WEBVTT 00:00.357 --> 00:02.607 (mumbling) 00:04.092 --> 00:05.243 - Good afternoon, everybody. 00:05.243 --> 00:06.484 Hope you are all doing well. 00:06.484 --> 00:07.317 As you can see, 00:07.317 --> 00:09.803 I brought a guest with me today. 00:09.803 --> 00:12.874 The President's decision on Jerusalem has been briefed 00:12.874 --> 00:15.029 to you all by the White House, the NSC, 00:15.029 --> 00:16.539 and also the State Department, 00:16.539 --> 00:18.067 so we won't repeat that today, 00:18.067 --> 00:20.091 but we've brought our Acting Assistant Secretary 00:20.091 --> 00:22.562 for Near East Affairs David Satterfield, 00:22.562 --> 00:24.184 who has served here at the State Department 00:24.184 --> 00:26.184 for just about 40 years, 00:26.264 --> 00:27.635 first as a civil servant 00:27.635 --> 00:29.411 and then as a Foreign Service officer, 00:29.411 --> 00:30.720 and so he's going to start out taking 00:30.720 --> 00:32.611 some of your questions. 00:32.611 --> 00:33.444 I know all of you. 00:33.444 --> 00:36.150 He does not, so I'll help facilitate and call on people, 00:36.150 --> 00:39.339 and then after he's done with the Q and A, 00:39.339 --> 00:42.291 I will gladly take your questions on any other issues. 00:42.291 --> 00:44.432 So Acting Assistant Secretary David Satterfield, 00:44.432 --> 00:45.265 thank you so much, sir. 00:45.265 --> 00:46.765 - Thanks, Heather. 00:50.009 --> 00:51.098 I'll take your questions. 00:51.098 --> 00:53.259 - Sure, alright, yeah, so I've got-- 00:53.259 --> 00:54.092 - [Woman] Oh, I'm sorry. 00:54.092 --> 00:55.423 Matt, you can go ahead. 00:55.423 --> 00:58.517 - I've got what are gonna sound like a couple softballs, 00:58.517 --> 01:02.350 but they were questions that your predecessors 01:02.651 --> 01:05.304 and Heather's predecessors weren't able 01:05.304 --> 01:06.450 to answer very easily, 01:06.450 --> 01:07.791 so just bear with me. 01:07.791 --> 01:09.074 They're two very brief ones. 01:09.074 --> 01:11.574 What is the capital of Israel? 01:11.744 --> 01:13.607 - The President announced yesterday, 01:13.607 --> 01:15.719 issued a proclamation declaring the United States 01:15.719 --> 01:18.808 recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel. 01:18.808 --> 01:20.124 - [Matt] So the answer to the question 01:20.124 --> 01:21.627 is Jerusalem, correct? 01:21.627 --> 01:22.460 - That's exactly right. 01:22.460 --> 01:25.243 - [Matt] What country is Jerusalem in? 01:25.243 --> 01:27.019 - The President recognized Jerusalem 01:27.019 --> 01:29.126 as the capital of the state of Israel. 01:29.126 --> 01:29.999 - Does that mean then 01:29.999 --> 01:32.190 that the U.S. Government officially recognizes 01:32.190 --> 01:34.905 that Jerusalem, the municipality lies 01:34.905 --> 01:37.155 within the state of Israel? 01:37.166 --> 01:39.744 - There has been no change in our policy 01:39.744 --> 01:42.066 with respect to consular practice 01:42.066 --> 01:44.052 or passport issuance at this time, 01:44.052 --> 01:45.324 which is where I think you are--. 01:45.324 --> 01:48.714 - Well, I wanted to know what the practical implications 01:48.714 --> 01:50.464 of this decision are, 01:50.947 --> 01:54.188 not in terms of necessarily broad policy, 01:54.188 --> 01:57.391 the peace process, whatever, but things like maps. 01:57.391 --> 01:58.457 Will they be withdrawn? 01:58.457 --> 02:00.457 Will the passport issue, 02:00.547 --> 02:02.713 will passports now identify Jerusalem 02:02.713 --> 02:06.880 as being within Israel if the person was born there? 02:07.000 --> 02:08.977 What about official documents? 02:08.977 --> 02:11.561 Will they say Jerusalem, comma, Israel? 02:11.561 --> 02:14.030 What about the mailing address of the consulate 02:14.030 --> 02:15.550 or the street address of the consulate? 02:15.550 --> 02:17.878 - I've already commented that on consular practice 02:17.878 --> 02:20.055 there is no change at this time. 02:20.055 --> 02:22.319 With respect to maps, we are, of course, 02:22.319 --> 02:23.838 examining that issue, 02:23.838 --> 02:27.278 and when we have a decision we will announce it 02:27.278 --> 02:30.110 with respect to how we will treat Jerusalem 02:30.110 --> 02:32.864 for official USG-produced mapping purposes. 02:32.864 --> 02:34.391 - Okay, so that sounds to me like 02:34.391 --> 02:37.911 within these areas there is no practical impact. 02:37.911 --> 02:40.407 - Well, in consular practice there is no impact. 02:40.407 --> 02:41.240 - [Matt] Thank you. 02:41.240 --> 02:42.073 - [Man] So on-- 02:42.073 --> 02:42.906 - [Heather] Hold on, hold on-- 02:42.906 --> 02:43.951 - [Said] On the issue of East Jerusalem, 02:43.951 --> 02:44.784 on being from East Jerusalem-- 02:44.784 --> 02:45.617 - [Heather] Excuse me, Said. 02:45.617 --> 02:46.808 I'll just call on the questions, okay, 02:46.808 --> 02:48.191 since he doesn't know anybody. 02:48.191 --> 02:49.072 Elise, go right ahead. 02:49.072 --> 02:51.239 - Hi, Assistant Secretary. 02:51.832 --> 02:54.915 Could I just put a finer point on it? 02:55.129 --> 02:56.784 The President said and you just said 02:56.784 --> 02:59.717 that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, 02:59.717 --> 03:03.217 but he also said that the borders are yet, 03:04.770 --> 03:06.346 that there's no change in the-- 03:06.346 --> 03:07.306 - [David] The boundaries of sovereignty. 03:07.306 --> 03:08.336 - The boundaries of sovereignty. 03:08.336 --> 03:09.755 - [David] Border questions have not been addressed. 03:09.755 --> 03:11.409 - So you're essentially saying that Jerusalem 03:11.409 --> 03:12.681 is the capital of Israel, 03:12.681 --> 03:16.848 but you're not saying that the entire municipality 03:17.342 --> 03:20.425 of Jerusalem falls into that capital? 03:20.945 --> 03:23.731 - I will restate what the President said, 03:23.731 --> 03:26.894 which is we recognize Jerusalem as the capital 03:26.894 --> 03:28.520 of the state of Israel. 03:28.520 --> 03:30.973 We are not changing or taking a position 03:30.973 --> 03:33.865 on the boundaries of sovereignty in Jerusalem-- 03:33.865 --> 03:35.054 - [Elise] Well, could you explain what that-- 03:35.054 --> 03:36.339 - Including geographic boundaries, 03:36.339 --> 03:38.973 and I will not elaborate beyond that 03:38.973 --> 03:41.324 except to note a further comment 03:41.324 --> 03:43.083 which the President made, 03:43.083 --> 03:45.884 which is that we regard those issues, 03:45.884 --> 03:50.051 the specifics, the boundaries of sovereignty, borders, 03:50.800 --> 03:52.247 as a matter for permanent status 03:52.247 --> 03:54.616 or final status negotiations between the party, 03:54.616 --> 03:58.616 and I think that addresses just about everything 03:58.945 --> 04:01.030 that could fall in the basket you're raising. 04:01.030 --> 04:02.542 - If I might, if I might, 04:02.542 --> 04:05.375 I think that's very parse language 04:05.614 --> 04:09.781 and kind of a very legal, kind of diplomatese definition, 04:13.311 --> 04:14.590 and if you could-- 04:14.590 --> 04:15.423 - [David] Thank you. 04:15.423 --> 04:16.334 - Kind of put it into a, 04:16.334 --> 04:18.963 which you're very good at, by the way, after many years. 04:18.963 --> 04:21.411 If you could put it into layman's terms, 04:21.411 --> 04:24.801 what does that mean that you call Jerusalem 04:24.801 --> 04:26.443 the capital of Israel, 04:26.443 --> 04:28.960 but then you say that the boundaries of sovereignty, 04:28.960 --> 04:31.360 I think that people would like a little bit more 04:31.360 --> 04:33.443 of a layman's definition. 04:33.542 --> 04:35.773 - I think the way the President presented it yesterday 04:35.773 --> 04:37.576 in his remarks and in the proclamation 04:37.576 --> 04:39.773 does a pretty good job of that, 04:39.773 --> 04:43.606 which is to say we're acknowledging a reality, 04:43.628 --> 04:45.295 something practical. 04:45.585 --> 04:49.752 Jerusalem is currently, historically, capital of Israel. 04:50.533 --> 04:52.742 That's the decision he announced. 04:52.742 --> 04:55.911 With respect to boundaries of sovereignty, 04:55.911 --> 04:57.494 borders, geography, 04:58.158 --> 05:00.471 those are matters for final status negotiations 05:00.471 --> 05:01.318 between the party, 05:01.318 --> 05:05.485 and we're not going to touch on those at this time, 05:05.714 --> 05:07.282 and I think that speaks for itself, 05:07.282 --> 05:10.096 and I'll use his words rather than my own diplomatese. 05:10.096 --> 05:11.311 - [Heather] Said, go right ahead. 05:11.311 --> 05:12.415 - Yes, my name is Said Arikat. 05:12.415 --> 05:14.735 I just want to follow up on East Jerusalem 05:14.735 --> 05:15.936 because it is really, 05:15.936 --> 05:18.980 it's not clear at all, not in my mind. 05:18.980 --> 05:22.092 So what happens to the Palestinian population 05:22.092 --> 05:23.538 of East Jerusalem? 05:23.538 --> 05:26.682 Do they now become automatically Israeli citizens, 05:26.682 --> 05:28.250 would have full rights, and so on? 05:28.250 --> 05:30.727 What happens to 300,000 Palestinians? 05:30.727 --> 05:33.708 - Said, the President's proclamation yesterday, 05:33.708 --> 05:37.458 his decision, have no impact on those issues. 05:37.726 --> 05:40.893 He is recognizing a practical reality. 05:41.296 --> 05:42.862 Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, 05:42.862 --> 05:45.279 and all of the other aspects, 05:45.718 --> 05:47.885 boundaries of sovereignty, 05:48.126 --> 05:49.295 we're not taking a position. 05:49.295 --> 05:50.650 It's for the sides to resolve. 05:50.650 --> 05:52.447 - So if you'll just bear with me for a second, 05:52.447 --> 05:54.947 so why not say West Jerusalem? 05:55.014 --> 05:56.222 I mean, the Russians have done that. 05:56.222 --> 05:58.264 It did not cause any problem and so on, 05:58.264 --> 06:01.627 or why don't you say that this part, East Jerusalem, 06:01.627 --> 06:03.842 as been negotiated as you yourself 06:03.842 --> 06:05.818 have been involved for so many years, 06:05.818 --> 06:09.319 this portion is designated to become the capital 06:09.319 --> 06:11.207 of the Palestinian state? 06:11.207 --> 06:15.374 - Said, the President's decision speaks for itself. 06:15.630 --> 06:18.739 There are many words that are in his statement, 06:18.739 --> 06:19.989 in his remarks. 06:20.128 --> 06:22.446 There are words that aren't. 06:22.446 --> 06:25.188 We recognize Jerusalem as the capital 06:25.188 --> 06:26.615 of the state of Israel. 