**Video Added**Secretary Clinton's Remarks at the G-8 Summit Reception

Secretary Clinton Hosts a Reception Celebrating the New Partnership to Advance Food and Nutrition Security on the Occasion of the 2012 G-8 Summit

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Benjamin Franklin Room

Washington, DC

May 17, 2012

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SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, this is a very exciting time for all of us, which includes everyone in this room who has been working together in order to realize the dream of an effective, functioning partnership around food and nutrition security. And to those of you who have traveled from afar to be here in Washington, we welcome you. And in particular, we are honored to have the heads of state and government who have been introduced. These gentlemen are here because they understand the opportunity that is being presented to have a true partnership, a global partnership around the ending of food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition. And we are very impressed that you have taken this leadership position and the time to be with us.
Also in this room are representatives of the G-8 nations. This G-8 effort began in Italy, and I see friends of mine from the Government of Italy who began this process in L’Aquila. And at Camp David this weekend, in partnership with our African partners, we take it to the next level.
We are also pleased that so many of you who understand the importance of public-private partnerships representing the private sector are here as well. Because very honestly, we cannot reach the ambitious goals we have set without involving the private sector. And you’ll hear tomorrow about the exciting investments and pledges that the private sector is making. We need your investment, your expertise, your global reach, your commitment to results.
So we are teed up and ready to go. We are so pleased that we have this opportunity to present all the work that has gone into the presentation. We’ll dive into the details tomorrow when USAID hosts the symposium, but I want, in addition to thanking all of you who have contributed, to thank my colleagues, the two former speakers. Dr. Raj Shah was working at the Gates Foundation when first he left to come to work in the Obama Administration at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He began working on this effort which we know as Feed the Future, and he became such a valuable partner. And we were so pleased to see him become the director of USAID. He lives and breathes food security, and we are happy to be on the same trajectory with him to fulfill the goals we have set.
And I also wish to thank my chief of staff and counselor, Cheryl Mills, for the extraordinary work that she has done over the last three and a half years, basically just pushing, pulling, dragging us all across the finish line. Because if there were ever a cause worthy of our best efforts and our enduring cooperation, it is this one. We know the statistics: nearly a billion people worldwide suffer from chronic hunger; 75 percent of poor people live in rural settings and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. So by improving agriculture, we can together strike a powerful blow against both hunger and poverty.
And that’s why food security is a priority of the Obama Administration. It is both the smart thing to do and the right thing to do. It is a moral imperative to help people escape hunger and poverty. It is an economic imperative to spread prosperity, create rising incomes, give people the chance to give their own children a better future. It is indeed a strategic imperative. We want to support and build up countries who have leaders like those here before you to take their rightful place of leadership regionally and globally.
In the last three and a half years, I’ve had the privilege of visiting farmers, agricultural scientists, health and nutrition experts in a number of countries. And there truly is a palpable sense of excitement that we are on our way; we are poised for the kind of breakthroughs that we haven’t seen since the Green Revolution. In fact, in several countries, we are already seeing meaningful progress. Feed the Future is working with 19 target countries, and during the past three years, those countries have increased their total food production by about 6 percent, which is 70 percent higher than the increase in food production among least developed countries. More food is available to more people, more farmers are earning higher incomes, and the ripple effects of health and prosperity are spreading despite the global economic slowdown.
And we know that this is a very long dream for our country. As Cheryl said, Ben Franklin, who’s up there watching over us, knew a lot about farming. And he was someone who understood the connection between providing for people and having stable political systems. And of course, Thomas Jefferson was an actual farmer, and in the next room you can see the desk at which Thomas Jefferson wrote portions of our Declaration of Independence. He always believed that one of America’s great strengths were our farmers and, in fact, in 1785 wrote in a letter to James Madison, “The small landholders are the most precious part of a state.” Well, we know from our own history smallholder farmers helped to build America, and now we’re seeing it across the world.
So we welcome all of you here as we begin this exciting two days in Washington. We’ve provided you with a lot of food, so please don’t be shy about enjoying it. But we do so out of that sense of gratitude that you are on this journey with us. Our G-8 partners and friends, our African partners and friends, our private sector, our health experts, our academics, our agricultural experts, everyone – we are on a journey together. We’re proud of what the United States did during the Green Revolution, but we can’t keep looking toward the past and say that was great, look at what we did 30, 40 years ago. We now have to take what we know and apply it in the 21st century. We have to learn the lessons that we have learned, sometimes hard lessons over the last years, and we have to focus on the people, the people who will benefit, the people who will have their lives changed, the people of nations that will change because of this work.
So thank you all for your commitment to improving food and nutrition security for women and men who will never know about this, who will never know our names, but because of our work they will have their own lives changed and their futures uplifted. And that is the greatest reward of all. Thank you very, very much. (Applause.)

