Clinton promises new era in U.S. diplomacy

By Sue Pleming

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former New York Sen. Hillary Clinton officially took the helm at the State Department on Thursday, promising a new era in U.S. diplomacy and drawing President Barack Obama as her first VIP guest.

In a sign that he wants diplomacy to play a major role in his administration rather than military might, Obama visited the State Department before going to the Pentagon and told diplomats their work was "critical to our success."

"You will have a secretary of state who has my full confidence," he told a gathering of senior diplomats on Clinton's first full day in the office.

"My appearance today, as has been noted, underscores my commitment to the importance of diplomacy and renewing America's leadership," the president added.

Earlier, about 1,000 employees crammed the entryway to the department and cheered when Clinton arrived.

"I will do all that I can working with you to make it abundantly clear that robust diplomacy and effective development are the best long-term tools for securing America's future," Clinton said.

"I believe with all my heart that this is a new era for America," she said.

Underscoring early foreign policy priorities, Clinton and Obama announced the appointment of two special envoys -- one to deal with trying to get a "sustainable" peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians and another to focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan.