US State Secretary Hilary Rodham Clinton

 

Hillary Rodham Clinton was born October 26, 1947 and raised in Park Ridge, Illinois.

She was the eldest daughter of Hugh Rodham, a prosperous fabric store owner, and Dorothy Emma Howell Rodham. Hillary had two younger brothers, including Hugh, Jr. (born 1950) and Anthony (born 1954).

As a young woman, Hillary Rodham was active in young Republican groups and campaigned for Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater in 1964. She was inspired to work in some form of public service after hearing a speech in Chicago by the Reverend Martin Luther King and became a Democrat in 1968.

Rodham attended Wellesley College; she was active in student politics and was elected Senior Class president before she graduated in 1969. She then attended Yale Law School, where she met Bill Clinton. Graduating with honors in 1973, she also attended one post-graduate year of study on children and medicine at Yale Child Study Center.

Hillary worked at various jobs during her summers as a college student. In 1971, she first came to Washington, D.C to work on U.S. Senator Walter Mondale's subcommittee on migrant workers. In the summer of 1972, she worked in the western states for the campaign of Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern.

In the spring of 1974, Rodham became a member of the presidential impeachment inquiry staff, advising the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives during the Watergate Scandal. After President Richard M. Nixon resigned in August, she became a faculty member of the University of Arkansas Law School in Fayetteville, where her Yale Law School classmate and boyfriend Bill Clinton was teaching as well.

Rodham married Bill Clinton on October 11, 1975, at their home in Fayetteville. Before he proposed marriage, Clinton had secretly purchased a small house that she had remarked that she liked. When he proposed marriage to her and she accepted, he revealed that they owned the house. Their daughter, Chelsea Victoria, was born February 27, 1980.

In 1976, she worked on Jimmy Carter's successful campaign for president while husband Bill was elected Attorney General. He was elected governor in 1978 at age 32, lost re-election in

1980, but came back to win in 1982, 1984, 1986 (when the term of office was expanded from two to four years) and 1990.

Hillary joined the Rose Law Firm in Little Rock and in 1977 was appointed to part-time chairman of the Legal Services Corporation by President Carter. As First Lady of Arkansas for a dozen years (1979-1981, 1983-1992), she chaired the Arkansas Educational Standards Committee, co-founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families and served on the boards ofthe Arkansas Children's Hospital, Legal Services and the Children's Defense Fund.

In 1988 and 1991, The National Law Journal named her one of the 100 most powerful lawyers in America. During the 1992 presidential campaign, she emerged as a dynamic and valued partner of her husband Bill Clinton and when he took office she became American First Lady.

In 2000 the Clintons took residency in New York and Hillary was elected to the U.S. Senate and re-elected to a second term in 2006. She ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008, finally conceding to fellow senator Barak Obama after a lengthy campaign. After winning the general election that November, Obama nominated her to the post of Secretary of State. She was confirmed and took office on 21 January 2009, the day after Obama's inauguration. She is the first American First Lady ever elected to national office.

Hillary Clinton is a strong, outspoken leader with sharp intelligence, political sensibilities and persistence in pursuing her agenda. In private, she’s reputed to be much warmer and friendlier than her public persona would suggest.

Notes to the texts

1. The Institute of World Economics and International Relations (IMEMO) – институт Мировой Экономики и Международных Отношений

2. a foreign policy advisor – советник по внешней политике

3. Full Central Committee member and candidate member of the Politburo – член Центрального Комитета и кандидат в члены Политбюро ЦК КПСС

4. The Congress of People's Deputies – Совет Народных Депутатов СССР

5. Supreme Soviet –Верховный Совет

6. “New Thinking” – политика нового мышления

7. First Deputy Chairman of the KGB and head of foreign intelligence - Заместитель Председателя Комитета Государственной Безопасности и глава Внешней Разведки

8. foreign minister – министр иностранных дел

9. campaigned for Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater – принимала участие в избирательной кампании республиканского кандидата в Президенты Барри Голтвотера