06:26.615 --> 06:27.774 He didn't go beyond that, 06:27.774 --> 06:28.899 and I'm not going to go beyond that. 06:28.899 --> 06:29.732 - [Said] Can you share with us-- 06:29.732 --> 06:30.565 - [Heather] We need to move on (mumbling). 06:30.565 --> 06:31.786 - [Said] Just one last thing? 06:31.786 --> 06:32.619 - [Heather] Said, (mumbling). 06:32.619 --> 06:33.652 - Could you share with us, sir, 06:33.652 --> 06:37.091 one national security interest of the United States 06:37.091 --> 06:38.845 that this recognition has served? 06:38.845 --> 06:41.389 Can you identify one national security interest 06:41.389 --> 06:44.451 of the United States that this recognition has identified? 06:44.451 --> 06:46.690 - The President is committed to advancing 06:46.690 --> 06:50.012 a peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. 06:50.012 --> 06:54.179 In his view upon reflection, this step, he believes, 06:55.061 --> 06:57.978 assists in that process, full stop. 06:58.133 --> 06:59.033 - [Heather] Nick, go right ahead. 06:59.033 --> 06:59.957 - [Dave] Can you explain that further, because-- 06:59.957 --> 07:00.972 - [Nick] Can I just ask, Mr.-- 07:00.972 --> 07:01.805 - [Dave] That's exactly what we're trying to, 07:01.805 --> 07:02.759 or what I'm trying to figure out is-- 07:02.759 --> 07:03.782 - [Heather] Nick, go right ahead. 07:03.782 --> 07:04.615 Hold on, Dave. 07:04.615 --> 07:05.769 - Just to Matt's point, 07:05.769 --> 07:08.668 can you explain why a decision making process 07:08.668 --> 07:11.749 needs to be made about maps and things like that 07:11.749 --> 07:13.031 and consular services? 07:13.031 --> 07:14.092 I mean, you said yourself, 07:14.092 --> 07:16.886 the President declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel. 07:16.886 --> 07:18.695 Why does there need to be 07:18.695 --> 07:20.892 a further decision making process on those other issues? 07:20.892 --> 07:23.468 - It's a very simple answer, and it's wholly technical. 07:23.468 --> 07:26.684 What phrasing do you place upon government issued maps? 07:26.684 --> 07:28.760 There are different word choices that can be used. 07:28.760 --> 07:31.749 To be clear, there will be a decision made. 07:31.749 --> 07:33.756 When the decision is made, you'll have it, 07:33.756 --> 07:34.894 and you'll have the maps. 07:34.894 --> 07:36.734 - And can you just explain why now? 07:36.734 --> 07:38.092 Why did he make this decision now? 07:38.092 --> 07:40.673 - Because December 4th was the trigger date 07:40.673 --> 07:44.840 for the next waiver required under the Jerusalem Act of '95. 07:45.336 --> 07:47.674 That was the proximate timing issue, full stop. 07:47.674 --> 07:48.801 - [Nick] So there was no strategic, 07:48.801 --> 07:50.454 it was solely based on-- 07:50.454 --> 07:51.862 - The President had to make a decision. 07:51.862 --> 07:52.901 He did, but he's-- 07:52.901 --> 07:54.641 - [Matt] Why didn't he do it on the 4th? 07:54.641 --> 07:56.306 - That's the legal requirement of the act. 07:56.306 --> 07:57.626 Every six months a waiver has to be issued-- 07:57.626 --> 07:58.459 - [Matt] But he didn't. 07:58.459 --> 07:59.363 He didn't do it on the 4th. 07:59.363 --> 08:00.873 He did it on the 6th. 08:00.873 --> 08:01.706 - We believe, 08:01.706 --> 08:04.414 and I believe the White House has spoken to this, 08:04.414 --> 08:06.525 technically, we were in compliance. 08:06.525 --> 08:08.687 We'll leave it to the Hill on whether 48 hours 08:08.687 --> 08:10.662 constituted a problem or not, 08:10.662 --> 08:12.113 but the 4th was the trigger date. 08:12.113 --> 08:14.667 - Wow, I wish my editors had your sense of deadline. 08:14.667 --> 08:15.572 (laughing) 08:15.572 --> 08:16.740 - [Michelle] Thanks, thanks. 08:16.740 --> 08:20.622 Can you just say how this furthers the peace process? 08:20.622 --> 08:23.300 - The President believes taking this issue, 08:23.300 --> 08:25.920 that is the fact of U.S. recognition, 08:25.920 --> 08:28.211 acknowledgement of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, 08:28.211 --> 08:32.294 an issue that's been pending out there since '95, 08:32.639 --> 08:35.494 since the act was initially passed, 08:35.494 --> 08:38.247 was appropriate to make and that it helps 08:38.247 --> 08:41.004 in the process to no longer have that issue, 08:41.004 --> 08:43.430 which is the U.S. acknowledgement 08:43.430 --> 08:46.623 of the simple fact that Jerusalem is the location 08:46.623 --> 08:48.041 of the supreme court, the Knesset, 08:48.041 --> 08:51.237 the president and the prime minister's residences, 08:51.237 --> 08:54.668 that that is a useful clearing of an issue 08:54.668 --> 08:58.001 that has been part of, grown as part of, 08:58.318 --> 09:00.153 this process for many decades. 09:00.153 --> 09:03.436 - [Michelle] So it's setting us up for what? 09:03.436 --> 09:05.505 If you're saying that that gets that out of the way, 09:05.505 --> 09:07.505 and it's been a reality, 09:08.096 --> 09:09.641 how does that set the stage? 09:09.641 --> 09:11.874 - The President and his peace team have been engaged, 09:11.874 --> 09:12.831 as you all know, 09:12.831 --> 09:15.914 for many months now in discussions with the two parties, 09:15.914 --> 09:17.807 with regional states, with other key actors, 09:17.807 --> 09:19.974 to try to advance a peace. 09:20.327 --> 09:21.599 This is not an easy process. 09:21.599 --> 09:23.349 It's a difficult one, 09:23.375 --> 09:26.754 but he believes this step assists in that process. 09:26.754 --> 09:28.731 I am not going to elaborate on that further. 09:28.731 --> 09:29.564 - [Michelle] And how would you-- 09:29.564 --> 09:30.691 (mumbling) 09:30.691 --> 09:33.116 - The Palestinians said that the U.S. cannot anymore 09:33.116 --> 09:35.808 be a mediator in this peace process, 09:35.808 --> 09:38.598 so how do you think this presidential team 09:38.598 --> 09:41.765 can go forward and broker a deal with, 09:41.831 --> 09:43.733 if one of the two main actors 09:43.733 --> 09:44.893 doesn't want him as a mediator? 09:44.893 --> 09:47.540 - It will not surprise you to hear after all these years, 09:47.540 --> 09:49.452 my response is we will judge parties 09:49.452 --> 09:52.899 by their actions rather than by statements. 09:52.899 --> 09:54.803 - [Heather] Alright. (mumbling) 09:54.803 --> 09:55.636 - [Rich] Thanks. 09:55.636 --> 09:56.973 - [Heather] Sorry, Rich, thanks. 09:56.973 --> 10:00.546 - As a veteran diplomat and representative of NEA, 10:00.546 --> 10:03.777 do you personally agree with the President's decision? 10:03.777 --> 10:07.944 - Oh, now, I am an employee of the U.S. Government. 10:08.523 --> 10:11.106 I am a Foreign Service officer. 10:12.075 --> 10:14.603 We all, and I speak of my boss, 10:14.603 --> 10:16.554 the Secretary, and the other principals 10:16.554 --> 10:18.073 in the U.S. Government, 10:18.073 --> 10:20.224 we are all part of this team. 10:20.224 --> 10:23.999 This is a decision which we will work our best 10:23.999 --> 10:25.688 to execute and advance. 10:25.688 --> 10:28.068 - How long did NEA consult with the administration on this? 10:28.068 --> 10:30.541 - I'm not gonna get into a tick tock on this. 10:30.541 --> 10:31.879 - [Heather] Arshad. 10:31.879 --> 10:34.036 - Do you believe that this decision 10:34.036 --> 10:36.536 in any way impairs the pursuit 10:37.437 --> 10:39.937 of peace by the United States? 10:40.809 --> 10:43.510 - We've made clear, the President has made clear, 10:43.510 --> 10:47.177 that he hopes it helps advance this process, 10:47.444 --> 10:48.592 helps move it forward. 10:48.592 --> 10:49.533 - [Arshad] But that's not my question. 10:49.533 --> 10:50.366 - But it was an issue. 10:50.366 --> 10:51.976 - My question is, do you think it in any way impairs 10:51.976 --> 10:52.836 the pursuit of peace? 10:52.836 --> 10:53.913 I know what you hope. 10:53.913 --> 10:57.355 I want to know if you think it has impaired your efforts. 10:57.355 --> 10:59.657 - I can't make that judgment at this point. 10:59.657 --> 11:01.914 - Not even given the negative reactions 11:01.914 --> 11:04.379 that you have seen in Arab capitals 11:04.379 --> 11:06.193 among some of your allies, 11:06.193 --> 11:07.516 let alone the Palestinians? 11:07.516 --> 11:10.755 - No, again, we will judge by what actually happens 11:10.755 --> 11:14.688 with those parties as we deal with this process, 11:14.688 --> 11:16.487 as we carry on discussions with them. 11:16.487 --> 11:18.349 Again, we're not gonna be driven by statements. 11:18.349 --> 11:19.885 - And one other question. 11:19.885 --> 11:23.718 Do you regard those portions of East Jerusalem 11:25.288 --> 11:27.621 that were occupied by Israel 11:28.454 --> 11:30.954 in 1967 as occupied territory? 11:35.962 --> 11:38.372 - The decision of the President is 11:38.372 --> 11:40.548 to recognize Jerusalem as the capital 11:40.548 --> 11:41.884 of the state of Israel. 11:41.884 --> 11:45.467 The President has stated that that decision 11:46.098 --> 11:49.261 does not touch upon issues of boundaries, 11:49.261 --> 11:53.344 of sovereignty, or geographic borders, full stop. 11:54.072 --> 11:57.052 - So it is still occupied territory, in your view? 11:57.052 --> 12:00.409 - I have stated what the President's decision does 12:00.409 --> 12:01.742 and does not do. 12:02.417 --> 12:03.905 - [Heather] Kylie from CBS. 12:03.905 --> 12:04.874 - [Kylie] Thank you. 12:04.874 --> 12:07.041 What is the current policy 12:07.065 --> 12:09.152 of the U.S. administration 12:09.152 --> 12:12.985 towards Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem? 12:14.940 --> 12:18.440 - This decision had no impact on any issue 12:19.085 --> 12:21.988 other than the recognition or acknowledgment 12:21.988 --> 12:25.020 of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. 12:25.020 --> 12:26.094 - [Kylie] No, but so could you-- 12:26.094 --> 12:26.934 - I've answered your question. 12:26.934 --> 12:28.764 - Could you follow up what the policy therefore is, 12:28.764 --> 12:30.057 even though it has not been enacted? 12:30.057 --> 12:32.299 - [David] I'm not going to restate the policy at this point. 12:32.299 --> 12:33.291 - [Matt] Well, can I just ask you then 12:33.291 --> 12:34.510 are you accepting the premise of the question 12:34.510 --> 12:36.035 that construction in East Jerusalem 12:36.035 --> 12:37.952 is settlement activity? 12:38.051 --> 12:39.445 I don't believe that it's (mumbling). 12:39.445 --> 12:42.227 - What I am stating is an affirmative. 12:42.227 --> 12:45.727 The President's decision was a recognition 12:46.034 --> 12:48.234 of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. 