WEBVTT 00:07.309 --> 00:08.726 - Hey, everybody. 00:09.498 --> 00:11.796 I'm going to wait patiently while Nicola, 00:11.796 --> 00:15.474 you don't have to run, no no no, just, I'm not joking, 00:15.474 --> 00:16.974 I'm happy to wait. 00:18.196 --> 00:20.500 Welcome, everybody, happy Monday. 00:20.500 --> 00:21.551 Welcome to the State Department. 00:21.551 --> 00:22.896 I don't have anything at the top, 00:22.896 --> 00:25.979 so I'm going to catch Matt off guard. 00:26.039 --> 00:27.270 - [Matt] I can't believe you have nothing, 00:27.270 --> 00:28.905 absolutely nothing to say. 00:28.905 --> 00:30.488 - I'm an open book. 00:30.858 --> 00:31.865 - [Matt] Are you? 00:31.865 --> 00:33.032 In that case-- 00:33.977 --> 00:34.861 - [Mark] So to speak. 00:34.861 --> 00:37.008 - I just want to begin with just a logistical 00:37.008 --> 00:39.929 technical question about NATO funding, 00:39.929 --> 00:43.021 given some recent comments from the White House. 00:43.021 --> 00:46.271 How much exactly is Germany in arrears? 00:49.991 --> 00:51.491 - So first of all, 00:54.490 --> 00:57.823 with respect to Germany's funding level, 00:58.977 --> 01:03.144 I'd refer you to NATO and, or Germany to speak to. 01:05.209 --> 01:07.959 How much it spends on its defense 01:07.965 --> 01:10.798 and how much of that goes to NATO. 01:11.420 --> 01:12.503 Really, it's, 01:13.136 --> 01:16.886 it's not for us necessarily to speak to that. 01:18.390 --> 01:21.413 - Well, I'm sorry, there seems to be another, 01:21.413 --> 01:23.220 at least one other building in town 01:23.220 --> 01:24.808 that does think that it's appropriate-- 01:24.808 --> 01:26.098 - Look, I mean everybody's said, 01:26.098 --> 01:29.408 and we've said this many, many times before that 01:29.408 --> 01:33.575 NATO allies need to step up their burden-sharing commitments 01:34.706 --> 01:37.822 and frankly to the 2% level that they all 01:37.822 --> 01:40.322 committed to at Wales in 2014. 01:43.837 --> 01:47.211 So, all NATO members committed to that 2% pledge. 01:47.211 --> 01:50.121 Now, where they're at in meeting that pledge 01:50.121 --> 01:52.493 is up to them or to NATO to speak to, 01:52.493 --> 01:53.326 that's all I'm saying. 01:53.326 --> 01:54.159 - [Matt] Two things about that. 01:54.159 --> 01:54.992 - Please, go ahead. 01:54.992 --> 01:59.159 - One, that money, the 2%, how much of that is each country, 01:59.485 --> 02:02.521 what percentage of that of each country 02:02.521 --> 02:05.688 goes directly to fund NATO operations? 02:06.603 --> 02:08.294 - I think it varies from country to country 02:08.294 --> 02:09.360 is my understanding. 02:09.360 --> 02:10.490 (indistinct) 02:10.490 --> 02:12.905 - Aside from the contribution that each country provides 02:12.905 --> 02:14.788 for the maintenance, you know, the upkeep 02:14.788 --> 02:17.463 of the organization in Brussels itself. 02:17.463 --> 02:18.867 - Right, right, right, right, right. 02:18.867 --> 02:20.145 No, but for NATO operations-- 02:20.145 --> 02:23.679 - How much of that 2% commitment to the defense budget 02:23.679 --> 02:26.762 is supposed to go to NATO operations? 02:26.772 --> 02:30.939 - Well, again, every ally is committed to spending 02:32.580 --> 02:36.189 2% more for their respective defense budgets. 02:36.189 --> 02:38.246 - How much of that goes directly to NATO? 02:38.246 --> 02:39.368 - I don't know, I don't have a breakdown. 02:39.368 --> 02:41.184 That's a NATO question. 02:41.184 --> 02:42.523 I just don't have that breakdown. 02:42.523 --> 02:43.356 - You used to work at-- 02:43.356 --> 02:45.393 - I understand that, but I don't have current breakdowns 02:45.393 --> 02:49.393 for what percent of every ally's defense budget, 02:51.498 --> 02:54.831 no, I know the 2% commitment, Matt. 02:55.002 --> 02:56.352 I don't know what we're arguing here. 02:56.352 --> 02:58.505 - I'm not arguing, I'm just trying to ask you 02:58.505 --> 03:01.588 how much money Germany is in arrears. 03:01.799 --> 03:03.776 - Again, that's a question for Germany. 03:03.776 --> 03:05.747 - [Matt] The 2% figure-- 03:05.747 --> 03:08.213 - That's a target for many countries. 03:08.213 --> 03:12.296 - Right, right, did they agree to 2% funding 03:12.315 --> 03:16.065 of their defense budgets by 2015, 2016, 2017? 03:17.105 --> 03:18.363 - I think they committed themselves 03:18.363 --> 03:21.113 to 2% of GDP target by 2024. 03:22.015 --> 03:26.015 - [Matt] Oh, that's seven years from now, right? 03:26.556 --> 03:27.973 - That's correct. 03:28.293 --> 03:29.792 - [Matt] So even if countries are-- 03:29.792 --> 03:31.959 - Don't ask me to do math. 03:32.252 --> 03:35.671 - 2014 minus 17 is seven I believe, am I wrong? 03:35.671 --> 03:36.744 - No, you're right. 03:36.744 --> 03:38.411 I said don't ask me. 03:44.105 --> 03:48.272 - Even if countries are not yet spending the 2% GDP 03:48.323 --> 03:51.323 on their defense, this year in 2017, 03:54.859 --> 03:57.717 is it correct to say that they've fallen behind 03:57.717 --> 03:59.710 on meeting that commitment? 03:59.710 --> 04:03.293 - I think what it's correct to say is that, 04:04.213 --> 04:07.521 and this is as you know, followed NATO for years, 04:07.521 --> 04:09.021 it's not news that 04:12.011 --> 04:15.097 NATO and that the United States is looking for 04:15.097 --> 04:18.582 a commitment by all NATO allies to reach that 2% target 04:18.582 --> 04:20.249 as soon as they can. 04:20.502 --> 04:23.002 It's essential to keeping NATO 04:24.411 --> 04:27.994 the capable, ready force that it should be. 04:29.950 --> 04:32.227 I think there are countries who meet that, 04:32.227 --> 04:34.504 there are countries who fall short, 04:34.504 --> 04:36.745 but coming out Wales there was this pledge 04:36.745 --> 04:38.328 to reach that goal. 04:39.996 --> 04:43.746 And again, I'm not going to necessarily speak 04:44.981 --> 04:48.981 on behalf of Germany's defense spending schedule 04:50.063 --> 04:52.286 except to say that that's a goal we want to see 04:52.286 --> 04:53.947 all NATO members eventually reach. 04:53.947 --> 04:55.415 - I'm not asking you to speak on behalf of Germany, 04:55.415 --> 04:58.332 I'm asking you though is it correct 04:59.070 --> 05:01.737 that Germany is behind in paying 05:01.858 --> 05:03.441 dues quote unquote, 05:04.244 --> 05:07.494 or that Germany owes vast sums of money 05:09.426 --> 05:11.093 to the United States 05:12.368 --> 05:14.487 or NATO and NATO operations? 05:14.487 --> 05:17.632 - Let me say that, NATO I think currently or, NATO, 05:17.632 --> 05:21.627 Germany currently spends about 1.2% of GDP on defense. 05:21.627 --> 05:23.849 - [Matt] Fine, that's not my question. 05:23.849 --> 05:24.800 - We want it to reach 2%. 05:24.800 --> 05:26.138 I'm not going to speak, I just don't know 05:26.138 --> 05:28.555 whether they owe any arrears. 05:30.256 --> 05:34.423 I think any NATO ally spends what it can afford to spend 05:34.807 --> 05:37.127 with a goal towards reaching that 2%. 05:37.127 --> 05:40.377 - [Matt] All right, I'll drop it there. 05:41.812 --> 05:44.266 - You say you don't know and refer us to NATO, 05:44.266 --> 05:46.217 but I've already spoken to NATO. 05:46.217 --> 05:50.050 They're not in arrears on maintenance of NATO, 05:50.730 --> 05:53.795 that's a $2 billion budget, and that is all 05:53.795 --> 05:56.329 member states are fully paid up to that. 05:56.329 --> 05:59.310 As you've just noted in your answer to Matt, 05:59.310 --> 06:03.477 there's a 10 year plan in Wales to go up to 2%, 06:04.041 --> 06:05.711 so given that's a 10-year plan, 06:05.711 --> 06:07.750 they haven't fallen behind on that. 06:07.750 --> 06:09.672 The President's tweet was very clear, 06:09.672 --> 06:12.540 he thinks they owe some money to somebody, 06:12.540 --> 06:14.957 the United States apparently. 