ll just end, though – it can’t happen overnight. And I would, on behalf your government, on behalf of your business sector, say there has to be good planning to avoid failure. And that will take some time. It shouldn’t take too much time, but it will take some time. So impatience is, I think, a characteristic of being young, but there is a need to be thoughtful about how we’re going to secure the political and economic success here.
MODERATOR: Thank you very much. So who would like to ask a question? Just think how many.
Go ahead, please.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Here comes the microphone.
MODERATOR: So if you could present yourself.
QUESTION: Hello. I’m Shaima and I’m from (inaudible). First of all, I want to say welcome to Tunisia. I mean, it’s a great pleasure that you are here today. My question is: I think that your vision about Tunisia changed after the revolution. So I want to ask you: What was your vision about Tunisia in the past, when Ben Ali was our president? And how the vision changed with time? Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Very good question. I visited Tunisia one time, in 1999, when Ben Ali was president, and I came away with a very contradictory picture. On the one hand, a lot of the characteristics of the Tunisian people were evident. There was a lot of, even, energy. I could see it on the streets, I could see it in the people that I met with, but there was a ceiling imposed upon the people of Tunisia that there wasn’t any way to break through because the prior regime did not favor openness, politically or economically. They engaged in crony corruption, so that people who worked hard, who had a good idea, would not necessarily ever get a chance. So that although the energy and the potential of the Tunisian people was visible to me, the oppression that prevented the full potential of Tunisia being realized was also visible. There was a lot of emphasis on appearance rather than reality.
And I think that what has happened with the revolution here has a chance to combine the potential and the reality for the first time. And I am very excited about that because I saw that it was present, but it didn’t have anywhere to go in the prior regime.
MODERATOR: Thank you.
Go ahead, please.
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: Here comes the microphone.
QUESTION: Excuse me. I would prefer to speak French to avoid any misunderstanding. Is it okay?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I think Leila will translate for me.
MODERATOR: Yes, I will.
QUESTION: (In French.) (Laughter.) (Applause.)
MODERATOR: So the question was that (inaudible) sees that the United States played the card of a political Islam through the card of the Middle East. And the question is --
QUESTION: What's your definition of (inaudible)?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Would my definition of moderate Islam?
QUESTION: (Inaudible.) Would you consider that the (inaudible)?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first of all, I think that when you have a democratic election that represents the will of the people, you have to respect that. That’s the first thing. But then the people who are elected have to also respect their people. And that is true whether it is a Christian party, a Hindu party, or a Muslim party. And I don’t know that we get to draw a conclusion because there are many aspects of political change and democratic development that should be a base no matter what party is in charge. And I mentioned those.
A party must be willing to abide by the results of an election. So you cannot have a party get elected and then say no more elections, which is what some people have done. A party that is a religious-based party has to recognize the freedom of religion, association, assembly, and speech, so that even if you disagree with the party and the party’s positions, you are free to do so, even if it is a party based on religion, which gets people sensitive in their interaction politically.
And I think that certainly you judge political parties both by what they say and what they do. Now what we are hearing said by the Nahda party here is in accordance with democratic values. And we are watching what is done. But it is less important what the United States concludes than what the people of Tunisia conclude. You must be the guardians of your democracy.
And I think that one of the biggest problems we have in the world today is people not respecting the views of others. I’m a person of faith. I’m a Christian. I believe strongly in my faith. But I do not believe I have a right to impose my faith on you or anyone else, because there’s just too much room for the human spirit, for the conscience of people to be put in any one box. So I highly respect people of religious faith that differs from me. But I expect them to respect me, and I also believe you have to respect people who are not religious because that is their right, for whatever their reasons are. So it is difficult when you represent a religiously-based political party to do that.
And it does take time to kind of get the habits of tolerance and respect when you are a political power. But I believe that any – that if you look at the Turkish example, or the Indonesian example, there you have in Indonesia a secular party in the largest Muslim nation in the world. And in Turkey, you have an Islamic-based party which is being – which is trying very hard to be tolerant of other religions and try to demonstrate that there is no contradiction. And in fact, at the conference yesterday, the Turkish foreign minister representing the Islamist party in Turkey strongly spoke out in favor of all the minorities in Syria – including the Christians, the Kurds, the Druze, the Alawites, the Sunni, everybody. And that’s what we want from religious-based political parties. You’re free to believe what you believe and to be faithful to your religion. But when you assume political power, you have a responsibility to care for every citizen of a different religion, of a different sect, of no religion at all.
So we are watching, and we will see how it develops, because other than Turkey, there is no democratically elected Islamic-based party other than in Tunisia now, and in Egypt. And we think Tunisia is proceeding in the right direction, based on what we’re seeing, but we will continue to have a dialogue that raises questions if they arise.
Here comes the microphone. Okay. Let them go first, and then we’ll come to you, sir. No, you can go first. You can go first and then we’ll come to the gentleman.
QUESTION: Ladies first.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yeah. Ladies first. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Okay. First of all, it’s nice to meet you, ma’am.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Nice to meet you.
QUESTION: And you are welcome. Okay. I’m (inaudible), I’m working with OTI USAID agency. Our program is called Bridge to Democracy, and we are helping Tunisian citizens on the Tunisian transition. So when we start our program here in Tunisia, we face a lot of problems, such as the anti-Americanism. And personally, I face that problem, because I was wearing the hijab, and that was a lot of talk that how she's working with the USAID agency and she's wearing the hijab. Of course, they are forcing her maybe in the office to put off her hijab, et cetera. And when I start to communicate with associations in the office and in the field also, they start to discover, oh, she's sitting with her American colleagues and she's doing an effort to help us, and she's still wearing her hijab.
So – and so it was – and after that, after seven months of hard work, we are in the point that we can say that our work is coming more easily than before because people there start understand and realize that that was wrong judgment for me. And that was working with an American agency or company, et cetera, it's just like working with a French company, et cetera.
And so I’m asking if there is any opportunity to have more projects just like ours, especially in the interior areas, that’s – and basically touching (inaudible) youth because, as we know, all youths in the interior areas faced a lot of problems and suffered and faced also marginalization in Ben Ali's regime and paid a lot to have their freedom in the revolution. So we want them to feel like they still an effective element, and we are care about them even now. I know that the revolution – so I’m asking if there is any opportunity for a concrete project, especially in the interior area. And I want to say that especially to make them feel like we all citizens here appreciate what you did in the revolution, and all – and the whole Arabic world also. So we want to make them feel that we are (inaudible). Thank you so much.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, the short answer to your question is we are – (laughter) – hoping to have more and more projects. But the longer answer – because you said a number of things which I think are very important – first, let me say a word about the hijab. I think, just as in our country, women have the right to wear it or not wear it if they are Muslim Americans. We have millions of Muslim Americans. Some wear it; most don’t wear it. But that’s their decision. And I think it’s very important, if you proceed with this democratic revolution, that people are not pressured to wear it or not wear it, because that should be your individual choice in a democracy. And that will be one of the important signposts – are people being forced to.
Now, personally, I think that you will face extremists who are trying to really change the Tunisian culture. And why extremists always focus on women is a mystery to me. But they all seem to. It doesn’t matter what country they’re in. They want to control women. They want to control how we dress, they want to control how we act, they want to control everything about us. This is the 21^st century. You are obviously an intelligent young woman who’s made your own choice, and I respect that. And I want every woman here to make her own choice, and we should all respect that as well. That, to me, is a central absolute principle within a democracy. Don’t try to use extremist rhetoric and actions to intimidate women. And the United States strongly stands against that.
Secondly, the United States believes in freedom of religion, and we practice it. We have people who are extremists in the United States, but we basically just sort of put them down. So when you say that coming to work for an American project, people were anti-American – if you want to be a democracy, people need to look to see what works in a democracy. And as I say, we’ve been working at this for a very long time. So I think we have demonstrated that we support democracy, and we support it where it is occurring. So we want to be as supportive as possible based on the principles of what a democracy really is. And I think that anyone who believes in democracy should open their eyes to America, because this is where one learns about what makes a democracy where you have people who are different. And people are different everywhere.
And finally, we are working to help in the interior, because you’re absolutely right – it’s true in rural areas everywhere, people who are denied opportunity, who don’t have much of a chance to get educated, to have jobs, they are easy prey for extremism and for despair, and they feel left out. And oftentimes, it’s poor people like the man who started this, the young vegetable vendor who set himself on fire. It is poor people who pay the biggest price. So we want to work with people like you here in Tunisia to support projects that will help people in the interior and elsewhere.
So, thank you for all your points. And then this man in the white shirt I promised. Yes.
QUESTION: My name is (inaudible). I’m a young legal counsel. My question touches a little bit on the issue raised by the young lady here. I think that there exists among many young people in Tunisia across the region a deep feeling of mistrust towards the West in general and the United States in particular. And many observers partly explain the surge of extremism in the region and in Tunisia by this skepticism. And even among the mainstream of moderate and pro-Western youth, there is a sense of despair and fatalism when it comes to the possibility of building a real and lasting partnership that is based on mutual interests. So is the United States aware of this issue? And how do you think we can address it?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes. I can speak for both President Obama and myself. We are aware of it. We regret it. We feel that it doesn’t reflect the values or the policy of the United States. And there are several reasons as we understand them. Some people say, well, you supported the prior regimes in these countries. Well, those were the governments. If you’re a government, who do you deal with? You deal with the governments that are in place. And yes, we did. We dealt with the governments that were in place, just like we deal with the governments elsewhere. Right now, we’re in a big argument with Russia and China because they won’t agree to the Security Council resolution to help the poor people in Syria. But we don’t stop dealing with Russia and China across a whole range of issues because we have serious disagreements with them.
So I think part of it is to recognize the reality that governments have to deal with, and to look at the whole picture, because the United States has spent enormous amounts of money and treasure trying to help people achieve their own freedom. We did it certainly in the long Cold War against the Soviet Union and then helped millions of people under Soviet rule find their way to freedom. We’ve done it in Asia, where we protected Japan and South Korea against problems coming from communism, and they are now thriving, successful, democratic economies. We worked for a long time to help Indonesia. Indonesia has now been a democracy for more than a decade, and their economy is booming, and they are demonstrating you can be both a Muslim nation and a successful nation. We stood up against apartheid in South Africa and supported their struggle for freedom. We could go all over the world where you can see that.
