U.S. to Send Aid Team to Eastern Libya; Clinton to Meet Rebel Representatives
THE WASHINGTON POST: The White House announced Thursday that it will send a government aid team into rebel-held parts of Libya and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said she will meet next week with representatives of the transition council, moves that edged the Obama administration closer to the formal Libyan opposition.

But the administration stopped far short of recognizing the council as Libya's legitimate government and continued to wrestle with how to achieve its goals of pushing Moammar Gaddafi from power while ensuring that something better far replaces him.

The White House rejected criticism from some lawmakers that its response has been too slow to fast-moving events on the ground. On Thursday, Gaddafi loyalists routed opposition fighters from Ras Lanuf, a strategic oil port the rebels had held for a week, and said they had retaken the town of Zawiyah, 27 miles west of Tripoli.

Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam triumphantly proclaimed to a crowd in the capital that forces loyal to his father would continue to reverse the rebels' gains. "Hear it now. I have only two words for our brothers and sisters in the east: We're coming," he said. >>> Karen DeYoung and Edward Cody, Washington Post Staff Writers | Thursday, March 10, 2011

Libya No-Fly Zone Cannot Be Led By US - Clinton
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told Sky News that any no-fly zone over Libya must have international backing and not be a Washington-led effort

SKY NEWS: In an interview at the State Department, Mrs Clinton said: "I think it's very important that this not be a US-led effort, because this comes from the people of Libya themselves. >>> Kay Burley, in Washington DC | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Losing the Information War
Is the US really losing the information war, as Hillary Clinton claims, and how can it fight back?

My comment:

In my opinion, the problem with US broadcast networks is this: They are more concerned about pushing an agenda rather than disseminating news. Take FoxNews. It’s supposed to be “fair and balanced.” Truth to tell, it is neither fair nor balanced!

In the US, you have the left-wing channels and the right-wing channels. So if you have a left-wing bias, you watch one channel, and of you have a right-wing bias, you watch another. So people are often badly informed of the opinions of the other side. Their coverage of foreign affairs leaves much to be desired.

Then there are all those dreadful ads! Oh God, those ads!

Al Jazeera is exciting. US news networks need to learn some lessons from Al Jazeera! – © Mark

Clinton: U.S. far from Libya no-fly zone decision
Mar 2 - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the U.S. was ''a long way'' from making a decision over whether to establish a no-fly zone over Libya. Jon Decker reports

Clinton Urges Gaddafi to Step Down
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: US secretary of state says Gaddafi's government must be held to account as EU approves new sanctions against Libya.

Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, has said the government of Muammar Gaddafi must be held to account over atrocities committed in Libya as she reiterated calls for the leader to step down.

Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, Clinton said Gaddafi must leave power "now, without further violence or delay".

"Gaddafi and those around him must be held accountable for these acts, which violate international legal obligations and common decency," she said.

"We have seen Colonel Gaddafi's security forces open fire on peaceful protesters. They have used heavy weapons on unarmed civilians. Mercenaries and thugs have been turned loose to attack demonstrators."

Clinton said Washington was keeping "all options on the table" in terms of action against the government, and that a no-fly zone was "an option we are actively considering".

She also said two US humanitarian teams are being sent to Libya's borders with Egypt and Tunisia to provide aid to refugees fleeing the country.

Meanwhile, a Pentagon official said the US military was repositioning naval and air forces around Libya. >>> Al Jazeera and agencies | Monday, February 28, 2011

World's Message to Libyan Leader Gaddafi: Time to End Your Regime
THE GUARDIAN: Russia and China join west in UN war crimes ruling as Britain revokes immunity for leader and family

Muammar Gaddafi is running out of options and friends as international action to pressure him into surrendering gathers momentum, with Russia and China joining the west in backing calls to prosecute him for war crimes.

Britain said it was revoking the diplomatic immunity of the Libyan leader and his family, including his high-profile son Saif al-Islam, who has had close links with the UK. David Cameron echoed Barack Obama in calling on him to go. The PM said: "All of this sends a clear message to this regime: it is time for Colonel Gaddafi to go and to go now. There is no future for Libya that includes him."

Hillary Clinton said the US was reaching out to the Libyan opposition and was not negotiating with Gaddafi.

"We want him to leave and we want him to end his regime and call off the mercenaries and troops who remain loyal to him," the US secretary of state said. "How he manages that is up to him." >>> Ian Black, Middle East editor | Sunday, February 27, 2011

Washington s'engage pour la liberté d'Internet
Hillary Clinton, mardi lors de son discours à l'Université George-Washington. Photo : Le Figaro
LE FIGARO: La diplomatie américaine ajoute à ses missions la défense des droits «de parole, d'assemblée et d'association en ligne».