06:15.105 --> 06:17.688 To whom does Germany owe money? 06:17.945 --> 06:19.380 - Again, I refer you to the White House 06:19.380 --> 06:22.807 to answer the question about the President's tweets. 06:22.807 --> 06:24.263 (overlapping talking) 06:24.263 --> 06:26.901 Nick and then I'll get to you, I promise. 06:26.901 --> 06:30.151 - In Beijing, Secretary Tillerson twice 06:30.955 --> 06:33.872 used language that was identical to 06:35.275 --> 06:38.696 Chinese leaders on the U.S.-China relationship. 06:38.696 --> 06:40.303 He said it was "guided by an understanding of 06:40.303 --> 06:43.680 "non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect 06:43.680 --> 06:45.290 "and win-win cooperation." 06:45.290 --> 06:46.758 That's language that the Chinese have used 06:46.758 --> 06:50.508 for a long time and past U.S. administrations 06:50.891 --> 06:54.827 have declined to use, so what signal is he sending 06:54.827 --> 06:58.660 by using that word for word identical language 07:00.565 --> 07:01.815 to the Chinese? 07:02.542 --> 07:03.375 - Um, 07:05.196 --> 07:09.018 I think the message he is sending, or he tried to send 07:09.018 --> 07:11.851 in his visit to Beijing writ large 07:12.027 --> 07:15.199 was that we want a cooperative, productive, 07:15.199 --> 07:18.066 forward-looking relationship with China. 07:18.066 --> 07:20.063 I'm not going to parse out the language that he used 07:20.063 --> 07:22.241 or whether that mirrored similar language 07:22.241 --> 07:25.324 from the Chinese, except to say that, 07:26.116 --> 07:27.952 we've also been very clear, and he's been clear 07:27.952 --> 07:30.952 on the record to say that, you know, 07:31.216 --> 07:33.888 there are areas of cooperation, there are areas 07:33.888 --> 07:38.055 we agree on that we can really make we believe progress on. 07:38.303 --> 07:39.890 There are areas we need to make progress on 07:39.890 --> 07:43.519 and deal with and address, such as North Korea, 07:43.519 --> 07:45.576 and then there are areas where we disagree, 07:45.576 --> 07:48.604 and that includes trade, and that also includes 07:48.604 --> 07:51.142 frankly human rights, and with respect to trade, 07:51.142 --> 07:55.309 we want just a level playing field for U.S. companies, 07:55.356 --> 07:57.990 but we believe that can also be turned 07:57.990 --> 08:00.522 obviously to both our advantage. 08:00.522 --> 08:03.022 - But was he sending a signal? 08:03.351 --> 08:05.906 I mean, this wasn't just generalized agreement, 08:05.906 --> 08:08.906 this is word for word using language 08:08.924 --> 08:12.093 the Chinese place a high degree of importance 08:12.093 --> 08:14.445 in the specifics of how their language is used 08:14.445 --> 08:15.284 in these speeches. 08:15.284 --> 08:18.534 He's using identical words and phrasing 08:19.649 --> 08:21.462 that is very important to them. 08:21.462 --> 08:24.379 So was he sending a signal by using 08:26.303 --> 08:30.470 the exact same words, or was this not intentional? 08:31.133 --> 08:34.383 - I think he was trying to convey that, 08:37.010 --> 08:40.677 in his dialogue and our dialogue with China, 08:43.123 --> 08:47.290 we also want a quote unquote win-win relationship, 08:48.229 --> 08:51.729 but we're going to make sure that we press 08:51.903 --> 08:54.486 our priorities in that respect. 08:55.326 --> 08:56.898 - Just a last thing. 08:56.898 --> 09:00.282 Is he aware of the significance or is his staff 09:00.282 --> 09:02.858 aware of the significance that this exact phrasing-- 09:02.858 --> 09:05.387 - He was aware of his word choice, yes. 09:05.387 --> 09:06.452 (overlapping talking) 09:06.452 --> 09:07.998 I'm going to attend China, stay on China. 09:07.998 --> 09:08.947 Yeah, Michelle. 09:08.947 --> 09:11.127 - The Chinese media is portraying this visit 09:11.127 --> 09:13.289 as a big win and they're citing the use 09:13.289 --> 09:15.727 of those specific words as a part of that. 09:15.727 --> 09:19.560 So on the U.S. side, what kind of win is this? 09:20.250 --> 09:23.417 Did he get some assurances from China, 09:24.018 --> 09:26.003 especially on the North Korea issue, 09:26.003 --> 09:27.936 and also on the islands? 09:27.936 --> 09:29.853 - Sure, with respect to 09:32.493 --> 09:36.660 the overall visit, I think it was a positive visit. 09:38.731 --> 09:42.898 I don't think we were looking for any major outcomes. 09:43.371 --> 09:45.914 Obviously, we were talking, or he was there 09:45.914 --> 09:47.867 to talk about the challenge of North Korea 09:47.867 --> 09:50.928 first and foremost, that was frankly a theme 09:50.928 --> 09:52.595 throughout his trip, 09:53.626 --> 09:55.056 and how do we address it going forward, 09:55.056 --> 09:58.019 how do we address this threat going forward. 09:58.019 --> 10:00.350 I can't say that we found any solutions, 10:00.350 --> 10:03.454 but we're continuing those conversations. 10:03.454 --> 10:06.224 I think he was very clear in how we perceive the threat 10:06.224 --> 10:09.458 and you all saw that through his remarks about it. 10:09.458 --> 10:12.803 With respect to your other questions where 10:12.803 --> 10:15.809 your follow-ups were on the islands as well as. 10:15.809 --> 10:19.214 - Yeah, would you say that this moved the needle 10:19.214 --> 10:23.214 at all in cooperation on pressuring North Korea, 10:23.735 --> 10:25.407 and also the island activity? 10:25.407 --> 10:27.218 - I would say it's part of an ongoing conversation. 10:27.218 --> 10:28.652 Certainly we're going to see that when President Xi 10:28.652 --> 10:30.602 comes to the United States for his visit, 10:30.602 --> 10:32.588 so part of this is laying the groundwork for that, 10:32.588 --> 10:34.583 so that's a productive, forward-looking, 10:34.583 --> 10:36.348 results-oriented visit. 10:36.348 --> 10:38.571 - Does Tillerson, in his confirmation hearing, 10:38.571 --> 10:42.488 when he had a fairly forceful bit where he said 10:42.906 --> 10:45.239 "the island building stops," 10:45.328 --> 10:47.936 and some other statements on that. 10:47.936 --> 10:50.656 Does he still feel the same way about that? 10:50.656 --> 10:52.429 - Look, we're very clear on our position 10:52.429 --> 10:55.912 with respect to the South China Sea, which is, 10:55.912 --> 10:59.340 we believe that with respect to any kind of 10:59.340 --> 11:02.090 construction or attempt to create 11:03.967 --> 11:08.134 or enhance construction on that, on those islands, 11:08.866 --> 11:10.665 that that's counterproductive, that it only 11:10.665 --> 11:12.504 increases tensions in the region, 11:12.504 --> 11:15.583 and that we need a format for dialogue 11:15.583 --> 11:17.547 so that all the claimants 11:17.547 --> 11:18.918 with respect to the South China Sea 11:18.918 --> 11:23.085 can resolve their concerns through a diplomatic process. 11:24.968 --> 11:25.993 With respect to the United States, 11:25.993 --> 11:27.171 we don't have a dog in that fight, 11:27.171 --> 11:29.951 all we ask for is the freedom to sail or fly 11:29.951 --> 11:33.131 our boats or our ships and planes through that area, 11:33.131 --> 11:34.149 it's freedom of navigation. 11:34.149 --> 11:36.080 - To what extend was that discussed on this trip? 11:36.080 --> 11:37.219 - I know it was raised, I don't know 11:37.219 --> 11:38.690 the exact extent it was discussed, 11:38.690 --> 11:40.810 but that's something we always raise with them. 11:40.810 --> 11:41.643 Please. 