Sen. Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that withdrawingAmerican forces from Iraq would be a "top priority" of President-elect Barack Obama's administration. Clinton's remarks came as she appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for her confirmation hearing for the position of secretary of state.
During her testimony, Clinton said the withdrawal would occur "in the context of the status of forces agreement" that the Bush administration recently signed with the Iraqi government that requires the removal of U.S. combat troops by 2011. Clinton, however, acknowledging a "difference in timing" with the Iraqis, said the administration hopes to remove U.S. troops from cities and villages by June.
Addressing the country that neighbors Iraq, Clinton told senators that the new administration is "not taking any option off the table at all" when it comes to dealing with Iran but will pursue a new and "perhaps different" approach characterized by an "attitude toward engagement." She pledged to use every tool at her disposal to try to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, which she termed an "unacceptable" outcome." "Our goal will be to do everything we can through diplomacy and the use of greater sanctions," she said.
In her opening statement, Clinton also addressed the Palestinian - Israeli conflict, saying, "We cannot give up on peace." "As intractable as the Middle East problems may seem -- and many presidents, including my husband, have spent years trying to help work out a resolution -- we cannot give up on peace," she said.
Clinton said she and Obama are "deeply sympathetic" to Israel's desire to defend itself, but added that they have also been reminded of the tragic humanitarian costs of conflict in the Middle East. "This must only increase our determination to seek a just and lasting peace agreement that brings real security to Israel -- normal and positive relations with its neighbors, independence, economic progress and security to the Palestinians in their own state. We will exert every effort to support the work of Israelis and Palestinians who seek that result," she said.
But Clinton said the U.S. would not negotiate with Hamas until it recognizes Israel, renounces violence and abides by previous agreements. "That is just for me an absolute for me," she said. "That is the United States' position and the president-elect's position."
