Secretary Clinton's Interview With Gabriella Baer of NTN24

Naturally there was more than one interview! Here is another one also at NTN24. I cannot find another video, however, so the link goes to their page for the day Hillary was there. Note that the OTHER Clinton is also news, and his picture is next to one of several of her. The Ecuadoreans also seem to like that embrace photo, but I also found this one at that page and it is the only one I would actually be able to crop so that Hillary is alone in it, but I will not. She really goes into these "charm offensives" with gusto! ¡Y me gusta! ¡Viva Hillary!

Interview With Gabriella Baer of NTN24

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Ambassador's Residence

Quito, Ecuador

June 8, 2010

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QUESTION: Mrs. Clinton, thank you for this interview. Laws such as the Arizona law which criminalizes illegal immigrants might intensify the racial hatred that lead to the brutal (inaudible) and murders of Ecuadorians such as the case of Jose Sucuzhanay, Marcelo Lucero, and (inaudible). How can these be avoided?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Gabriella, first thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak directly to the people of Ecuador. I am so pleased to be here and I’m very excited about the opportunity to discuss some of these important issues.
Let me begin by saying that President Obama and I deplore any act of hatred or violence against any human being, and we are particularly concerned about any such action that is directed at someone who has come to our country. I deeply regret the cases that you mentioned and extend my condolences to the families of the victims.
Both President Obama and I are committed to changing our immigration laws and the President will try to do that with the Congress. The President has also spoken out against the so-called Arizona law, because it is something that raises serious questions about the role of the federal government in making sure that our immigration laws are uniformly the same across our country.
But what we want to do is try to solve the problem. And there are three things. Number one, why do people come from Ecuador to the United States? They come to seek more opportunity. We know that and it has been part of the American tradition. But I learned today in my meetings with President Correa, that for the first time last year, more Ecuadorians came back to their country because there is now more opportunity here in Ecuador. We want to see more opportunity throughout the hemisphere and we are working to achieve that.
Number two, there are rules that every country establishes for immigration. And we want to try to have rules that are fair and humane, but people do have to follow those rules just as they do here in Ecuador or Mexico or anywhere else.
But thirdly, we want to have a reformed immigration system so that the rules better reflect the reality. And we’re working on all three of those aspects.
QUESTION: How long? How long will million of illegal immigrants have to wait until the – Obama’s Government sends an immigration reform to the Congress in order regulate their status?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, President Obama has said that he intends to do that. But he also has to have the support of the Congress; otherwise it will not pass. So he’s working very hard to get that support and I know he wants to do it in the next months. I can’t tell you exactly when, but fairly soon.
QUESTION: It would be this year?
SECRETARY CLINTON: He wants it to be this year.
QUESTION: On the other hand, what would the implications be if Ecuador deepens its relations with Iran and the Government of Venezuela, whose president is Hugo Chavez?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Ecuador is a sovereign country. Ecuador gets to make its own decisions about its foreign policy. We want to have a strong relationship between the United States and Ecuador. We have obviously conveyed to the Ecuadorian Government our concerns about Iran, which we think is a country that supports and exports terrorism and is brutal to its own people and raises many questions about its intentions. But our goal and my visit here is to promote America’s relationship with Ecuador.
QUESTION: But this will affect the bilateral relations between Ecuador and the United States?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we don’t want it to and we hope it doesn’t.
QUESTION: According to President Correa, apparently, the American Government collaborated with Colombia to attack Angostura. He also stated that American intelligent bombs were used. Is this true?
SECRETARY CLINTON: We have said repeatedly that we were not involved. Now, we have, as you know, provided military equipment to Columbia, as we have to many, many countries in the hemisphere. But the United States was not involved.
QUESTION: Is President Correa mistaken?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think that we have a lot to discuss and we are engaging in a very open and candid dialogue about that and many other matters between us.
QUESTION: Do you believe Hugo Chavez is pushing some Latin American governments against the U.S., among them Ecuador?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think that unfortunately, there is a sense of that in my country. And we wanted to be friendly with everyone. When President Obama came in and we went to the Summit of the Americas, our goal was to turn the page on the past eight years. And we would like to turn that page, but we can only work with countries willing to work with us.
QUESTION: Will the U.S. accept Ecuador’s request to renew the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act on a long-term basis and not just for a few months.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, it’ll be a year that it would be renewed and we very much favor that. We would like to see a more permanent, longer lasting relationship because we really value our trade with Ecuador. If I’m not mistaken, 25 percent of Ecuador’s imports come from the United States and 33 percent of Ecuador’s exports go to the United States. So it’s a very strong relationship and we would like to have agreements that are longer lasting.
QUESTION: Would also – it would be possible – as Ecuadorian ministry Ricardo Patino has said, that U.S. collaboration goes beyond drug trafficking?
SECRETARY CLINTON: It does. I mean, the United States certainly cares a lot about the impact of the drug traffickers in Latin America. We think that they’re a real threat to people, their safety and security, and even to governments as we have seen in Colombia and in Mexico.
But our relationship is much broader than that. We have a relationship of trade, investment, many Ecuadorians in the United States who are working, sending money back to Ecuador. We have assistance – development assistance that we provide to try to help lift people out of poverty. We have microfinance assistance, a lot of other aspects to our relationship. And I spoke with both the president and the foreign minister about making sure that both of us describe that relationship more broadly than just through the lens of the anti-drug trafficking efforts.
QUESTION: Does your visit to Ecuador mean there is a possibility of a bilateral meeting between President Barack Obama and President Rafael Correa?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, of course, President Obama met President Correa in Trinidad and Tobago. And we are very hopeful that there will be more opportunities for such meetings.
Part of the reason that I wanted to come to Ecuador was to send a very clear message that the United States wants to broaden and deepen its relationship with Ecuador. And we’re looking for many different ways of doing that.
QUESTION: Could this meeting between both presidents be this year?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I have no idea. That’s something – I don’t schedule for President Obama. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Okay. You would also visit Colombia and meet the two presidential candidates, Santos and Mockus. Has your government expressed or have any concerns about either of the two candidates?
SECRETARY CLINTON: No, that is strictly a decision for the people of Colombia. We have not expressed any opinion at all.
QUESTION: And I have one final question: Do you think there would be fewer wars on all of the (inaudible) if women ran more countries and companies?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, of course the answer to that is yes. (Laughter.) I do think that it is very important for more and more women to assume greater responsibility and have more opportunities, and I look for ways of working on a broad range of issues that affect our two countries.
The United States believes strongly in women’s rights. We believe strongly in press freedom and freedom of expression. We believe strongly in good governance and accountability. And we want to work with Ecuador in these areas and so many more.
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Secretary Clinton's Interview With Andrea Bernal of NTN24 in Quito

