LONDON - THE international community welcomed Hillary Clinton's nomination on Monday as US secretary of state in Barack Obama's administration, with only Russia suggesting it would mean no change.
Outgoing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Clinton was an 'inspiration to a lot of people, not just women' and that she would 'bring enormous energy and intellect' to the post of top US diplomat.
Dr Rice - who later performed a piano recital for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace - spoke at a news conference in London with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who said Mrs Clinton's most appealing characteristic is 'a determination to defy fatalism.
'She's someone who believes that human effort can engineer change. I think that's a profoundly important quality that she shares with Secretary Rice,' Mr Miliband added.
Mrs Clinton's nomination was, nevertheless, greeted with pessimism in Russian political circles.
'These nominations inspire no optimism whatsoever,' the Russian lower house's foreign affairs commission chief, Konstantin Kossachev, told Interfax news agency.
Mr Kossachev was also referring to Mr Obama's decision to retain Robert Gates as defense secretary.
'These (appointments) imply continuity, and not a reform of how the White House approaches foreign policy,' Mr Kossachev added.
Mrs Clinton and Mr Gates are 'staunch supporters of the idea of United States domination of the world and of a firm defence of American interests, using whatever means they see fit,' he said.
'Neither will be easy partners for Russia. Bilateral dialogue will not be any less complicated than under George W. Bush's administration.' Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the New York senator would ensure close US-Israeli ties.
'Senator Clinton is a friend of the state of Israel and the Jewish people,' Mr Olmert said in a statement.
Mrs Clinton has taken a tough stance in favour of defending Israel, particularly against a possible nuclear threat from Iran.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, whose country holds the EU presidency, said Europe was ready to work closely with Clinton as part of a renewed trans-Atlantic partnership, 'to meet the economic, climate or security challenges that we all face together,' he said.
Mr Kouchner also called for collaboration 'in defence of human freedom and dignity, to defend peace and security and combat intolerance'.
The secretary for international relations in Spain's ruling Socialist government, Elena Valenciano, said Clinton has the 'proven experience' needed to deal with difficult times ahead.
Sweden's foreign minister Carl Bildt wrote on his blog that Clinton would be a 'committed, competent' partner to the EU presidency - which his country will take from the Czech Republic at the start of July 2009.
'I can't wait to work with her on all sorts of issues,' Mr Bildt added. -- AFP