WEBVTT 00:00.961 --> 00:02.461 - How was France? 00:04.189 --> 00:06.606 You've been to Manila, okay. 00:08.764 --> 00:11.285 And all those long European vacations. 00:11.285 --> 00:13.518 (laughs) Just five weeks. 00:13.518 --> 00:15.838 Hi everybody, how is everyone doing today? 00:15.838 --> 00:16.671 Good. 00:16.769 --> 00:20.102 A little bit of a echo in the room here. 00:20.124 --> 00:21.933 Before we get down to business, 00:21.933 --> 00:24.057 and I know you have a lot of questions, I want to point out, 00:24.057 --> 00:26.208 we have a group of interns here in the back. 00:26.208 --> 00:28.567 You know the summertime, we have a lot of interns who come 00:28.567 --> 00:31.501 in to your companies and into the State Department as well, 00:31.501 --> 00:32.928 and I just want to recognize them. 00:32.928 --> 00:34.434 Thank you all for being here. 00:34.434 --> 00:36.444 I understand one of you attends the Naval Academy. 00:36.444 --> 00:37.277 Which one? 00:37.453 --> 00:38.686 Great, fantastic. 00:38.686 --> 00:39.519 Go Navy. 00:39.583 --> 00:40.916 Glad to hear it. 00:41.021 --> 00:42.854 Got some family there. 00:43.123 --> 00:45.525 Anyway, welcome, and I hope you've enjoyed your internship 00:45.525 --> 00:47.315 and that you've been treated well here 00:47.315 --> 00:48.910 and that you've enjoyed it. 00:48.910 --> 00:50.082 That's all I have for that, 00:50.082 --> 00:52.047 so I'll just take your questions right away. 00:52.047 --> 00:52.946 Matt, would you like to start? 00:52.946 --> 00:53.937 - [Matt] You're not going to update us on the 00:53.937 --> 00:55.937 AGOA Conference in Togo? 00:55.989 --> 00:57.870 (laughing) 00:57.870 --> 00:59.085 I was really hoping you. - You're going to make 00:59.085 --> 01:01.274 some real enemies in Togo, I will have you know. 01:01.274 --> 01:02.441 - I love Togo. 01:03.453 --> 01:05.434 Let's start again with North Korea. 01:05.434 --> 01:06.411 - [Heather] Okay. 01:06.411 --> 01:09.399 - The President has just come out in New Jersey 01:09.399 --> 01:12.639 and said that perhaps his comments of the other day, 01:12.639 --> 01:14.306 this is news to you? 01:14.771 --> 01:15.604 - [Heather] Did the President just say this? 01:15.604 --> 01:16.604 - Just, yes. 01:16.628 --> 01:17.801 - [Heather] Oh, no, I'm not aware of that yet. 01:17.801 --> 01:18.697 What did the President say? 01:18.697 --> 01:20.418 - He said that his fire and fury comment 01:20.418 --> 01:22.989 from the other day maybe wasn't strong enough. 01:22.989 --> 01:24.825 I'm just wondering if you have any 01:24.825 --> 01:27.719 comment about that, but I understand if you don't. 01:27.719 --> 01:29.313 - Yeah, I'm not aware of the President's comments. 01:29.313 --> 01:31.755 I have not heard those comments myself. 01:31.755 --> 01:34.731 Matt, I trust you, you're an excellent reporter, 01:34.731 --> 01:36.731 you always get it right. 01:36.812 --> 01:38.145 I will say this. 01:38.293 --> 01:40.814 Our position and our policy and our strategy 01:40.814 --> 01:42.613 hasn't changed one bit. 01:42.613 --> 01:46.196 - So does the Secretary, who you speak for, 01:46.529 --> 01:50.274 believe that he is part of the national security team 01:50.274 --> 01:54.441 that advises the President on national security issues 01:54.711 --> 01:57.461 and contributes to making policy? 01:59.236 --> 02:01.651 - I'm wondering where you're going to go with this, 02:01.651 --> 02:03.293 but yes, absolutely, without a doubt. 02:03.293 --> 02:07.291 As you know, the Secretary, the President, Secretary Mattis, 02:07.291 --> 02:10.345 along with the National Security Council, General McMaster, 02:10.345 --> 02:11.992 they meet frequently, they meet often 02:11.992 --> 02:13.920 to have conversations about national security issues. 02:13.920 --> 02:15.458 - So then I'm curious about your reaction 02:15.458 --> 02:18.357 to some comments that an aide to the President made, 02:18.357 --> 02:20.190 Dr. Gorka, to the BBC. 02:21.807 --> 02:25.505 When he was asked about the apparent differences in tone 02:25.505 --> 02:28.605 between various officials, he said, you should listen 02:28.605 --> 02:31.531 to the President, the idea that Secretary Tillerson is going 02:31.531 --> 02:35.584 to discuss military matters is simply nonsensical. 02:35.584 --> 02:38.462 It is the job of Secretary Mattis, the Secretary of Defense, 02:38.462 --> 02:40.094 to talk about the military options, 02:40.094 --> 02:42.763 and he has done so unequivocally. 02:42.763 --> 02:45.672 That is his mandate, and Secretary Tillerson 02:45.672 --> 02:47.476 is the chief diplomat of the United States 02:47.476 --> 02:49.367 and it is his portfolio to handle those issues. 02:49.367 --> 02:52.339 Does the Secretary, one, or does this building agree 02:52.339 --> 02:56.062 with comments like that, which would seem to suggest 02:56.062 --> 02:57.895 that the Secretary is, 02:59.152 --> 03:01.773 this is not the Secretary's lane and that he should kind of, 03:01.773 --> 03:05.773 he should butt out and keep his mouth shut on things that 03:05.773 --> 03:08.023 relate to military matters? 03:08.186 --> 03:10.003 - Well, the Secretary, as you know, 03:10.003 --> 03:12.971 he has a close relationship with Secretary Mattis. 03:12.971 --> 03:15.545 Our Secretary, Secretary Tillerson, talks a lot 03:15.545 --> 03:18.465 about our diplomatic strategy and our diplomatic policy. 03:18.465 --> 03:19.665 That has not changed. 03:19.665 --> 03:22.327 The Secretary has been very robust in that, 03:22.327 --> 03:24.424 just having returned, as we talked about yesterday, 03:24.424 --> 03:26.735 from the ASEAN Conference where he met for three days 03:26.735 --> 03:29.402 with a lot of foreign officials. 03:29.415 --> 03:31.009 As I was coming out here, 03:31.009 --> 03:33.604 I heard about Sebastian Gorka's comments. 03:33.604 --> 03:36.990 I didn't hear them myself, so I don't want to comment 03:36.990 --> 03:40.727 on exactly what he had to say, but I can say that I speak 03:40.727 --> 03:43.119 for Secretary Tillerson and this building. 03:43.119 --> 03:46.630 Our Secretary has been very clear, as has Secretary Mattis, 03:46.630 --> 03:48.971 that our diplomatic and military means are 03:48.971 --> 03:52.440 both strong and capable, and in the face of the threats 03:52.440 --> 03:55.700 that we face against the DPRK or other nations. 03:55.700 --> 03:57.308 - Right, but does the Secretary believe 03:57.308 --> 04:00.058 that diplomacy should be combined 04:00.766 --> 04:02.516 with military options 04:02.933 --> 04:05.516 to produce a successful result, 04:06.699 --> 04:07.699 and does he, 04:10.006 --> 04:13.756 I take it then he would reject the suggestion 04:14.068 --> 04:17.240 that he doesn't have any business talking about this? 04:17.240 --> 04:20.037 - I would say that Secretary Mattis 04:20.037 --> 04:23.443 oversees the U.S. military, and he and Secretary Tillerson 04:23.443 --> 04:26.510 have a good, close, cooperative relationship. 04:26.510 --> 04:29.248 And one part of our U.S. Government is, of course, the State 04:29.248 --> 04:31.970 Department and we do diplomacy here out of this building. 04:31.970 --> 04:34.516 Secretary Tillerson has not spoken 04:34.516 --> 04:36.813 about U.S. military capabilities. 04:36.813 --> 04:39.563 You all hear me very often from this room when you ask me 04:39.563 --> 04:43.730 about U.S. military assets or plans, I refer you to DOD. 04:43.900 --> 04:46.058 - Right, but the suggestion that was made is that 04:46.058 --> 04:49.250 basically the Secretary, Secretary Tillerson, 04:49.250 --> 04:52.192 shouldn't be involved or shouldn't be listened to 04:52.192 --> 04:54.496 as it relates to policy towards North Korea. 04:54.496 --> 04:57.045 Is that something that you agree with? 04:57.045 --> 04:58.895 - I think that everyone has clearly heard 04:58.895 --> 05:02.966 what Secretary Tillerson's forceful comments have been 05:02.966 --> 05:05.130 and continue to be on the issue 05:05.130 --> 05:06.955 of DPRK and on other countries as well. 05:06.955 --> 05:08.218 - [Matt] And they should be paid attention to, correct? 