WEBVTT 00:05.470 --> 00:06.493 - Good, oh. 00:08.278 --> 00:10.115 - [Reporter] Matt's looking better and better. 00:10.115 --> 00:12.190 (reporters laugh) 00:12.190 --> 00:13.680 - Good afternoon, everybody. 00:13.680 --> 00:17.140 Secretary Pompeo will travel to Ottawa, Canada, tomorrow 00:17.140 --> 00:19.430 for meetings with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 00:19.430 --> 00:21.690 and Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland. 00:21.690 --> 00:24.280 The United States and Canada are strategic partners, 00:24.280 --> 00:27.650 sharing a broad and multifaceted relationship. 00:27.650 --> 00:29.450 Secretary Pompeo will be discussing 00:29.450 --> 00:31.870 a range of issues that advance our shared goals, 00:31.870 --> 00:35.330 including returning to democracy in Venezuela, 00:35.330 --> 00:37.120 the need to pass USMCA, 00:37.120 --> 00:39.810 and our concerns with China's arbitrary detention 00:39.810 --> 00:44.263 of Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig. 00:46.070 --> 00:47.060 On to Georgia. 00:47.060 --> 00:49.150 The United States is troubled by reports 00:49.150 --> 00:51.810 that Russian-backed de facto authorities 00:51.810 --> 00:54.000 have resumed the installation of fencing 00:54.000 --> 00:57.450 on Georgian territory near the administrative boundary line 00:57.450 --> 01:01.770 of the Russian-occupied Georgian region of South Ossetia. 01:01.770 --> 01:04.260 The process of borderization indiscriminately 01:04.260 --> 01:07.720 and disproportionately affects civilians living in the area, 01:07.720 --> 01:10.740 separating them from their farmlands, family, 01:10.740 --> 01:14.120 livelihoods, and critical infrastructure. 01:14.120 --> 01:16.510 We call for the immediate halt of construction 01:16.510 --> 01:18.640 of new fencing and other barriers. 01:18.640 --> 01:20.380 Once again, we call on Russia 01:20.380 --> 01:23.020 to suspend its illegal occupation 01:23.020 --> 01:25.680 of 20 percent of Georgian territory, 01:25.680 --> 01:28.930 to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions, 01:28.930 --> 01:31.300 and to allow unfettered access 01:31.300 --> 01:34.020 for the delivery of humanitarian assistance 01:34.020 --> 01:36.410 in accordance with its clear obligations 01:36.410 --> 01:38.883 under the 2008 ceasefire agreement. 01:40.580 --> 01:42.780 The United States welcomes two more nations 01:42.780 --> 01:45.320 to the Maritime Initiative in the Gulf. 01:45.320 --> 01:48.800 We thank Bahrain and Australia for their announcements 01:48.800 --> 01:51.670 to help protect freedom of navigation. 01:51.670 --> 01:54.850 There will be more countries joining us soon. 01:54.850 --> 01:57.660 Secretary Pompeo and Polish foreign minister 01:57.660 --> 01:59.840 spoke yesterday at the UN Security Council 01:59.840 --> 02:02.330 on peace and security in the Middle East. 02:02.330 --> 02:03.880 They announced the Warsaw Process, 02:03.880 --> 02:06.100 which consists of seven working groups 02:06.100 --> 02:08.330 that will meet at the assistant secretary level 02:08.330 --> 02:11.880 to address terrorism, proliferations of weapons, 02:11.880 --> 02:15.240 maritime security, energy security, cyber threats, 02:15.240 --> 02:19.020 as well as humanitarian and human rights issues. 02:19.020 --> 02:22.010 Secretary Pompeo also announced that early next year 02:22.010 --> 02:25.400 we will hold another global ministerial on the Middle East 02:25.400 --> 02:28.070 as a follow-on to the first Warsaw ministerial. 02:28.070 --> 02:31.030 We'll have more details to announce in the coming months. 02:31.030 --> 02:33.840 At the UN, the Secretary reminded nations 02:33.840 --> 02:35.930 that the UN arms embargo on Iran 02:35.930 --> 02:38.060 and the UN travel ban on individuals, 02:38.060 --> 02:39.910 including General Soleimani, 02:39.910 --> 02:42.830 will expire next year in October. 02:42.830 --> 02:44.810 The Security Council has a role to play 02:44.810 --> 02:46.651 to ensure that the arms embargo 02:46.651 --> 02:51.310 on the world's top sponsor of terrorism does not expire. 02:51.310 --> 02:53.680 On the State Department's Iran online page, 02:53.680 --> 02:55.300 we have a countdown clock 02:55.300 --> 02:57.610 to the expiration date of the arms embargo 02:57.610 --> 02:59.003 and the travel ban. 03:00.320 --> 03:02.110 Today the Department is announcing 03:02.110 --> 03:05.340 new Rewards for Justice reward offers. 03:05.340 --> 03:08.070 We are seeking information leading to the identification 03:08.070 --> 03:11.270 or location of three ISIS leaders: 03:11.270 --> 03:16.143 Hajji Abdallah, Hajji Hamid, and Hajji Taysir. 