10. to work on U.S. Senator Walter Mondale's subcommittee on migrant workers –… работать в под-комитете по делам иммигрантов при сенаторе Уолтере Мондейл

11. … became a member of the presidential impeachment inquiry staff, advising the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives during the Watergate Scandal – входила в группу юристов, которые консультировали юридический комитет Палаты представителей по вопросу импичмента президента Ричарда Никсона в ходе Уотергейтского скандала

12. Attorney General – генеральный прокурор

13. joined the Rose Law Firm- работала в юридической фирме Rose Law Firm

14. part-time chairman of the Legal Services Corporation – член правления Корпорации юридических услуг

15. the Arkansas Educational Standards Committee – комитет штата Арканзас по стандартам образования

16. co-founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families – участвовала в создании организации «Защитники детей и семей штата Арканзас»

17. served on the boards ofthe Arkansas Children's Hospital, Legal Services and the Children's Defense Fund – заседала в правлении детской больницы штата, Корпорации юридических услуг и Фонда защиты детей

18. Secretary of State – Государственный Секретарь

VOCABULARY PRACTICE

8. Match the words or phrases in bold in passages A and B with their meanings given bellow:

Text A

a. take control of a country by means of military force;

b. political cleansing; an abrupt or sudden removal of a person or group from an organization or place

c. to persuade someone to make an agreement that suits you better;

d. to say publicly that you think someone or something is bad or wrong

e. have strict or extreme belief or opinions and not willing to change them

f. according to

g. to take up the post

h. someone who’s been chosen to do a particular job

i. to remain the post or position

j. supported by majority of votes

k. to give support to an idea, principle or belief

l. existence of three or more superpowers in world politics

m. to happen or exist immediately before something

n. stop existing

 

Text B

a. stand for presidential elections

b. teacher in a University

c. perform oneself as; become known or recognized

d. to be in charge of; to head

e. worked for

f. let a secret information become known;

g. participate in

h. very impressive

i. rich and successful

j. to leave the post or position

k. to give up one’s place to someone

l. the day on which a recently elected US President begins in the job

 

9. Complete the following sentences with the correct words or phrases given in the box and translate them into Russian language (some words may be used twice):

a. purge, b. assume, c. reveal, d. bargain, e. condemn, f. appointee,

g. chair, h. hard-line, i. concede

1. She has been invited to __________the post of director.

2. Russia has __________war in the Middle East.

3. A lot of people died in a __________by Stalinist regime.

4. The President’s ____________were condemned for corruption.

5. The statement was roundly ___________by members of the opposition party.

6. _________ party representatives demonstrated that they are not willing to change their views.

7. The decision making procedure in the EU is based on ____________

8. Jews and Slavic people were ______________during fascist regime.

9. A lot of secret diplomatic information was ___________ through Wiki leaks

10. At midnight, Ronald Reagan ____________ the election to his opponent.

11. Neither side ___________what was discussed in the meeting.

12. All questions must be addressed to the ___________.

9. Listen to recording about the US State Secretary Hillary Clinton’s biography (www.biography.com Hillary Clinton) and correct the statements given below:

1. Hillary Rodham was born and raised in Arkansas

2. Her father was a politician

3. In 1974 Hillary was involved in Watergate Scandal

4. After graduating Harvard Law School she became American First Lady

5. She began relationship with Bill Clinton in New-York in 1992

6. After Monica Levinsky Scandal Hillary divorced and stood for presidential

elections.