05:08.218 --> 05:09.115 - I would think so, yes. 05:09.115 --> 05:10.214 - [Matt] All right, so the idea that. 05:10.214 --> 05:11.495 - He's Cabinet Secretary. 05:11.495 --> 05:13.509 He's the fourth in line to the presidency. 05:13.509 --> 05:15.426 He carries a big stick. 05:15.833 --> 05:18.633 - [Matt] And Dr. Gorka is where in that line of succession? 05:18.633 --> 05:21.342 - I don't work with Sebastian Gorka. 05:21.342 --> 05:24.709 I have known him from a previous life and a previous career, 05:24.709 --> 05:26.739 but I have not spoken to him about the comments 05:26.739 --> 05:29.148 that he made, and let me just leave it at that, okay? 05:29.148 --> 05:31.933 All right, while we're on DPRK, let's stick to that. 05:31.933 --> 05:34.649 I'd like to stick to regions if we can today, 05:34.649 --> 05:36.638 so any questions on DRPK? 05:36.638 --> 05:37.616 Okay, hi, Rich. 05:37.616 --> 05:40.699 - And this is in the diplomatic lane, 05:41.055 --> 05:42.722 talking about China, 05:43.666 --> 05:46.783 South China Sea, freedom of navigation. 05:46.783 --> 05:48.730 China says that the recent U.S. 05:48.730 --> 05:51.969 freedom of navigation operation harms Chinese sovereignty. 05:51.969 --> 05:55.115 This is an issue and a response that we've seen before. 05:55.115 --> 05:57.457 But do issues like freedom of navigation, 05:57.457 --> 05:59.345 some of the economic issues, 05:59.345 --> 06:02.095 do they make for a more difficult 06:02.521 --> 06:05.438 campaign on North Korea with China? 06:06.814 --> 06:09.138 - Freedom of navigation operations 06:09.138 --> 06:11.000 happen all around the world. 06:11.000 --> 06:12.649 They tend to get the most attention 06:12.649 --> 06:14.906 when they have been in the South China Sea. 06:14.906 --> 06:17.473 They happen off the coast of Canada; 06:17.473 --> 06:19.556 they happen in the waters 06:20.564 --> 06:23.064 off-shore of our major allies, 06:23.558 --> 06:25.836 friends, partners all around the world. 06:25.836 --> 06:27.691 That's why we're focusing on it right now. 06:27.691 --> 06:29.274 That's why you're asking me that question, 06:29.274 --> 06:31.347 because of the issue of DPRK. 06:31.347 --> 06:33.482 As you know, Secretary Tillerson coming back 06:33.482 --> 06:36.528 from the ASEAN conference, where there was a joint statement 06:36.528 --> 06:38.720 that was issued about the South China Sea, 06:38.720 --> 06:41.286 we talked about that pretty extensively yesterday. 06:41.286 --> 06:43.385 As you all know, U.S. forces 06:43.385 --> 06:45.404 will operate in the Asia Pacific region. 06:45.404 --> 06:48.343 They do that on a daily basis including the South China Sea. 06:48.343 --> 06:50.031 The operations are conducted 06:50.031 --> 06:52.042 in accordance with international law. 06:52.042 --> 06:54.007 And the point of that is to demonstrate 06:54.007 --> 06:57.556 that the United States will continue to fly, sail, 06:57.556 --> 07:00.652 and operate wherever international law allows. 07:00.652 --> 07:02.320 It's true in the South China Sea; 07:02.320 --> 07:04.463 it's true in other places around the world as well. 07:04.463 --> 07:06.986 - And when the U.S. deals with China, negotiates, 07:06.986 --> 07:10.403 speaks with China, does it view these issues 07:10.403 --> 07:13.743 as compartmentalized or as one big issue? 07:13.743 --> 07:16.256 - We have lots of ongoing conversations, as you know. 07:16.256 --> 07:18.818 We had the four-way dialogue with China. 07:18.818 --> 07:21.070 We've had two of the four meetings that are set 07:21.070 --> 07:22.819 to take place, I believe the next two are 07:22.819 --> 07:24.680 set to take place later this year. 07:24.680 --> 07:26.281 We discuss all kinds of issues. 07:26.281 --> 07:29.404 Secretary Mattis was over here not too long ago, 07:29.404 --> 07:31.700 having spoken with Secretary Tillerson 07:31.700 --> 07:34.678 and our Chinese counterparts about many of these issues. 07:34.678 --> 07:36.884 Among the issues we talk about with the Chinese, 07:36.884 --> 07:39.193 South China Sea, of course, but we also 07:39.193 --> 07:41.120 talk about DPRK and other matters as well. 07:41.120 --> 07:42.311 - [Rich] And so it doesn't hamper 07:42.311 --> 07:43.531 the pressure campaign, you don't think? 07:43.531 --> 07:45.581 - We have, look, you know what happened 07:45.581 --> 07:47.929 at the United Nations, the United Nations Security Council 07:47.929 --> 07:51.762 unanimously passed the new UN Security Council 07:51.771 --> 07:53.688 resolution on the DPRK. 07:54.522 --> 07:58.678 China was one of those countries that voted along with that. 07:58.678 --> 08:01.817 So that means that China has to enforce its sanctions. 08:01.817 --> 08:03.720 They have said that they would. 08:03.720 --> 08:06.210 We look forward to and expect them 08:06.210 --> 08:09.253 to enforce those sanctions as well, okay? 08:09.253 --> 08:11.161 Okay, and welcome back. 08:11.161 --> 08:12.161 - Thank you. 08:13.378 --> 08:17.545 Congratulations on the UN Security Council sanctions. 08:17.970 --> 08:20.708 It has been suggested you could've given them longer 08:20.708 --> 08:24.625 to bear fruit before threatening fire and fury. 08:25.763 --> 08:29.013 How long do you think it'll take before 08:29.829 --> 08:33.996 we see North Korea backing down, thanks to these sanctions? 08:34.296 --> 08:36.685 - Well, look, I can't speculate 08:36.685 --> 08:39.420 as to what North Korea is going to do. 08:39.420 --> 08:41.664 We talked yesterday about our pressure campaign 08:41.664 --> 08:45.177 and how the pressure campaign is, in our opinion, working. 08:45.177 --> 08:47.496 We've had many countries, countries that we 08:47.496 --> 08:49.806 are close friends with and countries that we aren't 08:49.806 --> 08:53.347 as close with, help participate in that pressure campaign, 08:53.347 --> 08:55.653 and that is because the world recognizes 08:55.653 --> 08:58.146 the severe threat that the DPRK faces, 08:58.146 --> 09:00.631 not just to the United States but to the entire world. 09:00.631 --> 09:03.415 - An element of the pressure campaign is to seek 09:03.415 --> 09:05.787 the diplomatic isolation of North Korea. 09:05.787 --> 09:08.306 North Korea obviously attended the ASEAN Regional Forum 09:08.306 --> 09:10.971 and has been invited to attend next year's regional forum 09:10.971 --> 09:12.054 by the hosts. 09:13.652 --> 09:16.197 Was that a failure in an attempt 09:16.197 --> 09:18.177 to isolate them diplomatically, or is there 09:18.177 --> 09:20.568 some utility in meeting them again next year? 09:20.568 --> 09:22.472 - My understanding, that in terms of invitations 09:22.472 --> 09:24.979 like that, the conversations are ongoing. 09:24.979 --> 09:29.146 We are not a part of ASEAN so we do not have the ability 09:29.763 --> 09:32.263 to extend or rescind an invitation, 09:32.263 --> 09:34.874 so we would leave that up to ASEAN itself. 09:34.874 --> 09:38.262 But those nations all joined us in a pretty condemning 09:38.262 --> 09:41.153 statement of the activities on the part of the DPRK. 09:41.153 --> 09:44.403 - And is it your understanding that the 09:45.630 --> 09:48.586 warning that the President issued about 09:48.586 --> 09:51.392 fire and fury being visited on North Korea 09:51.392 --> 09:52.975 was if they were to 09:54.476 --> 09:57.016 test another missile, perform some kind of 09:57.016 --> 09:59.119 provocative action, or simply if they resume 09:59.119 --> 10:00.955 their normal belligerent rhetoric? 10:00.955 --> 10:03.513 - I'm just not going to get into any hypotheticals. 10:03.513 --> 10:06.763 - When yesterday, Kim Jong-un laid out, 10:09.815 --> 10:12.838 first, he ridiculed the President of the United States, 10:12.838 --> 10:15.058 then he laid out the plans for attacking Guam. 10:15.058 --> 10:17.364 - Kim Jong-un is welcome to, he can certainly 10:17.364 --> 10:19.531 say what he chooses, okay? 10:19.768 --> 10:22.758 I can't affect that in any kind of way. 10:22.758 --> 10:25.238 But in terms of the pressure campaign, when we talk about it 10:25.238 --> 10:27.733 working, part of that from the UN Security Council 10:27.733 --> 10:31.683 resolution that we believe will help remove about a billion 10:31.683 --> 10:34.862 dollars' worth of exports, money that would go 10:34.862 --> 10:37.887 into the pockets of the North Korean regime. 