Video: Secretary Clinton's Remarks to Press at the Conclusion of th G-8

Remarks at the Conclusion of the G8 Ministerial

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
   Secretary of State

Victoria Nuland
   Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson

Benjamin Franklin Room

Washington, DC

April 12, 2012

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SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, good afternoon, and welcome to the State Department, some of you back again, some for the first time. It has been a great honor and pleasure for me to host the G8 foreign ministers here in Washington. We’ve just concluded a second day of productive meetings at Blair House.
This group of nations has extensive shared interests and responsibilities around the globe, so we discussed a range of issues that are of pressing concern. And while there was certainly frank debate about the details, we all affirmed our common commitment to confronting these challenges together and working in close consultation with one another. Let me briefly touch on some of the highlights, from Syria to North Korea to Iran and beyond.
First, the foreign ministers discussed the evolving situation in Syria. We welcomed Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan’s report that the violence in Syria, at least for the moment, has abated. I also spoke separately about this at some length with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. If it holds, a ceasefire is an important step, but it represents just one element of the special envoy’s plan. As Kofi Annan reported, the Assad regime has, so far, failed to comply with key obligations. The regime’s troops and tanks have not pulled back from population centers. And it remains to be seen if the regime will keep its pledge to permit peaceful demonstrations, open access for humanitarian aid and journalists, and begin a political transition.
The Annan plan is not a menu of options. It is a set of obligations. The burden of fully and visibly meeting all of these obligations continues to rest with the regime. They cannot pick and choose. For it to be meaningful, this apparent halt in violence must lead to a credible political process and a peaceful, inclusive, democratic transition. The United States will be watching closely to see how things develop. We are particularly interested in seeing what the developments on the ground are, and we are in contact with members of the opposition. We remain firmly resolved that the regime’s war against its own people must end for good and a political transition must begin. Assad will have to go, and the Syrian people must be given the chance to chart their own future.
Given the Assad regime’s record of broken promises, we are proceeding, understandably, with caution. The ministers agreed to remain in close contact in the hours and days ahead. As we speak, our representatives in New York are consulting on a potential UN monitoring mission that would go to Syria under the right authorities, circumstances, and conditions. The United States supports sending an advance team immediately to begin this work. And both will need complete freedom of movement, unimpeded communications, and access throughout the country and to all Syrians, as well as firm security guarantees from all parties.
Now let me turn to North Korea. The G8 ministers discussed our concerns that North Korea continues to prepare to launch a ballistic missile in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and its own national commitments. We urge the North Korean leadership to honor its agreements and refrain from pursuing a cycle of provocation. We all share an interest in fostering security and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and the best way to achieve that is for North Korea to live up to its word.
We also looked ahead to the P-5+1 talks with Iran, scheduled to take place in Istanbul this weekend. We continue to underscore that we hope these talks result in an environment that is conducive to a sustained process that delivers results. This is a chance for Iran to credibly address the concerns of the international community. Iran, in coming to the table, needs to demonstrate that they are serious.
A few other points to mention: We reviewed the outcomes of yesterday’s Quartet meeting and agreed this is a moment to focus on positive efforts, to build trust, and improve the climate between the parties.
We also discussed Africa and the Sahel, in particular how we can deepen our cooperation to prevent conflicts, to deal with the food security challenges, and protect and advance democracy. And we agreed on the importance of continuing the Deauville Partnership and supporting countries in the Middle East and North Africa working to transition to democracy, to improve governance, to create jobs, to expand trade and investment.
Finally, I spoke with many of my G8 colleagues about the World Bank and our nominee, Dr. Jim Yong Kim. I have known Jim for some time. I know him to be a devoted public servant with a history of thinking big and taking bold actions. I believe he is an excellent choice, and I was delighted not only when the President nominated him but with the response that his nomination is receiving. And selfishly, of course, I was very happy that he named a World Bank president.
So as I’ve said, we’ve covered a lot of ground over the past two days. All of these discussions underscore a simple truth: Today’s complex challenges require continued leadership of the G8 countries working together. I know that we laid the groundwork for a successful meeting when the G8 leaders meet next month at Camp David. And now, I’d be happy to take your questions.
MS. NULAND: We’ll take three today. We’ll start with Scott Stearns of VOA. Thank you.
QUESTION: (Off-mike.)
MS. NULAND: We’re going to start with Jill Dougherty of CNN. All right. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Since it’s Syria and you named Syria first, maybe we’ll start with that, Madam Secretary. You just mentioned now that you – that the United States supports this UN monitoring mission and supporting it immediately. So is that the next step? What do you think about the idea of a buffer zone or this idea of having NATO protect the border with Turkey?
