HRC to Columbia University Faculty

This, today from Laura Rozen sparked my interest, but not for obvious or predictable reasons. Of course the Secretary of State will speak up for Americans unfairly imprisoned abroad by states and entities with which we do not have diplomatic relations. (Just to be clear on this, we do have diplomatic relations with Italy and Haiti, and and we trust our friends and allies to be fair in their charges/convictions, so please do not try to align the Iranian case with Amanda Knox or the Americans being held in Haiti.) In this case, the American is a Columbia University scholar being held in Iran on baseless charges. The faculty had written to the Secretary, and today, Rozen put up this story with a link to a pdf of the letter.

Laura Rozen
February 13, 2010


Clinton writes colleagues of imprisoned Iranian American scholar

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told academic colleagues of an Iranian-American scholar imprisoned in Iran that espionage charges levelled (sic)against him are groundless, and that the U.S. government is using every diplomatic tool it has to gain his release.

Read more>>>>

Here is the link to the letter.
HRC Letter

My interest in this letter has nothing to do with Iran, the charges, the faculty at Columbia, or, actually, Dr. Tajbakhsh, who is, I am sure, innocent of the charges and a fine person. No, my interest is in the letter as a artifact. Could that header be any more minimalist? There is not a single elaboration on this stationery. I have never seen such simplicity, and I have spent a good deal of time with letters and stationery both in my daily routines and in my research. Simple, minimal, direct. I am equally impressed with the signature, also very simple - no title necessary - it is up there in the header.

Lastly, why does this letter have the look of something that was typed with carbon copies? It appears it was scanned, not electronically generated and shared as a document, but rather saved as a scanned document which has characteristics closer to a photo than a document.

We have memo forms where I work that are more complex, and when you look at the address, that is clearly more complex by far that the stationery and signature. I guess it is quirky of me to find this interesting on a slow Hillary-news Saturday before she leaves for the Persian Gulf, but it speaks to me. It says the more obscure we are, the more tags and specifics are needed to clarify who we are. The more notable we are, the fewer tags and specifics. The only way this gets simpler is to address something to HRC, D.C. Heh! I bet she would get it!

Now you sincerely did not think I would end this without a picture of our girl, did you? I love this picture. I hope we see this beautiful smile again very soon now that she knows that Big Dawg's intervention was just routine maintenance.

Hillary Clinton's Persian Gulf Travel: Revised Schedule

At today's press briefing, P.J. Crowley offered the following remarks regarding the revision in Secretary Clinton's travel schedule due to President Clinton's health emergency yesterday.

Philip J. Crowley

Assistant Secretary
Daily Press Briefing

Washington, DC

February 12, 2010

Secretary Clinton will be going to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Her schedule has been adapted a slight bit. Her departure time was pushed till tomorrow afternoon, but her primary schedule, once she arrives in Doha, will go on without change. And then after arriving in Doha on Sunday, she will then move on to Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, returning to the U.S. late Tuesday night.

I know that everybody here hopes and prays that she will have a safe and successful journey and that she feels reassured that her Valentine and his heart are happy and fine. They are home in Chappaqua tonight, and I hope they are celebrating Valentine's Day early. We will all be happy to see Hillary's beautiful face smiling again.

Bill Clinton Home and Doing Well

Former President Bill Clinton was released from Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital this morning at 8:30 and went home to Chappaqua. His doctors said he is doing well and might be able to return to work as early as Monday. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, originally scheduled to leave on a trip to the Persian Gulf later today, rushed home to New York last night to be with her husband.

Most of us who follow Hillary's activities know how terribly anxious she was when Bill had his bypass in 2004. Thank God yesterday's incident was apparently somewhat routine and there was no damage. He walked out of the hospital on his own and seemed quite chipper. But these pictures of Hillary leaving the hospital show the degree of anxiety she suffered from this. It tears my heart out to see that look on her face.

I know we all wish Bill and Hillary Clinton many, many more happy and healthy years together. Hillary's pretty face takes on so many expressions with which we are all familiar. This is one expression we would prefer not to see.

Statement by Secretary Clinton on Developments in the Middle East

Well, of course, D.C. might have been in shut down from the snow, but that did not stop the Secretary of State from working today. Aside from an afternoon meeting at the White House (where she learned of her husband's hospitalization), she had a phone conference with Tony Blair and released this statement.