10:37.887 --> 10:40.234 That money, by the way, does not get used 10:40.234 --> 10:41.861 to feed its own people. 10:41.861 --> 10:45.931 We know people in that nation, North Koreans, are starving. 10:45.931 --> 10:48.095 The money there that goes into North Korea 10:48.095 --> 10:50.741 does not go to the people; it goes to the government 10:50.741 --> 10:53.324 and its very expensive, illegal 10:53.399 --> 10:56.109 nuclear and ballistic missile weapons programs. 10:56.109 --> 10:58.233 - And on that point, one of the points 10:58.233 --> 11:00.918 of the sanctions is to curtail imported labor 11:00.918 --> 11:03.379 from North Korea to certain countries and so on. 11:03.379 --> 11:06.909 Kuwait, a country that is an ally of the United States, 11:06.909 --> 11:09.729 Kuwait, said that it will continue to host 11:09.729 --> 11:12.373 North Korean workers and laborers and so on. 11:12.373 --> 11:14.072 Do you have any comment or reaction to that? 11:14.072 --> 11:14.977 - I do, yeah. 11:14.977 --> 11:17.346 What you're talking about is a Associated Press report 11:17.346 --> 11:20.485 that came out, I believe it was overnight, that indicated 11:20.485 --> 11:22.796 that Kuwait was going to continue 11:22.796 --> 11:25.161 hosting North Korean guest workers. 11:25.161 --> 11:27.338 That would obviously be a concern to us. 11:27.338 --> 11:29.001 There are North Korean guest workers 11:29.001 --> 11:31.050 in place around the world. 11:31.050 --> 11:34.163 A big part of our pressure campaign, as many of you know, 11:34.163 --> 11:36.355 has been saying to those countries through a series 11:36.355 --> 11:39.240 of bilateral meetings that Secretary Tillerson 11:39.240 --> 11:42.068 here at the State Department has had with many 11:42.068 --> 11:44.751 of his counterparts asking other nations to reduce 11:44.751 --> 11:46.810 the number of North Korean guest workers. 11:46.810 --> 11:49.088 Those guest workers who are working in construction 11:49.088 --> 11:51.942 and in other industries and countries around the world 11:51.942 --> 11:54.021 are getting that money, that money is going straight back 11:54.021 --> 11:56.457 to North Korea into its weapons program, that money does not 11:56.457 --> 11:59.596 go to the North Korean individuals themselves, 11:59.596 --> 12:01.654 it does not go to the North Korean civilians 12:01.654 --> 12:03.805 and citizens and family members. 12:03.805 --> 12:06.107 What you're referring to in terms of Kuwait, 12:06.107 --> 12:08.171 we are certainly aware of that report. 12:08.171 --> 12:09.853 It was brought to our attention. 12:09.853 --> 12:11.696 I would have to refer you to the Government of Kuwait 12:11.696 --> 12:14.923 for more information on that; however, we understand that 12:14.923 --> 12:16.980 the Government of Kuwait will be issuing a statement 12:16.980 --> 12:21.147 on those reports and their overall DPRK policy imminently. 12:21.600 --> 12:24.022 We are in close contact with the Government of Kuwait. 12:24.022 --> 12:27.243 They recognize the serious nature of this issue 12:27.243 --> 12:30.135 and the serious nature of that report that did come out. 12:30.135 --> 12:32.586 The Government of Kuwait will be taking further measures 12:32.586 --> 12:35.130 in response to the dangerous and provocative behavior 12:35.130 --> 12:38.625 of the DPRK regime within the coming days, we are told. 12:38.625 --> 12:41.971 We are, again, told to expect a statement on that matter. 12:41.971 --> 12:42.804 Okay. 12:43.156 --> 12:43.989 - When? 12:44.648 --> 12:47.307 Because this, I mean, I'm looking at the statement that 12:47.307 --> 12:50.365 they sent to us right here, and it's very straightforward. 12:50.365 --> 12:51.273 Two questions. 12:51.273 --> 12:53.016 Question one: Did Kuwait stop issuing 12:53.016 --> 12:55.521 new working visas to North Koreans last year? 12:55.521 --> 12:58.119 Answer: No, the state of Kuwait did not stop 12:58.119 --> 13:00.729 issuing working visas to North Korean laborers. 13:00.729 --> 13:03.038 And then secondly: How may remaining 13:03.038 --> 13:05.149 North Korean laborers work in Kuwait 13:05.149 --> 13:07.548 and does the country have any plans for expelling them? 13:07.548 --> 13:09.845 Answer: The number of North Korean laborers 13:09.845 --> 13:12.715 in the state of Kuwait is 6,064 and there are no plans. 13:12.715 --> 13:14.036 - [Heather] That's a lot. 13:14.036 --> 13:16.043 - [Matt] There are no plans to expel North Korean laborers. 13:16.043 --> 13:19.341 - If they have 6,064 North Koreans, that is why 13:19.341 --> 13:21.409 it's an issue that's been brought to our attention. 13:21.409 --> 13:24.880 I can't get into the details of any possible 13:24.880 --> 13:28.410 private diplomatic conversations, but I am told, 13:28.410 --> 13:30.985 and I think if you look at the timestamp on whenever they 13:30.985 --> 13:34.743 sent that to you, I'm told as of about 40 minutes ago or so 13:34.743 --> 13:37.750 that a announcement would be forthcoming. 13:37.750 --> 13:39.783 - [Matt] Announcement, do you have any reason 13:39.783 --> 13:41.854 to believe that the announcement will be the same 13:41.854 --> 13:44.028 as what I've just read to you? 13:44.028 --> 13:48.188 - I can tell you that it's an issue of big concern, 13:48.188 --> 13:51.046 and I can't get into private diplomatic conversations. 13:51.046 --> 13:53.592 So I hope that helps answer it and clarify it. 13:53.592 --> 13:55.017 - [Matt] But we'll look for their statement. 13:55.017 --> 13:56.452 - We will look for their statement 13:56.452 --> 13:58.666 and we will see what happens on that. 13:58.666 --> 14:02.683 Obviously, the export of labor, as I have mentioned, 14:02.683 --> 14:04.645 enables the development of 14:04.645 --> 14:06.702 the illicit nuclear and missile program. 14:06.702 --> 14:08.914 The Government of Kuwait has been 14:08.914 --> 14:11.223 a good friend to the United States. 14:11.223 --> 14:14.614 The emir of Kuwait has been extremely supportive, 14:14.614 --> 14:17.626 has been helpful, very helpful, as the moderator 14:17.626 --> 14:21.793 and mediator in handling the GCC, the Qatar dispute. 14:22.196 --> 14:24.547 We continue to work with that government 14:24.547 --> 14:27.445 and work with the emir in that dispute as well. 14:27.445 --> 14:29.981 Okay, anything else on this issue of Kuwait? 14:29.981 --> 14:32.070 On this issue of Kuwait, yes or no? 14:32.070 --> 14:33.170 Okay, all right. 14:33.170 --> 14:34.944 Anything else on North Korea? 14:34.944 --> 14:36.139 Okay, go right ahead. 14:36.139 --> 14:36.972 Hi, Miss. 14:37.054 --> 14:38.726 - Yes, about the new UN resolution 14:38.726 --> 14:42.025 and also sought resumptions of the Six-Party Talks. 14:42.025 --> 14:45.101 So we are just wondering that is the U.S. really preparing 14:45.101 --> 14:47.481 for the talks and making some contacts. 14:47.481 --> 14:50.300 And the second question is about the China's proposal. 14:50.300 --> 14:53.471 - Let me get to your first question first, okay? 14:53.471 --> 14:57.042 Will the United States return to talks with North Korea? 14:57.042 --> 14:59.572 And the answer to that is, and the Secretary has talked 14:59.572 --> 15:02.518 about this a lot, he has said he's not going to 15:02.518 --> 15:05.399 negotiate his way back to the negotiating table, okay? 15:05.399 --> 15:07.015 He has said that months ago. 15:07.015 --> 15:10.166 He has not moved away from that position one bit. 15:10.166 --> 15:12.376 There have been headlines that have been inaccurate 15:12.376 --> 15:15.876 that have alluded to the opposite of that. 15:16.318 --> 15:20.485 We would need to know that North Korea is taking serious 15:20.819 --> 15:24.601 and literal steps to denuclearizing in order for 15:24.601 --> 15:26.830 the United States to even get to that point. 