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U.S. Senate Photographic Studio
Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan swears in Secretary of State John Kerry on Feb. 1. They were joined by his wife Teresa, daughter Vanessa and brother Cameron.
Incoming Secretary of State John Kerry had a busy first weekend on the job, calling Palestinian, Israeli, Turkish, Canadian and Mexican officials.
In his conversation Sunday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Kerry said President Barack Obama "is very interested in the peace process and aware of the economic hardships of the Palestinian people," Abbas spokesman Nabel Abu Rdeneh said.
Abu Rdeneh also said that Kerry said he would visit the region for further talks with Abbas "to preserve the political path." No time was set for the visit.
The State Department said Kerry spoke with Israeli President Shimon Peres on Saturday about the formation of the country's new government, and that the two "exchanged views" on the peace process and regional matters.
Also on his first full day as America's top diplomat, Kerry:
—received an update from Turkey's foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu about the investigation into Friday's suicide bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara.
—spoke with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird about Iran, Mali and the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that would run from Canada to Texas.
—discussed with Mexico's foreign minister, Jose Antonio Meade, the deadly blast at the headquarters of Mexico's state-owned oil company.
—had lunch with George Shultz, secretary of state under President Ronald Reagan.
Kerry was sworn in Friday afternoon, succeeding Hillary Rodham Clinton in Obama's Cabinet.
--Reporting by The Associated Press
Related:
Kerry faces new battles as he takes foreign policy helm from Clinton
Clinton leaves State 'confident about the direction we have set'
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"First weekend on job, Kerry calls Palestinian, Israeli, Canadian officials"
Kerry probably wanted to tell them he was a Vietnam veteran.
Better still, 'proudly' that he was not a Vietnam Vet.
All you right wing cry babies are nothing short of pathetic. Like any of you no jack sh*t about what you're talking about.
And, Common Man and DLK, just what is your military service record. Idiots.
@MikeO76, they have all kinds of military service, they part of the YELLOW ELEPHANTS, you know the cowards who can type a good story (they think) and just love to run their mouths about things they have no sense of.
That is what their service is, YELLOW ELEPHANTS.
His talks with all included the US future foreign policy of minding our own @!$%#ing business because how can we tell them how they should live and function if we can't manage it ourselves. J/K
Let more a s s kissing commence!!
Unfortunately this is not good for the US, but it is definitely good for the Middle East, Asia, and every other country out to do us harm. Guess we truly are going to have to learn the hard way I guess. Sad and pathetic!!
You people are pathetic!!!!
I wish Kerry well, but to get our respect back we as a nation got to step up to the bat and vote the Republican party out, we don't need this kind of garbage in our country !
Kerry will do well and he has the respect of the American people !!!
Hopeful American -
The Middle East and Asia are not countries. Also, not everyone who is different from you is your enemy. Killing everyone is not a foreign policy, it's psychotic.
I understand his calling the Canadians and Mexicans, because we share borders with them. I understand his calling the Israelis and Palestinians, because they are the focal point of the Mideast and possible, but not probably peace. What I don't understand is why he called the Turkish? I mean, I realize they have SOME strategic importance, but not much in the grand scheme of things. And why not call the Brits? They are our closest and most important ally. Our "special relationship" with them dates back decades. They and the Canadians are probably our closest and strongest allies. I'm not sure why he would call the Turks and not the Brits. It seems very odd to me.
“First weekend on job, Kerry calls Palestinian, Israeli, Canadian officials”
Can someone tell me what’s wrong with Kerry calling in officials from other countries for a chat, because I can’t? He is only doing his job, that’s what we pay him for. The fact that he chose the first weekend on the job to do it, is impressive.
Wow, in one weekend Kerry did more work then he did during his entire 28 years in the senate. Kerry was probably setting up lunch dates. With Kerry making this level of news in his first weekend, how are reporters ever going to keep up?
"Hello Turkey, this is John Kerry"
"What's that? You need 20 billion in aid? No problem, we'll wire it right out and let our taxpayers pay it back!"
That is quote of the day... That is freaking funny man
Do not mention it, no problem... We have been giving billions more to freaking ungrateful, greedy israelis for years and we do not get a "thank you" in return, we get nothing but trouble from the twisted dorks..
Kerry and Obama should be more concerned with the US economic hardship instead of the rest of the world!
