Hillary Clinton presented with Hellenic Award

Today Secretary Hillary Clinton was presented with an award from the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes at the State Department.

She spoke as she accepted the award:

"I am very honored by this recognition, and I am very privileged to have known you and worked with you now over a number of years from the moment of your induction and ascent to this position of eminence. I am very grateful to everyone here for the strong ties that bind our people. And it is a unique and fitting tribute that we would have earth collected from the birthplace of democracy and from the center of our own democracy here in Washington as we strive to fulfill the Athenian democratic tradition."

Read her full remarks here or watch below:

The Secretary hosted Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Karel De Gucht at the State Department today.

She took a question from the press during their briefing on Gitmo.

QUESTION: Madame Secretary, if Belgium offers to take in Guantanamo prisoners, is that – is this type of offer going to make it possible to get the deadline, the January deadline, to close the prison?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we’re very grateful for the cooperation and assistance that Belgium and other countries have offered. As President Obama proceeds with the closure of Guantanamo, we’ll be discussing that. There is a lot of work ahead of us to be sure that we are fully able to produce the kind of information and responses that Belgium and other countries are looking for. But we’re very appreciative of – not on this – not just on this issue, but on the many issues that the minister and his government have been working with us.

Read their full remarks here or watch below: Read entire post

Working to Close Gitmo

Today Hillary named Daniel Fried, who is Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, to a post where he will be involved in the closing of Guantanamo Bay, a special envoy of sorts.

He has been chosen to expedite the closure and to persuade other countries to accept detainees from the prison.

Spokesman Robert Wood said Clinton is encouraged by European willingness to receive Guantanamo prisoners. He also said "the secretary has determined we need to intensify our efforts to facilitate the transfer of detainees" to meet President Barack Obama's commitment to close the prison within a year.

Fried, who was a US Ambassador to Poland, has worked with various administrations in determining policy outcomes for Kosovo, European missile defense, and the Russia-Georgia conflict. He won't be starting this new job until Phil Gordon is confirmed by the senate to take over as assistant secretary for Europe and Eurasian Affairs.

I think it is really great that Hillary is going to be spearheading the historic closing of Gitmo. She is going to do this right and the fact that she has appointed an envoy to give special focus is a great start.

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Middle East and Europe Trip: Brussels!

In remarks to reporters aboard her plane en route from Ramallah to Brussels, Secretary Clinton touched on an array of subjects. She said that overall in her talks with Arab foreign ministers she heard "over and over and over again" a deep-seated worry about threats posed by the Iranians. She reiterates that Obama stands ready to engage in talks with Iran but says "we want to make sure it's constructive."

"It is clear that Iran intends to interfere with the internal affairs of all of these people and try to continue their efforts to fund terrorism, whether it's Hezbollah or Hamas or other proxies."

On Guantanamo Bay: Also without getting too detailed, she responded to a question about European officials willingness to resettle Muslim detainees at the Guantanamo Bay. She said "I'm very encouraged by what I've heard." She's received "positive, receptive responses."

On Sudan's President: Also enroute she mentioned that Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. And commented on the controversy surrounding the war crimes in Darfur he was chargned with. She said firmly, "President Bashir would have a chance to have his day in court if he believes that the indictment is wrongly charged. He can certainly contest it. I certainly hope that it does not lead to any additional actions of violence or punishment on the part of the Bashir government."

If you haven't heard of the case, Bashir was indicted on seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, a panel of judges said it had insufficient grounds to charge him for genocide in a conflict that U.N. officials say has killed as many as 300,000 people since 2003.

"Governments and individuals who either conduct or condone atrocities of any kind, as we have seen year after year in Sudan, have to be held accountable."

The Bush Administration was not a member of the ICC. The Obama administration is currently reviewing whether to sign up to the ICC as part of a review of foreign policy.

On Russia: She also talked about her visit to Brussels saying the talks here will focus on Russia and the likely unfreezing of high-level relations with NATO, sparked by Moscow's decision to send troops into Georgia last August.

"I am looking to demonstrate that the United States intend to be an active participant within NATO and with our NATO partners. I will certainly be raising issues that are important to the United States such as our plan going forward for Afghanistan and Pakistan, the NATO-Russia relationship, some of the old problems and new threats together."

When asked about a possible unfreezing in NATO's ties with Russia, she suggested there might be other means through which to engage Russia. "I think the NATO-Russia Council is one vehicle but there may be other ways that we can design. But it is not the vehicle so much as the substance."

According to alliance diplomats, she and her NATO counterparts are set to announce Thursday the new beginning of formal high-level ties with Russia while reassuring Georgia and Ukraine they have a future in the military alliance. And the Secretary discussed having a "more robust and meaningful dialogue with Russia going forward on a range of issues."

One of the major sticking points for Russia is U.S. missile defense plans. Clinton hopes Russia can see this Administration's point of view.