15:26.830 --> 15:29.321 Susan Thornton, our acting assistant secretary 15:29.321 --> 15:31.607 for East Asian Affairs who has been traveling 15:31.607 --> 15:33.992 with the Secretary en route back to Washington 15:33.992 --> 15:36.181 at this moment from that ASEAN trip, 15:36.181 --> 15:37.338 she's been very firm at that. 15:37.338 --> 15:38.833 She said something along the lines of, 15:38.833 --> 15:41.603 look, we are nowhere near close to that point, 15:41.603 --> 15:43.875 especially after we've had two intercontinental 15:43.875 --> 15:46.783 ballistic missile tests within less than a month. 15:46.783 --> 15:50.466 They are not showing us, the DPRK is not showing us that 15:50.466 --> 15:53.797 they are close to sitting down and talking anytime soon. 15:53.797 --> 15:57.602 - Okay, and also about Ms. Thornton, just before 15:57.602 --> 16:00.873 the ASEAN trip Thornton just make a connection between 16:00.873 --> 16:05.040 the China's trade with the U.S. and kind of DPRK's issue. 16:05.566 --> 16:09.316 So now China just endorsed or just agree with 16:09.395 --> 16:12.718 the UN sanctions on the DPRK, so does it mean that 16:12.718 --> 16:15.618 the trade relations between China and U.S. 16:15.618 --> 16:18.024 could be kind of okay in the near future? 16:18.024 --> 16:20.387 - I would have to refer you on that trade matter 16:20.387 --> 16:23.096 to our Trade Representative and other people 16:23.096 --> 16:25.493 who actually handle that trade issue. 16:25.493 --> 16:29.303 But look, we are pleased with China voting along 16:29.303 --> 16:32.890 with the United States and others in that unanimous 16:32.890 --> 16:35.320 UN Security Council resolution, and we look forward 16:35.320 --> 16:38.813 to China adhering to its commitments on instituting 16:38.813 --> 16:41.220 and seeing through those sanctions. 16:41.220 --> 16:42.887 Okay, anything DPRK? 16:42.915 --> 16:43.748 Okay. 16:43.812 --> 16:45.532 - Two related North Korea questions. 16:45.532 --> 16:47.364 The first one is just to clarify. 16:47.364 --> 16:51.531 You said sending the warship to South China Sea is no way, 16:52.107 --> 16:55.460 it's not the way the United States is vent your frustration 16:55.460 --> 16:57.777 on not enough progress on North Korea. 16:57.777 --> 16:58.723 - Not at all. 16:58.723 --> 17:00.973 Look, what it takes to move 17:01.023 --> 17:04.368 U.S. military equipment and ships is a lot. 17:04.368 --> 17:05.754 Those things are preplanned 17:05.754 --> 17:07.467 and DOD can really speak to that. 17:07.467 --> 17:09.696 But those things have been planned for a long, long time. 17:09.696 --> 17:11.928 The United States does these operations, 17:11.928 --> 17:13.646 the freedom of navigation operations, 17:13.646 --> 17:16.188 all around the world, many times of the year. 17:16.188 --> 17:18.073 In fact, I probably have some 17:18.073 --> 17:19.841 facts and figures for you on that. 17:19.841 --> 17:21.283 But this is nothing new. 17:21.283 --> 17:23.788 We've done it before; we'll continue to do that. 17:23.788 --> 17:26.012 - But given the timing, as China and ASEAN 17:26.012 --> 17:28.428 just reached the frame of code of conduct 17:28.428 --> 17:31.583 in South China Sea, isn't this move counterproductive 17:31.583 --> 17:35.275 and actually inflame the tension in South China Sea? 17:35.275 --> 17:37.897 And as a matter of fact, the United States just endorsed 17:37.897 --> 17:40.453 the frame of code of conduct in South China Sea. 17:40.453 --> 17:41.407 - Yes, we did. 17:41.407 --> 17:44.346 And we are in compliance and adherence with that. 17:44.346 --> 17:48.100 This is a somewhat of a complex legal matter, so I want 17:48.100 --> 17:50.748 to read for you some of this so that there's no confusion 17:50.748 --> 17:52.779 on the part of folks across the world. 17:52.779 --> 17:56.061 We have a comprehensive freedom of navigation operations 17:56.061 --> 17:59.870 program, under which the U.S. forces challenge excessive 17:59.870 --> 18:02.852 maritime claims around the globe to demonstrate 18:02.852 --> 18:05.234 our commitment to uphold the rights, freedoms, 18:05.234 --> 18:07.671 and uses of the sea and airspace 18:07.671 --> 18:10.721 guaranteed to all nations under international law. 18:10.721 --> 18:13.059 All nations, that is guaranteed to the United States 18:13.059 --> 18:14.826 and to other nations as well. 18:14.826 --> 18:17.104 That's why I mentioned we do these freedom of navigation 18:17.104 --> 18:19.537 operations off the coast of Canada, for example, 18:19.537 --> 18:21.380 along with many other places. 18:21.380 --> 18:24.790 FONOPs, as we refer to it, are not about any one country; 18:24.790 --> 18:27.275 they're not about making a political statement. 18:27.275 --> 18:30.387 In 2016, and here's the number I referred to, we conducted 18:30.387 --> 18:32.760 these challenging excessive maritime claims 18:32.760 --> 18:35.119 in 22 different coastal states, 18:35.119 --> 18:37.936 including claims of allies and partners as well. 18:37.936 --> 18:39.795 So I hope that answers your question, okay? 18:39.795 --> 18:42.651 Somebody had something over here about China. 18:42.651 --> 18:44.482 - [Man] Is China doing enough on North Korea? 18:44.482 --> 18:46.539 Are you satisfied with what they're doing? 18:46.539 --> 18:49.493 - The Secretary has spoken to this issue a lot: 18:49.493 --> 18:51.326 Is China doing enough? 18:51.479 --> 18:54.880 And one of the things that he's consistently said is that 18:54.880 --> 18:57.890 we see some movement on the part of China but that movement 18:57.890 --> 19:01.065 and that engagement can be uneven at times. 19:01.065 --> 19:04.910 But look, he had conversations with many partners 19:04.910 --> 19:07.243 on his recent trip to ASEAN. 19:07.468 --> 19:10.257 We think we've made some additional progress in there. 19:10.257 --> 19:13.674 They certainly recognize what instability 19:13.924 --> 19:16.444 in that region means for their nation. 19:16.444 --> 19:18.903 They also jumped on board with that United Nations 19:18.903 --> 19:21.387 Security Council resolution, so we're pleased with that. 19:21.387 --> 19:23.830 But we look forward and hope that they will do more. 19:23.830 --> 19:25.176 - You have been saying the pressure 19:25.176 --> 19:26.681 is working, but the facts. 19:26.681 --> 19:27.591 - [Heather] That the what? 19:27.591 --> 19:28.729 - You have been saying that the pressure 19:28.729 --> 19:31.697 on North Korea is working, but the facts speak otherwise. 19:31.697 --> 19:34.734 They have done two ICBM tests in less than a month; 19:34.734 --> 19:38.211 they have threatened to now fire missiles in Guam. 19:38.211 --> 19:40.053 So what do you say about that? 19:40.053 --> 19:42.395 It doesn't seem that pressure is working on them. 19:42.395 --> 19:45.094 - Look, this pressure campaign is going to take a while. 19:45.094 --> 19:46.390 We've always recognized that. 19:46.390 --> 19:50.215 It took us many, many years to get to this concerning point 19:50.215 --> 19:52.673 where the United States and the world 19:52.673 --> 19:54.926 are right now with the DPRK. 19:54.926 --> 19:57.661 We can't expect that this is going to change overnight. 19:57.661 --> 20:00.110 This pressure campaign is going to take some time. 20:00.110 --> 20:03.229 Part of that pressure campaign is removing the money 20:03.229 --> 20:05.978 that North Korea gets for its weapons programs. 20:05.978 --> 20:08.976 We believe that through time and through talking to other 20:08.976 --> 20:12.017 countries about what those countries can do to reduce 20:12.017 --> 20:16.115 the number of guest workers, to reduce the size of embassies 20:16.115 --> 20:18.194 and missions in Pyongyang 20:18.194 --> 20:20.215 and in other places around the DPRK, 20:20.215 --> 20:23.130 that that will help remove some of the funding for that. 20:23.130 --> 20:23.963 Okay. 20:24.773 --> 20:26.797 - There is the luxury of some, 20:26.797 --> 20:29.532 I don't want to say luxury, but you have time? 20:29.532 --> 20:33.173 Because I think what this week has shown us, 20:33.173 --> 20:37.284 in terms of the miniaturization report, that there may not 20:37.284 --> 20:41.451 be enough time to let these things play out their course. 20:43.530 --> 20:45.585 - I want to point out that report that you just mentioned. 