USA: WASHINGTON: MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SWORN IN AS SECRETARY OF STATE

Описание: (23 Jan 1997) English/Nat

Madeleine Albright was sworn in as the U-S Secretary of State Thursday, making history as the first woman to assume the position.

The U-S Senate confirmed her appointment Wednesday without a single dissenting vote.

U-S President Bill Clinton attended the inauguration of the woman he wanted to hold the position of U-S Secretary of State.

And on Thursday, he got his way.

SOUNDBITE:
"In the next century no less than this one, America must continue to be the world's greatest force for peace and freedom and prosperity. Madeleine Albright has the strength and wisdom to help ensure that America remains the indispensable nation."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton U.S. President

Vice President Al Gore swore Albright in.

SOUNDBITE:
Al Gore - I ,state your name
Albright - I, Madeleine Corvelle Albright
Gore - Do solemnly swear
Albright - Do solemnly swear
Gore - That I will support and defend
Albright - That I will support and defend
Gore - The constitution of the United States
Albright - The constitution of the United States
Gore - Against all enemies
Albright - Against all enemies
Gore - Foreign and domestic
Albright - Foreign and domestic
Gore - That I will bear true faith
Albright - That I will bear true faith
Gore - And allegiance to the same
Albright - And allegiance to the same
Gore - That I take this obligation freely
Albright - That I take this obligation freely
Gore - Without any mental reservation
Albright - Without any mental reservation
Gore - Or purpose of evasion
Albright - Or purpose of evasion
Gore - And that I will well and faithfully
Albright - And that I will well and faithfully
Gore - Discharge the duties of the office
Albright - Discharge the duties of the office
Gore - On which I am about to enter
Albright - On which I am about to enter
Gore - So help me God
Albright - So help me God
SUPERCAPTION: Al Gore, U.S. Vice President, swears in Madeleine Albright, U.S. Secretary of State

Albright brings a reputation for speaking her mind to the top Cabinet post.

Republicans like the role the Czech-born diplomat played in blocking a second term for the former U-N Secretary General Boutros Bourtos Ghali.

In her acceptance speech, Albright made clear her view that Washington should continue its involvement internationally, warning against isolationism.

SOUNDBITE:
"But if we are complacent, or timid, or unwilling to look beyond our borders our citizens will not prosper and the framework of American leadership and the foundation of American security we have built could crumble with 21st Century speed."
SUPERCAPTION: Madeleine Albright, U.S. Secretary of State

Republican Senator Jesse Helms, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
chairman, was at the inauguration and Clinton thanked him for overseeing the fast confirmation of Albright.

Washington's new Secretary of State insisted the U-S must stand firm in leading the world.

SOUNDBITE:
"We must not shy from the mantle of leadership, nor hesitate to defend our interests, nor fail in our commitments, nor diverge from the principles that have defined and elevated and sustained our nation for more than 200 years. Let us proceed"
SUPER CAPTION: Madeleine Albright, U.S. Secretary of State

Albright also pledged her support for the United Nations.

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