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Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright talks with Alan about foreign policy issues.
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Now comes -- -- welcome back their microphones former secretary of state Madeleine Albright's.
Now out in paperback is her book fraud winter.
A personal story of remembrance and -- 1937.
To 1948.
Charlie -- -- -- about Czechoslovakia and your own personal journey now -- paperback madame secretary.
We -- you -- wasn't late Peter relive this and talk about party to elect you probably didn't know about -- only recently.
-- every time they hit it being endlessly fascinating and difficult and -- learning along the way.
And the kids really kind of in three settlements and or three layers which -- the story is my family historian.
My father was the Czechoslovak diplomat.
And conservative government in exile in London and then the discoveries that I made about my Jewish background and then the second layer.
It's about how -- -- to kind of made it past and the various decisions that remain there in the air and -- probably -- -- -- in terms of how hard it is to make moral decisions that.
People see things in terms of -- right but mostly they're an awful lot of gray areas -- I think I worked at three legs together.
-- -- -- into the moral decision issues and few moments with some of the current issues but what was it like the moment you found that -- Jewish heritage.
What was that moment like for -- Well I did it kind of payment steps let me go back in the story a little bit when Iowa and that's -- the year -- and I've become a public figure -- started getting letters from people.
Currently I -- -- relative to send money -- -- but yeah.
Basically that I went to high school with your father in 1950 which would have been impossible that he was born in 1909.
That's kind of the fact that we're not right.
And in November 96 just -- my name is that there too.
That I might be secretary today I got a letter from somebody that had our little changed in Dayton and everything right and I'm just being -- And by the White House.
House counsel and they -- -- the normal questions right.
Did I pay my taxes and I have a nanny and then.
At the end they we -- a question that everybody is there anything.
That Eli -- talent that we don't know and I and I just gotten a letter and it's perfectly possible.
-- of Jewish background.
And that Iraq the president and not anti Semitic house.
I began to understand that given some of the fact that it was perfectly passable -- we weren't Jewish background.
What then happened -- is -- you know can't talk to a reporter between the time that your named in the time -- confirmed that.
-- -- at the Russian parents weren't in the profile of me and he then came into my outfit -- within -- have been named and started playing.
He'd have a document and better mainly kids these cards that would not be kept about who would intend to.
Concentration camps and then my family name and that was the real Stadler.
I mean it's one thing to sign that you're Jewish background and another to find out how many many of my relatives had died in concentration camps.
Another thing to have to live that out publicly and also come under fire from people who didn't believe that you didn't know it sooner.
That's tonight at it was a combination -- a horrible feeling Manning.
In terms of what I found out about my family which was -- as very personal story and then being accused.
A blind which I have -- and at the same time being completely Israel and Arab around but I just been named secretary of state.
They are and they I -- I can describe it out on that didn't I didn't the first woman to ever be asked to run a marathon.
Representing my country yeah.
And that they given me a very heavy package to carry and I began and probably got rapid and I -- I was kind of combination of feelings.
As -- amazing also having been but born and raised Catholic and then -- -- converted episcopalian ism then you finance your partly Jewish.
That's quite a confluence there.
-- -- We need a little Islam and I think you you know year old sent.
I -- about.
That that you did what do you think of John Kerry's election as secretary of state.
I think it's terrific -- is that somebody had learned from many many years and he.
Certainly -- and member of the foreign relations committee and then also chairman's remaining years.
I think it has.
-- really very wide ranging knowledge and every kind of and foreign policy problem.
And I I think he's going to be awfully good time I'm very happy bag that he's a good friend and my.
He -- -- have a corner who I support him for president and I'm very.
He's going to be a concern.
This the whole Susan Rice controversy was -- wasn't -- -- we don't even though she was ever really in contention but.
It seems like the rug was pulled out from under that possibility.
But I think it was in very unpleasant it -- a -- since she was four years -- man.
-- very very good friends with her mother and -- resident assistant secretary.
For Africa when I was -- in October and I think she is in the -- and that might not -- -- but it was a very.
Unpleasant episode I.
Hold in Gaza issue which have some on the -- continuing to push is if that is amount and undermine the Obama presidency they try to use it before the election thinking it might help Romney and they will not stop I don't know why.
That they expect what they think the cover -- was some unclear about that no wasn't -- to answer that question.
I'm completely befuddled by -- -- because I think that.
