Hillary Clinton: Osama bin Laden killing shows "you cannot defeat us"

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday that the killing of Osama bin Laden offered a clear message to al Qaeda's Taliban allies in Afghanistan: "You cannot wait us out, you cannot defeat us, but you can make the choice to abandon al Qaeda and participate in a peaceful, political process."

Clinton added that America will continue "relentlessly pursuing the murderers who target innocent people."

"The fight continues and we will never waver," she said. "Now I know there are some who doubted this day would ever come. Who questioned our resolve and our reach. But let us remind ourselves this is America. We rise to the challenge. We persevere. And we get the job done."

Noting that many of those killed by al Qaeda worldwide were Muslims, Clinton said the attacks were "motivated by a violent ideology that holds no value for human life or regard for human dignity."

"I know that nothing can make up for the loss of the victims or fill the voids they left," she said. "But I hope their families can now find some comfort in the fact that justice has been served."

The raid on Osama bin Laden's compound

What's next for al Qaeda?

Clinton thanked everyone involved in taking down bin Laden and pointed to "our close cooperation with Pakistan," which she said "helped put unprecedented pressure on al Qaeda and its leadership." The comment was notable because the nature of bin Laden's hideout - he was found in a compound outside Islamabad near a military installation - has intensified questions about whether Pakistan had effectively been sheltering the terrorist leader.

The secretary of state, echoing other officials, stressed that "we should not forget the battle to stop al Qaeda and its terror will not end with the death of bin Laden."

U.S. warns of possible bin Laden backlash

Obama: Osama bin Laden's death does not end fight against al Qaeda

Key dates in the hunt for Osama bin Laden

"Indeed, we must take this opportunity to renew our resolve and redouble our efforts," Clinton said. She then pointed to the war in Afghanistan, where she said "we are supporting an Afghan-led political process that seeks to isolate al Qaeda and end the insurgency," as well as the situation in Pakistan.

"In Pakistan, we are committed to supporting the people and government as they defend their own democracy from violent extremism," she said. "Indeed, as the president said, bin Laden had also declared war on Pakistan. He had ordered the killings of many innocent Pakistani men, women and children. In recent years the cooperation between our governments, militaries and law enforcement agencies increased pressure on al Qaeda and the Taliban. And this progress must continue. And we are committed to our partnership."

Video: Lara Logan on bin Laden's death

Clinton noted that the killing came amid uprisings against repressive regimes in the Muslim world, saying it came "at a time when the people across the Middle East and North Africa are rejecting the extremist narrative and charting a path of peaceful progress based on universal rights and aspirations."

"There is no better rebuke to al Qaeda and its heinous ideology," she said.

Photos: America Reacts to death of Osama bin Laden
Bin Laden hid in plain site in Pakistan
Intel hunt led to shootout at bin Laden fortress
Special report: The death of Osama bin Laden

[john5673]

In my opinion, live Bin Laden was of minimal risk than the dead Laden. Looking to his condition under 20-foot high jail, without any communication and living on filthy food and medicine; he was of no help to his followers and fidayeens but now when he has been KILLED without any mercy and cruelly, his new appointed or selected heir will be more deadliest to the US and the West including Pakistan. Also, if American Politicians including Obama if continue bickering and smearing the image of Pakistani military and making them anti-American, the days will not be too far if Al-Qaida would some how get a mini-nuke from the military to use it on her enemies. Hope, Obama will use his wisdom and lower down the wrestling game between America and Pakistan. Sooner is better

[chetthor]

The only way to prevent the occupants from setting off possible bombs is to kill them... to keep them from reaching the triggers.

Suicide boomers could have ruined the mission.

[g8rbroncogb2]

Hillary, you go girl!

[noloyalisti]

by nolalou May 2, 2011 2:06 PM EDT
What garbage from another moron conspiracy theory nut job!

So ALL OF A SUDDEN you believe everything the government tells you! Sad words from the spokesperson of the violent and primitive imperialist nation of America.

