Photo Credit: Eric W. Brooks, U.S .Embassy Secretary Clinton has arrived in Baghdad, Iraq, April 25. The unannounced visit to Iraq is her first trip as Secretary of State. She was met by Ambassador Chris Hill who got to Baghdad yesterday and Admiral Mike Mullen, who was also in Iraq on an unannounced visit. Secretary Clinton reportedly will depart later today for Kuwait.
One part of State's digital team is actually at work today (make that the weekend). News of this trip broke about 10 hours ago and there was not a tweet from DipNote, nothing in its blog, and you might as well skip the US Embassy Baghdad website because there's nothing there. But a check a short while ago on state.gov showed this photo and the press release on this visit posted online already. So it's Saturday as normal work day for some folks at State...
The press release indicates that while in Baghdad, Secretary Clinton will meet with Prime Minister al-Maliki, President Talibani, Deputy President al-Hashimi, Foreign Minister Zebari, and other senior leaders in the Government of Iraq. They will discuss issues of common concern including security, stability operations and assistance. She will also meet with Multinational Force-Iraq Commander Odierno, hold a roundtable with Iraqi women and have a townhalll with Iraqi citizens who work with Provincial Reconstruction Teams.
Related Items:(Updated 4/26: townhall transcript added)
- Secretary Clinton: Travel to Iraq and Kuwait, April 25
- AP Raw Video of Secretary Clinton's Arrival in Iraq
- Transcript-Townhall Meeting PRTs/Partners
Updated: 4/28:
Secretary Clinton did have a meet and greet with US Embassy Baghdad employees and US troops during her brief visit. Check out the video and transcript here.
