Timeline: Secretary Clinton's First 100 Days
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George Mitchell and Richard Holbrooke Named to Key Posts Jan. 22, 2009: On her first day as Secretary of State--alongside President Obama and Vice President Biden--Secretary Clinton named Senator George Mitchell as Special Envoy for Middle East Peace to reinvigorate the process for achieving peace between Israel and its neighbors. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke was also named Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and is responsible for coordinating Afghanistan-Pakistan efforts, not only within the State Department and with USAID, but also with the Defense Department and the National Security Council.
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Secretary Clinton Travels to AsiaDates: 2/15/09 - 2/22/09
Secretary Clinton Visited Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, and China
Total Trip Miles: 22,402 milesIn her first trip abroad since taking office, Secretary Clinton traveled to Asia, where she discussed common approaches to the challenges facing the international community, including the financial markets turmoil, humanitarian issues, security, and climate change.
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Demonstrating Trans-Pacific Partnership and Inaugural Trip to AsiaFeb. 15, 2009: Secretary Clinton's visit to Asia for her first trip as Secretary of State sent a clear message that the United States will be fully engaged as a trans-Pacific power and partner. Secretary Clinton visited Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, and China.
Full Text | Remarks at the Asia Society -
Signing Guam International Agreement and Hosting First Overseas Town HallFeb. 17, 2009: In Japan, Secretary Clinton signed the Guam International Agreement, which will position the U.S.-Japan security alliance to meet the challenges of this time by moving 8,000 American troops from Okinawa to Guam. Secretary Clinton also hosted her first overseas Town Hall at the University of Tokyo.
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Establishing a Comprehensive Partnership With Indonesia and Renewing Engagement With ASEANFeb. 18, 2009: Secretary Clinton's visit to Indonesia laid the groundwork for transforming the U.S. relationship with Indonesia into a comprehensive partnership and reflected a renewed engagement with ASEAN. In a visit to the ASEAN Secretariat, the first by a Secretary of State, Secretary Clinton announced the U.S. intention to launch the formal interagency process to pursue accession to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. Pictured with Secretary Clinton is ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan.
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Showcasing Smart Power in Southeast AsiaFeb. 18, 2009: The Secretary's appearance in Indonesia--a key Southeast Asian nation, and also the world's most populous Muslim country--sent a clear signal to countries of that region that the United States is once again a player there and provided the best opportunity to showcase the Secretary's emphasis on smart power. In addition to bi-lateral meetings, Secretary Clinton hosted a dinner with civil society leaders, spent time in a neighborhood to highlight USAID/local partnerships, and appeared on a pop culture television program called "Awesome."
Full Text | Video | U.S.-Indonesia Dialogue -
Hosting Town Hall in South Korea at Ewha Women's UniversityFeb. 20, 2009: In Korea, Secretary Clinton hosted a Town Hall at the world's largest women's university, where she underscored the United States' commitment to advancing the rights of women to lead more equitable, prosperous lives in safe societies. In Indonesia, Secretary Clinton met with elected women officials, and in China she met with civil society leaders.
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Setting U.S.-China Relations on a Positive PathFeb. 21, 2009: While in China, Secretary Clinton met with President Hu, Premier Wen, State Councilor Dai, and Foreign Minister Yang, providing a platform for her to convey both personally and publicly that the United States wants a "positive, cooperative, relationship" focused on global issues of common concern. Premier Wen spoke of a "new historical starting point" in U.S.-China relations. Pictured with Secretary Clinton is Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
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Establishing New Clean Energy Partnership With ChinaFeb. 21, 2009: On Secretary Clinton's visit to China, she announced plans to establish a new clean energy partnership between China and the United States to develop and deploy clean energy technologies designed to speed our transformation to low-carbon economies.
