Obama announces his national security team

2008-12-02 00:18:28  

·Former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was named as secretary of state. ·Gates became the only current cabinet member who would retain his post. ·Obama named retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones as White House national security advisor.

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) --

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama announced on Monday his national security team, including former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state and incumbent Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who would retain his post.

    "America must be strong at home and abroad," Obama told a news conference in his transition office headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, drawing a full stop to a month-long speculations on his cabinet members.

    "To succeed, we must pursue a new strategy that power: our military and diplomacy, our intelligence and law enforcement, our economy and the power of our moral example," said the president-elect with all national security team members announced standing beside him.

    "They share my pragmatism about the use of power, and my sense of purpose about America's role as a leader in the world," he said.

    Obama referred his former presidential rival Clinton as "a friend, a colleague, a source of counsel and as a campaign opponent" who possesses "an extraordinary intelligence and toughness."

    Clinton's appointment to the top diplomatic official, as Obama said, is "a sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American diplomacy and restore our alliance."

    Echoing Obama's remarks, Clinton told the press conference that she would make the United States a new force for positive change and work with the global community to solve crises around the world.

    "The American people have demanded not just a new direction at home, but a new effort to renew America's standing in the world as a force for positive change," she said after being nominated.

    Gates, the political independent who was nominated by the Republican government led by President George W. Bush as the defense chief, became the only current cabinet member who would retain his post.

    "He earned the respect of members of Congress on both sides of the aisle for his pragmatism and competence," Obama said of his choice for the Pentagon chief. "He knows that we need a sustainable national security strategy -- and that includes a bipartisan consensus at home."

    In a brief presentation, Gates vowed to do his duties as the country is engaging in two wars and said he is honored to "continue to serve our country" and "will be honored to serve President-elect Obama."

    Obama also named retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones as his White House national security advisor and Susan Rice as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

    Jones, the only Republican who has been officially recruited to the next cabinet, was described by Obama as the one "uniquely suited to be a strong and skilled national security advisor" due to his understanding of "the connection between energy and national security" and experience in working on the frontlines of global instability.

    Obama settled his long-term closest advisor Rice in the UN for her knowledge that the global challenges the U.S. face demand global institutions.

    The former assistant secretary of state for African affairs noted that the United States "must invest in our common humanity" to accomplish America's security with help of "capable partners and effective international institutions."

    The team, also including Arizona governor Janet Napolitano as the homeland security secretary and Eric Holder as the next attorney general.

    Holder, as the first African-American head of Justice Department, promised to revitalize the department that has been haunted by scandals during Bush's administration, and make sure "American people remain secure and that the great constitutional guarantees that define us as a nation are truly valued."

    To lead the second biggest department comprising 170,000 staff from 22 federal agencies, Napolitano focused her future job on "protecting our homeland with constant vigilance and relentless work to prevent terrorist attacks" and planning "carefully and thorough" on the country's domestic response to all hazards.

    It was the second batch of key cabinet members Obama has released since his successful presidential election after he presented the economic team last week.

    The new administration will take office on Jan. 20 as Obama is sworn in to the White House as the 44th U.S. president.

Obama reiterates plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq in 16 months

2008-12-02 03:50:59  

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) --

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama reiterated on Monday his plan to withdraw U.S. combat forces from Iraq in the first 16 month after he takes office.

    Obama told a press conference in his transition office headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, that he still believes 16 months is the "right time frame" to redeploy U.S. combat troops from Iraq.

    He reiterated the timetable that he has been insisting during his campaign as he present to public his national security team.

    The president-elect also underscored the importance to make sure that American troops are safe during transition period and Iraqi military can take more security responsibilities.

    When announcing his choice of retaining Robert Gates as the Pentagon chief, Obama said that Afghanistan is where the war on terror began and should be where it must be ended.

    "We will continue to make the investments necessary to strengthen our military and increase our ground forces to defeat the threats of the 21st century," he said.

    According to a U.S.-Iraq pact, titled the Status of Forces Agreement, the U.S. troops will withdraw from Iraq's cities, towns and villages by June 30 next year to their bases and will leave the country on Dec. 31, 2011.

Editor: Yan