03:17.340 --> 03:19.600 This announcement comes at an important time, 03:19.600 --> 03:22.130 as the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS 03:22.130 --> 03:23.830 and our partners on the ground 03:23.830 --> 03:26.510 continue to target ISIS remnants. 03:26.510 --> 03:29.140 Individuals with credible and accountable information 03:29.140 --> 03:31.330 on any of these individuals may be eligible 03:31.330 --> 03:34.453 for a reward up to five million dollars. 03:36.370 --> 03:38.390 Today marks the somber anniversary 03:38.390 --> 03:42.280 of the Assad regime's chemical weapons attack in Ghouta 03:42.280 --> 03:46.313 that killed over 1,400 Syrians, many of them children. 03:47.230 --> 03:50.230 We reiterate our resolve to prevent further use 03:50.230 --> 03:51.390 of these deadly weapons 03:51.390 --> 03:54.010 and to hold the Assad regime accountable 03:54.010 --> 03:56.140 for these heinous crimes. 03:56.140 --> 03:58.250 We condemn in the strongest possible terms 03:58.250 --> 03:59.963 the use of chemical weapons anywhere 03:59.963 --> 04:03.030 by anyone under any circumstances. 04:03.030 --> 04:06.360 Furthermore, we urge the Syrian regime and its allies 04:06.360 --> 04:10.320 to return to the ceasefire in Idlib immediately. 04:10.320 --> 04:13.040 Monday's reckless airstrike on a Turkish convoy 04:13.040 --> 04:17.050 follows similar vicious attacks by the Assad regime 04:17.050 --> 04:19.150 and its allies against civilians, 04:19.150 --> 04:21.950 humanitarian workers, and infrastructure. 04:21.950 --> 04:24.543 This brutal violence must cease. 04:26.250 --> 04:29.360 The United States stands with the Sudanese people 04:29.360 --> 04:32.100 as they implement the constitutional declaration 04:32.100 --> 04:35.790 to establish a civilian-led transitional government. 04:35.790 --> 04:38.040 It is vital that the transitional government 04:38.040 --> 04:41.740 represents all Sudanese and protects their human rights. 04:41.740 --> 04:43.960 For this reason, we support the substantive 04:43.960 --> 04:46.840 and representative inclusion of those Sudanese 04:46.840 --> 04:49.940 who have been marginalized in the past, women and youth, 04:49.940 --> 04:53.020 in key decision-making roles and processes. 04:53.020 --> 04:55.430 We welcome the formation of the Sovereign Council, 04:55.430 --> 04:57.380 another step in the establishment 04:57.380 --> 04:59.030 of the transitional government, 04:59.030 --> 05:00.920 and intend to work constructively 05:00.920 --> 05:03.370 with those appointed to government roles. 05:03.370 --> 05:05.910 The United States remains a steadfast partner 05:05.910 --> 05:07.420 of the Sudanese people 05:07.420 --> 05:09.960 in their pursuit of a civilian-led government 05:09.960 --> 05:13.650 that will advance peace, security, and prosperity, 05:13.650 --> 05:15.853 and respect for human rights. 05:17.330 --> 05:20.100 Okay, I feel, you're sitting there. 05:20.100 --> 05:21.190 I sort of feel like you just have to 05:21.190 --> 05:22.910 come up with a question, Christina. 05:22.910 --> 05:25.240 I'm so used to it, it's muscle memory. 05:25.240 --> 05:27.540 - I should lean back and be louder. 05:27.540 --> 05:31.235 But can we talk about, can we talk about Venezuela? 05:31.235 --> 05:32.068 - [Morgan] Sure. 05:32.068 --> 05:32.901 - Maduro has said that the U.S. 05:32.901 --> 05:34.553 has been secretly involved in talks 05:34.553 --> 05:38.820 with members of his government for I think it's months now. 05:38.820 --> 05:40.020 Do you want to give us any context 05:40.020 --> 05:41.490 as to who has been talking to whom? 05:41.490 --> 05:44.070 Is that people from this building, is it Abrams? 05:44.070 --> 05:45.060 Like, who's been reaching out? 05:45.060 --> 05:46.720 Are you comfortable saying who's been-- 05:46.720 --> 05:48.660 - So the President has addressed it, 05:48.660 --> 05:50.650 and I believe the national security advisor 05:50.650 --> 05:51.700 also tweeted on it, 05:51.700 --> 05:53.500 so I certainly don't want to get beyond 05:53.500 --> 05:57.203 their statements and get into too many specifics. 05:57.203 --> 06:00.640 But I do think that this revelation is, 06:00.640 --> 06:03.848 of course, yet another sign that people close to Maduro 06:03.848 --> 06:06.040 are worried about his failed leadership 06:06.040 --> 06:09.783 and, of course, know that his days are numbered. 06:10.767 --> 06:12.520 The days of, not just his days, 06:12.520 --> 06:15.640 but the entire former Maduro regime are. 06:15.640 --> 06:18.000 What we continue to work on both publicly 06:18.000 --> 06:20.010 and behind the scenes and, of course, with our allies 06:20.010 --> 06:23.020 and we just talked about in the opening 06:23.020 --> 06:25.630 about how we'll be discussing this in Canada tomorrow, 06:25.630 --> 06:26.730 the Secretary will, 06:26.730 --> 06:30.080 is the restoration of democracy in Venezuela. 