 

10. Which events concerning Evgeny Primakov and Hillary Clinton the following numbers refer to:

1986; December 1991; 1984; 1977; 1983-1999; 100; 1992; 2006; 1989; 1999; 21 January, 2009; the 1970s; August 1982; 1980; 1929; 1991; 2009; 1982; 1978; October 11, 1975; February 27, 1980; 32; 1973; 1969; 1971; 1964; 1968; October 26, 1947; January 1996; April 1989; August 1991; the 1950

LANGUAGE FOCUS

11. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the word in capitals

Example: China supported Russian condemnation of war in Iraq. CONDEMN

1. ___________ the situation in Egypt Russian ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to evacuate all Russian citizens from the conflict zone. ASSUME

2. The ___________of non – governmental international organizations has changed the functions of diplomacy. EMERGE

3. It’s illegal to use the fire alarm except in case of ______________ EMERGE

4. _______________ of future generations is one of the major goals proclaimed in the EU’s strategic policy. PROSPEROUS

5. He made it clear that he wasn’t _____________ from active politics. RESIGN

6. He announced his ______________ as Gorbachev’s senior advisor. RESIGN

7. A _______________ insight into the way a consulate works made him to change his decision. REVEAL

8. He has already been _______________ as a candidate to the post of Consul General. NOMINEE

9. They haven’t approved Robert’s ______________ as Foreign Secretary. NOMINATE

10. The President’s _____________ address was shown on TV. INAUGURATIAN

 

12. In Text A there’s an expression LEAD UP. Look at the following explanations of this and other uses of the word LEAD and complete the sentences below.

a. lead up – the period that comes before an important event;

b. lead off – to begin something by doing or saying something;

c. lead in - introduction; statement, action or short piece of film used for introducing something;

d. lead on – to encourage someone to do something or expect something, especially by lying to them or promising them something they cannot have;

e. lead somebody astray – to encourage somebody to do bad things that they would not normally do;

f. lead somebody a merry dance – to be a problem for somebody;

g. lead somebody by the nose – to use somebody in your own benefit;

h. to lead somebody up the garden path – to fool, trick somebody

 

 

1. Some politicians usually lead astray the voters promising them a lot of benefits.

2. In the lead up to the negotiations both sides agreed to avoid vulnerable points.

3. I believe their teenage daughter leads them a merry dance.

4. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia led off the press conference.

5. The boy claimed that he had led on by his criminal companions.

6. He realized that she had been leading him up the garden path and had no intention of marrying him.

7. She leads her husband by the nose.

8. The lead in to the programme gives the main idea of party’s intentions.

 

CLOZE DEVELOPMENT

13. Look at the following list of qualities and match those which may be of great importance for a diplomatic career. Discuss with your partner in which situations the qualities you’ve chosen might be useful.

argumentative, sensitive, sociable, extravagant, assertive, inquisitive, adventurous, enterprising, provident, foreseeing, prudent, quick – witted, gregarious, eloquent, arrogant, full-of-oneself, fussy, willful, dutiful, obedient, timid

Example:

 

A: Diplomatic job involves dealing with people and I think he or she should be sociable but not fussy and extravagant.

B: I have never talked to diplomats but when I watch them on T.V., they look boring and full-of-themselves…

 

14. Choose from the following factors those which you consider absolutely necessary for diplomatic career. Speak about factors or qualities which are specific to a woman’s diplomatic career.

Background: social background; financial background; influential acquaintances;

Well-rounded education; relevant experience; qualifications; supportive family; experience of other cultures

People skills: positive image; popularity among colleagues; sensitivity to others’ feelings; team spirit; competitive spirit; ability to delegate; willingness to compromise; having contact with superiors

Other personal qualities: ambition; determination; resilience; powers of intuition; persistence; enjoy challenges; attractive appearance; charisma; self-motivation; natural talent; ruthlessness; ability to seize opportunities

15. Read and write the translation of the following text. Compare the qualities necessary for a diplomat given here with those you’ve chosen in exercises 9 and 10

The Art of Diplomacy

People involved in diplomacy must be able to bridge many differences - cultural, geopolitical and ideological - as well as conflicting state interests of all kinds, including strategic concerns. Career diplomats are prepared to be posted abroad; they are trained for it and, over the years, learn from experience.