11:41.643 --> 11:42.476 - Mark. 11:42.476 --> 11:43.309 - Yeah, go ahead. 11:43.309 --> 11:46.577 - [Reporter] Pull out Secretary Tillerson's language again. 11:46.577 --> 11:50.391 When Secretary Tillerson visited Japan last week, 11:50.391 --> 11:53.080 Secretary Tillerson said that Japan 11:53.080 --> 11:56.580 is an important alliance to United States, 11:57.491 --> 12:00.908 and South Korea is an important partners. 12:01.992 --> 12:06.159 What does it mean about two different expressions, 12:07.044 --> 12:08.655 his expression about this word? 12:08.655 --> 12:12.488 - Look, again I wouldn't put too much emphasis 12:14.857 --> 12:16.774 on a word choice there. 12:16.830 --> 12:18.738 Obviously both are strong allies and partners 12:18.738 --> 12:22.307 in the region, and that's frankly evidenced by 12:22.307 --> 12:26.390 the fact that, with respect to Republic of Korea, 12:26.928 --> 12:31.095 he has spoken with Foreign Minister Yun several times 12:31.448 --> 12:33.624 and met with him several times already. 12:33.624 --> 12:37.293 And the same goes for Japan, so I don't want to 12:37.293 --> 12:41.210 get into any argument over who's more important 12:41.386 --> 12:43.959 in this relationship, we consider both 12:43.959 --> 12:45.518 vitally important to the United States. 12:45.518 --> 12:48.391 - President Trump called the acting President 12:48.391 --> 12:50.558 of South Korea, Mr. Hwang, 12:50.994 --> 12:55.077 he said that 100% alliance to United States. 12:57.872 --> 13:00.197 He mentioned that both countries, U.S., 13:00.197 --> 13:01.524 I mean Japan and South Korea. 13:01.524 --> 13:02.357 - Well there you go. 13:02.357 --> 13:03.266 - But why is Secretary Tillerson-- 13:03.266 --> 13:06.389 - I wouldn't, again, I wouldn't read anything into that. 13:06.389 --> 13:07.222 Go ahead. 13:07.222 --> 13:11.055 - Was there any reason why Secretary Tillerson 13:11.738 --> 13:15.905 did not have a dinner with South Korean Foreign Minister? 13:16.117 --> 13:16.950 - It wasn't on the schedule. 13:16.950 --> 13:19.033 There was never any dinner scheduled. 13:19.033 --> 13:22.180 The Secretary had very productive, long meetings 13:22.180 --> 13:24.597 with his Korean counterparts, 13:24.684 --> 13:26.118 and then I think he ended up having 13:26.118 --> 13:28.251 a private dinner with his staff. 13:28.251 --> 13:30.509 So there wasn't a question, and that was something 13:30.509 --> 13:32.442 we saw in some of the media accounts, 13:32.442 --> 13:35.795 it was never any question of him being fatigued 13:35.795 --> 13:39.034 or having fatigue and waving off dinner. 13:39.034 --> 13:40.188 That was never the case. 13:40.188 --> 13:42.360 He simply, it wasn't on the schedule. 13:42.360 --> 13:44.993 - [Reporter] As a diplomatic gesture, or-- 13:44.993 --> 13:46.049 - Not at all. 13:46.049 --> 13:47.277 No, it just wasn't, I'm sorry, 13:47.277 --> 13:48.811 it just wasn't, it wasn't on his schedule, 13:48.811 --> 13:50.369 it was never scheduled. 13:50.369 --> 13:53.290 As I said, he had a private dinner with his staff. 13:53.290 --> 13:55.140 But that's not to say that his meetings 13:55.140 --> 13:57.029 with his Korean counterparts weren't productive. 13:57.029 --> 13:59.500 - He had a dinner with the Foreign Minister in Japan, 13:59.500 --> 14:00.988 but why he skipped it in Korea? 14:00.988 --> 14:04.487 - I'm aware, there was no (laughs). 14:04.487 --> 14:07.237 I'm simply stating that there was 14:07.369 --> 14:09.061 never any dinner scheduled. 14:09.061 --> 14:11.005 - [Reporter] Even if he tired, he have to do 14:11.005 --> 14:11.906 with the diplomatic-- 14:11.906 --> 14:13.152 - He wasn't tired. 14:13.152 --> 14:14.549 There was never any dinner scheduled. 14:14.549 --> 14:15.979 I don't know how plain I can be. 14:15.979 --> 14:18.279 (overlapping talking) 14:18.279 --> 14:20.336 Beyond jet lag, we're all jet lagged. 14:20.336 --> 14:21.779 No, I'm just seriously though, 14:21.779 --> 14:23.899 there just wasn't a dinner planned. 14:23.899 --> 14:25.431 It wasn't scheduled. 14:25.431 --> 14:28.910 So I'm not sure why that's become such a sticking point, 14:28.910 --> 14:30.577 but it shouldn't be. 14:30.804 --> 14:33.971 (overlapping talking) 14:34.550 --> 14:36.063 Yeah, let's, I'll come back to you there. 14:36.063 --> 14:37.980 Okay, go ahead, Nicole. 14:38.258 --> 14:39.972 Let's stay on Korea a second. 14:39.972 --> 14:41.923 - I just want to come back to Nick's question 14:41.923 --> 14:43.270 about the language. 14:43.270 --> 14:45.528 You said that Secretary Tillerson was aware 14:45.528 --> 14:48.172 of the language he was using and he chose it deliberately, 14:48.172 --> 14:52.339 and in the Chinese context the phrase "mutual respect" 14:52.611 --> 14:56.778 means something with regard to Tibet, Hong Kong, Taiwan. 14:57.944 --> 15:01.045 It indicates their belief that the U.S. 15:01.045 --> 15:02.545 should stay out of 15:03.620 --> 15:06.880 issues and areas that China, that Beijing believes 15:06.880 --> 15:08.547 are its own purview. 15:08.884 --> 15:10.853 So I'm wondering, in using that language, 15:10.853 --> 15:12.677 in choosing those words deliberately, 15:12.677 --> 15:15.957 is he signally some sort of shift on Taiwan-- 15:15.957 --> 15:17.421 - [Mark] Not at all. 15:17.421 --> 15:18.322 - On Tibet. 15:18.322 --> 15:21.580 - Not at all, however our stance on Taiwan 15:21.580 --> 15:24.747 is apart from encouraging good, strong 15:26.253 --> 15:29.836 increasingly strong cross-strait relations, 15:30.018 --> 15:32.077 that we stand by our one China policy. 15:32.077 --> 15:34.224 With respect to other aspects of the relationship, 15:34.224 --> 15:37.307 we're not walking away from our concerns about 15:37.307 --> 15:41.057 human rights, personal freedoms within China. 15:42.547 --> 15:45.804 I think he also said at one of his press avails 15:45.804 --> 15:47.567 during the trips was that human rights 15:47.567 --> 15:50.380 is part and parcel, is embedded I think he said, 15:50.380 --> 15:52.630 in all of our conversations 15:53.033 --> 15:56.136 and in all of our discussions of the issues, 15:56.136 --> 15:57.719 with respect to China but with respect 15:57.719 --> 15:58.972 to other countries as well, so there's no 15:58.972 --> 16:02.149 backing away from that, I want to be clear about that. 16:02.149 --> 16:04.433 - Can I follow up with a Korea related question? 16:04.433 --> 16:05.631 - [Mark] On a what, Korea related, sure. 16:05.631 --> 16:06.937 - A Korea related question. 16:06.937 --> 16:10.437 The representative of the six-party talks, 16:10.461 --> 16:13.794 Mr. Yun, was met in China with officials 16:14.376 --> 16:17.464 about the issue, and the Chinese readout said that 16:17.464 --> 16:19.951 their talks were "extremely frank." 16:19.951 --> 16:21.194 I'm wondering if you could tell us 16:21.194 --> 16:23.731 a little bit about those extremely frank talks. 16:23.731 --> 16:24.829 - I can't, I don't have a readout, 16:24.829 --> 16:27.829 but I know Joe Yun is in the region. 16:28.255 --> 16:30.234 I feel like we put out a meeting note the other day. 16:30.234 --> 16:32.567 These are useful follow-ups. 16:32.766 --> 16:34.472 It's also pre-planned, I mean this was 16:34.472 --> 16:36.275 a long time in the planning stages, 16:36.275 --> 16:38.833 but the timing helps because now he can follow up 16:38.833 --> 16:41.425 on some of the conversations that Secretary Tillerson had. 16:41.425 --> 16:43.222 (overlapping talking) 16:43.222 --> 16:46.105 Okay, we're going to more Korea, we're going to finish up, 16:46.105 --> 16:48.588 you're next in line, Said, I just can't cut off the issue. 