But we also have to deal with the reality that we confront in trying to make decisions about how to conduct our foreign policy. And we – I mean, you remember, President Obama mentioned the Tunisia revolution in the State of the Union. I mean, we were thrilled to see Tunisia having this chance to build a democracy, and we are here to help. We are here with financial help, we are here with technical help, and looking for every way we can to make you successful.
So I always ask people to consider the source of criticism of the United States. I will be the first to say we, like any country in the world, have made mistakes. I will be the first to say that. We’ve made a lot of mistakes. But I think if you look at the entire historical record, the entire historical record shows we’ve been on the side of freedom, we’ve been on the side of human rights, we’ve been on the side of free markets and economic empowerment. And that is where the bulk of the evidence, in my view, rests.
You said you were a lawyer? (Laughter.) I used to be one. (Laughter.) So I think we can make a very strong case, and that’s what we’re doing, and that’s one of the reasons why I’m here, to do it in person.
MODERATOR: Thank you.
Okay. Go ahead, please.
QUESTION: Welcome, Secretary of State. I am (inaudible), I am a voluntary with an association to prevent prevalence and prevention of HIV and STI (inaudible) for English for communication, too. First of all, I want to say that I find that you are so elegant from the (inaudible). And then I’m going to follow with my two questions.
SECRETARY CLINTON: See why I love Tunisia? (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Thank you. We love you, too. So my first question is about collaboration.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Collaboration? Yes.
QUESTION: Yes. To which extent do you found that the collaboration between our respective nations, the United States of America and Tunisia today, is important to maintain and preserve democracy? This is from on part. From another part, the – my second question, I mean: Since freedom – liberties and freedom are involved in any and all democracies – today, there are a lot of minorities in Tunisia. We can say also sexual minorities. So what are the strategies that – may the United States of America give as advice to Tunisian Government in order to preserve freedom of these minor – sexual minorities? And so what are the ideologies and doctrines that you can give to youth today in order to reach the best level? Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, those are three very, very significant questions.
First on collaboration, we have received an aide memoire from the government with requests for collaboration in higher education, vocational training, health, trade, investment, business development, security, everything you can think of that is important to protect and build a good democracy. And we are looking at all of them. We’re going to help as much as we can. We’re going to reach out to other countries so that we have international collaboration. But speaking just for the United States, we are committed to improving our collaboration across a full range of important issues in Tunisia. And we want to do it in a way that involves not just the government, but the private sector, the business community, the civil society, and especially young people. So that’s the first thing.
The second thing, on the issue of the LGBT community, we believe strongly no minority, regardless of why one is a minority – whether it’s ethnic, religious, sect, sexual orientation – should be discriminated against, that in today’s modern world, we are seeing the need for everyone’s human potential to be respected. Every human being has dignity. I mean, if you believe, as the people of faith do, we are all created in God’s image, and we all have an obligation to treat one another with dignity and respect. And we think that needs to be part of the political system of any democracy. So we strongly support that. I gave a speech in Geneva a few months ago specifically addressing that because, in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa, if you are a homosexual, you can be killed, you can be imprisoned, just for being who you are. And we think that’s wrong. So we are standing strongly on behalf of human rights and human dignity for every person.
And finally, I think it’s important when you think about what needs to be done for young people in Tunisia, it’s not so different as to what needs to be done anywhere in the world for young people. Young people need to be educated. And in Tunisia, you have a lot of educated young people, and then in the interior and elsewhere, you have people who don’t have the same opportunity to be educated. So with those who are not yet fully educated, the education levels need to be raised. With people who are educated, even if you have a college degree, a university degree, it has to be marketable. So we have to take people who are educated and equip them for the modern economy. So there are skills and opportunities that must be made available even for educated Tunisians.
So I think that the education imperative, the education dividend, is what’s really important in the modern world. Secondly, you need a government that empowers you, not oppresses you. You now have such a government. Think of all the people you know who had to leave Tunisia because they were not free to speak, they were not free to act, and they had to leave. And we want Tunisians to be able to stay at home and develop their full God-given potential. And you’ve got to make sure your government empowers you to do that.
And then finally, Tunisia needs to reach out to the rest of the world. I think that a lot of Europe knows quite a bit about Tunisia, but the United States average person doesn’t know a lot about Tunisia. Latin America, Asia – you’ve got to reach out to the rest of the world, and you can do that through all kinds of social media, through all kinds of alliances. We’re going to start this Global Youth Alliance to try to create more jobs. Tunisian young people need to be in the center of the action in the world. I think having more English-speakers will help that. Not that – French and Arabic, they’re very important, but I only speak one language. I feel very disadvantaged. And I think the more we can get more English speakers throughout Tunisia, that will add to the ability to network around the world.
So I think all the ingredients are here. If you look at the indicators on Tunisia – higher than average education, higher than average income already – so you just have to put the ingredients together to bake it up, and you’re going to have a very positive outcome.
MODERATOR: Thank you. Unfortunately, we only have time for one more question.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Oh, I talked too much. I’m sorry.
MODERATOR: Sorry about that. And I’m going to go on the left, because I haven’t had the opportunity to hear them yet, so please go ahead.
SECRETARY CLINTON: I’ll stay. I’ll have one more after that. So Leila, the pressure on you. Okay.
QUESTION: My name is Ivan. After the electoral campaign starts in the United States – it started some time ago – we noticed here in Tunisia that most of the candidates from the both sides run towards the Zionist lobbies to get their support in the States. And afterwards, once they are elected, they come to show their support for countries like Tunisia and Egypt for a common Tunisian or a common Arab citizen. How would you reassure and gain his trust again once given the fact that you are supporting his enemy as well at the same time?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first, let me say you will learn as your democracy develops that a lot of things are said in political campaigns that should not bear a lot of attention. There are comments made that certainly don’t reflect the United States, don’t reflect our foreign policy, don’t reflect who we are as a people. I mean, if you go to the United States, you see mosques everywhere, you see Muslim Americans everywhere. That’s the fact. So I would not pay attention to the rhetoric.
Secondly, I would say watch what President Obama says and does. He’s our President. He represents all of the United States, and he will be reelected President, so I think that that will be a very clear signal to the entire world as to what our values are and what our President believes. So I think it’s a fair question because I know that – I sometimes am a little surprised that people around the world pay more attention to what is said in our political campaigns than most Americans, say, are paying attention. So I think you have to shut out some of the rhetoric and just focus on what we’re doing and what we stand for, and particularly what our President represents.
MODERATOR: One more.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Oh, no. Too many hands.
MODERATOR: On the back, we haven’t heard anyone from the back. Go ahead.
QUESTION: Hi. My name is Emna. I’m an undergraduate of the Tunisia – at the Mediterranean School of Business. Just before you pointed out how important is entrepreneurship to the new economy in Tunisia, and as the fellow at the Tunisian Center for Social Entrepreneurship, I would like to ask you if there are any specific programs to encourage the engagement of youth in social entrepreneurship. And what are these programs if there are any? Thanks.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, the short answer is there are programs being made in both economic and social entrepreneurship. And we have a number of people here who are working on it. Would the NAPEO people stand up again? Just stand up. I want everyone, all the young people, to see you. Each one of these men and women are part of our entrepreneurship efforts for business. So if you are interested in that, I don’t want to impose on you, but I would love to have people to come talk to you because Tunisia will sponsor the Global Entrepreneurship Conference in 2013. And there will be opportunities for mentoring, for your ideas to get financial support, to go to the United States, to get more information about how to start a business, how to continue a business. So on the economic entrepreneurship side, we have a lot of very experienced people who are Tunisian success stories themselves that we are partnering with.
On the social entrepreneurship side, we have many programs. And I would ask our ambassador to share with our Embassy website and all of those programs listed. I assume it does, Ambassador. And that they’re – that we will have somebody available to talk with anyone who wants to know more about the social entrepreneurship program. Because from our view, there are a number of ways we can work on both the economic and the social side, and so part of our social entrepreneurship is to create more Tunisian-U.S. university partnerships, more chances for young Tunisians to study in the United States, to bring scholars and students from the United States to Tunisia to study, to have more exchanges so that we can actually meet face to face and perhaps eliminate some of the preconceptions about each other, which I think would be good.
I know that if – no two human beings are going to agree on everything, but it’s always important to try to get rid of what’s not true and focus on what is true, and if we have areas of disagreement, to narrow the areas of disagreement.
So I’m very excited about what our program, in working in collaboration with Tunisia, will be. And I will be working closely not only with the government but with the private sector and civil society, because it takes all three. When you think about a democratic society, it’s like a three-legged stool. You need an accountable, responsible, effective government. And it’s up to the citizens to hold that government accountable. You need a well-functioning and efficient business sector to create jobs, create wealth, give people opportunities. And you need a strong civil society to speak out on behalf of the needs of people – homeless people, uneducated people, discriminated-against people – and to stand up for the rights of all people against both business and the government.
So if you remove one of those legs of the stool, the stool falls over. So – and if one leg is longer than the other, if the government is too powerful, the stool falls over. If the business sector is unaccountable, corrupt, filled with cronyism, the stool falls over. If civil society is absent, the stool falls over.
So we want to work with all three legs of the Tunisian stool, try to make sure that we are helping each become strong and demonstrate, first and most important to the Tunisian people, but then to the Arab world and the entire world, what Tunisia is doing, because we believe you have a great story to tell.
Thank you all.
MODERATOR: Thank you very much. Unfortunately – (applause) –
SECRETARY CLINTON: And let me add, because I see a lot of hands, if you will send your questions to the Embassy website – right, Ambassador? Can you give them the address? What is the address of the Embassy website? Who has it? Where is it?
PARTICIPANT: We can send it to them by email. We have their emails.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Okay. If you go to the website – if you will send in your questions, I will answer all of them. Okay? So I know there were lots of hands left, and I want to answer all your questions. Thank you.
MODERATOR: Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Hillary Clinton: Wheels Down Morocco

