WEBVTT 00:00.835 --> 00:02.668 - Greetings, everyone. 00:02.681 --> 00:05.348 Welcome to the State Department. 00:07.752 --> 00:09.036 A couple of things briefly at the top, 00:09.036 --> 00:12.503 and then I’ll move on to your questions, if you have any. 00:12.503 --> 00:15.273 First off, I just wanted to note the United States 00:15.273 --> 00:16.758 is deeply saddened by the passing 00:16.758 --> 00:20.034 of former German President Roman Herzog. 00:20.034 --> 00:22.978 Doctor Herzog led Germany with foresight and courage, 00:22.978 --> 00:26.874 helping to bring economic modernization and social change 00:26.874 --> 00:30.207 to make German reunification successful. 00:30.715 --> 00:32.666 His commitment to the rule of law 00:32.666 --> 00:35.222 and the pursuit of justice was evident in his approach 00:35.222 --> 00:37.238 to facing Germany’s past as well as 00:37.238 --> 00:41.405 his long service to Germany’s constitutional court. 00:41.667 --> 00:43.749 The United States extends its condolences 00:43.749 --> 00:47.594 to Doctor Herzog’s wife, or widow, rather, Alexandra, 00:47.594 --> 00:51.609 as well as his two children, as well as the German people. 00:51.609 --> 00:55.442 Also, I wanted to note our strong condemnation 00:55.487 --> 00:58.320 of this morning’s terrorist attack 00:59.201 --> 01:02.237 on the parliamentary buildings in Kabul 01:02.237 --> 01:06.241 that killed 38 Afghans and wounded more than 70 people. 01:06.241 --> 01:09.741 An attack on parliamentarians is, frankly, 01:09.981 --> 01:11.719 an attack on democracy. 01:11.719 --> 01:13.196 We extend our deepest condolences 01:13.196 --> 01:16.388 to the families and friends of those killed and injured. 01:16.388 --> 01:20.555 We’re also, and you’re probably all of you tracking as well, 01:20.699 --> 01:24.811 we’ve also seen reports of an additional attack in Kandahar. 01:24.811 --> 01:28.127 We’re still gathering all the facts, looking into it. 01:28.127 --> 01:30.605 I don’t have anything to confirm at this point, 01:30.605 --> 01:32.029 but as we do get more information in, 01:32.029 --> 01:35.029 we’ll obviously share that with you. 01:35.488 --> 01:38.587 But in short, I can say that the United States 01:38.587 --> 01:41.609 stands strongly with the people of Afghanistan 01:41.609 --> 01:44.634 and remains firmly committed to building a secure, peaceful, 01:44.634 --> 01:47.801 and prosperous future for Afghanistan. 01:47.912 --> 01:48.870 Please, hey. 01:48.870 --> 01:50.432 - Yes, hey. - Hey, how are you? 01:50.432 --> 01:52.522 - [Reporter] Secretary Kerry said today in his remarks 01:52.522 --> 01:56.105 that he had not met with Rex Tillerson yet, 01:56.611 --> 01:59.132 but he sort of implied that he would soon. 01:59.132 --> 02:00.668 Do you have any indication of whether that meeting 02:00.668 --> 02:02.747 would be this week or next week, or when that might happen? 02:02.747 --> 02:04.451 - I don’t, I think they’re still looking into it 02:04.451 --> 02:07.618 and looking at the logistics, frankly. 02:08.125 --> 02:10.371 The Secretary’s been very busy himself, 02:10.371 --> 02:12.817 and obviously Mr. Tillerson’s in town 02:12.817 --> 02:15.984 for his confirmation hearing tomorrow. 02:16.172 --> 02:19.152 But obviously, both individuals, well, 02:19.152 --> 02:21.447 I can’t speak on behalf of Mr. Tillerson, 02:21.447 --> 02:24.199 but I know Secretary Kerry’s very willing and eager 02:24.199 --> 02:26.064 to sit down with him and talk more. 02:26.064 --> 02:28.401 They’ve spoken once by phone already. 02:28.401 --> 02:29.347 So I don’t have anything to confirm. 02:29.347 --> 02:31.686 Obviously, when we do, we’ll let you know. 02:31.686 --> 02:33.639 - Is there, so there’s nothing on the books right now? 02:33.639 --> 02:34.657 - [Mark] Nothing on the books right now. 02:34.657 --> 02:36.410 Still trying to figure it out. 02:36.410 --> 02:38.697 - Okay, and what would Secretary Kerry hope to accomplish 02:38.697 --> 02:40.112 in a meeting with Mr. Tillerson? 02:40.112 --> 02:41.785 What does he kind of want to impart? 02:41.785 --> 02:43.368 - Sure, I think in, 02:43.382 --> 02:45.060 I know Secretary Kerry’s spoken about this. 02:45.060 --> 02:47.551 I think it’s just a chance for him to have 02:47.551 --> 02:49.988 a one-on-one conversation to consult with him 02:49.988 --> 02:52.778 on what he views as the major issues, 02:52.778 --> 02:55.778 and to share with him his viewpoints 02:55.849 --> 02:57.021 on some of these major issues. 02:57.021 --> 02:58.963 I mean, all of you have heard how he feels 02:58.963 --> 03:00.561 about some of the major muscle movements 03:00.561 --> 03:02.460 of this Administration in terms of foreign policy, 03:02.460 --> 03:04.184 whether it’s climate change, 03:04.184 --> 03:06.539 whether it’s the Iran nuclear deal. 03:06.539 --> 03:09.364 But I think the Secretary certainly 03:09.364 --> 03:11.935 would value the opportunity to sit down 03:11.935 --> 03:13.924 one on one with Mr. Tillerson 03:13.924 --> 03:15.825 and really talk about some of the challenges 03:15.825 --> 03:18.075 that he sees going forward. 03:18.226 --> 03:20.132 - [Reporter] Is it simply a question of scheduling, 03:20.132 --> 03:21.647 or is there some reluctance-- 03:21.647 --> 03:24.451 - No, I think it’s, I mean, as far as I know, 03:24.451 --> 03:28.618 it’s simply a matter of just aligning the two schedules. 03:29.691 --> 03:30.976 - [David] But if there isn’t a meeting today, 03:30.976 --> 03:34.809 it won’t happen before the nomination hearing? 03:34.823 --> 03:37.744 - Without divulging the Secretary’s schedule, 03:37.744 --> 03:40.385 he may be out of town for a few days, 03:40.385 --> 03:43.269 so they would have to align all of that. 03:43.269 --> 03:46.492 We may have more to say about that in, later today, 03:46.492 --> 03:50.416 but at this point it’s just trying to align the schedules 03:50.416 --> 03:52.156 of two very busy individuals. 03:52.156 --> 03:52.989 - [David] Do you have any plans 03:52.989 --> 03:55.989 to divulge the Secretary’s schedule? 03:56.435 --> 03:57.931 - As soon as I have something to announce, 03:57.931 --> 04:00.290 I will forthrightly announce it. 04:00.290 --> 04:01.445 - Thanks very much. - Yeah, no worries. 04:01.445 --> 04:03.112 Yeah. - Afghanistan. 04:04.405 --> 04:06.092 - [Reporter] I have one on Kerry real quick. 04:06.092 --> 04:07.101 - Oh yeah, sure, of course, we’ll stay on it. 04:07.101 --> 04:07.934 - If that’s okay. - Yeah, go ahead. 04:07.934 --> 04:08.863 Of course, sorry. 04:08.863 --> 04:12.083 - He mentioned at the talk that there hasn’t been 04:12.083 --> 04:14.200 a lot of high-level exchange between 04:14.200 --> 04:16.044 the transition team and the State Department. 04:16.044 --> 04:18.347 Is the Secretary worried about that, about the transition, 04:18.347 --> 04:19.914 how smoothly it might be going? 04:19.914 --> 04:20.747 - I don’t think, John. 04:20.747 --> 04:22.444 I think you saw from his response 04:22.444 --> 04:24.264 he didn’t seem particularly concerned about it. 04:24.264 --> 04:26.252 I think he was just remarking that, 04:26.252 --> 04:28.832 which is not uncommon with these kinds of transitions. 04:28.832 --> 04:31.043 But as a nominee is confirmed 04:31.043 --> 04:34.492 and certainly that process is moving forward, as I said, 04:34.492 --> 04:36.445 he’ll have his hearing tomorrow, 04:36.445 --> 04:37.920 then the rubber hits the road 04:37.920 --> 04:40.420 and transition in earnest can, 04:40.916 --> 04:43.582 those kinds of exchanges can begin. 04:43.582 --> 04:46.332 I think what we’ve seen thus far, 04:46.672 --> 04:48.925 and I’m hesitant to speak in too much detail. 