16:48.588 --> 16:52.755 - In addition to not scheduling the dinner in Korea, 16:54.503 --> 16:56.895 there was no, there was nothing on the schedule 16:56.895 --> 17:00.236 about visiting the embassies in the three cities concerned. 17:00.236 --> 17:04.403 He didn't, or wasn't able to find any time on this trip, 17:04.527 --> 17:06.590 and I don't think he's ever found any time on a trip, 17:06.590 --> 17:10.092 to meet with U.S. diplomatic staff in their missions abroad. 17:10.092 --> 17:12.359 Is this something he hopes to do? 17:12.359 --> 17:15.884 Does he accept that some diplomats might not be disappointed 17:15.884 --> 17:18.101 after preparing the trips that he hasn't 17:18.101 --> 17:20.227 had time to meet with them and their families? 17:20.227 --> 17:22.894 - I know he obviously, you know, 17:23.450 --> 17:27.117 there's a lot of embassy staff and personnel 17:27.164 --> 17:29.581 who are seconded to the trip, 17:29.647 --> 17:32.947 and in fact even more so in Secretary Tillerson's case 17:32.947 --> 17:35.024 given the small footprint that he travels with, 17:35.024 --> 17:36.453 and I know he expresses appreciation 17:36.453 --> 17:38.617 for their work during his visit. 17:38.617 --> 17:40.578 With respect to visiting embassies, I think that's 17:40.578 --> 17:42.775 something he would obviously consider going forward, 17:42.775 --> 17:44.506 just hasn't had the time yet. 17:44.506 --> 17:45.339 Said. 17:45.546 --> 17:46.379 We can go. 17:47.648 --> 17:49.033 - When you said there's a lot of people 17:49.033 --> 17:51.451 seconded to the visit, so you're saying, 17:51.451 --> 17:54.071 and he's expressed his appreciation to them, 17:54.071 --> 17:56.051 you mean he met with them personally? 17:56.051 --> 17:57.968 - I think he did, yeah. 17:58.772 --> 18:00.772 Okay, go ahead, yes sir. 18:01.385 --> 18:03.690 - Yeah, on the U.S. boycotting UN discussion 18:03.690 --> 18:06.525 on Israeli human rights abuses, you issued a statement 18:06.525 --> 18:10.434 saying "the United States strongly and unequivocally 18:10.434 --> 18:13.647 "opposes the existence of the UN Human Rights Council's 18:13.647 --> 18:17.789 "agenda item seven, human rights situation in Palestine 18:17.789 --> 18:20.152 "and (indistinct)." 18:20.152 --> 18:21.820 Are you saying that there are no human rights abuses 18:21.820 --> 18:24.142 in the Palestinian territories? 18:24.142 --> 18:27.475 Why do you so unequivocally oppose that? 18:28.327 --> 18:29.577 - Because it's, 18:30.724 --> 18:32.799 it specifically targets Israel. 18:32.799 --> 18:35.664 - [Said] Isn't there an occupation that is practiced 18:35.664 --> 18:37.479 by Israel against the Palestinians? 18:37.479 --> 18:40.979 - Look, again, it's not, agenda item seven 18:42.049 --> 18:44.632 specifically targets Israel for 18:44.649 --> 18:46.631 frankly repeated and unjustified 18:46.631 --> 18:49.214 scrutiny, criticism, and abuse. 18:50.999 --> 18:53.067 We the United States oppose any effort 18:53.067 --> 18:55.900 do delegitimize or isolate Israel, 18:56.961 --> 19:00.042 and it's not just within the HRC, it's wherever it occurs. 19:00.042 --> 19:01.269 We've been very clear about this, 19:01.269 --> 19:03.125 this is not something new necessarily, 19:03.125 --> 19:06.807 but when it happens, we're going to state our disagreement. 19:06.807 --> 19:08.398 - Independent of targeting Israel, 19:08.398 --> 19:11.023 you do acknowledge there is a military occupation, 19:11.023 --> 19:14.389 you do acknowledge there are like 750 checkpoints and so on, 19:14.389 --> 19:16.521 there are human rights abuses, it's been cited 19:16.521 --> 19:18.628 in your own human rights reports, 19:18.628 --> 19:22.795 so why do you unequivocally oppose discussing that item? 19:23.443 --> 19:26.022 - Again, because we feel it's out of context, 19:26.022 --> 19:29.333 it's specifically biased against Israel, 19:29.333 --> 19:30.750 and frankly it's, 19:33.570 --> 19:37.160 it discredits the entire organization because 19:37.160 --> 19:41.327 it is so specifically geared in targeting a country 19:43.017 --> 19:46.267 we think that is in an unwarranted way. 19:47.540 --> 19:49.389 That's not to say that we can't have discussions 19:49.389 --> 19:52.037 about human rights in Israel, in Saudi Arabia, 19:52.037 --> 19:54.732 in wherever, in the United States, 19:54.732 --> 19:58.241 as long as we view that, it's done in an open, 19:58.241 --> 20:01.531 transparent, and frankly productive way. 20:01.531 --> 20:03.980 We don't believe that agenda item seven 20:03.980 --> 20:06.750 in any way, shape, or form accomplishes that. 20:06.750 --> 20:08.842 - Independent of the council, you acknowledge 20:08.842 --> 20:11.296 that there are Israeli human rights abuse 20:11.296 --> 20:13.490 of the Palestinian people under occupation, don't you? 20:13.490 --> 20:15.751 - Well, I'd refer you to our human rights report, 20:15.751 --> 20:19.918 and what that lays out, which is the U.S. perspective on it. 20:21.524 --> 20:22.357 Please. 20:22.357 --> 20:26.057 - You said correctly that the successive administrations 20:26.057 --> 20:29.890 have said that the council and its predecessor 20:30.526 --> 20:34.109 have been unfairly attacking Israel, biased 20:35.687 --> 20:38.937 resolutions and such, but have you ever 20:40.256 --> 20:43.598 boycotted the entire discussion and announced 20:43.598 --> 20:46.598 before the vote on agenda item seven 20:47.451 --> 20:51.201 that you would vote against everything in it? 20:51.798 --> 20:53.764 - So, the first part of your question, 20:53.764 --> 20:56.431 I think that is unique to today, 20:57.174 --> 20:59.293 that we specifically boycotted. 20:59.293 --> 21:02.470 I think to some extent it had to do with the timing 21:02.470 --> 21:04.719 with respect to, you know, we normally would sit 21:04.719 --> 21:06.229 and listen to the explanation of, 21:06.229 --> 21:07.913 I'll correct this if it's wrong, I apologize, 21:07.913 --> 21:11.143 but because of the timing of it, we wanted 21:11.143 --> 21:13.130 to put out a statement prior to it 21:13.130 --> 21:14.754 and simply boycott the vote. 21:14.754 --> 21:17.587 - But haven't you in the past, um. 21:19.045 --> 21:20.212 - [Mark] Sorry, go ahead. 21:20.212 --> 21:21.926 - Well, maybe you could, could you take the question. 21:21.926 --> 21:24.278 - I'll ask the question, I'll take the question. 21:24.278 --> 21:25.192 - I don't think you've boycotted the vote. 21:25.192 --> 21:26.960 You've always voted no, I think. 21:26.960 --> 21:28.773 - [Mark] Yes, that's true, we've always voted no. 21:28.773 --> 21:31.189 - But I don't believe you've ever boycotted 21:31.189 --> 21:34.522 the actual debate about the item before. 21:35.213 --> 21:38.630 Are you saying that if you haven't before 21:38.784 --> 21:40.641 it's because the vote and the debate 21:40.641 --> 21:42.508 have been on the same day, and so you've just gone 21:42.508 --> 21:45.318 for the debate, said that you're opposed, 21:45.318 --> 21:46.151 and then voted against? 21:46.151 --> 21:46.984 - That's correct. 21:46.984 --> 21:48.144 I think that's right, but I'll check on that. 21:48.144 --> 21:52.307 - Okay, in the past, you have, the U.S. actually has 21:52.307 --> 21:56.134 registered it's objections within the meeting itself, 21:56.134 --> 21:57.281 and not in a statement. 21:57.281 --> 21:59.128 - Yes, that's my understanding. 21:59.128 --> 22:01.768 - You know, the Israelis are prosecuting two, 22:01.768 --> 22:05.935 one Palestinian poet and one Palestinian journalist, 22:06.610 --> 22:09.450 for posting things that are related to 22:09.450 --> 22:11.708 the right to resist occupation 22:11.708 --> 22:13.003 and calling that incitement. 