Obama nominates Sen. Clinton as secretary of state

By Hwang Doo-hyong

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama announced the nomination of onetime Democratic presidential rival Sen. Hillary Clinton as secretary of state Monday, saying she is the right person to deal with nuclear threats from North Korea and Iran and growing global terrorism.

At a news conference in Chicago, where his transition team is headquartered,
Obama also introduced Robert Gates, the current defense secretary, as Pentagon
chief and retired Marine general James Jones as national security adviser.
"There is much to do -- from preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to Iran and
North Korea, to seeking a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, to
strengthening international institutions," Obama said. "I have no doubt that
Hillary Clinton is the right person to lead our State Department, and to work
with me in tackling this ambitious foreign policy agenda."
Obama described Clinton as a person who "possesses an extraordinary intelligence
and toughness, and a remarkable work ethic."
The New York senator and former first lady, he said, "is an American of
tremendous stature who will have my complete confidence; who knows many of the
world's leaders; who will command respect in every capitol; and who will clearly
have the ability to advance our interests around the world. Hillary's appointment
is a sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American
diplomacy and restore our alliances."
Eric Holder, former deputy attorney general, was named as attorney general and
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as the secretary of homeland security.
The nominations come amid growing security challenges from global terrorists,
nuclear threats from North Korea and Iran and ongoing U.S.-led wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
In the most recent terror attack, which apparently targeted Americans, about 200
people, including six Americans, were killed in Mumbai, India, last week.
Groups of terrorists targeted tourist hotels and other locales frequented by
American and other Western citizens in the commercial capital of the south Asian
state even as U.S. intelligence authorities warned about a possible terror attack
on the New York subway system.
"Last week, we were reminded of this threat once again when terrorists took the
lives of six Americans among nearly 200 victims in Mumbai," Obama said. "And as
we learned so painfully on 9/11, terror cannot be contained by borders, nor
safety provided by oceans alone."
In accepting her nomination, Clinton emphasized the need to cooperate with other
countries to assure American security.
"We know our security, our values, and our interests cannot be protected and
advanced by force alone, nor, indeed, by Americans alone," she said. "We must
pursue vigorous diplomacy using all the tools we can muster to build a future
with more partners and fewer adversaries, more opportunities and fewer dangers,
for all who seek freedom, peace and prosperity."
Obama, for his part, pledged to "pursue a new strategy that skillfully uses,
balances, and integrates all elements of American power: our military and
diplomacy; our intelligence and law enforcement; our economy and the power of our
moral example."
Gates meets Obama's campaign pledge to include at least one Republican in his
Cabinet to embody bipartisan politics.
Obama reportedly asked Gates, popular with both Congressional Democrats and
Republicans, to retain his job for at least one year to deal with the ongoing
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to allow the incoming administration to focus on the
economy.
Obama stressed the need to maintain continuity in national security in the
presidential transition at a time when the U.S. is facing the worst economic
crisis in decades.
"He knows that we need a sustainable national security strategy -- and that
includes a bipartisan consensus at home," Obama said.
The president-elect said he is pleased that Gates accepted his proposal to remain
on as the defense secretary "at a time when we face an unprecedented transition
amidst two wars." He said Gates won the "confidence and trust" not only of
military commanders but also of "members of Congress on both sides of the aisle
for his pragmatism and competence."
Obama expressed hope that Gates will help end the war in Iraq "responsibly"
through a transition to Iraqi control of military operations.
He has pledged to pull all U.S. troops out of Iraq within 16 months from his
inauguration in January, but hinted possible flexibility.
"I believe that 16 months is the right time frame, but, as I've said
consistently, I will listen to the recommendations of my commanders," he said.
Obama also said he expects Gates to help terminate the war in Afghanistan, where
Taliban militias are gaining strength.
"As Bob said not too long ago, Afghanistan is where the war on terror began, and
it is where it must end," he said. "We will also ensure that we have the strategy
-- and resources -- to succeed against al Qaeda and the Taliban."
The president-elect dismissed concerns about in-fighting among his high-profile
security team members.
"They would not have agreed to join my administration and I would not have asked
them to be part of this administration unless we shared a core vision of what's
needed to keep the American people safe and to assure prosperity here at home and
peace abroad," Obama said.
Obama said he welcomes "a vigorous debate inside the White House," adding, "One
of the dangers in a White House, based on my reading of history, is that you get
wrapped up in group think and everybody agrees with everything and there's no
discussion and there are no dissenting views."
"But understand, I will be setting policy as president," he said. "I will be
responsible for the vision that this team carries out, and I expect them to
implement that vision once decisions are made."
Critics say Clinton's nomination may cause a major problem within the national
security team due to her political ambitions and her more conservative position
on major foreign issues, including North Korea and Iran.
They note the awkward relationship between dovish Secretary of State Colin Powell
and such neo-conservatives as Vice President Dick Cheney, former Defense
Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and former Undersecretary of State John Bolton in the
first term of the George W. Bush administration.
Clinton once dubbed "irresponsible and frankly naive" Obama's plans to meet with
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il or leaders of any other rogue states without
preconditions. She also voted for the war on Iraq, which Obama opposed.
Clinton reportedly decided to accept the State Department job only after Obama
promised her direct access to him without going through the national security
adviser and the right to select senior State Department officials.
Proponents say the Obama administration needs to use Clinton's experience and
even bipartisan support to muddle through the rare economic and security
challenges facing the young government of Obama who lacks administrative
experience.
Appearing at the news conference together with Obama, Vice President-elect Joseph
Biden said, "Each member of this team shares the goals and the principles that
the president-elect and I have attempted to advance. Each member shares our
conviction that strength and wisdom must go hand-in-hand."
Jones, a retired marine general and former NATO commander, is expected to
coordinate the differing positions of political heavyweights Clinton and Biden,
former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Gates and other
national security members without political ambitions.
Obama cited Jones' "dual experience of serving in uniform and as a diplomat,"
saying, "He will advise me and work effectively to integrate our efforts across
the government, so that we are effectively using all elements of American power
to defeat unconventional threats and promote our values."