04:48.925 --> 04:51.211 I’d refer you to the transition team itself, 04:51.211 --> 04:53.794 but what we’ve seen thus far is 04:55.048 --> 04:57.631 the transition team trying to get a sense of 04:57.631 --> 04:59.931 the breadth and scope of what the State Department does 04:59.931 --> 05:02.483 in terms of personnel, in terms of budget, 05:02.483 --> 05:04.295 in terms of different bureaus 05:04.295 --> 05:06.733 and what activities and programs they’re doing. 05:06.733 --> 05:09.054 But I think you’re going to see that obviously 05:09.054 --> 05:11.501 intensify over the last 10 days or so, 05:11.501 --> 05:13.334 or next 10 days or so. 05:13.830 --> 05:15.334 Yeah, Steve, go ahead. 05:15.334 --> 05:17.623 - Following up on your comments about 05:17.623 --> 05:19.873 the attacks in Afghanistan, 05:20.815 --> 05:24.065 I’m assuming you have no reports of any 05:24.433 --> 05:28.600 U.S. personnel wounded in either of these attacks. 05:29.860 --> 05:32.190 Looks like we have some dead diplomats 05:32.190 --> 05:33.713 in the Kandahar blast 05:33.713 --> 05:37.378 and this apparent targeting of parliamentarians 05:37.378 --> 05:41.128 and a guest house where there were diplomats. 05:42.140 --> 05:45.741 Does this seem to indicate a further escalation 05:45.741 --> 05:48.018 in the sophistication of the attackers? 05:48.018 --> 05:52.185 And are you more concerned now about the safety of diplomats 05:54.218 --> 05:56.755 and NGO workers and others in Afghanistan? 05:56.755 --> 05:59.005 - Sure, and I can, I think, 06:00.912 --> 06:05.079 without being able to speak to the situation in Kandahar, 06:05.779 --> 06:09.112 I believe all chief of mission personnel 06:09.647 --> 06:13.338 are accounted for and were not harmed in the Kabul attack. 06:13.338 --> 06:17.088 To my knowledge, there was no, there were no, 06:17.558 --> 06:19.610 chief of mission personnel, rather, 06:19.610 --> 06:20.916 on the ground in Kandahar. 06:20.916 --> 06:22.326 But again, if that, any of that changes 06:22.326 --> 06:24.577 or as we get updates, we’ll certainly let you know. 06:24.577 --> 06:26.835 And in response to your broader question, 06:26.835 --> 06:28.281 I think we’re always concerned. 06:28.281 --> 06:31.531 Look, there has been a consistent trend 06:34.133 --> 06:37.723 of these kinds of senseless acts of violence 06:37.723 --> 06:39.812 on the part of the Taliban. 06:39.812 --> 06:42.260 I know they’ve claimed responsibility for the attack 06:42.260 --> 06:46.427 in Kabul earlier today and we don’t have any reason, 06:46.918 --> 06:49.585 frankly, to question that claim. 06:50.052 --> 06:54.052 But we’re always mindful of the security threats 06:54.498 --> 06:56.172 not just to chief of mission personnel, 06:56.172 --> 06:58.005 not just to diplomats, 06:58.184 --> 07:01.017 but certainly to any NGO personnel 07:01.733 --> 07:05.735 or individuals who are living and working in Afghanistan. 07:05.735 --> 07:07.534 Can’t speak to any change in our posture. 07:07.534 --> 07:11.701 That’s something we’re always assessing, always fine-tuning, 07:11.797 --> 07:14.706 certainly mindful of these attacks. 07:14.706 --> 07:17.467 But it is concerning, to be frank. 07:17.467 --> 07:19.689 - [David] The war in Afghanistan’s gone into its 16th year 07:19.689 --> 07:21.869 and for eight of those years, 07:21.869 --> 07:24.316 President Obama has been President. 07:24.316 --> 07:26.066 He leaves office now. 07:27.315 --> 07:29.786 How content is he with the situation 07:29.786 --> 07:31.082 on the ground in Afghanistan? 07:31.082 --> 07:33.582 Is this in the success column? 07:34.844 --> 07:36.690 - I think it’s in the work in progress column 07:36.690 --> 07:38.921 and I think the President and indeed the Secretary 07:38.921 --> 07:42.171 have spoken frankly about the fact that 07:43.085 --> 07:45.752 we don’t want to see Afghanistan 07:46.158 --> 07:48.274 slide back into what it was. 07:48.274 --> 07:51.539 We, and by “we,” I mean not just the U.S., 07:51.539 --> 07:53.933 but the international community, NATO, 07:53.933 --> 07:57.361 and its partners on the ground, and indeed, 07:57.361 --> 07:58.926 the Afghan Government and the Afghan people 07:58.926 --> 08:02.625 have worked far too hard to see those gains slip away. 08:02.625 --> 08:04.253 It’s about building the capacity of 08:04.253 --> 08:05.774 the Afghan security forces 08:05.774 --> 08:08.607 and consolidating their strengths. 08:09.291 --> 08:12.658 I mean, ultimately, much as we’re trying to do now in Iraq, 08:12.658 --> 08:14.179 we’re trying to build the capacity of 08:14.179 --> 08:17.400 the Afghan security forces to determine 08:17.400 --> 08:21.097 and to provide for the security of the Afghan people, 08:21.097 --> 08:24.097 we’ve also, as you know, worked hard 08:24.413 --> 08:27.496 to foster a Afghan-led peace process, 08:29.438 --> 08:31.617 which, again, ultimately is, we believe, 08:31.617 --> 08:34.867 the way forward, and we encourage that. 08:35.881 --> 08:37.448 Are we always, I don’t think that we can 08:37.448 --> 08:40.849 possibly look at it, though, and say mission accomplished. 08:40.849 --> 08:43.304 We would certainly not say that. 08:43.304 --> 08:46.241 But at the same point, we’re not going to say, 08:46.241 --> 08:48.741 we’re not going to encourage any kind of 08:48.741 --> 08:50.872 walking away from the situation there. 08:50.872 --> 08:52.592 - And you say you don’t want to see it slide back 08:52.592 --> 08:54.009 into what it was. 08:54.613 --> 08:57.288 Do you mean in the sense of a threat to 08:57.288 --> 08:59.227 United States interests outside of Afghanistan 08:59.227 --> 09:00.284 because of a base of terror? 09:00.284 --> 09:01.408 - I think you could, look, you can make the argument-- 09:01.408 --> 09:02.704 - [David] Or do you want it to be a stable, 09:02.704 --> 09:03.920 nice place for Afghans to live in? 09:03.920 --> 09:06.938 - I think the two are mutually reinforcing. 09:06.938 --> 09:11.105 I think we don’t, from purely a national security viewpoint, 09:11.242 --> 09:15.409 we want to see a strong, stable, democratic Afghanistan 09:15.995 --> 09:19.920 that can never again be, provide a safe haven for al-Qaida 09:19.920 --> 09:22.059 or any other terrorist organization. 09:22.059 --> 09:24.009 - Just to follow up? - Yes, go ahead. 09:24.009 --> 09:26.676 - Mark, these attacks are coming 09:26.894 --> 09:30.064 just weeks before the new administration comes in. 09:30.064 --> 09:32.906 You think somebody behind them or the terrorists 09:32.906 --> 09:34.382 are sending some kind of messages 09:34.382 --> 09:37.385 to the current Administration, I mean this building, 09:37.385 --> 09:40.042 and also to the upcoming administration? 09:40.042 --> 09:41.393 - It’s a fair question. 09:41.393 --> 09:43.585 I just can’t get in the minds of 09:43.585 --> 09:47.752 the kinds of people who carry out these senseless attacks. 09:48.493 --> 09:51.157 I don’t know if there’s been, I’d have to look in, 09:51.157 --> 09:53.963 whether there’s been an uptick in these attacks 09:53.963 --> 09:55.582 coming up to inauguration. 09:55.582 --> 09:59.416 I think you’ve still got at least a segment of the Taliban 09:59.416 --> 10:02.916 who are dead-set on carrying out terrorism 10:05.331 --> 10:07.483 as a way to achieve political gain. 10:07.483 --> 10:09.805 And again, it speaks to, I think, 10:09.805 --> 10:11.702 the importance of our resolve, 10:11.702 --> 10:13.009 of the international community’s resolve, 10:13.009 --> 10:15.726 and the Afghan Government’s and security forces’ resolve 10:15.726 --> 10:17.373 to not let that happen. 10:17.373 --> 10:19.209 - [Reporter] Any message for the upcoming administration 10:19.209 --> 10:22.510 as far as these attacks in the region are concerned? 10:22.510 --> 10:23.633 - Well, I have no doubt that the, 10:23.633 --> 10:25.210 that the incoming administration 10:25.210 --> 10:27.171 understands the stakes in Afghanistan. 