Statement by Secretary Clinton on Developments in the Middle East



Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 11, 2010

I spoke today with Quartet Representative Blair to discuss developments in the Middle East.

This Administration has, from the beginning, worked to bring about comprehensive peace in the Middle East, including a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On that issue our approach has been three-fold: (1) to help build the economy and capacity to govern of a Palestinian state; (2) to renew political negotiations to enable the earliest possible establishment of that state; and (3) to achieve these in a manner that ensures the security of Israel and of the Palestinians.

Consistent with Prime Minister Fayyad’s plan for a future Palestinian state, Tony Blair, as the Quartet representative, will intensify his partnership with Senator Mitchell in support of the political negotiations. In his role as Quartet Representative Tony Blair will continue, with full support by and coordination with Senator Mitchell, to mobilize the efforts of the international community: (1) to build support for the institutional capacity and governance of a future Palestinian State, including on the rule of law; (2) to improve freedom of movement and access for Palestinians; (3) to encourage further private sector investment; and (4) to bring change in the living conditions of the people in Gaza.

NOT the kind of news I was looking for today

As you may have heard by now, Bill Clinton is in Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital having had two stents placed in a coronary artery earlier today, and Hillary Clinton is en route from D.C. to be with him. I was stir-crazy for news earlier, but this is NOT the kind of news I wanted to hear. My thoughts and prayers are with the Clinton Family.


*UPDATE* Here is an update regarding her travel this weekend.

Hillary Clinton leaves Washington for New York

By MATTHEW LEE
The Associated Press
Thursday, February 11, 2010; 5:58 PM

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has left Washington and headed to New York to be with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who was hospitalized after feeling chest pains.

But aides to Mrs. Clinton said she still plans to go ahead with a previously scheduled trip to the Persian Gulf. The trip is to begin Friday afternoon but could be delayed slightly.

Aides to Clinton said Thursday she left the capital shortly after meeting President Barack Obama at the White House ahead of her planned trip to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Snow Day, Slow Hillary Clinton Day

I now have a path to my car and a path FOR my car to get out of the driveway. This morning CNN put the snow total in D.C. at 55" causing an unprecedented 4th day of shut down for the federal government. The reporter in the halls of Congress was solitary in Statuary Hall. So with the snow up to Hillary Clinton's pretty chin, I got on my cross blogosphere skis looking for news, snippets, ANYTHING today about the very lovely Secretary Clinton whose absence from the blogs causes withdrawal symptoms in her loyal followers. (I hope this picture helps a little.)


And what did I find on my winter journey? Well, I found Taylor Marsh's take-down of David Broder's take-up on Sarah Palin. What does this have to do with the exquisite, accomplished, experienced, and encyclopedic Hillary Clinton? Hardly anything except that Marsh invokes her in the oddest way!

Hillary Clinton, now inoculated and neutered over at State, with her candidacy a mere memory, has finally washed the bile from the Establishment’s throat over the possibility of her presidency. So the wannabe path for Sarah is clear and she can walk freer from the fear of Mr. Broder pronouncing she’s unfit.

Pardon me if I have a problem with some words in that passage. "Neutered," attempts by some of her campaign managers to desexualize her notwithstanding, has no business in the same sentence with the name Hillary Clinton. It suggests more than what Marsh appears to be saying, and I am really tired of the comparison, which IS what Marsh is doing here, where Sarah comes off the hot-and-sexy one and Hillary - well, something less. It also suggests the Marsh has not been watching this Secretary of State operate. If a picture is worth a thousand words, I actually do have almost two thousand pictures showing anything BUT a "neutered" Hillary Clinton. Here are a few.




I do not think any of these guys find Hillary Clinton "neutered" in any possible meaning of that word. As for being "inoculated," well, Hillary Clinton is a woman of her word. If she says she is going to do something, she does. She said she would campaign for the ticket in 2008, and she did a better job than any former opponent has ever done for a candidate. She decided to accept Secretary of State, and she is exactly on message with the White House. No one inoculated Hillary Clinton. She is loyal. (I will not make any comparisons here. I refuse.)

As for "bile," let us not forget that Hillary Clinton went into the Democratic Convention with the lead in the popular vote. Her approval ratings are consistently high. I really do not know why Marsh chose to insert Hillary Clinton into this post at all. But I do not like the implications of her comment and had to say so. I put it here rather than The Department of Homegirl Security because many more people come here seeking Hillary. It has been awhile since we have seen her, so I wanted to put her here where her followers look for her.

