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Olmert: Clinton as Secretary of State will strengthen Israel-U.S. ties
By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondent, and The Associated Press
Tags: Israel news, Obama, Gates 

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert congratulated U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton on Monday on her appointment to the important position of Secretary of State in the administration of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama.

"Sen. Clinton is a friend of the State of Israel and the Jewish People and I am sure that in her new position she will continue to advance the special Israel-U.S. relationship," the Prime Minister said.

Obama confirmed Monday that Clinton, a former campaign rival, is his choice for secretary of state. Obama also announced that Robert Gates is to stay on as defense secretary, making President George W. Bush's Pentagon chief his own as he seeks to wind down the U.S. role in Iraq.
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At a news conference, Obama also introduced former NATO top commander Gen. James Jones as White House national security adviser, former Justice Department official Eric Holder as attorney general and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as secretary of homeland security.

The announcements rounded out the top tier of the team that will advise the incoming chief executive on foreign and national security issues in an era marked by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and terrorism around the globe.

"The time has come for a new beginning, a new dawn of American leadership to overcome the challenges of the 21st century," Obama said as his Cabinet picks stood behind him on a flag-draped stage.

"We will strengthen our capacity to defeat our enemies and support our friends. We will renew old alliances and forge new and enduring partnerships," he said.

Obama said his appointees "share my pragmatism about the use of power, and my sense of purpose about America's role as a leader in the world."

The president-elect, reprising a campaign vow, said he would give the military a new mission as soon as he takes office: responsibly ending the war in Iraq through a successful transition to Iraqi control. He did not mention his oft-repeated pledge to withdraw most U.S. combat troops within 16 months.

Clinton, Holder and Napolitano all require confirmation by the Senate.

Jones, as a White House official, does not. Nor does Gates, who has already been confirmed to the post.

He also appointed campaign foreign policy aide Susan Rice as his ambassador to the United Nations. Obama said he would make her a member of the Cabinet, an increase in stature from the Bush era.

Obama's announcements marked a shift in emphasis, after a spate of appointments last week for his economic team.

He now has selected half the members of his Cabinet, and is doing so at an unusually quick pace during his transition as he seeks to fulfill his goal of being able to hit the ground running when he takes the oath of office on January 20.

Obama introduced Clinton first, saying of his former presidential rival, "She possesses an extraordinary intelligence and toughness, and a remarkable work ethic. ... She is an American of tremendous stature who will have my complete confidence, who knows many of the world's leaders, who will command respect in every capital, and who will clearly have the ability to advance our interests around the world."

Clinton will give up her seat as a senator from New York to join the Obama Cabinet. Her appointment was preceded by lengthy negotiations involving her husband, the former president, whose international business connections posed potential conflicts of interests.

The former president also agreed to disclose the donors to the foundation that built his library, as well as contributors to his international foundation.

She said to Obama, in a brief turn at the lectern, "I am proud to join you ... and may God bless you and our great country."

Sen. Clinton had scarcely finished speaking when her husband issued a written statement. "She is the right person for the job of helping to restore America's image abroad, end the war in Iraq, advance peace and increase our security, by building a future for our children with more partners and fewer adversaries, one of shared responsibilities and opportunities," he said.

Gates said he was "mindful that we are engaged in two wars and face other serious challenges at home and around the world."

"I must do my duty as they do theirs," he said of the men and women in uniform in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. "How could I do otherwise?"

He said he was honored to serve President-elect Obama.

Gates' appointment fulfilled a campaign promise by Obama, the naming of a
Republican to his Cabinet.

Holder vowed to revitalize a Justice Department staggered by scandal during the Bush administration, both over the dismissal of federal prosecutors and the administration's program of wiretapping as part of its war against terrorists.

Napolitano, like Clinton, must resign her current job. As a border state governor, she has experience with immigration issues, one of the pressing concerns that will confront the new administration.

Obama said Jones, his national security adviser, will bring to the job the dual experience of serving in uniform and as a diplomat. He has commanded a platoon in battle, served as supreme allied commander in a time of war and worked on behalf of peace in the Middle East.

The event was unlike those of last week, when Obama was the only one to speak. This time, he called on each of his appointees to make remarks, beginning with Clinton.

Vice President-elect Joe Biden said each member of the team shares the goals and the principles of the new administration that strength and wisdom must go hand in hand, and that America's security is not a partisan issue.

Obama has settled on additional members of his Cabinet, although they have not yet been announced.

Among them are former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle to be his secretary of health and human services and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be commerce secretary.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, asked about Clinton at a news conference in London, said Monday: "I think that she will bring enormous energy and intellect and skill to the position."