10:27.171 --> 10:30.838 I don’t think any American who’s been around 10:30.987 --> 10:33.070 for the last 15 years can 10:35.219 --> 10:37.356 not be aware of the stakes in Afghanistan. 10:37.356 --> 10:38.690 Yeah, go ahead. - Afghanistan? 10:38.690 --> 10:39.840 - We’re going to stay in Afghanistan. 10:39.840 --> 10:41.001 Okay, let’s finish up. 10:41.001 --> 10:43.031 - Okay, so Government of Afghanistan say that 10:43.031 --> 10:45.492 these terrorists are able to strike at 10:45.492 --> 10:48.100 whenever they want to because of 10:48.100 --> 10:50.063 the existence of safe havens, 10:50.063 --> 10:52.789 terrorist safe havens inside Pakistan. 10:52.789 --> 10:54.867 And do you agree with their view? 10:54.867 --> 10:57.405 And secondly, do you acknowledge that 10:57.405 --> 11:00.392 even after eight years from this podium U.S. 11:00.392 --> 11:03.155 has been insisting Pakistan to close down these safe havens, 11:03.155 --> 11:05.155 they continue, that U.S. 11:05.172 --> 11:08.219 hasn’t been able to convince Pakistan further? 11:08.219 --> 11:09.969 - Well, it continues, 11:10.027 --> 11:13.183 so the short answer to your first question is yes, 11:13.183 --> 11:15.346 and I think we’ve been very frank 11:15.346 --> 11:18.596 and very open about publicly saying to, 11:19.325 --> 11:22.658 to Pakistan that it needs to not provide 11:23.581 --> 11:25.998 any safe haven to groups that 11:26.325 --> 11:30.492 will or are intent on carrying out attacks on Afghanistan. 11:33.029 --> 11:34.640 We’ve seen some progress, 11:34.640 --> 11:35.916 we’ve seen them take some steps 11:35.916 --> 11:37.953 to address these safe havens, 11:37.953 --> 11:40.409 but clearly the problem persists 11:40.409 --> 11:42.485 and it’s something that’s part of our ongoing conversation, 11:42.485 --> 11:45.501 our ongoing dialogue, our ongoing cooperation with Pakistan. 11:45.501 --> 11:46.554 We’re willing to help them. 11:46.554 --> 11:48.128 I mean, it’s part of, and again, 11:48.128 --> 11:49.265 we’ve talked about this before, 11:49.265 --> 11:53.432 the realization that Afghans, Afghanistan’s security, 11:55.164 --> 11:57.435 Pakistan’s security, indeed India’s security, 11:57.435 --> 11:59.548 they’re all interconnected. 11:59.548 --> 12:02.517 And so as much as they can work in tandem 12:02.517 --> 12:06.278 or work in a partnership on counterterrorism operations, 12:06.278 --> 12:08.504 I think it’s for the betterment of the region. 12:08.504 --> 12:10.515 - But given that the Pakistan’s reluctance 12:10.515 --> 12:12.226 to act against these safe havens, 12:12.226 --> 12:14.704 do you think there’s need for the, 12:14.704 --> 12:16.491 to review the U.S. policy itself 12:16.491 --> 12:18.796 towards Pakistan because it’s not working? 12:18.796 --> 12:19.629 - I don’t want to, I’m certainly 12:19.629 --> 12:20.514 not going to announce anything. 12:20.514 --> 12:24.134 I don’t have anything to, in that regard to speak 12:24.134 --> 12:26.891 to except to say that it is an ongoing issue of concern. 12:26.891 --> 12:28.272 It’s something we raise regularly 12:28.272 --> 12:30.522 with Pakistan’s leadership. 12:30.596 --> 12:33.179 Part of it is, one could argue, 12:34.175 --> 12:36.829 the difficulty of going after some of these safe havens 12:36.829 --> 12:39.996 given the remote areas that they’re in 12:40.230 --> 12:44.110 and providing, or ensuring that the Pakistan military 12:44.110 --> 12:45.802 has the capabilities to do so, 12:45.802 --> 12:48.302 but it’s a persistent problem. 12:49.809 --> 12:51.218 - Thank you. - Yeah. 12:51.218 --> 12:55.006 - On Friday, we discussed here the U.S. guarantee 12:55.006 --> 12:57.978 of a one billion dollar loan to Iraq. 12:57.978 --> 12:59.559 And you very helpfully clarified 12:59.559 --> 13:01.595 that it was a loan guarantee and not a loan, 13:01.595 --> 13:03.428 so thank you for that. 13:03.851 --> 13:06.361 - It was Kirby who did that. - Well, I mean in general. 13:06.361 --> 13:07.495 - [Mark] He’s smarter on that stuff than I am. 13:07.495 --> 13:09.828 - The, the plural you, okay. 13:09.990 --> 13:12.560 - [Mark] Yes, that’s right, the royal you. 13:12.560 --> 13:15.977 - Yes, because you’re royal folks, okay. 13:16.280 --> 13:18.565 But the second part of the question, there was, 13:18.565 --> 13:20.883 there’s a problem in the answer, because it is, 13:20.883 --> 13:23.464 and that question, just to remind ourselves, 13:23.464 --> 13:27.178 was what assurance was there that the Kurdistan region 13:27.178 --> 13:29.595 would receive its fair share. 13:29.934 --> 13:34.101 And the answer assumed an agreement on budget sharing, 13:35.607 --> 13:38.024 but Iraq’s national assembly, 13:38.028 --> 13:40.521 Kirby explained that this budget law 13:40.521 --> 13:43.271 had referred to sharing revenues, 13:44.342 --> 13:48.509 but there is no real agreement on the budget sharing, 13:49.167 --> 13:52.549 because when the national assembly passed that law, 13:52.549 --> 13:55.966 it changed the language in such a fashion 13:56.384 --> 13:59.967 as, so as the Kurdistan region will receive 14:00.882 --> 14:04.616 more revenue if it does not reach an agreement with, 14:04.616 --> 14:07.677 does not abide by this agreement with Baghdad. 14:07.677 --> 14:09.431 If it just sells oil on its own 14:09.431 --> 14:10.862 it’ll get more revenue from that. 14:10.862 --> 14:13.706 So why get less money from Baghdad? 14:13.706 --> 14:15.539 So there is in reality 14:16.933 --> 14:19.608 no agreement about budget sharing, 14:19.608 --> 14:21.415 which means that the Kurdistan region 14:21.415 --> 14:23.366 won’t see any part of any loan 14:23.366 --> 14:25.341 that the Iraqi Government might conclude 14:25.341 --> 14:27.841 which the U.S. has guaranteed. 14:28.424 --> 14:31.613 So my question, are you involved in any effort 14:31.613 --> 14:34.751 to resolve this dispute between Baghdad and Erbil 14:34.751 --> 14:36.794 and are you hopeful of a resolution? 14:36.794 --> 14:40.961 - So these discussions between Baghdad or between, 14:42.068 --> 14:44.735 well, frankly, Baghdad and the KRG 14:44.735 --> 14:48.318 on budgetary issues are an internal matter, 14:48.947 --> 14:51.691 an internal Iraqi matter, and so, 14:51.691 --> 14:54.802 I have to refer you to the Government of Iraq. 14:54.802 --> 14:57.052 I think we’re encouraged by 14:57.961 --> 15:00.515 what we would view as the unprecedented cooperation 15:00.515 --> 15:04.569 that’s been shown between Baghdad and the KRG in the fight, 15:04.569 --> 15:06.230 in the overall fight against Daesh 15:06.230 --> 15:09.578 and the liberation of Mosul, which is ongoing, as you know. 15:09.578 --> 15:12.089 And we believe that the sovereign loan guarantee 15:12.089 --> 15:15.589 will help the Government of Iraq meet its, 15:15.919 --> 15:17.919 the needs of all Iraqis, 15:19.163 --> 15:21.163 and by all Iraqis I mean 15:21.448 --> 15:24.686 including those in the Kurdistan Region. 15:24.686 --> 15:28.853 So to sum up, internal matter for them to discuss, 15:30.608 --> 15:33.358 but we hope that this, as I said, 15:33.701 --> 15:35.133 this arrangement would benefit 15:35.133 --> 15:36.688 and meet the needs of all Iraqis, 15:36.688 --> 15:38.660 including those in Kurdistan Region. 15:38.660 --> 15:42.410 - Well, if one had a less benign view of the, 15:43.278 --> 15:45.407 what Baghdad might, might do 15:45.407 --> 15:48.652 and was not hopeful that it would share the money 15:48.652 --> 15:50.819 with the Kurdistan Region, 15:51.027 --> 15:53.041 are there other ways to address this problem? 15:53.041 --> 15:54.409 Because the need of the Kurdistan Region 15:54.409 --> 15:57.159 is not less than that of Baghdad, 15:58.034 --> 16:01.553 and maybe something like guaranteeing a loan to, 16:01.553 --> 16:03.729 would you consider guaranteeing a loan to Erbil 16:03.729 --> 16:06.146 just like you did to Baghdad? 