**UPDATE: Under Arrest - Leeland Eisenberg, who took hostages at Hillary Clinton Headquarters in NH, is on the loose!

Whew! Well they found him. They have a link to Hillary Clinton, in case you don’t know who she is.

Man who threatened Clinton's office in 2007 arrested again

By Edmund DeMarche, CNN

February 10, 2010 -- Updated 2052 GMT (0452 HKT)

SWAT team members respond to the 2007 incident at Hillary Clinton's New Hampshire campaign office.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Leeland Eisenberg entered campaign office in 2007 with road flares strapped to his chest
• Eisenberg convicted of kidnapping, criminal threatening, false reports of explosives
• He was released Monday, on the lam Tuesday, arrested Wednesday in New Hampshire

RELATED TOPICS

• Probation and House Arrest
  
• Hillary Clinton
  

New York (CNN) -- Leeland Eisenberg, who authorities say held Hillary Clinton's New Hampshire campaign office hostage in 2007, was arrested peacefully at his home in Dover, New Hampshire, on Wednesday morning, sheriff's officials said.

Read More>>>

Man who threatened Clinton's office in 2007 arrested again

By Edmund DeMarche, CNN

February 10, 2010 -- Updated 2052 GMT (0452 HKT)

SWAT team members respond to the 2007 incident at Hillary Clinton's New Hampshire campaign office.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Leeland Eisenberg entered campaign office in 2007 with road flares strapped to his chest
• Eisenberg convicted of kidnapping, criminal threatening, false reports of explosives
• He was released Monday, on the lam Tuesday, arrested Wednesday in New Hampshire

RELATED TOPICS

• Probation and House Arrest
  
• Hillary Clinton
  

New York (CNN) -- Leeland Eisenberg, who authorities say held Hillary Clinton's New Hampshire campaign office hostage in 2007, was arrested peacefully at his home in Dover, New Hampshire, on Wednesday morning, sheriff's officials said.

Read More>>>

This comes under the heading, "What was that judge thinking?"

February 10, 2010
National Briefing | New England
New Hampshire: Hostage-Taker Turns Fugitive
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The man who took hostages in 2007 at a presidential campaign office of Hillary Rodham Clinton in Rochester cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet Tuesday and is a fugitive. The man, Leeland Eisenberg, cut off the bracelet a day after he was given a “last chance” at freedom by a judge who released him despite probation violations. The Strafford County attorney, Thomas Velardi, said Mr. Eisenberg was dangerous and should not be approached.

FYI Here is the guy in question:

FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2007 file photo, Leeland Eisenberg talks about strapping a fake bomb to himself and taking people hostage at the Rochester, N.H. presidential campaign office of Hillary Rodham Clinton, during an interview from the Strafford County Jail in Dover, N.H. New Hampshire authorities say Eisenberg has cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet Tuesday morning Feb. 9, 2010 and is a fugitive who is a danger to the public.
(AP Photo/Jim Cole)

Hillary Clinton: Intrepid Snow Angel!

This is from yesterday's press briefing (which was teleconferenced due to D.C. being PARALYZED by white stuff that came from the sky).

QUESTION: And what is she doing today, by the way?

MR. CROWLEY: Today, she is here in Washington, D.C. and is on the – I think she’s had a lunch with Rahm Emanuel, Chief of Staff at the White House, as well as taking various phone calls with key staff, also doing some budget preparation. For those who are storm watchers, she actually enjoyed a drive yesterday back to Washington from her house in Chappaqua.

QUESTION: She didn’t drive, did she?

MR. CROWLEY: I think fair to say the Diplomatic Service drove her.

If you know anything about Hillary's reputation behind the wheel, this is a good thing!

Former President Clinton's Role in Haiti

Well, I dunno, you might have had some questions.

Former President Clinton's Role in Haiti

Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
February 9, 2010

Question Taken at the February 9, 2010 Telephone Conference Call

Question: How does the U.S. Government view former President Clinton’s role in Haiti?

Answer: The United States is pleased that the UN Secretary-General has asked former President Clinton to take on an expanded role as UN Special Envoy for Haiti. We understand that President Clinton will assume a leadership role in coordinating international aid efforts from emergency response to recovery and reconstruction in Haiti. The United States applauds this decision, and looks forward to continuing to work with former President Clinton in his expanded role. For further details on President Clinton’s expanded role, I refer you to the United Nations.