The most useful attributes that are needed for diplomatic career are probably interpersonal skills, particularly communication. Good verbal skills are an asset, especially when assorted with a good working knowledge of foreign languages. Important multilateral meetings may be equipped for simultaneous translation. But there is always a good deal of consultation and communication to be undertaken outside from formal meetings and without the benefit of interpreter. Patience is insufficiently appreciated in modern societies. It may be true that some international issues require fast action. But hasty decisions can be counterproductive. Diplomats often have a hard time convincing their superiors back home that they must wait a more propitious moment to approach delicate questions. What is more, many cultures do not attach the same importance to the clock as do industrial societies.

Tact and circumspection are useful in approaching important foreign officials. Formality and concern for protocol, too, remain characteristic of official relations, although the trend toward fewer rigors, particularly in international organizations. Adaptability is helpful. Negotiations may be demanding. Self-control and an ability to size up a situation or one’s counterpart are important, although the stakes will not always be high. There is no substitute for experience. Imagination is of great value to creating alternatives to conflicting positions and finding common ground.

Compromise may be the essence of diplomacy, but one’s superiors back home frequently control what negotiations can do in this respect. Ideological stances foster rigidity. In most situations the development of trust with one’s counterparts is a valuable asset. But friendship, respect and trust cannot be achieved overnight. Enmity or friction between international actors will complicate interpersonal relationships. Periods of tension can create polarization, making interpersonal relations more difficult. In conference work and other temporary assignments, diplomats hope to find people with whom they have already had constructive relations in earlier assignments. International networking is useful and frequently sought. But one problem in the development of lasting relations is relatively frequent rotation of diplomatic personnel that many governments favor, which means moving to a new post every three years or so. And with every move comes the need to build a new set of contacts and relationships.

 

16. Discuss the following questions:

a. What kind of interests must people involved in diplomacy get rid of?

b. What are the most useful attributes that diplomats should have?

c. What kind of decisions might be counterproductive in diplomatic work?

d. What is the essence of diplomacy?

e. What might complicate interpersonal relations between international actors?

f. What forms of practices are undertaken outside from formal meetings?

g. How does frequent rotation of diplomatic personnel influence a set of contacts and relations that have already been achieved.

17. Find English equivalents for the following lexical units:

a. Идеологические установки способствуют жесткости и непреклонности позиций.

b. враждебность или разногласия;

c. преодолеть множество разногласий;

d. находить альтернативы конфликтным ситуациям;

e. ценное качество

f. более походящий (благосклонный) момент;

g. ставки;

h. убеждая вышестоящие инстанции;

i. в совокупности с;

j. оценить ситуацию;

k. подготовлены к работе заграницей

l. такт и осторожность

m. контр-продуктивный

 

GENERALIZATION

18. Prepare individual or group presentations about the following diplomats (add any other names if necessary):

a. Alexandra Kollontai

b. Andrei Gromyko

c. Austin Chamberlain

d. Henry Kissinger

e. Wilhelm Humboldt

f. Maxim Litvinov

g. William Hague

h. Sergey Lavrov

i. Alexander Vershbow

j. Georgy Chicherin

 

19. A ROLE PLAY. Imagine that one of you is the newly appointed British Ambassador to Russia Timothy Barrow. (Information on “your” biography is given in supplementary unit). You are giving a press conference in the British Embassy in Moscow

The other members of the group are journalists working for different media and invited to the press conference. Ask questions about Timothy Barrow’s profile.

Example: T.B.: “I’m very pleased to be returning to Russia. I have good memories of working in Moscow in the early 90-s. I look forward to getting to know again this vast and dynamic country and to continuing the steady work of developing relations between our two countries…Today It is a great pleasure for me to answer your questions about our future work in Russia….”

J.: Good morning Mr. Barrow. My name is Peter Maximov, the “Moscow Times.” Mr. Barrow, why have you decided to return to Russia? I mean, do you have any special attitudes or motives?

UNIT II: The Subject Matter and Functions of Diplomacy

READING and DISCUSSING