Most important, I know her to be somebody who has what you need most in this job, which is a deep love for the United States of America, Rice said. She added, As to advice, I'll give her that advice privately, and then she won't - and you won't - hear from me again.

The decisions mean Obama has half of the 15-member Cabinet assembled less than a month after the election, including the most prominent positions at State, Justice, Treasury and Defense. With the world grappling with war, recession and terrorist threats that erupted this week during coordinated attacks in India, Obama was moving swiftly to try to bring reassurance and continuity in the federal government when he takes over in less than two months.

Clinton's nomination is the latest chapter in what began as a bitter rivalry for the Democratic presidential nomination. To make it possible for his wife to become secretary of state, party officials said, former President Bill Clinton agreed to some concessions in his post-White House work.

News of the appointment was greeted with enthusiasm by a key Jewish Democratic organization on Monday.

"By selecting Senator Hillary Clinton, President-elect Barack Obama will be nominating a secretary of state who is ready and prepared to engage the international community," read a statement by the National Jewish Democratic Council. "This selection sends a clear message that the Obama administration wants to improve the international standing of the United States."

"A strong secretary of state is extremely important to the new administration's ability to work towards stability and peace in the Middle East," the NJDC said. "In Clinton, the president-elect has a strong effective leader who will be able to implement the administration's foreign policy initiatives.
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  1.   HILLARY VS JONES WILL BE FOR THE BEST 19:04  |  indrajaya 01/12/08
  2.   That`s what the Obama campaign had to say about Hillary Clinton.. 19:22  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/12/08
  3.   Checks and Balance`s in place 19:28  |  Sonny 01/12/08
  4.   And what are those who have already served under 19:49  |  Kris Lazar 01/12/08
  5.   The magical merchant of change! 20:05  |  Mike Malkovitch 01/12/08
  6.   Middle East? They Will Mismanage Russia and China 20:24  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 01/12/08
  7.   No skid marks either! 20:24  |  Mike Malkovitch 01/12/08
  8.   "And thus we drift towards unparalleled disaster" -- Einstein 21:25  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 01/12/08
  9.   Israelis beware: Jim Jones spells trouble 22:28  |  Steve 01/12/08
  10.   Flexibility, that makes a good leader. 22:33  |  Stephen. 01/12/08
  11.   Doesn`t that sound wonderful? 23:04  |  Clickfool 01/12/08
  12.   For Steve # 9 23:08  |  Clickfool 01/12/08
  13.   Israel beware Peace is coming! 23:12  |  Jassim 01/12/08
  14.   I don`t think US-Israeli relations can get ........ 23:26  |  MGB 01/12/08
  15.   I am sure Olmert wont be advancinf Israel-US relations 23:27  |  zionist forever 01/12/08
  16.   Olmert and Hillary-- 23:57  |  bob 01/12/08
  17.   Olmet is convinced 00:06  |  Batasha 02/12/08
  18.   He Should have appointed Lieberman instead! 00:08  |  Ahmad 02/12/08
  19.   Olmert is convinced ........ 00:14  |  Natashaaa 02/12/08
  20.   Olmert says this..Olmert says that... 00:30  |  Steven 02/12/08
  21.   Israel Citizenry Has No Foreign Gov`ts as Friends 00:37  |  Joseph.E 02/12/08
  22.   Just like I was convinced back then 00:50  |  retrospect 02/12/08
  23.   I Don`t Believe In Jesus Nor in Mohamed , So Who is My friend ? 00:56  |  Joseph.E 02/12/08
  24.   Obama, Jones, Gates, Clinton 01:04  |  Ktovet al hakir 02/12/08
  25.   I certainly don`t Believe In Olmert-Peres , Nor in Livni 01:06  |  Joseph.E 02/12/08
  26.   It`s all in the tongue 01:10  |  Den Tiste 02/12/08
  27.   another delusional reaction from Olmert 01:20  |  Connie 02/12/08
