All of us, no matter what our station in life, must ensure the truth of what we say. And the more important our position, the more critical it is to ensure this. In terms of international relevance, there is perhaps no more important position in the US Administration, after that of the President, than that of Secretary of State. You cannot if you are the Secretary of State for the USA, afford to make unfounded statements about other countries, you cannot afford to make rash statements, you cannot afford to make silly statements – full stop. The Secretary of State is in a sense the face of the US Administration to the outside world. It is no accident that in the past we have seen the position of Secretary of State being given to persons of stature and maturity, not failed politicians with doubtful credentials. When I think of those who have occupied this position I think of the likes of Dean Acheson, John Foster Dulles, Dean Rusk, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. They were not ‘fly weights’. They were people who were distinguished by achievement in their chosen fields of endeavour. They commanded respect because of their intellect, and who in office as Secretaries of State, conducted themselves with a sense of responsibility.

Quite simply, Hilary Clinton is not up to her job. Her statement accusing the Sri Lankan armed forces of rape is not her first ‘blunder’. In a matter of a few months she has amply demonstrated that she is simply not fit for the high office to which President Obama appointed her.

Hialry Clinton is an embarrassment to the Obama Administration.