À Washington

Surfant sur le rôle clé de Facebook et Twitter dans le déclenchement des révolutions populaires qui ont eu raison des dictateurs d'Égypte et de Tunisie, Washington se pose à nouveau en tombeur des «murs virtuels» qui s'érigent sur Internet. Dans un discours prononcé mardi à l'Université George-Washington dans la capitale fédérale, face à un public d'étudiants et de têtes pensantes du «cybermonde», Hillary Clinton a retrouvé les accents reaganiens déjà employés il y a un an pour affirmer l'engagement vigoureux de l'Amérique à défendre la liberté de la Toile, «cet espace public du XXIe siècle», à la fois «agora, salle de classe, salle de marchés, café et boîte de nuit», qui rassemble 2 milliards d'utilisateurs.

Pour la secrétaire d'État américaine, «la défense des libertés de parole, d'assemblée et d'association en ligne» doit devenir un élément clé de la politique étrangère des États-Unis. Ce plaidoyer s'inscrit dans le sillage de la philosophie américaine depuis les origines, pariant sur l'ouverture comme force de progrès. Même si l'Amérique est consciente qu'il faut engager «une conversation sérieuse sur les règles» permettant d'assurer ce principe de liberté, «les bénéfices» de la libre utilisation d'Internet sont «bien supérieurs aux coûts», a lancé Hillary Clinton à la face des gouvernements qui, de la Chine à la Russie en passant par la Syrie, Cuba ou la Birmanie, invoquent «la sécurité» pour organiser «la répression» en ligne. Avis aux régimes autoritaires: l'Amérique se range du côté des internautes. >>> Par Laure Mandeville | Jeudi 17 Février 2011

Clinton Says It's Time For Iran To 'Open Up'

RADIO FREE EUROPE / RADIO LIBERTY: In an interview with U.S.-funded television network Alhurra, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the changes in Egypt are in the best interests of the region and urged demonstrators in other Arab countries to remain peaceful in their own drives for reform.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has hailed the "courage" and "aspirations" of antigovernment protesters in Iran, after thousands of them took to the streets of several Iranian cities.

In Tehran, opposition supporters rallying in solidarity with uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia clashed with security forces. One death was reported and dozens of people detained.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to Congress, Clinton wished the opposition and "the brave people in the streets across cities in Iran the same opportunity that they saw their Egyptian counterparts seize in the last week."

She also pressed Tehran to follow Egypt's example and "open up" its political system.

"We support the universal human rights of the Iranian people," she said. "They deserve to have the same rights that they saw being played out in Egypt and that are part of their own birthright."

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, rejected the remarks on February 15.

"We think that the shared desire of all the nations in the region is for the oppressive countries not to meddle -- especially in the face of the violations and encroachment of the Zionist regime -- and to cut off dependence from the U.S. and the Zionist regimes and their supporters," Mehmanparast said.

Shots In The Air, Tear Gas

Eyewitnesses told RFE/RL that thousands of protesters on February 14 answered calls from the opposition to turn out for a banned rally in Tehran in support of the recent uprisings that ousted long-serving rulers in Tunisia and Egypt.

Protests were also reported in several other cities, including Shiraz and Isfahan.

Tehran demonstrators chanting slogans against Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were met with opposition by security forces, who fired into the air and used tear gas to disperse the crowd in the streets leading to Azadi Square -- the announced site of the main rally.

Opposition websites reported "dozens" of arrests at the rally -- the most significant since the December 2009 street protests that shook the Islamic republic and in which eight people were reported killed. >>> Antoine Blua, with contributions from Alhurra and agency reports | RFE/RL | Tuesday, February 15, 2011

RADIO FREE EUROPE / RADIO LIBERTY: White House Says Iranian Government 'Scared' By Egypt Upheaval: The White House says Iran's censoring of foreign news reports on the unrest in Egypt shows how the authorities in Tehran fear their own people.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the Iranian government was "scared of the will of its people." >>> Compiled from agency reports | Saturday, February 12, 2011

RADIO FREE EUROPE / RADIO LIBERTY: Website: Police Block Access To Iranian Opposition Leader's House: The website of Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Musavi said police today blocked access to his house and cut his telephone lines to prevent him from attending a rally later today. The report could not be independently confirmed. >>> Compiled from agency reports | February 14, 2011

