Hillary Clinton Talks Benghazi With Greta Van Susteren In All-Encompassing Foreign Policy Interview
Outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sat down tonight with Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren in an interview that touched on everything from Egypt and the United States’ relationship with President Mohammed Morsi to dealing with threats from Iran and how the State Department is handling the aftermath of last September’s attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi. On the latter, Clinton said the State Department is following recommendations by an accountability review board.
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Van Susteren opened by asking Clinton about the current state of Egypt, given a comment by the head of the military that the nation could very well collapse. Clinton acknowledged a “period of adjustment” that is still unfolding in the region following the events of the Arab Spring, while making it clear the United States and the international community needs to be working toward not “see[ing] these revolutions hijacked by extremists” and an end to the rule of law. She said there are challenges for any nation that has suddenly woken up from a “political coma and understanding democracy.”
The result of Egyptians embracing democracy was the election of Morsi to the presidency, and Van Susteren asked Clinton if there is any concern about the U.S. relationship with Morsi, given past statements of his about the Israeli people. Clinton said the administration’s initial concerns were assuaged by swift condemnation by the Egyptian presidency, and pointed out that as problematic as the current regime may be, it is important to avoid “even more extreme elements… taking control of territory.”
Clinton credited Morsi as being a man with the “right intentions,” but made it clear the administration is very troubled by his attempt to amass more power and reinstate emergency law provisions that were common under former president Hosni Mubarak. Van Susteren admitted she is “very suspicious” of Morsi because he granted a state visit to Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir. Clinton said the United States has consistently engaged with nations welcoming Bashir with open arms because “he does need to be held accountable for what happened on his watch.”
Van Susteren brought up Iran and asked what the United States is doing to deal with Iran potentially obtaining a nuclear weapon. Clinton emphasized that the U.S. is focused on “prevention, not containment.” When Van Susteren pressed Clinton on what options could be taken to stop Iran, Clinton affirmed that all options are on the table. She said there needs to be more crackdowns on terrorist activity connected to Iran, adding that “we’ll be issuing more sanctions” in the future. As for Iran’s official denials of any nuclear weapons program, Clinton said she is a believer in “trust but verify” in these situations.
Van Susteren then turned the conversation to Benghazi. She asked Clinton if the State Department is doing enough to provide more security for its ambassadors and diplomats around the world, and if the United States should even go back to Benghazi. Clinton detailed how the administration is following the recommendations of an accountability review board, while explaining the problem of sufficient security funding.
It’s not all a question of money. I am the first to say that. You know, you have to have the right people and the right job, making the right decisions. But money is a factor. And ever since the Bush administration, our requests for security monies from Congress have not been met. So you’ve had to make priority decisions. And it’s been difficult.
Clinton also defended U.S. involvement in Libya in the first place, saying that “we believe being there is in America’s national interests, particularly our security interests.”
Watch the full interview below, courtesy of Fox News:
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