And then also in kind of a broader sense, do you think that now, with the ceasefire holding, that it’s kind of taken the wind out of that move to do something stronger at the United Nations, at the Security Council? Could you also give us a little brief on what you discussed specifically with Sergey Lavrov?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Jill, I had good discussions with all of my colleagues about Syria, and I was encouraged that Foreign Minister Lavrov agreed with Kofi Annan that this fragile first step is only that – a first step. Sporadic fighting continues in parts of Syria, Assad has not complied with the six points of the Kofi Annan plan, his forces have not pulled back, and he has not taken any action on any of the other points.
So our first imperative is to test the commitment. And with that in mind, our teams are working in New York on a UN Security Council resolution that calls for Assad to fully comply with all points in the Annan plan and that supports Kofi Annan’s request to send a UN advance team to Syria immediately to prepare the way for a full, robust international monitoring mission. And let me be as clear as I can: That monitoring mission will only be a force for peace and security if it enjoys the full freedom of action within Syria. That means freedom of movement, secure communications, a large enough ground presence to bear witness to the enforcement of the six-point plan in every part of Syria.
And that’s a standard that we would expect of any UN monitoring mission. Foreign Minister Lavrov joined with the other G8 ministers in welcoming the report of Kofi Annan and welcoming the beginning of the process that would lead to a monitoring mission by sending an advance team. So we are working together to try to enforce, in practical terms, the commitments that the Assad regime claims to have made.
Now, we have to maintain our pressure on the Assad regime to fully comply, so our sanctions and the sanctions of others who have imposed them must continue. Our support for the opposition has to continue because they have to be prepared to participate in a political transition process, and we’re going to continue to work in the Security Council and with like-minded nations as we move forward.
So I think we’re at a point, Jill, where we want to test what has been agreed upon but with our eyes wide open going forward.
MS. NULAND: Next question from Marco Mierke, German Press Agency, please.
QUESTION: Thank you very much, Madam Secretary. You said you talked about North Korea – discussed North Korea and your concerns regarding the possible imminent rocket launch. Since it’s only probably a couple hours away, did you already discuss any consequences that might follow such a launch?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes. We discussed our concerns about the announced actions that the North Koreans may take in the next hours or days. We’ve made it abundantly clear, as have our other G8 colleagues, that any missile launch would violate North Korea’s obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874. I think our Six-Party members and all the members of the G8 are in agreement that we will have to be prepared to take additional steps if the North Koreans go ahead.
The text of UN Security Council Resolution 1874 couldn’t be clearer, and let me quote it because I think it’s important that you hear this. The Security Council, and I quote, “demands that the DPRK not conduct any further nuclear tests or any launch using ballistic missile technology.” And there is no doubt that this satellite would be launched using ballistic missile technology.
So Pyongyang has a clear choice: It can pursue peace and reap the benefits of closer ties with the international community, including the United States; or it can continue to face pressure and isolation. If Pyongyang goes forward, we will all be back in the Security Council to take further action. And it’s regrettable, because as you know, we had worked through an agreement that would have benefitted the North Korean people with the provision of food aid. But in the current atmosphere, we would not be able to go forward with that, and other actions that other countries had been considering would also be on hold.
MS. NULAND: Last question, Scott Stearns, VOA. Thanks.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, on the last bit of Jill’s question, could you tell us whether you support NATO protecting the border between Turkey and Syria?
For my question on Iran, please, Iran says it’s bringing new initiatives to these talks in Turkey. Are the P-5+1 bringing new initiatives to these talks? And from your talks with Foreign Minister Lavrov, do you believe that Russia shares your view that time is running out for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, with respect to your first question, there is nothing of that nature pending and I’m not going to comment on hypotheticals.
Secondly, with respect to Iran, as the G8 statement makes clear, we are united in our resolve and expectation that Iran will come to the talks prepared. And we are receiving signals that they are bringing ideas to the table. They assert that their program is purely peaceful. They point to a fatwa that the supreme leader has issued against the pursuit of nuclear weapons. We want them to demonstrate clearly in the actions they propose that they have truly abandoned any nuclear weapons ambition.
So I’m not going to get into the details of what we expect. We’ve worked very closely inside our own government and then with our P-5+1 colleagues. I’ve been in close touch with Cathy Ashton, who will be leading our efforts in Istanbul. But we’re looking for concrete results. And of course, in a negotiation we understand that the Iranians will be asking for assurances or actions from us, and we will certainly take those under consideration. But I do think it is clear to everyone, certainly in the P-5+1 but far beyond, that the diplomatic window for negotiations is open but will not remain open forever. And therefore time is a matter to be taken into account, so we want to get started this weekend. And we will certainly proceed in a very expeditious and diligent manner in a sustained way to determine whether there is the potential for an agreement.
Thank you all.
MS. NULAND: Thank you all very much.