20:45.585 --> 20:47.496 A lot of people have asked about that. 20:47.496 --> 20:50.173 That would be an intelligence matter that I can't confirm 20:50.173 --> 20:52.493 and will have nothing to say from here about that. 20:52.493 --> 20:54.333 - But I'm not asking about the report. 20:54.333 --> 20:55.637 I'm just saying that. - Okay, well you referenced it 20:55.637 --> 20:56.870 so I just want to make that clear. 20:56.870 --> 20:58.849 - But developments over the course of the last 20:58.849 --> 21:02.512 couple weeks have made it clear, I think to everyone, 21:02.512 --> 21:05.346 that time is not necessarily on your side here, 21:05.346 --> 21:08.723 that the things, that the North Koreans are progressing 21:08.723 --> 21:11.306 much more quickly than had been 21:12.198 --> 21:14.678 anticipated, expected, or theorized. 21:14.678 --> 21:17.690 - We're, without a doubt, concerned about that. 21:17.690 --> 21:18.523 - Right. 21:18.596 --> 21:22.452 So my question to you is: Are you confident that there 21:22.452 --> 21:26.619 is time to allow these sanctions and the pressure campaign 21:27.236 --> 21:30.266 to work, that you have the time for that to work 21:30.266 --> 21:32.766 before they do something rash? 21:33.765 --> 21:36.357 - I think the best thing that I can say about that 21:36.357 --> 21:38.940 is referencing something that the Secretary said yesterday, 21:38.940 --> 21:42.940 and that is Americans can sleep safely at night. 21:44.003 --> 21:47.681 - [Matt] But that's the thing that Dr. Gorka said not 21:47.681 --> 21:51.077 that was pure nonsense and shouldn't be listened to. 21:51.077 --> 21:54.476 - I would refer you back to Mr. Gorka on that one. 21:54.476 --> 21:56.809 Okay, anything else on DPRK? 21:57.088 --> 21:58.717 Are we done with DPRK? 21:58.717 --> 21:59.865 - [Woman] Can we go to Cuba? 21:59.865 --> 22:00.855 - Okay, I feel like an auctioneer. 22:00.855 --> 22:01.808 Are we done with DPRK? 22:01.808 --> 22:03.380 Is that a yes, yes? 22:03.380 --> 22:04.713 - No. - No, okay. 22:04.815 --> 22:06.161 Miss, tell me your name, again. 22:06.161 --> 22:07.272 - [Jessica] Jessica Stone. 22:07.272 --> 22:08.161 - Right, hey, Jessica, good to see you. 22:08.161 --> 22:10.504 - Two more questions on DPRK. 22:10.504 --> 22:13.623 First of all, Japan is moving missile interceptors 22:13.623 --> 22:17.040 in order to be in a position to intercept 22:17.322 --> 22:19.556 anything that hits Guam, and they've said that 22:19.556 --> 22:22.040 they're willing to defend the U.S. in the context 22:22.040 --> 22:23.873 of what's going, the threats that have been made 22:23.873 --> 22:24.873 by the DPRK. 22:25.488 --> 22:27.863 Can you give us some insight into whether they're sort of 22:27.863 --> 22:31.000 overstepping their commitments under the mutual defense 22:31.000 --> 22:32.629 treaty that they have with the United States? 22:32.629 --> 22:35.172 Are they required to go to those lengths? 22:35.172 --> 22:36.377 Do you have any insight into that? 22:36.377 --> 22:38.620 - I do not, I'm sorry, I don't. 22:38.620 --> 22:41.156 Got something else? (laughs) 22:41.156 --> 22:41.989 - Yes. 22:42.322 --> 22:43.980 You sparked something. 22:43.980 --> 22:47.063 I know there's been a lot of writing, 22:47.091 --> 22:49.546 and maybe you could say ink spilled even, 22:49.546 --> 22:52.475 over the sort of dissonance between the messages on DPRK 22:52.475 --> 22:55.011 out of this building versus the sort of more synergy 22:55.011 --> 22:57.257 we've seen from the White House and the Pentagon. 22:57.257 --> 22:59.891 Is that strategic, that we're seeing Tillerson push 22:59.891 --> 23:02.105 the diplomatic option and we're seeing the President 23:02.105 --> 23:04.525 and Mattis push military consequences 23:04.525 --> 23:07.942 if the diplomatic response does not work? 23:09.171 --> 23:11.664 - This is something that we covered yesterday. 23:11.664 --> 23:15.120 Our policy across the administration is the same. 23:15.120 --> 23:18.075 The policy is: We want a denuclearization 23:18.075 --> 23:19.761 of the Korean Peninsula. 23:19.761 --> 23:23.678 We want, we expect North Korea to denuclearize. 23:24.444 --> 23:26.367 We would like them to be able 23:26.367 --> 23:28.617 to come to the global world 23:32.099 --> 23:35.516 of countries that can cooperate together. 23:35.725 --> 23:37.855 They are isolating themselves. 23:37.855 --> 23:40.195 It's something that's of grave concern to us, and that's why 23:40.195 --> 23:42.660 we continue to push this as the top national security 23:42.660 --> 23:44.795 priority for the United States at this time. 23:44.795 --> 23:46.913 - And lastly, do you have a working estimate of 23:46.913 --> 23:50.991 how soon you think that the DPRK would collapse? 23:50.991 --> 23:51.899 - I do not. 23:51.899 --> 23:53.125 That's quite a hypothetical. 23:53.125 --> 23:54.735 I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that. 23:54.735 --> 23:56.285 Okay, are we done with DPRK? 23:56.285 --> 23:58.202 Okay, let's go to Cuba. 23:59.025 --> 24:00.861 Okay, go right ahead, hi, how are you? 24:00.861 --> 24:04.656 - So do you have any update, I know it's just recent, 24:04.656 --> 24:07.954 on the diplomats and the hearing loss issue? 24:07.954 --> 24:11.671 But moreover, does the State Department have any plans for 24:11.671 --> 24:15.265 reversing the Obama administration's efforts to 24:15.265 --> 24:17.432 diplomatic ties with Cuba? 24:17.613 --> 24:19.881 In other words, reversing the, 24:19.881 --> 24:22.616 restoring them, reversing that action? 24:22.616 --> 24:24.858 - So I don't have any information on that 24:24.858 --> 24:26.858 particular part for you. 24:26.924 --> 24:29.557 You mentioned particular medical ailments. 24:29.557 --> 24:31.060 That is nothing that I can confirm. 24:31.060 --> 24:33.793 I've certainly seen that report out in the news media. 24:33.793 --> 24:35.105 I hope that those reports 24:35.105 --> 24:37.146 would not come from any federal officials. 24:37.146 --> 24:40.532 We will not confirm the health status of any Americans, 24:40.532 --> 24:43.607 whether they're in Cuba, back here at home, or elsewhere. 24:43.607 --> 24:46.496 What I can tell you is that these were U.S. Government 24:46.496 --> 24:48.990 personnel who were in Cuba, in Havana, 24:48.990 --> 24:51.992 on official duty on behalf of the U.S. Government. 24:51.992 --> 24:54.684 We consider these to be incidents because we still are 24:54.684 --> 24:58.851 trying to determine the actual cause of their situation. 25:00.386 --> 25:03.528 They have had a variety of physical symptoms. 25:03.528 --> 25:06.727 That's as far as I can go in describing that. 25:06.727 --> 25:09.047 We just don't have the definitive answers yet. 25:09.047 --> 25:10.651 This is an active investigation 25:10.651 --> 25:12.877 and that investigation is ongoing at this time. 25:12.877 --> 25:15.327 - What about the overall diplomatic relationship 25:15.327 --> 25:17.419 between Cuba and the United States? 25:17.419 --> 25:19.633 Are there any plans to change 25:19.633 --> 25:21.655 what the Obama administration put into place? 25:21.655 --> 25:24.569 - This is a situation that we're still assessing. 25:24.569 --> 25:27.739 When I say an active investigation is underway, in part what 25:27.739 --> 25:31.906 that means is we don't know exactly where this came from. 25:33.015 --> 25:35.317 We can't blame any one individual 25:35.317 --> 25:37.316 or a country at this point yet. 25:37.316 --> 25:38.729 An investigation is underway. 25:38.729 --> 25:40.320 We take that very seriously. 25:40.320 --> 25:41.685 This is a U.S. Government 25:41.685 --> 25:43.480 investigation that is taking place. 25:43.480 --> 25:46.288 We've spoken extensively to the Cubans about this. 25:46.288 --> 25:49.739 As you know, we had two of their Cuban diplomats leave 25:49.739 --> 25:51.656 back in late May or so. 25:51.958 --> 25:55.702 And the reason that we had them leave is because we said 25:55.702 --> 25:59.869 this is the agreement that the United States has with Cuba, 26:00.299 --> 26:02.751 and that is that they are responsible for the safety 26:02.751 --> 26:05.132 and security of our diplomats 26:05.132 --> 26:07.920 while our diplomats are serving in that country. 