2012-02-25T23:38:00.000-05:00

Three countries in one day! Late on Saturday, Mme. Secretary touched down in Rabat, where it apparently is pretty cold, on the last leg of her North African tour.

Hillary Clinton at Embassy Algiers

2012-02-25T21:06:00.000-05:00

As we know, Mme. Secretary always makes a point of thanking embassy staff and families for their hard work before she departs a country. Here are her words at her meet-and-greet at Embassy Algiers today. The photo was taken in Tunisia, but I think it captures her sentiments here.

Meeting With Embassy Staff and Their Families

Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
U.S. Embassy
Algiers, Algeria
February 25, 2012

Well, thank you, and it gives me great pleasure to be here with this Embassy community on my very first trip to Algeria to thank each and every one of you for the work you do, not only to support a trip like this, but what you do every single day to support and promote the important relationship between the United States and Algeria.
I want to thank Ambassador Ensher and DCM Elizabeth Aubin. I think that the Ambassador was here 12 years ago as the first U.S. official to travel outside the Embassy after we restored full diplomatic relations. And after working 10 years in Afghanistan and Iraq, he was very excited to come back to Algeria and to see what has been happening and to make very clear the commitment of the United States.
I want to thank every one of our U.S. Government employees, not only from the State Department or USAID, but from the entire United States Government. I want to thank your families and those who support you in doing this work. I also want to thank our locally employed staff, the Algerians who come to work on behalf of the United States Embassy. You’re really the backbone and the heart of this mission. We could not do it without you. And I know that some of you have worked for the United States Government for a long time, and we are especially grateful because you provide continuity to ambassadors and others who are serving.
I want to thank you also for the work you are doing to reach out to the Algerian people, particularly young people. I appreciate your efforts to work with hundreds of Algerian Ph.D. students to improve skills in doing research and teaching English, helping entrepreneurs get the skills and the connections they need. We just had a visit with the Algerian NAPEO group. We’re very strongly supporting entrepreneurship, the private sector, because we think that’s the kind of partnership that really represents the full range of American values and interests. I think the – from what I hear, the newly opened Information Resource Center has been a big hit, introducing a great many Algerians to job opportunities here in Algeria, study opportunities in the United States. This is not just a U.S. Embassy in Algeria; it is also a U.S. Embassy for Algeria.
I heard that you had a blizzard here two weeks ago. (Laughter.) I have to say – I mean, I grew up in Chicago, I live in New York – I never knew you had blizzards in Algeria. But it sounds very familiar to what happens in Washington with the shutdown of stores and banks and even the government, but you stayed open throughout the week, and I’m very grateful that you not only dug yourself out but worked to help Algeria dig out as well.
So for me, this is a great opportunity to meet officials in the government, representatives of the private sector, civil society. But I have to say I came here first to thank all of you, because without you, everything we hope to do to deepen and strengthen this very critical relationship would obviously not be possible. So thank you for the extra work you put in to support my trip, and I hope that you will continue to do whatever you can to make sure that the American people and the Algerian people have stronger connections and understanding for years to come.
Thank you very much. (Applause.)

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for February 25, 2012

2012-02-25T19:01:00.000-05:00

For some reason, this was just published by the State Department, and these events have already happened. The slideshow below shows the highlights.

Public Schedule for February 25, 2012

Public Schedule
Washington, DC
February 25, 2012

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

Secretary Clinton is on foreign travel to North Africa through February 26. In Tunisia, Secretary Clinton will attend the first “Friends of Syria” meeting as part of ongoing efforts to halt the violence and pursue a transition to democracy in Syria. Secretary Clinton will also meet with Prime Minister Jebali, President Marzouki, and members of civil society to discuss bilateral cooperation and Tunisia’s progress in its democratic transition. While in Tunisia, Secretary Clinton will deliver remarks and take questions from Tunisian youth and civil society on the pivotal role of young people in the Arab Awakening and in building vibrant economies and sustainable democracies around the world. The Secretary is accompanied by Assistant Secretary Feltman and Director Sullivan. In Tunisia, Secretary Clinton will be joined by Under Secretary Otero and Ambassador Fred Hof Please click here for more information.

9:00 a.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, Tunis, Tunisia.
(CAMERA SPRAY PRECEDING BILATERAL MEETING)

10:30 a.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, Tunis, Tunisia.
(CAMERA SPRAY PRECEDING BILATERAL MEETING)

11:55 a.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton holds a town hall during which she will deliver remarks and take questions from Tunisian youth and civil society, Tunis, Tunisia.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)

3:45 p.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton meets with the staff and families of US Embassy Algiers, in Algiers, Algieria
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

4:20 p.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton holds a civil society roundtable, Algiers, Algeria.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE FOR OPENING REMARKS)

5:25 p.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Algiers, Algeria.
(POOL CAMERA SPRAY)

6:40 p.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton attends a dinner hosted by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Algiers, Algeria.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

Hillary Clinton at Civil Society Roundtable in Algiers

2012-02-25T18:00:00.000-05:00

: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets with members of Algeria's civil society before a roundtable meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Algiers February 25, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Reed (ALGERIA - Tags: POLITICS)

Remarks at Civil Society Roundtable
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Chief of Mission Residence
Algiers, Algeria
February 25, 2012
Well, thank you, Ambassador, for inviting us into your home for this very important meeting. I am honored to meet with leaders from Algeria’s civil society who are representing many others around the country. I am looking forward to hearing about the work you are doing to promote economic opportunity, educational opportunity, and other forms of activities.
I am in Algeria to consult with the government, to meet with representatives of the private sector, which I just did as part of a partnership called NAPEO, and to hear from civil society. I’ve come from Tunisia. Tomorrow, I will be in Morocco. My message is the same: The people of the Maghreb are as talented, creative, and hard-working as people anywhere in the world; they need and deserve the opportunity to make decisions on behalf of themselves, because that is good for the dignity and rights of every individual and it is good for every society.
In the 21^st century, I think of society as a three-legged stool. One leg must be an accountable, effective government that delivers results for its people. One must be a vibrant, dynamic private sector open to the world to create jobs and economic opportunity for people. And the third stool is civil society – people like yourselves who are working to improve lives for your fellow citizens.
Fifty years ago, Algeria became an independent nation. Now, for the next 50 years, Algeria needs to assume its rightful place as a nation among nations where prosperity, peace, and security are available for the people. And the United States wants to be your partner – a partner of your government, a partner of your economy, and a partner of your civil society – to see these kinds of positive changes occur.
And I look forward now to hearing from our guests. Thank you all very much.

Hillary Clinton in Carthage

2012-02-25T17:56:00.000-05:00

Prior to her departure from Tunisia earlier today, Hillary Clinton met with Tunisia's Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem and Prime Minister Hamadi Jbeli in Tunis, and then visited the Presidential Palace in Carthage where she met with President Marzouki. As is her pattern, she also held a Town Hall before leaving Carthage.

Hillary Clinton's Remarks Following Meeting With Tunisian President Marzouki

2012-02-25T16:15:00.000-05:00

Remarks Following Meeting With Tunisian President Marzouki

Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Presidential Palace
Tunis, Tunisia
February 25, 2012

I just had an excellent meeting with the president, the foreign minister, and other officials of the Tunisian Government. And I think the message is one that I particularly resonate to because the revolution here in Tunisia has not only made a significant difference in the lives of Tunisians, but it has also given hope to people everywhere.
The political side of the revolution is going quite well. The elections were done in a very impressive way. The assembly is now constituted. The government is up and running. The challenge is how to ensure that the economic development of Tunisia matches the political development. And I would make just three points.
First, this is not an unusual challenge. Anytime there is a revolution, there will be the need to reconstitute the economic institutions as well as the political ones. The era of cronyism and corruption is over. The new era of entrepreneurship and opportunity is coming. How we hasten its arrival is the very important question that we are working on with the Tunisian Government.
Secondly, there is a need for both short-term relief and a longer-term economic plan that will make the changes in Tunisia that will open Tunisia to the world and bring opportunity here to your country. I have pledged to the president that I will do whatever I can on behalf of the United States Government to help in the short run to deal with the immediate economic needs of the Tunisian people, and also to support the longer-term changes that will make a real difference for Tunisia.
And finally, I will reach out to other governments and countries. I am a very strong champion for Tunisian democracy and what has been accomplished here. And that includes ensuring that the economic opportunities that the Tunisian people are seeking are made available.
So both on behalf of the United States and in my capacity as Secretary of State, working with colleagues from countries around the world, I will do my best to provide the support that is needed in the short term. I don’t want to over-promise. As you know, there’s a global economic downturn affecting much of the world right now, but I am confident that Tunisia has a way forward that will lead to success for this important country at this point in your history. And I thank the president for the very thorough briefing and discussion we had. I’m looking forward to meeting now with the prime minister. But I mostly come with a very specific and committed statement of support for both the political and the economic reforms that are occurring here.
Thank you very much.