Video: Hillary Clinton at G-8 Plenary Session

Remarks at the G8 Plenary Session

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Blair House

Washington, DC

April 11, 2012

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Well, once again, welcome to the historic Blair House here in Washington. I greatly appreciate this opportunity to discuss in person the many global issues that require joint leadership from the G-8 nations. The events of this past year, even of just this past week, affirm the continued need for comprehensive international cooperation, and the G-8 is an essential forum for that.
We are alarmed for the ongoing violence in Syria, and we are concerned about the problems facing Special Envoy Kofi Annan as he attempts to bring about a ceasefire and the end to violence. We are very watchful of this. This will be on our agenda later this afternoon. We will look for ways that we can, together, try to bring about a peaceful resolution of the current situation and a political transition for the sake of the Syrian people.
We also look forward to the beginning of the next round of P-5+1 talks in Turkey. These talks are an opportunity for Iran to address seriously the international community’s concerns about its nuclear program. And we believe there is still time for diplomacy, but it is urgent that the Iranians come to the table to establish an environment conducive to achieving concrete results through a sustained process.
And further to the east, North Korea is readying a long-range ballistic missile launch over the East China Sea. It comes just weeks after North Korea agreed to a moratorium on missile testing; it violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions. I think we all share a strong interest in stability on the Korean Peninsula, and we will be discussing how best to achieve that as well.
Earlier today, our Quartet colleagues – which includes the United Nations, represented by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon; the European Union, represented by High Representative Cathy Ashton; the Russian Federation, represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov; and the United States, represented by myself and our special envoys – met to review the situation in the Middle East. Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh briefed on Jordan’s recent engagement. The Quartet underscored its support for Jordan’s positive efforts. We remain committed to the goals that we outlined in New York last September. We agreed on the importance of continued financial international support for the Palestinian Authority, including the need for $1.1 billion in immediate assistance.
And finally, we have begun discussing some of the transnational issues – terrorism, piracy, food security – that affect so many millions of people throughout the world. We are also going to be discussing our shared framework to support the democratic transitions and promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth through the Deauville Partnership in the Middle East and North Africa.
So there’s a lot for us to discuss, and we have a full agenda ahead of us in preparation for the leaders meeting at Camp David next month. So again, I welcome my colleagues and look forward to our work together. Thank you all.

