Hillary Clinton -- A Champion for Human Security

Hillary Clinton will be a strong, effective Secretary of State in the new Obama administration.

I observed first hand her commitment to peace and justice during the presidency of Bill Clinton, when Jordan's King Hussein, my late husband, and I worked closely with the Clintons in an attempt to achieve a Middle East peace. When they take office next year, I know that President-elect Obama and she quickly will begin looking for ways to bring security to Israel and justice to Palestinians, including four to six million Palestinian refugees.

In the Senate, Mrs. Clinton has worked hard to protect other displaced populations, including those from Iraq and Darfur. Just two weeks ago, I was part of a delegation from Refugees International that met with Sen. Clinton to discuss the need for a comprehensive plan to deal with five million displaced Iraqis, one fifth of the country's population. Nearly two million of the displaced Iraqis have sought refuge in Syria and Jordan, while the rest have fled their homes and violence within Iraq.

I know the utter despair and hopelessness of both Palestinian and Iraqi refugee families, having lived and worked with both communities over the past 30 years through the Noor al Hussein Foundation and other Jordanian institutions.

Sen. Clinton has introduced legislation to help displaced Iraqis. In the Obama administration she and her colleagues will have to come up with a comprehensive plan to help Iraqis return to a safe and secure Iraq as U.S. troops withdraw. This will be a challenge, but she understands that displaced Iraqis threaten the stability of Iraq, as well as the stability of the region, and potentially beyond.

During the campaign both Sen Clinton and President-elect Obama called for more aggressive U.S. action, including the possible use of force, to stop the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. Their agreement on this point could open an opportunity for a diplomatic push to bring peace to Darfur, something the government of Sudan says it wants but has done little to promote. Any successful peace conference will be complex, requiring full participation by the government of Sudan, rebel movements, Sudanese civil society organizations, neighboring countries and economic stake holders, such as China. While the prospect of success is small, the cost of failure would be extremely high, particularly for the government of Sudan and the people of Darfur.

As Secretary of State, Mrs. Clinton will face many challenges, but I know from personal experience that she is up to them all.

Comments

[darthdarcy]

Hillary is extremely prone to the pit falls of hubris....

Now as Secretary of State the "gold ring" is the establishment of a Palestinian State, the so called two state solution which will prove to be anything but a solution, and will condemn the world to a terrible war killing 2/3rds of those in your region and perhaps 1/3 of the rest of this world...as it progresses and spread world wide..

This is why you are wrong as to Hillary being such a great selection as Secretary of State...among others, and also why Henry Kissinger and many other neo cons and Bilderbergers and bankers who will profit from all this killing and death that will follow not so long after the creation of this two state disaster for mankind, are all for it as they will reap huge financial rewards from selling the arms for this next round of carnage we shall witness in the coming years...

[fayemac]

I think she is the one to bridge the two together because they know she will be an honest broker for both sides. Whats different now is that Israel has been seen in a different light and will have to give up much more than previously thought. If you noticed that the last 3 or 4 PMs of Israel have had to give up territories to the Palistinians, and rightfully so, and from the most conservitive PMs to boot. I think she will do what no other SOS could do and thats looking at both sides and correcting the wrongs to the Palistinians so that the Israelies can get some long overdue credibility in the middle east. Personly I think they should cut the country in half, top half Palistine, lower half Israel. That way the Palisinians are not land locked and have to use passports to go to one part of thier country to another.

[TLNelson]

President-elect Obama has done an excellent job of appointing well qualified people to posts in his administration, but the selection of Hillary Rodham Clinton as Secretary of State is truly baffling. What happened to integrity and honesty as selection criteria for cabinet posts? Doesn't it matter that Clinton has not even an iota of foreign policy experience? Clinton is known for her violent temper, use of foul language when angry, and frequent berating of those around her. Is this the type of person that we want to represent this nation with foreign governments? Many campaigned for Obama in order to keep this megalomanic as far away from the White House as possible. Now Clinton has done an "end-run" around the U.S. electorate to gain a position of power in the executive branch. This appointment does not bode well for the success of the Obama Presidency.

[lungfish]

With all due respect to the Queen, I disagree and feel that the position of Secretary of State of the United States calls for a person with integrity who is recognized for honesty and strength of character. Further, that person should have extensive experience in the diplomatic corp or related posts that have groomed them for high diplomacy. Hillary Clinton's best personal reference to describe her foriegn policy experience was the lie she told about ducking sniper fire in Bosnia.

A lie is egregious enough but she lied to make herself seem like an experienced diplomat. She lied at the expense of Americans who HAVE been shot at while in the service of our country.