16:06.411 --> 16:09.411 - I don’t think we’re at that point. 16:09.961 --> 16:13.248 I don’t think that’s something we’re necessarily looking at. 16:13.248 --> 16:15.851 Look, I mean, as I said, we’ve signed this loan. 16:15.851 --> 16:18.479 We believe it should be to the benefit of all Iraqis, 16:18.479 --> 16:20.610 and that includes the citizens 16:20.610 --> 16:23.777 or the people of the Kurdistan Region. 16:23.850 --> 16:25.712 But as you well know, the United States 16:25.712 --> 16:28.295 has also taken measures to help 16:29.656 --> 16:33.823 the Kurdistan Regional Government and the people there. 16:33.927 --> 16:36.538 I think we’ve provided over one billion dollars 16:36.538 --> 16:40.621 in humanitarian emergency assistance through the, 16:42.846 --> 16:45.743 our Bureau of Population, Migration, and Resource, 16:45.743 --> 16:47.410 or Refugees, rather. 16:47.577 --> 16:48.938 And the majority of those funds 16:48.938 --> 16:50.855 have gone to the Kurdistan Region. 16:50.855 --> 16:53.077 But we’re not talking about another loan guarantee 16:53.077 --> 16:55.744 at this point that I’m aware of. 16:55.780 --> 16:58.601 We expect this to be resolved internally. 16:58.601 --> 16:59.648 - [Reporter] Well, let me formulate, 16:59.648 --> 17:00.658 last way of formulating it. 17:00.658 --> 17:02.397 - Yeah, sure, go ahead. 17:02.397 --> 17:06.564 - Because, as the United States did guarantee this loan, 17:07.644 --> 17:09.146 assuming that Baghdad will, in fact, 17:09.146 --> 17:11.226 get a considerable loan from someplace 17:11.226 --> 17:12.629 guaranteed by the United States, 17:12.629 --> 17:16.319 is it your intent to use your influence with Baghdad 17:16.319 --> 17:17.550 to make sure that that money 17:17.550 --> 17:20.967 is also shared with the Kurdistan Region? 17:21.396 --> 17:25.063 - Well, as you note, it is an, it is a loan, 17:25.595 --> 17:29.428 and that does give us some degree of influence 17:29.493 --> 17:30.910 on how it’s used. 17:31.176 --> 17:32.813 I think I would just stay where I was, 17:32.813 --> 17:35.916 which is I thought I was very clear on the fact that 17:35.916 --> 17:39.379 we believe that this money should be shared 17:39.379 --> 17:41.308 and should be available to all Iraqis, 17:41.308 --> 17:43.083 and that includes the Kurdistan Region. 17:43.083 --> 17:44.223 Okay, I’ll stop there. 17:44.223 --> 17:45.717 Please, sir. - On Syria? 17:45.717 --> 17:46.656 - Yeah, please. 17:46.656 --> 17:49.535 - During yesterday’s briefing on the context of 17:49.535 --> 17:52.035 political transition in Syria, 17:52.133 --> 17:55.300 Kirby said that it’s a UN-led process, 17:55.484 --> 17:58.083 and opposition and the regime begin to have a discussion 17:58.083 --> 18:01.868 about what a political transition can look like in Syria. 18:01.868 --> 18:04.535 I was wondering where PYD stands 18:05.053 --> 18:07.206 for State Department in this process. 18:07.206 --> 18:10.984 Like, do you consider PYD as a part of opposition? 18:10.984 --> 18:13.583 And also if State Department would support 18:13.583 --> 18:17.750 PYD to take part in any meeting organized by UN-led process. 18:19.003 --> 18:20.883 - Okay, sorry, so just to make sure I heard, 18:20.883 --> 18:24.573 so you’re talking about how the PYD would fit 18:24.573 --> 18:26.175 into any kind of a political process. 18:26.175 --> 18:27.561 - If it’s opposition and the regime. 18:27.561 --> 18:28.639 - Yes, of course. 18:28.639 --> 18:29.534 And then the other question was whether 18:29.534 --> 18:31.951 we would participate in that. 18:32.089 --> 18:34.755 - Whether you would support PYD taking part in this process. 18:34.755 --> 18:36.366 - Ah-ha, of course, I see. 18:36.366 --> 18:38.449 Well, look, first of all, 18:40.478 --> 18:44.645 as we’ve said very often over many, many, frankly, years, 18:47.477 --> 18:51.560 we believe that a UN-sponsored political solution 18:52.020 --> 18:56.020 is the only way to resolve the conflict in Syria 18:57.042 --> 19:00.292 and end the now six-year-old war there. 19:01.809 --> 19:04.559 And our position has not changed. 19:05.480 --> 19:08.280 So we would like nothing more than to see 19:08.280 --> 19:12.447 this political negotiations back up and running in Geneva, 19:12.832 --> 19:14.159 because ultimately, as I said, 19:14.159 --> 19:16.342 that’s what’s going to, we believe, 19:16.342 --> 19:18.675 lead to some kind of process 19:19.430 --> 19:21.227 and political transition that is 19:21.227 --> 19:23.038 in the interests of the Syrian people. 19:23.038 --> 19:25.349 Now, who participates in that, 19:25.349 --> 19:28.432 that’s really for the groups involved 19:28.995 --> 19:31.225 and the Syrian people to determine. 19:31.225 --> 19:33.304 What our position has been, 19:33.304 --> 19:36.696 broadly speaking and addressing your specific question, 19:36.696 --> 19:38.779 is that the Syrian Kurds, 19:40.485 --> 19:42.976 that this process has to include all Syrians, 19:42.976 --> 19:45.708 and that includes the Syrian Kurds. 19:45.708 --> 19:48.738 - So you are saying the PYD can take part on the table? 19:48.738 --> 19:51.497 - At some point, they have to be a part of this process, 19:51.497 --> 19:54.176 is our consideration. - And one more question. 19:54.176 --> 19:57.022 Washington Post published an article couple days ago 19:57.022 --> 20:00.975 on training program of Syrian Democratic Forces. 20:00.975 --> 20:03.701 The article points that during the training program, 20:03.701 --> 20:07.108 recruits must learn the ideology of Abdullah Ocalan, 20:07.108 --> 20:09.474 who is the leader of the terrorist group PKK. 20:09.474 --> 20:11.670 I would like to know if State Department aware of 20:11.670 --> 20:13.857 how these classes on this training program 20:13.857 --> 20:15.440 have been designed. 20:16.705 --> 20:17.538 - Sure. 20:20.246 --> 20:24.142 So I’m not aware of the, I’m aware that the, of the article, 20:24.142 --> 20:28.309 and the different vignettes or stories conveyed in it. 20:29.246 --> 20:32.716 I can’t speak to whether in fact that’s the case or not. 20:32.716 --> 20:34.363 I can’t verify that. 20:34.363 --> 20:35.863 What I can say is, 20:36.621 --> 20:39.621 with regard to the question of whether we provide support 20:39.621 --> 20:43.788 to the Kurdish military groups, the YPG and the PYD, 20:43.837 --> 20:47.523 we provide some support, but it’s tactical support 20:47.523 --> 20:49.856 to Syrian Democratic Forces, 20:50.628 --> 20:54.795 and that’s focused on defeating Daesh, nothing else. 20:54.911 --> 20:55.744 Go ahead. 20:55.744 --> 20:58.403 - But the article also points that during the classes, 20:58.403 --> 21:02.153 the American advisers also present the scene. 21:03.190 --> 21:07.357 So basically, the American advisers that are being sent by 21:07.763 --> 21:11.217 the Washington also takes part in the class, 21:11.217 --> 21:12.215 during the class. 21:12.215 --> 21:15.298 - Well, again, what I can say is that 21:15.572 --> 21:18.191 we do have advisers on the ground. 21:18.191 --> 21:20.429 We’ve talked about that before, 21:20.429 --> 21:24.029 and they are working, I said, as providing support, 21:24.029 --> 21:25.712 some of it tactical support, 21:25.712 --> 21:28.249 for these different groups who have been 21:28.249 --> 21:31.166 very effective at going after Daesh 21:32.388 --> 21:35.339 and destroying it and dislodging it from 21:35.339 --> 21:38.043 the territory it’s holding in northern Syria. 21:38.043 --> 21:41.476 But, and I think Kirby was very clear on this the other day, 21:41.476 --> 21:45.333 we regard the PKK as a foreign terrorist organization, 21:45.333 --> 21:48.432 and we support Turkey in its efforts to 21:48.432 --> 21:50.682 confront that organization. 21:51.539 --> 21:54.956 And we strongly condemn the PKK’s actions 21:55.540 --> 21:58.873 to harm or kill Turkish security forces. 