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for April 11, 2012

Public Schedule for April 11, 2012

Public Schedule

Washington, DC

April 11, 2012

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SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

12:00 p.m. Secretary Clinton hosts the G8 Foreign Ministers working luncheon, at the Blair House. Please click here for more information.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

1:45 p.m. Secretary Clinton hosts the G8 Foreign Ministers Plenary Session, at the Blair House. Please click here for more information.
(POOL PRESS FOR SECRETARY CLINTON’S REMARKS AT TOP)

3:15 p.m. Secretary Clinton participates in the G8 Foreign Ministers family photo, at the Blair House. Please click here for more information.
(POOL PRESS COVERAGE)

4:00 p.m. Secretary Clinton hosts the G8 Foreign ministers Plenary Session, at the Blair House. Please click here for more information.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

6:30 p.m. Secretary Clinton hosts the G8 Foreign Ministers dinner, in Washington, DC. Please click here for more information.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

Hillary Clinton: A Peek at the Week Ahead

Secretary Clinton To Deliver Remarks at the "Brazil-U.S.: Partnership for the 21st Century" Conference

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

April 6, 2012

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On April 9, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will provide opening remarks at the "Brazil-U.S.: Partnership for the 21st Century" event, a day-long conference hosted by the Government of Brazil at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C. The event will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m.
The conference will focus on the bilateral relationship between the United States and Brazil in a number of strategic areas, including trade and investment, education, and innovation. Her Excellency Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil, will also participate in the conference in the afternoon.
This event will be streamed live on www.state.gov and on BNet.

Secretary Clinton To Deliver the Forrestal Lecture at the U.S. Naval Academy

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

April 6, 2012

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On April 10^th, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will deliver the Forrestal Lecture at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. In her address, Secretary Clinton will focus on U.S. strategy in the Asia-Pacific. The lecture will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The Forrestal Lecture Series was established at the Naval Academy in May 1970 in honor of the late James V. Forrestal who, as one of the foremost proponents of seapower of our era, was instrumental in the development of the modern Navy.
The purpose of this series is to enhance the education, awareness and appreciation of the members of the Brigade of Midshipmen in the social, political and cultural dimensions of the nation and the world. Featured are leading representatives from various walks of life – government, the arts, humor, literature, education, sports, politics, science and other major fields on the national and international scene.

2012 G8 Foreign Ministers Meeting Media Coverage Opportunities

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

April 6, 2012

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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will host her G8 counterparts for the G8 Foreign Ministers Meeting at the Blair House in Washington, DC, April 11-12.
SCHEDULE
April 11
11:45am Arrival at Blair House
(POOL PRESS)
12:00pm Working Lunch, at Blair House
(CLOSED PRESS)
1:45pm Plenary Session, at Blair House
(POOL PRESS FOR SECRETARY CLINTON'S REMARKS AT TOP)
3:30pm Plenary Session, at Blair House
(CLOSED PRESS)
April 12
9:15am Family Photo, at Blair House
(POOL PRESS)
9:30am Plenary Session, at Blair House
(CLOSED PRESS)
TBD Press Availability with Secretary Clinton, at the U.S. Department of State
(OPEN PRESS)

Update: Secretary Clinton's Travel to Europe and the Middle East

Secretary Clinton's Travel to Europe and the Middle East

Press Statement

Philip J. Crowley
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Public Affairs

Washington, DC

March 10, 2011

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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will be in Paris from March 14 - 15 to participate in the G8 meetings and meet with foreign government counterparts.

