Clinton Talks Iraq, Libya

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And hello again from Fox News in Washington.

On Friday President Obama announced He will keep a campaign promise and bring all US troops home from a -- by the end of the year.

Earlier we spoke with secretary of state Hillary Clinton in the -- Pakistan.

About Iraq and the -- of -- Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Secretary Clinton the US commander in Iraq general Lloyd Boston want -- upwards of 151000.

Troops in Iraq next year.

The White House talked about freedom 5000 so why is President Obama pulling all our troops -- -- Well Chris I think we should put this into the appropriate historical context first of all President Obama -- that.

Combat troops would leave Iraq by the end of this year but before.

He ever said that the Bush Administration also committed to withdrawing all troops by the end of this year.

So you -- -- bipartisan.

Commitment to withdraw combat troops and that was.

Viewed as appropriate given the development of the Iraqi Security Forces.

But we always make clear we were open to discussions with the Iraqis.

If they wanted some kind of continuing presence and what we've agreed to is eight.

Support and training mission similar to what we have in countries from Jordan to Columbia.

And we will be working with the Iraqis.

We'll also have a very robust diplomatic presence and we will fulfill what are the requests that the Iraqis have made to us.

But -- the -- -- general order of business so why was your State Department negotiating with -- Maliki government until a few weeks ago to keep thousands of troops there.

This was an ongoing discussion I started.

You know several years ago it kept going at at the end of the day as in many discussions and negotiations.

An agreement was reached that met the needs of both sides.

The president has fulfilled the commitment He made to the American people.

We have also under the president's leadership fulfilled that commitment requested by the Iraqis Iraqi is -- soccer and independent nation with whom we have very good relations and we expect to have a continuing.

Strong security relationship.

For many years to come.

A wide range of foreign policy experts though say that Iraq is not.

Yet ready to handle the possibility of sectarian violence or interference.

Drawn -- line.

Former governor Mitt Romney said this.

After the announcement of the pullout.

President Obama's astonishing failure to secure and orderly transition in Iraq.

Has unnecessarily put at risk.

The victory is that -- one through the blood and sacrifice of thousands of American men and women secretary how do you respond about.

Well first of all.

We are all.

Very moved by and grateful for the sacrifices.

Of our men and women those who lost their lives those who were grievously injured.

And they will never be forgotten and what they did it should be honored to in our country's history forever.

The point of our involvement in Iraq stated over and over again by people on both sides of the -- Was to create the opportunity for the Iraqis to have their own future without the oppression of a dictator like Saddam Hussein.

Now you can't on the one hand say -- all for democracy and sovereignty and independence.

Where people get to make their own choices and on the other hand say that win a choice is made that is.

Four seen by our own government going back to the Bush Administration.

And validated.

By the Obama administration and the current government in Iraq.

That that somehow.

It's not appropriate.

Because that is what we were -- to give the Iraqi People the chance to make their own decisions.

So we have a security presents what they support and training mission in.

You -- we have bases in the region with other countries that's what you do what you're dealing with independent.

Sovereign nations that have they will and decision of their -- The secretary let's turn if we can to Libya the UN and human rights groups are calling for an investigation.

Saying.

That if as it appears from the videotape that Qaddafi was executed it was a war crime and you're also coming under fire for what you sound.

We came -- we saw a guy.

It's here yeah.

Question it do you regret what you said secretary and if I may do you regret which is sad and do you feel Qaddafi was wrong.

-- that He got what was coming to -- Well let's have an investigation I fully support the United Nations investigation and I fully support.

The transitional national council's.

-- call for independent investigation.

I supported on the merits.

Because it's important to find the facts that I supported as -- what will be.

-- challenging transition process you know that.

Transitional national council today is -- going to declare the liberation of Libya.

They are then going to announced a new government.

They need to make it clear that it will be a government.

To unify the country to seek reconciliation.

To make every one who supported the former regime as long as they don't have blood on their hands feel.

Safe and included in a new Libya and so from.

Now from my perspective I think such an investigation.

Would be very important to establish accountability.

Rule of law and pave the way for the inclusive.

Democratic future that the Libyans tell me they want secretary do you regret what you said.

Well I -- -- I'm not gonna comment on that -- we didn't even know what was happening at that time because it was an unconfirmed report.

I I have to also ask you about the and of the man who was convicted for pan am one -- Raymond rocky.

You talk about the rule of law would you like to see him return to a Scottish prison.

Absolutely I never thought He should have been released in the first first place and I have raised with.

The highest leadership of the transitional national council and I will raise again as soon as they have a government.

The United States very strong feelings that this man should be returned -- to prison that is the only appropriate outcome of what was in my view a miscarriage of justice when He was released.

Secretary Clinton we have a couple of minutes left and I'd like to do a lightning round quick questions quick answer is He or doesn't Pakistan and why you're there you were confirmed the fact that US officials met with the -- Connie terror network and August.

Do we want to kill them or do we want to talk -- them.

Actually we're pursuing both Chris we have a policy a fight talk and build.

We had.

Eight meeting at the request of the Pakistan east to gauge whether there was any basis for further talking.

Certainly the attack on our embassy be truck bomb attack that one of our border outposts in Afghanistan that.

Gave a stay strong answer to the contrary.

But you don't make peace with your friends we know that from long experience so what we're trying to do is -- Cool among these groups.

Would be sincere and serious about pursuing an Afghan led peace process and it's very.

Absolutely.

Understood that in order for any process to have a chance to succeed.

The United States and Pakistan have to work with Afghanistan so we responded to a Pakistan a request -- testing out a lot of different approaches but.

How we're gonna keep fighting the guys who are fighting and killing Afghans Americans and others.

Finally.

The president has deployed -- hundred special forces.

To Central Africa had to fight.

The Lord's Resistance Army which is killed and displaced some money over the last couple of decades.

Question I have is why intervene in Uganda and Libya.

But not -- Syria -- the foreign policy principle at work.

There.

The first let me say Chris that at what we've seen from President Obama over the last two and a half years and I think remarkably.

With the events of the last six months is that his kind of smart leadership in a complex world is paying off.

He was the one who brought to -- -- -- and finally down He was the one who.

Put together a coalition that eventually removed Qaddafi.

So I think it's important that in this very complex dangerous world we have somebody in the White House.

Who understands that America has to lead our leadership is -- essential.

But we have to look at every situation and make the right decision so the two that you mentioned.

One that we are not fighting in Uganda we are sending.

Cost support advising intelligence resource is to try to.

Rid Africa of the scourge of the Lord's Resistance Army it was welcome to by the ugandans and others.

In Syria we are strongly supporting.

That change from aside and also.

An opposition that only engages in peaceful demonstrations.

And you do not have from that opposition as you head in Libya and I'll call for any kind of outside intervention.

So I think that what the president has demonstrated in quite uncertain and challenging times is the kind of leadership.

That not only America but the world is looking for.

Secretary Clinton we're gonna have to leave -- there -- want to thank you so much for talking with us and safe travels.

Thank you so much Chris good to talk to you from Uzbekistan but.

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Clinton Talks Iraq, Libya

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