Secretary Clinton asked to intervene in Haiti kidnap case

Feb 9, 2:41 PM EST

Clinton asked to intervene in Haiti kidnap case



By MATTHEW LEE
Associated Press Writer
Advertisement


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S.-based lawyer for one of 10 American Baptists charged with child kidnapping in Haiti appealed Tuesday for Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to personally intervene in the case.

The State Department said Tuesday that the detainees - who insist they are innocent and were on a humanitarian mission - had been receiving consular visits from U.S. diplomats and that it would be unusual for Clinton or any secretary of state to get personally involved.

"We are doing exactly what we would do with detained Americans anywhere in the world," spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters. He added that access to the detainees should be easily arranged by the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince and Haitian officials.

Read more>>>>

Secretary Clinton will travel to Qatar and Saudi Arabia

From Dipnote: Secretary Clinton will travel to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, February 13-16, 2010. #hillarytravel

Secretary Clinton To Travel to Qatar and Saudi Arabia


Philip J. Crowley
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Public Affairs
Washington, DC
February 9, 2010

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Qatar and Saudi Arabia from February 13-16.

In Qatar on February 14, she will meet with Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, as well as Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al-Thani. Secretary Clinton will also speak at the U.S.-Islamic World Forum, being hosted by the Qatari Government and the Saban Center on the evening of February 14.

During her February 15-16 visit to Saudi Arabia, Secretary Clinton will meet with King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud as well as Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal.

This explains the order of appearance:

State Department tweets announcement of Clinton trip to Qatar, Saudi Arabia

February 9, 2010 - 15:17

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON - In a first for U.S. diplomacy, the State Department has used the social network tool Twitter to announce an upcoming overseas trip by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Followers of the department's "Dipnote" Twitter feed were the first to get official word of Clinton's Feb. 13-16 trip to Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. That was well before the formal announcement, which was not expected until later in the day.

Read more>>>

Hillary Clinton's Statement on Congressman Jack Murtha

I knew she would have something lovely to say. D.C. is still snowed in, so it is a slow Hillary-day. Sad that this is all there is to post, especially since it seems this was an avoidable death.

Statement on Congressman Jack Murtha


Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 8, 2010

________________________________________
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Congressman Jack Murtha. From the battlefields of Vietnam to the hills of Western Pennsylvania to the halls of Congress, Jack Murtha lived by the Marine Corps credo "Semper Fidelis," never wavering in his faithful commitment to the country he loved and the men and women who bravely defend her. In war and in peace, he fought for what he knew was right, even when it was unpopular. He was a fierce advocate for working families struggling with a changing economy and for better health care and equipment for service members. And over the course of more than three decades in Congress, he became one of our nation's most respected voices on national security and foreign policy. Presidents of both parties sought his advice and generations of colleagues looked to him for leadership and wisdom. As Senator from New York serving on the Armed Services Committee, I was fortunate to call Jack a friend and mentor. And as Secretary of State, I continued to rely on his expertise and judgment. I knew that Jack would always shoot straight, like the Marine he was, and never shy away from a difficult question or a tough fight. Today our country has lost a decorated war hero and a distinguished public servant. The men and women of our armed forces have lost a tireless champion. And the people of Pennsylvania's 12th district have lost a neighbor, an advocate, and a true friend. My thoughts and prayers are with them and with Jack's beloved wife Joyce and their family. He will be sorely missed.

Slideshow: Hillary Clinton Disembarking

With D.C. in Snow-Down and the SOS out of camera range, I am officially bored, so I did something I have always wanted to do. I have made a slideshow of the Secretary of State embarking, disembarking, and in the vicinity of planes she has just arrived on for your viewing pleasure (as Stacy always says).

P.S. I would NOT be bored if I were in NOLA right now, but I am not, so congratulations Saints fans! Party on!

R.I.P. John Murtha

Well this came as a shock today! John Murtha passed away following gall bladder surgery. To be sure, he was a controversial figure, but he was colorful and seemed to have a loyal constituency. Below, we see him at a rally for Hillary in 2008. I am sure she will have kind words for him.

Godspeed, Congressman Murtha. Thank you for your service.

In this March 24, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D- N.Y, left, addresses the crowd with Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., center, and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell at the Fayette Campus of Penn State University in Uniontown, Pa. Murtha, an influential critic of the Iraq War whose congressional career was shadowed by questions about his ethics, died Monday, Feb. 8, 2010. He was 77. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

Secretary Clinton's Daily Appointments Schedule for February 8, 2010

I guess we all saw this coming. Stay warm and dry, Mme. Secretary!