The Secretary also will visit Egypt and Tunisia from March 15 - 17. At each stop, she will consult with government officials and elements of civil society on recent events and the full range of regional and bilateral issues.

Secretary Clinton's Interview on CTV's Power Play with Tom Clark

Aha! Well here's an interview! No video so far, but here is a pretty picture of her with Lawrence Cannon.

Interview on CTV's Power Play with Tom Clark

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Ottawa, Canada

March 29, 2010

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QUESTION: Madam Secretary, thanks very much. Welcome back to Canada, by the way.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. I’m always happy to be in Canada.
QUESTION: Let’s start off with the headline of the day. We’ve had a terrorist attack in Moscow, dozens of people dead. Is this localized, in your view, or is there a wider implication?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, it’s hard to tell, but I think there is a connection among most of the terrorist activities that we’re seeing around the world. They get encouragement from each other, they exchange training, explosives, information. I don’t know the details of this particular one other than, apparently, they were women who were the suicide bombers. And we know that Moscow has had problems for a number of years now with Chechnya and other places within the Russian Federation. So there are connections. I don’t think we want to go so far as to say they’re all part of the same operation, but certainly, there is a common theme to many of them.
QUESTION: Could I move on to Afghanistan? It occurs to me that our two countries haven’t been this close in this sort of an alliance really since World War II. Strictly and purely from an American perspective, how important is it that that connection between the two countries continue, and perhaps continue beyond our pullout date of 2011 – again, purely from an American point of view?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we are very grateful for the Canadian forces, the Canadian Government, and most of all, the Canadian people with the support and solidarity that they have shown with us in this mission in Afghanistan. We would obviously like to see some form of support continue because the Canadian forces have a great reputation; they work really well with our American troops and the other members of our coalition. There’s a lot of commonality. I know that there’s the hockey rink at Kandahar that our troops and yours take advantage of, and unfortunately, ours usually lose again.
So there’s just a really close working relationship. And I think our militaries have become even closer because of this deployment. Obviously, it’s up for Canada to decide the way forward, but we certainly hope there will be some continuing connection and visible support, because we’ve all learned so much. And we believe in the United States, with the new strategy that President Obama has set forth, we’re making progress. I mean, it’s been a long slog trying to learn how to take on these insurgents, to have great militaries like our countries do, but to have to go back to basically guerilla warfare, asymmetric warfare to take on the enemy. But we’ve made a lot of progress and we would very much look forward to having Canada involved in any way that you think appropriate.
QUESTION: And by saying that, just to clarify, are you talking about maybe a noncombatant role but a Canadian military role continuing on past 2011?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, there’s all kinds of things that are possible. The military could switch more into a training role instead of a combat role, a logistics support role instead of the frontline combat. Certainly, the nonmilitary functions of working to encourage development, better governance, the rule of law – all the pieces of the strategy that have to be married with the military. And Canada has a particular commitment to and experience with that kind of development work that would be very useful.
QUESTION: Just going beyond the borders of Afghanistan and the military for a minute, what has Canada gained or benefitted from this alliance with the United States?
SECRETARY CLINTON: You mean overall, the kind of alliance?
QUESTION: Yeah, in a tangible type of way, Canada’s participation in this war with the United States, what’s it brought to Canada?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I would say three things. First of all, we’re partners and allies in NATO. And when our NATO partners invoked the Article 5 collective defense obligation under our NATO treaty, that was the greatest sign of solidarity. I mean, we were attacked. It was the most horrific attack on the soil of the United States. And Canada and our other NATO partners joined with us. That is an incredible show of support, which we are very grateful for.
Secondly, we face a common enemy. Whether you’re in a Moscow subway or a London subway or a train in Madrid or an office building in New York, we face the same enemy: the extremists who would try to turn the clock back on civilization, who are nihilistic, who pervert religion and values. They are, unfortunately, not just after Americans, but they’re after Europeans, they’re after Canadians, they’re after people who stand up against them and what they are promoting. So we’ve become, I think, aware that we face the same threat. And both of our countries are better prepared today than they were 10 years ago, and I think that’s a tangible benefit that we both have obtained.