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Engaging in Diplomatic Efforts To Reinvigorate Six-Party Talks and in Response to Test LaunchFeb. 26, 2009: In addition to Secretary Clinton traveling to the region to consult with allies, she swiftly appointed Ambassador Stephen Bosworth to be Special Representative for North Korea Policy. In early March, Ambassador Bosworth traveled to Beijing, Tokyo, and Seoul to consult with senior officials in those countries about the North Korea nuclear issue and how to move the Six-Party process forward. In response to North Korea's recent test launch, Secretary Clinton reached out to leaders of Six-Party countries and coordinated with Ambassador Susan Rice to deliver a strong statement condemning North Korea's launch.
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Hosting Trilateral Meeting With Foreign Ministers From Afghanistan and PakistanFeb. 26, 2009: Secretary Clinton hosted a trilateral meeting at the State Department with Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta and Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi to exchange views on the strategic issues, which at the time were under review by the Obama Administration.
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Secretary Clinton Travels to the Middle East and EuropeDates: 2/28/09 - 3/8/09
Secretary Clinton Visited Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Belgium, Switzerland, and Turkey
Total Trip Miles 15,518 milesSecretary Clinton participated in the donor's conference for Gaza recovery hosted by Egypt, then traveled to Israel and the Palestinian Territories and met with senior officials. In Brussels, Secretary Clinton attended an informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers, and met with EU officials. While in Geneva and Ankara, she met with key officials.
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Pledging $900 Million at Gaza Donors' Conference in Sharm el-SheikhMar. 2, 2009: Senator Mitchell traveled with Secretary Clinton to the Gaza Donors' Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh on her second trip as Secretary of State. At the Gaza Donors' Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Secretary Clinton announced a U.S. pledge of more than $900 million to be split among humanitarian relief for Gaza, budget support for the Palestinian Authority, and general development and security aid for the Palestinian Authority in both the West Bank and Gaza.
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Initiating Engagement With Syria
Mar. 2, 2009: In Sharm el-Sheikh, Secretary Clinton announced that the U.S. would be sending two representatives to Damascus, Syria to explore renewed engagement. Ambassador Jeff Feltman and the NSC's Dan Shapiro traveled to the region and discussed issues of mutual concern with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mu'allim the presidential advisor on political and media affairs, Bouthaina Shaaban and with the Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Faisal Mekdad.
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Investing in Civil SocietyMar. 4, 2009: While in the West Bank, Secretary Clinton announced new grants for Palestinian students interested in studying at American universities so that a larger pool of capable young men and women from places such as the West Bank and Gaza can compete with students in other countries for the opportunity to study in America. This announcement is part of Secretary Clinton's hallmark focus on investments in civil society and people-to-people diplomacy.
Full Text | Exchanges Website -
Continuing to Reset U.S.-Russian Relations
Mar. 6, 2009: Secretary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met recently in Geneva to continue resetting U.S.-Russia relations by building on the priorities set by Vice President Biden and laying the groundwork for President Obama's first meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Lavrov set forth a work plan with specific tasks and timetables on issues of common concern to the United States and Russia. Both diplomats placed a heavy emphasis on a joint non-proliferation agenda, including a notional work plan and schedule for START negotiations.
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Reaffirming the Strong Bonds of Alliance With TurkeyMar. 7, 2009: Upon her visit to Turkey, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan reaffirmed the strong bonds of alliance, solidarity and strategic partnership between the Republic of Turkey and the United States. While in Turkey, Secretary Clinton also appeared on Haydi Gel Bizimle Ol, a TV interview with a group of women journalists.
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Presenting International Women of Courage Awards With First Lady Michelle Obama
Mar. 12, 2009: To honor Women's History Month and to recognize demonstrations of courage and bravery among women around the world, Secretary Clinton invited First Lady Michelle Obama to the State Department to present the annual International Women of Courage awards.
