Afternoon:
14°c
Hillary's first job will be to tackle India
Paul Thompson in Miami01.12.08
Hillary Clinton today became the most powerful woman in the US government when she was appointed Secretary of State.
President-elect Barack Obama introduced his former Democratic election rival as part of his national security team.
Her first priority will be to get up to speed on the crisis in India where terrorists killed more than 170 people with a co-ordinated assault on the city of Mumbai.
Mrs Clinton will have frequent briefings from Condoleezza Rice, the woman she will replace as the top foreign diplomat in the US government. Ms Rice has been dispatched to India by President Bush in what is likely to be his last foreign policy decision before he steps down from power on 20 January.
There is also talk in Washington that Mrs Clinton's husband, former president Bill , could be made a special envoy to try and mediate between India and Pakistan over the disputed Kashmir region.
Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton shared the stage today as the president-elect unveiled his national security team in Chicago. Defence Secretary Robert Gates will remain in his role as Pentagon chief and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano will become head of Homeland Security.
Reader views (2)
Hey Roz, sounds like you have racism issues. Why complain now after such a huge change...she may get her turn next time..stop whinging and be grateful. You're also forgeting Condi and other women in power...remember...behind every great man is a great woman!
- H Day, london
Never mind being the most powerful woman in the US Government: she should have been the most powerful woman in US History. The 'Founding Fathers' took women with them, you know!
She had way more experience appropriate to the job and two American parents, not one: America may be getting over its racism but it lags behind on sexism.
- Roz, Chamonix, France