06:30.080 --> 06:33.290 And I think that this probably should come to, 06:33.290 --> 06:36.231 as a surprise to no one that the people around Maduro 06:36.231 --> 06:40.224 are worried about his future, as they should be. 06:40.224 --> 06:43.590 The ambassador, Ambassador Bolton, tweeted about it today 06:43.590 --> 06:45.870 and I actually liked the last line of his tweet, 06:45.870 --> 06:47.279 so I'll read it and just direct you to it. 06:47.279 --> 06:49.387 He said that, "The only items discussed 06:49.387 --> 06:51.567 "by those who are reaching out behind Maduro's back 06:51.567 --> 06:54.230 "are his departure and free and fair elections." 06:54.230 --> 06:56.730 I don't think I could put it any better than that. 06:57.630 --> 06:59.010 Okay, Francesco? 06:59.010 --> 07:02.320 - [Frencesco] Hi, can I ask you on Greenland and Denmark? 07:02.320 --> 07:03.153 - [Morgan] Mm-hmm. 07:03.153 --> 07:05.658 - Have anyone in this building and maybe the Secretary 07:05.658 --> 07:09.710 reached out to his counterparts in Denmark 07:09.710 --> 07:13.730 since the President's tweet last night, 07:13.730 --> 07:16.440 or before that, to announce that there will be 07:16.440 --> 07:17.830 a cancellation of the visit 07:17.830 --> 07:20.027 to make this go smooth 07:21.945 --> 07:24.413 and not make a diplomatic crisis with another ally? 07:25.340 --> 07:28.250 - Sure, so if we have any announcements 07:28.250 --> 07:30.530 about any meetings or calls that the Secretary has, 07:30.530 --> 07:32.390 and if we're able to provide those readouts, 07:32.390 --> 07:34.100 we will certainly do so. 07:34.100 --> 07:35.170 I would remind you, of course, 07:35.170 --> 07:36.750 that we do have an ambassador 07:36.750 --> 07:38.420 and a thriving embassy on the ground 07:38.420 --> 07:43.283 who work closely with their counterparts on a daily basis. 07:43.283 --> 07:44.265 - She tweeted about the visit 07:44.265 --> 07:46.557 just two hours before the-- - She did, yeah. 07:46.557 --> 07:48.170 That just I think goes to show 07:48.170 --> 07:49.720 the strength of the relationship 07:49.720 --> 07:52.380 that our ambassador has with the government 07:52.380 --> 07:53.780 and they'll continue to work together. 07:53.780 --> 07:55.360 But I really am not gonna have anything 07:55.360 --> 07:57.750 to say beyond the President's remarks at the podium today. 07:57.750 --> 07:59.450 I'm sure the White House could offer you 07:59.450 --> 08:02.920 any additional color should you think that you need it. 08:02.920 --> 08:03.753 Hey, Rich. 08:03.753 --> 08:05.643 - Just real briefly, hi, Morgan. 08:05.643 --> 08:07.540 Do you know if there was any consultation 08:07.540 --> 08:09.920 or discussions with the U.S. and Danish government 08:09.920 --> 08:12.400 about this issue preparing for this meeting-- 08:12.400 --> 08:13.233 - [Morgan] I don't. 08:13.233 --> 08:14.066 - Specifically on the purchase? 08:14.066 --> 08:15.760 - That would be the President's travel to, the White House. 08:15.760 --> 08:17.850 Obviously, it wasn't the Secretary's trip, 08:17.850 --> 08:20.113 so any preparations for that trip 08:20.113 --> 08:22.072 would come from the White House, not from here. 08:22.072 --> 08:24.260 - But I mean the issue of proposing a purchase. 08:24.260 --> 08:25.093 Was that something-- 08:25.093 --> 08:26.152 - I don't have anything for that. 08:26.152 --> 08:26.985 Conor? 08:26.985 --> 08:27.943 - Just on Greenland as well. 08:27.943 --> 08:31.250 Scientists revealed yesterday that August 2nd 08:31.250 --> 08:33.960 was the largest melt of ice 08:33.960 --> 08:36.633 on Greenland's ice sheet in human history. 08:37.490 --> 08:38.323 Does the Secretary-- 08:38.323 --> 08:39.730 - [Morgan] Where was that report from just so I know? 08:39.730 --> 08:40.705 - Scientists who are studying-- 08:40.705 --> 08:42.067 - In Greenland? - Yeah, yeah. 08:42.067 --> 08:42.916 - Okay, thanks. 08:42.916 --> 08:45.510 - From the, from a Danish scientific institute. 08:45.510 --> 08:47.880 The Secretary has previously talked about 08:47.880 --> 08:50.490 the issue of the melting ice caps 08:50.490 --> 08:52.970 as opening economic opportunity. 08:52.970 --> 08:54.680 Does he continue to believe that? 08:54.680 --> 08:58.240 Does he have concerns about this melt? 08:58.240 --> 09:00.530 - So you're referring to the Secretary's speech 09:00.530 --> 09:05.020 that he gave when we were at the Arctic ministerial. 