**Video Added 06.01.11** Hillary Clinton in Paris: Slideshow and Interview

Dressed in sunny yellow ruffles, Hillary Clinton took Paris by storm today. She delivered two major addresses, one at OECD on development and gender, and another at UNESCO of education for women and girls. Both are posted here along with the press conference she held with OECD Secretary General Gurría and her meet-and-greet with the staff and families of the Tri-Missions (scroll down on the home page to see them). To cap off her day, she gave the TV interview below.

Generally, her embassy visits come at the end of her trips, and there is speculation as to where she is headed next. I read today's press briefing and that question was not raised nor was any information on that topic volunteered. So, foreign press reports notwithstanding, there has been no public statement. Until there is official word, those reports remain simply speculation.

Meanwhile, here is our sunny SOS in Paris followed by her interview. Enjoy!

Interview With Laurence Ferrari of TF1's

Interview

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Ambassador's Residence

Paris, France

May 26, 2011

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QUESTION: Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State is our guest tonight. Good evening, Secretary Clinton.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Good evening.

QUESTION: France and U.S. are involved side by side in two conflicts, Afghanistan and Libya. In the Libyan conflict, France and Great Britain have decided to send some helicopters to help the anti-Qadhafi rebellion. Do you support this decision?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first, let me express how greatly we appreciate France’s participation and also leadership for this mission. And we are working closely together. We support the effort that France has undertaken. I can’t comment specifically on any type of aircraft, but we are very grateful for everything that France is doing.

QUESTION: Does that mean that we are now close to fighting on the ground? And will America commit any troops if France and Great Britain commit to ground fightings?

SECRETARY CLINTON: We will not commit any troops, but I don’t believe that either France or Great Britain are committing troops by adding, if they do, these attack helicopters. They’re clearly meant to support what is happening to protect civilians on the ground and the opposition fighters to protect their positions. But we’ve made clear from the beginning we want to follow the words of the Security Council resolution, and it’s very clear that there is no authority for ground troops, and we respect that.

QUESTION: President Obama said yesterday it will be a long-term process. Is the diplomatic question an option for you?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes, it is. And again, we have worked closely with our French colleagues as well as other members of the NATO alliance and those who are outside of NATO to search for a political diplomatic solution. There’s a lot of activity going on from the Arab League, from the African Union, from NATO, from the EU. And I know that the United Nations, with the secretary general’s appointment of a special envoy, is taking the lead. So I think that we will see some progress.

But what’s been most encouraging is the way that the opposition has become better organized – organized civilian efforts, but also better organized militarily. And the ability to withstand the pounding they took from Qadhafi’s forces in Misrata was a real turning point, and we believe that with the increased military tempo that has been going on – and the United States still flies 25 percent of every day’s sorties, so we are deeply involved in supporting the mission – that we’re going to see some changes in the weeks ahead.

QUESTION: On Afghanistan, French people have not been supportive of the Afghan war. We have lost 58 soldiers since 2001. It’s been 10 years. Of course, bin Ladin was killed, but the major part of the country is now in Taliban hands. So what is the exit scenario? What is the next move? More troops, more ally involvement?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first, let me say that the NATO international forces agreed on a timetable in the Lisbon summit last year. So we’ve all agreed that we’re moving – starting in the summer ahead, in July – to withdraw our troops, and we will be finished with our efforts in 2014. But I think there’s more encouraging news than is sometimes relayed. Actually, most of the country is now not in the Taliban’s hands, that is in the hands of either local officials or the central government. But of course, the Taliban still tries to stage these very destructive attacks using suicide bombers and going after unarmed people, undefended facilities, as well as military outposts.

But what we have seen is a shift in the momentum against the Taliban. And we’re very grateful for the sacrifice of the French military and the support of the French people and particularly the French Government. But starting in July, we will begin a conditions-based transition to Afghan security. And in fact, there are large parts of Afghanistan that we have no military presence in, and there will soon be more of those.

QUESTION: About Usama bin Ladin, can I show you this picture – and you know it – it’s in the Situation Room.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes. I remember. I saw that – I didn’t know it was being taken at the time, but I saw it later.

QUESTION: So you are holding your hand in front of your mouth.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes, yes.

QUESTION: What did you think at that moment? Were you frightened? What did you see?

SECRETARY CLINTON: I don’t know how to describe it other than it was a very intense period. The operation went on for 38 minutes, and we all, as you can look at the expressions on everyone’s face, had been working on this with a very small group of top officials for months, and then it was out of our hands. The very well-trained Special Forces -- Navy SEALs were going to carry out the mission. And it was a breath-holding moment for all of us until we got the final word that their mission had been accomplished and they were safely away.

So I don’t know at what moment that was taken, but I said the other day I don’t know whether it was when something was happening that we were aware of or when I was coughing, as I just did over at UNESCO in the middle of my speech, but there’s no doubt that this was some of the most intense, focused minutes of my entire life.