"It is my hope that we will persuade Russia to take part in that defense," she said. She expanded, saying she thought Moscow might feel less threatened by the U.S. anti-missile shield plans. I think they are beginning to really believe it, that this is not about Russia."

The United States has been negotiating with Poland and the Czech Republic to install 10 missile interceptors, which would not carry explosive warheads, and a radar system on their territories to expand its shield into Europe.

The move is meant to counter any missile threat from Iran but it angered Russia. However, the project might be off all together. Obama has ordered a review to see if it is still technically feasible and cost effective.

The Transatlantic Dinner: So after a plane ride of questioning, Hillary arrived tonite in Brussels for the closed door "transatlantic dinner" at the Egmont palace. According so a few journalists in Brussels Hillary has the town "abuzz with excitement."

Hillary met with Belgium's Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht ahead of the dinner. And she was seated next to Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband. (Who I love btw...)

She will consult NATO and European allies on her new strategy to combat the insurgency in Afghanistan tomorrow. Interestingly enough, these meetings take place as the administration of President Barack Obama prepares to deploy 17,000 additional troops in Afghanistan and prepares to implement a strategic review of the war against the Taliban insurgency as the main contributor to NATO's operations in the country.

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Today's Important Meetings; Spain may help close Guantanamo

Some important Hillary news to catch up on: It's old news here, but yes, the next Trip on the Secretary's agenda is Israel. And she will be bringing more than just good ol' U.S. Diplomacy, she'll be packing $900 mil to help rebuild Gaza and strengthen the Palestinian Authority.

Her main goal is to breathe new life into peacekeeping efforts between Israelis and Palestinians. This whole idea of handing over $900 million dollars to another war torn country while we are strapped for cash has not gone over well with... well anyone really. There's been much criticism about the money falling into the hands of Hamas. That topic is u for debate...

Part of the goal of this funding is to boost the Palestinian Authority of President Mahmoud Abbas, which controls the occupied West Bank. The U.S. wants to see Abbas play a central role in the reconstruction effort in Gaza and, in effect, increase its influence in the Hamas stronghold. Washington is also putting pressure on other donors to bolster Abbas.

In other news... Monday, Secretary Clinton appointed Dennis B. Ross, who in 1995 brokered an agreement between Israel and Palestinian Authority, as her special adviser for the gulf and Southwest Asia. Ross served under two US Presidents: George H W Bush and Bill Clinton. He is known for shaping the Middle East policies under the two administrations. As Special Adviser to Hillary, Ross will provide her and State Department officials strategic advice and perspective on the region; offer assessments and also act to ensure effective policy integration throughout the region; but its been made clear he is not an "envoy" and won't be involved in any negotiating. Ross will coordinate with senior officials in the development and formulation of new policy approaches; and participate in inter-agency activities related to the region.

So, on to today's affairs, which are still unfolding. Down at the State Department there were a lot of meetings going on, with very very brief remarks.

The first meeting, may of very well been the most important. Read about the interesting relationship with Spain here. Watch the Secretary and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos before their meeting here.

The results of this meeting are quite heavy. After their meeting, Moratinos said he had promised Secretary Clinton that Spain would make contact immediately to study possible Guantanamo Bay prisoner transfers on a case-by-case basis. He spoke to the Spanish media saying: "She asked me for help with the solution of this unacceptable tragedy which is the prisoners at Guantanamo. I told her that Spain is in principle open to co-operating in receiving some prisoners, as long as the legal conditions are acceptable."

That is really huge! We have about 250 prisoners at Guantanamo and have released or transferred to other governments about 520 other men and teenagers previously held there. Obama called for the closure of Guantanamo within one year. Looks like Hillary is the FIRST to really make a bold statement and take action on this.

Just as an aside, Hillary got a lot of criticism from Human Rights groups and activists when she didn't make human rights the top priory in China. But really, how could she of gone into a country like China and reprimanded them for holding prisoners when we have an entire prison full of possibly innocent people that we don't know what to do with. I fully applaud her to have the courage, strength and grace to go abroad with a clear agenda and not back down or tip-toe around any touchy issues. Then to come home and start the process and start really making some changes. Even just reaching out hand to another country and talking and getting ideas about how to approach Guantanamo Bay show she is ready to renew the moral standing of the U.S. We no longer will force other countries to do what we, ourselves, have not done or are not willing to do. To me, that's good foreign policy.

Then the Secretary was to head to the White House to preside at the official meeting of President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso. Which, by the way, Hillary arranged while in Tokyo! She spoke with National Security Adviser James Jones in the Oval Office, although I haven't heard any other details about what went on during the meeting. Then it was back to the State Department for more meetings. Watch the photo opp with Secretary Clinton and Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta here. View the clip of Secretary Clinton and Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon in the Treaty Room at the State Department here. Watch the brief meeting and remarks of the Secretary and Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi after their meeting here. Right now, I am awaiting a Speech from President Obama where I'll be keeping my eyes out for that bright pink Pantsuit! Read entire post