Hillary's foreign policy experience: The kiss
In that post yesterday about the debate between Clinton and Obama over who had more foreign policy experience --she says he merely lived in another culture (Indonesia) as a boy while she had experience on the world stage and formed personal relationships with other famous leaders as First Lady -- we almost forgot about this famous 1999 picture of her kissing Suha Arafat, after Arafat gave a speech criticizing Israel for poisoning Palestinians.
Judging from the flack Clinton got, it's a bit of diplomatic experience she'd probably like to forget, not necessarily evidence of great international skill and finesse. Or maybe it's like health care: Past fiascoes are a just part of the learning curve toward future achievements.
In any event, after the jump there's a NYT story in which Hillary offered her explanation during a campaign appearance in 2000: In the Mideast, "a kiss is a handshake."
New York Times, July 14, 2000:
On a campaign swing yesterday through Queens, Hillary Rodham Clinton offered her most detailed explanation yet about why she kissed Suha Arafat, the wife of Yasir Arafat, after Mrs. Arafat made scathing remarks about Israel during a joint appearance in November.
"Some of you may or may have not been to the Middle East," Mrs. Clinton said, "but a kiss is a handshake."
Mrs. Clinton, appearing at the Bell Park Jewish Center in Queens Village, made the remarks in response to a woman's question on the encounter with Mrs. Arafat, and on her stand on the issue of Palestinian statehood.
Mrs. Clinton did not offer her opinion on whether there should be a Palestinian state, but said that her political opponents would "keep raising and keep raising" the encounter with Mrs. Arafat.
The incident, which provoked harsh criticism at the time from Jewish organizations in the United States, involved a joint appearance by the two women on the West Bank.
"I was in a very difficult position, and I am the first to admit that," Mrs. Clinton said to a largely supportive group of more than 300 people at the Queens Village center.
"I did what I was expected to do," she said, adding that she had "responded appropriately as the first lady of the United States."
During the November joint appearance in Ramallah, Mrs. Arafat, speaking in Arabic, accused the Israeli government of poisoning Palestinian women and children with toxic gas.
Mrs. Clinton showed clear signs of discomfort during the remarks but gave Mrs. Arafat a polite, salutatory kiss when she left.
Yesterday, Mrs. Clinton offered an explanation that was similar to one she gave reporters in November, but it was her first expansive discussion on the episode before a large group of voters. She said the translation of Mrs. Arafat's remarks that she was given in earphones during the West Bank event was different, and far less offensive, than the more accurate version she learned of after leaving Israel for Jordan.
"There was great debate over what was the right translation, the one I heard in my ears or the one that was put out after I left Israel," she said.
Nonetheless, she said, "immediately when I found out about the alternative translation I condemned it," adding that Mrs. Arafat's remarks had been "inflammatory and outrageous."
Mrs. Clinton, who was asked by another member of the audience in Queens Village if she had changed her "pro-Arab" views, responded by saying that she and President Clinton had been supporters of Israel throughout their political careers and that "all my comments and work I have done had been premised on what would be in the best interest of Israel."
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Comments (4)
Hillary and Bill Clinton played spectator during the 2004 election, which contributed to the Gore LOSS. They are without question the Democratic Party powerbrokers. They idled their political machine with the hope Mr. Gore would not prevail. This strategy is now paying off for Mrs. Clinton. The country is apparently poised for an alternative to 8 years of Bush, as the Clintons expected. The tide of change is supported by the overhaul we've seen in Congress. Had the Clintons supported Gore in 04 and he won, Hillary would likely not see another high percentage opportunity to win the White House in her lifetime. They left Gore to fend for himself and he LOST. Mission Accomplished for the Clintons. Americans LOST because of 4 more years of WAR. Now Hillary expects to capitalize. She sold out her party, Gore, and every American for personal ambition. Though she might win the nomination, she will only be providing the Republicans with another shot at retaining control. Sad but true. Though many want a change, she is not the change many want. All of her challengers know her political strategy and will not spare her. If they don't win, then they will make sure she doesn't because she's a sell out.
Very interesting... as always! Cheers from -Switzerland-.
The pictures may not have launched 1,000 ships, but it's the reason I can never vote for Clinton. Arafat's wife made a bllod libel against the Israeli people and Hillary countered the lies with a kiss.
What a load of bull. That is how people greet each other beyond the borders of the antiseptic United States.