Her Positions Sound Like Palin's

Well, sort of, when the former Alaska Gov was being interviewed by Reporter Charlie GIbson and he kept asking her about Georgia and places like that.

On Friday our Secretary of State made an address at the Ecole Militaire, in Paris.  The Department of State published copy is here.  But, on to the talk.  About a quarter of the way down we have this:

We have repeatedly called on Russia to honor the terms of its ceasefire agreement with Georgia, and we refuse to recognize Russia’s claims of independence for Abkhazia and South Ossetia. More broadly, we object to any spheres of influence claimed in Europe in which one country seeks to control another’s future. Our security depends upon nations being able to choose their own destiny.

For years, Russia has expressed a sense of insecurity as NATO and the EU have expanded. But we strongly believe that the enlargement of both has increased security, stability, and prosperity across the continent, and that this, in turn, has actually increased Russia’s security and prosperity.

Furthermore, the right of all countries to enter into alliances of their own choosing has been endorsed by Russia and all members of the OSCE at the 1999 Istanbul summit. NATO must and will remain open to any country that aspires to become a member and can meet the requirements of membership. But we do not seek to create divisions between neighbors and partners. Russia’s confidence in its security enhances our own.

So that brings us to our second principle: Security in Europe must be indivisible. For too long, the public discourse around Europe’s security has been fixed on geographical and political divides. Some have looked at the continent even now and seen Western and Eastern Europe, old and new Europe, NATO and non-NATO Europe, EU and non-EU Europe. The reality is that there are not many Europes; there is only one Europe. And it is a Europe that includes the United States as its partner. And it is a Europe that includes Russia.

This seems like a pretty strong endorsement of Georgia and of keeping the Ukraine free of Russian domination and "sphere of influence" WRT the "near abroad."

Secretary Clinton did a Q&A and talked in depth in answering the questions.  Overall a very good job.

I wonder what Charlie Gibson thinks?

Incidently, the Dep't of State site linked above allows for comments to be left.  I want to type in "You go, girl," but think it might be in poor taste.

Regards  —  Cliff