24°c Partly cloudy
18°c Cloudy periods
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
New Secretary of State John Kerry starts work, says he has "big heels to fill"
New Secretary of State John Kerry is greeted by State Department staff during a ceremony welcoming him as the 68th secretary of state, Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, at the State Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
WASHINGTON - New Secretary of State John Kerry reported for duty Monday, acknowledging that as Hillary Rodham Clinton's successor he has "big heels to fill" and promising to protect U.S. foreign service workers from terrorist attacks overseas.
On his first day at the office in his new job, the former senator and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate was greeted with loud cheers by employees of the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
As the first man in the post in eight years, Kerry referred to his two most recent predecessors, Clinton and Condoleezza Rice, by asking in jest: "Can a man actually run the State Department?"
"I don't know," he answered. "As the saying goes, I have big heels to fill."
Kerry told his new agency's employees that he and President Barack Obama needed their help to make America safer and the world more prosperous and peaceful.
And after noting the deaths of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans in the Sept. 11, 2012, terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, Kerry said the protection of American diplomats would be a top priority.
"I guarantee you that beginning this morning when I report for duty upstairs, everything I do will be focused on the security and safety of our people," he said.
Kerry, 69, is the son of a diplomat and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for 28 years — chairman since 2009. He spoke of his childhood time in Germany and learning the virtues of freedom.
As a 12-year-old in postwar Berlin of the 1950s, Kerry recounted how he could have caused a diplomatic incident by riding his bicycle around the destroyed and divided German capital, past the burnt out Reichstag and the Brandenburg gate and — using his first diplomatic passport — into the Soviet-controlled eastern part of the city.
"If the tabloids today knew I had done that, I can see the headlines that say, 'Kerry's Early Communist Connections!'" he joked, before describing more seriously how he explained to his irritated parents why he felt the need to cross the Iron Curtain.
"There were very few people. They were dressed in dark clothing. They kind of held their heads down. I noticed all this," Kerry said. "There was no joy in those streets. And when I came back, I felt this remarkable sense of relief and a great lesson about the virtue of freedom and the virtue of the principles and ideals that we live by and that drive us."
Kerry is likely to spend much of the week reaching out to foreign leaders. Over the weekend, he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as well as the foreign ministers of Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Canada and Mexico.
Fact Check
Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.
More FP News Top Story
- Back to Top
- Return to FP News Top Story
More FP News Top Story
(1 of 50 articles for this year)
Harper assailed for cutting Elections Canada budget despite vote problems
05/1/2013 5:40 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular FP News Top Story
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Anti-prostitution laws targeted at Pickton inquiry, not failed police probe
- Military ombudsman appeals to defence chief over home-equity losses
- Retired Toronto teacher, husband found slain in their Florida home
- American-US Airways merger could jeopardize major hub airports, as mega airline consolidates
- Final cardinal - from Vietnam - arrives in Rome, meaning conclave date can be set
- EU Commission sees excessive economic imbalances in Spain and Slovenia, warns France
- Afghan army gives donated rifles back to Canada in favour of U.S. weapons
- National chief calls for change after boy's shooting death at Alberta reserve
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Harper government has no plans to sell Via Rail: Transport spokesman
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- American-US Airways merger could jeopardize major hub airports, as mega airline consolidates
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- CGI establishes Ottawa centre focused on cyber security for businesses
- US couple flees house infested with garter snakes, describe living in a 'horror movie'
- Seven killed in crash of plane chartered by Kinross Gold Corp. in Mauritania
- Afghan army gives donated rifles back to Canada in favour of U.S. weapons
- Canadian submarine HMCS Windsor slowly lowered into Halifax harbour
- London tattoo parlours get boost from athletes, tourists who love those 5 rings
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Harper government has no plans to sell Via Rail: Transport spokesman
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Pressure grows to improve human rights for transgender people in Newfoundland
- Police: Boston Marathon bomb suspect fired shots from boat, hospitalized in serious condition
- In unusual pattern, Oklahoma tornado tracked path of 1999 monster twister with record winds
- Ten years after 9-11, Canada-U.S. relationship has both trouble spots and bright spots
- US couple flees house infested with garter snakes, describe living in a 'horror movie'
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.