Hillary Clinton Interview Full Transcript

The following is a complete transcript of an interview with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by CBS News Anchor Katie Couric, conducted in Washington, DC on October 6, 2009.

Hillary Clinton: Katie, that's, I think, one of the best ways to pose this. Because, you're right, the President is going through a very deliberative process, as he said he would. Back in Spring, when we took the policy that we inherited and-- tried to stabilize. He changed commanders. He-- agreed to add more troops. But he said, "We want to get through the Afghan election, and then we will take stock of where we are." Which is what we're doing. And I think it's an important process-- for him to be able to make the ultimate decision. But you can't look at it-- as a standalone-- assessment. It has to be put into the regional context and the historical context. There isn't any doubt, in my mind, that-- this region of the world, what is often referred to as the Afghanistan/Pakistan region, but of course, it's embedded in a region that includes Iran, a number of countries-- to the north. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, of course, India. Is one of the most critical areas for our long term security.

Complete Hillary Clinton Interview
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Clinton: Many people view what is happening in Afghanistan and Pakistan as having ramicat-- ramifications-- far beyond-- what this initial decision might-- suggest. And I think the President is right to say, let's look at how we got to where we are historically. What we can do to-- help stabilize Afghanistan. Accomplish our core goal of-- disrupting, dismantling-- and defeating Al Qaeda. Take-- a very close look at what we need to do to deal with the Taliban, which is-- indigenous phenomenon, as well as associated with Al Qaeda. And work with a Pakistanis who are now in a fight against those who threaten them.

Clinton: While at the same time realizing that there's a lot of other moving parts to this. And the United States, to some extent, has to acknowledge, being among the creators of the problem we are now dealing with. It seemed like a great idea, back in the '80s to-- embolden-- and train and equip-- Taliban, mujahidin, jihadists against the Soviet Union, which had invaded Afghanistan. And with our help, and with the Pakistani support-- this group-- including, at that time, Bin Laden, defeated the Soviet Union. Drove them out of Afghanistan, eventually. Saw the fall of the government that they had installed. And the rest we know. They eventually took over. But when we accomplished our primary mission of seeing the Soviet Union thrown out of Afghanistan, we withdrew. And we left the problems of a well-equipped, fundamentalist, ideological and religious group that had been battle hardened to the Afghans and the Pakistanis.

So, I think it's understandable that people are saying, sort of, "Well, what's your real commitment? What are you trying to accomplish? Do you understand the historical context and the regional geostrategic context?" So, I think it's important to pose it as you do. Let's look at it in the broader question. It's not about do we put more troops in or not? Do we do this on economic development or not? You have to look at it in that broader context.

Couric: Well, what are the long term ramifications for U.S. foreign policy?

Clinton: I think several. First of all-- Al Qaeda is degraded, to some extent, but it is still alive and well. We just saw that with the arrest last week of-- the terrorist plot where-- Zazi had been trained in a camp run by Al Qaeda, in Pakistan. Pakistan has now realized that their-- stability and some would argue survivability, but certainly stability-- in maintaining control over their territory, means they've got to take the fight to the Taliban. Some of whom are allied with Al Qaeda. We know that the Taliban is-- regrouping and showing momentum in Afghanistan. And what their ultimate goals are may not be clear, but certainly if they were able to control great swaths of Afghanistan or even eventually take Afghanistan back over, there is every reason to believe they would once again provide the support and the haven that jihadist terrorists are seeking-- and that Al Qaeda once had.

Clinton: We know Pakistan has nuclear weapons, which is-- a further complicating factor-- in this-- challenge. We know that-- Iran is on the border of those two countries, with interests of their own. So, we are trying to analyze what is in the best interest of the United States? That is our primary obligation. How do we prevent or disrupt attacks on us? How do we prevent attacks on our interests and our allies? How do we prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for future attacks and other staging-of-- jihadist activities? And how do we work with the Pakistanis to support and stabilize their government. It's a big order.

Couric: Is part of the-- equation, Madam Secretary, what is within our power?

Clinton:Yes.

Couric:In terms of what we can actually achieve?