09:05.020 --> 09:08.090 And in that speech he talked, the focus of that speech, 09:08.090 --> 09:10.360 I think it would be fair to characterize, 09:10.360 --> 09:14.130 was on the security interests that we have in the region 09:14.130 --> 09:18.470 and the reality of the economic situation writ large 09:18.470 --> 09:21.410 that our allies and their people are dealing with. 09:21.410 --> 09:23.890 So I think as it relates to 09:23.890 --> 09:25.330 the Secretary's speech on the Arctic, 09:25.330 --> 09:27.020 I think it stands, it speaks for itself. 09:27.020 --> 09:29.026 And we obviously, as we said then 09:29.026 --> 09:32.055 and continue to say, remain concerned 09:32.055 --> 09:35.240 about some of the involvements 09:35.240 --> 09:37.730 of both the Chinese and the Russians in the Arctic, 09:37.730 --> 09:39.200 which is one of the reasons why 09:39.200 --> 09:41.850 the Secretary attended the Arctic ministerial 09:41.850 --> 09:44.820 and has taken a very proactive stance 09:44.820 --> 09:48.356 in engaging with our allies in that multilateral framework, 09:48.356 --> 09:52.320 which I think is something that he has talked often about, 09:52.320 --> 09:55.210 is multilateralism that actually works, that's effective. 09:55.210 --> 09:57.170 And I know that that's one of the many fora 09:57.170 --> 09:59.500 in which he sees continued opportunity 09:59.500 --> 10:00.859 to work with our allies. 10:00.859 --> 10:01.692 Go ahead, hey, Nike. 10:01.692 --> 10:02.525 - Does that concern extend 10:02.525 --> 10:03.358 to the environmental issues, though? 10:03.358 --> 10:04.900 - No, I think that's all I have, thanks. 10:04.900 --> 10:08.710 - [Nike] Thank you, few items on Asia. 10:08.710 --> 10:09.543 - Okay. 10:09.543 --> 10:11.576 - As you mentioned that tomorrow, 10:11.576 --> 10:16.328 Secretary's meeting with senior Canadian officials-- 10:16.328 --> 10:17.161 - [Morgan] Yes. 10:17.161 --> 10:21.210 - The detention of two Canadian citizens 10:21.210 --> 10:23.070 may come up, be discussed. 10:23.070 --> 10:25.910 Could you please provide more context on that, 10:25.910 --> 10:27.150 what is the update, 10:27.150 --> 10:31.330 and why is it Canada needs the help from the U.S. 10:31.330 --> 10:33.910 to secure or facilitate a release? 10:33.910 --> 10:36.030 That's number one, and I have other question. 10:36.030 --> 10:37.270 - Well, it's their citizens, 10:37.270 --> 10:39.910 so that's obviously primarily why we're bringing it up. 10:39.910 --> 10:43.410 And we have said before and our line remains consistent 10:43.410 --> 10:46.470 that we think these detentions are arbitrary 10:46.470 --> 10:49.686 and they're unacceptable, and this situation needs to end. 10:49.686 --> 10:51.930 And because this situation is unacceptable, 10:51.930 --> 10:53.960 we will continue to work with Canada 10:53.960 --> 10:56.580 where we can diplomatically to help secure the release 10:56.580 --> 10:59.580 of these unjustly detained individuals in China. 10:59.580 --> 11:02.640 And I think it certainly speaks and shows the world 11:02.640 --> 11:04.238 exactly how China behaves 11:04.238 --> 11:07.520 when they believe they've been backed into a corner. 11:07.520 --> 11:09.123 - On that note, on Hong Kong, 11:10.190 --> 11:12.710 Chinese foreign ministry has confirmed 11:12.710 --> 11:16.980 the detention of a consulate employee. 11:16.980 --> 11:18.230 - [Morgan] You're talking about the British? 11:18.230 --> 11:19.970 - The British consulate employee. 11:19.970 --> 11:20.803 - [Morgan] Yeah. 11:20.803 --> 11:24.512 - And was detained in Shenzhen for 15 days. 11:24.512 --> 11:25.960 Do you want to weigh in on that? 11:25.960 --> 11:27.570 Do you have any thoughts? 11:27.570 --> 11:30.165 Is the U.S. concerned this may be retribution 11:30.165 --> 11:33.460 for Hong Kong residents-- - Sure. 11:33.460 --> 11:36.280 - Who work for the consulates of Western countries? 11:36.280 --> 11:38.230 - Yeah, we certainly want to let the British government 11:38.230 --> 11:41.120 speak for their employee and citizen, or excuse me, 11:41.120 --> 11:43.430 it's a Chinese citizen, but for their employee, 11:43.430 --> 11:46.900 and we, we'll watch the situation very carefully. 11:46.900 --> 11:48.450 But I think for anything further 11:48.450 --> 11:49.560 on that particular employee, 11:49.560 --> 11:52.913 we will refer you to the government in the U.K., okay? 11:54.020 --> 11:55.350 - Thank you, Morgan. - Are you on Asia, 11:55.350 --> 11:56.580 or something else? - No, different. 11:56.580 --> 11:57.808 - Do you mind if we stick with Asia for a little bit? 11:57.808 --> 11:58.641 - [James] Not at all. 11:58.641 --> 11:59.590 - I'll come right back to you, yeah. 11:59.590 --> 12:00.990 - On Asia, please? - Yeah, go ahead. 