22:00.968 --> 22:02.878 - One last one. - Yeah, please. 22:02.878 --> 22:05.564 - Have you received any report from these advisers 22:05.564 --> 22:07.111 that during the classes, 22:07.111 --> 22:10.528 very strong anti-Turkish rhetoric is used 22:10.729 --> 22:12.487 in these training programs? 22:12.487 --> 22:13.487 Have you received such reports? 22:13.487 --> 22:14.320 - I have not. 22:14.320 --> 22:15.435 I’m not aware of it personally. 22:15.435 --> 22:18.352 I just don’t have that sense of it. 22:19.400 --> 22:21.306 Again, I think it’s important, 22:21.306 --> 22:24.012 and I just want to make very clear that, 22:24.012 --> 22:27.103 because, and it’s not just some of the things 22:27.103 --> 22:29.037 in this article, but other things 22:29.037 --> 22:30.737 we’ve been seeing circulating, 22:30.737 --> 22:34.654 we do not provide weaponry, weapons to the YPG. 22:35.824 --> 22:37.893 We provide them with tactical support, 22:37.893 --> 22:41.310 air support for some of their operations. 22:42.928 --> 22:45.678 We do that out of our belief that 22:49.661 --> 22:51.711 they are a very capable fighting force, 22:51.711 --> 22:53.732 as are other Syrian groups, 22:53.732 --> 22:57.232 like the Syrian Arabs and the Syrian Turkmen, 22:57.232 --> 22:59.736 in going after ISIL and going after Daesh. 22:59.736 --> 23:02.569 There is no other secondary reason 23:04.842 --> 23:07.030 for any kind of support we would offer these groups. 23:07.030 --> 23:08.894 And we’re mindful, sorry, just to finish, 23:08.894 --> 23:10.907 and we’re mindful of the sensitivities. 23:10.907 --> 23:13.420 Obviously, we’re mindful of Turkey’s concerns 23:13.420 --> 23:14.875 about this group, sorry, go ahead. 23:14.875 --> 23:17.712 - [Reporter] And no weapon, but is State Department 23:17.712 --> 23:20.216 also aware of the curriculum of these training programs, 23:20.216 --> 23:23.020 I mean, what’s being taught to recruits? 23:23.020 --> 23:24.120 - I’m sorry, one more, one last time? 23:24.120 --> 23:25.442 - I was wondering if State Department 23:25.442 --> 23:26.693 aware of the curriculum, 23:26.693 --> 23:29.264 the schedule of these training programs, 23:29.264 --> 23:30.579 what’s being taught to the-- 23:30.579 --> 23:32.341 - I wouldn’t be able to speak to that, I just don’t know. 23:32.341 --> 23:34.330 It might be a question better directed 23:34.330 --> 23:35.715 to the Department of Defense. 23:35.715 --> 23:36.548 - Follow-up? - I’ll get to you. 23:36.548 --> 23:37.757 Yeah, I’ll get to you, I’ll get to you, yeah, please. 23:37.757 --> 23:39.463 - Thank you, follow-up. 23:39.463 --> 23:43.546 Few months ago, Secretary of Defense, Mr. Carter, 23:44.224 --> 23:45.557 was on the Hill. 23:45.775 --> 23:49.942 And he was basically telling I think Senator Graham 23:50.711 --> 23:54.878 that U.S. ended giving weaponry support to Syrian Kurds. 23:58.523 --> 24:00.856 Do you think there is some-- 24:01.931 --> 24:03.264 - No, I’m sorry. 24:03.390 --> 24:05.234 I don’t have his testimony in front of me. 24:05.234 --> 24:09.330 I think what we have done is we’ve provided equipment 24:09.330 --> 24:11.837 to some of the vetted Syrian Arab elements 24:11.837 --> 24:14.504 of the Syrian Democratic Forces. 24:15.543 --> 24:18.332 And that equipment has included ammunition, 24:18.332 --> 24:20.096 other tactical equipment, 24:20.096 --> 24:22.697 to assist in their counter-Daesh operations. 24:22.697 --> 24:24.390 But those are vetted Syrian Arab groups. 24:24.390 --> 24:26.141 We’ve not provided that I’m aware of 24:26.141 --> 24:30.308 any military hardware or weaponry to Kurdish forces. 24:32.971 --> 24:36.938 - On Syria, Turkish forces and Turkey-backed forces 24:36.938 --> 24:39.105 are still sieging al-Bab. 24:40.322 --> 24:43.239 It has been I think four weeks now. 24:43.844 --> 24:46.013 Do you have any update on the coordination 24:46.013 --> 24:47.820 with the Turkish forces around? 24:47.820 --> 24:50.169 - Sure, I do, actually, a little bit more detail 24:50.169 --> 24:52.002 I think I can provide. 24:53.795 --> 24:55.856 As you know and you noted, 24:55.856 --> 25:00.023 we have been supporting Turkish operations in northern Syria 25:00.266 --> 25:01.245 to help secure its border, 25:01.245 --> 25:03.605 to help counter the flow of foreign fighters, 25:03.605 --> 25:04.820 and that’s been pretty successful. 25:04.820 --> 25:06.914 In fact, the Secretary was 25:06.914 --> 25:10.331 citing this in his remarks earlier today. 25:10.395 --> 25:12.788 And that’s been through airstrikes, 25:12.788 --> 25:15.205 intel, critical intelligence, 25:15.578 --> 25:19.745 and we’ve also partnered with Turkish forces on the ground. 25:20.799 --> 25:24.049 But specifically with regard to al-Bab, 25:24.393 --> 25:26.893 the coalition has now provided 25:28.265 --> 25:31.962 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support, 25:31.962 --> 25:34.045 what we call ISR support, 25:34.871 --> 25:39.038 to Turkish, to our Turkish partners, but to Turkish forces. 25:39.880 --> 25:41.492 And we’re poised now to provide 25:41.492 --> 25:45.492 additional support as these operations continue. 25:46.864 --> 25:50.906 We’re consulting with our Turkish counterparts on this, 25:50.906 --> 25:53.361 how to do it on a regular basis 25:53.361 --> 25:55.444 and to maximize, I guess, 25:56.734 --> 25:59.507 the overall effect of our operations 25:59.507 --> 26:02.381 to counter ISIL on as many fronts as possible, 26:02.381 --> 26:03.214 because that’s part of it. 26:03.214 --> 26:06.247 We want to put as much pressure as we can collectively 26:06.247 --> 26:10.414 on Daesh or on ISIL to ensure their rapid military defeat. 26:12.440 --> 26:16.136 So we’re committed to defeating ISIL in al-Bab 26:16.136 --> 26:19.393 and helping support Turkey and Turkish forces 26:19.393 --> 26:21.707 as they conduct those operations. 26:21.707 --> 26:22.540 Go ahead. 26:22.540 --> 26:24.790 - Final question on Turkey. 26:25.312 --> 26:29.479 There’s a, these wide-ranging constitution changes right now 26:31.845 --> 26:34.845 are being debated at the parliament. 26:34.959 --> 26:38.458 I think so far one or two articles passed, 26:38.458 --> 26:40.916 and there is a criticism that this is basically 26:40.916 --> 26:45.083 changing the system but also the regime of the country, 26:45.561 --> 26:48.811 especially on the separation of powers. 26:48.888 --> 26:51.721 What’s your view on those changes? 26:52.946 --> 26:57.113 - I would say that obviously we’re watching it closely 26:57.323 --> 27:00.058 as a partner and as an ally of Turkey’s, 27:00.058 --> 27:01.973 but I’m not going to wade into what is 27:01.973 --> 27:04.581 an internal matter between the Turkish parliament 27:04.581 --> 27:06.748 and the people to decide. 27:08.244 --> 27:10.015 - But if the-- - Sure, go ahead. 27:10.015 --> 27:12.765 - The criticism is that basically 27:13.410 --> 27:17.577 the regime change in Turkey, the democracy is about values, 27:18.798 --> 27:20.631 and as far as we know, 27:20.767 --> 27:24.353 the partnership between Turkey and U.S. and NATO 27:24.353 --> 27:28.520 and the Western community is based on also the values. 27:29.481 --> 27:31.667 If these changes are changing 27:31.667 --> 27:35.084 and basically making a different country, 27:36.982 --> 27:41.065 isn’t that something about universal values and-- 27:41.226 --> 27:45.393 - I mean, sure, and we’ve talked about this before. 27:46.071 --> 27:49.226 The value of Turkey’s democracy, as we’ve said, 27:49.226 --> 27:53.150 matters to us, and I think it matters to the Turkish people, 27:53.150 --> 27:54.874 and we’re mindful of that. 27:54.874 --> 27:56.957 And I also don’t want to, 27:57.934 --> 28:00.601 we don’t want to attempt to sway 28:00.899 --> 28:04.086 what is a democratic process right now, 28:04.086 --> 28:06.420 a debate ongoing in the country, 28:06.420 --> 28:08.920 but of course we’re mindful of 28:10.813 --> 28:12.021 Turkey’s democratic values 28:12.021 --> 28:15.271 and our desire to see those maintained. 