Hillary Clinton: Tehran Violence 'An Indictment of Iranian Regime's Hypocrisy'
The US secretary of state gives her support to the Iranian protesters

Verbunden >>>

Unruhen in Teheran: Clinton wirft Iran Scheinheiligkeit vor
Hillary Rodham Clinto. Bild: Sueddeutsche
SUEDDEUTSCHE: Jagdszenen in Teheran: Mit aller Härte geht das Mullah-Regime gegen Demonstranten vor. Abgeordnete fordern den Tod für die Oppositionsführer. US-Außenministerin Clinton spricht den Demonstranten Mut zu - und attackiert die iranische Führung.

Die Nachwehen der Revolutionen in Ägypten und Tunesien greifen auf Iran über - und das Regime reagiert mit Härte. Zehntausende waren am Montag in Teheran auf die Straße gegangen. Bei Zusammenstößen mit Sicherheitskräften wurde ein Passant getötet, mehrere Demonstranten seien mit Schussverletzungen ins Krankenhaus gebracht worden, berichteten Augenzeugen. In der Nacht auf Dienstag patrouillierten Sicherheitskräfte durch die Straßen von Teheran, um die Proteste zu unterdrücken.

Am Montag sei die Menschenmenge zunächst schweigend entlang der Straße der Revolution in Richtung Azadi-Platz marschiert, berichtete der Nachrichtensender CNN. Immer wieder hätten Sicherheitskräfte versucht, die Demonstranten auseinanderzutreiben. Amateurvideos auf Youtube dokumentieren regelrechte Jagdszenen in Teherans Innenstadt. Polizisten gingen mit Knüppeln gegen die Menge vor. Die Sicherheitskräfte setzten Augenzeugen zufolge Tränengas ein, um die Demonstranten vom Azadi-Platz fernzuhalten. >>> | Dienstag, 15. Februar 2011

SUEDDEUTSCHE: "Militärische Diktatur mit theokratischem Überbau": Harsche Worte der Kritik kommen nun aus Washington: US-Außenministerin Hillary Clinton warf der iranischen Regierung Scheinheiligkeit vor. Das Regime habe die Proteste von Regierungsgegnern in Ägypten begrüßt, versuche aber die Opposition im eigenen Land zu unterdrücken, erklärte sie. "Iran ist das Musterbeispiel einer unterdrückten Revolution", sagte Clinton dem Online-Portal politico.com zufolge. >>> sueddeutsche.de/dapd/hai/mati | Dienstag, 15. Februar 2011

Egypt Protests: Hosni Mubarak's Power Fades as US Backs His Deputy
THE GUARDIAN: Omar Suleiman's call for orderly reform wins backing of Hillary Clinton on day senior members of ruling NDP resign

America yesterday swung its support behind Egypt's vice-president, Omar Suleiman, and the political transition he is leading, calling for a process of orderly reform. The policy, made clear by Hillary Clinton at the Munich Security Conference, was the latest sign of steps by the US and senior members of the Egyptian military to nudge President Hosni Mubarak aside and contain the potential for street violence.

The move came as senior members of the leadership of the ruling National Democratic party resigned from the party in response to the protests. They included Mubarak's powerful son, Gamal, long expected to succeed his father. A relative liberal, Hossam Badrawi, was appointed the party's new secretary general.

The mass, announced yesterday afternoon, resignation is likely to be seen as a further sign of Mubarak's weakness and will only strengthen the demands of protesters determined to topple him. It appeared to be part of a strategy agreed with the US to manage the transition, with or without Mubarak, as power shifts to Egypt's vice-president, who is backed by the Americans to head the political transition. >>> Julian Borger in Munich and Chris McGreal in Cairo | Sunday, February 06, 2011

Clinton Calls for ‘Orderly Transition’
Watch video here
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Clinton Calls for ‘Orderly Transition’ in Egypt: WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called on Sunday for “an orderly transition” to a more politically open Egypt, stopping short of telling its embattled president, Hosni Mubarak, to step down but clearly laying the groundwork for his departure. >>> Mark Landler | Sunday, January 30, 2011

THE NEW YORK TIMES –OP-ED CONTRIBUTION: Date With a Revolution >>> Mansoura Ez-Eldin | Sunday, January 30, 2011

Hizbollah Government Will Damage US Relationship with Lebanon, Clinton Says
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A Hizbollah-backed billionaire has won enough support to become Lebanon's prime minister, in a move that Hillary Clinton said would damage the country's relationship with the US.

