Clinton Says U.S. Wants Human Rights Protected in Mideast
By Merle David Kellerhals Jr.
Staff Writer
Washington - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says that the United States does not want to see continued violence and civil strife in countries such as Bahrain, Libya and Yemen, but it does want to see human rights protected and political reforms made.
"This is not an easy journey for any people to make," Clinton said during an interview on the ABC News television program "This Week" February 20. "In general, Americans are in favor of human rights, freedom, [and] democracy."
The United States continues to promote the advancement of human rights, freedom and democracy, she said.
"We try to hold everyone to a similar standard, but we cannot dictate the outcomes. We cannot tell countries what they're going to do," Clinton said. "We had, you know, no control over what happened in Egypt. We expressed our opinion as we went along and we're working with our Egyptian counterparts so that their transition is peaceful, meaningful, transparent, produces results."
Clinton said that the United States will continue to work with those yearning for political change because of the belief that democracies are greater forces for stability in the world.
"With Bahrain, as they move toward greater reform, which we have consistently encouraged, recommended and urged, we're going to be supporting that, and we will speak out where we see them violating human rights and using violence inappropriately," Clinton said.
President Obama condemned the violence in Bahrain and spoke with King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa by telephone February 18 to discuss the ongoing situation in the Gulf state, according to White House press secretary Jay Carney. Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet Headquarters.
"The president reiterated his condemnation of the violence used against peaceful protesters, and strongly urged the government of Bahrain to show restraint, and to hold those responsible for the violence accountable," Carney told reporters traveling with the president on the U.S. West Coast.
Earlier on February 19, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon spoke by telephone with Bahraini Crown Prince Salam bin Hamad al-Khalifa, following up on the president's conversation with the king , according to the White House.
Obama had called for restraint by the governments of Bahrain, Libya and Yemen following news reports of violence in response to protests. The president has said that the three countries must show respect for the rights of its citizens to demonstrate peacefully for political and economic reforms.
"We express our condolences to the family and friends of those who have been killed during the demonstrations," Obama said in a statement February 18 released by the White House. "Wherever they are, people have certain universal rights including the right to peaceful assembly."
Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, is traveling to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Djibouti and Kuwait for a weeklong visit to show U.S. strategic support with its allies, Joint Chiefs spokesman Captain John Kirby told reporters.
"Though this trip was planned well before the recent unrest in the region, the chairman will be interested to gain the perspectives of leaders here about these protest movements," Kirby said.
(This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.)
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