12:48.234 --> 12:51.595 The President made clear issues that touch 12:51.595 --> 12:54.428 upon the boundaries of sovereignty 12:55.864 --> 12:59.739 or final status issues are not addressed by his decision. 12:59.739 --> 13:00.572 - I get it. 13:00.572 --> 13:01.678 The question is one of terminology. 13:01.678 --> 13:02.511 - [David] Fine. 13:02.511 --> 13:03.421 - You called construction 13:03.421 --> 13:06.431 in the West Bank settlement activity, 13:06.431 --> 13:09.063 but not necessarily construction in East Jerusalem. 13:09.063 --> 13:10.639 That's just construction. 13:10.639 --> 13:11.869 It hasn't traditionally-- 13:11.869 --> 13:14.936 - The President's decision did not touch on those issues. 13:14.936 --> 13:17.769 - [Heather] Final question, Elise. 13:18.430 --> 13:20.708 - Could you explain the distinction 13:20.708 --> 13:23.062 between recognizing the capital, 13:23.062 --> 13:26.062 and not deciding anything on borders 13:28.353 --> 13:30.270 as it refers to a deal? 13:30.569 --> 13:31.506 Because if you're saying that 13:31.506 --> 13:35.673 this is a final status issue to be negotiated at the table, 13:36.034 --> 13:39.784 how does either, A, this not prejudice a deal 13:40.651 --> 13:42.800 when Jerusalem is a final status issue, 13:42.800 --> 13:46.550 or B, how is it not a meaningless declaration 13:46.931 --> 13:48.912 that could be negotiated at the table? 13:48.912 --> 13:50.703 It has to be one or the other. 13:50.703 --> 13:53.169 - Elise, final status negotiations 13:53.169 --> 13:55.936 are gonna deal with those boundaries of sovereignty, 13:55.936 --> 13:58.473 border questions that the President spoke to 13:58.473 --> 14:00.874 as not addressed by his recognition. 14:00.874 --> 14:03.672 The President thought it was the right thing 14:03.672 --> 14:05.308 to do for the United States, 14:05.308 --> 14:08.776 after all these years, to acknowledge the fact, 14:08.776 --> 14:11.875 the reality, that Jerusalem is the seat 14:11.875 --> 14:13.952 of government of the state of Israel, 14:13.952 --> 14:15.477 the capital of the state of Israel. 14:15.477 --> 14:16.310 That's it. 14:16.537 --> 14:18.929 - But respectfully, it's inconsistent 14:18.929 --> 14:21.290 with the idea that you would also be negotiating 14:21.290 --> 14:23.707 at the table unless you can acknowledge 14:23.707 --> 14:25.298 what we're all trying to get you to say, 14:25.298 --> 14:26.562 which you artfully are not-- 14:26.562 --> 14:27.395 - [David] Thank you, Elise. 14:27.395 --> 14:28.314 You may well think that, thank you. 14:28.314 --> 14:31.064 - Well, but the idea that it may, 14:31.686 --> 14:33.798 that Jerusalem is the capital, 14:33.798 --> 14:36.169 but perhaps in final status negotiations 14:36.169 --> 14:39.214 that it might be not the united capital. 14:39.214 --> 14:43.381 - Elise, I will only address one more point on this. 14:43.392 --> 14:45.919 What were the words the President used? 14:45.919 --> 14:47.749 It was a very simple statement, 14:47.749 --> 14:51.916 recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. 14:53.204 --> 14:54.733 There are words you might want to put in there. 14:54.733 --> 14:55.566 He didn't. 14:55.732 --> 14:57.093 There are words you might want to take out. 14:57.093 --> 14:57.926 He didn't. 14:58.334 --> 15:01.180 That statement was very carefully made, 15:01.180 --> 15:05.347 as was the comment we are not prejudicing addressing 15:06.297 --> 15:09.380 by this decision final status issues. 15:11.430 --> 15:12.542 - [Heather] Alright, thank you, everybody. 15:12.542 --> 15:13.375 - [Woman] Thank you. 15:13.375 --> 15:14.208 - Thank you. 15:14.208 --> 15:15.239 - Acting Assistant Secretary David Satterfield, 15:15.239 --> 15:16.742 appreciate it, and your expertise, sir. 15:16.742 --> 15:17.575 Thank you. 15:17.575 --> 15:18.408 - Thanks. 15:18.941 --> 15:20.608 - Thanks, everybody. 15:22.195 --> 15:24.948 The rest of the world to cover, don't we? 15:24.948 --> 15:26.920 - [Matt] Well, I still have some questions on Jerusalem. 15:26.920 --> 15:27.753 - Okay, 15:31.786 --> 15:33.216 okay, a couple things I'd like 15:33.216 --> 15:34.792 to start out with right now. 15:34.792 --> 15:37.592 First, I'd like to mention our co-hosting 15:37.592 --> 15:40.101 of a global forum on asset recovery 15:40.101 --> 15:43.273 and the run up to International Anticorruption Day. 15:43.273 --> 15:45.136 As a part of a U.S. Government-wide effort 15:45.136 --> 15:46.685 to combat corruption around the world, 15:46.685 --> 15:48.048 the United States co-hosted 15:48.048 --> 15:51.128 the inaugural Global Forum on Asset Recovery 15:51.128 --> 15:53.513 earlier this week at the World Bank in Washington. 15:53.513 --> 15:54.912 This major international event, 15:54.912 --> 15:56.352 which took place in the immediate run up 15:56.352 --> 15:57.875 to the global commemoration 15:57.875 --> 16:00.024 of International Anticorruption Day, 16:00.024 --> 16:02.487 was co-hosted by the United Kingdom. 16:02.487 --> 16:04.418 In a signal of U.S. commitment to this cause, 16:04.418 --> 16:07.168 our top law enforcement official, 16:08.043 --> 16:10.782 Attorney General Jeff Sessions, took part in the forum. 16:10.782 --> 16:12.726 The forum's goal was to facilitate 16:12.726 --> 16:14.744 the continued recovery of stolen assets 16:14.744 --> 16:16.264 from four focus countries, 16:16.264 --> 16:19.680 Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, and Ukraine. 16:19.680 --> 16:21.062 The United States will remain committed 16:21.062 --> 16:22.768 to fighting corruption internationally 16:22.768 --> 16:25.098 by building partner nations' capacity 16:25.098 --> 16:27.182 to investigate and prosecute graft 16:27.182 --> 16:29.118 by cooperating with foreign partners, 16:29.118 --> 16:31.424 to trace and recover public assets stolen 16:31.424 --> 16:33.289 by kleptocratic regimes, 16:33.289 --> 16:37.456 and by strengthening institutions to prevent corruption. 16:38.599 --> 16:40.695 The second matter is that Secretary Tillerson, 16:40.695 --> 16:42.192 as you all know, is still on travel, 16:42.192 --> 16:43.599 on his Europe travel. 16:43.599 --> 16:45.132 Yesterday, Secretary Tillerson 16:45.132 --> 16:47.215 continued his engagements in Brussels, 16:47.215 --> 16:49.727 participating in the NATO, Georgia Commission meeting 16:49.727 --> 16:52.544 and the North Atlantic Council Foreign Ministerial. 16:52.544 --> 16:54.319 He also held meetings with his British 16:54.319 --> 16:56.072 and Turkish counterparts. 16:56.072 --> 16:58.031 In the meetings, the Secretary once again reaffirmed 16:58.031 --> 16:59.815 the United States' ironclad commitment 16:59.815 --> 17:02.521 to our NATO allies and the security of Europe, 17:02.521 --> 17:04.761 and he welcomed the growing number of NATO allies 17:04.761 --> 17:07.358 who are meeting at their burden sharing commitments. 17:07.358 --> 17:08.472 If you haven't done so already, 17:08.472 --> 17:10.366 I'd suggest you review the transcript 17:10.366 --> 17:12.794 of the Secretary's press conference at NATO. 17:12.794 --> 17:15.013 Today in Vienna, Secretary Tillerson participated 17:15.013 --> 17:17.741 in the OSCE ministerial and highlighted ways 17:17.741 --> 17:19.540 to deepen cooperation on regional 17:19.540 --> 17:21.678 and global security challenges. 17:21.678 --> 17:23.604 He once again called for the full restoration 17:23.604 --> 17:25.711 of Ukraine's territorial integrity 17:25.711 --> 17:27.931 through the implementation of the Minsk agreements 17:27.931 --> 17:30.113 and reiterated the United States' commitment 17:30.113 --> 17:33.033 to seeing the peninsula return to Ukrainian control. 17:33.033 --> 17:34.977 The Secretary also held individual meetings 17:34.977 --> 17:36.507 with his Swedish, Austrian, 17:36.507 --> 17:38.387 Russian, and Ukrainian counterparts, 17:38.387 --> 17:42.554 as well as with the OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger. 17:42.942 --> 17:44.551 Finally, Secretary Tillerson will round out 17:44.551 --> 17:46.236 his trip tomorrow in Paris, 17:46.236 --> 17:50.264 where he will meet with senior foreign French officials 17:50.264 --> 17:53.014 to discuss deep cooperation on a range of global, 17:53.014 --> 17:56.047 regional, bilateral issues of mutual concern, 17:56.047 --> 17:58.246 and with that, I'd be happy to take your questions, 17:58.246 --> 18:00.486 but I think our acting assistant secretary 18:00.486 --> 18:02.413 handled everything that we're gonna cover 18:02.413 --> 18:05.074 on Israel and the President's decision today. 18:05.074 --> 18:05.907 - Really? 18:05.907 --> 18:06.969 Because I'm more confused than I was 18:06.969 --> 18:09.445 before he started. (laughing) 18:09.445 --> 18:13.304 I don't understand what the practical implications 18:13.304 --> 18:15.304 of this recognition are. 18:16.046 --> 18:19.606 It sounds to me from what Ambassador Satterfield said, 18:19.606 --> 18:23.189 or didn't say, in a very, very careful way, 18:24.104 --> 18:27.212 that there are no practical implications 18:27.212 --> 18:30.124 as it relates to day to day diplomacy 18:30.124 --> 18:33.707 or operations of the consulate and embassy, 18:33.773 --> 18:36.108 and that what you have in fact done 18:36.108 --> 18:37.908 or what the President has done 18:37.908 --> 18:40.875 has recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel 18:40.875 --> 18:44.708 but not recognized what Jerusalem actually is. 18:44.829 --> 18:48.163 In fact, Ambassador Satterfield wasn't even able 18:48.163 --> 18:52.330 to say that you believe that Jerusalem is in Israel. 18:53.718 --> 18:56.423 It might as well be an amorphous blob 18:56.423 --> 18:58.367 that just shows up on kind of a map 18:58.367 --> 19:02.450 if you're not willing to talk about the specifics 19:02.605 --> 19:04.431 of what that actually means, 19:04.431 --> 19:07.764 what you mean when you say, "Jerusalem," 19:08.453 --> 19:10.620 and I'd just like to know. 19:11.205 --> 19:13.122 Is Jerusalem in Israel? 19:15.246 --> 19:17.925 - We recognize Jerusalem as the capital of-- 19:17.925 --> 19:19.034 - [Matt] That is not my question. 19:19.034 --> 19:20.723 - We recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. 19:20.723 --> 19:22.174 I'm not gonna go on and on and-- 19:22.174 --> 19:23.149 - [Matt] President Trump-- 19:23.149 --> 19:24.059 - Excuse me, let me finish. 