U.S. GOVERNMENT | A resilient balance of institutions
13 January 2009
Hillary Clinton Seeks to Renew U.S. Leadership Through Diplomacy
Secretary of state nominee cites Obama administration foreign policy goals
Washington — Hillary Clinton says that as secretary of state she would work to “renew America’s leadership through diplomacy that enhances our security, advances our interests and reflects our values.”
Clinton appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee January 13 for her confirmation hearing. If confirmed by the Senate, Clinton, now a New York senator, would be the nation’s chief diplomat and often would represent President Obama abroad. The Senate is expected to confirm her nomination shortly after Inauguration Day.
Clinton said she and President-elect Obama believe the United States needs to take an approach to foreign policy that will enable America to “remain a positive force in the world.” This would include strengthening partnerships with allies and institutions and reaching out to adversaries.
“America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own and the world cannot solve them without America,” Clinton said. “The best way to advance America’s interests in reducing global threats and seizing global opportunities is to design and implement global solutions.”
Throughout her appearance before the committee, Clinton emphasized her intention to use what she called “smart power,” or a variety of diplomatic, economic, military, political, legal and cultural tools. Clinton said her diplomatic team would use the “right tool or combination of tools for each situation.”
While multilateral diplomacy is important, Clinton also said the Obama administration’s “overriding duty is to protect and advance America’s security, interest and values, to keep our people, our nation and our allies secure.”
“We also know that military force will sometimes be necessary and we will rely on it to protect our people and our interests when and where needed as a last resort.”
The Obama administration will have to establish priorities and make tough choices, Clinton said. One of those priorities is “responsibly ending the war in Iraq” by “responsibly withdrawing our troops” and “supporting a transition to full Iraqi responsibility for their sovereign nation.” Another priority will be to use “diplomacy, development and defense” to “root out al-Qaida” in Afghanistan.
Another priority Clinton listed was ensuring that nuclear weapons do not end up in the hands of terrorists.
“The gravest threat that America faces is the danger that weapons of mass destruction will fall into the hands of terrorists,” Clinton said. “We must curb the spread and use of these weapons.”
Other priorities include supporting programs that will bolster people’s health, education and economic opportunities.
CLINTON’S REGIONAL GOALS
During her testimony and a question-and-answer period, Clinton highlighted the Obama administration’s goals in various regions of the world.
In the Middle East, Clinton said, the Obama administration must pursue a policy that “addresses the security needs of Israel and the legitimate political and economic aspirations of the Palestinians.”
Speaking about the situation in Gaza, Clinton said she and Obama are “deeply sympathetic to Israel’s desire to defend itself … and to be free of shelling by Hamas rockets. However, we have also been reminded of the tragic humanitarian costs of conflict in the Middle East. … This must only increase our determination to seek a just and lasting peace agreement” that brings security to Israel and security and economic progress to Palestinians in their own state.
Speaking about Iran, Clinton said she would continue the United States’ work to prevent nuclear proliferation and encourage Iran to become a constructive entity in the region.
In Asia and Europe, Clinton said, she will seek to strengthen current alliances and build new ones.
“Our alliance with Japan is a cornerstone of American policy in Asia, essential to maintaining peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region,” Clinton said. “We will build on our economic and political partnership with India, the world’s most populous democracy and a nation with growing influence in the world,” she added.
“Our traditional relationships of confidence and trust with Europe will be deepened. Disagreements are inevitable, but on most global issues we have no more trusted allies,” Clinton said.
The Obama administration, Clinton said, will reach out to Russia and China. “With both Russia and China, we should work together on vital security and economic issues like terrorism, proliferation, climate change and reforming financial markets,” she said.
The United States will also be looking to strengthen its relationships with neighboring countries, Clinton said, noting that Canada and Mexico are major trading partners. Clinton said she anticipates opportunities to enhance relationships throughout the Americas. “We will return to a policy of vigorous involvement, partnership even, with Latin America,” she said.
Clinton said the Obama administration has many security, political and economic interests in Africa. It will work to combat al-Qaida’s efforts to seek safe havens in the Horn of Africa, she said, help African nations conserve natural resources, look to stop war in the Congo, and end autocracy in Zimbabwe and “human devastation” in Darfur.
“But we also intend to support the African democracies like South Africa and Ghana,” she said, adding that the administration will seek to partner with nongovernmental organizations to assist in expanding health clinics that help Africans combat HIV/AIDS.
The full text of Clinton's prepared testimony is available on America.gov.
See also “The Future Cabinet.”