I am certain that there are far better candidates who both have the training and skills necessary to do the job without bringing the hubris and narcissism that defines Hillary Clinton. I really feel that President Elect Obama made a serious mistake with this appointment. Democrats and the electorate at large would be better served by seeing an end to the Bush/Clinton era.

Hillary was elected to represent her state as a Senator and has spent the entire term campaigning for herself while missing votes on FISA and other important legislation. She ended a very poorly managed campaign with 20million in debt. This is not what she was elected to do and does nothing to support the idea that she can run an office as important as Secretary of State

[gotalife]

Thank you and I agree.

[firstcrasscitizen]

Queen Noor,

In my book, any member of Congress who voted to invade Iraq is lacking in foreign policy credentials.

[Archivist1000]

Nobody in Congress voter to INVADE IRAQ ..

[BigBen]

So you are an author.How interesting.

[ArabianMonkey]

I've always liked Mrs Clinton's efforts and attitude. She has what it takes to be a capable Sec of State in in today's Obama world, and I think she could prove quite brave in leading efforts towards remarkable results.

Time will tell.

But that's not good enough.

The opportunity that unfolds requires a new kind of representation and conversation from the other end - Palestine, Israel, Darfur, Iraq, refugees anywhere, the world.... This is a great time to change everything - regroup, redesign our semantics, syntax, tone and form towards crafting visions and taking actions for effective resolution for the good of humanity.

Who Mrs Clinton interfaces with, what they bring into the room and how the conversation engages everyone involved and anyone concerned will make all the difference. It's a great time to imagine new ways of working for human security while creating a dynamic multi-way dialog and harnessing capabilities of new voices and new efforts.

IMHO, the question I think the world should be asking now is not Clinton or not, but rather the who and the how from our end.

So...what will us Arabs choose, and can we imagine a better convo? It's about figuring out who we need to be for this journey....

[cindyfromfalls]

how wonderful it would be if more world leaders, heads of state and dignataries would take the time to blog like the Queen.......what an oportunity to bridge the gap and to achieve true understanding!

[booker52]

I respect your opinion, but I disagree with you on this one. I still believe that Gov Richardson would have been better suited to this post rather then Sen Clinton.

[UtahLiberal435]

Dear Queen Noor,

Thank you for the decades you've spent bridging the gap between Western and Muslim cultures.

And thanks - very much - for your informed commentary. It's refreshing to read blogs from people who have actual experience in international and intercultural politics, rather than just poets, screenwriters, celebrities and the well-trained poodles of America's MSM and "alternative" presses.

It's nice to have an opinion that's related to actual on-the-ground fact, rather than dogma.

[dreffein]

Agreed on all points 100%.

[partyofone]

Thanks for your opinion and insights Queen Noor. But after 20 years of watching the Clintons at work, many Americans simply do not trust them, are concerned about how they built their personal fortune, distressed over the appearence of huge conflicts of interest, and aware of the Clintons enternal penchant for drama.

[chaos4700]

Perhaps, but to be fair it's very hard to separate the Clinton's earned reputation from the distortions which have been projected onto them by the Republican spin machine. I'm not saying there aren't good reasons to criticize the Clintons -- I have a lot of criticisms myself -- but a lot of their image in the US is hype that was spewed forth by dishonest Republican partisans (many of whom are now discredited, disgraced or even indicted or convicted for corruption) that was then peddled by a complacent, irresponsible mainstream media.

The Clintons are centrists who aren't above resorting to political maneuvering now and then, but I will take a conflict of interest involving Clinton's humanitarian foundation over Cheney's conflicts of interest with Haliburton and the prison industry, hands down. Granted, Cheney's not exactly in the running for Sec of State. but still :)

[tiredofwaiting]

Thank you Queen Noor. Yes, Hillary's appointmnt is triumph for Women's rights/Human rights everywhere! I have always believed that peace will come when mothers the world over say "Enough!" Women will be the peacemakers, tired of burying their children after pointless wars, famines and other disasters. Hillary's tireless activism on behalf of women and children has brought her to a place where she can implement her passion and do good on a global scale. Her appointment sends a positive message to all women still bound by patriachal tyranny!

[canuckmoose]

Queen Noor,
Thank you for blogging here.

Perhaps it is now time for the U.S. (and other nations) to seriously consider establishing a Department of Peace.

[ohmercy]

AMEN to that!!!

and poverty as well given that the poverty in the world creates a huge benefit to war for those in power and a recruiting tool for radical groups around the world.

Benefit to war?
yes, the money involve4d in war as astronomical and those in power usually reap huge profits and other rewards- they certainly aren't risking their own lives--- If they want to wage war they should go to the head and lead from the battlefield.
pffttt!
uh oh- I think I'm about to go on a rant, better leave fast.
;-)

[bkestelman]

Wouldn't that basically be a United Nations that works?
It's probably going to be a long time before that happens.