19:24.059 --> 19:24.892 - [Matt] Okay. 19:24.892 --> 19:26.768 - And continue to answer the same things 19:26.768 --> 19:30.615 that he just answered for 20 minutes or so for all of you. 19:30.615 --> 19:31.448 - [Matt] Surely you understand-- 19:31.448 --> 19:32.291 - There are some questions 19:32.291 --> 19:35.148 that you will rightfully have about passports, 19:35.148 --> 19:36.995 for example, about maps. 19:36.995 --> 19:39.134 Some of those things we are still working out. 19:39.134 --> 19:41.448 You will have questions about what happens 19:41.448 --> 19:43.421 with our consulate and our embassy. 19:43.421 --> 19:45.436 Some of those things we will still be working out. 19:45.436 --> 19:46.948 So I'm not gonna have all the answers for you 19:46.948 --> 19:47.781 that you're looking today, 19:47.781 --> 19:50.051 but I think the President and his announcement was clear, 19:50.051 --> 19:51.343 and I think the assistant secretary was clear. 19:51.343 --> 19:52.176 - [Matt] Well, this seems like 19:52.176 --> 19:53.183 a very easy question to answer. 19:53.183 --> 19:56.850 When President Trump visited the Middle East 19:57.953 --> 20:01.536 and he went to the Western Wall and prayed, 20:02.762 --> 20:05.405 what country was he in? (laughing) 20:05.405 --> 20:07.614 - I'm sure you think this is very cute, but-- 20:07.614 --> 20:08.844 - I don't think it's very cute. 20:08.844 --> 20:11.107 I think that you guys don't understand. 20:11.107 --> 20:14.357 I don't understand what it means to say 20:16.120 --> 20:17.856 that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel 20:17.856 --> 20:19.530 without saying what Jerusalem, 20:19.530 --> 20:21.192 what you believe Jerusalem to be. 20:21.192 --> 20:23.185 - Well, I think it also recognizes 20:23.185 --> 20:25.138 that the center of government is there 20:25.138 --> 20:27.341 and has been there since the founding of Israel. 20:27.341 --> 20:29.702 - That's absolutely 100% factual and correct. 20:29.702 --> 20:31.478 What country was the President in 20:31.478 --> 20:33.503 when he prayed at the Western Wall? 20:33.503 --> 20:34.467 - [Heather] Look, I would-- 20:34.467 --> 20:35.432 - What country was he in? 20:35.432 --> 20:36.848 - Some of these things, okay, perhaps, 20:36.848 --> 20:39.370 and we're not taking any position 20:39.370 --> 20:41.407 on the overall boundaries. 20:41.407 --> 20:45.091 We are recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. 20:45.091 --> 20:47.237 Perhaps that's not enough of an answer 20:47.237 --> 20:48.210 that you were looking for, 20:48.210 --> 20:51.138 but I can assure you that an entire administration, 20:51.138 --> 20:53.702 backed by the entire interagency process, 20:53.702 --> 20:55.769 which included not just the White House 20:55.769 --> 20:56.817 but the Department of Defense, 20:56.817 --> 20:59.202 the Department of State, the National Security Council, 20:59.202 --> 21:02.285 the entire interagency process, okay. 21:02.353 --> 21:04.377 You may think you're smarter than them, Matt Lee, 21:04.377 --> 21:07.068 but the entire interagency process fed into this, 21:07.068 --> 21:08.161 made its recommendations, 21:08.161 --> 21:09.534 and the President made his decision. 21:09.534 --> 21:11.091 - Well, the entire interagency process appears 21:11.091 --> 21:12.217 to have come up with something 21:12.217 --> 21:13.897 that means absolutely nothing. 21:13.897 --> 21:15.476 - Matt, that is your opinion. 21:15.476 --> 21:16.309 That is your opinion, 21:16.309 --> 21:18.385 but the President announced his policy, 21:18.385 --> 21:20.573 and we are pushing ahead with that policy. 21:20.573 --> 21:21.406 Said, go ahead. 21:21.406 --> 21:23.614 - [Said] That actually touches myself and my family 21:23.614 --> 21:24.447 and others and so on. 21:24.447 --> 21:25.280 - I understand. 21:25.280 --> 21:26.379 - Because on our passport, 21:26.379 --> 21:28.835 where it says place of birth, country of birth, 21:28.835 --> 21:30.080 it says Jerusalem. 21:30.080 --> 21:32.836 I mean, we don't have a country to say. 21:32.836 --> 21:35.441 I was born in Jordan, or I was born in Palestine. 21:35.441 --> 21:38.505 The Palestinians of a certain age are not allowed 21:38.505 --> 21:41.324 to state Palestine as their place of birth 21:41.324 --> 21:42.733 on their American passport. 21:42.733 --> 21:43.629 So what they should do? 21:43.629 --> 21:45.779 I mean, how will they handle such an issue? 21:45.779 --> 21:46.612 - [Heather] Yeah, and that-- 21:46.612 --> 21:47.445 - Myself included. 21:47.445 --> 21:48.542 - That is a fair question. 21:48.542 --> 21:49.375 As you well know, 21:49.375 --> 21:52.597 this policy was just announced yesterday, okay. 21:52.597 --> 21:54.036 We all like to get ahead of ourselves 21:54.036 --> 21:57.109 and ask a lot of questions that are complex. 21:57.109 --> 21:59.223 Of course, that is understandable. 21:59.223 --> 22:01.920 A lot of these are part of the interagency discussions. 22:01.920 --> 22:03.389 Lawyers have to weigh in. 22:03.389 --> 22:05.379 A lot of government officials have to weigh in, 22:05.379 --> 22:06.532 and some of this stuff is just, 22:06.532 --> 22:08.430 frankly, still being worked out. 22:08.430 --> 22:10.905 At this time, I can tell you there are no changes 22:10.905 --> 22:14.425 to our current practices regarding the place of birth 22:14.425 --> 22:16.940 on consular reports of birth abroad 22:16.940 --> 22:18.892 and also U.S. passports. 22:18.892 --> 22:20.727 The decision, we believe, will ultimately rest 22:20.727 --> 22:22.086 with the President. 22:22.086 --> 22:22.919 Okay, yeah. 22:22.919 --> 22:27.086 - So do you think that given it's still being worked out, 22:27.885 --> 22:29.061 does the Secretary feel-- 22:29.061 --> 22:30.902 - [Heather] On the issue of passports, you mean? 22:30.902 --> 22:32.748 - And other aspects of this, 22:32.748 --> 22:36.762 including what is Jerusalem exactly, but is the-- 22:36.762 --> 22:37.782 - [Heather] The capital of Israel, 22:37.782 --> 22:39.298 I think we established that, okay? 22:39.298 --> 22:40.678 - [Michelle] Oh my gosh, thanks, okay. 22:40.678 --> 22:41.761 I'm done now. 22:42.195 --> 22:43.862 Does the Secretary-- 22:43.936 --> 22:45.519 - Draw it on a map. 22:45.669 --> 22:47.566 - Does the Secretary feel, then, 22:47.566 --> 22:50.398 that this just adds confusion to the issue 22:50.398 --> 22:52.981 and adds tension in the region? 22:53.389 --> 22:54.486 - I don't think so. 22:54.486 --> 22:57.357 Look, this administration is committed 22:57.357 --> 23:00.524 to working toward peace in the region. 23:00.743 --> 23:03.717 We have had Mr. Kushner and also Mr. Greenblatt 23:03.717 --> 23:05.701 and also our ambassador hard at work, 23:05.701 --> 23:07.101 backed by the State Department, 23:07.101 --> 23:10.288 on this issue since day one of this administration. 23:10.288 --> 23:11.279 That will not change. 23:11.279 --> 23:12.733 That is continuing. 23:12.733 --> 23:14.319 - Can you say what progress they've made? 23:14.319 --> 23:16.774 How would the State Department characterize 23:16.774 --> 23:18.579 any progress that they have been able to make? 23:18.579 --> 23:22.273 - Well, a lot of those are diplomatic conversations 23:22.273 --> 23:23.441 that are taking place. 23:23.441 --> 23:24.274 - [Michelle] Have they made progress? 23:24.274 --> 23:26.577 - They have all, and yes, when you talk with them, 23:26.577 --> 23:27.880 and I talked with them very often, 23:27.880 --> 23:30.780 as do other people at the State Department. 23:30.780 --> 23:32.673 They say that they have made progress. 23:32.673 --> 23:35.099 Some of this stuff we are not going to reveal. 23:35.099 --> 23:36.286 They are hopeful. 23:36.286 --> 23:40.157 Obviously, it has taken decades and decades of work 23:40.157 --> 23:43.037 by very many good people of both parties, 23:43.037 --> 23:44.514 Republicans and Democrats, 23:44.514 --> 23:47.189 who have tried to bring peace to the Middle East. 23:47.189 --> 23:49.060 For many years, that has failed. 23:49.060 --> 23:51.356 This administration is recommitted 23:51.356 --> 23:53.523 to trying to achieve that, 23:53.591 --> 23:56.178 and those conversations are ongoing. 23:56.178 --> 23:57.756 Some days are better than others, 23:57.756 --> 23:59.210 but the conversations are ongoing, 23:59.210 --> 24:00.499 and we will continue working at that. 24:00.499 --> 24:02.691 - [Michelle] How does the Secretary feel about the reaction 24:02.691 --> 24:04.301 that we've seen in the region, 24:04.301 --> 24:06.695 both on paper and now on the street? 24:06.695 --> 24:08.218 - Reaction in terms of what? 24:08.218 --> 24:10.265 - To this decision in the region. 24:10.265 --> 24:13.007 - Yeah, I think, look, I think overall, 24:13.007 --> 24:14.471 while there have certainly been, 24:14.471 --> 24:17.720 and we believe in the right of free speech, 24:17.720 --> 24:19.295 while there certainly have been people 24:19.295 --> 24:22.159 who have not been pleased with the overall decision, 24:22.159 --> 24:24.353 we have had many conversations, 24:24.353 --> 24:27.173 the U.S. Government has, with our counterparts overseas. 24:27.173 --> 24:29.152 The President has, the Vice President has, 24:29.152 --> 24:30.778 Secretary Tillerson has, 24:30.778 --> 24:34.324 as have staff members here in Washington as well. 24:34.324 --> 24:36.157 We have conversations. 24:36.232 --> 24:38.411 The foreign governments know exactly where we stand. 24:38.411 --> 24:40.782 We're not always going to see eye to eye 24:40.782 --> 24:43.198 with every government around the world, 24:43.198 --> 24:44.843 but the President made his decision. 24:44.843 --> 24:47.379 He made this decision, and that is what it is, 24:47.379 --> 24:48.481 and that's what we're going forward with, 24:48.481 --> 24:49.414 (mumbling) 24:49.414 --> 24:50.667 and then we're going to switch onto another topic. 24:50.667 --> 24:52.604 We're going to switch onto another topic. 24:52.604 --> 24:53.437 - [Man] Just one clarification. 24:53.437 --> 24:54.270 - Okay. 24:54.270 --> 24:55.315 (mumbling) 24:55.315 --> 24:57.588 - [Elise] No, no, no, no, no, I'm sorry. 24:57.588 --> 24:59.104 - [Man] You've asked a lot of questions already. 24:59.104 --> 25:00.394 - [Elise] U.S.-- 25:00.394 --> 25:01.280 - Hi, Elise. 25:01.280 --> 25:03.273 - Hi, there were European allies 25:03.273 --> 25:06.598 that the Secretary met with over the last couple days. 25:06.598 --> 25:08.523 Most of them, including their leaders, 25:08.523 --> 25:11.523 have come out against this decision. 