A simple way of doing both would be to advise the new Israeli government that for every new settlement built US aid will be reduced by, say, $5M per settlement.
John Kerry is the Secretary of State. I guess you must have missed that day in U.S. government class, but the Secretary of State is responsible for FOREIGN affairs and representing U.S. interests ABROAD. Your remark was not thought through very well.
Obama is concerned about jobs, he is laser focused on making sure illegals can come here to work and stay. Kerry's job will be to take the fall for Obama policies when the Middle East erupts.
Which reminds me the Republican god Reagan granted amnesty to illegals and Bush tried. Why? Follow the money. Who hires cheap labor - big Ag, big Sweatshop and wealthy people who want their lawns and children taken care of by undocumented workers so they don't have to pay them minimum wage or provide benefits - in short mostly Republicans.
Oh yeah, Reagan also doubled the deficit and supported a ban on assault weapons.
For God's sake, don't talk to John Baird - he's an idiot and an embarrassment to Canada. If you must, however, talk slowly and use small words, and be sure to keep a transcript for yourself, because he's bound to either misinterpret what you say, or lie about your conversation later on.
Thank you for identifying your comments as being aimed at John Baird, otherwise I would have thought you were talking about Middle Class Joe Biden.
What's this thing? A phone? Do I get a briefing on it? I'm better manipulating ketchup...
He don't want to waste anytime screwing things up !
"Live shot" Kerry.....world class phony.....but the msm will cover for him, like they do for the rest of the regime.
WOW, all the nut-job right wing haters are out in force today. All the old white man cry baby Republicans without a clue posting nonsense.
If you want to know what is wrong with America today, look in the mirror., Nothing but divisiveness and nonsense from the right.
You might try taking your own advice and look in the mirror. What you'll find reflected back is all that divisiveness and nonsense you speak of.
What is your problem with old white men? You seem to have no problem with old crybaby Democrats like Kerry who is 69. Bringing race into a discussion that has no reference to the subject speaks volumes about nut job left-wing haters like yourself.
Healthy snacks and health drinks, for electrolye balances, including water bottles, please do make sure enough sleeps and rests, on the road. Congrats! Welcome aboard on President Obama's administration.
OK swift boater .lets see how many Americans you can put in harms way and than abandon them . But don't worry the main stream media will re-write history for you also. IE Queen Hellery.
Sure Mike, you were there. It was the military's official story which was part of his award. It was the right wingers that re-wrote history. You don't find it odd that he was thought of as a hero before he ran for president, then was made out to be a coward during the campaign, then all the republicans forget they said he was a coward and confirmed him as Secretary of State?
The only people in the Obama administration that have been able to do the job assigned to them has been the janitors...
What a terrible thing to say about our military.
POTUS is Commander in Chief of all Military.
What a strenuous week Kerry had! Surely he's earned a long vacation for his efforts.
He is already looking for a raise......what a pathetic news story!
Well one thing is certain Kerry will do whatever his wife tells him to do...she's the person who bought his position as Secretary of State and she pays better than Obama...
Did she buy the republicans that confirmed him too?
Kerry calls foreign officials.
I wonder what they are calling him?
Neocons take note: The U.S. is the best friend you could have....big, strong, but not a bully, generous, willing to listen to opposing opinions (Obama, not Bush), and willing to run a big bar tab. We'll never go back to being the paranoid, hair-trigger, loner everyone has learned to distrust.
Why is this dope calling palestinian terrorists?
yes, he should only call isreali teroristas, no?
He hasn't been Secretary of State for a week yet and already there is people trashing him. Stop. it.
You are right. I keep thinking he has got to be better than the person he replaced. Surely he will!
I'm going to see to it that all you people get Heinz Ketchup at half price!!
You had better talk to Kerry about that first!
Glad to see Hillery is now free to work on her campaign for president in 2016
And she will win,giving the right tards a hart attack,,lmao
At least she has some experience which is something missing from the sitting president. If she could get rid of Bill she might do all right. Certainly the bar is not very high right now for the next president to shine.
Don't feel sorry for the GOP,just be glad they will keep losing
"I swear upon the Koran to uphold the Amerikan Constitution - to do anything that I can to obliterate it! (:-()
This is news??? who was he supposed to call, Ghostbusters????
Look at the bright side, Hillary is gone for now.
I will. Your gone now.
I see kindergarten is is session again.