22:13.003 --> 22:14.024 Have you seen that? 22:14.024 --> 22:16.992 - Are you talking about the Facebook incitement? 22:16.992 --> 22:18.800 Look, we're always concerned about reports 22:18.800 --> 22:20.900 of incitement to violence. 22:20.900 --> 22:24.302 I'm not going to weigh in on every incident. 22:24.302 --> 22:26.635 In principle we do of course 22:26.681 --> 22:29.431 support the right to free speech. 22:29.435 --> 22:31.137 I just don't have any more details 22:31.137 --> 22:33.304 with respect to this case. 22:35.166 --> 22:35.999 - [Matt] Go ahead, finish Said. 22:35.999 --> 22:37.937 Mine is extremely brief. 22:37.937 --> 22:38.770 - Okay. 22:38.903 --> 22:40.975 - I wanted to ask you if you could comment 22:40.975 --> 22:44.095 on the Israeli raid on Syria and Damasc, 22:44.095 --> 22:47.762 and then the consequential rockets and so on 22:48.402 --> 22:50.273 from (indistinct) territory. 22:50.273 --> 22:51.106 - Oh, the-- 22:51.106 --> 22:54.606 - On Friday the Israelis raided a position 22:55.090 --> 22:57.923 in I guess in Syria near Damascus. 22:58.442 --> 23:02.609 - Obviously I'd refer you to Israeli Security Forces 23:02.687 --> 23:04.273 and the Israeli government to speak to that, 23:04.273 --> 23:06.694 but you know, this is not the first time 23:06.694 --> 23:09.444 that Israel's been threatened by, 23:09.605 --> 23:12.854 by Syria's forces along the border, and-- 23:12.854 --> 23:14.848 - But it was the Israelis that attacked. 23:14.848 --> 23:18.130 - I understand that, but they were acting out of, 23:18.130 --> 23:20.299 I think concern, but I'd refer you to 23:20.299 --> 23:22.742 the Israeli government to speak to it. 23:22.742 --> 23:25.870 - I'm just curious, if the previous administrations 23:25.870 --> 23:28.805 have actually sat in on the debate and participated 23:28.805 --> 23:30.835 in the debate in the council on this, 23:30.835 --> 23:35.002 why did, why did this administration make the decision 23:35.030 --> 23:36.114 not even to take part? 23:36.114 --> 23:39.322 Is it because you're, the previous administrations' 23:39.322 --> 23:41.572 objections were never heard 23:42.598 --> 23:45.688 or accepted by other members of the council, 23:45.688 --> 23:48.188 or is there some other reason? 23:48.463 --> 23:52.113 - Let me take the question in terms of protocol. 23:52.113 --> 23:53.530 Yeah, I'll do Iraq. 23:53.530 --> 23:55.923 - So Iraqi Prime Minister is here 23:55.923 --> 23:59.089 with a delegation that includes a Chief of Staff 23:59.089 --> 24:01.671 to KRG President Barzani, and their meetings 24:01.671 --> 24:04.240 include with Secretary Tillerson. 24:04.240 --> 24:07.118 What are the main issues on the agenda of these talks, 24:07.118 --> 24:09.253 and what are your goals in these discussions? 24:09.253 --> 24:10.086 - Sure. 24:10.529 --> 24:14.029 As you noted, the Prime Minster is in town 24:15.644 --> 24:18.324 with a delegation, and I think Secretary Tillerson's 24:18.324 --> 24:20.517 meeting at the White House, along with the President, 24:20.517 --> 24:24.195 obviously, taking part in that meeting later today. 24:24.195 --> 24:26.690 Our goals are pretty straightforward. 24:26.690 --> 24:29.058 It's to reiterate our support for the Iraqis 24:29.058 --> 24:32.746 in their long struggle to defeat and destroy ISIS. 24:32.746 --> 24:36.654 We also want to encourage them to take the necessary steps 24:36.654 --> 24:39.571 to prevent the reemergence of ISIS, 24:39.575 --> 24:43.492 and we also want to communicate our support for 24:43.609 --> 24:47.776 a prosperous, unified, and democratic Iraq going forward. 24:51.976 --> 24:55.286 Under Prime Minister Abadi, Iraq has made 24:55.286 --> 24:59.453 real progress with respect to defeating and destroying ISIS. 25:00.681 --> 25:03.681 What comes next is another aspect of 25:05.214 --> 25:06.855 ensuring that ISIS doesn't come back, 25:06.855 --> 25:11.022 and that's dealing with economic, political reforms, 25:11.643 --> 25:13.476 but also ensuring that 25:16.124 --> 25:19.450 we deal with some of the tensions in Iraqi society 25:19.450 --> 25:22.700 and also reestablish, I'm talking about 25:23.012 --> 25:26.845 stabilization efforts here, reestablish order, 25:27.135 --> 25:29.646 infrastructure, so that places like Mosul 25:29.646 --> 25:32.563 can welcome back those who've fled, 25:32.856 --> 25:34.606 or those who've stayed, frankly. 25:34.606 --> 25:36.872 - On the political reforms, I assume you have, 25:36.872 --> 25:39.642 the building has some ideas on that. 25:39.642 --> 25:41.863 Would they include sort of decentralization 25:41.863 --> 25:44.780 of authority and power within Iraq? 25:45.207 --> 25:47.568 - Yeah, I mean, some of these things are well known 25:47.568 --> 25:49.065 with respect to our concerns. 25:49.065 --> 25:51.098 But again we feel that Prime Minister Abadi's 25:51.098 --> 25:53.886 been so far showed himself to be a willing partner, 25:53.886 --> 25:58.053 he's tackled some of these reforms himself already. 25:58.329 --> 26:02.496 So we're positive going forward that he's going to take 26:03.472 --> 26:04.889 additional steps. 26:05.259 --> 26:06.092 - [Reporter] Can we stay on Iraq? 26:06.092 --> 26:07.367 - Yes, let's stay there. 26:07.367 --> 26:10.700 - Just a follow up on the last question. 26:11.886 --> 26:14.872 You usually repeat this unified Iraq. 26:14.872 --> 26:19.039 Is it a message to the Kurds that sometimes they are, 26:19.576 --> 26:21.079 you know, especially during the spring, 26:21.079 --> 26:24.004 that they are claiming to have an independence 26:24.004 --> 26:26.171 or a separation from Iraq? 26:26.401 --> 26:28.761 And that's just a follow up, and the second question is 26:28.761 --> 26:31.927 going to be, the Iraqs demand several times, 26:31.927 --> 26:34.014 the Iraqi officials including Prime Minister Abadi 26:34.014 --> 26:36.636 asked for activating the strategic agreement 26:36.636 --> 26:37.913 with the United States. 26:37.913 --> 26:38.746 Do you have this belief-- 26:38.746 --> 26:40.612 - The last part again, I'm sorry. 26:40.612 --> 26:43.354 - The Iraqi Prime Minister several time asked for 26:43.354 --> 26:47.371 reactivating the strategic agreement with the United States. 26:47.371 --> 26:49.741 Is there any willing from your side 26:49.741 --> 26:52.238 to activate this strategic agreement beyond ISIS, 26:52.238 --> 26:54.322 beyond military cooperation. 26:54.322 --> 26:56.152 - With respect to the strategic agreement, 26:56.152 --> 26:58.602 I don't have an update on that. 26:58.602 --> 27:02.373 I think like I said our focus, immediate focus, 27:02.373 --> 27:04.286 and that's going to be obviously true 27:04.286 --> 27:06.540 with respect to the minister on Wednesday and Thursday 27:06.540 --> 27:09.790 this week, is how do we ensure a quick, 27:10.455 --> 27:13.635 how do we accelerate our efforts to destroy and defeat ISIS. 27:13.635 --> 27:16.837 But then how we do again redouble our efforts 27:16.837 --> 27:20.708 to stabilize those areas that have been liberated from ISIS 27:20.708 --> 27:23.541 with respect to the unity of Iraq. 27:24.501 --> 27:27.073 You're right, that is something we make a point of saying, 27:27.073 --> 27:29.171 but ultimately these are all internal political 27:29.171 --> 27:31.947 discussions that Iraq needs to have 27:31.947 --> 27:35.780 with all ethnic groups resident in the county. 