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Clinton moves closer to new role Clinton moves closer to new role
(about 1 hour later)
US Senator Hillary Clinton has been endorsed by a senate committee as President-elect Barack Obama's secretary of state.US Senator Hillary Clinton has been endorsed by a senate committee as President-elect Barack Obama's secretary of state.
The vote by the foreign relations panel paves the way for a full Senate vote after Mr Obama is sworn in 20 January.The vote by the foreign relations panel paves the way for a full Senate vote after Mr Obama is sworn in 20 January.
Mrs Clinton has pledged to use a "smart" mix of military and diplomatic power in her new role. Meanwhile, Mr Obama's nominee for attorney-general, Eric Holder, said that the harsh interrogation technique known as waterboarding was torture.
Meanwhile, Mr Obama's nominee for attorney-general, Eric Holder, has been facing his own confirmation hearing. Mr Holder was speaking at his Senate confirmation hearing.
Mr Holder said in his opening statement to the Senate's Judiciary Committee that he would fight terrorism "with every available tool", as well as protect public safety and civil rights. It is a clear break from the Bush administration, which said that the US did not torture but stopped short of saying whether that included waterboarding, which simulates drowning.
I agree with you, Mr Chairman, waterboarding is torture Eric Holder
Mr Holder, who could become the US's first African-American attorney-general, faces some opposition from Republican members of the panel.Mr Holder, who could become the US's first African-American attorney-general, faces some opposition from Republican members of the panel.
He has come under criticism for his role in advising former President Bill Clinton to pardon fugitive financier Marc Rich, whose wife had donated money to Mr Clinton's presidential library.He has come under criticism for his role in advising former President Bill Clinton to pardon fugitive financier Marc Rich, whose wife had donated money to Mr Clinton's presidential library.
'New' policy'New' policy
The Senate Foreign Relations committee voted in favour of Mrs Clinton's appointment by 16 to one.
Louisiana Republican Senator David Vitter was the sole voice of dissent.
Concerns remains among some senators that Mr Clinton's charitable fundraising overseas could pose conflicts of interest.
Mrs Clinton is expected to give her farewell speech to the Senate later on Thursday.Mrs Clinton is expected to give her farewell speech to the Senate later on Thursday.
She has said that the new government wants to lift travel restrictions on Americans with families in Cuba. Speaking before the committee on Tuesday, she said that the new government wants to lift travel restrictions on Americans with families in Cuba.
She has also expressed a desire to strengthen America's relationship with its allies.She has also expressed a desire to strengthen America's relationship with its allies.
"America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own, and the world cannot solve them without America," said the New York senator."America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own, and the world cannot solve them without America," said the New York senator.
"We must use what has been called 'smart power', the full range of tools at our disposal," she added."We must use what has been called 'smart power', the full range of tools at our disposal," she added.
"With 'smart power', diplomacy will be the vanguard of foreign policy.""With 'smart power', diplomacy will be the vanguard of foreign policy."