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Secretary Clinton Travels to Mexico and TexasDates: 3/25/09 - 3/26/09
Secretary Clinton Visited Mexico City, Monterrey, Dallas, Houston
Total Trip Miles: 6,562 milesMar. 25, 2009: At the invitation of Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa, Secretary Clinton traveled to Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico from March 25 to 26. While in Mexico, Secretary Clinton discussed a broad range of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest, including cooperation under the Merida Initiative.
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Emphasizing Shared Responsibility and Comprehensive Engagement in MexicoMar. 25, 2009: Secretary Clinton visited Mexico City and Monterrey to underscore that the relationship between Mexico and the United States must be even stronger in the future and the U.S. is committed to a partnership built on comprehensive engagement, greater balance, and shared responsibility for hemispheric and global issues. Secretary Clinton pledged $80 million for Blackhawk Helicopters, $1.4 billion for the Merida Initiative, and an additional $720 million for border infrastructure. The Secretary also emphasized clean energy public and private partnerships with Mexico. During Secretary Clinton's trip, she visited a cutting-edge biogas plant in Monterrey that procures electricity from methane extracted from garbage.
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Secretary Clinton Travels to the NetherlandsDates: 3/30/09 - 3/31/09
Total Trip Miles: 4,031 milesAt the invitation of Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to the Netherlands to attend the "International Conference on Afghanistan: A Comprehensive Strategy in a Regional Context" in The Hague on March 31.
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Facilitating International Conference on Afghanistan at The HagueMar. 31, 2009: At the suggestion of Secretary Clinton, the Dutch Government hosted an International Conference on Afghanistan at The Hague on March 31. At the conference, Secretary Clinton hosted a series of bi- and tri-lateral meetings including with Afghanistan President Karzai, Foreign Minister Qureshi, General Pasha and others from Pakistan's delegation, and representatives from key regional and donor countries (e.g., the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Jan Balkenende). Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Holbrooke together urged leaders from participating countries to address the common challenges posed by turmoil in the region through substantial pledges to Afghanistan.
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Facilitating Initial Engagement With Iran at The Hague
Mar. 21, 2009: At the conference on Afghanistan at The Hague, Special Representative Holbrooke had a very brief exchange with the head of the Iranian delegation. A member of the U.S. extended delegation also delivered an unsigned letter to the head of the Iranian delegation seeking both information and assistance about three American citizens currentlly detained in Iran. Secretary Clinton has also named Dennis B. Ross to be Special Advisor to the Secretary of State for the Gulf and Southwest Asia.
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Secretary Clinton Joins President Obama in EuropeDates: 4/1/09 - 4/5/09
Total Trip Miles: 5,011
At the invitation of Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen, Secretary Clinton traveled to the Netherlands. On April 1, she joined President Obama as he traveled in Europe.
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Establishing the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue Apr. 1, 2009: During the G-20 summit, President Obama appointed Secretary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to be Special Representatives for the United States to the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. The dialogue will focus on addressing the challenges and opportunities faced by both China and the United States on a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global areas of immediate and long-term strategic interest.
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Hosting the Antarctic Treaty Consultative MeetingApr. 6, 2009: Secretary Clinton hosted the first-ever joint session of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and the Arctic Council where she highlighted, among other things, the critical role of science in understanding the impacts of climate change at the poles. Deputy Secretary Steinberg also attended the Arctic Council ministerial and "Melting Ice" meeting in Tromso, Norway.
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Hosting the AUSMIN Conference at the State Department With Secretary GatesApr. 9, 2009: Secretary Clinton hosted the AUSMIN conference at the State Department. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, and Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon also attended.
Full Text | Video | Australia-U.S. Ministerial Meeting -
Pledging $57 Million at Haiti Donor's ConferenceApr. 14, 2009: At the Haiti Donor's Conference in Washington, DC, Secretary Clinton pledged $57 million in U.S aid to boost Haitian security, build roads, create jobs, fight drug trafficking, and improve food security. The Secretary also announced that through the U.S. Government, a charitable organization will be established to which the Haitian Diaspora and the U.S. can contribute. We will help coordinate other NGOs, particularly those that have been started by Haitian Americans who want to give back and are looking for the best way to do so. Secretary Clinton also recently traveled to Haiti and the Dominican Republic before joining President Obama at the Summit of the Americas.