Clinton: Yes, it is.

Couric: It's humbling, isn't it? In a way.

Clinton: Well, it is humbling. And it's a necessary element of this analysis. Because-- I think that-- the prior administration's goals and views about what they could accomplish in Afghanistan-- were never matched by re-- resources and some might say reality. They were way out there on what they thought could come from our initial objective, which was to go after those who had attacked us. And I always bring it back to that. As you know, Katie, I was a Senator in New York when we were attacked on 9/11. You know, I want to see us get, kill or capture Bin Laden, Zawahiri. They attacked us. We cannot allow them to proceed with impunity. But that doesn't necessarily mean that we have to make a commitment to try to transform a society that may not want to be transformed. That, you know, may not be-- ready for or even wanting-- the kind of development and values that we represent.

Clinton: We need to make it clear to whoever is elected, and it looks increasingly like it's going to be Karzai again, that our assistance to him and to his government, you know, come with expectations that we're going to look to have implemented. Our-- the-- President Obama no longer has given a blank check to anyone about this. He wants to see results. And similarly, in Pakistan, I think it's fair for the Pakistanis to say, "We've been down this road with you before. You left us holding the bags on, you know, well-armed militants, on drug-trafficking that ravaged our country. And we have to figure out how to protect ourselves and are you gonna be there?"

Clinton: Well, if we're gonna be there, what form are we gonna be there with them? And we're looking at a much more comprehensive strategy to support-- the Pakistani government. But equally importantly, the Pakistani people, so that they understand that having a stable, secure Pakistan is in their economic and-- social future interests.

Couric: Are you concerned that this debate, some of it quite public, is perhaps sending a message to our allies and our enemies, that the U.S. is a bit wobbly on its commitment to the region?

Clinton: Well, I hope not. Because that is certainly-- not what is going on. What is going on is the deliberative process that the President said we would engage in after the elections. It's just that the elections have gone on way too long. And we've had to get going here. We can't sit around and-- and wait for events to unfold. We have to decide what we're going to do to influence them. I happen to think it's-- appropriate that with the respect to decisions that are as costly as these, both in terms of-- financial resources, but much more importantly in terms of, you know, humans lives, the young men and women that we send-- into our military theater. The-- the young civilians that we send to go out and work on agriculture or-- or education. That, you know, we do this in a careful thoughtful way. Because the President has to believe he's making the right decision. Has to be able to explain it, not only to the American people, but to the global audience. And then has to be able to-- to sustain it and defend it. And I-- I think that's the process he is engaged in.

Couric: Let me ask you a couple of questions about the situation there. Do you think the situation is deteriorating in Afghanistan?

Clinton: I think it's mixed. I think that-- certainly-- as we've now seen, General McChrystal's-- assessment was that it-- is deteriorating. That the Taliban have-- the momentum. That they are much more aggressive. They are better equipped. They are-- moving-- more broadly in the country than they had been before. At the same time, I think there are some positive-- developments that may not get the attention, because they're not in the headlines.

A lot has change in Afghanistan in the last eight years. Many more people, particularly children-- women, girls, are, you know, back in school. They get health care. There's a lot of positive developments, the university enrollment, including many, many young women students is up. Much of the country is controlled if not directly by the government in Kabul, by local forces, not the Taliban. So, it's a mixed picture. But I-- I don't-- doubt that left to their own devices, the Taliban forces supported and encouraged and to some extent empowered by the ideology-- of-- you know, standing against the foreign occupiers and-- and standing up for-- Islam would give the-- the Taliban a real-- burst of energy to go even further. And that's what we have to decide how to prevent.

Couric: It seems as if there's a bit of-- a disagreement within the Administration. Because General McChrystal, as you well know, said it was deteriorating. And the National Security Advisor, General Jim Jones seem to downplay the urgency of the sit--

Clinton: Well, but I-- I don't think--

Couric: And I don't foresee the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan is not in imminent danger of falling.