25:11.615 --> 25:14.079 The EU foreign policy chief also said 25:14.079 --> 25:16.958 that this kind of delegitimizes the U.S. 25:16.958 --> 25:18.627 in terms of being an honest broker. 25:18.627 --> 25:21.710 How much of the Secretary's time over 25:22.785 --> 25:26.952 in Europe right now is being kind of sucked up by this? 25:28.105 --> 25:29.138 - Well, as you all know, 25:29.138 --> 25:32.805 the Secretary has had a very robust grouping 25:33.074 --> 25:35.239 of meetings as he's been in Europe. 25:35.239 --> 25:37.208 He has talked about many issues, 25:37.208 --> 25:40.875 including Ukraine, including JCPOA and Iran. 25:41.311 --> 25:43.042 He has also talked about this issue 25:43.042 --> 25:45.232 with his foreign counterparts. 25:45.232 --> 25:46.393 In terms of a percentage, 25:46.393 --> 25:48.224 I'm not gonna put a percentage of his time 25:48.224 --> 25:49.611 that he has spent on this, 25:49.611 --> 25:52.026 but he did have some face to face conversations 25:52.026 --> 25:54.205 with some of his counterparts about this issue, 25:54.205 --> 25:56.250 but there are many important issues 25:56.250 --> 25:57.518 facing the United States. 25:57.518 --> 25:59.114 We have a whole world to deal with, okay? 25:59.114 --> 26:00.170 Let's switch onto something else 26:00.170 --> 26:02.692 because I don't have anything else for you on this. 26:02.692 --> 26:03.525 - [Laurie] Iraq? 26:03.525 --> 26:04.358 - We'll go to Iraq, hi. 26:04.358 --> 26:05.191 - [Man] Excuse me. 26:05.191 --> 26:06.024 Just a quick clarification, just-- 26:06.024 --> 26:06.857 - Excuse me? 26:06.857 --> 26:08.018 Okay, last one, then we'll go onto Iraq. 26:08.018 --> 26:08.851 - [Man] Yes, please, thank you. 26:08.851 --> 26:10.311 - [Man] I have one on this, and it's important. 26:10.311 --> 26:14.478 - President Putin just spoke to President Erdogan of Turkey, 26:15.926 --> 26:18.426 and in their subjects of talk, 26:18.430 --> 26:20.699 the one was promoting the resumption 26:20.699 --> 26:22.646 of Palestine-Israeli talks. 26:22.646 --> 26:25.146 Where does U.S. stand on this? 26:26.470 --> 26:27.887 - On whose talks? 26:28.808 --> 26:30.703 Between the United States, 26:30.703 --> 26:32.085 Israel, and the Palestinians? 26:32.085 --> 26:34.174 - No, the Russians and Turkey, 26:34.174 --> 26:36.591 they talked, and they decided 26:36.598 --> 26:37.865 that they're going to promote 26:37.865 --> 26:40.310 the resumption of peace talks. 26:40.310 --> 26:42.118 So what is your reaction to that? 26:42.118 --> 26:44.384 - That Russia and Turkey would engage in talks? 26:44.384 --> 26:46.298 I would just refer you to those governments, then, okay? 26:46.298 --> 26:48.360 - [Man] No, what is your reaction to that, 26:48.360 --> 26:50.860 that where does the U.S. stand 26:52.010 --> 26:54.730 so far as the peace talks are concerned? 26:54.730 --> 26:56.127 - As far as peace talks are concerned 26:56.127 --> 26:58.061 between the United States talking with the-- 26:58.061 --> 27:00.261 - [Man] Palestinian and Israelis. 27:00.261 --> 27:01.331 - Between the Palestinians and, 27:01.331 --> 27:03.477 I think I've answered that with Michelle already, 27:03.477 --> 27:05.634 that we have people who are hard at work 27:05.634 --> 27:07.600 on that issue every single day, 27:07.600 --> 27:10.232 from Jason Greenblatt to Jared Kushner 27:10.232 --> 27:11.634 to our Ambassador Friedman, 27:11.634 --> 27:13.376 always backed by the State Department. 27:13.376 --> 27:15.330 Those conversations are ongoing. 27:15.330 --> 27:16.441 They will continue. 27:16.441 --> 27:19.089 We are optimistic about those conversations. 27:19.089 --> 27:20.642 We know that other countries 27:20.642 --> 27:22.114 and some of our partners overseas 27:22.114 --> 27:23.936 may have a different point of view on this, 27:23.936 --> 27:25.388 but we are committed to peace, 27:25.388 --> 27:26.984 and that has not changed, okay? 27:26.984 --> 27:27.933 Let's move on to something else. 27:27.933 --> 27:28.766 Go ahead, Iraq. 27:28.766 --> 27:29.599 - [Arshad] No double standard-- 27:29.599 --> 27:30.432 - Go ahead, Iraq. 27:30.432 --> 27:31.457 - [Arshad] No double standard question, please. 27:31.457 --> 27:32.990 If I may, it's related to this and you-- 27:32.990 --> 27:34.826 - I'll come back to you, then. 27:34.826 --> 27:36.490 - The German foreign minister 27:36.490 --> 27:39.706 and the French president have both called 27:39.706 --> 27:42.956 on Baghdad to reduce the role over time 27:44.213 --> 27:46.399 of the Popular Mobilization Forces 27:46.399 --> 27:49.445 with an eye to eliminating them over time. 27:49.445 --> 27:51.238 What's your position on that issue? 27:51.238 --> 27:54.254 - So in Iraq, the Popular Mobilization Forces 27:54.254 --> 27:58.421 are administered by or fall under the prime minister. 27:59.328 --> 28:01.681 So the prime minister controls those forces 28:01.681 --> 28:03.014 under Iraqi law. 28:03.528 --> 28:06.967 So whether or not other countries like that 28:06.967 --> 28:08.019 or don't like it, 28:08.019 --> 28:08.927 it is Iraqi law, 28:08.927 --> 28:10.481 and we believe in sovereignty. 28:10.481 --> 28:13.314 - So you don't see the possibility 28:13.384 --> 28:15.912 that they may formally be under Iraqi law 28:15.912 --> 28:17.384 but really subordinate, 28:17.384 --> 28:19.535 following direction from Iran 28:19.535 --> 28:21.241 and Qasem Soleimani in particular? 28:21.241 --> 28:25.095 - I think that that would be an internal Iraqi matter. 28:25.095 --> 28:26.333 We've talked about this before. 28:26.333 --> 28:27.869 The prime minister knows how 28:27.869 --> 28:29.821 to best manage his security forces, 28:29.821 --> 28:33.988 but under Iraqi law they fall under the prime minister. 28:35.302 --> 28:36.668 - And am I correct, then, 28:36.668 --> 28:39.192 to understand that there's a difference 28:39.192 --> 28:42.191 of opinion on this issue between you on the one hand 28:42.191 --> 28:43.724 and the French and Germans on the other? 28:43.724 --> 28:45.244 - I'm not aware of any conversations 28:45.244 --> 28:47.389 that the United States has had between France 28:47.389 --> 28:49.310 and you said Germany also. 28:49.310 --> 28:50.612 I'm not aware of any conversations 28:50.612 --> 28:54.391 that we've had about the status of the PMF, okay, hi. 28:54.391 --> 28:55.316 - [Arshad] No double standard? 28:55.316 --> 28:56.357 Can we go back to-- 28:56.357 --> 28:57.390 - Okay, anybody else, oh, fine. 28:57.390 --> 28:59.223 Anything else on Iraq? 28:59.274 --> 29:00.107 Okay. 29:00.107 --> 29:01.074 - [Man] On Yemen, President Trump-- 29:01.074 --> 29:01.907 - Okay, okay. 29:01.907 --> 29:02.865 - [Arshad] I'm sorry. 29:02.865 --> 29:03.843 Can we go back on no double standard or not? 29:03.843 --> 29:04.676 - [Heather] Okay, yes-- 29:04.676 --> 29:05.509 - [Arshad] Because it was related 29:05.509 --> 29:06.411 to the Israeli, Palestinian stuff. 29:06.411 --> 29:07.244 - I understood, okay-- 29:07.244 --> 29:08.077 - [Arshad] And you tend to like-- 29:08.077 --> 29:08.910 - Hold on. 29:08.910 --> 29:10.260 - [Arshad] You tend to like to keeping things together. 29:10.260 --> 29:11.867 - I do, I called on Laurie, and so just hold on. 29:11.867 --> 29:12.917 I'll call on you now. 29:12.917 --> 29:13.775 Go right ahead. 29:13.775 --> 29:17.442 - So a cable went out to all U.S. diplomatic 29:17.684 --> 29:20.267 and consular missions yesterday 29:20.680 --> 29:23.763 that asked State Department officials 29:24.814 --> 29:27.481 to defer all nonessential travel 29:27.981 --> 29:30.148 to the entirety of Israel, 29:32.053 --> 29:34.470 the West Bank, and Jerusalem. 29:37.624 --> 29:41.721 Normally when you are discouraging American officials 29:41.721 --> 29:44.388 from going to a particular area, 29:44.661 --> 29:46.731 under the no double standard rule, 29:46.731 --> 29:50.148 you make that public to all U.S. citizens 29:50.244 --> 29:53.195 so that they have the same information. 29:53.195 --> 29:56.639 I read through the Travel Warnings on Israel, 29:56.639 --> 29:58.956 the West Bank, and Gaza yesterday, 29:58.956 --> 29:59.963 both in the middle of the day 29:59.963 --> 30:02.878 and then at the end of the day after the worldwide caution, 30:02.878 --> 30:06.628 and I saw no similar warning to U.S. citizens 30:07.251 --> 30:09.040 or advice to U.S. citizens 30:09.040 --> 30:12.241 to defer nonessential travel to those areas. 30:12.241 --> 30:14.399 Why did you say one thing in private 30:14.399 --> 30:17.190 to U.S. officials and another thing, 30:17.190 --> 30:19.800 and not say the same thing in public to U.S. citizens? 30:19.800 --> 30:22.510 - Let me state the kinds of communication 30:22.510 --> 30:24.741 that we have put out to American citizens 30:24.741 --> 30:27.109 and also to U.S. Government officials, 30:27.109 --> 30:28.837 and one of the things we often say here 30:28.837 --> 30:30.439 is that the safety and security of Americans 30:30.439 --> 30:32.106 is our top priority. 30:32.518 --> 30:34.278 There are top policy priorities, 30:34.278 --> 30:36.807 but that is our overarching, most important thing, 30:36.807 --> 30:38.846 the safety and security of Americans. 30:38.846 --> 30:41.815 We put out a security message to U.S. citizens 30:41.815 --> 30:43.732 on the 5th of December. 30:44.750 --> 30:46.470 On Monday, I believe it was. 30:46.470 --> 30:47.751 We put out a security message 30:47.751 --> 30:49.990 to our U.S. citizens that day. 30:49.990 --> 30:50.958 That was Tuesday? 30:50.958 --> 30:52.799 Okay, thank you, on the 5th of December. 30:52.799 --> 30:56.751 We put out another one on the 6th of December as well, 30:56.751 --> 30:58.751 expressing our concerns. 30:59.156 --> 31:00.532 We want to alert people 31:00.532 --> 31:02.572 to any possible security situations 31:02.572 --> 31:04.501 out of an abundance of caution. 31:04.501 --> 31:06.552 That information was put, as I understand it, 31:06.552 --> 31:07.892 on the State Department website, 31:07.892 --> 31:11.509 but it was also issued by many of our posts overseas 31:11.509 --> 31:14.108 in areas where we thought there could be something 31:14.108 --> 31:15.375 that could come up. 31:15.375 --> 31:16.745 In addition to that, 31:16.745 --> 31:19.995 there is a Travel Warning that goes out 31:20.526 --> 31:22.036 regarding this region. 31:22.036 --> 31:25.133 That is something that is updated every six months, 31:25.133 --> 31:26.224 I believe it is. 31:26.224 --> 31:29.890 This Travel Warning for the region has been in effect 31:29.890 --> 31:31.649 for several, several years, 31:31.649 --> 31:32.896 so that is nothing new. 31:32.896 --> 31:36.390 In addition to that, we put out a worldwide caution. 