QUESTION: Ms. Clinton, in Serbia, the president announced today that Ratko Mladic has been arrested. Mladic is charged with war crimes. Can you comment on that?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes. I would like to commend President Tadic and the Serbian Government and the Serbian people for bringing Mladic to justice. The apprehension of him after all of these years is a great day for justice in the international system, an end to impunity, a time for accountability. And I know that it’s something I’ve personally discussed with President Tadic in the past, that this was a high priority for him and his government to close that chapter so that Serbia can move on, Serbia can work hard to gain admission into the European Union to be a full member of the European community. And this is a very important day.

QUESTION: So let’s talk about a French woman. Yesterday, Christine Lagarde said she was a candidate for the managing of the IMF. Do you know her and do you think she has the necessary experience for that job? And she said she would be a good candidate because she is a woman. What do you think?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Laurence, I actually know her. I admire her. I saw her last night at a dinner that I hosted for all of the ministers attending the OECD 50^th anniversary. And I told her privately and I said publicly at a press conference earlier today that the United States has not taken an official position. Obviously, other candidates may come forth. But speaking unofficially and personally, I am a strong supporter of qualified women, of which she is certainly one, being given the opportunities to lead international organizations. So I wished her well last night, and I will be watching closely as this unfolds.

QUESTION: With the arrest of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, we have seen some anti-French sentiment in the American media. How serious do you think these feelings are?

SECRETARY CLINTON: I do not place much seriousness on them. This is an ongoing criminal investigation. I cannot comment on any proceeding. But it’s about one person, and it’s not about France and the United States. And I have great confidence in our system of justice and it will proceed.

But I do want to underscore how the IMF is continuing its important work. The highly qualified professional staff that is there is going on, doing what needs to be done. There’s such a big agenda. There is the continuing work in Europe, in now North Africa and the Middle East and beyond. So I have great confidence in the IMF’s professionalism.

QUESTION: And is the same thing between France and America, nothing broken?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Oh, I think – you are our oldest ally. You were there for us back in the Revolutionary War, and those wonderful reports from the French Court by Benjamin Franklin, and then our revolutions were within years of each other, our commitments to human rights and human freedom, our aspirations are so common. No two people agree on everything, and certainly no two great nations can agree on everything. But the relationship between France and the United States is deep, broad, enduring, and one that I highly value.

QUESTION: One last question: Can I ask you about the future – your future – because you have announced that you will not be Secretary of State if President Obama is reelected, so what will you be doing? (Laughter.)

SECRETARY CLINTON: (Laughter.) Probably catching up on my sleep. I – obviously, I serve at the pleasure of the President, and it’s a great honor to work with him and to promote the values and the interests that the United States has in the world, and which we share with France. But I’ve been doing very high-level politics and public service for a long time --

QUESTION: So you need to rest.

SECRETARY CLINTON: -- and – I mean, here I am in Paris it’s a beautiful day, yesterday was even more beautiful, and I have no time to do anything other than my official work. And I would like to get a few more years where I can just wander aimlessly through the beauties of a city like Paris and meet with my friends and just have a life filled with the joys of everyday living. So I’m looking forward to it, but I have no plans.

QUESTION: And you have always been a strong advocate for women and women’s rights.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes.

QUESTION: You will be maybe a world ambassador for women’s right?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I am committed to human rights and women’s rights. And I spoke about both of those at two of the meetings yesterday and today, for the OECD and UNESCO, because I want our world to keep moving toward those ideals of both the American and the French Revolutions. And I want everyone to share in a more prosperous, peaceful world where security and opportunity go hand in hand. And so for me, I will continue to advocate as I always have, even before I was in any official position. So I’m sure whatever the future holds, it will hold work like that, and I look forward to it.

QUESTION: Thank you so much, Secretary Clinton.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so much, Laurence.

QUESTION: Thank you.

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for May 11, 2011

Public Schedule for May 11, 2011

Public Schedule

Washington, DC

May 11, 2011

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SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
9:20 a.m. Secretary Clinton delivers remarks at the 41st Washington Conference on the Americas, co-hosted by the U.S. Department of State and Council of the Americas, at the Department of State.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)
Click here for more information.

AM Secretary Clinton departs for foreign travel in Nuuk, Greenland to attend the Seventh Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council. Secretary Clinton is accompanied by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Assistant Secretary Jones. Click here for more information.