28:15.692 --> 28:16.591 Please, go ahead. 28:16.591 --> 28:17.550 - [David] Yeah, just to follow up on the, 28:17.550 --> 28:18.773 what you were saying before about 28:18.773 --> 28:21.931 the support for the Kurdish fighters and the SDF. 28:21.931 --> 28:26.098 If the PYD is not the PKK, why won’t you arm them? 28:28.427 --> 28:29.557 - It’s a fair question. 28:29.557 --> 28:31.220 - [David] You’re arming the Arab elements of the SDF 28:31.220 --> 28:32.958 but the majority are Kurds. 28:32.958 --> 28:33.791 You’re not arming them, 28:33.791 --> 28:35.199 so you must have concerns about them. 28:35.199 --> 28:36.353 - Sure, sure, sure, sure. 28:36.353 --> 28:40.186 Well, a couple of points, but I think overall, 28:42.502 --> 28:44.190 and we’ve said this all along, 28:44.190 --> 28:48.309 is that while we believe that the focus of the YPD 28:48.309 --> 28:52.476 is on defeating Daesh, and we’re helping them as we, 28:54.154 --> 28:57.370 as they take that on, as I said, through tactical support, 28:57.370 --> 29:00.370 we’re also mindful of others’ views, 29:02.366 --> 29:05.495 and by “others” I mean the Turkish Government’s viewpoint, 29:05.495 --> 29:08.578 and the sensitivities around the YPD. 29:09.596 --> 29:11.088 - [Reporter] An additional follow-up to that? 29:11.088 --> 29:12.664 - Of course, please, I’m sorry. 29:12.664 --> 29:16.581 - Yeah, you answered the question earlier about 29:17.098 --> 29:20.439 the PYD involvement in the Syrian political process, 29:20.439 --> 29:22.944 and you said there needs to be all Syrians 29:22.944 --> 29:26.793 involved in this political process including the PYD. 29:26.793 --> 29:28.597 Are you aware or what’s the position 29:28.597 --> 29:31.242 of other members of the Syrian support group, 29:31.242 --> 29:33.325 like Turkey, Iran, Russia 29:34.823 --> 29:36.704 on that issue of PYD representation? 29:36.704 --> 29:38.677 Is it the same or is it different? 29:38.677 --> 29:40.719 - I don’t want to speak on behalf of 29:40.719 --> 29:44.011 or on the part of other members of the ISSG. 29:44.011 --> 29:47.909 Look, they weren’t part of this vetted Syrian opposition, 29:47.909 --> 29:50.218 moderate opposition that was put forward. 29:50.218 --> 29:52.878 You remember early on in the ISSG process 29:52.878 --> 29:55.589 there was this group that was put forward. 29:55.589 --> 29:58.637 But I think it’s always been our consideration, 29:58.637 --> 30:01.304 and, frankly, it’s just kind of, 30:01.690 --> 30:04.023 if nothing else, a realistic 30:06.230 --> 30:10.397 assessment of the fact that the YPG is, YPD, rather, 30:10.736 --> 30:14.903 is a force on the ground, is a representative group, 30:18.500 --> 30:20.738 and their voice will need to be heard in any kind of 30:20.738 --> 30:23.888 long-term solution to the situation in Syria. 30:23.888 --> 30:26.282 And it’s in that spirit that we say that 30:26.282 --> 30:28.091 if there’s going to be a political process 30:28.091 --> 30:31.612 that leads to a political transition, a more democratic one, 30:31.612 --> 30:32.565 that’s going to have to be accepted 30:32.565 --> 30:34.238 by all of the Syrian people. 30:34.238 --> 30:35.776 - But have you discussed this with 30:35.776 --> 30:38.052 any of the other members of the ISSG yet? 30:38.052 --> 30:41.102 - I mean, I, I can imagine it has been talked about, yes. 30:41.102 --> 30:42.184 - Mark, can you-- - Yeah, please. 30:42.184 --> 30:44.442 - Asia, please? - Sure, sure. 30:44.442 --> 30:45.942 - Yes. - No hurry. 30:47.530 --> 30:49.030 I’m here all week. 30:50.229 --> 30:53.146 - On the China, South Korea, Japan. 30:53.490 --> 30:54.323 - [Mark] Of course. 30:54.323 --> 30:57.823 - And over 10 of Chinese military aircraft 30:58.307 --> 31:02.224 infiltrated the Air Defense Identification Zone 31:04.504 --> 31:07.337 of South Korea and Japan yesterday 31:08.195 --> 31:11.112 on violation of Chinese Government. 31:11.643 --> 31:13.893 How do you comment on this? 31:14.954 --> 31:18.348 - On, I’m sorry, what were you talking about? 31:18.348 --> 31:22.515 - Chinese military aircraft, they infiltrate nation’s, 31:22.684 --> 31:25.684 the Air Defense Identification Zones 31:25.887 --> 31:28.804 of South Korea and Japan yesterday. 31:29.673 --> 31:32.957 - Yeah, I think we’ve seen reports about this. 31:32.957 --> 31:36.341 I don’t have any particular comment on it. 31:36.341 --> 31:40.508 Obviously, we’d have to look more into the incident 31:41.490 --> 31:44.323 and to determine who was at fault. 31:44.836 --> 31:47.419 - Do you think that this is the 31:47.455 --> 31:51.538 military demonstration against U.S., maybe China? 31:54.387 --> 31:55.787 - Do I think it’s what, a Chinese-- 31:55.787 --> 31:58.965 - Do you think, yeah, this is a Chinese 31:58.965 --> 32:03.132 military demonstration against the United States and Japan? 32:03.214 --> 32:05.037 - Again, I’d have to look more into the incident 32:05.037 --> 32:07.870 to find out what exactly happened. 32:08.017 --> 32:10.350 Again, I’m aware of reports. 32:11.237 --> 32:13.820 Look, I mean, I would hope not. 32:16.214 --> 32:17.549 As we’ve been very clear 32:17.549 --> 32:20.549 about our operations in the Pacific, 32:21.311 --> 32:23.542 we believe in freedom of navigation, 32:23.542 --> 32:27.042 we believe in the right for any government 32:27.850 --> 32:31.850 to fly, sail, whatever, in international waters, 32:32.439 --> 32:35.205 but we also don’t want to see any kind of escalation 32:35.205 --> 32:36.805 of tensions in the region. 32:36.805 --> 32:38.423 In fact, just the opposite. 32:38.423 --> 32:40.435 We want to work with all parties 32:40.435 --> 32:42.155 and all governments in the region 32:42.155 --> 32:45.189 to try to de-escalate and create mechanisms 32:45.189 --> 32:49.356 by which any kind of assertion of territorial aggression 32:52.637 --> 32:55.061 or whatever would be determined 32:55.061 --> 32:57.263 through a diplomatic process. 32:57.263 --> 33:01.096 - Why United States didn’t look at it clearly? 33:01.248 --> 33:03.498 Because this is very serious issue 33:03.498 --> 33:04.967 because China is actually-- 33:04.967 --> 33:07.153 - Again, I just don’t have, I apologize, 33:07.153 --> 33:09.140 I just don’t have details in front of me. 33:09.140 --> 33:11.598 I’m aware of it, I just don’t have any reaction for you. 33:11.598 --> 33:13.030 If we do, I’ll let you know, okay? 33:13.030 --> 33:13.863 - [Janne] All right, okay. 33:13.863 --> 33:14.839 - [Reporter] May I have another follow-up? 33:14.839 --> 33:15.672 - Of course. 33:15.672 --> 33:17.615 - [Reporter] Yeah, there’s also another report said 33:17.615 --> 33:20.106 that the Chinese aircraft carrier is heading back 33:20.106 --> 33:23.321 to its base, but sailing through, passing through, 33:23.321 --> 33:26.394 the Taiwan Strait, are you aware of it? 33:26.394 --> 33:28.094 - You’re talking about the aircraft carrier that-- 33:28.094 --> 33:29.619 - [Reporter] Yes, the Liaoning. 33:29.619 --> 33:33.786 - Yeah, again, I’m not particularly aware of that. 33:39.002 --> 33:40.700 I would just almost say the same thing, 33:40.700 --> 33:42.130 which is that the United States recognizes 33:42.130 --> 33:44.615 the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea 33:44.615 --> 33:46.555 and the airspace that’s guaranteed to all countries 33:46.555 --> 33:49.638 in accordance with international law. 33:49.985 --> 33:54.068 So provided they’re in accordance with those laws 33:54.103 --> 33:57.603 and operating within international waters, 33:58.563 --> 33:59.811 we wouldn’t have a problem. 