US Pres-elect Obama forms National Security Team, appoints Hillary sec. of State

Monday December 01, 2008 20:23 by George RIshmawi - IMEMC News

On Monday, US President-elect, Barack Obama, announced the formation of his national security team.  Obama’s statement came in a press conference Monday morning in Chicago. The President-elect has also announced appointing his former campaign rival, Hillary Clinton, to Secretary of State.

“I think Hillary Clinton is going to be an outstandingSecretary of State,” Obama said.

He stressed that the members of the new national security team share a core vision, adding that the team will try to balance military and diplomacy.

“We have to support the troops, make sure they are well trained, and that they are supported by the wisdom of our diplomacy,” Obama maintained.

Obama clearly stated that the US can not make peace without the cooperation of the different parts of the conflicting parties.

Local observers question the ability of this new staff, that Obama described as the best of the nation, to make a dramatic change to the foreign policy of the US.

By forming the economic and the national security teams, Obama has half of the 15-member Cabinet assembled less than a month after the election, including the most prominent positions in the State, Justice, Treasury and Defense departments.

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