31:36.390 --> 31:38.504 That is updated every six months. 31:38.504 --> 31:41.456 We had a worldwide caution in place for several years, 31:41.456 --> 31:43.616 but yesterday, out of an abundance of caution, 31:43.616 --> 31:44.675 we updated it. 31:44.675 --> 31:46.234 As far as I'm aware of, 31:46.234 --> 31:49.774 and I won't comment on any of our internal communications 31:49.774 --> 31:51.249 to say whether or not there were any 31:51.249 --> 31:52.680 of these internal communications 31:52.680 --> 31:54.800 because we just don't do that on any matter, 31:54.800 --> 31:57.568 but I think that we've been very clear with Americans, 31:57.568 --> 32:00.322 whether they work for the U.S. Government 32:00.322 --> 32:02.754 or whether they're citizens traveling somewhere, 32:02.754 --> 32:04.184 about their safety and security. 32:04.184 --> 32:05.738 This is also a great reminder 32:05.738 --> 32:07.433 for any Americans traveling anywhere 32:07.433 --> 32:08.664 around the world to sign up 32:08.664 --> 32:10.738 for the State Department's STEP program, 32:10.738 --> 32:13.489 which enables us to contact American citizens 32:13.489 --> 32:15.390 wherever they are traveling in the case 32:15.390 --> 32:17.808 of an emergency if we need to communicate with them. 32:17.808 --> 32:20.891 - But why did you tell your officials 32:20.917 --> 32:23.092 not to travel to those areas 32:23.092 --> 32:26.913 between December the 4th and December the 20th, 32:26.913 --> 32:29.715 and not tell American citizens the same things? 32:29.715 --> 32:33.001 Because you didn't tell that to American citizens 32:33.001 --> 32:34.647 in all of the messages that you put up 32:34.647 --> 32:37.326 on the embassy website, on the consulate website, 32:37.326 --> 32:38.854 nor did you tell American citizens 32:38.854 --> 32:40.310 that in a Worldwide Caution, 32:40.310 --> 32:43.312 nor did you tell them that in the link to Israel, 32:43.312 --> 32:44.614 the West Bank, and Gaza 32:44.614 --> 32:46.471 that was put out by the State Department 32:46.471 --> 32:48.071 in the Worldwide Caution yesterday. 32:48.071 --> 32:50.391 You're telling your people inside one thing, 32:50.391 --> 32:53.272 and you're telling American citizens a different thing, 32:53.272 --> 32:55.232 and under your own rules, 32:55.232 --> 32:57.646 there is supposed to be no double standard. 32:57.646 --> 33:00.151 Why didn't you tell U.S. citizens the same thing 33:00.151 --> 33:01.287 you told the U.S. officials? 33:01.287 --> 33:03.343 - Again, unfortunately, just as State Department policy, 33:03.343 --> 33:05.700 we don't comment on official, 33:05.700 --> 33:06.615 whether or not there was 33:06.615 --> 33:09.821 an official communication regarding this, 33:09.821 --> 33:12.127 but I can tell you as a general matter, 33:12.127 --> 33:13.914 I think we have been very clear 33:13.914 --> 33:17.512 about the security concerns regarding Americans. 33:17.512 --> 33:21.179 We have put out those three various subjects 33:21.332 --> 33:24.142 or types of communications to American citizens 33:24.142 --> 33:26.414 who are traveling in areas that could be affected. 33:26.414 --> 33:27.247 - [Arshad] I'm gonna ask you-- 33:27.247 --> 33:28.147 - In terms of the U.S. Government, 33:28.147 --> 33:29.661 when we talk about the U.S. Government 33:29.661 --> 33:31.929 deferring non-essential travel, 33:31.929 --> 33:35.211 I would hope that people would not travel 33:35.211 --> 33:37.813 for non-essential reasons just as a general matter anyway. 33:37.813 --> 33:41.480 - But why, I'm gonna ask you a hypothetical, 33:41.856 --> 33:43.659 which I would ask you to entertain, 33:43.659 --> 33:44.492 if you'll listen to it. 33:44.492 --> 33:45.325 - [Heather] I'll listen to it. 33:45.325 --> 33:46.360 I'd be happy to listen to it. 33:46.360 --> 33:48.233 - If there were such communication, 33:48.233 --> 33:52.313 and you know and every U.S. diplomat who gets an ALDAC, 33:52.313 --> 33:54.308 which means every other person who works 33:54.308 --> 33:56.725 at the State Department knows 33:57.057 --> 33:58.949 that this communication went out, 33:58.949 --> 34:01.949 so if there were such communication, 34:02.105 --> 34:04.584 why would you say one thing to your own officials 34:04.584 --> 34:06.721 and a different thing to American citizens, 34:06.721 --> 34:09.178 which is what the law and your own rules require? 34:09.178 --> 34:11.983 - As you well know, we have a no double standard, 34:11.983 --> 34:14.664 and for folks who aren't familiar with what that means, 34:14.664 --> 34:17.747 it's when we tell our staff something 34:18.215 --> 34:20.434 about a particular area or a security threat, 34:20.434 --> 34:22.287 we also share that same information 34:22.287 --> 34:23.688 with the American public. 34:23.688 --> 34:25.552 I would find it hard to imagine 34:25.552 --> 34:28.183 that our lawyers have not gone through things 34:28.183 --> 34:29.706 to try to make sure that we are all 34:29.706 --> 34:31.319 on the same page with the information 34:31.319 --> 34:33.557 that we provide to U.S. Government officials 34:33.557 --> 34:35.103 as well as American citizens, 34:35.103 --> 34:36.834 and that's all I have for you on that, okay? 34:36.834 --> 34:38.047 Let's move on to something else. 34:38.047 --> 34:39.047 Yeah, Yemen? 34:39.119 --> 34:39.952 - [Man] Yeah. 34:39.952 --> 34:40.785 - Go right ahead. 34:40.785 --> 34:43.297 - President Trump yesterday instructed the administration 34:43.297 --> 34:46.714 to ask the Saudis to let humanitarian aid 34:47.423 --> 34:49.590 immediate access to Yemen. 34:49.846 --> 34:53.446 Did you at State Department talk with the Saudis? 34:53.446 --> 34:55.943 And if yes, what was their answer, 34:55.943 --> 34:58.190 and what are the results of these conversations? 34:58.190 --> 34:59.781 - I can tell you that the U.S. Government 34:59.781 --> 35:02.178 has had a series of conversations 35:02.178 --> 35:04.947 with the officials in Saudi Arabia. 35:04.947 --> 35:06.246 Let me start by saying, 35:06.246 --> 35:08.956 and I want to raise this issue with everyone 35:08.956 --> 35:11.107 because we have all followed the death 35:11.107 --> 35:15.274 of Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former president of Yemen. 35:16.551 --> 35:17.825 Let me start by saying 35:17.825 --> 35:20.368 that we are extremely concerned 35:20.368 --> 35:23.156 about the increase in violence in Yemen. 35:23.156 --> 35:26.399 That has not gotten a ton of coverage in the news recently, 35:26.399 --> 35:28.614 although I know you are all interested in it. 35:28.614 --> 35:29.967 I want to be clear in stating 35:29.967 --> 35:32.248 that we call on all parties there 35:32.248 --> 35:34.212 to reject the use of violence 35:34.212 --> 35:36.151 against their political opponents. 35:36.151 --> 35:38.446 I will get back to your humanitarian aid question 35:38.446 --> 35:39.469 in just a minute, 35:39.469 --> 35:40.589 but I wanted to highlight this 35:40.589 --> 35:43.110 because the situation is so dire, 35:43.110 --> 35:45.020 and the more that we see violence take place, 35:45.020 --> 35:48.164 the worse the situation can become for civilians, 35:48.164 --> 35:50.365 in particular for women and children. 35:50.365 --> 35:51.757 We are particularly concerned 35:51.757 --> 35:54.279 by the reports of Houthi actions in Sana'a, 35:54.279 --> 35:56.286 including the unlawful killings, 35:56.286 --> 35:58.956 the mass detentions, and the violent suppression 35:58.956 --> 36:00.684 of peaceful protests. 36:00.684 --> 36:03.092 An enduring solution to the conflict 36:03.092 --> 36:05.390 and the dire humanitarian situation 36:05.390 --> 36:07.695 will not be reached militarily. 36:07.695 --> 36:09.605 We have said that again and again. 36:09.605 --> 36:11.844 All sides must agree to immediate cessation 36:11.844 --> 36:15.766 of hostilities and return to UN-mediated negotiation 36:15.766 --> 36:18.604 toward a comprehensive political agreement. 36:18.604 --> 36:20.988 A political solution is the only way 36:20.988 --> 36:24.321 to advance long term stability in Yemen. 36:24.647 --> 36:26.440 The President issued a statement yesterday. 36:26.440 --> 36:28.692 He had directed administration officials 36:28.692 --> 36:29.858 to call on the leadership 36:29.858 --> 36:31.932 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 36:31.932 --> 36:36.099 to request that they completely and immediately allow food, 36:36.539 --> 36:39.039 fuel, water, and also medicine 36:39.522 --> 36:43.050 to reach the Yemeni people who need it so desperately. 36:43.050 --> 36:45.849 The Secretary has consistently expressed his concern 36:45.849 --> 36:48.635 about Yemen's humanitarian crisis to the Saudis, 36:48.635 --> 36:50.003 and the administration will discuss 36:50.003 --> 36:51.987 the President's message directly 36:51.987 --> 36:54.603 with Saudi leadership in the near future. 36:54.603 --> 36:56.537 I don't have any calls or readouts 36:56.537 --> 36:57.805 to provide to you on this time, 36:57.805 --> 36:59.539 but this is something I can tell you 36:59.539 --> 37:00.540 when I've sat in the meetings 37:00.540 --> 37:04.194 with Secretary Tillerson related to that region, 37:04.194 --> 37:06.306 it's always been an issue that he has brought up, 37:06.306 --> 37:07.732 the humanitarian situation, 37:07.732 --> 37:10.439 and he's called upon leaders in the region 37:10.439 --> 37:12.870 to use whatever influence they have 37:12.870 --> 37:15.587 to help with the humanitarian situation in Yemen. 37:15.587 --> 37:17.142 - But since yesterday's statement 37:17.142 --> 37:20.239 there has been no new conversation on-- 37:20.239 --> 37:21.516 - I don't have any additional calls 37:21.516 --> 37:24.083 or any meetings or anything to read out for you on that, 37:24.083 --> 37:25.459 but the President issued his statement, 37:25.459 --> 37:27.566 and I think that that was pretty strong, okay? 37:27.566 --> 37:28.587 Anything else on Yemen? 37:28.587 --> 37:29.925 - [Said] Have the Saudis responded to you 37:29.925 --> 37:32.322 on the President's (mumbling) or do you know-- 37:32.322 --> 37:34.155 - Not to my knowledge. 37:34.319 --> 37:35.463 If I have anything for you on that, 37:35.463 --> 37:36.728 I can certainly check. 37:36.728 --> 37:39.855 - So is it the assessment that the Yemeni civil war 37:39.855 --> 37:41.726 has completely gone out of control? 