Daily Appointments Schedule for February 8, 2010


Washington, DC
February 8, 2010

SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON

No Public Schedule Due to the Closing of the Federal Government.
There will not be a Daily Press Briefing today

Hillary Clinton on State of the Union with Candy Crowley : Some Clips *UPDATED* with Text

Candy managed a huge Sunday morning "get" by having pre-recorded this interview on Thursday before the blizzard crippled Washington. Here is the transcript.

Washington, DC
February 4, 2010

QUESTION: First of all, thank you so much. It’s an honor to have you on this first show. I wanted to talk to you first about the past month. We have seen a would-be terrorist frighten a lot of people on a plane over Detroit, we have gotten Usama bin Ladin’s tape, and we have now been warned by the U.S. Government that it is certain that there will be an attempted attack on the U.S. or on Americans in the next one to six months. Is there a reason Americans should not look at that and think the risk factor is up?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Candy, first of all, congratulations on your new show. I really wish you well. You have a lot to contribute to Sunday morning television.

I think what’s fair for Americans to think is that we have had a continuing threat from al-Qaida and related terrorist organizations over many years now. It hasn’t gone away. We have contained it. We’ve worked very hard to do so. But over the last six months, we have seen attacks foiled, people arrested and charged, so that you have to be constantly vigilant. And that’s what everybody working in this government at all levels attempts to do.

In the last month, because of the high-profile attempt on the airplane, people’s attention became very focused. But a bin Ladin tape is nothing new; it comes and goes depending upon when he decides to do it. But I think it’s really important for people to just go along with their daily lives. I mean, you can’t be deterred or discouraged or fearful about what’s happening, and we just have to do everything we can to keep America safe.

QUESTION: Can you give me a feel for is the risk higher, is al-Qaida stronger now than a year ago?

SECRETARY CLINTON: It’s very difficult to make that kind of assessment because they’ve always been plotting against us. I was a senator from New York on 9/11. I was honored to serve the people of New York until I took this job. I thought about it every day. I got intelligence every day, somebody was thinking about that or we picked up information about a plot there. So to me, who has followed this very closely since 9/11, I don’t see them as stronger, but I see that they are more creative, more flexible, more agile. They evolve. They are, unfortunately, a very committed, clever, diabolical group of terrorists who are always looking for weaknesses and openings, and we just have to stay alert.

QUESTION: If they’re more agile and more clever, are there more of them? And doesn't that sort of add up to more risk?

SECRETARY CLINTON: I don’t know if there are more of them. We have certainly degraded their capacity in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We know that. As the President said the other night, we have killed and captured a significant number of al-Qaida’s top leadership as well as people in the Taliban organizations in Afghanistan and Pakistan who cooperate with them.

We see some new areas of threat emanating from Somalia and Yemen. But whether that’s now in the cumulative greater, or whether because the numbers in Afghanistan and Pakistan have decreased, it’s about the same but with the unfortunate fact that they are committed to killing and destroying innocent people in their own countries as well as around the world, including the United States.

QUESTION: While we’re in that region, let me ask you about Afghanistan. U.S. troops cannot get out of there unless there is a stable Afghan Government. Hamid Karzai, as of this point, does not have a full cabinet. They are now trying to bring in not just foot soldiers, bring them back into the fold, not just Taliban foot soldiers, but some higher-ups. Do you have any doubt in your mind that Hamid Karzai can get his act together and put together a stable government?

SECRETARY CLINTON: I think that the strategy that the United States and more than 44 countries are pursuing in Afghanistan obviously requires that we have a good partner in President Karzai and the Afghan Government. That doesn't mean that we’ll always do what he wants or he will always do what we want, but we do expect to see a level of competency and capacity.

QUESTION: Have you seen it?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes, actually, there are areas of very positive cooperation. He may not have a full cabinet, but the cabinet members he has are people who many of us view as honest and effective, productive. We work with them on a daily basis – the defense minister, the finance minster – people who are really producing results for Afghanistan.

I’ve spent a lot of time with President Karzai, most recently about a 90-minute one-on-one conversation in London. I think he has really stepped up since his second inaugural address. He laid out a roadmap there. He is trying to follow that roadmap. But I always remind myself that, what, five or six years into a new nation that has no history of democracy, let’s be realistic about the kind of support that this new government and the president needs. So I think we have to put this into a more balanced perspective. It’s neither as bad or as good, just like most of life and most of the situations I deal with around the world. And I think we have developed a much stronger understanding and partnership in the last year going forward.

