Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday she is frustrated over the failure to name a new head of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which she calls a priority.
Clinton, addressing USAID staff who asked why there was no administrator and deputy six months into President Barack Obama's administration, complained about what she called an increasingly burdensome vetting process.
"We've worked very hard with the White House on looking for a candidate," said Clinton who has promised a shift from the Bush administration's reliance on military force to a balance between defense, diplomacy and development.
"The clearance and vetting process is a nightmare. It takes far longer than any of us would want to see, it is frustrating beyond words," the chief US diplomat told hundreds of USAID staff and contractors.
"I pushed very hard last week when I knew I was coming here (USAID) to get permission from the White House to be able to tell you that help is on the way and someone will be nominated shortly," Clinton added.
"The message came back: we're not ready," she said.
But she said Alonzo Fulgham, whom the White House appointed as acting administrator, is representing their interests every day at meetings with the State Department and other agencies.
Clinton said some good prospects for the job were daunted by the vetting process.
She said prospective candidates -- who were not wealthy but otherwise financially sound -- were turned off by the need to hire lawyers and accountants as they prepare for background checks.
"It is ridiculous," Clinton said.
She also complained about the kinds of questions asked.
"First of all, you have to remember everywhere you've lived since you were 18," she said.
"And then one of my all time favorite questions: please tell us every foreign national you know."
Some candidates may be Americans who have family members still living in other countries, adding they find it "ridiculous" that they will have to list the names of every relative so that they can all be interviewed.
"You're sensing my frustration," Clinton said.
