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Clinton: allergy, not anguish in my bin Laden photo

President Barack Obama (2nd L) and Vice President Joe Biden (L), along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. Also pictured are Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (2nd R) and Defense Secretary Robert Gates (R). Please note: A classified document seen in this photograph has been obscured at source. Picture taken May 1, 2011. REUTERS/White House/Pete Souza/Handout

President Barack Obama (2nd L) and Vice President Joe Biden (L), along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. Also pictured are Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (2nd R) and Defense Secretary Robert Gates (R). Please note: A classified document seen in this photograph has been obscured at source. Picture taken May 1, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/White House/Pete Souza/Handout

ROME | Thu May 5, 2011 6:54am EDT

ROME (Reuters) - An allergy and not anguish may explain why Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had her hand to her mouth while watching the commando operation to kill Osama bin Laden, she said on Thursday.

A photo of Clinton, President Barack Obama and other senior officials watching the operation live from the White House situation room has become one of the most striking images of the raid that killed the al Qaeda leader.

The photo shows Clinton with her hand to her mouth in what looks like a gesture of anxiety over the outcome of the operation.

"Those were 38 of the most intense minutes. I have no idea what any of us were looking at that particular millisecond when the picture was taken," she said on Thursday when asked about the photo during a visit to Rome.

"I am somewhat sheepishly concerned that it was my preventing one of my early spring allergic coughs. So it may have no great meaning whatsoever," Clinton added.

(Writing by Barry Moody; Editing by Peter Graff)
Politics
Osama bin Laden
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Comments (73)
szore wrote:
SHE COUGHED INTO HER HAND! Not her elbow crotch?

CALL SIBELIUS! She is in violation of government health board approved coughing procedures! She will spread germs and raise the healthcare costs for all of us!

ARREST HER!

May 05, 2011 7:40am EDT  --  Report as abuse
Marla wrote:
Good grief! I fail to understand whats wrong with Mrs. Clinton, or anyone else expressing anguish while watching, in real time, a covert operation where it is quite likely someone is going to get killed. Allergies or anguish, who cares? I find it quite disturbing that anyone would have to explain an expression of human emotion given the circumstances.

May 05, 2011 8:10am EDT  --  Report as abuse
sugarbabe wrote:
As an allergy sufferer who takes 6 shots a week, this is not a sign of allergies. I am offended that she tries to make allergy sufferers look bad. Come on tell the truth!

May 05, 2011 9:27am EDT  --  Report as abuse
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