12:00.990 --> 12:02.350 - Yes, just one question. - What's your name? 12:02.350 --> 12:03.183 I don't think I know you. 12:03.183 --> 12:05.850 - [Chen] Yeah, I'm Chen Liu from China's Xinhua News Agency. 12:05.850 --> 12:06.683 - Okay. 12:06.683 --> 12:07.590 - [Chen] And my question is just about 12:07.590 --> 12:09.480 the U.S. arms sale to Taiwan yesterday. 12:09.480 --> 12:11.400 - Okay. - The F-16s. 12:11.400 --> 12:13.890 Actually, Secretary Pompeo said on Monday 12:13.890 --> 12:16.900 in a Fox interview that the U.S. arms sales 12:16.900 --> 12:20.127 is inconsistency with the three communiques 12:20.127 --> 12:23.620 between the U.S. and China, 12:23.620 --> 12:27.930 but actually one of the communiques issued in 1982 12:27.930 --> 12:31.040 says clearly that the U.S. government states 12:31.040 --> 12:34.070 it does not seek to carry out a long-term policy 12:34.070 --> 12:36.060 of arms sales to Taiwan, 12:36.060 --> 12:39.020 and the arms sales to Taiwan will not exceed, 12:39.020 --> 12:41.130 in qualitative and quantitative terms, 12:41.130 --> 12:43.760 the level of those supplied in recent years 12:43.760 --> 12:46.850 since the establishment of the bilateral ties, 12:46.850 --> 12:50.630 and it intends gradually to reduce the sale of arms 12:50.630 --> 12:53.340 to Taiwan to a final resolution. 12:53.340 --> 12:55.590 So how could Secretary Pompeo's statement 12:55.590 --> 12:59.220 that its inconsistency with the communiques, 12:59.220 --> 13:02.380 but it actually just violates the communiques? 13:02.380 --> 13:03.910 - We don't see it that way. 13:03.910 --> 13:06.560 1982 was the year I was born. 13:06.560 --> 13:07.880 I don't think it was that long ago, 13:07.880 --> 13:09.850 so I think that we're still 13:09.850 --> 13:12.329 in keeping with the Taiwan Relations Act 13:12.329 --> 13:15.000 that we have here and the three joint communiques. 13:15.000 --> 13:15.840 Hey, thanks. 13:15.840 --> 13:16.693 - Thank you, Morgan. 13:16.693 --> 13:17.526 On the North Korean-- - Can I have a follow-up on-- 13:17.526 --> 13:19.090 - No, go ahead. - Thank you, Morgan. 13:19.090 --> 13:20.740 On the North Korea travel ban. 13:20.740 --> 13:21.850 - [Morgan] Sure. 13:21.850 --> 13:25.310 - And the U.S. extended one more years 13:25.310 --> 13:26.326 for North Korea travel ban. 13:26.326 --> 13:27.230 - [Morgan] Oh, right. 13:27.230 --> 13:29.337 - Do you have any detail on that? 13:29.337 --> 13:30.790 - I think that this is, 13:30.790 --> 13:32.920 let me get you a detailed answer on the policy. 13:32.920 --> 13:37.920 I think it's, this is consistent with our policies. 13:38.530 --> 13:39.810 As it relates to North Korea, 13:39.810 --> 13:44.050 we obviously issue travel warnings for American citizens. 13:44.050 --> 13:47.150 I don't think I have anything beyond that, 13:47.150 --> 13:49.540 but we'll look into it and see if there's anything new 13:49.540 --> 13:51.090 on the policy that you should be aware of. 13:51.090 --> 13:56.090 - Okay, what about the Special Representative Steve? 13:56.346 --> 13:57.179 - [Morgan] Biegun, mm-hmm. 13:57.179 --> 13:58.590 - Biegun visiting South Korea, 13:58.590 --> 14:00.490 do you have anything on, update? 14:00.490 --> 14:04.410 He will gonna meeting with the North Koreans' teams 14:04.410 --> 14:07.400 or looking toward the working-level meeting or what? 14:07.400 --> 14:10.600 - Yeah, so we did release a media note before his travel, 14:10.600 --> 14:12.420 and we don't have any additional meetings 14:12.420 --> 14:16.060 or stops to announce for Mr. Biegun, 14:16.060 --> 14:17.490 but we'll certainly notify you 14:17.490 --> 14:19.470 if there's some sort of an update. 14:19.470 --> 14:22.080 Hi. - A two-part question. 14:22.080 --> 14:22.913 - Mm-hmm. 14:22.913 --> 14:26.110 - On Monday, Turkey removed the democratically elected 14:26.110 --> 14:30.470 Kurdish mayors in three cities and arrested over 400 people. 14:30.470 --> 14:31.780 What's your comment? 14:31.780 --> 14:35.230 And would you support something very different, 14:35.230 --> 14:37.797 like renewing negotiations between the Turkish government 14:37.797 --> 14:39.760 and Turkey's Kurds? 14:39.760 --> 14:42.200 - Yeah, so I think in general, anywhere in the world, 14:42.200 --> 14:43.940 it's always concerning when you see 14:43.940 --> 14:47.050 the removal of elected officials 14:47.050 --> 14:49.820 and then their replacement by unelected officials. 14:49.820 --> 14:51.240 That's obviously concerning, right? 14:51.240 --> 14:55.305 So what we hope is to see that Turkey resolves this matter 14:55.305 --> 14:58.260 in a way that is consistent 14:58.260 --> 15:00.840 with their commitment to democracy, 15:00.840 --> 15:03.610 and we, of course, always encourage a broad approach 15:03.610 --> 15:07.423 in Turkey's engagement with the Kurdish communities. 