the leaders , she refused to take questions from any reporters . The Alaska governor initially said that no reporters would be allowed to sit in on her meeting with Karzai . She planned to allow in only photographers and one television crew , but she changed her position after at least five U.S. news networks protested . CNN does not send cameras into candidate events where editorial presence is not allowed . Nonetheless , Biegun said , `` these are relationships that she intuitively understands are very important for the next president and vice president of the United States . '' In those get-togethers , Palin kept the focus primarily on energy issues and the growing influence of Russia , according to Biegun . Palin found Kissinger particularly engrossing ; their meeting had been scheduled to last 30 minutes , but the two met for nearly an hour and a half . `` In talking to Dr. Kissinger , '' Biegun said , `` she certainly had a lot of questions about how the United States can develop a cooperative relationship with Russia , what are some of the unique challenges to the current state of Russia 's political
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Before heading out for a trio of well-publicized meetings with foreign dignitaries Tuesday , Sarah Palin received a briefing from the director of national security , Adm. Michael McConnell . Gov. Sarah Palin is in New York to meet with leaders from around the world . The appearances with world leaders , taking place on the sidelines of the United Nation 's General Assembly meetings in New York , come as the campaign of Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain tries to convince voters that Palin is ready for the world stage . Palin 's top foreign policy adviser informed reporters of the meeting at a small briefing after Palin 's visits with Afghan President Hamid Karzai , Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger . The adviser , Stephen Biegun , formerly a top member of the National Security Council under President Bush , characterized the intelligence briefing as `` routine '' and said it was the sort of meeting that `` is standard for candidates for the vice president and president . '' Biegun said several officials were present to brief Palin . Although Palin held photo-ops with