Hillary Hails Kosovo-Serbia Agreements

2012-02-25T01:20:00.000-05:00

This interview requires context. Here is the context.

Agreements Reached Between Kosovo and Serbia
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 24, 2012
Today, Kosovo and Serbia have taken another important step toward their common European future by coming to agreements in the EU-facilitated Dialogue on Kosovo’s representation at regional fora and a technical protocol on Integrated Border Management. I want to thank the European Union for facilitating these discussions and helping these two countries realize a brighter future.
This is an important step for Kosovo. These agreements are consistent with Kosovo’s independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, and move Kosovo closer toward full European integration, which the United States continues to support. Kosovo will now sit at the table in regional fora as an equal partner, representing and speaking for itself.
We also hope these agreements will open the door to Serbia’s EU candidacy. Serbia’s progress toward European integration is good for Serbia, good for Kosovo, and good for the future of the entire region. We look forward to the continuation of the EU-facilitated Dialogue on other issues that impact the daily lives of the citizens of both countries.
The United States shares a strong and enduring friendship with Kosovo and Serbia. We have supported this process from the beginning, and we recognize the commitment and the difficult decisions that have been necessary in order to make progress. I want to commend both governments for their flexibility and hard work in this Dialogue. I encourage the people of both Kosovo and Serbia to implement these agreements in good faith and to support the progress that has been made. Only through dialogue and enhanced trust can both countries be assured of a peaceful, prosperous future as part of a Europe whole, free, and at peace.

Now on to the interview!

Interview With Ilir Ikonomi of Voice of America Albania

Interview
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Via Telephone
Washington, DC
February 24, 2012

QUESTION: Hello, Mrs. Secretary. I am Ilir Ikonomi with the Voice of America, and I have a few questions on the agreement today.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Oh, well, thank you, Ilir. I’m delighted to talk to you. I think this is a very, very, significant step forward for Kosovo.
QUESTION: Yes. This is what I wanted to ask you. What is the importance of these two agreements reached today in Brussels?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I want to begin by saying how committed the United States is to Kosovo’s strengths and enduring partnership with us. And we are fully committed to her independence, her territorial integrity, her sovereignty. And I commend the government, under Prime Minister Thaci, for its constructive attitude and hard work in the EU-facilitated dialogue with Serbia. The United States has supported this process from the beginning, and we know that this is a tough political choice, but it is going to move the people of Kosovo closer to European integration, and we think that’s very much in the interest of all Kosovars.
QUESTION: Mrs. Secretary, there have been concerns – and there still are in Kosovo – that the agreement on the representation of Kosovo with a footnote which makes reference to the Resolution 1244 of the Security Council – this might jeopardize the gains achieved so far, the independence and the territorial integrity. What do you make of that?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I disagree with that. I actually think that this will assist in increasing the number of countries that already recognize the Republic of Kosovo, because it will remove an excuse that there’s no progress between Kosovo and Serbia. The United States and the 85 other countries who already recognize your independence and sovereignty and territorial integrity will actually have a stronger argument, that as Kosovo is moving toward European integration we are looking to the future.
And please remember that UN Security Council Resolution 1244, in fact, paved the way to Kosovo’s independence. It required Serbia to remove security forces. The International Court of Justice carefully considered 1244, and the whole world knows the conclusion, which we firmly agree, that Kosovo’s declaration of independence does not violate Resolution 1244. So I actually think this is a very smart, very clever, and very brave decision on the part of the government, because it will move Kosovo closer to Europe, and it will increase the number of countries that will recognize it.
QUESTION: But Mrs. Secretary, do you think there is the need of some safeguards against any conditions that Serbia might come up with in the future that might prevent Kosovo from joining the European Union in the future? Because this is a major concern today in Kosovo.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think that Kosovo is closer to joining the European Union by doing this then you would be if you did not, because it very much has a recognition on the part of the European Union that Kosovo will be moving towards its own candidacy, something that was not possible in the past, because, remember, there are five European countries that do not recognize Kosovo. And the United States believes that today’s events significantly advance Kosovo’s European aspirations, that it further solidifies your status as an independent nation. Kosovo will now sit at the table as an equal partner with the ability to speak with your own voice. So I think that there are so many positive advantages for Kosovo in this agreement that I am very encouraged.
QUESTION: But precisely these five European countries that have not recognized Kosovo, that you just mentioned, is this a concern to you?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Oh, of course it’s a concern. We want every country to recognize Kosovo. But we also know that it will take time and we’ve been making steady progress, which we will continue. But I believe that by being a presence, able to sit at the table with these countries, able to participate in regional events and forums – that increases the likelihood that we will obtain recognition.
QUESTION: Mrs. Secretary, thank you very much, and thank you for your time.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, thank you very much. I am enthusiastic about the progress that Kosovo is making and very pleased that this important political decision will move Kosovo closer to European integration. And I encourage the people of Kosovo to stand behind the decision, support the progress that is being made. It’s come so soon after celebrating your fourth anniversary as an independent state. And I am looking forward to continuing to work with the government and the people on even better things in the future.
QUESTION: Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.

Hillary Clinton's Press Availability on Friends of Syria

2012-02-24T19:56:00.000-05:00

Press Availability on the Meeting of the Friends othe Syrian People

Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Tunis, Tunisia
February 24, 2012

