Hump day news round-up: "We have a lot of damage to repair"

Posted By Megan Carpentier Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 11:37 PM Share

The hump day news round-up:

Hillary Clinton said yesterday that her many calls to her counterparts abroad gave her the sense that folks are happy to see a new direction in the U.S. foreign policy.
There's a great exhalation of breath going on around the world as people express their appreciation for the new direction that's being set, and the team that's put together by the president to carry out our foreign policy goals," Clinton said after telephoning dozens of world leaders in her first five days on the job. "We have a lot of damage to repair."

I think everyone is probably wishing her a lot of luck on damage control, but also wishing she didn't have to spend so much time putting out Bush fires.

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-California) and Congressman Frank Wolf (R-Virginia) sent Hillary an official letter today asking that she formulate a plan to protect Christians in Iraq.
Among your first actions as secretary, we urge you to facilitate the development of a comprehensive policy to address the unique plight of Iraq's struggling ethno-religious minorities, specifically the Christian community," the letter read.

I think the plan is actually to try and get the Iraqi government to start protecting everyone, right?

Sixty of their congressional colleagues sent Hillary another letter asking that she take immediate actions to forestall a worse humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
...the members of Congress state that the border crossings into Gaza must be opened to allow the importation of construction materials and fuel, and they urge Clinton to ask the Israeli government to allow critically ill patients to be transported out of Gaza to recieve medical care. The letter also requests that the State Department release emergency funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for reconstruction and humanitarian assistance.

Their timing isn't great, though, as Clinton announced yesterday that we will continue to strongly support Israel's right to self-defense as long as Hamas keeps attacking Israel.

(4)

HIDE COMMENTS LOGIN OR REGISTER REPORT ABUSE

SAKEL

1:57 AM ET

January 29, 2009

No incongruity..Hillary is being consistently Diplomatic!

I fail to see any inconsistencies here. The Secretary is being sent requests to assist critically wounded Palestinians and protect Iraq's ethno-religious minorities. That Hillary has already firmly expressed her support of Israel's right to self-defence does not exclude her taking an equally firm position in protecting the rights of war victims and/or religious minorities! She has already stated her (well-known!) support of the human rights of those traumatized by the many regional wars, including both the Palestinian and Israeli victims.

Let's just acknowledge that Hillary was, is, and will be "diplomatic" which really means she is able to view things in a "double" (diplo) or dual fashion. Diplomacy is idiosyncratic to Hillary's ability to see both sides of an issue and get a rare glimpse of the Truth in so doing. It is what separates the windbag politicos from the competent, compassionate public servant that this phenomenal woman really is!

IKANT

10:30 AM ET

January 29, 2009

Hamas

Yeah,Israel has the right to defense itself and Hamas as the right to resist an occupations which lasts since 1967. I really hope that Clinton manages to see the terrible injustice between Israel and Palestine, and starts changgin US positions towards the issue, at least stop vetting every UN resolution that imposes obligations to Israel.

MISSALISON

1:46 PM ET

January 29, 2009

@IKant

That argument would be much more compelling if Hamas's stated goal was to regain the territory lost in 1967, rather than the complete elimination of Israel that they actually advocate.

IKANT

2:11 PM ET

January 29, 2009

Hamas

Do you honestly believe that if Hamas was respected and treated as the elected government of the palestinians that would continue to advocate de destruction of a country which has the 5th largest army in the world? I didn't believe either, i suggest you to read this two statements:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035414.html

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1059873.html

Best regards.

Madam Secretary is an obsessive blog about all things Hillary Clinton. From her policies to her pantsuits, Madam Secretary delivers up-to-the-minute news, analysis, and gossip about America's top diplomat.