Clinton outlines approach to Iran
Posted: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:09 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:
State Dept.
From NBC's Libby LeistIn the first round of questions with Sen.
Kerry, Sen.
Clinton has given a rough outline of how the
Obama administration will approach Iran.
"We are not taking any option off the table at all, but we will pursue a new, perhaps different approach" toward engagement with Iran, she said.
Video: NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell reports on the confirmation hearings for Hillary Clinton's place as secretary of state.She told Kerry the Obama Administration has "no illusions" about the leadership of Iran and that it is difficult to predict how successful engagement will be.
"We won't know what we're capable of achieving until we're there," she said.
Clinton voiced support for more sanctions against Iran and the importance of building international coalitions to support those sanctions.
Kerry asked Clinton whether she would personally engage Iran and she said she couldn't answer that question until she had a chance to come into office get a fuller brief and consult with allies.
In her opening statement, Clinton said, "We cannot give up on peace" in the Middle East and between Israel and Palestinians. She added that the U.S. must persuade Iran and Syria "to abandon their dangerous behavior."
Here's part of Clinton's opening statement: "We must also actively pursue a strategy of smart power in the Middle East that addresses the security needs of Israel and the legitimate political and economic aspirations of the Palestinians; that effectively challenges Iran to end its nuclear weapons program and sponsorship of terror, and persuades both Iran and Syria to abandon their dangerous behavior and become constructive regional actors; that strengthens our relationships with Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, other Arab states, with Turkey, and with our partners in the Gulf to involve them in securing lasting peace in the region.
"As intractable as the Middle East's problems may seem -- and many Presidents, including my husband, have spent years trying to help work out a resolution -- we cannot give up on peace. The President-elect and I understand and are deeply sympathetic to Israel's desire to defend itself under the current conditions, 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, and pained by the suffering of Palestinian and Israeli civilians. This must only increase our determination to seek a just and lasting peace agreement that brings real security to Israel; normal and positive relations with its neighbors; and independence, economic progress, and security to the Palestinians in their own state.
"We will exert every effort to support the work of Israeli's and Palestinians who seek that result. It is critical not only to the parties involved but to our profound interests in undermining the forces of alienation and violent extremism across our world."
*** UPDATE *** Clinton: 'Goal is to end the North Korean nuclear programs'
Clinton used tough language on North Korea this morning during questioning from Sen. Murkowski (R-AK). She said, "Our goal is to end the North Korean nuclear programs" and "We have got to end North Korea as a proliferator."
Clinton voiced support for the six-party process started in the Bush administration which includes a working group of China, Japan, South Korea, the US and Russia to deal with North Korea. She said this is a framework she and Obama think "has merit" and "is a vehicle for us to exert pressure on North Korea in a way that is more likely to alter their behavior."
Clinton told the panel the entire North Korea policy is under review, including the recent negotiating record of the U.S. and North Korea, and that she has had lengthly discussions with Secretary Rice about the latest diplomacy.
