Being the U.S. secretary of state must have its perks, what with the power and guaranteed attention of various world leaders and all, but Monday, Hillary Clinton’s was not a job to envy, as she faced the considerable task of containing the diplomatic damage caused by the latest WikiLeaks release. –KA

The Guardian:

The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, today gave the administration’s first public reaction to the leaking of thousands of confidential diplomatic documents, describing it as an attack not only on the US but the international community.

Clinton, in a lengthy statement expressing US regret over the leaks that have thrown the diplomatic world into disarray and created widespread embarrassment for Washington, stressed the leaks put at risk the lives of many people in oppressive societies who had spoken to American diplomats.

[…] Although she started the press conference with a smile and even managed a joke during it – saying one of her foreign colleagues said she should see what they say privately about her – she looked tired after days talking to counterparts around the world, warning them of what might be coming and trying to soothe hurt feelings.

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