Diplomacy, development US policy focus: Clinton

More money and attention should be given to pursuing American interests with development and diplomacy, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday in what was billed as a major foreign policy speech.

"Smart power counsels that we lead with diplomacy, even in the case of adversaries or nations with whom we disagree," Clinton said in the <a href="http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/07/16/78894.html">remarks</a> delivered at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in Washington.

The former first lady and New York senator rejected critics who portray engagement as a sign of weakness saying that refusing to talk to hostile regimes "rarely punishes them," but added that Washington would not hesitate to use military force to defend itself or its allies.

The Obama administration has taken steps toward engaging Iran as well as other U.S. foes like Syria, Cuba and Venezuela. Clinton said that engagement can provide insight into the calculations of a hostile regime and open up opportunities for a change.

She also called on Israel to accept the two-state solution and urged Arab states to make immediate gestures toward Israel in a bid to strengthen Middle East peace efforts, but refused to comment on <a href="http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/07/08/78170.html">reports that a deal was struck</a> between Israel and U.S. envoy George Mitchell to allow settlements to continue.

Smart power counsels that we lead with diplomacy, even in the case of adversaries or nations with whom we disagree

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

The secretary has been largely absent from the spotlight for the past four weeks since she broke her elbow, and the speech marked an effort to set out several foreign policy objectives.

Among the key U.S. priorities she set out were boosting the global economy, reversing the spread of nuclear weapons, addressing climate change, empowering women, defeating terrorists while reaching out to Muslims worldwide and promoting Arab-Israeli peace.

"We remain ready to engage with Iran, but the time for action is now. The window won’t remain open forever," she said, adding that neither she nor President Barack Obama were under “any illusions” that direct talks would “guarantee success."

She said the Islamic Republic’s leadership must be presented with a choice between further international isolation or reaping the benefits of international integration and that direct talks were the best way to present that choice.

"Iran can become a constructive actor in the region if it stops threatening its neighbors and supporting terrorism," she said, adding that former President George W. Bush administration's isolation policies had failed to deter its "march toward a nuclear weapon.”

Clinton, who leaves for India on Thursday, said she would visit Pakistan in the fall and reiterated U.S. willingness to deal with Taliban members who renounce al-Qaeda, lay down their arms and are willing to participate in a democratic Afghanistan.

We remain ready to engage with Iran, but the time for action is now. The window won’t remain open forever

Clinton