As always, the Secretary of State made sure that in the hours she was on the ground in Ecuador she reached out to the people. Here is the transcript of an interview on NTN 24 when she was in Quito. The link goes to their video. They do not provide an embed code, and the translation over her is too loud, but I thought I would include it anyway.

Interview With Andrea Bernal of NTN24

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Ambassador's Residence

Quito, Ecuador

June 8, 2010

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QUESTION: Thank you very much.
I would like to start with the immigration debate in the United States. The recently approved law in Arizona has presented sort of a difficult scenario for the President Obama Administration. According to some polling, half of the United States has approved this law and maybe other states would like to implement it. How’s Obama Administration dealing with this debate? Is the immigration law near reality?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Andrea, first, let me say how pleased I am that I have this chance to talk to you about these and other important issues. President Obama has spoken out against the law because he thinks that the federal government should be determining immigration policy. And the Justice Department, under his direction, will be bringing a lawsuit against the act.
But the more important commitment that President Obama has made is to try to introduce and pass comprehensive immigration reform. That is what we need. Everyone knows it, and the President is committed to doing it.
QUESTION: I remember two weeks ago a Mexican was killed by a border patrol last – like two weeks ago in the frontier. Do you feel, as a citizen, as well as a member of the Administration – of Obama’s Administration – xenophobia in the United States toward Latin Americans?
SECRETARY CLINTON: No, I don’t. But here’s what I think is the dilemma. I think not only Americans, but people in any country – Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico – believe that if you have laws they should be enforced, and we have laws about how to come legally into our country. Now for many years, people have been coming illegally without papers – everybody knows that – as they do in many parts of the world. And it’s been a very troubling situation because people have died crossing the desert. They have been mistreated by the smugglers. Sometimes the drug traffickers go back and forth. Sometimes an American is killed – like a rancher in Arizona, which really is what prompted this law being passed.
So what we believe is that Americans have always been welcoming of immigrants, but they also want to see the laws enforced. So we need better laws. We need laws that recognize the reality that we have many millions of people who are contributing to our country, they’re working, their children are attending and graduating from school, so we need to recognize the reality. And then we need to have a new comprehensive immigration law that people will follow, so that’s what we’re trying to do.
QUESTION: Let’s talk about now some issues about the region. Republicans in your country, as John McCain and John Ensign, are putting pressure in order to classify Venezuela as a terrorist state due to assumptions of nexus with FARC, Hezbollah, as well as with Iran. Does your government have any proof of this nexus?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, there is a law that has to be followed and it does require proof. If there is proof, the United States will follow it. But if there is not proof, the United States will not. This is not a question of politics. It’s a legal determination. And that is something that is undertaken by lawyers, not by people in politics.
QUESTION: But according to the classified document from the Pentagon, the (inaudible) deal here is turned to the Congress. The Revolutionary Islamic Guard from Iran, according to these documents, is operating in Venezuela as well as in Africa and Asia. Are you aware of that? Do you have any information?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, there’s a lot of information. But I cannot on this program say how this review will turn out because that would be prejudging it. This – all the information has to be looked at, and then it has to be measured against the requirements in the law. If the evidence is there, the government will act. If it is not, we will not.
QUESTION: Would you say Venezuela is helping in the war against terrorism, like other states are doing?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think that we have raised many questions about actions. We would like to see greater cooperation because we think it’s in everyone’s interest, including theirs. But right now, what we’re trying to do is work and support our friends like Colombia and Mexico that are facing these very serious threats.