Hillary Clinton at the 39th Washington Conference of the Council of the Americas

Remarks at the 39th Washington Conference of the Council of the Americas

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Loy Henderson Auditorium

Washington, DC

May 13, 2009

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Thank you very much. Thank you. Well, it is an absolute delight to be here. I know it’s been a long day, but from my reports, it’s been a very productive day. I thank Bill and Susan and all of you who have made this meeting so successful. And I know you’ve heard from a lot of our Administration officials, both from here in the Department, obviously Tom Shannon and Jim Steinberg, and then throughout the government. So let me thank you for being part of this. As Bill said, I was in New York this morning in one of those iconic New York experiences, delivering the commencement address for NYU University from the field of the new Yankee Stadium. It does not get any better than that. (Laughter.)
This gathering builds on the discussions that President Obama, and I, and other Administration officials have been having with our counterparts throughout the Americas for the past four months. We are very grateful for these opportunities.
And you’ve heard earlier from my colleagues about the importance that we place on the Western Hemisphere. We believe that we are all of the Americas, and as such, we are linked by history, geography, economics, culture, family roots, family ties, and a common future.
Today, our view is that our hemisphere is and can be the dynamic center of growth and opportunity for all of the people who live within it, and that together we can see a new future for our hemisphere that will give us the chance to improve the quality of life, raise the standard of living, deal with our ongoing security and law enforcement problems, while tackling together problems like energy, climate change, and so much else.
As Jim Steinberg said earlier, democratic elections are now the norm throughout our hemisphere, but the ballot box alone is not enough. This is something that we feel very strongly about, and it comes with our deepest commitment to democratic ideals, but our recognition that sustainable democracies do more than just have elections. So we have to join together in 21^st century partnerships to build vibrant civil society, to demand accountability from democratic institutions, to insist on the rule of law, to help build independent and capable judicial systems, and respect for human rights.
We’ve made progress liberalizing trade and opening markets, but now we have to make sure that the benefits of economic growth reach all people. Income inequality is one of the great challenges facing the world, and you know well because you are all involved in the work of governments or NGOs or businesses or academia or other institutions throughout the hemisphere, that our hemisphere is not the poorest in the world, but it is the most unequal when it comes to economic opportunity. That is just simply unacceptable. And it really is beneath us. I mean, this is a hemisphere filled with some of the most competent, incredibly successful people ever on God’s earth, and we have to put our minds together to make sure that the benefits of the economic prosperity we want to see started again and spread are evenly distributed.
We need to provide people with the tools they need to fulfill their own God-given potential and empower citizens of every background to help build and participate in more equitable and just societies.
At the recently held Summit of the Americas, President Obama outlined ways in which the U.S. will engage with our partners in the region. We are not interested in rhetoric without results. We are committed to taking concrete steps to further and fulfill the summit’s agenda, and to build principled and pragmatic partnerships that move beyond “one size fits all” solutions that don’t reflect the diversity and breadth of our hemisphere. So we intend to be flexible and innovative to deliver material improvements to the lives of more people in more places.
But we know this is a shared responsibility. And it is not just a public responsibility. We think it is also a private sector and a civil society responsibility as well. Our work has just begun, and I am looking forward to becoming more deeply involved in the follow-up that we wish to have to the statement coming out of the summit.
I will be traveling to the region again later this month to attend the inauguration of the president-elect in El Salvador, as well as a Pathway to Prosperity ministerial in El Salvador, and to attend the OAS General Assembly in Honduras.
For our part, the United States has been engaging our neighbors, inter-American institutions, and the private sector to find collaborative and effective ways to move forward in areas of urgent concern. I really appreciate the leadership that the Government of Mexico showed in confronting a very serious challenge with the H1N1 flu virus and the cooperation that was shown throughout our hemisphere in support of Mexico, and also to take preventive measures ourselves.
We are working with New York City and the OAS to launch what we’re calling the Social Protection Network. It is modeled on successful programs in Brazil and Mexico and other countries that provide wider opportunities for education and better health.

USAID is working to establish partnerships to provide vocational opportunities for at-risk youth in a number of Caribbean countries.
The Treasury Department along with USAID and other agencies are continuing to develop a microfinance growth fund to boost available capital and increase opportunities for local entrepreneurship.
We are preparing for the Energy and Climate Partnership meeting in Lima in June, and working with several of our partners on innovative projects.
The State Department is leading our government-wide effort to address the issue of food security in our hemisphere and beyond.

We have requested an additional $320 million in the 2010 budget to support democratic governance in the Western Hemisphere. As President Obama has made clear, we look forward to the day when every country in the Americas, including Cuba, can participate in our hemispheric partnerships in a manner that is consistent with the principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

And finally, let me reiterate that the United States will do its part to ensure that the benefits of economic growth and trade are broadly shared. We believe that the Pathways to Prosperity initiative is the kind of a strategic platform for expanding economic opportunity, promoting social justice, and generating healthy competition in order to advance real progress. So I am looking forward to meeting in El Salvador with other ministers to explore how we can take this to the next stage.
The challenges facing our hemisphere, like our world, are complex. But the opportunity for positive interdependence are absolutely unlimited. We have an unprecedented chance to cooperate, collaborate on behalf of common goals and objectives. You will have sustained engagement based on partnership and mutual respect from the State Department, from the White House, and from the Obama Administration. We are in this for the long haul, and we believe that we can meet the test of our times.
I told the graduates earlier today that they’re commencing on their adult life at a time of historic challenge. We know of the global economic crisis. We know of the threats of extremist ideologies, of pandemic disease. There’s so much that gives us pause. But this is a challenge we can meet. I have no doubt about that. I am optimistic, and I am absolutely convinced. But it won’t happen by our hoping it does. It won’t happen by our planning. It will happen because we act together. And we look for best practices and we honestly exchange views and we listen to each other, and then we determine that we will make progress. That is our vision and our hope, and we look forward to working with you to achieve it.
Thank you all very much. (Applause.)