OPINION

Friday, January 23, 2009 5:05 PM

Albright Backs Reversing 'Mexico City Policy,' Offers Clinton Advice

By AMY HARDER

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright praised President Obama for the executive order he signed today that lifts restrictions on federal funding for groups that provide abortion services around the world.

The prohibition, known as the "Mexico City Policy," restricts the U.S.'s ability to engage constructively with other countries, Albright said. Reversing it, she added, is "a very big deal because the big issues internationally have to do with the health of women and on, generally, the right of people to choose what they want to do, having information."

Albright sees this executive order as a promising sign that the Obama administration will work to improve the country's global relations: "In many developing countries there is huge population pressure, so it is another signal that [the U.S. is] rejoining the international community."

The policy has teetered along party lines since its inception in 1984 under Ronald Reagan. Bill Clinton rescinded the rule in 1993, only to have George W. Bush reinstate it in 2001.

Secretary Clinton's Global Sway

Albright, who became the first female secretary of State during the Clinton administration, also offered a few words of wisdom for the woman now at the helm of that same department. "First of all, being secretary of State of the United States is one of the most all-time great jobs representing this country," Albright said. "She is in a position to be a partner in terms of reformulating American foreign policy. That is going to be very important."

She also praised Clinton's debut Thursday at the State Department's headquarters in Foggy Bottom. In her first day on the job, Clinton emphasized the country's three-pronged approach to national security -- defense, diplomacy and development, with the State Department being responsible for the latter two. "I would advise her to really make that a very central part of what she does; to make sure people understands that smart power, which she talked about a lot, is the way to show the best side of America," Albright said.

Clinton is a "known quantity" around the world, she said. Recounting her interaction with Clinton during the '90s, Albright remembers how the then-first lady was identified with human and women's rights internationally. "It was evident that she had quite a large and resounding international role."

Albright went on to hail Obama's selection of his former rival because it demonstrates to other countries what "democratic elections are like in the U.S. You argue and you run against each other, but you are capable of developing a partnership."

Albright On Afghanistan, Pakistan and Why The World's Backing Obama

Albright's comments are part of a larger interview in which she discusses the foreign policy challenges Obama will face and how she sees the global perception of the U.S. changing. Check back with Lost In Transition Monday for the first installment.