15:08.540 --> 15:09.373 That's it? 15:09.373 --> 15:11.983 Anything, Said. - Thank you, Morgan. 15:11.983 --> 15:14.054 Very quickly on the statement 15:14.054 --> 15:17.550 issued by Ambassador David Friedman last week 15:17.550 --> 15:21.420 on the disallowing of Representative Tlaib 15:21.420 --> 15:23.370 and Omar from entering. 15:23.370 --> 15:27.640 Now, he cited the law that says anyone that support BDS 15:27.640 --> 15:28.940 will be disallowed. 15:28.940 --> 15:31.280 And I'm concerned about many Palestinian Americans 15:31.280 --> 15:35.320 who may differ in their views than, 15:35.320 --> 15:36.730 let's say, the Israeli government. 15:36.730 --> 15:37.671 - [Morgan] Yeah. 15:37.671 --> 15:39.790 - Is that, are you concerned that this may set the precedent 15:39.790 --> 15:42.630 preventing Palestinian Americans from visiting 15:42.630 --> 15:45.480 their families, their villages, and so on? 15:45.480 --> 15:47.230 And is that your official view, 15:47.230 --> 15:49.338 his statement is your official view? 15:49.338 --> 15:52.170 - So, I mean, I'm not going to comment 15:52.170 --> 15:54.690 on the veracity of the law. 15:54.690 --> 15:55.940 I think that you would have to talk to 15:55.940 --> 15:57.760 the Israeli government if there's any questions 15:57.760 --> 15:59.640 on detailing that. 15:59.640 --> 16:04.640 And so as it relates to Ambassador Friedman's statement, 16:04.670 --> 16:06.340 I think that stands. 16:06.340 --> 16:07.630 I saw it, the Secretary saw it, 16:07.630 --> 16:10.500 there's, we don't have any, at issue with his statement. 16:10.500 --> 16:13.370 - So you did not issue a statement 16:13.370 --> 16:16.223 saying "This is our official position from this point on"? 16:16.223 --> 16:17.380 Will you do this? 16:17.380 --> 16:18.510 Is that what you're doing from behind the podium? 16:18.510 --> 16:20.010 - Well, what are you asking? 16:20.010 --> 16:21.103 Official position on what? 16:21.103 --> 16:22.059 - I'm asking if the State, 16:22.059 --> 16:27.059 on supporters of the boycott and divestment and so on, 16:28.330 --> 16:30.780 or any differing views from those 16:30.780 --> 16:34.190 held by the Israeli government by Palestinian Americans. 16:34.190 --> 16:36.307 Because obviously, this was cited not only by Mr. Friedman. 16:36.307 --> 16:39.920 - Yeah, but I think what you're getting into is politics. 16:39.920 --> 16:41.250 That's not what the State Department does. 16:41.250 --> 16:42.795 I do encourage you to talk to the-- 16:42.795 --> 16:43.700 - [Said] Well this is-- 16:43.700 --> 16:44.533 - Let me finish. 16:44.533 --> 16:46.680 I think, I do encourage you to talk to the White House. 16:46.680 --> 16:48.280 I think that there's many members of Congress 16:48.280 --> 16:49.440 on both sides of the aisle 16:49.440 --> 16:50.620 that have varying opinions on this, 16:50.620 --> 16:52.840 and I think that that's the appropriate place 16:52.840 --> 16:54.030 for these political questions. 16:54.030 --> 16:55.783 That's not something that we do here. 16:55.783 --> 16:57.270 - I'm more concerned not with the, 16:57.270 --> 16:59.270 with Congress or members of Congress. 16:59.270 --> 17:01.300 I'm more concerned with Palestinian Americans, 17:01.300 --> 17:03.660 members of my family, others who may have-- 17:03.660 --> 17:05.290 - Yeah. - Differing viewpoints. 17:05.290 --> 17:06.910 Will they be allowed or disallowed? 17:06.910 --> 17:08.170 Do you have a position on that? 17:08.170 --> 17:10.061 - That's a question for the Government of Israel, 17:10.061 --> 17:13.170 and so that's, but that's not something 17:13.170 --> 17:14.870 that we control here. 17:14.870 --> 17:15.770 - Morgan. - Hey, sorry. 17:15.770 --> 17:16.603 Told you I would get back to you. 17:16.603 --> 17:17.436 Sorry about that. 17:17.436 --> 17:18.477 - I appreciate it and I feel compelled 17:18.477 --> 17:21.120 to let you know that I remember 1982 17:21.120 --> 17:24.870 with dispiriting accuracy. - It's a good year. 17:24.870 --> 17:28.010 - But to, yes, it was, to bring us to more current times, 17:28.010 --> 17:29.900 specifically last Friday 17:29.900 --> 17:31.470 and the issuance by the department 17:31.470 --> 17:36.470 of the annual arms control compliance report to Congress. 17:37.130 --> 17:38.300 - [Morgan] Yeah. 17:38.300 --> 17:42.039 - Which bureau of the State Department drafted this report? 17:42.039 --> 17:44.510 - So I know that you sent us some detailed questions, 17:44.510 --> 17:45.410 so I do want to let you know 17:45.410 --> 17:46.714 that we're getting back to you on all those. 