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Announcing Counter-Piracy InitiativesApr. 15, 2009: In response to the Maersk situation, Secretary Clinton announced counter-piracy initiatives in a press availability. Initiatives include: sending an envoy to the Somali donors' conference calling for immediate meetings with U.S. partners in the Contact Group on Piracy Off the Coast of Somalia urging Somali Government officials to take action against pirates operating from bases within their territory and working with shippers and the insurance industry to address gaps in their self-defense measures.
Full Text | Video | Remarks on Maersk Situation -
Secretary Clinton Travels to Haiti and the Dominican RepublicDates: 4/16/09 - 4/19/09
Total Trip Miles: 6,715 milesWhile in Haiti, Secretary Clinton met with President Rene Preval to discuss issues of common concern including stability, security, and assistance. In the Dominican Republic, the Secretary met with President Leonel Fernandez and discussed bilateral development cooperation and efforts to combat drug trafficking. At the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Secretary Clinton accompanied President Obama to a gathering of the 34 democratically elected leaders of the Western Hemisphere.
Travel Page | Photos: Haiti and Dominican Republic -
Hosting a Digital Town Hall of the AmericasApr. 17, 2009: Prior to joining President Obama at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, Secretary Clinton hosted a Digital Town Hall of the Americas in the Dominican Republic. An online audience of 20,000 watched the event live throughout the hemisphere and over 360,000 viewers saw the town hall on YouTube. Pictured with Secretary Clinton is Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez.
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Launching Greening Diplomacy Initiative With Special Envoy Todd SternApr. 22, 2009: On Earth Day, the Secretary launched a "Greening Diplomacy Initiative," demonstrating the State Department's commitment to lead by example in improving the sustainability of our facilities and operations both domestically and abroad.
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Testifying Before the House Appropriations SubcommitteeApr. 23, 2009: Secretary Clinton testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State in her first set of Congressional hearings since becoming Secretary of State.
Full Text | Video | Remarks Before the House Foreign Affairs Committee
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Secretary Clinton Travels to Kuwait, Iraq, and LebanonDates: 4/23/09 - 4/26/09
Secretary Clinton Visited Kuwait City, Baghdad, and Beirut
Total Trip Miles: 13,868 milesThe trip to Iraq is her first as Secretary of State. While in Baghdad, Secretary Clinton met with senior leaders in the Government of Iraq. She also held a town hall with Iraqi citizens who work day in and day out with Provincial Reconstruction Teams, to hear from and discuss with them what they are achieving as well as issues facing the Iraqi people.
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Hosting Town Hall and Visiting Iraqi Government Officials in Surprise Visit to Baghdad
Apr. 25, 2009: In a surprise trip, Secretary Clinton visited Baghdad where she met with Iraqi government officials and hosted a town hall with PRT contacts, government employees, and Iraqi civil society leaders. The State Deparment has played a central role in developing and reviewing the Administration's strategy to draw down American troops and transistion to a fully sovereign Iraq. In Beirut, Secretary Clilnton met with President Suleiman, and laid a wreath at the gravesite of Rafik Hariri with his son, Saad Hariri.
Full Text| Video| Remarks with Iraqi Foreign Minister
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Convening Major Economies Forum on Energy and ClimateApr. 27, 2009: The climate change dialogue continued with the first preparatory session for the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate in Washington, DC. The Forum convened 17 economies, representing some 80 percent of the world's economic output and greenhouse gas emissions, to accelerate progress toward a successful outcome in Copenhagen and facilitate the exploration of concrete initiatives and joint ventures that can put us on the pathway to a low-carbon economy. The April session will be followed by two more preparatory sessions, culminating in a Leaders Meeting in Italy in July.
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