Hizbollah managed to forge a coalition to back Najib Mikati after bringing down the government of the pro-American Saad Hariri two weeks ago.

President Barack Obama is likely to retaliate by suspending some or all of its aid to Beirut. The US administration had earmarked $246 million (£156 million) in support this year, including $100 million (£63 million) in military aid and $37 million (£23 million) for counter-terrorism operations.

Hizbollah, which is financially backed by Iran and Syria, is listed as a terrorist entity by Washington.

Mrs Clinton, the US secretary of state, said the power shift would "clearly have an impact on our bilateral relationship."

Israel, which already has Hizbollah ally Hamas on one side, will also be concerned by a Hizbollah-led government likely to insist on a more confrontational approach in the region. >>> Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent | Tuesday, January 25, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Protests in Lebanon as Hizbollah-backed Najib Mikati is appointed prime minister >>>

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Lebanese rally against Hizbollah in 'day of rage': Thousands of Sunni Muslim in Lebanon have staged protests in a "day of rage" against the Shiite militant group Hizbollah, which is on the brink of taking control of Lebanon's next government. >>> | Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Hillary Clinton on Lebanon's Political Tensions
BBC: Hezbollah and its allies have threatened to quit the Lebanese cabinet unless their demands over a UN tribunal probing the murder of ex-premier Rafik Hariri are met.

The move would automatically bring down the government, ministers have warned.

Tension has been high in Lebanon, amid indications that Hezbollah members could be indicted by the UN tribunal.

The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, told the BBC's Kim Ghattas that there was no reason to expect the tensions to lead to violent unrest.

Mrs Clinton said the US will "continue to support the integrity of an independent sovereign Lebanon". Watch BBC video >>> | Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Hillary Clinton Falls While Boarding Plane


MAIL ONLINE: Mrs Clinton takes a tumble as she boards plane >>> Daily Mail Reporter | Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Hillary Clinton Calls Yemeni Child Bride Her 'Hero'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described as "my hero" a young Yemeni girl who broke with tribal tradition to obtain a divorce two years ago, as she spoke at a town-hall meeting in Sanaa.

Hillary Clinton speaks at a town-hall meeting in Sanaa. Photo: The Daily Telegraph
"I want to acknowledge one of my heroes, Nujood Ali, who is with us today," said Mrs Clinton. Ali was married off as a 10-year-old to a considerably older man and forced to drop out of school.

Ali took the stand in court, aided by her human rights lawyer Shada Nasser, and was granted a historic divorce.

"She was one of the many, many young girls in Yemen who wanted to continue her education," Mrs Clinton said. >>> | Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Al Qaeda launched English-language online newspaper from Yemen >>>

Hillary Clinton en visite au Yémen sur fond de menace terroriste
Hillary Clinton est arrivée mardi à Sanaa en provenance des Emirats arabes unis. Photo : Le Monde
LE MONDE: Premier de la diplomatie américaine à se rendre au Yémen depuis vingt ans, la secrétaire d'Etat Hillary Clinton est arrivée mardi 11 janvier à Sanaa pour une visite surprise au Yémen. Mme Clinton a déclaré avoir l'intention d'aller au-delà de la coopération militaire pour aborder une "stratégie globale" face aux problèmes économiques, sociaux et politiques du Yémen qui font le lit des extrémistes. >>> LEMONDE.FR avec AFP | Mardi 11 Janvier 2011

Hillary Clinton Compares Gabrielle Giffords Shooting to 9/11 Attacks
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton compared the man who shot Gabrielle Giffords to Islamist terrorists and the 9/11 attackers and said the incident showed America and the Arab world faced similar problems.

In a television broadcast filmed before students in Abu Dhabi, Mrs Clinton was asked why the 9/11 terror attacks, the work of a handful of men, had been allowed to colour American views of a whole people.

She replied that America was "proud" of its many Muslim citizens and public servants, and said that the media exaggerated the voices of those who presented hostile views of the Muslim and Arab worlds.

She then raised the shooting at the weekend of the Arizona Democratic congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords.

"We have extremists in our country," she said. "A wonderful and incredibly brave young woman congress member was just shot by extremists in our country.

"We have the same kinds of problems, so rather than standing off of each other we should work to try and prevent the extremists wherever they are from being able to commit violence."

Ascribing the Arizona shootings to political extremism rather than the work of a mentally deranged loner has already proved controversial, and President Barack Obama avoided doing so directly in his address to the American people afterwards.