26:07.920 --> 26:10.881 Our Americans were not safe; they were not secure, 26:10.881 --> 26:12.877 obviously, because something has happened to them. 26:12.877 --> 26:14.722 We take that very seriously. 26:14.722 --> 26:18.557 The safety and security of Americans at home and abroad 26:18.557 --> 26:19.853 is our top issue. 26:19.853 --> 26:21.551 We'll continue to investigate that. 26:21.551 --> 26:22.746 - [Man] Global Affairs Canada. 26:22.746 --> 26:23.646 - Hold on, hold on. 26:23.646 --> 26:24.679 - Global Affairs Canada. - Hold on. 26:24.679 --> 26:25.784 Are you done, ma'am? 26:25.784 --> 26:27.212 - Yes, thank you so much. - Okay, thank you. 26:27.212 --> 26:28.966 - Okay, Global Affairs Canada, as you might know 26:28.966 --> 26:30.864 by now, says its diplomats have been experiencing 26:30.864 --> 26:33.727 the same unusual symptoms and it's working 26:33.727 --> 26:35.752 with the U.S. and Cuba to investigate. 26:35.752 --> 26:37.152 Is the U.S. working with 26:37.152 --> 26:39.310 any other country to investigate these incidents? 26:39.310 --> 26:42.415 - I won't comment on anything related to another country. 26:42.415 --> 26:43.573 I can't confirm that. 26:43.573 --> 26:45.527 I can only talk about the American piece of it. 26:45.527 --> 26:46.850 - And let me just ask you about Congress. 26:46.850 --> 26:50.767 This news seemed to catch several key lawmakers 26:51.016 --> 26:53.877 in Congress off guard, that deal with Cuba. 26:53.877 --> 26:56.498 And at least one U.S. senator has requested 26:56.498 --> 26:58.930 a classified briefing from the State Department. 26:58.930 --> 27:03.097 Why hasn't the State Department, if it cares so much about 27:04.240 --> 27:07.936 what's going on with its diplomats, alerted Congress? 27:07.936 --> 27:10.651 - Oh, there have been conversations that have been 27:10.651 --> 27:13.356 going on between the interagencies, 27:13.356 --> 27:16.323 and I assume, and that means Congress as well. 27:16.323 --> 27:19.494 So Congress, as certain folks have been, I can't tell you 27:19.494 --> 27:21.425 exactly who, I don't know off the top of my head, 27:21.425 --> 27:23.319 but have been made aware of this. 27:23.319 --> 27:25.650 This is not something that certain members 27:25.650 --> 27:27.659 of Congress are learning about for the first time. 27:27.659 --> 27:28.670 - Well, let me ask you this: 27:28.670 --> 27:30.010 Why are we just learning about this? 27:30.010 --> 27:33.760 These two Cuban diplomats left on May the 23rd. 27:33.760 --> 27:36.475 This has been going on at least eight or nine months, 27:36.475 --> 27:39.270 and now we're just learning about this, why? 27:39.270 --> 27:41.088 - As a reporter, you're going to ask me that question? 27:41.088 --> 27:42.229 I mean, goodness, 27:42.229 --> 27:43.625 you could have been down there reporting on this. 27:43.625 --> 27:45.962 Look, no, the honest question is 27:45.962 --> 27:48.173 and the real answer to this is: 27:48.173 --> 27:52.330 People started experiencing ailments in late 2016. 27:52.330 --> 27:54.564 And think about it; when you have an ailment 27:54.564 --> 27:57.128 you don't always know exactly what's causing it. 27:57.128 --> 27:59.806 You have that ailment; you maybe decide to put it off 27:59.806 --> 28:02.518 for a while, get medical treatment, maybe not. 28:02.518 --> 28:06.685 Some of these things take time to investigate, in particular 28:07.256 --> 28:10.326 ones that are, people aren't certain what has caused them. 28:10.326 --> 28:12.354 So this takes time to figure out. 28:12.354 --> 28:14.985 That is why I say an investigation is ongoing. 28:14.985 --> 28:18.084 We have provided medical care and medical treatment 28:18.084 --> 28:21.954 and screening to our Americans who have asked for that. 28:21.954 --> 28:24.420 Some people have been brought home as a result. 28:24.420 --> 28:27.038 So I kind of take issue with the tone of your question, 28:27.038 --> 28:29.531 as though we don't care about this. 28:29.531 --> 28:32.807 I think we've been clear in our responsibility and our, 28:32.807 --> 28:36.120 let me finish, and our concern about Americans who are 28:36.120 --> 28:38.812 serving on behalf of the U.S. Government in other countries. 28:38.812 --> 28:40.357 - Do you think those diplomats 28:40.357 --> 28:43.779 that have been experiencing these symptoms are satisfied 28:43.779 --> 28:46.324 with the response they've gotten from the State Department? 28:46.324 --> 28:47.910 - I don't know the answer to that. 28:47.910 --> 28:48.796 - [Matt] Heather, can I you ask you two semi-related? 28:48.796 --> 28:49.629 - Yes. 28:49.715 --> 28:51.769 - One, without getting into any specific country, 28:51.769 --> 28:54.922 names of other countries that might have had 28:54.922 --> 28:57.286 diplomats involved, are you aware of, 28:57.286 --> 29:00.125 that diplomats from other countries were, 29:00.125 --> 29:03.375 had suffered similar physical symptoms? 29:04.144 --> 29:05.163 - I have seen reports, 29:05.163 --> 29:06.692 and that's all I can say about that. 29:06.692 --> 29:08.775 - Okay, but so you don't, 29:08.843 --> 29:12.010 so you're unable to say whether or not 29:13.067 --> 29:16.930 this was only something that happened to Americans. 29:16.930 --> 29:20.099 - I just can't confirm here from a U.S. Government 29:20.099 --> 29:23.932 post that other countries may have or have not 29:24.649 --> 29:26.904 had the same issue happen to them. 29:26.904 --> 29:29.266 I can only speak to what Americans have faced. 29:29.266 --> 29:30.933 Okay, Cuba, hi, hey. 29:31.511 --> 29:35.077 - [Woman] You seem to leave open the possibility 29:35.077 --> 29:37.200 that another country is involved in some of this. 29:37.200 --> 29:38.379 - I didn't, I didn't. 29:38.379 --> 29:39.452 This guy right here next to you did. 29:39.452 --> 29:40.800 - Sorry, apologies. 29:40.800 --> 29:43.286 Not that someone else has been attacked, 29:43.286 --> 29:46.276 but that they seem to be, the possibility of a third country 29:46.276 --> 29:48.772 being involved in the attacks themselves, as in 29:48.772 --> 29:52.939 it might not be the Cubans who are behind the idea. 29:54.979 --> 29:57.396 - I know people want answers. 29:57.459 --> 29:59.100 I appreciate that, okay? 29:59.100 --> 30:01.677 But this is an ongoing investigation. 30:01.677 --> 30:03.683 We don't have all the answers yet. 30:03.683 --> 30:05.466 So I appreciate that you want to 30:05.466 --> 30:07.327 try to push me to say something. 30:07.327 --> 30:08.776 I'm not going to get ahead of the investigators, 30:08.776 --> 30:11.302 I'm not going to get ahead of this investigation, 30:11.302 --> 30:15.115 I'm not going to create storylines for you that don't 30:15.115 --> 30:17.933 match up with the facts as we know them right now. 30:17.933 --> 30:19.349 So I'm not going to get into that. 30:19.349 --> 30:21.624 It is an area that is under investigation 30:21.624 --> 30:23.466 that is a major concern of ours. 30:23.466 --> 30:27.633 - Can you say if, going back in research, that this 30:27.885 --> 30:32.052 building has seen anything similar to this in the past? 30:32.759 --> 30:35.695 - Matt, that's a good question, I have not. 30:35.695 --> 30:37.310 - [Matt] Whether it's in Cuba or anywhere else. 30:37.310 --> 30:39.222 - Yeah, I'm not personally aware of that. 30:39.222 --> 30:40.594 I can certainly ask 30:40.594 --> 30:42.648 some of our folks who have been around for 30:42.648 --> 30:44.724 longer than I have about that and see what I can do for you. 30:44.724 --> 30:45.680 - [Matt] That would be pretty much 30:45.680 --> 30:46.976 everyone in the building. (laughs) 30:46.976 --> 30:49.068 - I've been here three months now. (laughs) 30:49.068 --> 30:50.570 - Not to be an insult. 30:50.570 --> 30:53.074 And then the last thing on this: You have seen the response 30:53.074 --> 30:55.568 or the statement that the Cuban Government put out 30:55.568 --> 30:59.485 last night saying that it does not condone any, 30:59.630 --> 31:01.880 would not allow any kind of 31:04.917 --> 31:07.325 interference with foreign diplomats, 31:07.325 --> 31:09.985 and that it takes seriously and respects 31:09.985 --> 31:12.818 its Vienna Convention obligations. 