Sen. Clinton calls on Red Cross to aid kidnapped soldiers, jabs at Iran president

RAW STORY
Published: Wednesday September 20, 2006

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) today placed a statement in the Congressional Record that called on Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, "to do whatever he can to verify the health and well-being" of three Israeli soldiers kidnapped several months ago, RAW STORY can report.

Clinton additionally called on Kellenberger to "ensure that [the soldiers] have their full rights under the Geneva Conventions" and to "do what he can" to obtain their release.

"I have met with family members of one of the soldiers abducted in Israel, who spoke eloquently and movingly about the importance of securing the safe return of the captured soldiers," Clinton added.

In a jab at President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, who has made numerous controversial statements regarding Israel, Clinton referred to him as a "repeated purveyor of offensive rhetoric." Ahmadinejad delivered a speech at the UN on Tuesday denouncing the United States and Britain as "hegemonic powers."

"It is my hope," Clinton continued, "that world leaders will convey the message that through his statements calling for Israel’s destruction ... President Ahmadinejad continues to lessen his standing as a credible world leader in the community of nations."

The Democratic senator, often discussed as a potential 2008 presidential contender, made the statement in conjunction with a pro-Israel rally outside the United Nations building in New York City.

In the statement, available in full at Clinton's Senate website, she declared her support for "Israel's right to exist, and exist in safety."

Clinton openly issued a separate letter directly to Kellenberger with verbiage similar to the Congressional Record statement.