27:36.415 --> 27:37.248 Yep. 27:37.514 --> 27:38.631 - [Reporter] Thanks so much. 27:38.631 --> 27:42.298 As Iraqi forces have increasingly relied on, 27:42.851 --> 27:45.461 turned to air strikes and artillery in their operations 27:45.461 --> 27:48.768 in western Mosul, we've seen more and more reports, 27:48.768 --> 27:51.298 accounts from locals describing situations 27:51.298 --> 27:54.465 where air strikes hit not only houses, 27:55.146 --> 27:57.533 not only houses where ISIL was located, 27:57.533 --> 28:01.655 but also nearby buildings, killing many civilians. 28:01.655 --> 28:04.672 Does the United States do anything to change the manner 28:04.672 --> 28:08.005 in which these bombings are carried out? 28:08.305 --> 28:09.388 - Well, sure. 28:11.525 --> 28:12.858 Again, I preface 28:14.974 --> 28:19.033 my response by saying that's something DOD can speak with, 28:19.033 --> 28:21.283 speak to in greater detail. 28:21.469 --> 28:25.429 Of course, whenever there are legitimate allegations 28:25.429 --> 28:29.096 of civilian casualties, we investigate them, 28:29.111 --> 28:32.778 and I don't have the website in front of me, 28:33.501 --> 28:35.418 the URL address for it, 28:35.788 --> 28:39.695 but there is a website that DOD, Department of Defense, 28:39.695 --> 28:43.862 maintains that actually aggregates any of these claims 28:44.488 --> 28:46.993 and follows through on them, which means 28:46.993 --> 28:50.326 it puts out a report about the incident, 28:51.744 --> 28:53.166 whether it's credible, whether it's not, 28:53.166 --> 28:55.202 what happened, what steps are going to be taken 28:55.202 --> 28:57.290 to address any civilian casualties 28:57.290 --> 28:59.370 and also, amend it going forward. 28:59.370 --> 29:00.748 - On their website, there haven't been 29:00.748 --> 29:02.338 updates in the past month. 29:02.338 --> 29:04.103 - I think it's, I'm about to say I think 29:04.103 --> 29:05.988 it's a monthly basis, so I don't know, 29:05.988 --> 29:08.073 but these things also take, sorry, 29:08.073 --> 29:10.294 but these things also take time obviously 29:10.294 --> 29:12.403 because it's a battlefield. 29:12.403 --> 29:16.153 But in direct response to your question, yes, 29:16.323 --> 29:20.299 when there are credible claims of civilian casualties, 29:20.299 --> 29:23.587 they're investigated by the U.S. military 29:23.587 --> 29:25.558 or by the Iraqi Security Forces, 29:25.558 --> 29:28.766 reports are made, assessments are made, 29:28.766 --> 29:30.968 and any corrective measures are taken 29:30.968 --> 29:34.743 to avoid any regrettable incidents in the future. 29:34.743 --> 29:38.243 - So yes to the question, the question was 29:38.302 --> 29:39.821 does the United States do anything to change 29:39.821 --> 29:42.039 then manner in which the bombings are-- 29:42.039 --> 29:46.206 - I think we always, we always, so based on reports, 29:46.365 --> 29:48.101 assessments, we would always take steps 29:48.101 --> 29:51.942 obviously to avoid civilian casualties going forward. 29:51.942 --> 29:53.812 - I just have one more follow up. 29:53.812 --> 29:57.562 So in one instance, an airstrike hit a house, 29:58.656 --> 30:00.920 killed according to a witness three people, 30:00.920 --> 30:03.520 severely injured a five-year-old girl-- 30:03.520 --> 30:04.857 - [Mark] This is in Mosul? 30:04.857 --> 30:08.014 - Yes, a neighborhood in Mosul, and her father said 30:08.014 --> 30:11.733 it took them three days to get her to the hospital. 30:11.733 --> 30:14.626 With that, I want to ask what does the U.S. do 30:14.626 --> 30:18.342 to help people exit the fighting and get help? 30:18.342 --> 30:20.005 - Again, I can get you more details 30:20.005 --> 30:22.500 but obviously we've been working in conjunction 30:22.500 --> 30:24.649 with the UN but Iraqi Security Forces 30:24.649 --> 30:28.816 in creating corridors to get civilians out safely. 30:29.016 --> 30:32.945 We had set up with the UN basically refugee facilities 30:32.945 --> 30:37.112 and camps so that those displaced by the fighting in Mosul 30:37.327 --> 30:40.416 could find temporary shelter in the aftermath 30:40.416 --> 30:42.012 or during the fighting. 30:42.012 --> 30:43.876 That said, it's a active battlefield, 30:43.876 --> 30:47.871 and so obviously it's very difficult in some circumstances, 30:47.871 --> 30:49.846 I don't know the incident you're speaking about 30:49.846 --> 30:52.096 specifically, but you know, 30:52.760 --> 30:54.886 that it might take some delay. 30:54.886 --> 30:57.295 I just don't know specifically the incident 30:57.295 --> 30:59.744 you're referring to, but in general, 30:59.744 --> 31:02.107 we have taken steps to, and frankly 31:02.107 --> 31:04.350 the Iraqi government has taken steps. 31:04.350 --> 31:06.683 Couple more questions, guys? 31:08.607 --> 31:10.154 How about yourself. 31:10.154 --> 31:12.915 - [Reporter] Global minsters conference, 31:12.915 --> 31:15.629 could you talk about why this is happening now, 31:15.629 --> 31:19.035 and do you expect a shift from the Obama administration 31:19.035 --> 31:23.202 coalition strategy or more a broad continuation strategy? 31:23.302 --> 31:27.469 - You're talking about the, so the Global Coalition. 31:27.836 --> 31:32.003 So, it's happening, it's just a first full coalition 31:32.324 --> 31:36.491 meeting or ministerial since I think 2014 December. 31:36.795 --> 31:40.795 So this is a full 68 member ministerial meeting. 31:44.253 --> 31:46.648 I think it's, first of all it's an opportunity 31:46.648 --> 31:48.978 in the new administration to assess where we're at 31:48.978 --> 31:51.587 and what we want to do going forward. 31:51.587 --> 31:53.452 I don't want to steal any 31:53.452 --> 31:56.640 thunder from the Secretary, but I think we will, 31:56.640 --> 31:59.041 he will come with new ideas and new approaches, 31:59.041 --> 32:01.989 and a new way of looking at the counter, 32:01.989 --> 32:04.739 or rather the how to defeat ISIS. 32:10.732 --> 32:14.149 It's going to focus on how we accentuate, 32:14.787 --> 32:18.831 accelerate the efforts across the multiple lines of effort, 32:18.831 --> 32:21.016 and again this is an opportunity, 32:21.016 --> 32:23.103 because it's a big meeting, for us really 32:23.103 --> 32:26.468 to have conversations with the countries who are doing 32:26.468 --> 32:27.948 work in these various areas 32:27.948 --> 32:29.831 and leading efforts in these various areas. 32:29.831 --> 32:33.498 There are some who have taken a more kinetic 32:35.648 --> 32:37.603 role, and then there are others who are working, 32:37.603 --> 32:40.351 as I said, in the information sphere, 32:40.351 --> 32:42.851 on the internet, and trying to 32:43.655 --> 32:47.202 confront and address ISIS's efforts to recruit 32:47.202 --> 32:51.083 using the internet, so this is a multiple line effort. 32:51.083 --> 32:52.291 I think it's an assessment period, 32:52.291 --> 32:53.252 but I also think there's going to be 32:53.252 --> 32:54.714 some new ideas put on the table. 32:54.714 --> 32:55.613 Please, Barbara. 32:55.613 --> 32:58.759 - Just in terms of the new ideas approach, et cetera, 32:58.759 --> 33:00.577 where does Mr. Tillerson and the administration 33:00.577 --> 33:03.460 feel that the current approach isn't working? 33:03.460 --> 33:05.229 - I don't think, so I think, 33:05.229 --> 33:07.632 again I think everyone recognizes there's been 33:07.632 --> 33:11.711 significant progress in the past year especially. 33:11.711 --> 33:15.878 We've seen gains made against ISIS across the board, 33:17.484 --> 33:21.234 whether it's in Syria, but certainly in Iraq, 33:21.328 --> 33:25.495 liberations of large areas that they previously held. 33:26.874 --> 33:28.832 I think it's a way to accelerate and focus more 33:28.832 --> 33:31.023 on how we can accelerate our efforts. 