QUESTION: So no doubts that Karzai is the man to pull this together?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, he is the president of the country and I very much respect the authority that he has. He has asked for help, most recently at the London conference, but he also has his own ideas, as do the Afghan people. So in any relationship with any country, think of some of our oldest allies like France or England, you’re not always going to get 100 percent agreement, but you work with the leaders and you work with the people. We’re not yet turning the corner, but we are sort of inching our way forward to being able to do so. So I think, on balance, we are in this with people and countries who are committed to the same outcome.

QUESTION: Shall we leave the Karzai doubt question on the table?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I mean, I don’t agree with any other single leader in the world. I mean, I don’t – I mean, obviously, we have a lot --

QUESTION: I just think that’s a little different from are you a little worried that he’s not going to be able to pull this off. And I pursue it only because that’s the only way U.S. troops are going to get pulled out.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, but see, I think that we have looked at President Karzai through a lens that is not rooted in reality. I mean, we do business with leaders all the time, some of whom are great American allies, that have a lot of questions raised about them. But we do an assessment: What’s in the best interest of America? What’s in our national security? What advances our interests and our values? What keeps Americans safe?

And so why should we take one leader out and put him apart from all the other leaders we deal with and raise all those doubts, instead of saying, look, we’ve got work to do and we’re doing it. We are doing it day by day and I think we are making progress.

(Break.)

QUESTION: I wanted to bring your attention to something that President Obama said in his inaugural a little more than a year ago: “We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” Has Iran unclenched its fist?

SECRETARY CLINTON: No.

QUESTION: How about North Korea?

SECRETARY CLINTON: No, not to the extent we would like to see them. But I think that’s – that is not all to the story. Engagement has brought us a lot in the last year. Let’s take North Korea first and then we’ll go to Iran.

In North Korea, when we said that we were willing to work with North Korea if they were serious about returning to the Six-Party Talks and about denuclearizing in an irreversible way, they basically did not respond in the first instance. But because we were willing to engage, we ended up getting a very strong sanctions regime against North Korea that China signed onto and Russia signed onto and right now is being enforced around the world.

QUESTION: Did the extended hand of the U.S. help in any way that you can point to?

SECRETARY CLINTON: It did. Because we extended it, a neighbor like China knew we were going the extra mile and all of a sudden said you’re not just standing there hurling insults at them, you’ve said all right, fine, we’re willing to work with them. They haven’t responded, so we’re going to sign on to these very tough measures.

Similarly, in Iran, I don’t know what the outcome would have been if the Iranian Government hadn’t made the decision it made following the elections to become so repressive. But the fact is, because we engaged, the rest of the world has really begun to see Iran the way we see it. When we started last year talking about the threats that Iran’s nuclear program posed, Russia and other countries said, well, we don’t see it that way. But through very slow and steady diplomacy, plus the fact that we had a two-track process – yes, we reached out on engagement to Iran, but we always had the second track, which is that we would have to try to get the world community to take stronger measures if they didn’t respond on the engagement front.

QUESTION: I want to turn to Haiti for a minute. We’re in there with a lot of people. They’re doing a lot of talking, and what they’re finding is Haitians saying we wish the American Government would come in here and take over because they don’t think their government is capable in the post-rescue period of rebuilding Haiti. What’s wrong with that idea?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Candy, I’m very proud of what not only our country has done, both our military and particularly our civilians and our new USAID Administrator Raj Shah – everybody has just stepped up and performed admirably. So have other countries. This has been a global response. But the fact is there is a legitimate government with authority in Haiti despite the --

QUESTION: A really weak government.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, the fact is that we were working with them before the earthquake. One of my goals as Secretary of State, which the President agreed with, was for us to work with that government and try to help them implement a national development plan. And we had spent a lot of time on that. In fact, what’s so tragically ironic is that, literally, the night before the earthquake, on PBS there was a – the NewsHour had a long segment about the progress that was being made in Haiti under this very same government. Unfortunately, all of that was upended by the earthquake.