[aircarz777]

Clinton, because you arrogantly say things like "you cannot defeat us" you effectively insure that they will never stop trying. Words like that from "public" officials like you of more danger to US than OSAMA was because of politicians like you who try to run the world rather than humbly accepting our place in humanity. The United States will not stand, and you my dear are partly to blame...you and Barry Sleep well.

[Zann-Zel]

What do you want her to say? You CAN defeat us???

First Class IDIOT!

[Jazzy_O]

Antiglobal5 - you are not helping anyone smile and carry on. I hope you and the media realise we live in a world where Americans make up 5%.
23% of the world is islamic.
Osama (if it is true what he says) - obviously did what did for a reason. I doubt it was his hobby. I hope one day the media do their job and be journalists and go and find out and report what that was ... rather than report political speeches or "celebrations" that breed more hatred and division in the world. I agree totally with aircarz.

Asia is laughing the loudest right now. Put your heads down, be modest, peaceful, work and love your community.
My favourite Hillary line today though was
"abandon al Qaeda and participate in a peaceful, political process" ...just moments after America broke in and shot everyone in Osama's compound. One rule for some and some for others?
The irony has me in stitches.

[noloyalisti]

What garbage from yet another corporate Clinton pawn. We completely destroyed the American Dream except for a few hundred billionaires in the Top 2% because of this.

We were played for fools by corporate CEOs. There is not even evidence Osama did anything. It's just a boogeyman to cover up the evil terrorist acts of America and its military.

[user000049586849302948603]

His did sort of "admit" to it on tape.

[Jazzy_O]

Many politicians have "admitted" doing something that will get them elected. It's populist. He is one man.
There are many who don't like the US military storming their country and raping their women. Not sure how you'd feel if another country's military stormed through here throwing their weight around and having their way. ??
Osama had nothing to do with Suddam.
Yet war is the reason this country needs to print money to pay back the debt...
How many died in 911? 4000 troops died "fighting" nothing ... Bush just needed to regain popularity after his rigging of the voting system made people ill. ******** smart campaigners though....cos it worked, he got re-elected.
I beg the Media...get some journalistic skills and report news so the ignorant comments here can stop!!

[John_Merritt]

One man essentially brought the USA to its knee's. Through multiple wars, trillions PLUS money spent and 100's of thousands of lives lost, injured, maimed and destroyed. Veteran's walking and living on the streets, PTSD and mental health issues run rampant. There are 1 million more Bin Laden's out there, and hate will always follow the USA because it lives and breathes on bullying, violence and attrition to the world. Meanwhile, the country is imploding and the promise of a better tomorrow for the youth is not a promise of hope, as much as one of hang on tight and we will try to save you some scraps. This country lives on war. Jesus preached peace through love. God through King David said 'let us come together and reason'. We are a quasi Christian nation and I am sure if Jesus were alive today he would say 'you did what in my name!'. If that is truly Bin Laden, they should have taken him alive and not buried him at sea as the Navy buries their heroes. Everything this country does comes under question and suspicion.

[reluctantzealot]

Hillary Clinton...didn't she testify before congress about Hussein's WMDs and start the Birther movement?

[user000049586849302948603]

Yeah, right before the sky turned purple, it started to rain Scotch and all the animals acquired the ability to speak.

...in your world.

[reluctantzealot]

You deny her testimony?? You deny her polical campaign was the first to raise the Birther issue?? You actually deny these things? You do know that these things are documented on the internet and that you look like an idiot denying them don't you?

LOL too funny

[smellyecoli5]

Hillary-- on the way home Bill wants you to pick up a couple of boxes of cigars.He needs the "'king size "!!

[crazyname]

Wow what is she trying to do, take the heat off of Obama. That sounds more like a challenge. I don't know how we can win a war with our hands tied behind our backs. Did we win in Iraq? Are we winning anwhere in the world or are we just spending money and lives?

[user000049586849302948603]

You were hoping for olive branches after we just took out their top commander?

Sounds to me like you're really just mad that Obama succeeded where George Bush miserably failed.