37:41.726 --> 37:43.164 - Well, I think we're really concerned 37:43.164 --> 37:44.647 about the level of violence. 37:44.647 --> 37:46.339 I mean, we have talked since day one 37:46.339 --> 37:50.506 on my job here about the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, 37:50.635 --> 37:52.584 and that the humanitarian crisis there is one 37:52.584 --> 37:53.917 that is manmade. 37:54.407 --> 37:57.579 You have men, women, and children starving, 37:57.579 --> 38:00.249 a tremendous food insecurity there. 38:00.249 --> 38:02.088 You have a cholera problem. 38:02.088 --> 38:03.705 You have the fighting, 38:03.705 --> 38:06.800 and now, since the killing of the former president, 38:06.800 --> 38:09.564 you've seen additional civil unrest. 38:09.564 --> 38:10.953 It's a dire situation. 38:10.953 --> 38:13.001 We're tremendously concerned about that violence, 38:13.001 --> 38:16.050 but if we can get more humanitarian aid, 38:16.050 --> 38:18.271 more humanitarian aid in there, 38:18.271 --> 38:20.505 that that would be certainly a step in the right direction, 38:20.505 --> 38:22.774 and we're trying to push for that, okay? 38:22.774 --> 38:23.989 Let's move on to something else. 38:23.989 --> 38:24.906 Hey, there. 38:25.522 --> 38:26.355 - [Woman] Cuba. 38:26.355 --> 38:27.188 - Okay. 38:27.188 --> 38:28.950 - Do you have an update for us on the situation 38:28.950 --> 38:31.683 of the health attacks against diplomatic personnel? 38:31.683 --> 38:33.493 And the ranking Democratic member 38:33.493 --> 38:35.326 on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Engel, 38:35.326 --> 38:37.711 said that the Trump administration 38:37.711 --> 38:40.378 is leaving Congress in the dark. 38:41.419 --> 38:43.123 - Well, I can tell you this. 38:43.123 --> 38:45.623 We have, the State Department, 38:45.805 --> 38:47.444 in addition to the U.S. Government, 38:47.444 --> 38:49.777 from the FBI, department of, 38:50.483 --> 38:53.233 you name it, we have been engaged 38:53.491 --> 38:56.741 in having conversations with members of Congress. 38:56.741 --> 38:59.203 Some of those have been in a classified setting. 38:59.203 --> 39:01.389 Some have been in a more open setting. 39:01.389 --> 39:05.011 So I'm not sure which members have complained 39:05.011 --> 39:07.204 that they've not gotten enough information, 39:07.204 --> 39:09.868 but we have provided consistent briefings 39:09.868 --> 39:11.781 to Capitol Hill on this issue. 39:11.781 --> 39:13.579 Our investigation is still underway. 39:13.579 --> 39:17.043 Our Diplomatic Security division is a part of that, 39:17.043 --> 39:18.482 along with DOJ as well. 39:18.482 --> 39:19.923 That investigation is still underway. 39:19.923 --> 39:21.699 The latest I can bring you, 39:21.699 --> 39:23.212 and I always tell you that I will bring you 39:23.212 --> 39:25.450 the latest updates on numbers, 39:25.450 --> 39:27.208 the numbers, thankfully, 39:27.208 --> 39:30.791 have not changed in terms of our colleagues 39:31.630 --> 39:33.659 and employees who have been affected 39:33.659 --> 39:34.780 by those health attacks. 39:34.780 --> 39:37.482 24, that's where it stands right now. 39:37.482 --> 39:41.330 We continue to have people assessed and looked at. 39:41.330 --> 39:42.656 Those numbers could change, 39:42.656 --> 39:43.489 and I always say to you, 39:43.489 --> 39:45.872 and we tell folks on Capitol Hill this as well, 39:45.872 --> 39:46.791 when those numbers, 39:46.791 --> 39:49.389 if those numbers, God forbid, change, 39:49.389 --> 39:52.501 then we will bring you the new numbers, okay? 39:52.501 --> 39:53.919 Okay, anything else on Cuba? 39:53.919 --> 39:54.752 - [Woman] On Cuba. 39:54.752 --> 39:55.791 - Cuba, hi, yeah. 39:55.791 --> 39:57.733 - On Cuba, I wanted to ask you, please. 39:57.733 --> 40:00.483 You mentioned there is a diplomat 40:01.030 --> 40:03.008 who's the charge d'affaires, 40:03.008 --> 40:07.175 and I wanted to ask you about the former ambassador 40:07.331 --> 40:09.125 who has been traveling all over the world, 40:09.125 --> 40:11.925 but now he's in Cuba, Mr. Goldberg. 40:11.925 --> 40:16.092 He's been meeting with members of the civil society there. 40:16.729 --> 40:19.714 In what capacity is Mr. Goldberg there in Havana? 40:19.714 --> 40:22.756 - I don't have any information on Mr. Goldberg's schedule. 40:22.756 --> 40:24.883 I can't confirm that he is there right now, 40:24.883 --> 40:27.249 so I'm afraid I just don't have anything for you on that. 40:27.249 --> 40:28.082 - [Woman] Thank you. 40:28.082 --> 40:29.339 - Anything else, though, related to Cuba, 40:29.339 --> 40:31.422 while we're talking Cuba? 40:31.641 --> 40:33.049 Do you have any other questions related to Cuba? 40:33.049 --> 40:33.882 - [Woman] That's it, thank you. 40:33.882 --> 40:34.715 - No, we're done, okay, okay. 40:34.715 --> 40:35.548 - [Woman] Korea? 40:35.548 --> 40:36.381 - Let's go on to DPRK, then. 40:36.381 --> 40:37.214 - [Woman] Korea, yeah, thank you. 40:37.214 --> 40:38.070 - Hi, okay. 40:38.070 --> 40:40.540 - Thank you, Heather, on Korea. 40:40.540 --> 40:42.614 South Korean President Moon said 40:42.614 --> 40:46.281 that he could not tolerate the United States 40:46.936 --> 40:50.353 if preemptive strike against North Korea. 40:51.260 --> 40:53.510 How do you respond on this? 40:54.249 --> 40:56.569 - He said he could not tolerate what? 40:56.569 --> 41:00.736 - [Woman] Tolerate the United States preemptive strike 41:00.778 --> 41:01.863 against North Korea. 41:01.863 --> 41:03.792 - I'm not aware of any that have taken place. 41:03.792 --> 41:05.771 - So but if North Korea continue 41:05.771 --> 41:09.029 to threaten the United States with missiles 41:09.029 --> 41:13.196 and, or in a nuclears, that is the U.S. decisions, 41:16.239 --> 41:18.019 whatever their action to North Korea. 41:18.019 --> 41:19.024 - I'd go back to what I often say, 41:19.024 --> 41:20.409 and that is a hypothetical. 41:20.409 --> 41:21.399 I can tell you we have a-- 41:21.399 --> 41:22.650 - [Woman] This is not a-- 41:22.650 --> 41:23.855 - Very strong relationship 41:23.855 --> 41:25.210 with the Republic of Korea. 41:25.210 --> 41:27.793 It is an alliance relationship, 41:27.892 --> 41:30.225 as we do with Japan as well. 41:30.310 --> 41:32.366 That relationship is ironclad. 41:32.366 --> 41:35.810 If we should need to, we will always defend our allies. 41:35.810 --> 41:36.643 - [Woman] Okay. 41:36.643 --> 41:37.476 - Okay, go ahead. 41:37.476 --> 41:38.309 - [Woman] Yeah, on the Russian-- 41:38.309 --> 41:40.348 - Can you explain what is going on 41:40.348 --> 41:44.431 with this chatter from people about the Olympics? 41:44.613 --> 41:47.613 Yesterday Ambassador Haley at the UN 41:47.787 --> 41:49.187 made some comment about it. 41:49.187 --> 41:52.261 This afternoon Sarah Sanders at the White House 41:52.261 --> 41:53.470 made another comment about it. 41:53.470 --> 41:55.881 She later then clarified that comment, 41:55.881 --> 41:59.112 but is there any discussion that you're aware of 41:59.112 --> 42:02.900 of the U.S. not or potentially not participating 42:02.900 --> 42:04.974 in the upcoming Winter Olympics? 42:04.974 --> 42:06.686 - Here's what I can tell you. 42:06.686 --> 42:09.886 Ambassador Haley spoke or issued a statement 42:09.886 --> 42:11.652 of sorts earlier today, 42:11.652 --> 42:13.699 and she further expanded on her remarks 42:13.699 --> 42:15.967 that she made yesterday in an interview 42:15.967 --> 42:17.438 about the Olympics. 42:17.438 --> 42:20.043 I can tell you the Republic of Korea has a long history 42:20.043 --> 42:23.236 of successfully hosting many major games. 42:23.236 --> 42:26.845 That also includes the Olympics back in 1988, 42:26.845 --> 42:29.166 when you were, what, 15, 15? 42:29.166 --> 42:30.140 You were 15 in '88? 42:30.140 --> 42:30.973 (laughing) 42:30.973 --> 42:33.724 Okay, we have a longstanding and successful relationship 42:33.724 --> 42:35.621 with the Republic of Korea. 42:35.621 --> 42:38.285 We are confident that the government's commitment 42:38.285 --> 42:41.835 to hosting a safe and successful winter games 42:41.835 --> 42:43.168 will take place. 42:43.476 --> 42:45.453 We support their efforts in that, 42:45.453 --> 42:46.966 and that is all I have, Matt. 42:46.966 --> 42:49.374 - But so there is no discussion that you're aware of 42:49.374 --> 42:51.555 of potentially not participating, because you didn't, 42:51.555 --> 42:53.981 that's the question and your statement. 42:53.981 --> 42:56.054 What you have there doesn't answer that question. 42:56.054 --> 42:58.684 It just talks about how the Koreans are wonderful hosts. 42:58.684 --> 43:00.101 - Well, they are certainly wonderful hosts-- 43:00.101 --> 43:00.934 - [Matt] Which they are, but-- 43:00.934 --> 43:01.767 - Yes, they certainly are. 43:01.767 --> 43:02.600 - [Matt] That's not my question. 43:02.600 --> 43:04.782 You can be a wonderful host and still not RSVP. 43:04.782 --> 43:06.061 - I think Ambassador Haley and the White House 43:06.061 --> 43:07.733 further clarified our position on this. 43:07.733 --> 43:10.933 We look forward to being a part of the Olympics 43:10.933 --> 43:13.387 in the Republic of Korea, okay? 43:13.387 --> 43:17.554 - But you know, but North Korea is a terrorist country, 43:17.693 --> 43:19.900 but they, South Korea Government invited 43:19.900 --> 43:21.817 this terrorist country. 43:22.477 --> 43:26.227 It's Kim Jong-un's regime, but they threaten, 43:26.791 --> 43:29.530 continue to threaten with the nuclear missiles. 43:29.530 --> 43:31.265 How you gonna ensure their security? 43:31.265 --> 43:32.499 - I will go back to say this. 43:32.499 --> 43:33.555 The safety and security of Americans 43:33.555 --> 43:35.788 is our top security priority. 43:35.788 --> 43:37.677 If for some reason we felt 43:37.677 --> 43:40.210 that Americans were in a dire danger 43:40.210 --> 43:42.484 in any place around the world, 43:42.484 --> 43:43.923 we would be very concerned about that, 43:43.923 --> 43:45.251 and we would take appropriate action. 43:45.251 --> 43:47.284 I don't have anything else for you on the Olympics. 43:47.284 --> 43:48.117 - [Woman] On DPRK. 43:48.117 --> 43:48.950 - Hi. 43:48.950 --> 43:51.204 - [Woman] Just the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr. Lavrov, 43:51.204 --> 43:54.333 told media that he had passed on the words 43:54.333 --> 43:57.331 about Pyongyang's desire to directly talk 43:57.331 --> 43:59.714 to the United States to Mr. Tillerson. 