Watch Clinton's interview with CNN.
SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday North Korea is "badly miscalculating" if it thinks its diplomatic bluster and maneuvering can "drive a wedge" between the United States and South Korea.
"Our alliance is stronger than ever," Clinton told CNN's Jill Dougherty in an interview. "And it's not only about our mutual security, but it's also about how we're going to deal with the global economy and so much else."
North Korea's nuclear program has been the pressing crisis in the region, and Clinton's visit to Asia comes at a time of escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula.
There have been unconfirmed indications that North Korea was gearing up for a launch of a long-range missile. And, North Korea also said on Thursday it was ready for an "all-out confrontation" with South Korea, which it accused of kicking up a war hysteria.
But any saber-rattling toward South Korea should be taken with a grain of salt, Clinton indicated, since "South Korea basically keeps the North Korean economy going with all of the subsidies of food and fuel and medical supplies."
Clinton believes North Korea consciously deploys two different stances - at times being bellicose toward its neighbors and at other times behaving rationally and sticking with commitments - as part of a calculated effort for diplomatic maneuvering.
"I think the past history proves that North Korea can be either of those, depending on what it's attempting to achieve. And what's clear from the six-party process over the years is that when North Korea decides to cooperate and make agreements that it believes are in furtherance of its own interests it will do so. And when it doesn't, it is always seeking advantage and it uses provocative words and threatened actions to try to get attention in order to, you know, make a deal in some way, you know, food and fuel and other kinds of assets," said Clinton, who has since arrived in China after leaving South Korea.
Clinton said that "there's a testing period" at present about how diplomacy can move forward. She says North Korea's words and actions are "calculated" and "I think you have to respond in kind as you look at the behavior of the day, the week, the month, the year."
"We're hoping that North Korea will see its way clear to re-engage, and as I've said repeatedly, if we can get to the point that their denuclearization is verifiable and complete, a tremendous advantage is waiting for North Korea, not only for a bilateral, normal relationship with the United States, but I think a lot of international support and aid that could come to the people of North Korea."
North Korea leader Kim Jong-Il reportedly had a stroke and some observers claim he may not be fully in charge of the country. Clinton commented on the
succession possibilities. She said on Thursday "if there is a succession, even it is a peaceful succession, then that creates more uncertainly. It may also encourage even more provocative action as a way to delegate power." She was asked whether openly discussing issues such as succession is a "verbal minefield."
Clinton said "candid conversation" is necessary and appropriate for "something that as commonplace as, you know, who is going to naturally succeed at whatever time that might be in North Korea. That's on people's minds, it's written about. We ought to be engaging. We ought to elicit reactions and opinions about that and many other issues."
She said she is reflecting the Obama administration's vision for diplomacy.
"I also am very deliberately talking about things and trying to open up dialogue and create some space for there to be some sensible discussion about the way forward and some very difficult problems."
From CNN Politics
© 2011 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Contact us | Work for us | Help
Why is it that the media is bent on setting up a co-presidency for Hillary Clinton. All the news stories seem to be treating Secretary of State Clinton as if she is acting on her own behalf and not Obama's.
She lost the Election , remember?
What is the policy task that President Obama ask her to accomplish in Asia. When do she ad Obama meet? What is the time frame for the Obama Administration's initiatives? Are there any particular Obama Aministration goals she is to accomplish based on setting talks with world leaders as Obama continuously stated in his campaign much to her disagreement if I may ask?
One other thing, is it me or are the Clintons still trying to dominate the headlines. Hillary trying to appear to carry her own agenda in foreign policy and Bill at home trying to grade Obama and tell him when to be hopeful?
They just can't let it go, can they? The media has a lot to do with this ,the way they are covering Hillary in particular. All of them wanted her to win, until it was clear Obama had beat her and Bill Clinton isa media star til death. Hillary may be capable but Obama is much smarter than her and Billand it is time they realize he is the President and they should play by his rules or get off the stage.
Sniffit ... please, Stuffit!
She flew there, had a couple of meetings and released a totally meaningless statement that I could have issued from my back porch, yet the cheerleading section on here hail this as "Such a great job, you go girl!"
Please tell me what she has done that is extraordinary.
Bush and crew handled this situation quite well. If not, your buddy Barack is a fool to keep Chris Hill on the pay roll. If you don't know who Chris Hill is, don't post a stupid comment.
ZALEY;
Please explain to me how Hillary has "proved to be a great lady"
Please point to an accomplishment as secretary of state.
Did she have NK sign a treaty. Did they sign a peace accord. Did they give up their weapons.
PLEASE, tell me. Point it out. No rhetoric. Tell me what she completed.
This movie line from "Righteous Kill" applies to this so-called diplomatic visit: "Some people respect the badge, everyone respects the gun." If you are trying to deal with a country that has no respect for our democracy or way of life, it doesn't matter what you say...you might just have to show them a gun. Liberal pacifists don't like that, but reality isn't always enjoyable to deal with, either!
THIS IS ABOUT NORTH KOREA.....
The article is not about Democrats or Republicans.
Please read the article and understand what it is about before commenting.
Our options are more limited now that they have the nuke. This is why NATO should bomb the Iranian nuke processing plants now. I guess the only thing we can do with North Korea is wait them out. No food aid or trade. They would fall or come to the table soon after. This is such a difficult situation. Clinton and Bush dropped the ball. The nuke facilities should have been bombed a decade ago. I feel bad for the poor, oppressed and starving citizens of North Korea the most.
Hillary is on vacation, we've got the war in iraq and afghanistan plus gaza and she's singing and dancing on talk shows in Asia. What a frikin joke!! Can you say finishing what slick willie couldn't finish.
Isn't it cool how her lips move right in sync whenever Bill says something.
(Condi, we miss you and your intelligence. You didn't have to rely on an influential husband to get you important gigs.)
Way to go Hillary. You are doing a great job as SoS. I only wish you were our President!!!
You can say one thing for Hillary. She is shrewd and calculating. She must have served NY well since she was re-elected. With her abilities and personality, I will place my bet with her. She may even be a better SoS than BHO is a POTUS. We'll see.
@ Joe in NJ
You know, I'd maybe be a little sensitive to potential hypocrisy on my part if it wasn't for a few facts:
1. Bush IS the reason we're in the messes we're in. Even the GOP tacitly admitted as much during the election by labbering about maverickiness and trying to co-opt Obama's message of hope and change.
2. The GOP has made an art out of misinforming the public and mischaracterizing issues in an attempt to manipulate voters and it is this wilfull and reckless disregard for the truth and the facts staring them in the face, more than any other thing, that has brought this country to its knees.
So no, I have no remorse for spewing spit and vinegar at the GOP. They've earned it. So far, Obama has not, but you guys are so dependant on continuing to engage in No. 2 above that you can't help yourselves.
While Obama gets to keep campaigning for his grandiose policies, yapping in front of the crowds and cameras that he seems to need so much, it's Hillary out in the world, having to face the enemies and be smart about it. Hillary will prove to be the catalyst that shifts the politics of oppression. Obama will be the front man.
I love, love, love this woman. SHE should be President. HANDS DOWN!
You all are never satisfied. Not tough enough too tough which one is it. Hillary is doing a great job and N. K better watch it's self.