31:13.313 --> 31:14.896 Do you accept that? 31:15.288 --> 31:18.792 - I would just say this about what you mentioned: 31:18.792 --> 31:22.206 We remain in regular contact with the Cuban Government. 31:22.206 --> 31:26.289 They are providing some guidance, some assistance 31:26.355 --> 31:30.011 on this investigation as the investigation is underway. 31:30.011 --> 31:34.178 In that regular contact, we hope to resolve this matter 31:35.054 --> 31:37.221 in a satisfactory fashion. 31:37.934 --> 31:39.794 And let me just leave it at that, okay? 31:39.794 --> 31:41.304 - [Matt] Right, but I just want to, I mean, 31:41.304 --> 31:43.011 do you take at face value when they, 31:43.011 --> 31:45.928 do you accept it that they respect, 31:47.200 --> 31:50.037 I mean, you made a big point yesterday of talking about 31:50.037 --> 31:51.677 the Vienna Convention and how Cuba 31:51.677 --> 31:54.633 has obligations under it to protect foreign diplomats. 31:54.633 --> 31:56.385 - Yeah, and they talked about that, yeah. 31:56.385 --> 32:00.302 - Right, and they say that they do, but clearly 32:00.319 --> 32:02.606 you don't think that they do. - Well, look, I think 32:02.606 --> 32:05.523 U.S. Government officials have been 32:05.741 --> 32:08.644 affected in some way by these incidents. 32:08.644 --> 32:11.465 Physically affected by these incidents. 32:11.465 --> 32:14.715 It is the Cuban Government's obligation 32:15.193 --> 32:18.007 under the Geneva Convention, excuse me, under. 32:18.007 --> 32:20.377 - Vienna. - Vienna, thank you. 32:20.377 --> 32:24.127 Under Vienna Conventions to ensure the safety 32:24.366 --> 32:27.271 and protection of our diplomats there. 32:27.271 --> 32:30.580 - I think what you're saying is that despite 32:30.580 --> 32:34.287 the statement from last night, you're still not convinced? 32:34.287 --> 32:36.566 - They have an obligation to do that, 32:36.566 --> 32:39.118 and that obviously did not happen, okay. 32:39.118 --> 32:41.596 Anything or are we done with Cuba? 32:41.596 --> 32:42.429 Okay. 32:42.545 --> 32:44.785 - Have staffing levels at the mission returned to 32:44.785 --> 32:47.548 the levels they were before the incidents came to light? 32:47.548 --> 32:50.754 - I can tell you this: that our embassy there 32:50.754 --> 32:53.095 in Havana is fully operational, 32:53.095 --> 32:57.262 it is fully staffed, they are still involved in business. 32:58.121 --> 33:02.288 As a precaution and for concern and the well-being 33:02.606 --> 33:05.770 of our embassy staffers there, we've allowed a limited 33:05.770 --> 33:08.525 number of personnel to curtail their tours of duty, 33:08.525 --> 33:10.614 and what that can mean is that some of them can transfer 33:10.614 --> 33:14.026 posts, come home if they want, or try to go elsewhere. 33:14.026 --> 33:16.539 - [Matt] The embassy is fully staffed. 33:16.539 --> 33:17.372 - Yeah. 33:17.523 --> 33:18.940 - That means that 33:19.238 --> 33:22.694 however many number left that you reciprocated 33:22.694 --> 33:25.834 by telling the Cubans they had to take two, 33:25.834 --> 33:28.332 they had to get two out, if you're saying it's now 33:28.332 --> 33:30.930 fully staffed, can the Cubans bring their two guys back 33:30.930 --> 33:32.763 or two diplomats back? 33:32.885 --> 33:36.218 - We brought our people home out of care 33:36.330 --> 33:38.396 and concern for their medical well-being. 33:38.396 --> 33:39.684 - I understand, but if they had been replaced 33:39.684 --> 33:41.097 and you're now fully staffed 33:41.097 --> 33:42.917 and you're back up at the number of diplomats. 33:42.917 --> 33:44.165 - Well, I don't know that we're, 33:44.165 --> 33:45.942 this is where you guys want to get into the number of people 33:45.942 --> 33:48.148 at our embassies, and I'm not going to do that, 33:48.148 --> 33:49.297 as you know that. 33:49.297 --> 33:52.666 I mean, I don't know if we're down one or if we're up one 33:52.666 --> 33:54.114 in terms of our embassy personnel. 33:54.114 --> 33:55.922 - [Matt] Fully staffed, that suggests. 33:55.922 --> 33:57.943 - Fully staffed means we have people doing the jobs. 33:57.943 --> 33:59.739 - [Matt] Heather, I understand that, but if you 33:59.739 --> 34:02.697 told the Cubans they had to lose two diplomats 34:02.697 --> 34:05.488 from their embassy here because, in a reciprocal manner, 34:05.488 --> 34:07.683 because you lost the two from. 34:07.683 --> 34:09.841 - I have never indicated any number. 34:09.841 --> 34:12.013 - Because you lost the number from there 34:12.013 --> 34:14.793 and now you say it's fully staffed, that would suggest that 34:14.793 --> 34:18.960 however many people left from your embassy are now back. 34:19.172 --> 34:20.758 - Look, I'm not going to get down this 34:20.758 --> 34:22.309 rabbit hole of numbers of people. 34:22.309 --> 34:24.324 - [Matt] And that would mean then that it is no longer 34:24.324 --> 34:27.260 necessary for the Cuban embassy to be down two staffers. 34:27.260 --> 34:29.200 - Matt, I'm not going to draw that conclusion. 34:29.200 --> 34:31.198 We are open for business. 34:31.198 --> 34:32.381 - [Matt] Well, this is pretty standard diplomacy. 34:32.381 --> 34:33.766 - We are, we are, hold on. 34:33.766 --> 34:35.136 We are open for business. 34:35.136 --> 34:36.953 There are people there doing the work. 34:36.953 --> 34:39.171 If we're up one, down one, I'm not going 34:39.171 --> 34:41.354 to get into those kinds of details, okay? 34:41.354 --> 34:44.886 But just understand that the work is being done there, okay? 34:44.886 --> 34:48.053 Okay, we're done with this now, okay, okay. 34:48.053 --> 34:49.367 - [Woman] Has the harassment stopped? 34:49.367 --> 34:51.917 Has this acoustic harassment stopped? 34:51.917 --> 34:53.706 - Look, I'm not going to confirm 34:53.706 --> 34:55.956 or deny what you're saying. 34:56.830 --> 34:59.456 We've had a lot of leading questions here today. 34:59.456 --> 35:02.369 This remains an ongoing investigation concern 35:02.369 --> 35:04.278 and I'm not going to get into that any further, okay? 35:04.278 --> 35:06.695 I'm done with Cuba right now. 35:07.070 --> 35:09.031 I've answered all that I can for you. 35:09.031 --> 35:09.864 Hold on. 35:10.179 --> 35:11.924 I've answered all that I can for you on Cuba. 35:11.924 --> 35:13.410 I know you still have questions. 35:13.410 --> 35:15.907 I'm not able to provide you all of the answers, okay? 35:15.907 --> 35:18.285 Investigation ongoing, period. 35:18.285 --> 35:19.523 - [Man] Syria, can we go to Syria? 35:19.523 --> 35:20.809 - Okay, let's, fine, let's go to Syria. 35:20.809 --> 35:22.468 - Yes, thank you, Heather. 35:22.468 --> 35:24.602 Yes, first of all, could you update us on what is happening 35:24.602 --> 35:27.940 in the battle for Raqqa and what is U.S. involvement? 35:27.940 --> 35:30.911 There are talks about the U.S. establishing 35:30.911 --> 35:33.230 a base near there and so on. 35:33.230 --> 35:34.782 So could you update us on that? 35:34.782 --> 35:35.861 And then second. 35:35.861 --> 35:38.740 - Look, when you mention any U.S. military facility, 35:38.740 --> 35:42.109 that would be a DOD matter, so I would not get into that. 35:42.109 --> 35:45.919 - All right, then let me ask you about the ceasefire. 35:45.919 --> 35:50.086 Would you characterize that U.S.-Russian cooperation 35:51.214 --> 35:55.381 in Syria as remaining the same as it was when this thing 35:55.555 --> 35:58.969 started out for the ceasefire, and second. 35:58.969 --> 36:00.573 - Let me answer that first question 36:00.573 --> 36:01.729 then I'll get to your next one, okay? 36:01.729 --> 36:05.533 So what you're referring to is the ceasefire that has 36:05.533 --> 36:07.584 been underway for about a month now. 36:07.584 --> 36:10.311 I think it was the 9th or so of July. 36:10.311 --> 36:11.641 We can double-check that. 36:11.641 --> 36:14.526 But for about that period of time in southwestern Syria, 36:14.526 --> 36:16.472 this is one that was negotiated between 36:16.472 --> 36:18.060 the United States, Russia, and other places. 