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Hillary Clinton selects squad of special envoys with husband Bill in line for Pakistan
Paul Thompson24 Dec 2008
Hillary Clinton is forming a "hit squad" of special envoys who will be sent to the world's troublespots to try to prevent conflict breaking out.
The diplomats will form the spearhead of the US state department as the new secretary of state seeks a bigger role for her office in Barack Obama's new government.
The former first lady has wasted no time as she begins building up her team in preparation for taking over as America's most senior diplomat from Condoleezza Rice next month.
Sources in Washington suggested Mrs Clinton had embarked on an "empire-building" exercise as she seeks an expanded role within Mr Obama's administration.
She wants a bigger budget and an expanded role for the state department, not just in foreign affairs, but in dealing with global economic issues in the current financial crisis.
Mrs Clinton has also told Mr Obama she wants to appoint high-profile special envoys.
Her husband Bill has been suggested as a possible envoy to deal with Pakistan and India.
He used several envoys during his two-term presidency in the Nineties, with Richard Holbrooke the best-known for his roles in brokering peace deals in the Middle East and the Balkans conflict.
Mr Holbrooke is among the names being mentioned as a possible envoy either for Afghanistan or Iran. Martin Indyk, a former US ambassador to Israel, has also been mentioned.
While Mrs Clinton compiles a shortlist of envoys, she has already dipped into her husband's former team for two key advisers.
Jacob Lew, budget director in the Clinton administration, has been given the job of making sure the state department is not underfunded.
Mrs Clinton wants extra money for the diplomatic corps as she seeks to improve America's standing in the eyes of the world.
James Steinberg, a former deputy national security adviser to the former president, is also in her team as a trusted lieutenant.
Insiders said Mrs Clinton is determined to wrestle power back from the Pentagon, which under President Bush played a dominant role in the government.
The US defence department took over the planning of reconstruction of Iraq following the 2003 invasion.
A recent report by a federal watchdog found the $117billion that has been spent by the US on reconstruction work had done little to improve the country.
The report, Hard Lessons: The Iraq Reconstruction Experience, reveals a catalogue of mistakes and incompetence.
Reader views (4)
America is experimenting with the politics the British have been living under for the last couple of Labour governments. Sad but true - it has to be experienced to be believed. I'm just hoping the coming socialist government under Obama and the Clintons, not to mention the likes of Pelosi and her ilk, doesn't screw the country up for too long.
- Rogan, Irving, 28/12/2008 21:30
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God help the World.
- William, London, 27/12/2008 18:49
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Obama's first great mistake - the Clintons. His second was being a senator in Illinois and stating he knew nothing - saw nothing - and said nothing.
- Frederick, London UK, 27/12/2008 05:00
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The Clintons are the Blairs of the USA. I think that both families demonstrate the worst of both nations and we would be far better off never to have heard their names.
- William, London, 24/12/2008 23:05
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