Clinton vows positive changes
2008-12-01 19:34
Chicago - Hillary Clinton on Monday vowed to make the United States a new force for positive change, saying that as secretary of state she would work with the world community to solve global crises.
"The American people have demanded not just a new direction at home, but a new effort to renew America's standing in the world as a force for positive change," Clinton told a Chicago press conference after being nominated to the post of secretary of state by president-elect Barack Obama.
Clinton vowed to "reach out to the world again" after eight years of President George W Bush's administration and promised to give "this assignment, your administration and my country, my all".
"America is a place founded on the idea that everyone should have the right to live up to his or her God-given potential. It is the same ideal that must guide America's purpose in the world today," said Clinton, who leaves a seat as New York senator to serve as secretary of state. Her nomination requires Senate confirmation.
Obama said that Clinton's appointment as top diplomat was a "sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American diplomacy and restore our alliances".
The president-elect, who is to take office on January 20, also said he would give Defense Secretary Robert Gates a "new mission" to end the Iraq war and hand over control of the country to the Iraqis.
"I will be giving Secretary Gates and our military a new mission as soon as I take office, responsibly ending the war in Iraq through a successful transition to Iraqi control," said Obama, pledging to turn attention to the fight against al-Qaeda and insurgents in Afghanistan.
"We will also ensure that we have the strategy and resources to succeed against al-Qaeda and the Taliban," Obama said.