What we’re doing along with our international partners is to work with the Haitian Government so that there is a mechanism for coordination. They have to be part of it because they have the legal authorities. Unless a government or a bunch of governments is going to occupy Haiti, which would have all kinds of very unfortunate implications, we have to help support the Haitian people and their government. There’s a lot of talk going on, a lot of conference calls flying back and forth, the trip that I made to Montreal for the conference, and I’m confident we’re going to come up with a system.

QUESTION: UN envoy to Haiti, you may know, is Bill Clinton.

SECRETARY CLINTON: I do know.

QUESTION: I’m just curious how that works exactly. Does he give you reports? Does he call up and say, “Hello, Secretary of State?” (Laughter.) And really, who’s the boss here?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, he was appointed, again, months and months ago and was working on the private sector. He had brought hundreds of business people from around the world to sign contracts to employ people in Haiti. And now he’s been asked by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to continue and enhance his role because of the earthquake.

He talks to the people who I work with. He doesn't – it’s not me. It’s Raj Shah and Cheryl Mills and all the other teams.

QUESTION: He doesn't say, “Give me the big Kahuna here?” (Laughter.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: No, I mean, he talks to people who are really working on this 24 hours a day. Obviously, we talk about it, too. We have a special place in our heart for Haiti, having gone there during our honeymoon many years ago. And it’s a place that is captivating. The people are so resilient and they deserve so much better than what they’ve gotten over their history. And I think Bill is committed, as I am, to doing everything we can.

QUESTION: If you were to say to the American people this country is the most dangerous to Americans and to the U.S., where is that country?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Candy, in terms of a country, obviously, a nuclear-armed country like North Korea or Iran pose both a real or a potential threat.

QUESTION: And you’re convinced Iran has nuclear --

SECRETARY CLINTON: No, no, no. But we believe that their behavior certainly is evidence of their intentions. And how close they are may be the subject of some debate, but the failure to disclose the facility at Qom, the failure to accept what was a very reasonable offer by Russia, France, and the U.S. through the IAEA to take their uranium, their low-enriched uranium and return it for their research reactor. I mean, there’s just – it’s like an old saying that if you see a turtle on a fencepost in the middle of the woods, he didn’t get there by accident, right? Somebody put him there. And so you draw conclusions from what you see Iran doing.

But I think that most of us believe the greater threats are the transnational non-state networks, primarily the extremists, the fundamentalist Islamic extremists who are connected – al-Qaida in the Arab Peninsula, al-Qaida in Pakistan and Afghanistan, al-Qaida in the Maghreb. I mean, the kind of connectivity that exists. And they continue to try to increase the sophistication of their capacity, the attacks that they’re going to make. And the biggest nightmare that any of us have is that one of these terrorist member organizations within this syndicate of terror will get their hands on a weapon of mass destruction. So that’s really the most threatening prospect we see.

(Break.)

QUESTION: When you look at the biggest success in the past year for the open hand, where is your – I mean, the Middle East is still pretty much a mess despite some really bright minds over there trying to work it out. We’ve talked about Iran and North Korea and others. Where is there success of specifically engagement?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Again, I would say that this has been a very successful year for the following reasons. First, it’s almost hard to remember how poorly much of the world viewed the United States when President Obama came into office. And both his election and his persona, combined with the approach we took of seeking to find the basis for engagement on mutual respect and mutual interest, has really created a much more open, receptive atmosphere. We are working in many difficult situations in every continent, but I think we’re being received in a positive way, which gives us a better chance to find common ground.

Now, I am fairly realistic about foreign policy, and countries don’t just give up what they view as their interests in order to make nice with you. It takes a lot of effort. But I really feel that the engagement was the first stage. We had to change the mindset of not just leaders but of their populations. We are moving toward a new nuclear arms treaty with Russia, something that has been a high priority with us. We have reset our relationship. The Russians have been very positive in discussions about sanctions on Iran and on many other important matters. I’m not sure that would have been predicted a year ago. We do have a very comprehensive engagement with India, with China, with other big countries, from South Africa to Turkey to Brazil, and we are working together on areas of mutual interest or where the United States can be a facilitator.

So I think that when I look back on this past year, I see a lot of positive trends. Now, this year, 2010, has to be a year of implementing and building on the positive foundation that we’ve built.

QUESTION: A quick question on healthcare, which seems to be stalled, which – and that’s probably the best we can say about it. Are you getting a little déjà vu watching this? (Laughter.)

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, it’s really hard. It is a complex issue that touches everybody about which both people and interests have really strong feelings. But I haven’t given up yet and I know the White House hasn’t given up and I don’t think a lot of the members of Congress have given up, so I’m not sure that this last chapter has been written.