33:31.023 --> 33:33.540 - [Barbara] And where do safe zones fit in this 33:33.540 --> 33:35.553 realignment of your strategy? 33:35.553 --> 33:36.630 - Sure, it's a good question. 33:36.630 --> 33:38.732 I think it's something that's obviously 33:38.732 --> 33:40.562 still being thought out. 33:40.562 --> 33:42.001 This will be an opportunity I think 33:42.001 --> 33:43.562 to talk in a little bit more detail, 33:43.562 --> 33:46.312 I don't have anything to preview. 33:46.858 --> 33:48.692 We, so Nasir, you want to go ahead? 33:48.692 --> 33:50.109 - Separate topic. 33:50.290 --> 33:52.825 An LBGT group has accused the Center for Family 33:52.825 --> 33:55.656 and Human Rights of violating federal ethics laws 33:55.656 --> 33:58.172 by using their position as part of the UN, 33:58.172 --> 33:59.912 U.S. delegation to the UN Commission 33:59.912 --> 34:03.804 on the Status of Women Conference to solicit donations. 34:03.804 --> 34:06.296 Do you have any comment on that, and then as a follow up, 34:06.296 --> 34:08.828 who actually made the decision to allow this group, 34:08.828 --> 34:11.095 which has been designated as a hate group, 34:11.095 --> 34:14.640 to actually have status as part of the U.S. delegation 34:14.640 --> 34:16.223 to this conference? 34:16.588 --> 34:17.421 - Sure. 34:18.836 --> 34:22.209 So, I spoke a little bit about this last week. 34:22.209 --> 34:24.425 The United States does seek to include individuals 34:24.425 --> 34:28.592 from civil society organization with diverse viewpoints 34:29.469 --> 34:32.203 and allow them to observe the UN in action 34:32.203 --> 34:35.953 during the Commission on the Status of Women, 34:37.323 --> 34:40.240 as they're called public delegates. 34:40.477 --> 34:44.644 And they can attend formal meetings of the Commission, 34:45.142 --> 34:47.059 as well as side events. 34:48.396 --> 34:50.355 They're not however authorized to negotiate 34:50.355 --> 34:53.180 or speak on behalf of the United States. 34:53.180 --> 34:56.430 With respect to your question about who 34:57.774 --> 34:59.774 chose these individuals, 35:00.551 --> 35:02.476 I think I'd have to refer you to the White House. 35:02.476 --> 35:04.289 I think they're responsible 35:04.289 --> 35:06.411 for the selection of these individuals 35:06.411 --> 35:09.055 who participate on this Commission. 35:09.055 --> 35:09.888 Yep. 35:10.544 --> 35:13.994 - Couple questions about European relations. 35:13.994 --> 35:16.323 UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will be 35:16.323 --> 35:18.664 in the building on Wednesday for the ISIS conference. 35:18.664 --> 35:21.200 I understand that he'll also have a bilateral meeting 35:21.200 --> 35:23.283 with Secretary Tillerson. 35:25.367 --> 35:27.942 Will he be taking this opportunity to bring up concerns 35:27.942 --> 35:31.142 that British Intelligence Service may have 35:31.142 --> 35:33.326 bugged Trump Tower in the run-up to the election? 35:33.326 --> 35:34.488 - You'll have to ask him. 35:34.488 --> 35:36.949 - [Reporter] I'm asking his spokesman. 35:36.949 --> 35:40.209 - I'm not Boris Johnson's, much as I like him. 35:40.209 --> 35:41.072 - [Reporter] Will Tillerson be taking 35:41.072 --> 35:42.107 the opportunity to bring up-- 35:42.107 --> 35:42.940 - Oh, I'm sorry. 35:42.940 --> 35:43.773 - [Reporter] U.S. concerns. 35:43.773 --> 35:46.253 - I thought you were saying, I'm sorry, I misheard you. 35:46.253 --> 35:49.079 I don't know what specifically, I think they'll 35:49.079 --> 35:51.648 probably focus on the issues of the day, 35:51.648 --> 35:53.576 which is defeating ISIS. 35:53.576 --> 35:56.774 - Okay, and over the weekend it was reported 35:56.774 --> 36:00.024 that Marine Le Pen's campaign is saying 36:00.211 --> 36:03.878 that they met U.S. officials in recent days. 36:05.609 --> 36:07.094 Obviously you don't have an ambassador to France, 36:07.094 --> 36:09.594 or to anywhere very much, but, 36:10.463 --> 36:13.963 who met with Marine Le Pen and what level? 36:15.087 --> 36:16.659 And I appreciate you might need to take my question-- 36:16.659 --> 36:19.131 - I will, I will take the question, 36:19.131 --> 36:20.464 but I will also, 36:21.799 --> 36:25.966 push back on your assertion that we don't have ambassadors. 36:26.190 --> 36:27.926 We have charges in many places where there were 36:27.926 --> 36:29.553 politically appointed ambassadors 36:29.553 --> 36:31.334 who've since left post, but we also have 36:31.334 --> 36:34.368 acting ambassadors, or ambassadors, serving ambassadors. 36:34.368 --> 36:37.749 - [Reporter] Have you appointed to the 76 open positions? 36:37.749 --> 36:39.904 - I'm not sure yet, those are all being vetted, 36:39.904 --> 36:42.133 as they would be normally through the cycle. 36:42.133 --> 36:44.988 - [Reporter] But is it more than zero? 36:44.988 --> 36:45.821 - You're saying? 36:45.821 --> 36:47.538 - [Reporter] How many ambassadors have you appointed? 36:47.538 --> 36:49.854 - So, we don't need to walk through this, 36:49.854 --> 36:50.716 but I'm happy to do it for you, 36:50.716 --> 36:52.496 so they would go through the chief of mission 36:52.496 --> 36:53.937 selection process-- - So far, have been so far. 36:53.937 --> 36:55.232 - And then they're being vetted now 36:55.232 --> 36:57.731 by the new administration, so the previous administration 36:57.731 --> 37:00.650 has selected individuals, they're being vetted, 37:00.650 --> 37:02.555 but then ultimately they'll be sent 37:02.555 --> 37:04.160 to the Senate for confirmation. 37:04.160 --> 37:06.454 (reporter speaking indistinctly) 37:06.454 --> 37:07.287 I'm sorry? 37:07.459 --> 37:10.865 - [Matt] The answer, isn't the answer to this question one? 37:10.865 --> 37:12.243 - I think so, but that's White House, 37:12.243 --> 37:14.581 I'm not going to speak to the White House's equities. 37:14.581 --> 37:15.414 Is that it guys? 37:15.414 --> 37:16.261 - [Matt] No. 37:16.261 --> 37:17.245 (reporters laughing) 37:17.245 --> 37:18.220 - Last question. 37:18.220 --> 37:19.379 Last question. 37:19.379 --> 37:20.212 - [Matt] Michelle. 37:20.212 --> 37:21.045 - [Michelle] What? 37:21.045 --> 37:21.878 - [Matt] Go ahead. 37:21.878 --> 37:22.711 - [Michelle] Oh, thanks, I owe you one. 37:22.711 --> 37:23.544 - [Matt] No problem. 37:23.544 --> 37:26.018 - Speaking of White House relations, 37:26.018 --> 37:27.309 I'm just wondering about this tweet 37:27.309 --> 37:29.280 that the President sent out while 37:29.280 --> 37:31.421 Tillerson was traveling, that China hasn't done 37:31.421 --> 37:34.060 much to help on the North Korea situation. 37:34.060 --> 37:36.116 It was related to his statement that 37:36.116 --> 37:38.866 North Korea has been a bad actor. 37:39.066 --> 37:42.566 Did that affect Tillerson's communications 37:42.788 --> 37:44.030 at all while he was there? 37:44.030 --> 37:46.691 Did he need to explain that tweet or talk about that tweet? 37:46.691 --> 37:49.221 Because we've seen things like a single tweet 37:49.221 --> 37:51.548 affecting his conversations in other places, 37:51.548 --> 37:52.815 like Mexico for example. 37:52.815 --> 37:55.232 Was this a similar situation? 37:55.444 --> 37:57.694 - Well, I would argue that, 38:00.905 --> 38:02.665 it didn't break new ground in the sense 38:02.665 --> 38:05.332 that China knows we believe they can do more 38:05.332 --> 38:09.499 with respect to addressing North Korea's bad behavior. 38:12.911 --> 38:15.661 We've said that many, many times. 