36:18.060 --> 36:21.012 And the point of that was to find an area of cooperation 36:21.012 --> 36:23.817 where the United States and Russia could find, 36:23.817 --> 36:27.014 I mean, we have a low-level relationship with Russia. 36:27.014 --> 36:29.635 We all know that, that's no surprise here. 36:29.635 --> 36:32.091 But we want to find areas of mutual cooperation where we can 36:32.091 --> 36:35.135 work together and this is one area, that ceasefire, 36:35.135 --> 36:38.302 to my understanding, is still holding. 36:38.401 --> 36:40.347 We are pleased with that. 36:40.347 --> 36:43.092 That provides the United States and the coalition partners 36:43.092 --> 36:46.189 with the opportunity to start to get some humanitarian in 36:46.189 --> 36:48.985 that is so badly needed in that area. 36:48.985 --> 36:52.060 And so humanitarian aid, and I have a little bit of detail 36:52.060 --> 36:56.227 for you on that, we've been able to start reaching some of 36:56.489 --> 37:00.656 the vulnerable Syrians without the complications of avoiding 37:01.298 --> 37:03.839 airstrikes or increases in violence. 37:03.839 --> 37:06.689 We're continuing to work with our international partners 37:06.689 --> 37:09.337 to assess the ongoing emergency humanitarian needs 37:09.337 --> 37:12.120 throughout Syria and facilitate the delivery 37:12.120 --> 37:13.980 of vitally needed supplies. 37:13.980 --> 37:18.147 I'm also told that people are starting to slowly come back 37:18.674 --> 37:22.841 into parts of those areas, which we would consider to be 37:23.213 --> 37:25.785 a moderate success at this point, 37:25.785 --> 37:27.734 and we look forward to that happening eventually. 37:27.734 --> 37:29.738 - And my last question on this very point: 37:29.738 --> 37:32.926 It seems that when the ceasefire was negotiated, it was done 37:32.926 --> 37:37.012 between the United States, Russia, Jordan, and Israel. 37:37.012 --> 37:39.390 And Israel was opposed to the ceasefire. 37:39.390 --> 37:40.859 I wonder if you've seen these reports. 37:40.859 --> 37:42.972 And why would the United States not take 37:42.972 --> 37:46.291 into consideration Israel's concern with this? 37:46.291 --> 37:48.320 Or did they have real concerns? 37:48.320 --> 37:49.561 - I have seen that report. 37:49.561 --> 37:52.682 We're not going to discuss our diplomatic conversations 37:52.682 --> 37:55.015 on that or on other matters. 37:55.434 --> 37:58.833 We're committed to regular consultations with our partners 37:58.833 --> 38:01.110 in the region and that, of course, includes Israel. 38:01.110 --> 38:03.918 We talk with them very often, as you all know. 38:03.918 --> 38:06.919 The consultations have been extensive and they are ongoing. 38:06.919 --> 38:09.667 Okay, and we have to wrap it up in just a few. 38:09.667 --> 38:10.500 Okay. 38:10.913 --> 38:14.330 - In light of Erdogan's public statements 38:15.399 --> 38:19.566 on Saturday about the dangers that the YPG, as he sees it, 38:20.198 --> 38:24.195 poses to Turkey and the buildup of Turkish forces 38:24.195 --> 38:26.425 in the south, are you concerned about a Turkish attack 38:26.425 --> 38:28.592 on Kurdish areas in Syria? 38:28.760 --> 38:31.872 - So what I want to say about this is, of course, 38:31.872 --> 38:34.953 Turkey is an important and valued NATO ally. 38:34.953 --> 38:38.914 The United States takes Turkey's concerns seriously; 38:38.914 --> 38:42.081 we have a lot of ongoing conversations 38:42.435 --> 38:44.109 with the government of Mr. Erdogan. 38:44.109 --> 38:47.541 They have legitimate concerns with the PKK. 38:47.541 --> 38:49.124 We understand that. 38:49.291 --> 38:51.866 They are concerns about the region overall, 38:51.866 --> 38:55.360 and we condemn ongoing attacks committed by the UKK, 38:55.360 --> 38:56.943 excuse me, the PKK, 38:57.488 --> 38:59.532 and we consider that to be a terror organization. 38:59.532 --> 39:01.083 - But if Turkey were to move 39:01.083 --> 39:02.522 on Syria, you would oppose it completely? 39:02.522 --> 39:04.191 - That's a hypothetical, and I'm just not going 39:04.191 --> 39:05.469 to get into a hypothetical, okay? 39:05.469 --> 39:06.454 - [Man] China, China? 39:06.454 --> 39:08.248 - Okay, go right ahead, China. 39:08.248 --> 39:09.081 - Yeah. 39:09.711 --> 39:12.512 What is the U.S. position on the ongoing, 39:12.512 --> 39:15.639 because the bilateral diplomatic efforts have failed, 39:15.639 --> 39:18.497 so what is your position on China, India? 39:18.497 --> 39:21.157 This has been seven weeks on the border, 39:21.157 --> 39:23.480 the military tensions that are going on. 39:23.480 --> 39:25.770 - It's a situation that we have certainly 39:25.770 --> 39:27.187 followed closely. 39:27.828 --> 39:29.161 And as you know, 39:29.306 --> 39:31.895 we have relationships with both governments. 39:31.895 --> 39:34.771 We continue to encourage both parties to sit down 39:34.771 --> 39:36.718 and have conversations about that. 39:36.718 --> 39:38.189 And I'll just leave it at that, sir. 39:38.189 --> 39:41.383 - Just one more, and that is the Indian prime minister 39:41.383 --> 39:45.300 a couple of hours ago tweeted they look forward 39:46.018 --> 39:49.223 to Ms. Ivanka Trump presence at Hyderabad. 39:49.223 --> 39:52.864 But the point is as the leader of the U.S. delegation, 39:52.864 --> 39:55.843 and as you were earlier saying that this is the building 39:55.843 --> 40:00.010 that takes care of the diplomatic, so can you give anything 40:00.037 --> 40:04.204 about the U.S. delegation and what kind of comprised of? 40:05.706 --> 40:07.943 - I hear you, and I'm hearing this for the first 40:07.943 --> 40:10.458 time that the prime minister tweeted this, is that right? 40:10.458 --> 40:13.402 We have a very good relationship with him 40:13.402 --> 40:16.407 and we enjoyed having him here in the United States 40:16.407 --> 40:17.925 about a month or so ago. 40:17.925 --> 40:19.969 I just don't have any travel to give you at this time. 40:19.969 --> 40:21.482 When I do, I will make that available. 40:21.482 --> 40:22.607 - Thank you. - Thank you, sir. 40:22.607 --> 40:23.882 Okay, last question, Afghanistan, hi. 40:23.882 --> 40:26.205 - [Man] What's your stand on Senator McCain's 40:26.205 --> 40:28.335 Afghan strategy which he unveiled this morning? 40:28.335 --> 40:29.421 Have you seen this? 40:29.421 --> 40:33.588 - So I'm certainly aware of Senator McCain's proposal. 40:34.029 --> 40:37.085 By the way, it was great to see Senator McCain back here 40:37.085 --> 40:39.556 in Washington just a few weeks ago, 40:39.556 --> 40:41.889 a very strong and tough man. 40:42.528 --> 40:45.919 And as someone whose own father experienced the same illness 40:45.919 --> 40:48.824 that he had, I was really proud to see him 40:48.824 --> 40:49.827 walk back into Washington. 40:49.827 --> 40:53.700 That personal note aside, let me just say the Afghan review 40:53.700 --> 40:56.491 policy, which I know a lot of people are very curious about, 40:56.491 --> 40:57.972 is still under way. 40:57.972 --> 41:00.434 There have been a lot of conversations and negotiations 41:00.434 --> 41:02.199 with the President's national security team. 41:02.199 --> 41:04.507 Of course that includes Secretary Tillerson as part of that. 41:04.507 --> 41:07.503 We are looking at this as not just a solution 41:07.503 --> 41:11.003 to Afghanistan, but also a broader concern 41:11.394 --> 41:14.511 that incorporates India and Pakistan as well 41:14.511 --> 41:16.012 as a regional solution. 41:16.012 --> 41:17.296 We just don't have that plan. 41:17.296 --> 41:20.134 kAnd by the way, the White House will roll out that plan, 41:20.134 --> 41:22.295 but we just don't have that done just yet. 41:22.295 --> 41:23.692 It's still under review, okay? 41:23.692 --> 41:25.409 - [Man] So on your personal aside about Senator McCain, 41:25.409 --> 41:28.065 it was great to see him back, you said, in Washington. 41:28.065 --> 41:29.313 - I'm so happy to see him back, yeah. 41:29.313 --> 41:31.124 - [Man] Right, what did you think of his vote? 41:31.124 --> 41:32.924 - Of his vote on healthcare? 41:32.924 --> 41:35.138 I'll leave that to Senator McCain. 41:35.138 --> 41:38.055 Thanks, everybody, good to see you.