33:59.811 --> 34:01.819 - Do you see this operation 34:01.819 --> 34:05.030 as escalating or de-escalating tensions? 34:05.030 --> 34:07.030 - As I said, I hope not. 34:07.538 --> 34:10.455 Part of our overall strategy within 34:12.284 --> 34:16.451 that area of the Pacific and Asia is to try to de-escalate, 34:17.222 --> 34:19.639 is to, we want to, as I said, 34:21.140 --> 34:24.765 create mechanisms for governments, for countries, 34:24.765 --> 34:27.657 to talk through some of these issues 34:27.657 --> 34:31.412 that they have with, regarding claims and whatever, 34:31.412 --> 34:34.079 and to try to create, as I said, 34:34.265 --> 34:37.729 diplomatic mechanisms to deal with these issues. 34:37.729 --> 34:39.813 We certainly don’t want to see shows of force 34:39.813 --> 34:41.867 or any kind of escalation. 34:41.867 --> 34:45.950 - Is Taiwan Strait sort of the international sea, 34:46.673 --> 34:48.506 from your perspective? 34:49.119 --> 34:50.942 - I’m not sure. - Okay. 34:50.942 --> 34:52.578 - Yeah, please, yeah. 34:52.578 --> 34:53.767 - One final on North Korea. 34:53.767 --> 34:57.934 At the event this morning that Secretary Kerry spoke at, 34:58.365 --> 35:01.282 former Secretary of State Albright, 35:02.185 --> 35:05.543 talking about North Korea, referred to Kim Jong-un as, 35:05.543 --> 35:07.126 quote, “a nutcase.” 35:08.644 --> 35:11.561 How does the current Administration 35:12.043 --> 35:14.770 characterize the North Korean leader? 35:14.770 --> 35:18.889 - I’ll refrain from that kind of colorful assessment, 35:18.889 --> 35:23.056 but I think, obviously, we’re very concerned about 35:25.586 --> 35:27.811 both the North Korean leader’s behavior, 35:27.811 --> 35:31.311 but the behavior of his regime writ large, 35:32.860 --> 35:36.443 its intent on pursuing nuclear capabilities 35:39.152 --> 35:43.069 that is creating instability, to put it mildly, 35:46.700 --> 35:49.336 in the region, and raising the concerns, 35:49.336 --> 35:53.503 legitimate concerns of not just along the Korean Peninsula, 35:54.544 --> 35:57.961 but among other countries, notably China, 35:59.270 --> 36:01.914 indeed the U.S., Japan, and others. 36:01.914 --> 36:05.581 And so we’re, it’s one of those issues that, 36:07.268 --> 36:09.000 when this Administration 36:09.000 --> 36:11.203 transitions to the new administration, 36:11.203 --> 36:14.203 is going to remain a serious concern 36:14.818 --> 36:18.818 and a serious challenge that we need to address. 36:18.979 --> 36:20.021 - [Reporter] India. 36:20.021 --> 36:21.623 - [Janne] No, one more on North Korea. 36:21.623 --> 36:22.765 - Yeah, sure, go ahead. 36:22.765 --> 36:25.824 - North Korean high-ranking officials, 36:25.824 --> 36:28.824 defectors, his name is Thae Yong Ho, 36:29.262 --> 36:32.512 recently, he confessioned and have also 36:34.427 --> 36:36.775 a news conference in South Korea. 36:36.775 --> 36:40.942 He said the Six-Party Talks is not working for the, remove, 36:42.886 --> 36:45.969 give up North Korean nuclear weapons. 36:46.278 --> 36:49.861 Do you think we need still Six-Party Talks? 36:50.247 --> 36:51.839 - Do I think we need to? 36:51.839 --> 36:55.808 - [Janne] Six-Party Talks for the result of the nuclear-- 36:55.808 --> 36:57.776 - I’m sorry, just the nut of your question. 36:57.776 --> 36:59.919 You’re saying do I think we need to move beyond that, 36:59.919 --> 37:02.456 or to leave it behind as a, as kind of a-- 37:02.456 --> 37:04.715 - [Janne] For, to Six-Party Talks. 37:04.715 --> 37:06.479 - Yeah, I don’t think any, 37:06.479 --> 37:07.784 I don’t think we’re quite there yet. 37:07.784 --> 37:08.917 I don’t think we’re ready to do that. 37:08.917 --> 37:11.494 I think that we’re trying to address 37:11.494 --> 37:15.661 the challenge of North Korea along multiple lines of effort, 37:16.611 --> 37:18.914 one of which, as you know, is sanctions. 37:18.914 --> 37:20.633 We’ve now got the most rigorous 37:20.633 --> 37:24.800 sanctions regime in place against North Korea ever, 37:25.236 --> 37:27.736 but as we often say too, it’s, 37:27.805 --> 37:31.722 they’re only as strong as they are implemented, 37:32.087 --> 37:33.719 and so that’s what we’re working 37:33.719 --> 37:35.931 specifically with China to address, 37:35.931 --> 37:38.740 but with all countries so that these very strong sanctions, 37:38.740 --> 37:41.490 they feel the pinch, so to speak. 37:41.865 --> 37:43.448 We’re still hoping, 37:43.690 --> 37:45.831 the Six-Party Talks are a mechanism 37:45.831 --> 37:47.664 that could potentially 37:48.765 --> 37:52.473 bring North Korea back into discussions about its, 37:52.473 --> 37:55.198 addressing international concerns about its nuclear program. 37:55.198 --> 37:58.781 So I don’t want to claim that structure as, 37:59.177 --> 38:02.927 is dead and needs to be shelved, far from it. 38:04.425 --> 38:07.675 But I think, and then again, of course, 38:09.614 --> 38:12.947 providing for the security of our allies 38:14.653 --> 38:16.994 and partners in the region and sending a clear message 38:16.994 --> 38:20.994 that we’re committed to providing that security. 38:21.027 --> 38:24.866 I think all of these efforts are worth pursuing. 38:24.866 --> 38:28.834 Which of them may ultimately turn North Korea around 38:28.834 --> 38:31.867 and convince the regime that it’s in its interest 38:31.867 --> 38:35.069 to address the international community’s concerns, 38:35.069 --> 38:36.069 I can’t say. 38:36.256 --> 38:40.423 - He also said that Kim Jong-un is the nuclear weapon, 38:41.548 --> 38:45.381 so, Kim Jong-un never give up nuclear weapons, 38:46.130 --> 38:49.880 never give up to develop the nuclear weapons. 38:51.140 --> 38:54.890 - I mean, again, I just, we’re very concerned 38:55.137 --> 38:58.304 about North Korea’s bad behavior and-- 38:58.806 --> 39:00.275 - [Janne] Therefore we have wasting time 39:00.275 --> 39:03.698 for the Six-Party Talks because we give them, 39:03.698 --> 39:05.223 they have plenty of time 39:05.223 --> 39:07.797 to develop nuclear weapons since 1993. 39:07.797 --> 39:09.346 - Well, again, I think we’re, 39:09.346 --> 39:10.449 I wouldn’t say we’re wasting time. 39:10.449 --> 39:11.718 We’re looking at a variety of ways 39:11.718 --> 39:15.094 to make them see the light, but thus far, 39:15.094 --> 39:17.669 we’ve been unsuccessful, I agree. 39:17.669 --> 39:19.002 - India? - Sure. 39:19.156 --> 39:22.239 - Mark, Madam Nisha Desai is in India 39:22.996 --> 39:24.832 meeting with high-level Indian officials, 39:24.832 --> 39:26.674 including Prime Minister Narendra Modi 39:26.674 --> 39:29.638 and the President of India Mukherjee. 39:29.638 --> 39:32.971 And she praised the U.S.-India relations 39:33.548 --> 39:36.215 and also, because of her efforts 39:36.330 --> 39:40.497 and hard work as far as relations between U.S.-India, 39:40.698 --> 39:43.698 she was today, actually, India time, 39:44.875 --> 39:48.129 confirmed or awarded for the highest award 39:48.129 --> 39:51.879 anybody can receive under the administration. 39:53.378 --> 39:55.375 And also, yesterday, at the Indian embassy, 39:55.375 --> 39:58.292 Ambassador Sarna and the panelists, 39:59.335 --> 40:02.513 they praised the Indian and U.S. relations 40:02.513 --> 40:06.680 and also what they said, that Rich, Ambassador Richard Verma 40:06.698 --> 40:08.359 also doing a great job. 40:08.359 --> 40:12.391 My question here, any comments as far as her award 40:12.391 --> 40:15.073 from the Indian Government and also 40:15.073 --> 40:17.988 her efforts or the Ambassador Verma’s efforts? 40:17.988 --> 40:21.244 And where do we go from here, after two weeks, 40:21.244 --> 40:23.880 as far as U.S.-India relations are concerned? 40:23.880 --> 40:26.648 - I’m sorry, who received the award? 40:26.648 --> 40:28.790 The person, I didn’t hear the first-- 40:28.790 --> 40:30.519 - [Reporter] Madam Nisha Desai, Nisha Biswal. 