Hillary's African Trip

Clinton Ends Africa Tour, Vowing to Stay Involved


Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made a toast during a
development forum in Nairobi, Kenya, on Aug. 5

By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN
Published: August 14, 2009

SANTA MARIA, Cape Verde — After a grueling seven-nation, 11-day trip, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton wrapped up her Africa tour on Friday by reaffirming her promise to renovate American relations with the continent.

“I leave Africa after this remarkable trip even more committed,” Mrs. Clinton said before leaving Cape Verde.

“I have seen the joy and energy Africans have, evidenced not just by the boogieing, but by the hard work and perseverance,” she said, referring to a recent comment from her husband, former President Bill Clinton, that she knew how to “boogie” with African dancers.

“And we’ve seen the worst humanity can do to itself,” she added, presumably referring to Congo, where Mrs. Clinton met victims of a brutal civil war that just does not seem to end.

Mrs. Clinton seemed satisfied that she had accomplished her mission: strengthening American relations with crucial allies on the continent, like Nigeria and South Africa, and sending a message of “tough love,” as she called it, to nations like Kenya and Congo.

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On Friday, just as she had at every stop, she started her speech by saying, “I bring you greetings from President Obama.”

She called him a “son of Africa” and said that under the Obama administration, the United States was determined to help Africa reach its promise.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/15/world/africa/15diplo.html?ref=weekinreview


Hillary Clinton’s Folksy Diplomacy


Across Africa Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton commemorated
the bombing of the United States embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.

By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN
Published: August 15, 2009

SANTA MARIA, Cape Verde — Think of it as Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s informational interview of Africa. Eleven days, seven countries of friendly, engaging, edifying talk — but with no urgent American interest on the line. There were no nukes to stop; no peace deal to start; no young American women to free (Bill Clinton’s shadow loomed large from the moment Mrs. Clinton’s plane took off).

More than anything, the African safari she finished last week was about her and her emerging style as secretary of state. She stuffed her days with what felt like a dozen events, a blur of high-level meetings, roundtable discussions and “townterviews” (more on that later). She seemed engaged throughout it all, scribbling in her notebooks like a dutiful student during meetings, keeping a straight, earnest face even when one Nigerian religious leader told her he was “constipated with ideas.”

“Condi would never do this,” whispered one of Mrs. Clinton’s aides during yet another sweaty town hall meeting. Neither, probably, would Colin Powell. Or Madeleine Albright. Or Henry Kissinger. Or just about any other secretary of state, a job that in the past seemed to go to people who didn’t like to smile much.

But Mrs. Clinton is different. She’s a recovering politician, with First Lady tendencies. And a celebrity in her own right. She can’t resist the rope line even when it’s in a South African housing project teaming with glassy-eyed men and her secret service agents are practically shouting into their cufflinks. Her style is to go heavy on the politics, heavy on the policy, but mix in some real people as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/weekinreview/16gettleman.html?_r=1&ref=weekinreview

:hi:

Hey girl!

Nice pics, Hill's lookin' good!

Recommended.

I was trying to post a nice positive thread. I'm staying away from the health care poutage. It's Sunday, it's sticky hot and I don't feel like getting aggravated. I'm about to have a nice dinner of pork chops, rice with corn, salad and a beer.

I hope that all is well with you and the furry one.

:pals:

Pooch and I are fine, we had a nice fresh salad and shrimp!

:pals:

:-)

:hi:

I bet she misses the days of August recess.

She must be pooped from all that travel.

:hi:

I miss the days when her and Bill went and relaxed at Martha's Vineyard.


:pals:

They like MV and have vacationed there many times. I don't blame them, I love the Cape too.

;-)

And I totally agree about the Cape. Salt and sand, is there anything more Labor Dayish?

:P

Good night, getting sleepy........

:boring:

Bad, very bad. :spank:

It's best to ignore him...........

:D

:)

:wtf:

It's about a Clinton......

:eyes:

:)

:-)

nt

:hi:

The headband is backkkk........







:D