QUESTION: Have you called anybody on the Hill or have you talked to the White House? Are you dispensing the wisdom of your time trying to figure this out?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, when I’m asked, I am very happy to respond. I mean, it’s not anything I have direct responsibility for, but I’ve had a number of conversations and both in the White House and on the Hill and with others who are playing a constructive role. And I, like I think many Americans, hope that there can be a positive outcome.

QUESTION: So I want to do a quick lightning round with you. First of all, Colts or the Saints?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Oh, I don’t answer football questions because, to be honest, I don’t follow it. Now, if my husband were sitting here, he would give you a very long exegesis as to why one team was better than the other, but I’ll just leave it to see what happens at the Super Bowl.

QUESTION: In between talking about Haiti, he doesn't say I need you to root for --

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, no, because neither of them are our teams. I mean, there’s not a New York team. I mean, so we’re just interested observers.

QUESTION: Who are watching the game with or are you on the phone with foreign leaders?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, if they call me, I’m on the phone with them. Otherwise, it’ll be my family.

QUESTION: And finally, just as the mother – recently the mother of a groom, as the mother of the bride, have you found that dress yet?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, if you don’t tell anybody, Candy, we’re still looking. Yeah, and it’s a new status for me being an MOTB, but I’m very proud to have that status.

QUESTION: Good luck on the search. That’s all I have to say. As you know, it’s --

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. But your son – you didn’t have to go buy a dress, so that’s good. That was not part of --

QUESTION: Exactly. So no Chelsea dress either.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I don’t have a dress yet, no, and Chelsea doesn't either. But we’re working on it.

QUESTION: Well, good luck. And do you think it’s – which is harder, Middle East peace or negotiating this wedding? (Laughter.)

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I’d probably call it a draw about now. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: Well, good luck with both, actually.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.

QUESTION: I really appreciate your being here.

SECRETARY CLINTON: And good luck to you.

QUESTION: Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

SECRETARY CLINTON: You’re welcome.

More Video from Hillary Clinton's Tour of Africa in August

As with the prior post, this is not new. I just found it. So, it's a flashback to August again. Everybody who is snowed in can warm up (a little) looking at dead-of-winter in Africa.

VOA Video of Hillary in South Africa

This is not new. It is a flashback to August when Hillary was in Africa. Since I just found it, and it is a slow Hillary weekend, I though I would share it.

Guests for the Sunday TV news shows (That means Hillary is on!)

Warning: Linked to source, but if you GO there, you will see a picture of Sarah Palin. Just sayin'.

Guests for the Sunday TV news shows

By The Associated Press The Associated Press

Friday, February 5, 2010 5:05 PM EST

Guest lineup for the Sunday TV news shows:

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ABC's "This Week" — Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

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CBS' "Face the Nation" — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

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NBC's "Meet the Press" — John Brennan, President Barack Obama's top counterterrorism adviser; former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson; former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan; Ed Gillespie, former Bush White House counselor; Dee Dee Myers, former press secretary for President Bill Clinton.

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CNN's "State of the Union" — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

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"Fox News Sunday" — Former Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska; Mark Skoda, a talk radio host who helped organize the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

Hillary Clinton on State of the Union with Candy Crowley Sunday

There is nothing emptier than a Hillary-free weekend. When she travels, of course, she does not have weekends off. Although we know she works on weekends when she is home, she does so out of camera range. So it is always a treat (or for some, a "fix") when we get to see her on Sunday TV. The bonus is that we get to see her, but she does not have to actually be at a studio since this was pre-recorded. We hope she gets some rest since several of us could hear some congestion when she spoke yesterday morning and think she might be fighting a cold.

Here is a preview provided by CNN.

(CNN) - The biggest threats to America's national security come not from Iran or North Korea, but from trans-national non-state actors, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told CNN's Candy Crowley in an exclusive interview to air Sunday.

"Most of us believe the greater threats are the trans-national non-state networks, primarily the extremists – the fundamentalist Islamic extremists who are connected to al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula," Clinton said. "Or al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan."

"They continue to try to increase the sophistication of their capacity," the nation's top diplomat added. "The attacks that they're going to make and the…biggest nightmare that any of us have is that one of these terrorist member organizations within this syndicate of terror will get their hands on a weapon of mass destruction."

READ MORE>>>