Hillary Rodham Clinton sworn in as Secretary of State

(2 Feb 2009)
1. US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on stage with husband, former US president Bill Clinton, daughter Chelsea Clinton, mother Dorothy Rodham and Vice President Joe Biden preparing to swear oath: UPSOUND: (English) Member of the audience: "Get it right, get it right"
2. Biden swearing in Hillary Clinton as US Secretary of State
3. Mid of Hillary Clinton at podium
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State:
"We are all on the same team and it is America's team, and we have in the leadership of President Obama someone who wants us to reach out to the world, to do so without illusions. Understanding that the difficulties we face will not be wished away but meeting them forthrightly and smartly, and that we want to seize the opportunities that exist as well."
5. Mid of Hillary Clinton at podium
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State:
"I get up every morning thinking about what I must do to make this world of ours safer and more prosperous and to make our country all that it can be. As difficult as the times are I am an optimist, I believe that we can do what we set our minds to do, and so it is the power of our ideals and the intelligence and dedication of our people."
7. Zoom in on Hillary Clinton at podium
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State,
"And finally to my husband who understands so well the awesome responsibilities resting on the shoulders of President Obama, Vice President Biden and all of us who serve with them. I am so grateful to him for a lifetime of all kinds of experiences (laughs) which have given me... which have given me an extraordinary richness that I am absolutely beholden to and grateful for."
9. Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Biden, Chelsea Clinton and Dorothy Rodham walking off stage
STORYLINE:
Hillary Rodham Clinton was officially sworn in as US Secretary of State on Monday by Vice President Joe Biden in Washington DC.
Speaking after taking the oath of office, Clinton said that US President Barack Obama wanted "us to reach out to the world, to do so without illusions."
She added that she was an optimist, believing that they could achieve what they set their minds to.
Clinton also thanked her husband, former US president Bill Clinton, for his support.
Clinton is looking to Asia as she plans her first trip abroad as secretary of state, according to unnamed diplomatic sources.
Diplomats briefed on the planning told The Associated Press that Clinton is expected to visit key US North Asian allies Japan and South Korea, as well as China, on her maiden voyage.
The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because the itinerary is not final and could change.
The State Department has not yet commented on Clinton's travel.
The trip would underscore the Obama administration's commitment to resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, affirm its intention to maintain strong ties with Tokyo and Seoul, and set the stage for the broader engagement with Beijing that the president and his top aides have pledged, the diplomats said.
Clinton is now the 67th person and third woman to become US Secretary of State.

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