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Clinton: US military intervention in Iraq not appropriate at this stage Clinton: US military intervention in Iraq not appropriate at this stage
(about 3 hours later)
The US should not stage another military intervention in Iraq despite the recent gains made by Islamic extremists, the nation's former secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, has said.The US should not stage another military intervention in Iraq despite the recent gains made by Islamic extremists, the nation's former secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, has said.
She appeared to contradict the White House, which has said that nothing was being ruled out as Isis fighters took and held major Iraqi towns, including its second city, Mosul. The White House has said that air strikes were under consideration as Isis fighters took and held major Iraqi towns, including its second city, Mosul. But the Obama administration has ruled out the return of ground troops.
Clinton insisted that, while she did not believe a military intervention at this stage was appropriate, President Barack Obama was right not to take any options off the table.Clinton insisted that, while she did not believe a military intervention at this stage was appropriate, President Barack Obama was right not to take any options off the table.
She added that Obama was setting out preconditions to Iraq's prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, before there could be any question of providing the military support the latter was seeking. Iraqi forces, she said, should take the lead in fighting Isis.She added that Obama was setting out preconditions to Iraq's prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, before there could be any question of providing the military support the latter was seeking. Iraqi forces, she said, should take the lead in fighting Isis.
"Maliki has to be willing to demonstrate unequivocally that he is a leader for all Iraqis, not for a sectarian slice of the country," she said."Maliki has to be willing to demonstrate unequivocally that he is a leader for all Iraqis, not for a sectarian slice of the country," she said.
Speaking to the BBC's Newsnight programme, she added: "The [Iraqi] army, which has not been able to hold territory, has to have an injection of discipline and professionalism, something the US has been trying to help with."Speaking to the BBC's Newsnight programme, she added: "The [Iraqi] army, which has not been able to hold territory, has to have an injection of discipline and professionalism, something the US has been trying to help with."
Clinton said that sending American troops in on the ground was "not going to happen … certainly not in any foreseeable future". But she said she would "never say never" on military intervention.Clinton said that sending American troops in on the ground was "not going to happen … certainly not in any foreseeable future". But she said she would "never say never" on military intervention.
During the interview, she also said that she hoped Britain would remain a part of the European Union, adding that it would be a shame if Scotland was to vote for independence. She said: "I would hate for you to lose Scotland … I would hope it doesn't happen."During the interview, she also said that she hoped Britain would remain a part of the European Union, adding that it would be a shame if Scotland was to vote for independence. She said: "I would hate for you to lose Scotland … I would hope it doesn't happen."
She attacked the Russian president over his approach to Ukraine. "Think of the energy [Vladimir Putin] is using to plot and conspire against the freedom that the people of eastern and central Europe have gained in the last 20-plus years because of the fall of the Soviet Union," she said.She attacked the Russian president over his approach to Ukraine. "Think of the energy [Vladimir Putin] is using to plot and conspire against the freedom that the people of eastern and central Europe have gained in the last 20-plus years because of the fall of the Soviet Union," she said.
"Russia could be a truly great country, not a bullying country. Not totally dependent on oil and gas and using it to intimidate its neighbours.""Russia could be a truly great country, not a bullying country. Not totally dependent on oil and gas and using it to intimidate its neighbours."