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, good evening, everyone. Good evening. It’s been a very, very, long and productive day. And I want to commend, once again, the Government of Tunisia, in particular the foreign minister, for executing this conference on such short notice, bringing together more than 70 countries, being able to reach consensus on an important chairman statement. I am very grateful to him and to his government.
I think today the Friends of the Syrian People sent a strong and unified message that the Assad regime’s escalating violence is an affront to the international community, a threat to regional security, and a grave violation of universal human rights. And the work that has been done by the Arab League to bring us to this point, where we put together a strong international consensus has been extremely important. The violence must end and a democratic transition begin. I applaud the selection of Kofi Annan as a special envoy for both the United Nations and the Arab League. He will seek to advance the positions reflected in the Arab League transition plan and the UN General Assembly’s resolution.
Let’s remind ourselves what was accomplished today. The international community agreed to take a number of concrete steps that will help begin providing humanitarian relief to the Syrian people, increase the pressure on Assad and those around him, and prepare for the democratic transition.
First, with respect to the humanitarian relief, we know that conditions are dire and getting worse, and that emergency assistance is desperately needed. But I want to underscore that the people who bear responsibility for this humanitarian catastrophe are Assad and his security forces. The regime is doing everything it can to prevent aid from reaching those who are suffering the most. Today, I announced that the United States is providing $10 million to quickly scale up humanitarian efforts, including support for the thousands of refugees who are being displaced from their homes. These funds will support makeshift medical facilities, help train more emergency medical staff, provide clean water, food, blankets, heaters, and hygiene kits to Syrian civilians.
This is not the end. The United States will provide more humanitarian support in the coming days. We have already been working with trusted humanitarian organizations who have prepositioned supplies at hubs in the region, and they are already on the ground poised to distribute this aid if safe access can be arranged. If the Assad regime refuses to allow this lifesaving aid to reach people in need, it will have even more blood on its hands, and so too will those nations that continue to protect and arm the regime. And we call on those states that are supplying weapons to kill civilians to halt immediately.
Second, we resolve today to ratchet up the pressure on the regime and increase its isolation. Now you know that until now, the Assad regime has ignored every warning, squandered every opportunity, and broken every agreement. But today, we heard specific additional commitments to more sanctions, new measures, including travel bans on senior officials in the regime, freezing their assets, boycotting Syrian oil, suspending new investments, and beginning the closure of embassies and consulates. In short, there must be accountability for the regime and a heavy cost for ignoring the will of the world and violating the human rights of its own people.
Third, we heard directly from members of the Syrian opposition in person and on the video screen. We do view the Syrian National Council as a leading legitimate representative of Syrians seeking peaceful democratic change, and as an effective representative for the Syrian people with governments and international organizations. It’s very important that in the coming days, the full range of opposition groups and individuals inside Syria, including representatives of all ethnic and religious minorities, come together and make their voices heard outside of Syria and inside around a shared vision for the future.
Only a genuine democratic transition will solve this crisis. As the Arab League has said, the goal should be the formation of a national unity government followed by transparent and free elections under Arab and international supervision, and Assad’s departure must be part of this. Looking ahead, there should be no doubt the United States will support a managed transition that leads to a new Syria so that just like in Tunisia today, the rights of every citizen are respected and protected.
As I told the assembled nations here today, the people of Syria are looking to us in their hour of need, and we cannot let them down. But of course, it is a difficult dilemma to face a government that is intent upon killing in the most brutal, terrible fashion, as many of their citizens as possible. Now, the world has seen terrible conflicts before, and one cannot become discouraged or impatient in trying to resolve what are often intractable, violent confrontations.
In fact, today, we had very good news from an old conflict that has been resolving itself over time – that between Kosovo and Serbia. I well remember the ethnic cleansing, the violence, the bombings, the terrible events of that time. And I thank the European Union for bringing those two countries closer together so that Kosovo can be an equal partner in regional multilateral settings, moving toward integration in Europe, that Serbia can see a chance for it, too, to be part of the European Union. Serbia’s progress toward European integration is good for Serbia, good for Kosovo, and good for the future of the entire region.
And it reminds us that we must stay on the path of peace. We must stand against those leaders, whoever they are and wherever they are, who use violence instead of negotiation. And I am convinced that Assad’s days are numbered. I just regret deeply that there will be more killing before he finally goes. But I hope that we will see soon the Syrian people having the opportunity that the Tunisian people now enjoy.
And thanks again to our Tunisian friends who are making this possible, and I would be happy to take some questions.
MS. NULAND: We’ll take three tonight. The first one is CNN. Elise Labott, please.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, thank you very much. Several countries at this conference, particularly the Saudi foreign minister, said well, good commitment doesn’t go nearly far enough and they feel that it’s time to arm the opposition to help them defend themselves. And you heard from Burhan Ghalioun today asking for the means for the Syrians to defend themselves. Why is this group not advocating – I understand that you don’t want a military intervention, but why not advocate giving this group the means to defend themselves?
And last week, top military intelligence officials in the U.S. spoke a lot about their concerns about the opposition, saying it fractured, even some groups possibly infiltrated by extremists. So does that not give the U.S. concern when considering backing this group?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first, Elise, let me say that I think it was quite remarkable, especially on such short notice – and thanks to Tunisian leadership and Arab League leadership – that all of us gathered here today reached consensus. Now, that doesn’t mean that every one of us don’t have other ideas and other recommendations, because we are all quite diverse from all over the world. But I want to stay focused on what we agreed on. We agreed on increasing the pressure on Assad, getting humanitarian aid in as quickly as possible, and preparing for a democratic transition. That was my message and that was the message of the chairman’s statement that reflected the consensus reached here.
We want a political solution. We know that’s what’s best for the Syrian people, their future of the region, and indeed for international peace and security. I don’t think anyone wants to see a bloody, protracted civil war. We would like to see the kind of transition to democracy and peace that happened here in Tunisia.
Our goal is to bring as much pressure to bear as we can, not only on Assad but on those around him. I said in my statement – I spoke directly to those who are supporting Assad, including members of his security forces – they’re continuing to kill their brothers and sisters is a stain on their honor. Their refusal to continue this slaughter will make them heroes in the eyes of not only Syrians but people of conscience everywhere. They can help the guns fall silent.
We also know from many sources there are people around Assad now who are beginning to hedge their bets. They didn’t sign up to slaughter people and they are looking for ways out. We saw this happen in other settings in the last years. I think it is going to begin happening in Syria.
Assad can still make the choice to end the violence, save lives, and spare his country from descending further into ruin. But if he continues to reject that choice, we and the Syrian people will keep pressure on him until his deadly regime cracks and collapses – because it will. I am absolutely confident of that.
So let’s stay focused on what we accomplish today. I’ve been to a lot of meetings over many, many years – rarely one that was put together with such intense effort on such a short timetable that produced so much consensus. So let’s stay on the path we have begun on. We will obviously be taking into account at every turn everything else that we are aware of, but let’s work toward the democratic, unified, peaceful future that Syria deserves.
MS. NULAND: Next one, Al Jazeera Arabic, please.
QUESTION: (In Arabic.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: I’m going to answer the same way that I have answered. I think we ought to take this from where we end it today. This was a productive, constructive consensus. I think that we ought to continue on the path we’re on. We will constantly be evaluating what is happening inside Syria. And let us remember that Syrians themselves, including those at the highest reaches of the Assad government, are seeing the same images that we’re seeing.
And I believe that we will begin to hear more about internal conflict within the regime, because this is absolutely unforgiveable behavior and I do not believe that every Syrian serving the Assad regime agrees with this policy. So I would caution us to let us not move beyond where we are today until we’ve had a chance to fully implement what we agreed to.
MS. NULAND: Last one this evening, from Assabah here in Tunisia.
QUESTION: After this international conference, do you expect that you will ask the UN and mainly Security Council to discuss again, negotiate and to ask mainly Russia and China to (inaudible) make pressure for Syrian regime? And for the public (inaudible) I mean, we are divided and we have hundreds of people involved (inaudible). A lot of people are scared that many (inaudible) of the Syrian regime, one million Palestinians, and all Palestinian (inaudible).
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I don’t agree with the second question. I don’t see any connection there, so I don’t agree with that. I think that is a separate, very important issue that we have to continue to deal with. But I think there will be refugees. We are seeing refugees in Jordan, in Lebanon, in Syria – out of Syria into Turkey, I mean. So there will be refugees, but I think that that’s a problem that we have to take into account as we deal with Syria.
With respect to your first question though, it’s a very good question. Look, I think every one of us would like to see Security Council action. The United States worked very hard to obtain a resolution from the Security Council that was vetoed by Russia and China, although it received support from every other member of the Security Council from Latin America to Africa to Europe to Asia. The entire world, other than Russia and China, were willing to recognize that we must take international action against the Syrian regime.
I would be willing to go back to the Security Council again and again and again, but we need to change the attitude of the Russian and Chinese governments. They must understand they are setting themselves against the aspirations not only of the Syrian people but of the entire Arab Spring, the Arab Awakening. They are basically saying to Tunisians, to Libyans, to others throughout the region, well, we don’t agree that you have a right to have elections, to choose your leaders. I think that is absolutely contrary to history. And it is not a position that is sustainable. So the sooner the Russians and the Chinese move toward supporting action in the Security Council, the sooner we can get a resolution that would permit us to take the kind of steps that we all know need to be taken.
So thank you for asking that, because it’s quite distressing to see two permanent members of the Security Council using their veto when people are being murdered – women, children, brave young men – houses are being destroyed. It is just despicable. And I ask, whose side are they on? They are clearly not on the side of the Syrian people, and they need to ask themselves some very hard questions about what that means for them as well as the rest of us.
Thank you.

Hillary Clinton at Friends of Syria in Tunisia: Remarks and Pictures

2012-02-24T18:29:00.000-05:00

Totally Keatsian comment: She looks gorgeous!

Intervention at the Friends of Syrian People Meeting

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
As Prepared
Tunis, Tunisia
February 24, 2012

I want to thank Tunisia for hosting this meeting today and I salute the Arab League for its leadership throughout this crisis. I want to particularly applaud the selection of Kofi Annan as a special envoy for both the UN and the Arab League. He will seek to advance the consensus reflected in the Arab League transition plan and the UN General Assembly’s resolution, and I look forward to working with him.

Now, we are all here because the Assad regime’s escalating violence in Syria is an affront to the international community, a threat to regional security, and a grave violation of universal human rights.

The Assad regime has ignored every warning, squandered every opportunity, and broken every agreement.

Faced with determined protesters demanding their rights and their dignity, the regime is creating an appalling humanitarian disaster. Tanks, mortars and heavy artillery continue to target civilians in residential areas, including women and children. Security forces have cut off electricity and communications, sabotaged water supplies, invaded hospitals, and forced thousands of Syrians to flee their homes. The UN has found crimes against humanity. And now there are reports of troops massing for even more deadly assaults.

Here in Tunis, the international community is speaking with one voice, as we did in the UN General Assembly last week that the Assad regime’s brutal assault must stop and a democratic transition must begin. The people of Syria are looking to us in their hour of need. We cannot let them down. Let’s begin by reaffirming the core principles we’ve agreed on today:

We strongly echo the Arab League’s demand that the Syrian Government immediately halt all attacks against civilians; guarantee the freedom of peaceful demonstrations; release all arbitrarily detained citizens; return its military and security forces to their barracks; and allow full and unhindered access for monitors, humanitarian workers, and journalists.

We call for a negotiated political solution to this crisis and an inclusive democratic transition to address the legitimate aspirations of Syria’s people in an environment free from violence, fear, intimidation, and extremism.

And we are firmly committed to the sovereignty, independence, national unity, and territorial integrity of Syria.

In support of these principles, this group should take concrete action along three lines: provide emergency humanitarian relief, ratchet up pressure on the regime, and prepare for a democratic transition.

First, humanitarian relief. Conditions in Syria are dire and getting worse. Emergency assistance is desperately needed, but the regime is doing everything it can to prevent aid from reaching those who need it. It is going after aid workers, doctors, and journalists reporting on the suffering.

We cannot wait for this crisis to become an even greater catastrophe. Today I am announcing that the United States is providing $10 million to quickly scale up humanitarian efforts, including support for refugees. These funds will help support makeshift medical facilities, train emergency medical staff, and get clean water, food, blankets, heaters, and hygiene kits to Syrian civilians in need. This is not the end. The United States will provide more humanitarian support in coming days.

Trusted humanitarian organizations have prepositioned humanitarian supplies at hubs in the region and they are already on the ground poised to distribute this aid if safe access can be arranged. To that end, we fully support the efforts of the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator to secure immediate and safe access for humanitarian workers and supplies.

If the Assad regime refuses to allow this life-saving aid to reach civilians, it will have even more blood on its hands. So too will those nations that continue to protect and arm the regime. We call on those states that are supplying weapons to kill civilians to halt immediately.

