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Clinton Visits Pakistan—and It Doesn't Go Very Well

NYT describes Clinton as awkward, unsmiling

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted May 27, 2011 9:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – Hillary Clinton met with senior leaders in Pakistan today, including President Asif Ali Zardari and the chief of the army, to discuss the country’s future in the fight against terror. The New York Times puts it succinctly: The visit “did not appear to go well.” In place of the usual "diplomatic pleasantries," Clinton and Joint Chiefs Chair Mike Mullen looked “awkward and unsmiling,” writes Steven Lee Myers. Clinton later joked about the tension in an appearance at the US Embassy, though she did say their discussions had been frank.

Pakistan has committed to “some very specific actions,” said Clinton, without revealing what those were. But Myers lists a few other signs of frostiness: Aside from the meeting at the presidential palace, officials did not appear together; there was no joint statement, and Zadari's office didn't allow the meeting to be recorded.

Things were reportedly 'awkward' during Clinton and Mullen's visit. (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)

Clinton addresses a news conference with Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the US embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan on Friday, May 27, 2011. (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)

Hillary Clinton meets President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad, Pakistan on Friday, May 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Press Information Department)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 15 comments

MustangSally

May 28, 2011 5:54 AM CDT

cHillary should have stayed over there, until she got her point across.

beckjr2000

May 27, 2011 4:11 PM CDT

Screw'em! Pull our Troops out of Afghanistan! Cut Pakistan off completely and reduce our political staff there. See what Indian has to offer in this Region!

bobmom

May 27, 2011 4:04 PM CDT

Of all the members of the United Nations, Pakistan stands out as having the least respect for women - let alone women in authority. I'm assuming that Obama intended to deliberately insult the Pakistanis by sending Clinton whose strength of character probably angered the Pakistan leadership by letting them know that they betrayed the United States and are not to be trusted or treated with respect. With friends like that, who needs enemies?

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Clinton Visits Pakistan—and It Doesn't Go Very Well

NYT describes Clinton as awkward, unsmiling

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Hillary Clinton • Pakistan • Adm. Mike Mullen • Osama bin Laden • Ashfaq Kayani • Asif Ali Zardari

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