Clinton seeks not to make waves

Senator Hillary Clinton came away from her US Senate hearing on Tuesday with little daylight between her and President-elect Barack Obama on foreign policy but she was forced to defend her husband's fund-raising.

Mrs Clinton managed to avoid any drama or major differences with Mr Obama at the confirmation hearing, despite their heated disagreements over foreign policy on the campaign trail when they were bitter rivals for the Democratic Presidential nomination.

She pointed to some early shifts from the Bush administration, speaking of reviews in US policies on both North Korea and Iran. On Iran, she said engagement was an option but only after consulting allies and a review of what was needed. Like President George W. Bush, she made clear that all options, including military action, were on the table. While she supported the six-party process to end North Korea's nuclear programmes, Mrs Clinton hinted at a willingness to examine alternatives to talks with the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.

She came under rigid questioning from Republicans over her husband's fund-raising activities, indicating close scrutiny if she is confirmed as the top US diplomat. Republican Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana, who promised to support Mrs Clinton, said foreign governments must not be allowed to "curry favour" by pumping money into the Clinton Foundation and asked for tighter rules and more transparency .

While much foreign policy focus in recent weeks has been on Israel's invasion of Gaza, Mrs Clinton was pressed little on this issue. But she did say there must be a greater determination to seek a just and lasting peace deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Darfur will be a focus of her administration and she also indicated changes in policy in allowing the lifting of travel restrictions of relatives with families in Cuba. Another theme of her tenure will be the introduction of a host of special envoys to deal with issues from North Korea to Iran.