And that brings us to our second line of action: increasing the pressure on the Assad regime, deepening its isolation, and sending a clear message: You will pay a heavy cost for ignoring the will of the international community and violating the human rights of your people.

We all need to look hard at what more we can do. It’s time for everyone here to place travel bans on senior members of the regime – as the Arab League has done -- freeze their assets, boycott Syrian oil, suspend new investments, and consider closing embassies and consulates. For nations that have already imposed sanctions, we must vigorously enforce them.

There should be no mistaking our resolve: These crimes against the Syrian people must stop and there must be accountability for senior figures of the regime.

Nor should there be any doubt that the Assad’s rule is unsustainable. As we heard directly today, citizens inside and outside Syria have already begun planning for a democratic transition, from the leaders of the Syrian National Council to the grassroots local councils across the country who are organizing under the most dangerous and difficult circumstances. Supporting this process should be our third line of action.

Assad is tearing the fabric of Syrian society and seeking to pit community against community. To repair that damage and build a sustainable democracy, all Syrians will have to work together – Alawis and Christians, Sunnis and Druze, Arabs and Kurds – to ensure that the new Syria is governed by the rule of law and respects and protects the universal rights of every citizen, regardless of ethnicity, sect, or gender.

We view the Syrian National Council as a leading legitimate representative of Syrians seeking peaceful democratic change and as an effective representative for the Syrian people with governments and international organization.

As we heard today, the SNC is articulating a plan for the future, starting with an effective transition. In the coming days and weeks, we urge the full range of opposition groups and individuals in Syria, including representatives of all ethnic and religious minorities, to come together around that common vision.

Only a genuine democratic transition will solve this crisis. As the Arab League has said, the goal should be the formation of a national unity government followed by transparent and free elections under Arab and international supervision. Assad’s departure must be part of this.

Now I recognize that some inside Syria, especially members of its minority communities, are worried about what comes after Assad. We know that they have much more to fear from his continued rule, but their concerns are understandable. So I urge this gathering to send a strong message that the world will not tolerate the replacement of one form of tyranny with another. We will resolutely oppose acts of vengeance and retribution. And we will support a managed transition that leads to a new Syria where the rights of every citizen are respected and protected, not to chaos.

To those Syrians who still support Assad, especially members of the Syrian military: understand that this regime has no future. The longer you carry out its campaign of violence, the more it will stain your honor. But if you refuse to take part in attacks on your fellow citizens, your countrymen will hail you as heroes.

Syria is a proud country of 23 million people, with a rich history and ancient culture. The end of Assad can mark a new beginning for Syria. It is a chance to rebuild and strengthen the foundations of the state. If Syrians come together, and especially if the leaders of Syria’s business community, military, and other institutions recognize that their futures lie with a reformed Syrian state and not the regime, then Syria may yet emerge as a strong and unified country – a respected and responsible leader in the region.

That should be a goal we all share. And as we move forward today, I hope we stay focused on taking concrete steps to end the violence and support the courageous people of Syria in their aspirations.

Thank you.

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for February 24, 2012

2012-02-24T12:20:00.000-05:00

Public Schedule for February 24, 2012

Public Schedule
Washington, DC
February 24, 2012

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

Secretary Clinton is on foreign travel to North Africa through February 26. In Tunisia, Secretary Clinton will attend the first “Friends of Syria” meeting as part of ongoing efforts to halt the violence and pursue a transition to democracy in Syria. Secretary Clinton will also meet with Prime Minister Jebali, President Marzouki, and members of civil society to discuss bilateral cooperation and Tunisia’s progress in its democratic transition. While in Tunisia, Secretary Clinton will deliver remarks and take questions from Tunisian youth and civil society on the pivotal role of young people in the Arab Awakening and in building vibrant economies and sustainable democracies around the world. The Secretary is accompanied by Assistant Secretary Feltman and Director Sullivan. In Tunisia, Secretary Clinton will be joined by Under Secretary Otero and Ambassador Fred Hof Please click here for more information.

2:30 p.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton attends the first “Friends of Syria” meeting, in Tunis, Tunisia.

PM Secretary Clinton holds bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts, in Tunis, Tunisia.

PM Secretary Clinton holds a solo press availability, in Tunis, Tunisia.

Video: Secretary Clinton on New Zealand Earthquake Anniversary

2012-02-23T16:59:00.000-05:00

Remarks at New Zealand Earthquake Anniversary

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Christchurch, New Zealand
February 22, 2012

It’s been a year since a terrible earthquake struck New Zealand, but memories are still fresh. I had visited Christchurch just a few months earlier, and I was shocked to learn of the scope of the damage. So many lives were lost. So many homes and businesses were destroyed. Together, and with the leadership of our embassy staff on the ground, we began to work out how the United States could help. That’s what friends do.In the aftermath of the earthquake, the United States, along with many other countries, sent an Urban Search and Rescue team to provide assistance. When their mission ended, they gave their advanced rescue equipment to their Kiwi partners so the work could continue. When a terrible earthquake struck Japan just weeks later, New Zealand quickly deployed its own teams… along with that same equipment. In America, we call that “paying it forward.” It was international relations at its very best.
Even those of us who were far away on that terrible day share in your grief. We know it has been a struggle, but through that struggle we have seen the strength and perseverance of the people of Christchurch. So, Christchurch, yes, we grieve with you. And we remember with you. But most of all, as we celebrate 70 years of a strategic partnership with New Zealand, know that we will continue to support you and we look forward to a long future of cooperation as we work to solve our common problems.

Video: Hillary Clinton's Remarks to Press at the London Conference on Somalia

2012-02-23T16:15:00.000-05:00

Press Availability on the London Conference

Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Foreign Commonwealth Office
London, United Kingdom
February 23, 2012

