Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
January 13, 2009

US Secretary of State Nominee Clinton Appears Before Senate
-----------------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=218CCC5:A6F02AD83191E1604AE479D49D6308E8A13B8D4F2090AB2B&
 
Former first lady, presidential candidate expected to face tough
questions regarding Obama administration's position on Israel, Hamas 
Secretary of State-designate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, right, is
greeted by Senate Foreign Relations Committee members Sen. Christopher
Dodd, Sen. John Kerry, prior to start of hearing, 13 Jan 2009U.S.
secretary of state nominee Senator Hillary Clinton is now appearing
before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for a confirmation
hearing. Officials with President-elect Barack Obama's transition team
say the former first lady and political rival to Mr. Obama during the
2008 presidential campaign is expected to promise a renewal of American
leadership and a revitalization of U.S. diplomacy. The officials say
Clinton will endorse the use of what they describe as "smart power" by
the United States, and the use of all of the country's tools of foreign
policy. Clinton is likely to face some tough questions regarding the
Obama administration's position on the Israeli offensive against Hamas
in the Gaza Strip. She also will be asked about the fundraising efforts
of her husband,!
  former President Bill Clinton, for his charitable foundation, and if
those contacts with foreign governments could amount to a conflict of
interest for her. Mrs. Clinton is expected to win confirmation as the
top U.S. diplomat. In other separate Senate hearings, lawmakers are
questioning Mr. Obama's pick for energy secretary, Steven Chu, as well
as the president-elect's choice to lead the Department of Education,
Arne Duncan.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.


.