Mrs Clinton may be taking an even bigger risk in comparing the attack, even obliquely, to al-Qaeda's war on America. >>> Richard Spencer, Abu Dhabi | Monday, January 10, 2011

Liberté religieuse: un rapport américain égratigne la Suisse
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: ETATS-UNIS | La Suisse, avec d'autres pays d'Europe, est citée dans le rapport publié mercredi par le département américain d’Etat sur les atteintes contre les libertés religieuses dans le monde.

Mercredi a paru le rapport publié par le département américain d’Etat sur les atteintes contre les libertés religieuses dans le monde. Comme chaque année pratiquement, cette étude officielle classe la Corée du Nord, l’Iran, la Birmanie, la Chine, le Soudan ou encore l’Arabie saoudite parmi les pays où les libertés religieuses sont les moins respectées.

Mais «plusieurs pays européens ont imposé de sévères restrictions à l’expression religieuse», a relevé mercredi la secrétaire d’Etat, Hillary Clinton.

«Les blessures persistantes provoquées par l’intolérance et la méfiance», a-t-elle ajouté, peuvent être aussi préjudiciables pour la liberté religieuse que les actes de gouvernements autoritaires ou de groupes extrémistes. >>> ATS | Jeudi 18 Novembre 2010

Clinton Critical of Religious Freedom in Europe
YAHOO! NEWS: WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized Wednesday the state of religious freedom in Europe, as Washington highlighted policies and attitudes toward Muslim veils and Islam as a whole.

"Several European countries have placed harsh restrictions on religious expression," Clinton said, without elaborating as she unveiled the State Department's report on international religious freedom for the last year.

Her assistant secretary for human rights, Michael Posner, cited France's ban on wearing the niqab and other face coverings in public places and a Swiss motion passed last year that bans building new minarets.

Both measures have been criticized as intolerant moves stigmatizing Europe's growing Muslim population.

Posner acknowledged "growing sensitivity and tension in Europe" over Islam.

"What we are urging our European friends to do is to take every measure to try to alleviate that tension," he added.

The different attitudes toward Muslims in Europe and the United States are the source of frequent tensions and misunderstandings between both sides of the Atlantic.

"We have gone to court in the United States to enforce the right of Muslim women and girls to wear a burqa, and on the streets, in schools, et cetera," said Posner.

"That's our position. It's a position we articulate when we talk to our European friends." >>> AFP | Wednesday, November 17, 2010

For God’s sake, Hillary, STOP POLICING the world! You ruin America if you want to; we’ll try and save Europe if we can. By the way, why do you think America is hated by so many around the world? It is precisely because you interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. Learn your lesson; and soon! I believe that you've got enough on your plate sorting out the mess over there. Concentrate on sorting that out first! – © Mark

Barack Obama Is Doomed – Enter Mrs Clinton
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Despite the efforts of the US media to support St Barack, the Americans are having none of it, writes Simon Heffer.

Four days after the elections, the rage continues. If giving the Democrats a hiding was supposed to soothe the electorate, something has gone wrong. It – or rather the Democrat reaction to it – appears simply to have made things worse.

To the rest of the world, it might have seemed that President Obama’s press conference after the defeat was an admission of personal failure. But it wasn’t: what went wrong was the economy’s fault, he argued – and, by extension, it was the fault of the electorate for not seeing that. Despite the best efforts of the Leftist-dominated media here to support St Barack, the people are having none of it. The result is that his failure to go down on his knees and repent of his big-state, high-spending, pro-bureaucracy, unemployment-boosting policies has left the punters even more choleric than they were already. If he really does want to be a one-term president, he’s going exactly the right way about it.

The anger was further stoked by the President’s decision to leave yesterday on a long trip to India and the Far East. Although it is being sold here as some sort of trade mission – though he is likely to find that whatever America might want to sell in that region, the locals can make it just as well and at a small fraction of the cost – his departure is viewed as an escape from the line of fire.

He is also being heavily criticised for going to a country with a recent history of terrorist outrages, necessitating a security operation that is adding a further large chunk to his country’s national debt. As well as his taking 500 staff, 13 aircraft and four helicopters have already flown in a fleet of cars and communications equipment, and no fewer than 34 US warships are said to be hovering off the coast. Some of his critics here were already drawing comparisons with the court of Louis XVI just before the French Revolution, and this hasn’t helped. Read on and comment >>> Simon Heffer | Friday, November 05, 2010