[canuckmoose]

Each nation can establish it's own Dept of Peace, so not like a U.N.
It's the change in focus from war to peace that is important.

It need not take a long time. A year ago, who would have thought the U.S. would have a president elect Obama?

[Archivist1000]

The UN is made up of countries; it can only be as 'good' as the member nations make it. If a powerful country, like the USA, ignores the UN, defies it and the world, then there is no point in blaming the UN, is there ?

And, when the USA decided to defy the UN, it set an example ... if the USA can invade a country based on lies, if the USA can defy the UN and its weapons inspectors, then it's hard to expect others to do it.

[Horst]

Mrs. Clinton is an accomplished woman, no denying that. She is also ruthlessly ambitious and will say or do almost anything to advance her political career...this is why her candidacy was rejected.

[ohmercy]

ummm-

Her candidacy was not rejected. what a silly statement- if it had been rejected she wouldn't have gone all the way- or have even been allowed to, many people did drop out if I remember correctly- and they were not rejected either for that matter, people voted for them- FOR them, not against them, meaning they were not rejecting them. To say HRC's candidacy was rejected discounts many Americans who voted FOR a candidate- Hillary, and there were many millions of them, not AGAINST someone else.

As far as HRC being "ruthlessly ambitious" who will blah blah blah--- how do you know this? do you know her personal;ly or are you just repeating the meme's that the neocon's started about her in the '90's?

Apparently you didn't do the research which doing would reveal a far different woman and public servant and leader than the neoleft's (taking its strategy from the neocon playbook) demonizing and your cartoon imagery portray.

If Obama believed your foolishness do9 you think they would be working together- or even friends- or does he recognize a kindred soul?

Personally I think he does- both ambitious as one has to be if they are to succeed to do the work they want to do in the world, and who have both said things during a PRIMARY that after they have both walked back on.
.

[ohmercy]

Oh-

AND:
I suppose if your main political information is HuffPo and Kos, and you do no research for yourself you don't subscribe to that kind of even handed and factual based opinions.

Yes, an OPINION is all you are giving based on some kind of fantasy rather than facts which Queen Noor, Barack Obama and so many others base their opinions on.

[UtahLiberal435]

Uh no. Her candidacy was rejected because of an unbelievably empty slime movement by the GOP, the MSM punditry, and the bizarro wing of the 'netroots' uber-left. The last group automatically assumed that because Barack Obama was young and ethnic, he'd be be uber-left, and thus HRC must be a racist because she had the audacity to fight for her candidacy. (You know, just like you wanted Kerry to do). Now they're having a tough time adjusting to the real BHO reality as well. Extremists often have a tough time adjusting to reality.

[anothervoice2]

HRC's candidated was rejected by 18 million voters in the Dem primary!?! What is wrong with a female politician being ambitious? So Obama is a monk and devoid of ambition?! The Clinton years was a time of relative peace and prosperity - unlike the last 8 horrible years under W.

[Sam T]

Amen to your comments, anothervoice2. I was a fervent supporter & volunteer for Senator Clinton - and 18 million people agreed with me. Thankfully, most of her suporters, such as myself, just as strongly supported and volunteered for Senator Obama after the nomination, such that the GOP smear & steal machine could not do succeed.

I'm 50 yrs old, and the 8 years of the Clinton administration were the best 8 years this nation had in my adult lifetime.

There is a double standard regarding smart, capable & ambitious people. Such men are admired, while women are mocked, despised, and called names (and blacks, apparently, can't be believed to be US citizens). The 8 years of the Clinton administration, and the recent campaign, show that misogny is still alive, as is racism. The party that rejects both & pursues policies of inclusion will continue to win hearts. The party that embraces concepts of hate and exclusion, will wither & die.

I'm grateful that Queen Noor has taken the initiative to write of her experiences with HRC supporting of displaced persons. Regarding Darfur, the Bushies fiddled while that country burned. Finding peaceful solutions (e.g., Palestinians, Iraqis, Georgians, etc.), harder than just "dropping bombs"), has the greatest possibility for enduring peace.

I look forward to this administration, with HRC, working to reduce suffering. I recommend these rules of engagement: "First, do not increase suffering. Second, decrease suffering". It would be a welcome change from the American Imperialism of the neo-cons under Shrub.

[TLNelson]

anothervioice2: There is nothing wrong with a female politician being ambitious. Most successful people are ambitious (or they would not be successful). However, Hillary Rodham Clinton's obsession with power and control goes beyond ambition. She is a megalomanic who is driven by an insatiable thirst to be in charge and exercise power over others. Her craving for power is so strong, she will say or do anything to gain it ...hence her frequent shifting of her public "act" to play to the polls and her willingness to lie about her experience and background. As Secretary of State, Clinton will certainly engage in Machiavellian machinations with foreign governments in order to futher a personal agenda of dominance rather than a national agenda of mutual respect and accord. Foreign heads of state can trust her only at their own peril !