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, good evening. And I want to begin by thanking the prime minister and the foreign secretary for hosting us. This has been a busy and quite substantive day, and I highly congratulate the government for making this conference one that we all felt at the end of it had been worthwhile and hopeful that we’re going to be able to continue our efforts successfully. Before taking your questions, I want to touch briefly on a few highlights, both from the conference and from other meetings that I have been holding up until about 10 minutes ago.
I’ll begin with Somalia. Today’s conference coincided with the halfway point of the roadmap to end the transition in Somalia, which spells out the steps for building a stable government after decades of erratic rule. On August 20^th of 2012, the Transitional Federal Government’s mandate expires, and the international community has been clear that we do not support another extension. It is time to move forward to a more stable and unified era for the Somali people.
Today, the international community and Somali political leaders discussed what needs to happen next, in particular, the steps Somalis themselves agreed to in December: convening an assembly to approve a constitution, forming a new parliament, and electing a president and speaker. We also addressed the security dimension, from piracy to al-Shabaab. As the AU mission and the Somali national security force expand control of territory – and just yesterday, as you know, al-Shabaab lost control of a key southwestern city – we must all keep al-Shabaab on the run. That means making additional financial and training contributions to AMISOM as the United States continues to do, and implementing the Security Council’s ban on imports of Somali charcoal.
Al-Shabaab’s announcement recently that it has joined al-Qaida proves yet again it is not on the side of peace, stability, or the Somali people. Negotiating with al-Shabaab would be the wrong path. But the United States will engage with Somalis who denounce al-Shabaab’s leadership and embrace the political roadmap and the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Somalis.
Today, I announced the United States is providing an additional $64 million in humanitarian assistance to the Horn of Africa, bringing our total emergency assistance, since 2011, up to more than $934 million, including more than 211 million for Somalia alone. And looking ahead, as the security and political situation improves in Somalia, the United States will consider a more permanent, diplomatic presence there.
Now turning to Syria, first let me say that our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Marie Colvin and Remy Ochlik, the two journalists killed this week, and with the thousands of families of Syrians who have been killed and wounded in the brutal onslaught that the Assad regime continues to rain down on their own people.
Today, I had a chance to meet with a number of key partners and allies in preparation for tomorrow’s Friends of Syria conference in Tunis. This meeting comes on the heels of the overwhelming vote in the UN General Assembly, which condemned the Assad regime’s widespread and systematic violations of human rights and backed the Arab League’s plan for a negotiated, peaceful, political transition to solve this crisis.
Tunis will be an important opportunity to begin turning international consensus into action. We look forward to concrete progress on three fronts: providing humanitarian relief, increasing pressure on the regime, and preparing for a democratic transition. To that end, we hope to see new pledges of emergency assistance for Syrians caught in Assad’s stranglehold and international coordination and diplomatic pressure on Damascus to convince it to allow humanitarian aid to those who need it most. We also expect additional nations to impose effective sanctions against the regime, and we look to all countries to aggressively implement the measures they have already adopted.
Finally, we hope to hear from the Syrian opposition about their vision for a post-Assad Syria that is governed by the rule of law and respects and protects the universal rights of every citizen regardless of religion, ethnicity, sect, or gender, because, after all, we must never lose sight of what this is about: a regime making war on its own people, families suffering in cities under siege, a nation brought to the brink of chaos. We cannot allow the obstruction of a few countries to stop the world community from coming to the aid of the Syrian people. And that is what we will discuss tomorrow.
Next, Pakistan. Foreign Minister Khar and I had a constructive discussion of our common concerns, from confronting violent extremism, to supporting Afghan-led reconciliation, to improving our bilateral relationship. Building and sustaining a relationship based on mutual interest and mutual respect takes constant care and work from both sides, from the daily engagements of our embassies to high-level meetings like the one we had today. Now, I am sure we will continue to have our ups and downs, but this relationship is simply too important to turn our back on it for both nations. And we both, therefore, remain committed to continue working to improve understanding and cooperation.
Finally, I also consulted with allies and partners about a range of other issues, particularly Iran’s continued refusal to address international concerns about its nuclear program.
So it’s been a full day, and I think it’s a testament to the leadership of our hosts on so many critical issues that so many leaders gathered and not only attended the conference but worked diligently all day to try to translate the words of the conference into future actions that we are all committed to taking.
I’m very grateful, once again, to the prime minister and the foreign secretary for their hospitality and their partnership. We look forward to welcoming the prime minister to Washington in a few weeks to continue the discussions that we have had on a regular basis that are so important to us both.
I’d now be happy to take your questions.
MODERATOR: We’ll take four today, the first one from Reuters. Arshad Mohammed.
QUESTION: Secretary Clinton, a U.S. official said that the Friends of Syria are going to challenge Assad to provide humanitarian access to besieged civilian populations within days. What are you going to do if Assad does not provide access within days?
Second, you said you had a constructive discussion with Foreign Minister Khar. What, if any, commitments did she give you to try to improve the relationship, work together on Afghanistan and on counterterrorism?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, look, as I’ve said, Arshad, the efforts that we are undertaking with the international community, continuing with the first Friends of Syria meeting in Tunis tomorrow, are intended to demonstrate the Assad regime’s deepening isolation and the resolve of a vast majority of nations to support the Syrian people in their demand that the violence end, that the suffering be addressed, that the democratic transition begin.
So tomorrow, we will be discussing a range of options, from tightening sanctions to increasing humanitarian relief to helping the opposition, which will be represented in Tunis, in its efforts to represent all Syrians – Sunni, Allawi, Christian, Druze, Kurd, minorities, women – to be able to strengthen their position as the voice of so many Syrians whose voices cannot be heard right now from Syria.
Our immediate focus is on increasing the pressure. We’ve got to find ways to get food, medicine, and other humanitarian assistance into those affected by violence. We have begun to explore ways with our partners as to how that might be done.
But this takes time and it takes a lot of diplomacy, old-fashioned outreach, dialogue, planning that we’ve been doing now for several weeks which we continued in meetings today. But I think there is a great resolve and commitment and there is an openness to exploring what can work.
So I can’t prejudge the outcome of Tunis tomorrow other than to say there will be a very broad cross-section of nations and organizations represented. We believe that the Syrian National Council, which will be there sitting at the table, will show that there is an alternative to the Assad regime, one that respects the rights of all Syrians. And we’re going to take this day by day, but I am encouraged by the progress we are making together.
Now, regarding Pakistan, as you know, the Pakistani Government is in the midst of a process that includes their parliament being able to speak on issues concerning our bilateral relationship. And when the government, including the parliament, has completed this process, we will consult on the way forward. But as always, today’s conversation gave us a very important opportunity to keep the lines of communication open, because there’s always, in difficult times, which I admit we are in with respect to our relationship with Pakistan, a lot of swirling in the air of who said what, when, et cetera, that does not accurately reflect the state of the relationship.
And we’re continuing to do a lot of work together. The work hasn’t stopped. And I value these regular consultations, and we will be proceeding based on the broad discussion we had of about an hour and a half today.
MODERATOR: Next question, Ali Dahir, Shabelle Media Network.
QUESTION: (Off-mike.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: Here comes the microphone, sir.
QUESTION: Sorry. Thank you. Secretary of State, thank you very much. You just indicated in your speech that Somalia will inform their own parliament and choose president as well as the speaker of parliament and they will be appointed by prime minister. And Somalis are sick and tired of a political representative that has been selected rather than by – elected by Somali people. So would that mean business as usual, another years of anarchy and chaos in Somalia? Because there will be a government that does not have the trust and confidence and support of people.
Second things: U.S. policy toward Somalia was a dual-track policy which most of Somalis see this another way of dividing the country and undermining the TFG or maybe American Government. Would – that policy will be still in place after post August 2012?
And my final question is: Will you support air strike in al-Shabaab-controlled area, and will you please guarantee that there will not be a civilian casualty in Somalia? Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first, the roadmap calls for elections, it calls for a new parliament to be formed that is much smaller but more representative than the large, unwieldy body that exists now. But legitimacy comes through elections, so it is our intention to support very strongly the drafting of a constitution that takes into account the interests of all Somalis – not from one region, one clan, one subclan, but all Somalis; that it also is our intention to see this constitution adopted through a vote of the representatives of the people.
And I made very clear in my remarks this morning that speaking for the United States, there will be no more delays. We think the Somali people have waited long enough. And there is every reason to believe that given the right political environment, the Somalis – people of all parts of Somalia – can govern themselves very well. They do a lot of that today on their own with no help from a government in Mogadishu or any outside help.
So we have no doubt that, structured properly, the right kind of constitution, the right set of elections, the right people being elected, will put Somalia on a much more secure path forward. We also believe in a unified Somalia. Now, how Somalis themselves determine what that means is up to you. Our country has 50 states; we are a federal system. So that may be something that you would look at. Or take another example of a state that is arranged differently but takes into account the legitimate constituencies that exist throughout the country.
What was so important about this conference and why we are grateful to the Government of the UK is that it comes at the halfway point. The roadmap is six months in, six months to go.
Now regarding your last question, I think that the AMISOM forces, the TFG forces, the Ethiopian forces, others, the Kenyans who will be integrated into the AMISOM forces, are doing a very good job. We see a lot of progress on the ground. I am not a military strategist, but I think I know enough to say airstrikes would not be a good idea. And we have absolutely no reason to believe anyone – certainly not the United States – anyone is considering that. The progress that is being made on the ground by the forces who are trying to free Somalia from the grip of al-Shabaab has to continue. But it is, I think, encouraging to see how much has been accomplished.
MODERATOR: Next one, Wyatt Andrews, CBS News.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, going back to the humanitarian aid, this is a long time coming. I mean, what makes you or the members of this alliance believe that Assad will simply allow in the humanitarian aid where he hasn’t done so before? And following up on the previous question, is there a plan if he simply refuses to allow the aid in?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well --
QUESTION: Secondly, if I might, do I understand you correctly on the SNC? Does the United States now consider the Syrian National Council to be a credible alternative to Assad? Because that sounds new.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, they will be at the conference tomorrow. They will have a seat at the table as a representative of the Syrian people. And we think it’s important to have Syrians represented. And the consensus opinion by the Arab League and all the others who are working and planning this conference is that the SNC is a credible representative, and therefore they will be present.
It’s also true, Wyatt, that I cannot, standing here today, predict exactly how this will unfold. But we are seeing increasing defections. We are seeing a lot of pressure on the inner regime. There is growing evidence that some of the officials in the Syrian Government are beginning to hedge their bets – moving assets, moving family members, looking for a possible exit strategy. We see a lot of developments that we think are pointing to pressure on Assad. We hope it will pressure him to make the right decision regarding humanitarian assistance. But in the event that he continues to refuse, we think that the pressure will continue to build.
So it’s a fluid situation. But if I were a betting person for the medium term and certainly the long term, I would be betting against Assad.
MODERATOR: Last one today, Glen Oglaza, Sky News.
QUESTION: Thank you very much. I just wanted to pick up on the airstrikes in Somalia, first of all, because about an hour or so ago in this room, the prime minister of Somalia said that he would welcome airstrikes against al-Shabaab. So I just wondered if the Americans would contain that or possibly even participate in it.
SECRETARY CLINTON: I have to – I wasn’t here to hear what the prime minister said, but I have no military rationale for airstrikes in this kind of conflict. If there is some argument to be made, I would certainly be interested in it, but I don’t know who would do it.
QUESTION: On Syria, isn’t the reality that Assad is intent on annihilating the opposition, as his father did before him; and without the Russians and the Chinese, and short of military intervention, there’s frankly nothing anyone can do about it?
And I wondered if I could ask you about Christopher Tappin, who is a 65-year-old British man who’s being extradited to the States tomorrow. He’s accused of supplying missile parts to the Iranians. He says he’s innocent and that he should be tried in British courts, not extradited to the United States. Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, as to the last question, we have an extradition treaty, as you know, between us, and there are certain laws and procedures to be followed. They have been followed in this case. The gravamen of the complaint is based in U.S. law, and that’s where he will be tried.
Regarding Syria, I think the – the fact is that when Assad’s father conducted his horrific attacks back in the early ’80s, there was no internet, there was no Twitter, there were no social communication sites. There was no satellite television. There were no on-the-ground witnesses. It’s much harder, and thankfully so, to have that level of brutality, shelling with artillery your own people, not be known by everyone, most particularly your own people, not after the fact but in real time. Therefore, I think that the strategy followed by the Syrians and their allies is one that can’t stand the test of legitimacy or even brutality for any length of time.
There will be increasingly capable opposition forces. They will, from somewhere, somehow, find the means to defend themselves as well as begin offensive measures. And the pressure will build on countries like Russia and China, because world opinion is not going to stand idly by. Arab opinion is not going to be satisfied, watching two nations – one for commercial reasons, one for commercial and ideological reasons – bolster a regime that is defying every rule of modern international norms.
So I know it’s not a satisfying answer to say we have to take this day by day, but that’s my answer: We have to take this day by day. But it is clear to me that there will be a breaking point. I wish it would be sooner, so that more lives would be saved, than later. But I have absolutely no doubt there will be such a breaking point. And I want the Syrian people who are suffering so mightily to know that the international community has not underestimated either their suffering or their impatience, and we are moving in an expeditious but deliberate manner. And I also want those Syrians who are still uncertain about what would come after Assad – and there are so many of them with understandable reasons who fear what would happen to them because of who they are or what – how they worship, or what their political beliefs are – I want them to understand that we also appreciate their concerns and fears. But we think that – there is no doubt in our mind that a political transition that respects the rights of every Syrian and puts in place a democratic process will be, by far, the best outcome for them and their children.
So thank you.
MODERATOR: Thank you all very much.