43:59.714 --> 44:02.276 So what is the answer from Mr. Tillerson? 44:02.276 --> 44:04.586 - Okay, that is something that Foreign Minister Lavrov 44:04.586 --> 44:07.922 said took place as a part of the conversation. 44:07.922 --> 44:10.387 I don't have anything on that particular part 44:10.387 --> 44:11.395 of the conversation, 44:11.395 --> 44:13.742 and I cannot confirm if that came up 44:13.742 --> 44:16.365 in the Secretary's conversation with Mr. Lavrov. 44:16.365 --> 44:17.283 I will say, though, 44:17.283 --> 44:20.484 as a general matter the issue of direct talks 44:20.484 --> 44:23.018 with North Korea is not on the table 44:23.018 --> 44:26.155 until they are willing to denuclearize. 44:26.155 --> 44:28.434 It is something that Russia has said it agrees with. 44:28.434 --> 44:31.059 It is something that China has said it agrees with, 44:31.059 --> 44:34.140 and many other nations around the world as well. 44:34.140 --> 44:38.078 DPRK is not showing any interest in sitting down 44:38.078 --> 44:40.168 and having any kind of serious conversations 44:40.168 --> 44:43.644 when they continue to fire off ballistic missiles, period. 44:43.644 --> 44:44.684 - Something else that was supposed 44:44.684 --> 44:47.397 to come up during the Tillerson-Lavrov meeting 44:47.397 --> 44:48.636 that the Russian, 44:48.636 --> 44:51.692 your counterpart at the Russian foreign ministry 44:51.692 --> 44:55.133 made mention of at one of her briefings this week 44:55.133 --> 44:58.038 is this allegation by the Russians that U.S., 44:58.038 --> 45:01.288 the FBI, and other police organizations 45:02.579 --> 45:04.717 are harassing and attempting 45:04.717 --> 45:06.899 to recruit Russian journalists. 45:06.899 --> 45:07.781 Do you know anything about this? 45:07.781 --> 45:08.614 - I'm not aware of that. 45:08.614 --> 45:09.447 I'm not aware of that. 45:09.447 --> 45:11.507 - Can you take a look at, 45:11.507 --> 45:12.899 I'll send you something. 45:12.899 --> 45:16.566 The comment, the allegations are pretty odd 45:17.703 --> 45:19.800 and your Russian counterpart-- 45:19.800 --> 45:21.359 - That doesn't surprise me. 45:21.359 --> 45:22.192 Often they are. 45:22.192 --> 45:23.886 - Well, your Russian counterpart said 45:23.886 --> 45:25.502 that Foreign Minister Lavrov, 45:25.502 --> 45:27.950 that they took them seriously enough 45:27.950 --> 45:29.512 that Foreign Minister Lavrov was going 45:29.512 --> 45:33.387 to raise this specific issue with Secretary Tillerson. 45:33.387 --> 45:35.997 - Look, I can tell you what information I got out 45:35.997 --> 45:40.080 of the Secretary's meeting with Mr. Lavrov today. 45:40.418 --> 45:42.394 I exchanged emails with a colleague of mine 45:42.394 --> 45:44.122 who was in the room at the time, 45:44.122 --> 45:46.448 and she told me this, quote, 45:46.448 --> 45:48.794 "In plain spoken language the Secretary 45:48.794 --> 45:50.704 "told the Russian foreign minister 45:50.704 --> 45:52.431 "that his country's invasion 45:52.431 --> 45:55.011 "of Ukraine sovereign territory needs 45:55.011 --> 45:56.818 "to be resolved before the two countries 45:56.818 --> 46:00.463 "will ever be able to take steps to improve relations." 46:00.463 --> 46:01.897 If they talked about any other matters, 46:01.897 --> 46:04.127 I don't have that in my notes, okay? 46:04.127 --> 46:05.028 - [Man] Did he talk about Syria? 46:05.028 --> 46:05.885 - [Matt] Okay, could-- 46:05.885 --> 46:06.718 - [Man] Did they-- 46:06.718 --> 46:07.837 - Look, this is just what I have in my notes 46:07.837 --> 46:08.843 that was sent to me. 46:08.843 --> 46:10.067 There's a time change, obviously, 46:10.067 --> 46:11.107 between here and there. 46:11.107 --> 46:12.672 I got this note just as I was coming out here, 46:12.672 --> 46:16.044 so I wanted to bring you that information that I have, okay? 46:16.044 --> 46:16.877 Kylie, hi. 46:16.877 --> 46:17.710 (mumbling) 46:17.710 --> 46:18.543 - I know this is a little bit forward looking, 46:18.543 --> 46:20.532 but we won't see you till Tuesday. 46:20.532 --> 46:24.699 There is a climate change summit next week in Paris, 46:25.419 --> 46:28.115 and it's the celebration of the two years 46:28.115 --> 46:30.032 of the Paris agreement. 46:30.374 --> 46:32.385 Is the U.S. sending anyone from the State Department? 46:32.385 --> 46:33.435 - I'm not aware of that. 46:33.435 --> 46:35.119 This is the first I'm hearing 46:35.119 --> 46:38.055 of the climate change summit taking place next week. 46:38.055 --> 46:38.888 I can look into it 46:38.888 --> 46:39.803 and see if we're sending anybody, okay? 46:39.803 --> 46:41.355 - [Kylie] Alright, thank you. 46:41.355 --> 46:42.188 - Anybody else? 46:42.188 --> 46:43.252 Hey, sir, how are you? 46:43.252 --> 46:44.085 - [Man] On Latvia. 46:44.085 --> 46:44.954 - Good to have you back. 46:44.954 --> 46:45.922 - It's very, yeah, hi. 46:45.922 --> 46:48.073 It's very rare when political demonstrations 46:48.073 --> 46:50.813 in Latvia can even gather a few hundred people, 46:50.813 --> 46:54.717 but three weeks ago in Latvia there was a political rally 46:54.717 --> 46:56.428 in Riga protesting the plans 46:56.428 --> 46:57.979 of Latvian Ministry of Education 46:57.979 --> 46:59.499 to close down Russian language schools, 46:59.499 --> 47:01.724 and it gathered about a few thousand people. 47:01.724 --> 47:04.317 So the organizer cited Framework Convention 47:04.317 --> 47:07.067 for the Protection of National Minorities. 47:07.067 --> 47:08.817 So just two days ago, 47:08.899 --> 47:10.707 the Government of Latvia confirmed the plans 47:10.707 --> 47:12.929 to abandon the Russian language 47:12.929 --> 47:14.808 from educational process at schools. 47:14.808 --> 47:18.975 So the new political protests are being gathered right now, 47:19.108 --> 47:20.398 organized in Latvia, 47:20.398 --> 47:22.602 where around 40% of population 47:22.602 --> 47:24.270 actually Russian speaking, in fact. 47:24.270 --> 47:27.794 So it might lead to creating one more point 47:27.794 --> 47:29.834 of instability in the world. 47:29.834 --> 47:31.973 So what's the State Department's position on this issue? 47:31.973 --> 47:33.422 - Well, I can tell you we certainly don't want 47:33.422 --> 47:35.825 any more areas of instability in the world. 47:35.825 --> 47:39.610 We have enough right now to last us for quite some time. 47:39.610 --> 47:41.021 In terms of your specific question 47:41.021 --> 47:44.420 on what's going on in Latvia right now with the language, 47:44.420 --> 47:46.619 I know we've seen that in other parts of the world. 47:46.619 --> 47:48.181 We've seen that certainly in Ukraine 47:48.181 --> 47:49.403 where there's been a debate about that, 47:49.403 --> 47:50.485 in Hungary, as well. 47:50.485 --> 47:51.708 I just don't have any information for you 47:51.708 --> 47:52.861 at the moment on Latvia, 47:52.861 --> 47:54.043 but I'd be happy to look into that 47:54.043 --> 47:55.619 and get back to you, okay? 47:55.619 --> 47:56.892 Miss, last question, hi. 47:56.892 --> 47:57.725 - [Mounira] Hi, thank you. 47:57.725 --> 47:59.619 Mounira Al Hmoud, i24 News. 47:59.619 --> 48:01.560 - Hi, I'm sorry, where's i24 News based? 48:01.560 --> 48:03.068 - [Mounira] It's an Israeli-based 48:03.068 --> 48:03.944 international news channel. 48:03.944 --> 48:05.059 - Okay, nice to meet you. 48:05.059 --> 48:05.916 - Thank you. 48:05.916 --> 48:09.416 So going back to the security of Americans 48:09.467 --> 48:11.226 being your top priority, 48:11.226 --> 48:15.016 the State Department has issued a worldwide caution 48:15.016 --> 48:17.063 for U.S. citizens traveling. 48:17.063 --> 48:19.008 - We already covered this, I'm afraid. 48:19.008 --> 48:20.181 - Okay, can you just tell us 48:20.181 --> 48:22.591 how did you choose these countries 48:22.591 --> 48:24.742 and why is it happening now? 48:24.742 --> 48:26.430 - Let me go back to my notes here 48:26.430 --> 48:29.597 and see if I can clarify this for you. 48:29.863 --> 48:32.109 So we updated our worldwide caution 48:32.109 --> 48:34.102 on December the 6th, yesterday. 48:34.102 --> 48:35.494 It was updated with information 48:35.494 --> 48:37.953 on the continuing threat of terrorist actions, 48:37.953 --> 48:40.047 political violence, criminal activity 48:40.047 --> 48:43.320 against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. 48:43.320 --> 48:46.055 This is something that is updated every six months 48:46.055 --> 48:48.025 on the part of the U.S. Government. 48:48.025 --> 48:50.118 It is a worldwide caution. 48:50.118 --> 48:53.787 We know that American citizens can be targets 48:53.787 --> 48:55.393 in many places around the world. 48:55.393 --> 48:59.055 In some instances, we've seen this time of year be 48:59.055 --> 49:01.247 one in which Americans have been attacked, 49:01.247 --> 49:02.870 at the holiday times. 49:02.870 --> 49:05.316 The worldwide caution message is part 49:05.316 --> 49:07.327 of the Department of State's continuous efforts 49:07.327 --> 49:09.216 to provide U.S. citizens traveling abroad 49:09.216 --> 49:11.855 with information about safety and security events. 49:11.855 --> 49:14.383 A worldwide caution warns U.S. citizens 49:14.383 --> 49:16.505 to exercise a heightened level 49:16.505 --> 49:18.193 of caution and security awareness 49:18.193 --> 49:19.879 and is generally reviewed and updated 49:19.879 --> 49:21.624 at least every six months. 49:21.624 --> 49:23.704 We strongly encourage U.S. citizens traveling 49:23.704 --> 49:27.025 and residing abroad to enroll their travel plans 49:27.025 --> 49:28.692 in the STEP Program. 49:28.791 --> 49:30.111 I mentioned that a little bit earlier. 49:30.111 --> 49:31.177 That's where you can register 49:31.177 --> 49:32.439 with the State Department to let us know 49:32.439 --> 49:33.960 where we can reach you 49:33.960 --> 49:36.435 if we should absolutely need to, okay? 49:36.435 --> 49:37.268 Thanks. 49:37.268 --> 49:38.995 Okay, final question. 49:38.995 --> 49:40.167 - [Man] Just real quick, do you have a response 49:40.167 --> 49:43.019 to this Reuters report that a Palestinian official 49:43.019 --> 49:44.763 says that Vice President Mike Pence 49:44.763 --> 49:46.506 is unwelcome in Palestine? 49:46.506 --> 49:47.794 - I'm not aware of that. 49:47.794 --> 49:50.332 We have comments from officials all around the world, 49:50.332 --> 49:52.250 and I'm just not gonna comment on every one there. 49:52.250 --> 49:53.083 - [Man] Thank you. 49:53.083 --> 49:55.250 - Okay, thanks, everybody. 49:56.643 --> 49:58.893 (mumbling)