[katherine2]

Quuen Noor's endorsement is refreshing to read along with some of the comments. For whatever reasons, Hillary Clinton remains a lightnning rod for attacks across the political spectrum, though most I come across are from Obama suporters. Who have aparently forgotten how she selflessly gave of her time and energy to support him, and who have also forgotten that his victory would have been impossible without the cross over support from her supporters. I wish some people could get over their hostilities and perceptions by getting and staying current. How aware are some that the primaries have been over with for over 6 months?

[GemState]

How aware are you that they were actually over 3 months and a week before that, it's just that the those who stood up for vileness and politics as usual wouldn't concede for the good of the country and it left a lot of former Clinton fans and feminists dismayed, embarrassed and disgusted. She DID do a lot during the general but it wasn't selflessly. She was campaigning to save her own butt and don't think the whole world doesn't know it. For those who say she did more than any other candidate to campaign for him, that's because she did more than any other candidate within their own party to tear someone down and she was going down in the history books for it, so, she had to do some major campaigning. So she got out there and campaigned to save face (both of them). Part of staying current is staying awake in the present and seeing what is really going on. She has always been out for herself. I wish some people would get over their blindness and see her for what she really is. After all the damage that she did the victory would have been impossible without Sarah Palin. He made a mistake (and so did anyone who ever voted for her) but it was his (and yours) to make. She has the appointment, you win, but don't throw roses on the pile of pooh (her campaign) and say it was sweet.

[thankulord13]

Who are you to make these comments. You are not personally friends or even live on the same block as this woman to make such judgments. You get your information on Senator Clinton just like most of us and that is through the media. You talk about living in reality why don't you live in reality and quit pretending like you know this woman and what type of person she is because you don't! You probably don't even know your significant other that well. Sorry I was not dismayed by Senator Clinton, this woman came from modest means and she will go down in history while you will be lucky if your own grandchildren will remember you. So instead of being so negative about this woman use that energy for the common good... I am sure you have some volunteer groups in your community that you can use that energy for. So why don't you quit throwing roses on the pile of pooh you call a life and say it's sweet and get out there and clean that mess up and make something of yourself!

[UtahLiberal435]

I don't see how Clinton stands for "vileness and politics as usual." Both she, and her husband, have stayed on message for decades, despite the slime that's been heaped upon them by right-wingers, MSM hairdos, and the wierder neighborhoods of the netroots.

If you get universal health care, you can thank HRC for championing that at a time when it was truly a thankless job. Hell, now she's even being scapegoated for America's current health care failures. Truly, 1984-speak in action.

[hardybear]

Unless you are her therapist ... utter rubbish.

Joe Biden is not garnering the same level of vitriol for his primary
campaign slurs against Obama.

People "out for themselves" do not willingly enter the wringer of
public service.

Move on.

[mckait]

katerine2, I have to believe it is because some people are not able to accept a strong woman.
If a man did what she has done, I doubt he would experience the same attacks.

[partyofone]

katherine2, Hillary gave "selflessly"?

[truthbrigade]

Let me remind everyone that she is the one who dissed, marginalized, and belittled him; calling him unqualified to be Commander in Chief, while fully qualifying his Republican opponent. She is the one who put the 3 AM commercial to seed doubt that he can handle the security of this country; she is the one that hinted (wink, wink) "Hard working Americans, White Americans" are not inclined to vote for him; the same time she is the local Beer guzzling girl from Scranton. THEN, she played the 'assassination card.' I still have a visceral reaction every time I think of that. I was not shocked at how low she'd stooped, though.

NO, we don’t forget and we don’t forgive; NEVER.

[hardybear]

PE Obama certainly has.

I can picture him reading posts like yours and despairing of such
self-absorbed attitudes.

Sheer selfishness, in my opinion.

[Archivist1000]

oh fer pete's sake, you sound like a Jr High whiner .... grow up

[anothervoice2]

Futile to hope for HRC bashing to stop on Huffpo. It is a favorite hobby for the Obama worshippers! HRC was gracious in her campaigning for Obama after her Primary loss. She is a smart, ambitious, hard working and detail oriented woman. How many first ladies have gone on to achieve what she has?! And to see Bill Clinton supportive of her career is refreshing. Can't think of one GOP pol who would stand by their wife moving on to high profile political jobs - where they have to stand aside and allow for the focus to be on the spouse. It takes some humility to be the former President and have to cede the limelight to the equally capable wife during campaigning and political events.

[ConfuciusSay-]

Surely this is the best endorsement Mrs. Clinton could possibly have hoped for. May she live up to it!