WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Turkey must do more to cement democratic gains and smooth prickly ties with neighbors such as Israel if it is to emerge as a guarantor of Middle Eastern stability, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Monday. Clinton, speaking to the American-Turkish Council in Washington , said the "Turkish miracle" had seen that country's economy triple in size over the last decade as reforms opened up both the political and economic sectors to new competition. But she said Ankara -- which hopes to draft a new constitution by the first half of 2012 -- must be careful to ensure that human rights are respected, minority groups are included and media freedoms are guaranteed. "Turkey's ability to realize its full potential depends upon its resolve to strengthen democracy at home and promote peace in the neighborhood," Clinton said in prepared remarks. Clinton is preparing to travel to Istanbul for an international conference on Wednesday aimed...

Vice President Joe Biden says hes absolutely, positively going to be President Obama s running mate in 2012. But if he wasnt? A plurality of Americans would strongly prefer Hillary Clinton to step in to assume the VP role, according to a new 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair poll. Forty-three percent of adults said they favored Clinton as a Biden replacement when presented with a list of possible names by pollsters. Billionaire businessman Warren Buffett , CIA director David Petraeus , Oprah Winfrey and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo all received single-digit support in the survey, which had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Clinton has remained a highly popular figure with voters, insulated from the political fallout over the lagging economy in her role as secretary of state. A recent Gallup poll found 66 percent of Americans had a favorable opinion of her, comparedwith 46 percent for Biden. In a March interview with CNN, Clinton announced that she would leave her post if...

Posted on October 31, 2011, Monday SHE has already stated her intention to bow out of the race for 2012 but according to a survey if Hillary Clinton were the Democrat presidential candidate she would beat Republicans hands down. Texas Governor and GOP candidate Rick Perry has admitted his biggest mistake so far in the run for the White House was to take part in the Republican discussions at all. And now a poll by Time magazine revealed that the current Secretary of State leads Perry, 58 per cent to 32 per cent; Mitt Romney, 55 per cent to 38; and Herman Cain, 56 per cent to 34, among voters. The statistics also discovered that Clintons margins were better than President Obamas- who edges Romney by just 46 per cent to 43 per cent, Perry by 50 per cent to 38 and Cain by 49 per cent to 37. Clinton was beaten in the 2008 nomination race by Obama and has said she has no interest in running for the White House again. In an interview last week, she said: I think its time for others to step up...

TRIPOLI, Libya A U.S. military plane flew more than 20 Libyans wounded in the country's eight-month civil war to the United States for treatment on Saturday. Thousands have been wounded in the fight to topple Moammar Gadhafi, and Libya's new leaders say caring for them is a critical need. Some two dozen people boarded the U.S. aircraft at an airport in the Libyan capital of Tripoli. Two men had their arms in a sling while another walked unaided but with crutches. Several men smiled broadly at the cameras and flashed a victory sign. The U.S. ambassador to Libya, Gene Kretz, says U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton initiated the evacuation after visiting a Tripoli hospital last week. A press release from the Temporary Financing Mechanism, an internationally-established fund used by Libya's transitional government, said that a total of 24 seriously wounded patients would be treated in the United States and six mor...

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday. Clinton cites Pakistan's cooperation in successes against al Qaeda Almost half of all Afghan girls are in school now, compared to 10 years ago Pakistan is being urged to help clamp down on the Haqqani network Washington (CNN) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday the United States' work in both Afghanistan and Pakistan has "yielded significant results," but "serious challenges" remain in the relationship between the three countries. Fresh off a week-long trip that included stops in both countries, Clinton testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee Thursday, explaining that the success of the U.S. presence in the region sometimes gets lost in the public debate. "Osama bin Laden and many of his top lieutenants are dead. The threat remains real and urgent, especially from al Qaeda's affiliates," she said, according to the ...

WASHINGTON DC -- She says she's not running for office in 2012, but Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is making a strong showing in the polls against the candidates who are running. And, that includes President Obama. Hillary Clinton gave Barack Obama a run for his money in the last race for the White House. So far, the Secretary of State has said she's not running this go around, but what if she were? In a survey taken earlier this month by TIME Magazine , both Clinton and Pres. Obama would each beat Romney, Perry and Cain. But inthat poll, Clinton wins by a much larger margin in each of the races. "I think you also have to think about those numbers in the larger picture. She hasn't had to be involved in the domestic policy issues that are the area of greatest discontent," saidTIME editorMassimo Calabresi. In the past, Vice President Joe Biden has answered questions about Hillary Clinton, specifically about a switch-up in their roles. "No, no. Look, here...