  28.   Steve 01:26  |  Connie 02/12/08
  29.   Sonny 01:31  |  Connie 02/12/08
  30.   8 years is enough 02:03  |  Capt Ahab 02/12/08
  31.   the only thing a clinton in office is going to advance is Israel 02:32  |  glenna 02/12/08
  32.   Hillary has a boss, his name is Obama 02:37  |  Jack 02/12/08
  33.   No friends, just people who give you money? 04:10  |  Ala Kazam 02/12/08
  34.   ASSURANCES FROM OLMERT & INDRAJAYA 06:56  |  N 02/12/08
  35.   ASSURANCES FROM OLMERT & INDRAJAYA 07:03  |  B. Roffman 02/12/08
  36.   you think,who told you Rich. 07:11  |  billy jack 02/12/08
  37.   Olmert is not in Jail yet? 09:12  |  Baruch Gold 02/12/08
  38.   zeev the serial quoter and civil war 10:15  |  harzion 02/12/08
  39.   The Saudi Plan must be central to all US-Israli ties 11:05  |  Ivar 02/12/08
  40.   keep dreaming 11:45  |  John and the Truth 02/12/08
  41.   The exact opposite of Olmert is generally the most likely outcome 12:05  |  EL 02/12/08
  42.   #35 Ivar: Saudis Beheading at Rate of 137 per Year! 12:16  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 02/12/08
  43.   Hillary 13:50  |  Swiss Choclat 02/12/08
  44.   There is only ONE GOOD THING about the Clinton appointment...... 14:05  |  Swiss (Dino) 02/12/08
  45.   For 12 Clickfool 14:06  |  chasaboy 02/12/08
  46.   Elect Bibi-will help Jones focus while setting his Israeli agenda 15:11  |  Rod 02/12/08
  47.   45 chasaboy 15:22  |  Rod 02/12/08
  48.   Hello world, time to take stock! 15:57  |  John Allen 02/12/08
  49.   #47 chasboy 16:11  |  John Allen 02/12/08
  50.   #2 Swiss.....he changed his mind because he has 16:18  |  Lynn 02/12/08
  51.   Here is a thought for logical thinkers. 16:37  |  John Allen 02/12/08
  52.   # 50 Lynn, I`m afraid you forgot to mention another one.... 16:44  |  Swiss (Dino) 02/12/08
  53.   #39 Ivar 16:45  |  John Allen 02/12/08
  54.   Don`t Hold Your Breath 17:25  |  Angel 02/12/08
  55.   Are these code words? 17:40  |  Michael N 02/12/08
  56.   Dino, what`s your problem being obsessed w/Clinton for no reason? 17:44  |  ivo 02/12/08
  57.   I wonder what she thinks 18:11  |  Mark Lincoln 02/12/08
  58.   # 56 ivo 18:27  |  Swiss (Dino) 02/12/08
  59.   Dino #58: illusions growing on trees - 1 19:31  |  ivo 02/12/08
  60.   Dino #58: illusions growing on trees - 2 19:45  |  ivo 02/12/08
  61.   hilary 19:47  |  elliot 02/12/08
  62.   Olmert 21:35  |  ernie 02/12/08
  63.   Ms. Clinton 21:58  |  HR 02/12/08
  64.   #9 Steve re Jones 22:45  |  ballistic 02/12/08
  65.   #29 Connie, well, as usual confused 23:09  |  ballistic 02/12/08
  66.   #42 Ovadiah 23:17  |  ballistic 02/12/08
  67.   #52 Hey Cupcake, Lynn,welcome to the land of 23:27  |  ballistic 02/12/08
  68.   #49 Yep, Mr. Allen 23:31  |  ballistic 02/12/08
  69.   ballistic two sugars no milk 23:50  |  goldwater 02/12/08
  70.   To: HR 23:53  |  Angel 02/12/08
  71.   To: Ballistic 00:27  |  Angel 03/12/08
  72.   Tea? 00:44  |  Angel 03/12/08
  73.   # 59 / # 60 ivo, just in case my 3 responses won`t make it.... 00:53  |  Swiss (Dino) 03/12/08
  74.   Joseph.E,israels mark lincoln 03:17  |  ironic isn`t it 03/12/08
  75.   Dino, Dino Dino 03:28  |  Angel 03/12/08
  76.   To: MGB 03:42  |  Angel 03/12/08
  77.   Swiss(Dino) (miss)labels again 04:18  |  JP 03/12/08
  78.   To Gen Jim Jones from Admiral John Paul Jones 06:35  |  Steve 03/12/08
  79.   Tough on Bibi? 06:55  |  Angel 03/12/08
  80.   #58Swiss(D)SinceSaddam Hussein`s invasion of Kuwait and subsequen 07:08  |  Susanna/shoshanna 03/12/08
  81.   #29 connie,Israel hangs on to Olmert because he is not afraid to 07:28  |  Susanna/shoshanna 03/12/08
  82.   To Steve 07:30  |  Angel 03/12/08
  83.   #29 connie,I don`t know what your drinking, the native is Israel 07:43  |  Susanna/shoshanna 03/12/08
  84.   #21,Joseph E,U.S.military trains with Israeli military 07:58  |  Susanna/shoshanna 03/12/08
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