40:30.519 --> 40:31.998 - Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah. 40:31.998 --> 40:33.581 Look, I mean, it’s, 40:36.012 --> 40:38.585 that’s wonderful that she was given that award. 40:38.585 --> 40:42.480 I think that U.S.-India relations have been strengthened 40:42.480 --> 40:43.448 throughout these past eight years 40:43.448 --> 40:45.120 of the Obama Administration. 40:45.120 --> 40:47.453 It’s obviously a key, a core 40:49.779 --> 40:52.696 relationship for the United States. 40:54.774 --> 40:58.941 And I think in terms of where that relationship goes, 40:58.965 --> 41:00.631 the sky’s the limit, both economically, 41:00.631 --> 41:02.631 security, what have you. 41:02.631 --> 41:05.739 I think Ambassador Verma’s done a tremendous job as well. 41:05.739 --> 41:08.637 And I think the new administration was clearly recognizing, 41:08.637 --> 41:11.401 you’ve even seen some comments from the president-elect, 41:11.401 --> 41:14.020 of the importance that India plays 41:14.020 --> 41:17.770 not just in the region but in the global mix. 41:18.528 --> 41:21.361 And as I said, it’s resource-rich. 41:22.282 --> 41:26.199 It’s playing an outsized role in global issues. 41:26.356 --> 41:30.523 And so I think we’re going to continue to work hard 41:30.725 --> 41:33.233 to strengthen that relationship going forward, 41:33.233 --> 41:34.508 no matter who’s president. 41:34.508 --> 41:35.842 - And finally-- - Yeah, let’s 41:35.842 --> 41:39.842 - Ambassador Verma also, in his end of the year 41:40.000 --> 41:41.665 or review of the year relations, 41:41.665 --> 41:44.332 also he emphasized how important 41:45.240 --> 41:48.961 the two countries have gone during this Administration 41:48.961 --> 41:53.128 and during his leadership at the U.S. Embassy in India. 41:53.371 --> 41:55.582 Any word for him or his leadership? 41:55.582 --> 41:57.915 - As I said, I know Richard. 41:58.270 --> 42:02.270 He’s a very good man and a very good ambassador. 42:02.286 --> 42:06.453 And I can’t think of anyone who could do a better job 42:06.688 --> 42:09.277 at strengthening that bilateral relationship. 42:09.277 --> 42:10.110 Please, David. 42:10.110 --> 42:12.344 - Yesterday you added a number of names 42:12.344 --> 42:14.549 to the Magnitsky list of sanctions. 42:14.549 --> 42:18.132 The Russians, obviously, protested angrily. 42:19.256 --> 42:21.776 The, I don’t know whether you want to 42:21.776 --> 42:22.863 counter-protest their protest, 42:22.863 --> 42:25.401 but two of the names that you, on the list, 42:25.401 --> 42:27.390 Mr. Lugavoi and Mr. Kovtun, 42:27.390 --> 42:30.698 were accused by the British Government of having 42:30.698 --> 42:32.698 poisoned Mr. Litvinenko, 42:35.053 --> 42:38.886 a freelance former spy in London 10 years ago. 42:40.626 --> 42:44.001 The British inquiry also named the man who ordered, 42:44.001 --> 42:46.197 or it said approved of the assassination, 42:46.197 --> 42:47.780 Mr. Vladimir Putin. 42:47.961 --> 42:50.378 Was any discussion made about 42:50.805 --> 42:53.602 putting Mr. Putin’s name on the Magnitsky list? 42:53.602 --> 42:55.685 This is your last chance. 42:58.037 --> 43:00.426 - So as with all designations, 43:00.426 --> 43:02.891 the U.S. Government relies on multiple credible 43:02.891 --> 43:04.808 sources of information. 43:09.812 --> 43:12.723 Look, I think, how will I put this? 43:12.723 --> 43:15.890 I think we’ll continue to examine this 43:16.743 --> 43:20.910 and other cases involving gross violations of human rights, 43:20.927 --> 43:22.132 determine whether we have any, 43:22.132 --> 43:24.549 enough sufficient information 43:24.563 --> 43:27.037 indicating that other individuals 43:27.037 --> 43:29.204 linked to these cases meet 43:30.973 --> 43:33.390 the Magnitsky Act’s criteria. 43:34.801 --> 43:35.908 - [David] But they’re acting on behalf 43:35.908 --> 43:37.125 of a Russian Government, which has-- 43:37.125 --> 43:38.375 - I understand, 43:43.155 --> 43:44.970 I think I’ll leave it there. 43:44.970 --> 43:47.984 I think we’re going to continue to look hard at, 43:47.984 --> 43:50.651 and as you noted, we did publish 43:50.891 --> 43:54.618 I think five new individuals added to the list yesterday. 43:54.618 --> 43:56.200 - [David] And that’s like an annual update, isn’t it? 43:56.200 --> 43:57.450 - It is, it is. 43:57.782 --> 43:59.898 - [David] So that’s the last batch 43:59.898 --> 44:01.102 that this Administration will put on. 44:01.102 --> 44:02.935 - It is, it is, it is. 44:03.015 --> 44:05.182 I mean, I’m tempted to be, 44:07.161 --> 44:09.419 to respond to the first aspect of your question, 44:09.419 --> 44:12.336 which was, you had mentioned, well, 44:14.224 --> 44:17.807 you had mentioned the Russian Government’s, 44:18.095 --> 44:19.498 I think the Kremlin’s-- 44:19.498 --> 44:20.915 - [David] And the individuals themselves in Moscow. 44:20.915 --> 44:25.082 - Indignation about the state of U.S.-Russia relations 44:28.658 --> 44:32.825 and the kind of implication that we’re just doing this, 44:33.725 --> 44:34.850 striking out at Russia, 44:34.850 --> 44:38.100 to further harm U.S.-Russian relations. 44:38.432 --> 44:42.599 And frankly, I find this kind of like look back in sorrow 44:45.208 --> 44:49.375 act and rhetoric a little bit overblown and hard to stomach. 44:51.220 --> 44:55.387 I mean, we’re carrying out sanctions, the Magnitsky Act, 44:56.261 --> 45:00.094 the actions we took a week ago, two weeks ago, 45:01.019 --> 45:05.186 regarding Russia’s cyberattack on U.S. electoral processes 45:10.198 --> 45:13.416 and continued harassment of our diplomats, 45:13.416 --> 45:15.749 and then going back further, 45:16.382 --> 45:18.163 the sanctions that we have about, 45:18.163 --> 45:22.330 or have still in place regarding Ukraine and Crimea 45:22.627 --> 45:24.743 are all taken for a reason. 45:24.743 --> 45:28.215 And it’s not just to poke a stick at Russia. 45:28.215 --> 45:30.798 It’s meant to draw attention to 45:33.561 --> 45:35.311 some of their actions 45:36.108 --> 45:40.108 that we believe run counter to international law 45:41.115 --> 45:43.266 and the international community’s standards. 45:43.266 --> 45:44.956 And we’re not backing away from 45:44.956 --> 45:48.123 any of those actions that we’ve taken. 45:49.131 --> 45:53.228 And in fact, it’s been Russia that has taken actions 45:53.228 --> 45:56.843 specifically that have damaged bilateral relations, 45:56.843 --> 45:58.885 and we talked a little bit about them when we took, 45:58.885 --> 46:03.052 when we announced some of the actions two weeks ago, 46:06.821 --> 46:10.881 that they’ve closed down all of our American spaces, 46:10.881 --> 46:12.897 they’ve harassed our diplomats, 46:12.897 --> 46:15.792 they’ve shut down some of our bilateral exchanges, 46:15.792 --> 46:17.394 like the Flex Program, 46:17.394 --> 46:19.331 which was a hugely successful high school 46:19.331 --> 46:22.426 student exchange program, for no reason other than, 46:22.426 --> 46:24.843 I think, just to strike back. 46:25.583 --> 46:29.666 And so I don’t want to overplay this or whatever, 46:32.197 --> 46:33.699 but, or overstate this, 46:33.699 --> 46:36.782 but I think it’s a bit hard to listen 46:37.425 --> 46:40.758 to some of the rhetoric that we’ve heard 46:41.202 --> 46:45.369 from various Russian spokespeople about our intentions here. 46:48.072 --> 46:50.597 Our intentions, as I said, are to use these sanctions, 46:50.597 --> 46:51.840 to use some of these actions, 46:51.840 --> 46:55.340 to call attention to Russia’s bad behavior 46:56.797 --> 47:00.878 but also to respond to Russia’s aggressive actions 47:00.878 --> 47:03.763 in the cyber area and against our diplomats. 47:03.763 --> 47:05.574 So I’ll leave it there. 47:05.574 --> 47:07.741 Thanks, guys. - Thank you.