Clinton Gives Last Public Speech as Secretary of State

In her last public speech as secretary of state, Hillary Clinton Thursday laid out a view of US global leadership for the 21st century.

Published

4 months ago

Categories

US

Topics

US Politics, United States

People

Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry

Places

United States of America, Washington, D.C.

Transcript

SHOTLIST: WASHINGTON, JANUARY 31, 2013, SOURCE: AFPTV SOUNDBITE 1 Hillary Clinton (woman), US Secretary of State (English, 12 sec): "Tomorrow is my last day as secretary of state. And though it is hard to predict what any day in this job will bring, I know that tomorrow my heart will be very full." SOUNDBITE 2 Hillary Clinton (woman), US Secretary of State (English, 28 sec): "We do need a new architecture for this new world -- more Frank Gehry than formal Greek. Think of it. Now, some of his work at first might appear haphazard, but in fact it's highly intentional and sophisticated. Where once a few strong columns could hold up the weight of the world, today we need a dynamic mix of materials and structures." - Clinton arrives - VAR CFR President Richard Haas introduces Clinton - VAR cutaway during Clinton's speech and question-and-answer period - Haas ends discussion saying, "John Kerry [incoming secretary of state] has some fairly large Manolo Blahniks to fill" [Clinton laughs] - Clinton waves ----------------------------------- AFP TEXT STORY: US-diplomacy-Clinton-speech US will lead the 21st century: Clinton in last speech WASHINGTON, Jan 31, 2013 (AFP) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Thursday took issue with critics who say US global power is waning, arguing in her final public speech in office that America will continue to lead the 21st century. But on the day before she officially steps down, Clinton called for the nation's institutions and relationships to be modernized, saying what was needed was "a new architecture for this new world. More Frank Gehry than formal Greek." "Think of it," she urged an audience at the Council on Foreign Relations think-tank. "Some of his work at first might appear haphazard, but in fact it's highly intentional and sophisticated. "Where once a few strong columns could hold up the weight of the world, today we need a dynamic mix of materials and structures." In a strong defense of her four years in office, Clinton recalled where America was when she took up the post at the start of President Barack Obama's first term in office. "Remember what we faced in January 2009: Two wars. An economy in free-fall. Traditional alliances fraying. Our diplomatic standing damaged," Clinton said. "And around the world, people questioning America's commitment to core values and our ability to maintain our global leadership. "That was my inbox on Day One as Secretary of State." Four years on, the world "remains a dangerous and complicated place," but much had changed, Clinton argued, saying "we've revitalized American diplomacy and strengthened our alliances." "In short, America today is stronger at home and more respected in the world. Our global leadership is on firmer footing than many predicted." She stressed Washington needed to use all the levers of global power at its fingertips, widening the "aperture of our engagement." "You can't be a 21st century leader without 21st century tools -- not when people organize pro-democracy protests with Twitter, while terrorists spread their hateful ideology online." And she warned perceptions of the United States abroad were changing. "The reservoirs of goodwill that we built around the world during the 20th century will not last forever; in fact in some places, they're already dangerously depleted," Clinton said. "New generations of young people do not remember GIs liberating their countries or Americans saving millions of lives from hunger and disease." As she prepares to hand over the baton to incoming secretary of state John Kerry, Clinton insisted America would remain "the indispensable nation." "That's not meant as a boast or an empty slogan -- it's a recognition of our role and our responsibilities. That's why the declinists are wrong. And it's why the United States will continue to lead in this century, even as we lead in new ways."