Clinton: Well, it's not imminent. And I-- I don't think there's a contradiction between the two. I think that that's that it's mixed. I think that it is-- not what it was-- in terms of-- control and-- and stability that we would like to see. We're not on the edge of a cliff that we're about to fall off. But that's what this process is designed to do. You know, what is the unvarnished assessment focus the facts on the ground? And it's not only General McChrystal returning to our two very able ambassadors-- in Islamabad and Kabul. We are looking at our intelligence community. We're looking broadly, even outside the government, to get the very best assessment we can. Richard Holbrook has compiled-- a whole government team-- that-- is-- very helpful in looking at what's happening in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. But at the end of the day, the President has to make the decisions about the way forward. So, are there some disagreements in perspective and recommendations? Yes. And thank goodness there really. I mean, I-- I would be worried if-- there was one voice and only one-- alternative presented to the President.

Couric: General McChrystal has asked for as many as 40,000 additional troops. Should he get them, in your view?

Clinton: Well, you know, I'm gonna save my advice for the President. But I think that-- that is one piece of the overall assessment. But it is premised on what-- can or might be done militarily. But that has to be married with the civilian development side, the larger political strategy, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the region. So, it's-- it's-- it's a data point, but it is not the answer. We have to look at everything.

Couric: When you came back from Iraq in 2007, you criticized President Bush. Saying that he needed to spend more time listening to commanders on the ground. The commander on the ground in Afghanistan says he needs more troops. So, why shouldn't he get them?

Clinton: Well, I think that what I-- what I believe is that the President is listening. He had a-- one on one meeting with-- General McChrystal. I anticipate-- and General McChrystal's on the video screen when we are in the situation room-- you know, no-- restraints on what he can or should say. Just open ended questions. So, I think that we're getting a lot of the feedback. But at the end of the day, the President is the commander in chief. And-- he has to decide based on every piece of information that is presented to him and all of the analysis what he thinks is in the best interest of the United States. And that's what the President is trying to do.

Couric: What do you think about ideas like Vice President Biden's plan to ostensibly make it-- a more narrow military strategy of using unmanned aircraft or drones and counterterrorism strikes against Al Qaeda. Kind of limiting our military involvement. Do you think that's a good idea?

Clinton: Well, I think, again, the Vice President has a very thoughtful analysis of what he thinks-- is working and-- will work. I'm not gonna, you know, go into his specific-- recommendation. But I think it's-- a very important-- role for all of us to play. You know, it's not just the Vice President who's sitting at the table saying, "Well, what about this? And wouldn't that work better?" All of us are coming to the table and saying, "Here's what we think we should do."

Couric: Can you just tell me how it strikes you? I mean, do you think that that's a possible alternative?

Clinton: Well, I'm-- I'm not gonna go there. Because I-- I think that-- ultimately, this is, as I've said, the President's decision. But that's what's so important about getting these different viewpoints. There may well be-- a perspective that one person brings to the table that needs to be melded with that of others. And it's not just all or nothing. It is, "Okay, everybody put on the table what you think are our real interests, the best way to achieve them, how we protect ourselves, our interests, and our allies, how we try to stabilize this very volatile region, and then I'm going to have the ultimate responsibility-- to figure out what best to do."

Couric: I want to ask you about the whole notion of the-- the more surgical strikes, if you will. Many people would say about that idea, Vice President Biden's idea, you know, that didn't work in Iraq. What worked in Iraq was a full blown counterinsurgency. And-- you know, a troop surge. And people credit that with the-- the reduction in violence.

Clinton: Well, what also worked in Iraq was-- a decision by many of the-- people in Anbar Province, the Sunnis to quit collaborating with Al Qaeda, because they were-- you know, far more violent and intrusive than anybody wanted to live with. And a decision to, you know, really partner with the Iraqis and to push the training of their security forces. A lot of-- a lot of things worked. But Iraq is not Afghanistan. You know, Iraq had a central government that was very dominant. It had a history of a-- strong, functioning military. That is not what the Taliban left, when they were driven out after the attacks of 9/11. And so, I-- I think that a lot of the analogies are-- are really not very apt. And so, from my perspective, we can be informed, in terms of what has and hasn't worked in many different settings. But we have to very careful to look at the situation we're dealing with now. You know, don't just automatically transplant ideas and try to graft them onto this body. Let's-- let's diagnose this body and figure out what it needs that we can help provide.