And finally, I think that, unfortunately, we have to go after the terrorists. They are not going to just disappear into the ether. They are very committed. They are well-disciplined. They use the tools of the modern world, from airlines and credit cards to the internet. And we live in fear that they would get their hands on nuclear material and made a crude nuclear bomb.
So our militaries both had to learn how to deal with this new enemy. To be very blunt about it, we had great forces that were trained to fight the Cold War, and now we’re in a different kind of conflict. And I think both the American and the Canadian military would tell you that they’re not the same militaries that they were 10 years ago. They’ve had to be more agile, flexible, adjustable. They’ve had to look at how you combine military action with development and diplomacy. I think that’s really in the interests of our mutual defense.
QUESTION: This is a good time to take a short break, Madam Secretary. If you’ll stand by and Power Play will continue right after this. Stay tuned.
(Break.)
QUESTION: We’re back with the American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Good to have you here. We were just talking about the benefits to the two countries working together in Afghanistan. I want to switch that now to the Arctic. We’ve got a couple of issues between our two countries.
Let me point out one, the Northwest Passage. We claim that it is our sovereign territory, that this is Canadian waters. The United States has never recognized that. But could you foresee a time when the United States might recognize Canadian sovereignty over the Northwest Passage, say, in exchange for joint management of that water right?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I think that’s what we’re beginning to discuss seriously. I know this has been a longstanding issue between our two countries, but it’s only now that we have the attention being paid to the Arctic that it deserves. We had an excellent meeting today with the five Arctic coastal countries called by Foreign Minister Cannon. There is so much we can do together, and that’s what we’re looking for. We have to do search-and-rescue. We have to include Russia, Norway, Greenland, and Denmark. We have to do more joint exploration, and Canada and the United States are doing that. We’re trying to map the ocean floor, figure out what’s there. Neither of us could do it alone. Together, we’re getting very valuable information.
We have to do research into the fisheries. As the water warms because of climate change in the Arctic, what’s going to happen to the fishing stock? And how do countries like the United States and Canada, which share a coastal region with the Arctic Ocean, get prepared for that? What about gas and oil and minerals?
I mean, there are so many issues that 10 years ago were kind of theoretical. Today, they’re real. We are seeing the retreat of the ice, unfortunately. We are seeing our indigenous populations under greater and greater pressure. So I am working with Foreign Minister Cannon to see how we can make progress on some of these matters that, up until now, have been kind of academic, but now we need to take them seriously and try to make progress together.
QUESTION: And I get a sense that it’s moving up the chain of concerns, of American concerns.
SECRETARY CLINTON: It is, Tom.
QUESTION: Because a few years ago, it was fairly low. But when you take a look at it, there are now 66 combat-ready vessels in the Arctic, either on station or soon to be put in, representing only six countries. Are we seeing a new arms race in the Arctic?
SECRETARY CLINTON: No, that’s what we’re trying to avoid. Our membership in the Arctic Council, which is the body that is charged with trying to manage the development of the Arctic – we’re cooperating with the countries that are in this region that really have the longest shorelines, like Canada, Russia, the United States. So what we’re trying to do is get ahead of these issues. We don’t want them to become problems, but we’re going to have to take responsibility.
The Norwegian foreign minister made this point at our meeting today. He said it’s going to fall to us. I mean, if there is an oil spill or there is an accident out there on a platform of some kind, who’s going to come? It’s going to be Canadians, Americans, Russians, Norwegians. We’re the ones who are going to be there first because we’re closest. So how do we coordinate that? How do we protect these precious ocean waters from overfishing by countries that are thousands of miles from the Arctic? I mean, if we don’t start coordinating, yes, there is the potential for some challenges. But I think if we get ahead of it and we lay out how we’re going to do this, I believe we can be in good shape going forward.