Hillary Clinton at the London Conference on Somalia

2012-02-23T14:13:00.000-05:00

Intervention at the London Conference on Somalia

Intervention
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Lancaster House
London, United Kingdom
February 23, 2012

(In progress) parliament and electing a president and speaker. Now that it has agreed to these tasks, we must help them accomplish those. The Transitional Federal Government was always meant to be just that: transitional. And it is past time for that transition to occur and for Somalia to have a stable government.
The outcome out last week’s meeting of Somali leaders in Garowe is an encouraging signal that more progress will be forthcoming soon. And I am pleased to see representatives from so many Somali political groups here today in a sign of their dedication to this effort. But time is of the essence, and I want to be clear: The international community will not support an extension of the TFG’s mandate beyond the date set in the roadmap, August 20^th.
Now, yes, the goals we expect to achieve under this timeline are ambitious, but the people of Somalia have waited many years. They have heard many promises, they have seen many deadlines come and go, and it is time – past time – to buckle down and do the work that will bring stability to Somalia for the first time in many people’s lives. The position of the United States is straightforward: Attempts to obstruct progress and maintain the broken status quo will not be tolerated. We will encourage the international community to impose further sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes on people inside and outside the TFG who seek to undermine Somalia’s peace and security or to delay or even prevent the political transition.
As we proceed with political action, we must also keep advancing security, and there has been progress this past year. The AU mission in Somalia and the Somali National Security Forces are now in control of all of Mogadishu and are expanding their control beyond the capital. And a few weeks ago, the United States announced that the famine that killed tens of thousands of Somalis and displaced tens of thousands more has ended – though food security remains a serious concern. Now we must keep the pressure on al-Shabaab so that its grip on Somalia continues to weaken. The UN Security Council’s vote on Wednesday to increase AMISOM’s troop ceiling by nearly half and expand its mandate significantly is an excellent step.
More and more Somalis are seeing the threat that al-Shabaab poses to Somalia’s peace and security, as well as to the peace and security of Somalia’s neighbors. Especially in south-central Somalia, it has turned an already bad situation into a nightmare. It has dragged fathers and sons from their homes, forced them to fight in a hopeless, bloody conflict. It has forced young girls to marry foreign fighters. And when extreme food shortages struck last summer, al-Shabbab mercilessly helped turn those food shortages into a famine by blocking humanitarian assistance and letting children starve.
With its recent announcement that it has joined the al-Qaida terror network, al-Shabaab has proven, yet again, it is not on the side of Somalis but on the side of chaos, destruction, and suffering. It has also proven something else as well. It is weakening. Al-Shabaab and al-Qaida have turned to each other because both are embattled and isolated, especially now as the democratic revolutions, underway in many countries, are showing young people who might once have been attracted to extremist groups that a more constructive path is open to them. That is the future; Al-Shabaab and al-Qaida are the past.
Now all those who have not yet joined this effort to unify Somalia, who are sitting on the sidelines or actively obstructing progress, have a choice to make. They can support this movement and join their fellow Somalis in moving past the divisions and struggles for power that have held their nation back or they can be left behind. For our part, the United States will engage with all Somalis who denounce al-Shabaab’s leadership and the violence it espouses and who embrace the political roadmap and the fundamental rights and freedoms that all Somalis deserve. But we adamantly oppose negotiating with al-Shabaab.
Now the international community has a responsibility to provide effective help, and when I say international community, I include the people of Somalia, whether they live within Somalia in refugee camps outside the country, or as members of the large and thriving diaspora here in the UK or the U.S., Canada, Italy, Kenya, and elsewhere. Our success depends in no small measure on their participation, because after all, they are the ones with the most at stake.
I want to briefly mention three specific issues: First, we must cut al-Shabaab’s remaining financial lifelines. One of the reasons that they apparently agreed to join with al-Qaida is because they think they will obtain more funding from sources that unfortunately still continue to fund al-Qaida. We welcome the Security Council’s decision to impose an international ban on imports of charcoal from Somalia and urge the international community to begin implementing it immediately. The illicit charcoal trade provides funds to al-Shabaab while also causing environmental harm and threatening food security.
Second, we must seize this opportunity to strengthen development, particularly in areas recently liberated from al-Shabaab. Somalis need to see concrete improvements in their lives. For our part, the United States will work with Somali authorities and communities to create jobs, provide health and education services, build capacity, and support peace building and conflict resolution. And today I am announcing the United States is providing an additional $64 million in humanitarian assistance to the Horn of Africa countries, bringing our emergency assistance since 2011 up to more than 934 million, including more than 211 million for lifesaving programs in Somalia.
Third, we must continue to fight piracy, which is still rampant off Somalia’s shores. The United States supports programs that strengthen the Somali judicial system so it can tackle piracy from onshore. We are considering development projects in coastal communities to create alternatives to piracy for young men. And we support additional international coordination, for example, to the regional anti-piracy prosecutions intelligence coordination center, soon to be launched in the Seychelles. We welcome the increased willingness of many of Somalia’s neighbors to incarcerate pirates. And as the UN helps build judicial and prison capacity in Somalia, it is imperative that more nations step forward to jail and prosecute pirates who have been caught seizing commercial vessels that are flagged, owned, and crewed by citizens of their countries. And we welcome the UK’s initiative to create an international task force to discourage the payment of ransoms to pirates and other groups to eliminate the profit motive and prevent the illicit flow of money and its corrosive effects.
As the security and political situation improves, the U.S. will look for ways to increase our involvement in Somalia, including considering a more permanent diplomatic presence. We will continue to deliver support of all kinds and to help build a broad and durable partnership with both the Somali Government and people.
For decades, the world focused on what we could prevent from happening in Somalia – conflict, famine, terrorism. Now, we are focused on what we can build. I think the opportunity is real, and now we have to work with the TFG as it transitions out of power to build a durable peace for the Somalia people and to support a government that delivers services and offers democracy and prosperity, uniting Somalia after so many years of division and chaos.
Thank you. (Applause.)

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for February 23, 2012

2012-02-23T12:19:00.000-05:00

Public Schedule for February 23, 2012

Public Schedule
Washington, DC
February 23, 2012

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

Secretary Clinton is on foreign travel to London and North Africa, through February 26. In London, Secretary Clinton will attend a conference hosted by Prime Minster David Cameron, dedicated to building stability and peace in Somalia. The Secretary is accompanied by Assistant Secretary Carson, Assistant Secretary Feltman, Special Representative Grossman and Director Sullivan. Please click here for more information.

10:00 a.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton participates in the London Conference on Somalia Opening Session, at Lancaster House, London.
(POOLED PRESS COVERAGE)

11:40 a.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister David Cameron, at Lancaster House, London.
(POOL CAMERA SRAY PRECEDING BILATERAL MEETING)

12:30 p.m. LOCAL Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, at Lancaster House, London.
(POOL CAMERA SRAY PRECEDING BILATERAL MEETING)

TBD PM Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed, at Lancaster House, London.
(POOL CAMERA SRAY PRECEDING BILATERAL MEETING)

TBD PM Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr, at Lancaster House, London.
(POOL CAMERA SRAY PRECEDING BILATERAL MEETING)

TBD PM Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, at Lancaster House, London.
(POOL CAMERA SRAY PRECEDING BILATERAL MEETING)

TBD PM Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, at Lancaster House, London.
(POOL CAMERA SRAY PRECEDING BILATERAL MEETING)

TBD PM Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, at Lancaster House, London.
(POOL CAMERA SRAY PRECEDING BILATERAL MEETING)

TBD PM Secretary Clinton holds a solo press availability, at the Foreign Commonwealth Office, London.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for February 22, 2012

2012-02-22T10:02:00.000-05:00

Public Schedule for February 22, 2012

Public Schedule

Washington, DC

February 22, 2012

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

Secretary Clinton departs on foreign travel to London and North Africa, through February 26. In London, Secretary Clinton will attend a conference hosted by Prime Minster David Cameron, dedicated to building stability and peace in Somalia. The Secretary is accompanied by Assistant Secretary Carson and Director Sullivan. Please click here for more information.

Secretary Clinton Congratulates Yemenis on Election

2012-02-21T21:23:00.000-05:00

Yemeni Presidential Election

Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 21, 2012

On behalf of the United States, I want to congratulate the people of Yemen on today's successful presidential election. This is another important step forward in their democratic transition process and continues the important work of political and constitutional reform.
Today's election sends a clear message that the people of Yemen are looking forward to a brighter democratic future. But there is still more work to be done. As part of the GCC Initiative, Yemenis will convene a National Dialogue Conference to address critical issues of national unity and the fundamental structure of Yemeni government and society, while taking steps to address urgent economic, social, and humanitarian challenges. The United States, along with its partners in the international community, will continue to support Yemen as it works to implement these reforms and confront these challenges so that all Yemenis will have the opportunity to realize their potential.