17:46.714 --> 17:49.750 The, and I hate to just sort of read from here, 17:49.750 --> 17:52.010 but I just got this information before I went to the podium, 17:52.010 --> 17:53.270 so I'm gonna give it to you. 17:53.270 --> 17:55.920 So the State Department, we submitted to Congress 17:55.920 --> 17:59.386 the 2019 Report on Adherence to 17:59.386 --> 18:01.720 and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, 18:01.720 --> 18:03.770 and Disarmament Agreements, 18:03.770 --> 18:06.227 of course known as the compliance report. 18:06.227 --> 18:09.330 This is, I should note 18:09.330 --> 18:10.670 I think that there is a difference here. 18:10.670 --> 18:14.500 The August 19th one that you're referring to, 18:14.500 --> 18:15.360 my team has told me it was 18:15.360 --> 18:17.980 the unclassified version of the report, 18:17.980 --> 18:20.300 and then there was a separate report 18:20.300 --> 18:23.043 that was submitted on April 15th. 18:24.610 --> 18:25.467 In terms of-- 18:25.467 --> 18:27.538 - [James] The April 15 one was classified, 18:27.538 --> 18:28.371 is that what you're saying? 18:28.371 --> 18:29.299 - That's my understanding, yes. 18:29.299 --> 18:30.448 - [James] Okay. 18:30.448 --> 18:33.510 - So the report does not include any new developments 18:33.510 --> 18:34.880 that took place after the report 18:34.880 --> 18:38.350 was submitted to Congress on April 15th. 18:38.350 --> 18:40.860 And I do think, James, that there's probably 18:40.860 --> 18:42.060 a ton of technical questions 18:42.060 --> 18:44.280 that I should get the experts to answer for you 18:44.280 --> 18:45.502 'cause I don't want to screw it up, 18:45.502 --> 18:50.075 which we have, but our, when something goes to Congress, 18:50.075 --> 18:52.190 you have not been in the bureaucracy, 18:52.190 --> 18:54.371 but let me explain there is a painful clearance process 18:54.371 --> 18:55.950 that goes on here. 18:55.950 --> 18:58.460 So there is drafters, there's peoples who clear, 18:58.460 --> 19:00.080 there's people who approve. 19:00.080 --> 19:03.790 It's never sort of one entity that's involved. 19:03.790 --> 19:05.810 And whether it's submitting something to the Secretary, 19:05.810 --> 19:08.170 to Congress, or even to all of you, believe it or not, 19:08.170 --> 19:09.470 there's a long clearance process 19:09.470 --> 19:11.210 before we get it to all of you, 19:11.210 --> 19:13.180 so this report would have gone through 19:13.180 --> 19:14.320 that same clearance process 19:14.320 --> 19:16.220 that all of our documents go through in the building. 19:16.220 --> 19:18.320 - Is it fair to say that these reports 19:19.560 --> 19:23.100 experienced a more painful clearance process than most? 19:23.100 --> 19:26.450 - I can't characterize that from here. 19:26.450 --> 19:29.322 I can get back to you on that, but I don't know. 19:29.322 --> 19:31.950 - There's, I'll just run through the questions 19:31.950 --> 19:33.100 and if you don't feel you can answer them 19:33.100 --> 19:34.670 from the podium at this time, 19:34.670 --> 19:35.870 you'll just let me know. 19:38.040 --> 19:41.120 The report dwelled at length on the Iranian nuclear archive 19:41.120 --> 19:43.480 that the Israelis seized last year, 19:43.480 --> 19:45.360 and the report states that the Iranians' efforts 19:45.360 --> 19:47.670 to retain this archive in secret locations, 19:47.670 --> 19:52.417 quote, "suggests that Iran preserved the information 19:52.417 --> 19:54.177 "to aid in any future decision 19:54.177 --> 19:55.307 "to pursue nuclear weapons 19:55.307 --> 19:57.287 "if a decision were made to do so." 19:58.140 --> 20:01.710 I'm wondering why Iran's clandestine 20:01.710 --> 20:03.780 retention of this archive 20:03.780 --> 20:06.825 was seen by the people who prepared this report 20:06.825 --> 20:09.947 as potentially something that would aid a future decision 20:09.947 --> 20:13.620 to pursue a nuclear weapon and not, 20:13.620 --> 20:14.880 by virtue of its stealth 20:14.880 --> 20:17.700 and the nature of the enterprise itself, itself, 20:17.700 --> 20:20.890 a flat violation of existing arms control obligations? 20:20.890 --> 20:22.114 - Sure, let me do this for you. 20:22.114 --> 20:24.870 Because there is a, unclassified, 20:24.870 --> 20:26.520 and of course, the classified annex, 20:26.520 --> 20:27.550 I want to be careful here. 20:27.550 --> 20:29.480 And like I said, I just got this information 20:29.480 --> 20:30.850 before I went to the podium. 20:30.850 --> 20:33.880 I will follow up and have Brian Hook work with you, 20:33.880 --> 20:35.410 happy to do an interview. 20:35.410 --> 20:36.740 I just want to make sure that I don't 20:36.740 --> 20:39.070 inadvertently talk to you about classified information 20:39.070 --> 20:39.903 from the podium. 