QUESTION: And if we can figure it out in the Arctic, can we expand that and talk about the continent? You know that for many years there was a discussion of perhaps customs union between Canada and the United States as a way of thinning the border, because all that’s happened is that the border, as you know, has gotten thicker and thicker. Can you foresee the day when you might – your country may look at the idea of a customs union as a way of perimeter security for North America, as opposed to fortress America?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we’re not looking at that right now. There are those who are writing about it and suggesting it. But I think your larger point is very important. This is the longest, most peaceful border in the world. We are each other’s biggest trading partner. We have an enormous investment in the economic well-being of the other on the side of the border. And my goal as Secretary of State is to begin to clear away any obstacle or misunderstanding.
Now, in an economic downturn such as the world has gone through over the past two years, people get a little bit nervous and become somewhat anxious about their own futures. But we’ve worked through some of the difficult issues already this past year. And I just want to keep teeing them up. Now, we’re not going to make agreements on everything right away, but we are such close allies, we are such good friends, your country has more American citizens living in it than in any other country other than our own. So there’s just so much that connects us, and I want to broaden and deepen our relationship to make sure that we always remain as strong and partnered as we can be in looking toward the future.
QUESTION: Let me ask you a question that I know that you’ve spent a lot of time thinking about and working on, and that is Iran and the situation that’s happening there. It seems that even with sanctions in place, what’s happening is that Iran is continuing apace in terms of building facilities that could lead to the nuclearization of that country. The fact that China is not involved in this process of the sanctions and so on – are we getting to the point where we might just have to start learning to live with a nuclear Iran?
SECRETARY CLINTON: No. And in fact, China is part of the consultative group that has been unified all along the way, which has made it very clear that a nuclear-armed Iran is not acceptable to the international community. And I think as the weeks go forward and we begin the hard work of trying to come up with a Security Council resolution, China will be involved. They will be making their suggestions. We’re just going to have to – as in any effort, we’re going to have to try to come to some consensus. And we’re in the middle of that process.
QUESTION: I have to jump to the last topic, and that is Mexico. Sadly, you have lost some consular officials in Mexico.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Mm-hmm.
QUESTION: That’s – the drugs that are on the streets in Canada, yes, they come through your country sometimes, by large measure, but many of them come from Mexico. How close are we to having Mexico – and I don’t know which word you want to choose, whether it’s a lawless state, an ungovernable state, a failed state – how close are we to that with Mexico?
SECRETARY CLINTON: If you get away from the border, life in Mexico goes on. There are flare-ups of violence mostly between the criminal cartels, the drug traffickers themselves. But what President Calderon is determined to do is to stamp out the drug cartels and the violence that they bring, because all too often innocent people are caught up in these gangs fighting each other.
So we worry about the challenge that the drug cartels are posing to the Mexican Government, but we feel very positive about what the Mexican Government is doing in response. They have an all-out effort going on where they’ve got the military and all the different police forces, where their cabinet is unified. I was just down there with a large representation from the American Government, and we’ve made real progress.
And part of the reason we have, Tom, is because as soon as I became Secretary of State, I said what is so self-evident: A lot of Mexico’s problems are because of us; we’re the drug market; we have the demand; people push forward going north to get the drugs into the United States and then eventually into Canada. And we also, unfortunately, are a big gun market where a lot of illegal guns go down into Mexico, being used by these drug traffickers against the police and the military.
So the United States is, for the first time, really saying, look, we’re part of the problem so we’ve got to be part of the solution. We are supporting the Mexican Government. We are engaged in intensive law enforcement efforts on our side of the border. And we’re going to do everything we can to help the Mexicans win this fight against these incredibly barbaric, vicious drug traffickers.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, it’s been a great honor. Thank you very much.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. Great to talk to you.
QUESTION: Great to talk to you, too. Thank you so much.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.

SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON Daily Appointments Schedule for March 29, 2010

This is really helpful. As if we did not already know!

Daily Appointments Schedule for March 29, 2010

Washington, DC

March 29, 2010

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SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON

ON FOREIGN TRAVEL