38:15.765 --> 38:17.824 The fact that the President chose to say it in a tweet 38:17.824 --> 38:20.845 I think signifies how concerned and at what level 38:20.845 --> 38:21.678 we're concerned about-- 38:21.678 --> 38:23.679 - [Michelle] Did it affect conversations there, though? 38:23.679 --> 38:26.429 Did he need to address the tweet? 38:26.612 --> 38:29.362 - I wasn't obviously on the trip. 38:29.504 --> 38:33.254 My assessment or my understanding is that no. 38:33.398 --> 38:34.231 Please. 38:35.293 --> 38:37.463 - So this is a budget question. 38:37.463 --> 38:40.362 I realize that we just have the top line 38:40.362 --> 38:42.736 with the blueprint and that a lot of stuff 38:42.736 --> 38:46.069 still needs to be gone through in detail 38:46.128 --> 38:47.951 and there are not a lot of specifics out there, 38:47.951 --> 38:49.867 but one thing that we do know 38:49.867 --> 38:52.784 in addition to the Israel carve out 38:53.407 --> 38:56.240 is that the climate change funding 38:56.921 --> 38:58.588 has been eliminated. 39:00.243 --> 39:02.576 The whole initiative itself, 39:02.868 --> 39:05.285 including the Green Climate Fund. 39:05.285 --> 39:06.535 - [Mark] Right. 39:06.980 --> 39:11.074 - When he was asked about this at a White House briefing 39:11.074 --> 39:13.865 last week, the President's OMB Director 39:13.865 --> 39:17.487 said simply we're not going to pay for that anymore, 39:17.487 --> 39:20.820 and I'm curious to know, since you speak 39:20.826 --> 39:23.896 for a building that for the last eight years 39:23.896 --> 39:26.903 until January at least had put climate change 39:26.903 --> 39:31.036 as a priority, whether or not the administration generally 39:31.036 --> 39:33.534 and the State Department specifically 39:33.534 --> 39:37.701 thinks that climate change remains a threat or is a threat? 39:40.067 --> 39:42.400 - I think that this building 39:43.712 --> 39:45.176 and this administration recognize that 39:45.176 --> 39:46.554 climate change is a threat, but I think 39:46.554 --> 39:49.971 they're still assessing how big a threat, 39:50.470 --> 39:53.137 and how we approach that threat. 39:53.613 --> 39:56.795 I think specifically with respect to your question, 39:56.795 --> 39:59.128 I think the concern was that 40:02.900 --> 40:04.304 this doesn't necessarily mean that 40:04.304 --> 40:06.732 we're eliminating all climate programs. 40:06.732 --> 40:09.523 I think it's part of the broader assessment 40:09.523 --> 40:10.773 of where we can 40:12.978 --> 40:14.478 curb or in any way 40:17.071 --> 40:19.738 decrease funding in an effort to 40:20.073 --> 40:24.240 as we said, or as they were very clear in the budget, 40:25.147 --> 40:27.195 try to exert some fiscal responsibility 40:27.195 --> 40:31.362 and to try to reduce the overall budget obligations. 40:32.394 --> 40:35.380 - So the administration does believe that climate change, 40:35.380 --> 40:38.070 this administration agrees with the previous administration 40:38.070 --> 40:39.994 that climate change is a threat, 40:39.994 --> 40:41.070 it just doesn't want to pay? 40:41.070 --> 40:42.750 - I think Secretary Tillerson, no but that's, 40:42.750 --> 40:45.581 the Green Climate Fund, and again, 40:45.581 --> 40:49.435 these are all, I don't have much additional details, 40:49.435 --> 40:50.668 as you said, prefacing your question, 40:50.668 --> 40:53.280 but these are, Green Climate Fund is one aspect 40:53.280 --> 40:56.531 or one funding mechanism for addressing climate change. 40:56.531 --> 40:59.010 It's not the sole way we would address it. 40:59.010 --> 41:01.130 - I understand that, but at least 41:01.130 --> 41:03.806 the previous administration and in particular 41:03.806 --> 41:06.088 this building during the previous administration, 41:06.088 --> 41:07.799 and the guy who headed this building, 41:07.799 --> 41:09.135 thought that the Green Climate Fund 41:09.135 --> 41:12.048 was of big importance, and I'm just, 41:12.048 --> 41:16.215 do you still think that helping developing nations 41:16.317 --> 41:19.769 meet their emissions, meet emissions targets 41:19.769 --> 41:23.352 as agreed to in Paris is an important goal, 41:24.311 --> 41:26.605 or no, they should pay for it themselves? 41:26.605 --> 41:27.480 - No no, I-- 41:27.480 --> 41:28.751 - [Matt] Or you don't think it's a problem? 41:28.751 --> 41:31.211 - No, I think we think climate change is a problem. 41:31.211 --> 41:33.227 I think we're looking at, I think I'll just say 41:33.227 --> 41:36.584 we're looking at the issue broadly speaking 41:36.584 --> 41:38.732 and how we address it in the best possible way. 41:38.732 --> 41:41.386 - The budget director said flat out, 41:41.386 --> 41:42.856 we're just, we're not going to pay for that. 41:42.856 --> 41:44.668 - With respect to Green Climate Fund. 41:44.668 --> 41:46.957 - I think the question he was responding to 41:46.957 --> 41:49.444 was the climate change initiative more broadly. 41:49.444 --> 41:51.084 - Yeah, I'm not aware, 41:51.084 --> 41:53.021 again these are conversations that are ongoing. 41:53.021 --> 41:54.530 I just don't have any more details, sorry. 41:54.530 --> 41:56.465 - [Reporter] What climate program are you keeping? 41:56.465 --> 41:58.596 You said it wasn't going eliminate all climate programs. 41:58.596 --> 41:59.814 - Again, I think that's part of something 41:59.814 --> 42:00.802 that we're looking at right now. 42:00.802 --> 42:02.619 I mean, these are again early days. 42:02.619 --> 42:04.533 I know that it was specifically mentioned 42:04.533 --> 42:07.849 about the Green Climate Fund, but we're assessing, 42:07.849 --> 42:09.695 and that's not just climate issues 42:09.695 --> 42:11.314 or climate funding as well, we're addressing 42:11.314 --> 42:14.625 issues across, or funding rather across the board. 42:14.625 --> 42:15.834 - [Reporter] Climate change issues 42:15.834 --> 42:18.080 have been particularly targeted. 42:18.080 --> 42:19.630 - I wouldn't say that. 42:19.630 --> 42:21.394 Well, I would say like assistance-- 42:21.394 --> 42:24.403 - [Matt] The budget outline says that the entire 42:24.403 --> 42:25.251 initiative is-- 42:25.251 --> 42:26.106 - I've closed my book. 42:26.106 --> 42:27.925 - [Matt] Going to be removed. 42:27.925 --> 42:28.758 - What's that? 42:28.758 --> 42:30.692 - [Matt] The budget outline says its going to be 42:30.692 --> 42:34.859 entirely removed, the climate initiative, including-- 42:34.880 --> 42:37.797 - Including the Green Climate Fund. 42:38.082 --> 42:39.945 - So the question is why, not just that 42:39.945 --> 42:42.114 you don't want to pay for it anymore, 42:42.114 --> 42:44.947 because that's an answer, but why? 42:46.030 --> 42:48.030 If it's still a problem? 42:49.416 --> 42:52.572 - Again, I don't have much more detail to provide you 42:52.572 --> 42:55.989 other than that we're looking at climate, 42:56.759 --> 42:59.583 we're looking at other areas like assistance, 42:59.583 --> 43:00.750 and how we can 43:03.062 --> 43:06.430 rejigger our priorities, but also look at 43:06.430 --> 43:08.430 how we spend that money. 43:08.432 --> 43:09.869 It's not to say that we're not going to spend 43:09.869 --> 43:12.777 any money on the environment though, 43:12.777 --> 43:15.095 or on climate change, but I think we're just 43:15.095 --> 43:16.883 looking at ways we can-- 43:16.883 --> 43:18.460 - Are you still going to be up here 43:18.460 --> 43:20.600 when a full budget comes out? 43:20.600 --> 43:22.582 We can quiz you on that? 43:22.582 --> 43:23.415 - No comment. 43:23.415 --> 43:24.248 - [Matt] All right. 43:24.248 --> 43:25.081 - Thanks, guys. 43:25.081 --> 43:26.664 - [Matt] Thank you.