Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Secretary Clinton and Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon Before Their Meeting
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
February 24, 2009
SECRETARY CLINTON:
Hello. This is a big week for Canada, and I just expressed the
appreciation that we feel for the wonderful welcome and hospitality that
President Obama received on his visit. And I’m delighted to have you
here.
FOREIGN MINISTER CANNON: Well, I am very pleased to be
here, Madame Secretary, and particularly after that great visit in
Canada. And hopefully, we’ll have you there in Canada very shortly to be
able to match that.
SECRETARY CLINTON: You know, I --
FOREIGN MINISTER CANNON: I’m sure you’re going to be very well received as well.
SECRETARY CLINTON:
Thank you. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve always enjoyed my visits to
Canada, and I had one memorable visit when we had a state visit, and I
got to skate on the canals in Ottawa. That was a personal highlight, so
thank you all very much.
FOREIGN MINISTER CANNON: Thank you.
QUESTION: Happy Mardi Gras.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Now, Matt, I am so happy to know that you’re on top of what’s going on. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: The most important things.
SECRETARY CLINTON:
It is the most important thing. I’m just surprised you’re here covering
this instead of out celebrating. (Laughter.) Nice to see you all.
Remarks With Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 24, 2009
SECRETARY CLINTON:
Good afternoon. I was very pleased to welcome the minister and his
delegation here to the State Department. As you know, we are consulting
very closely with the Government of Pakistan on our strategic review of
our way forward. And I’m very grateful for the minister’s advice and
counsel, and I look forward to further discussions and to having him
back here tomorrow night for dinner along with his counterparts from
Afghanistan.
Thank you, Mr. Minister.
FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI: Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. It was a pleasure. Thank you all very much.
QUESTION:
Mr. Minister, do you have any concerns that the 17,000 troops announced
by President Obama going into southern Afghanistan will push the
Taliban further into areas of Pakistan like Baluchistan? And Secretary
Clinton, did you assure the minister that you’ll work with Pakistan on
that?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we’re going to save our
comments for when we have something to say about the results of our
joint efforts. And there is a very open and fully consultative – a full
consultative process which we will be working on, and many of these
issues will be discussed among us.
Thank you all very much.
FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI:
We had an excellent meeting. There’s a convergence between us, there’s a
willingness to work together, and I see a lot of hope in the new
Administration, the new leadership. And Pakistan is willing to work with
the American Administration to fight extremism and terrorism. We are
determined to defeat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon. I’m so pleased to welcome you, Mr. President.