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday. Clinton cites Pakistan's cooperation in successes against al Qaeda Almost half of all Afghan girls are in school now, compared to 10 years ago Pakistan is being urged to help clamp down on the Haqqani network Washington (CNN) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday the United States' work in both Afghanistan and Pakistan has "yielded significant results," but "serious challenges" remain in the relationship between the three countries. Fresh off a week-long trip that included stops in both countries, Clinton testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee Thursday, explaining that the success of the U.S. presence in the region sometimes gets lost in the public debate. "Osama bin Laden and many of his top lieutenants are dead. The threat remains real and urgent, especially from al Qaeda's affiliates," she said, according to the ...

WASHINGTON DC -- She says she's not running for office in 2012, but Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is making a strong showing in the polls against the candidates who are running. And, that includes President Obama. Hillary Clinton gave Barack Obama a run for his money in the last race for the White House. So far, the Secretary of State has said she's not running this go around, but what if she were? In a survey taken earlier this month by TIME Magazine , both Clinton and Pres. Obama would each beat Romney, Perry and Cain. But inthat poll, Clinton wins by a much larger margin in each of the races. "I think you also have to think about those numbers in the larger picture. She hasn't had to be involved in the domestic policy issues that are the area of greatest discontent," saidTIME editorMassimo Calabresi. In the past, Vice President Joe Biden has answered questions about Hillary Clinton, specifically about a switch-up in their roles. "No, no. Look, here...

Washington, Oct 28 : US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told a congressional panel that any Afghan-led reconciliation process would have to include the Quetta Shura and its leader Mullah Omar. During Clintons appearance before the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Steve Chabot, a Republican, asked her if the United States was prepared to negotiate with Mullah Omar. And if so, under what circumstances and what would our conditions be? he asked. Well, Congressman, the negotiations that would be part of any Afghan-led peace process would have to include the Quetta Shura and would have to include some recognition by the Quetta Shura which, based on everything we know, is still led by Mullah Omar, that they wish to participate in such a process, the Dawn quoted Clinton, as saying in her response. We are pursuing every thread of any kind of interest expressed, she added. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the panels chairperson, questioned the wisdom of e...

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday. Clinton cites Pakistan's cooperation in successes against al Qaeda Almost half of all Afghan girls are in school now, compared to 10 years ago Pakistan is being urged to help clamp down on the Haqqani network Washington (CNN) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday the United States' work in both Afghanistan and Pakistan has "yielded significant results," but "serious challenges" remain in the relationship between the three countries. Fresh off a week-long trip that included stops in both countries, Clinton testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee Thursday, explaining that the success of the U.S. presence in the region sometimes gets lost in the public debate. "Osama bin Laden and many of his top lieutenants are dead. The threat remains real and urgent, especially from al Qaeda's affiliates," she said, according to the ...

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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Iran is 'morphing into a military dictatorship', and a power struggle was underway that could lead to major changes in its political system. 'It's been a little confusing because we're not quite sure who makes decisions any more inside of Iran, which I think is an unfortunate sign and kind of goes along with the ascendancy of greater military power,' she told the BBC's Persian-language channel. 'I think Iran unfortunately is morphing into a military dictatorship.' Clinton made the same point in an interview with Voice of America, adding that she had heard that Iran's political system would be changed 'so there wouldn't even be an elected president.' In the BBC interview, she said she believed 'there's a power struggle going on inside the regime and they can't sort out what they really are willing to do until they sort out who is going to do what.' 'And, therefore, I think ...

Published: Oct. 26, 2011 at 6:46 PM WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday the United States is setting up a "virtual embassy" in Iran to circumvent the country's "electronic curtain." "What we are going to do despite the fact that we do not have diplomatic relations is I am going to announce the opening of a virtual embassy in Tehran," Clinton told Voice of America. "The Web site will be up and going at the end of the year. We're going to continue to reach out particularly to students and encourage that you come back and study in the United States. And we're going to look for other people-to-people exchanges." Clinton added there are "reasons for regret on both sides" in the troubled history of U.S.-Iranian relations over the past 50 years and the United States would like to "forge a new relationship." She also expressed concern that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps i...

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that Iran was "morphing into a military dictatorship " though a power struggle within the regime means Iranians can influence the outcome. Clinton said confusion about who is calling the shots in Tehran has also complicated US efforts to communicate with the Iranian leadership. "It's been a little confusing because we're not quite sure who makes decisions anymore inside of Iran, which I think is an unfortunate sign and kind of goes along with the ascendancy of greater military power," she told the BBC's Persian-language channel. "I think Iran unfortunately is morphing into a military dictatorship." She said Washington had tried many different approaches to communicating with Iran, and was open to "front channel, back channel" communications. "But I believe there's a power struggle going on inside the regime and they can't sort out what they really are willing to do u...

