Clinton honors slain envoy to Libya
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 08: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) presents a Common Ground Award to Anne Stevens (L), sister of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, during a ceremony at the Carnegie Institution for Science November 8, 2012 in Washington, DC. / Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images
WASHINGTON Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton paid tribute Thursday to slain U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens, calling him a "fallen hero" who understood that diplomacy requires taking risks.
About two months after Stevens and three other Americans were killed in an attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi on Sept. 11, Clinton said the State Department and Pentagon are reviewing security at high-threat diplomatic posts to determine what improvements should be made.
Clinton: Late Amb. Stevens an "inspiration"
But Clinton also stressed that diplomacy in unstable areas is inherently dangerous and praised Stevens for volunteering for difficult jobs to serve his country.
"Our country mourns a fallen hero," she said of Stevens at a speech honoring him and others receiving the Common Ground award for conflict resolution, negotiation and peace building. The award was presented by the group Search for Common Ground, which is focused on ways of resolving conflicts.
Stevens "understood that there is no substitute for going beyond the embassy walls, building relationships, and finding common ground," she said. "We will never prevent every act of terrorism or achieve perfect security. And our diplomats cannot work in bunkers and do their jobs. We must accept a level of risk to protect this country we love and to advance our interests and values around the world."
Clinton's comments came as lawmakers step up demands for information about the Benghazi attack. Several congressional committees will hold classified hearings on the matter next week amid Republican charges that the Obama administration ignored increased threats to the mission. The State Department and FBI are also investigating.
Popular on CBSNews.com
- S. Korea: N. Korea launches short-range missiles
- U.K. police announce new leads in missing girl case
- Photos of the Week 21 Photos
- Drone technology myths, facts and future feats
- Plane catches fire on Moscow runway Play Video
- Plane catches fire landing in Moscow
- Russia strikes back after expelling alleged U.S. spy
- Dramatic video appears to show 747 crash in Afghanistan
This thing is ugly , and the core of an American Heart has yet to speak up , that day is comming no doubt , as the Roar from with in convicts the Soldiers of such bRAVE HEARTS . I think that tea and music has its place , but soure taste is the only thing comming from this kettle of fish , no Seal is swallowing this fishy fabel.
A transparent glass is the award to FAMILY MEMBERS !
The investigation shows, without any doubt, that the administration lied to the people for 2 full weeks, about the Benghazi affair, blaming it on a movie, that simply had NOTHING to do with it.
All of the evidence in the investigation so far, says the administration denied beefing up the security there, after 2 previous incidents, leaving those people as sitting ducks.
They knew.......and they did nothing. I call that creating sacrificial lambs.
Hillary deserves to be taken to task for the Benghazi failure.. she accepted responsibility, she takes the lumps as the dirty details continue to unfold.