ID :
42105
Thu, 01/22/2009 - 12:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/42105
The shortlink copeid
Clinton approved by Senate as 3rd woman to become top U.S. diplomat
By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Senate Wednesday confirmed Sen. Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, allowing new U.S. President Barack Obama to tackle North Korea's nuclear ambitions, ongoing wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Gaza and
other security threats.
The vote was 94-2 with two Republican senators opposing due to their concerns
over a possible conflict of interest between the new secretary of state's job and
overseas charity activities by her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
Hillary Clinton has refused to accept the proposal by some Republicans that her
husband stop fundraising while she is in office, pointing out the pledge by the
Clinton Foundation to reveal its list of donors.
Clinton's confirmation was delayed one day as a Republican senator opposed a
voice vote Tuesday soon after Obama's swearing-in, although Homeland Security
Secretary Janet Napolitano and six other Cabinet-level officials were approved by
the Senate.
The former first lady became the third female in the post of top U.S. diplomat,
after Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week approved her in a 16-1 vote.
At her confirmation hearing last week, Clinton said she will engage North Korea
directly as well as through six-party talks to address its alleged uranium-based
nuclear program and suspected nuclear proliferation as well as the
plutonium-producing reactor.
Her remarks are in line with Obama's pledge at his swearing-in ceremony Tuesday
that he will "work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat with old friends and
former foes," and use power in a legitimate manner to regain U.S. global
credibility undermined by the war in Iraq.
She also told the hearing that under the Obama administration, Washington will
use what she called "smart power" that "requires reaching out to both friends and
adversaries, to bolster old alliances and to forge new ones."
Clinton also proposed renegotiation of the pending free trade agreement with
South Korea, citing an imbalance in auto trade and restrictions on beef
shipments.
"If the South Koreans are willing to re-engage negotiations on these vital
provisions of the agreement, we will work with them to get to resolution," she
told the hearing.
Obama has also described the Korea-U.S. FTA as "badly flawed," opposing it as it
stands.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Senate Wednesday confirmed Sen. Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, allowing new U.S. President Barack Obama to tackle North Korea's nuclear ambitions, ongoing wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Gaza and
other security threats.
The vote was 94-2 with two Republican senators opposing due to their concerns
over a possible conflict of interest between the new secretary of state's job and
overseas charity activities by her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
Hillary Clinton has refused to accept the proposal by some Republicans that her
husband stop fundraising while she is in office, pointing out the pledge by the
Clinton Foundation to reveal its list of donors.
Clinton's confirmation was delayed one day as a Republican senator opposed a
voice vote Tuesday soon after Obama's swearing-in, although Homeland Security
Secretary Janet Napolitano and six other Cabinet-level officials were approved by
the Senate.
The former first lady became the third female in the post of top U.S. diplomat,
after Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week approved her in a 16-1 vote.
At her confirmation hearing last week, Clinton said she will engage North Korea
directly as well as through six-party talks to address its alleged uranium-based
nuclear program and suspected nuclear proliferation as well as the
plutonium-producing reactor.
Her remarks are in line with Obama's pledge at his swearing-in ceremony Tuesday
that he will "work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat with old friends and
former foes," and use power in a legitimate manner to regain U.S. global
credibility undermined by the war in Iraq.
She also told the hearing that under the Obama administration, Washington will
use what she called "smart power" that "requires reaching out to both friends and
adversaries, to bolster old alliances and to forge new ones."
Clinton also proposed renegotiation of the pending free trade agreement with
South Korea, citing an imbalance in auto trade and restrictions on beef
shipments.
"If the South Koreans are willing to re-engage negotiations on these vital
provisions of the agreement, we will work with them to get to resolution," she
told the hearing.
Obama has also described the Korea-U.S. FTA as "badly flawed," opposing it as it
stands.