26-Oct-11, 7:53 PM | Chichi Conde, InterAksyon.com OTHER NATIONAL STORIES Philippines has world's largest 'Ten Commandments' tablet Migrant group urges OFWs to boycott 'anti-worker' PAL Hillary Clinton in Manila Nov. 15 for one day stopover Salvador Bernal, National Artist and 'father of Philippine theater design' Military overruns gunmen's camp in Zambo Sibugay MANILA - United States Department of State Secretar! y Hillar y Clinton will make a one-day official visit to Manila on November 15. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said Clinton will pay a courtesy call on President Benigno Aquino III to discuss wide-ranging bilateral and multilateral issues, including human trafficking. We are looking for a discussion on many areas of cooperation, del Rosario said. Clinton will be coming from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Hawaii before proceeding to Manila. From the Philippines, Clinton will then fly to Bali, Indonesia fo...

Hillary Clintons status as one of the countrys most popular public figures could take a hit over the next several months. Clintons approval ratings hover close to 70 percent and are far higher than those of Republican White House hopefuls and President Obama. Her popularity has led to chatter in the nations capital that she could run for president again, or even replace Vice President Biden as President Obamas running mate. Clinton, who will turn 64 on Wednesday, has repeatedly said she will never run for president again, but has been somewhat coy on her long-term future. The former senator will not stay on at the State Department beyond Obamas first term, triggering a flurry of speculation as to what she will do next. But first she must deal with a series of challenges that puts her at odds with lawmakers in both parties. Clinton finds herself in the middle of a domestic issue with repercussions for the environment and energy. The State Department later this year must decide whether t...

In honor of her birthday tomorrow (maybe?), Hillary Clinton wore a scrunchie today. You might remember the Epic Hillary Scrunchie Incident of July 2011 . Well, Clinton's brought it back, this time in black, as she addressed the press alongside Peruvian Prime Minister Salomon Lerner in DC today. ALL HAIL THE SCRUNCHIE. Vote below! Quick Poll Are you feeling the Hillary scrunchie? Share your vote on Facebook so your friends can take this poll ';var coords = [-5, -72];// display fb-bubbleFloatingPrompt.embed(this, html, undefined, 'top', {fp_intersects:1, timeout_remove:2000,ignore_arrow: true, width:236, add_xy:coords, class_name: 'clear-overlay'});});

Hillary Clintons status as one of the countrys most popular public figures could take a hit over the next several months. Clintons approval ratings hover close to 70 percent and are far higher than those of Republican White House hopefuls and President Obama. Her popularity has led to chatter in the nations capital that she could run for president again, or even replace Vice President Biden as President Obamas running mate. Clinton, who will turn 64 on Wednesday, has repeatedly said she will never run for president again, but has been somewhat coy on her long-term future. The former senator will not stay on at the State Department beyond Obamas first term, triggering a flurry of speculation as to what she will do next. But first she must deal with a series of challenges that puts her at odds with lawmakers in both parties. Clinton finds herself in the middle of a domestic issue with repercussions for the environment and energy. The State Department later this year must decide whether t...

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Tunisia has set an example for the world with the first post-Arab Spring election and urged MPs to build an 'inclusive' government. 'As Tunisia's brave citizens chart a new democratic future, they continue to set an example for the region and the world,' Clinton said in a statement. Tunisia's main Islamist party Ennahda said it has taken the biggest block of votes in the polls, with the leader of the secular centre-left PDP party, tipped as the main challenger before the vote, conceding defeat. Clinton did not comment directly on the Islamists' apparent triumph, instead calling the election 'a historic milestone on Tunisia's path from autocratic dictatorship to a government that respects the will of the people'. 'We encourage the Constituent Assembly to operate in a transparent and inclusive manner as they undertake this new democratic responsibility and fulfill the Tunisian people's aspirations ...

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Tunisia has set an example for the world with the first post-Arab Spring election and urged MPs to build an "inclusive" government. "As Tunisia's brave citizens chart a new democratic future, they continue to set an example for the region and the world," Ms Clinton said. Tunisia's main Islamist party Ennahda said it has taken the biggest block of votes in the polls, with the leader of the secular centre-left PDP party, tipped as the main challenger before the vote, conceding defeat. Ms Clinton did not comment directly on the Islamists' apparent triumph, instead calling the election "a historic milestone on Tunisia's path from autocratic dictatorship to a government that respects the will of the people". "We encourage the Constituent Assembly to operate in a transparent and inclusive manner as they undertake this new democratic responsibility and fulfill the Tunisian people's aspirations f...

