Clinton cancels foreign trip, India unlikely to be affected

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Jun 23 (PTI) Recovering from the surgery of
her fractured right elbow, US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton has cancelled her trip to Italy and Greece later this
month, but her trip to India and ASEAN Foreign Ministers
meeting in Thailand next month remains unaffected as of now.

"The Secretary, on doctor's advice, decided not to
travel to Trieste (in Italy) for G-8 Foreign Ministers meeting
and Corfu (Greece) for the OSCE (Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe) meeting," State Department spokesman
Ian Kelly told reporters Tuesday.

Clinton who fractured her right elbow last Wednesday at
the State Department headquarters in Foggy Bottom was operated
over the weekend and is recovering fast. She attended her
official work at her office for some hours Monday.

Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg would lead
the US delegation to Corfu for the OSCE meeting, while Under
Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns will
represent the US at the G-8 Foreign Ministerial meeting.

However, informed sources said that there has been no
change in her plans to her Asia visit later next month, which
includes a stop in India, and in Thailand which is hosting the
ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting from July 13 to 16. Though no
dates have been announced yet and unlikely to be announced
till Clinton recovers completely from her surgery, the travel
schedule could be towards the fag end of next month; subject
to her doctor's approval. PTI