Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Hillary Clinton Brushes Legitimate Palestinian Aspirations

The Senate hearings on Hillary Clinton's service as Secretary of State looked more like a backslapping club. Questions on the Gaza conflict, currently in Day 18, were few and far between. Mrs. Clinton addressed the situation in her opening remarks. Haaretz reported:

As we focus on Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, we must also actively pursue a strategy of smart power in the Middle East that addresses the security needs of Israel and the legitimate political and economic aspirations of the Palestinians," Clinton said in prepared remarks.

Smart power? The same smart power that got Hamas elected to numerous positions in democratic elections? The smart power that had the U.S. train and equip Fatah thugs as Palestinian security forces, extorting Gazans? Hamas threw them out in a violent civil war.

Hillary Clinton and General James L. Jones received an update on Israel-Gaza in early December, at least Tony Blair said he briefed the pair. Did that include the secret agreement between Abbas and Olmert, also leaked by Mr. Blair?

Here's the smart power translation:
Hamas illegitimate
Fatah legitimate
What about the 1.5 million Gazans, now traumatized by nearly three weeks of war. That's on top of a two year siege? Why are so many innocents pawns in the games world leaders play?

Israel's other security need relates to Iran. The Jewish state repeatedly said it will not stand for a nuclear armed Iran. Hillary repeated same in her opening remarks.

She said the United States must pursue a foreign policy that "effectively challenges Iran to end its nuclear weapons program and sponsorship of terror and persuades both Iran and Syria to abandon their dangerous behavior and become constructive regional actors."

"No option is off the table," she told the confirmation hearing as top U.S. diplomat. "But we will pursue a new, different approach," she added. "What we have tried has not worked."


If House Foreign Affairs Chair Howard Berman is prescient, it will involve a 3 month negotiation with the demand of Iran ceasing nuclear enrichment. President elect Obama promised a swift negotiation with Iran on ABC's This Week. When it fails, Israel's security must be assured. the world knows the favored method. Bombs away!

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