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned Iran not to 'miscalculate' the continuing US commitment to Iraq after the withdrawal of all American combat forces at the end of the year. 'No one, most particularly Iran, should miscalculate about our continuing commitment to and with the Iraqis going forward,' she said in an interview with CNN on Sunday, pointing to the US military presence in the region and alliance with Turkey. Clinton's comments came a day after President Barack Obama announced that all 39,000 US combat forces would be out of Iraq by the end of the year, after Iraq refused to give legal immunity to a small residual force that Washington had hoped to leave behind. Clinton said the US military will still perform a training and support mission in Iraq after the pull-out, and the United States will maintain a robust diplomatic presence in the country. However, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Friday the training mission must still be negotiated...

By Daily Mail Reporters Last updated at 2:19 PM on 24th October 2011 U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has demanded that Libya's new leaders to make sure the only person convicted for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing is sent back to prison for the rest of his life. Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi, 59, was jailed for his role in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on December 21 over the Scottish town, which killed all 259 on board the plane and 11 on the ground. Megrahi was jailed in 2001 but subsequently released in 2009 by Scotland on compassionate grounds, as doctors had diagnosed him with terminal prostate cancer and had given him only three months to live. Justice: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called on the Libyan government to return Adbelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi, above right, to jail and serve his life sentence for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing But he is still alive after returning to Libya and receiving a hero's welcome from hundreds of Libyans waving Scott...

By The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) Iran should not misread the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq as affecting the U.S. commitment to the fledgling democracy, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday. President Barack Obamas announcement Friday that all American troops would return from Iraq by the end of the year will close a chapter on U.S.-Iraq relations that began in 2003 with the U.S.-led invasion to overthrow Saddam Hussein. Iran is expected to try to use the departure of U.S. troops to expand its influence on its neighbor. Clinton said in a series of news show interviews that the U.S. would continue its training mission with Iraq and that it would resemble operations in Colombia and elsewhere. While the U.S. will not have combat troops in Iraq, she said the American presence would remain strong because of its bases in the region. Iran would be badly miscalculating if they did not look at the entire region and all of our presence in many countries in the r...

Secretary of State says US will continue training mission as Iran vies for stronger influence WASHINGTON - Iran should not misread the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq as affecting the U.S. commitment to the fledgling democracy, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday. President Barack Obama's announcement Friday that all American troops would return from Iraq by the end of the year will close a chapter on U.S.-Iraq relations that began in 2003 with the U.S.-led invasion to overthrow Saddam Hussein. Washington has long worried that meddling by Iran, a Shiite Muslim theocracy, could inflame tensions between Iraq's Shiite-led government and its minority Sunnis, setting off a chain reaction of violence and disputes across the Mideast. Clinton said in a series of news show interviews that the U.S. would continue its training mission with Iraq and that it would resemble operations in Colombia and elsewhere. While the U.S. will not have combat troops in Iraq, she...

By The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) Iran should not misread the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq as affecting the U.S. commitment to the fledgling democracy, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday. President Barack Obamas announcement Friday that all American troops would return from Iraq by the end of the year will close a chapter on U.S.-Iraq relations that began in 2003 with the U.S.-led invasion to overthrow Saddam Hussein. Iran is expected to try to use the departure of U.S. troops to expand its influence on its neighbor. Clinton said in a series of news show interviews that the U.S. would continue its training mission with Iraq and that it would resemble operations in Colombia and elsewhere. While the U.S. will not have combat troops in Iraq, she said the American presence would remain strong because of its bases in the region. Iran would be badly miscalculating if they did not look at the entire region and all of our presence in many countries in the r...

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pressed Afghanistan s neighbors to halt the flow of militants and drugs across their borders and to support regional trade and a peace process to end a conflict tying up 100,000 U.S. forces. Instead of Afghanistan being the crossroads for terrorism and insurgency, Clinton said yesterday in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, we want Afghanistan to be at the crossroads of economic opportunities going north and south and east and west, which is why its so critical to more fully integrate the economies of the countries in this region in South and Central Asia. Clinton urged Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Uzbek President Islam Karimov yesterday to ensure that insurgents from Afghanistan and Pakistan dont establish sanctuaries in their countries, according to a State Department official who spoke on condition of anonymity since the talks were private. Clintons visit to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan this weekend also is a chance to bolster relations with two ...