QUESTION: Is a concern for the United States the influence that Hugo Chavez has in the region?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we have made clear that if he wants to have a different relationship with the United States, we are certainly open to doing that. It doesn’t appear that he wants to. And of course, we’re going to work with our friends. We’re going to work with countries that share our values, with leaders who are open to the kind of relationship that we want.
I just regret some of what’s happening to the people of Venezuela because they are the ones who are suffering from some of the policies that are just not working for them.
QUESTION: And about what you’re saying about the people, the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights of the OAS has done several recommendations to the organization, specifically about violations of human rights in Venezuela, talking about press as well.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Right.
QUESTION: What do you think about – is the United States going to make some pressure maybe to the OAS or they kind of take that recommendation?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we took that study very seriously, because we do believe that freedom of the press, freedom of expression is a core human right. And if it is under assault anywhere, that’s a concern for us. I have spoken out about it. I have done an interview with one of the television stations that has been forced to close – or if not yet forced, under pressure to close. So we feel very strongly in any country, whether it’s Venezuela or Ecuador or any other country, we think that freedom of the press is essential and we’re going to support journalists and reporters and stations that try to stand up for that.
QUESTION: How would you evaluate what has been called an arms race in Latin America? Do you see it that way? Do you see it, like, an arm race? We’re talking about Venezuela, Ecuador as well, Brazil.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we’re trying to gather information about what is happening. It is clear that there is some effort to modernize militaries that is going on, how much we are studying. But yesterday at the OAS General Assembly in Lima, the main theme was for all the countries to decrease their military expenditures. And we think that’s going in the right direction.
QUESTION: Is it clear why the countries are getting arms?
SECRETARY CLINTON: No, it’s not. They give you different explanations, but I think it is in everyone’s interest to spend money on schools and hospitals and healthcare and better roads than to spend it on armaments. The need for that has diminished in this hemisphere over the last several years, so there really is an opportunity for governments now to spend money on other things.
QUESTION: What would you say are the actual problems that are facing the signatures of free trade agreements, especially from Colombia and from Panama, two important allies of the United States?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Very. And they are important allies and I am very committed to the two free trade agreements. I think they’re in the best interest not only of Panama and Colombia, but of the United States. There remain questions.
QUESTION: Like?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Oh, on whether people who want to form and join unions are having their rights respected, whether human rights are being not only respected, but enforced. And we’re working hard to answer those questions which come from members of Congress because Congress has to pass the free trade agreement. And I am very hopeful we’ll get those answers and be able to get that passed.
QUESTION: You’re going to go tomorrow to Colombia.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes.
QUESTION: What do you expect to see in those two candidates, Santos and Mockus? What do you expect from them?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I just want to make it clear that the United States has no position. We don’t support one over the other. We stand ready to work with whomever the people of Colombia elect. We do have a very strong relationship. It’s a valuable one that we are very committed to. And it is a great tribute to Colombia to see this vigorous election that has gone on. And we want to demonstrate that we don’t side with one faction over another faction. We’re for the people of Colombia and we’re for their democracy.
QUESTION: However, would you like to have a similar line in the political like (inaudible)?
SECRETARY CLINTON: That is up to the people and Government of Colombia. We think that Colombia has made a lot of progress in the last two decades and we want to help support that.
QUESTION: I would like to thank you very much for this interview. It’s been a pleasure to have you here with NTN24.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you, Andrea. Thank you very much.
QUESTION: Thank you very much.
SECRETARY CLINTON: My pleasure.
QUESTION: It’s been a pleasure.