There's clearly some other motivation going on with that kind of -- I'd you know I'd I'd think technology before that I had on my part of the name -- -- surgically -- I think that there are -- of partisan politics going on -- it -- just kind of no answers good enough because as I understand it.
A personality -- documentation was given to them and then obviously Secretary Clinton testified secretary Panetta testified.
So I think that this is not a desire to get.
To the truth but some other motivation.
You talk about for in Prague winner as you mention about moral issues and difficult moral decisions when this come up a plate -- they've also been asked about as you tour with -- the paperback version of your book is the issue of drones and targeting.
American citizens overseas who we think are linked to al-Qaeda.
Without any judicial review is that not troubling at all.
I think this isn't very very complicated.
Discussion and I'm glad we're having it because it's something.
That the American people need to think about and discussed that.
I think we need your member of the following things there and -- -- When we used only -- -- in the right because there's -- People that we're concerned about the morality of that Wright and William boots on the ground and I thought if we could in fact.
And the ethnic cleansing in and -- -- -- that it was something worth doing and we also have to remember that.
We continue to have tried out kinda even Osama bin Laden is dead -- Various -- al-Qaeda that we need to remember that back I do think.
That it is important to.
Examine what the various aspects of -- are and how.
The president makes the decision then and and and how we really can't prevent something which is.
You know technology has got little -- ahead.
Maybe in a range of modern warfare is completely different now I'm I'm very glad the people are talking about it.
Question should we be targeting Americans.
Overseas.
In any in any -- shape -- form.
I think the issue is.
I did -- will be targeting.
And Americans that have no ill will towards America I think that there probably are questions mr.
-- -- somebody -- decided.
That they were attacked America but I do hope that there is some kind of -- anyway that there is there a way to get.
Some form of due process into this.
Let's talk about Iran and -- you believe that sanctions are working in and yet.
You hear again belligerent and uniter make a partisan statement but belligerence from the right we certainly saw an array of candidates seeking the Republican nomination one more belligerent.
Then the next is there a solution.
Or must we really consider that the only way to deal with -- -- militarily down the road.
I think a lot of the issues that those who keep attacking on let President Obama did what I did do is that.
They have not.
Recognized the unintended consequences of -- Suggestions the president has made very clear.
The containment is not a power -- And -- our options are on the table but I think that -- we have are looking at it kind of a combination of tools to pensions which.
From everything that I read are working second that there is multilateral diplomacy going on they're going to be talking it'll -- -- that the patent.
It several days the we would not have refused bilateral and diplomacy -- any number of tools that are being put into -- As -- are really keeping that threaten the use of force there but from my understanding.
Being in the military action is not -- would have -- -- -- some very -- but typical activity by the Iranians.
Let me ask you one more about one -- issue which is North Korea they're now saying then they put out -- propaganda video.
Saying -- because the United States is because of the US that we now have nuclear capability or they just blowing smoke we take that seriously.
And and how dangerous -- that.
Well that's government you know it is a completely.
It started state and language that dictator.
Really monopolizing everything and has plenty of things and then -- army and meanwhile the people worrying Barca have to treat the help.
He doesn't need -- foreign enemy.
And I are ready -- done -- kind of designated.
The United States that the they have nothing to fear from Iraq.
They have only what they are threatening.
And everybody else and and I think that it isn't it's a very dangerous situation I've personally in 2000 I'm -- and give younger brother Kim -- you know.
And -- in fact had signed any an agreement that nobody had any ill intent towards each other.
But I'm hoping disintegrated.
And when the bush people came in and I I think that.
We are in a very bad situation in terms of not fully understanding the motivations.
Who you -- but I think that what we need to do again.
It's work with others and I do think that the Chinese can play.
-- very important role here concerned about the north Koreans.
Christine totally falling apart happening.
Millions of refugees scraping and into China but I think they are.
-- -- Most of us believe that they have some influence over the north Koreans.
And I think that we have to keep that putting pressure on them to make them recognized.
Again that they're not getting anywhere and that sanctions.
That are being imposed on them -- because I understand it.
Always appreciate study the open book your latest version now in paperback is Prague winter your personal story of remembrance of the war 1937 1948 -- three -- If -- three really important parts of this -- as you pointed out.
And very relevant terms of the moral issues we're facing now I thank you so much fan -- secretary for talking to us once again.
Environment and thanks so much.
