Hillary Clinton has pledged to use a "smart" mix of military and diplomatic power as US secretary of state, in testimony before a US Senate committee. The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee is conducting a hearing to confirm Mrs Clinton's appointment as secretary of state. The former New York Senator has been greeted warmly by her ex-colleagues. But they may ask tough questions about conflicts of interest triggered by her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Mr Clinton's charitable foundation has received a number of donations from foreign governments and multinational corporations.
Hillary Clinton has pledged to use a "smart" mix of military and diplomatic power as US secretary of state, in testimony before a US Senate committee.
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee is conducting a hearing to confirm Mrs Clinton's appointment as secretary of state.
The former New York Senator has been greeted warmly by her ex-colleagues.
But they may ask tough questions about conflicts of interest triggered by her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
Mr Clinton's charitable foundation has received a number of donations from foreign governments and multinational corporations.
WASHINGTON: Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton signaled on Tuesday that the United States would try to increase its diplomatic contacts with Iran and Syria, and she declared that the vision of Israelis and Palestinians co-existing in peace and prosperity must not be abandoned. Despite the "seemingly intractable problems" in the Middle East, "we cannot give up on peace," Senator Clinton said before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is considering whether to confirm her appointment her as President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be Washington's top diplomat. Clinton said America must recognize Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas rockets but cannot ignore the suffering of Palestinians citizens, as well as Israelis. "Real security for Israel, normal and positive relations with its neighbors" as well as genuine security for Palestinians must continue to be America's ideal, she said. The senator acknowledged that lasting peace in the Middle East, and the idea of Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side, are dreams that have been elusive, and that American presidents, including her husband, have been frustrated in their efforts to achieve them. Nevertheless, she said, this is a time of great opportunities as well as dangers, in the Middle East and elsewhere.
WASHINGTON: Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton signaled on Tuesday that the United States would try to increase its diplomatic contacts with Iran and Syria, and she declared that the vision of Israelis and Palestinians co-existing in peace and prosperity must not be abandoned.
Despite the "seemingly intractable problems" in the Middle East, "we cannot give up on peace," Senator Clinton said before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is considering whether to confirm her appointment her as President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be Washington's top diplomat.
Clinton said America must recognize Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas rockets but cannot ignore the suffering of Palestinians citizens, as well as Israelis. "Real security for Israel, normal and positive relations with its neighbors" as well as genuine security for Palestinians must continue to be America's ideal, she said.
The senator acknowledged that lasting peace in the Middle East, and the idea of Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side, are dreams that have been elusive, and that American presidents, including her husband, have been frustrated in their efforts to achieve them. Nevertheless, she said, this is a time of great opportunities as well as dangers, in the Middle East and elsewhere.
