First Read : State Dept.

HRC confident Iraq elections will happen

Domenico Montanaro — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:28:00 GMT

From NBC's Sue KrollSecretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters today that the U.S. has every reason to believe that Iraq's election will happen although the date "might slip by some period of time". Iraq's Vice President vetoed a key part of Iraqs election law last week raising doubts that the election may not happen by the end of January. By law the Iraqi law the elections must take place before the end of January. "We have every reason to believe that elections will be held which...(read more)

Iraq veto could affect troop withdrawal

Domenico Montanaro — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:19:00 GMT

From NBC's Sue KrollU.S. offcials said Wednesday that the U.S. was disappointed by news that the Iraqi Vice President vetoed a key part of Iraq's election law. "We urge the Iraqi leaders and parliament to to take quick action," State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly said. The move raises doubts that the election may not happen on time. The Iraqi constitution mandates the elections happen before the end of January. The delay could affect U.S. plans for a withdrawal from Iraq, set to begin...(read more)

U.S. criticizes Israeli settlement expansion

Domenico Montanaro — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:11:00 GMT

From NBC's Andrea Mitchell and Sue Kroll
Despite Hillary Clinton's recent praise for what she called Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's "unprecedented" steps on the controversial issue of settlements, the traveling White House has issued a very tough statement slamming Israel for further expansion of settlements in Arab East Jerusalem.

Issued just now under White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' name, the statement reads:

We are dismayed at the Jerusalem Planning Committee's decision to move forward on the approval process for the expansion of Gilo in Jerusalem. At a time when we are working to re-launch negotiations, these actions make it more difficult for our efforts to succeed. Neither party should engage in efforts or take actions that could unilaterally pre-empt, or appear to pre-empt, negotiations. The U.S. also objects to other Israeli practices in Jerusalem related to housing, including the continuing pattern of evictions and demolitions of Palestinian homes. Our position is clear: the status of Jerusalem is a permanent status issue that must be resolved through negotiations between the parties.

State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters Tuesday that the Israeli plan to expand the Gilo settlement in East Jerusalem is "dismaying."

According to news reports, Israeli officials set forth a plan on Tuesday to build 900 more housing units in a Jewish neighborhood that had been claimed by Palestinians.

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Clinton regrets '93 healthcare approach

Domenico Montanaro — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:14:00 GMT

From NBC's Sue KrollSecretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said today in Manila, if she could change any decision in the past it would be on healthcare. Speaking to university students at town hall style event Clinton said, " I wish that we had taken a different approach or been more successful back in 1993 and 1994. Hindsight is 20/20." Clinton has returned to Singapore, where she will meet with the Foreign Minister tomorrow and join President Obama for the meeting of APEC leaders...(read more)

Eikenberry vs. Clinton?

Mark Murray — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:11:00 GMT

From NBC's Sue KrollAt today's State Department briefing, spokesman Ian Kelly was asked about the leaked cables from U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry -- which expressed concerns about sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan -- and if they were at odds with Secretary Clinton backing the increase of more troops. Kelly replied, "Ambassador Eikenberry has been providing this kind of advice and analysis to the president and secretary since he arrived." A senior State Department official...(read more)

HRC: Time for Karzai to 'take action'

Domenico Montanaro — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:28:00 GMT

From NBC’s Libby LeistToday in the Philippines, Hillary Clinton was asked about Ambassador Eikenberry's cables expressing concern about a troop buildup in Afghanistan before President Karzai addresses corruption issues. The Secretary of State would not share what advice she has given the president about troop numbers, but she spoke about the need for Karzai to "take action" to address corruption. "We're looking to President Karzai, as he forms a new government, to take action that will...(read more)

Clinton addresses policy forum

Domenico Montanaro — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:22:00 GMT

From NBC's Ali Weinberg and Wendy Jones
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today addressed the first public policy forum of NoLimits.org, an education foundation focusing on issues like work-family policies, healthcare reform and human rights. The nonpartisan group was founded by Ann Lewis, whose brother is House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank.

Clinton said she recognized many friends in the audience, including her best friend from sixth grade, as well as many whom she met "in the cauldron of the 2008 election." She called Lewis Rep. Frank's "long-suffering sister," joking about Lewis's reaction to Frank's speech earlier at the forum: "He did great but his shirt was untucked!"

Although the speech was devoted mostly to Clinton's experience thus far as Secretary of State, she did comment on some of the day's news, expressing optimism about the House passing its health care bill tomorrow.

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Clinton to meet with Abbas, Netanyahu

Domenico Montanaro — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:44:00 GMT

From NBC's Andrea MitchellThe State Department is confirming Palestinian reports that Secretary Clinton is leaving Islamabad tomorrow evening for Abu Dhabi, where she will hold talks Saturday with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. The rest of her schedule is unclear, but she is expected in Jerusalem Saturday night for meetings Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, according to Israeli officials. She then heads to Morocco for meetings Monday and Tuesday....(read more)

HRC to Pakistan: Get real

Domenico Montanaro — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:19:00 GMT

From NBC's Andrea Mitchell
Hillary Clinton, buffeted by tough questions for two days about the U.S. influence on Pakistan's military, said today she finds it hard to believe that no one in Pakistan's government knows where al Qaeda is -- and couldn't get them if they wanted to. She added that al Qaeda has had a safe haven in Pakistan for seven years.

The Secretary of State's very undiplomatic response came in a meeting with newspaper editors.

This exchange is not on camera:

Asked why other countries can't be involved in fighting terrorism -- not just Pakistan -- Clinton said: "Al-Qaeda has had safe haven in Pakistan since 2002. I find it hard to believe that nobody in your government knows where they are and couldn't get them if they really wanted to. Maybe that's the case; maybe they're not gettable. I don't know.''

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Hillary Clinton in Pakistan

Mark Murray — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:53:00 GMT

From NBC's Andrea Mitchell
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was welcomed to Pakistan by a car bomb explosion in Peshawar -- as well as word of the latest terror attacks in Afghanistan.

Just as Clinton was embarking on a trip to emphasize that the U.S. was not only focused on security and terror -- but also wanted a broader relationship with Pakistan -- the terror attacks brought home the brutal reality of Pakistan's dilemma: Under pressure from the U.S., the government has launched its long delayed attack against insurgents in tribal areas. But the extremists have responded with a spate of attacks, undermining the legitimacy of the government and angering Pakistanis frustrated by the lack of security.

Video: A massive car bomb rocks a crowded market in Pakistan hours after Secretary of State Hilary Clinton arrives in the country.

At a news conference today with Pakistan's foreign minister, Clinton said that she wanted to turn the page on the U.S. relationship with Pakistan and build on mutual respect and shared responsibilities. "While we may disagree from time to time as friends and partners do" Clinton said, she vowed to do more thru people to people diplomacy.

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