Couric: Let me ask you in a broader way, if I could, Secretary Clinton. Our stated objective in Afghanistan and Pakistan is to quote, "Disrupt, dismantle, and eventually defeat Al Qaeda and prevent their return to Afghanistan." Can that goal be accomplished without providing stability to the country, in the form of security and economic opportunity for the people of Afghanistan?

Clinton: You know, Katie, I think that-- there is no-- discussion going on about leaving Afghanistan. You know-- I think this-- this debate which is healthy for a democracy-- and important for the-- the President-- shouldn't be in any way characterized at, you know, it's either this or it's that. I think development aid-- rule of law, better governance from the-- from Kabul down to the-- local level, all of that is-- part of empowering the Afghans. But what will be most important is training up-- an effective Afghan security force, that will be able to defend the territory and protect the population. So, I think in everybody's recommendation, there's-- there's a very common thread running through. Which is how quickly can we help the Afghans really protect and take care of themselves. And there-- there's-- there's a multiple of-- you know, sort of-- ingredients in that recipe that we are-- examining.

Couric: But how can the U.S. stand behind a President who is so mistrusted by so many people in the country? Isn't that-- a bad partnership?

Clinton: You know, Katie-- we're gonna have to expect a lot more. And I-- you know, known and worked with-- President Karzai since 2003, I guess.

Couric: Are you terribly disappointed in him?

Clinton: Well, I-- I believe that some of what we're seeing is endemic. You know, we deal with a lot of countries where the governments either don't have the capacity or are plagued by corruption, cannot deliver for their people. And we know that-- we have to figure out how to better to work with them. And at the end of the day, the people of Afghanistan have to believe that they have a government that's on their side. Otherwise--

Couric: But they don't?

Clinton: Well, some do. And some don't. And what our-- our challenge will be in working-- for the future, and our-- and our ambassador, Ambassador Eikenberry, a former general on the ground-- in Afghanistan, which I think gives him a unique and very-- important perspective, has begun the conversations with-- President Karzai about, you know, what are you gonna deliver for your people? Who are the people you're gonna put around you? You've got to stamp out as much-- mistrust and corruption as possible. Given where you stand today. In order to have credibility. We're-- we're gonna go at that really hard. Because obviously, you can't expect people who are intimidated by and abused by-- the Taliban and their allies, some of whom are not even Afghan, but are foreign fighters-- and have this-- foreign ideology. This jihadist mentality kind of perpetrated on them. They don't think they have an alternative.

They've got to believe that they're gonna be protected. And in our conversations with people below the Presidential level, people working in the-- in the national government and people down in the local areas, the village elders, you know, they all say the same thing. Help us to be able to protect ourselves. And then leave. I mean, that's a pretty good summary for what we want to do. We want to help them be able to protect ourselves. Which includes having a government that will help protect them. Having a military force big enough well enough trained to be able to protect them. Having-- an alternative narrative to be able to rebuff the Taliban and the others who are still gonna be on their doorstep. But how you translate that into, you know, day-to-day operations is what we're-- considering inside-- the White House.

Couric: Because training the Afghan military is a huge undertaking and years away, isn't it?

Clinton:: Well, it is. It is. But we've learned a lot of lessons about how to do that better. We didn't do it very well in Iraq in the beginning. And we learned how to do it better. We have seen successes in other parts of the world. But no, it's-- I'm not gonna-- I'm not gonna, you know, put a happy face on and say, "Oh, yeah, we'll-- we'll get that done in a year or two." This is hard work. And it requires having a government that has the trust, the confidence and the loyalty of the security forces. And so we're gonna, you know, try to put that together. Not because it's our objective to remake Afghanistan. But because that's in our national interest to make sure that no more attacks come out of Afghanistan. Just as working with the Pakistanis is in our interest. To end that, as well.

Couric: We want to give them the tools--

Clinton: That's right.

Couric: to remake the country themselves.

Clinton: That's right.

Couric: But it's a tough road ahead.

Clinton: It is. It is.