20:39.903 --> 20:41.280 So we'll, we've got the information, 20:41.280 --> 20:42.516 we'll get it to you, and I'll make sure, 20:42.516 --> 20:44.420 I don't know what Brian's travel is, 20:44.420 --> 20:45.890 but we'll see if you're in the building 20:45.890 --> 20:47.840 if we can get back to you before the end of the day. 20:47.840 --> 20:48.673 Okay, hey. 20:48.673 --> 20:52.136 - Morgan, could, does the Secretary have 20:52.136 --> 20:56.660 a stance toward the Office of Management and Budget's effort 20:56.660 --> 21:00.400 to cut four billion in foreign aid spending? 21:00.400 --> 21:04.000 - So the package that you're talking about 21:04.000 --> 21:06.090 is supposed to be announced by the White House. 21:06.090 --> 21:09.330 We think that that decision will be imminent, 21:09.330 --> 21:10.970 and as soon as we have it, 21:10.970 --> 21:14.320 we will comply with whatever the President's directive is. 21:14.320 --> 21:15.710 - [Reporter] But does he have, does he, 21:15.710 --> 21:17.710 is he in support of it or does he oppose it? 21:17.710 --> 21:21.314 - I think that we support the President's decisions. 21:21.314 --> 21:22.147 - [Said] Morgan, could I follow up on Iran? 21:22.147 --> 21:23.703 - No, go ahead. 21:24.610 --> 21:25.460 You guys, you know what? 21:25.460 --> 21:26.870 The, it's getting near two, 21:26.870 --> 21:28.960 and I think the President's speech is scheduled at two, 21:28.960 --> 21:30.998 so I'll take a few more but I do not want to get 21:30.998 --> 21:33.140 in front of the President's camera time, yeah. 21:33.140 --> 21:34.470 - Can you confirm the report 21:34.470 --> 21:37.510 that another Iranian tanker is headed towards Syria 21:37.510 --> 21:40.740 carrying crude oil, the Bonita Queen? 21:40.740 --> 21:43.610 And can you say whether or not it would be in violation 21:43.610 --> 21:46.670 of U.S. sanctions and what the U.S. is prepared to do 21:46.670 --> 21:48.620 to stop it from reaching its destination? 21:48.620 --> 21:51.690 - Yeah, so we are aware of the reports that this ship, 21:51.690 --> 21:54.423 what a fantastic name, by the way, is headed towards Syria. 21:54.423 --> 21:55.756 We've heard that. 21:55.756 --> 21:57.520 I mean, look, I think that when you look at this ship, 21:57.520 --> 22:00.000 when you look at the Grace 1, 22:00.000 --> 22:01.980 the, when you look at anybody who, let's, 22:01.980 --> 22:03.790 instead of focusing on individual ships, 22:03.790 --> 22:05.300 let's back up a little. 22:05.300 --> 22:06.780 And when you have these ships 22:06.780 --> 22:08.469 that are transporting oil to Syria, 22:08.469 --> 22:10.590 what is that doing, essentially? 22:10.590 --> 22:13.550 That is, of course, it's violating sanctions, 22:13.550 --> 22:17.530 but it's also aiding in the terrorism of the Assad regime. 22:17.530 --> 22:18.570 In terms of what we're gonna do, 22:18.570 --> 22:21.010 the Secretary spoke about this yesterday. 22:21.010 --> 22:22.980 I don't want to get into hypotheticals 22:22.980 --> 22:25.960 or forecast many options that we have, 22:25.960 --> 22:28.110 but I do think that the Secretary said it well. 22:28.110 --> 22:31.740 He said if that ship heads, again heads to Syria, 22:31.740 --> 22:33.530 we'll take every action we can 22:33.530 --> 22:36.242 consistent with those sanctions to prevent that. 22:36.242 --> 22:39.000 So I think that we, again, 22:39.000 --> 22:41.250 will use this opportunity to convey 22:41.250 --> 22:45.290 our strong position to all ports in the Mediterranean 22:45.290 --> 22:48.330 that they should be wary of accepting any ship 22:48.330 --> 22:52.320 which is carrying Iranian oil and violating U.S. sanctions. 22:52.320 --> 22:55.020 And it's important for these crewmembers of these vessels 22:55.020 --> 22:56.930 to know, as we've talked about publicly, 22:56.930 --> 22:59.387 that assisting the IRGC from, 22:59.387 --> 23:02.260 for transmitting this oil from Iran 23:02.260 --> 23:05.120 could make them ineligible for visas. 23:05.120 --> 23:06.730 That would make them ineligible 23:06.730 --> 23:10.350 for admission into the United States. 23:10.350 --> 23:12.990 And of course, this isn't something, 23:12.990 --> 23:14.800 this isn't an innocent activity. 23:14.800 --> 23:17.770 Providing or attempting to conspire to provide 23:17.770 --> 23:21.010 material resources, not only to the Iranians 23:21.010 --> 23:23.800 but to any foreign terrorist organization, any FTO, 23:23.800 --> 23:25.180 is a crime under U.S. law, 23:25.180 --> 23:27.160 and there's punishments that come under this. 23:27.160 --> 23:28.970 So I think, again, if we step back 23:28.970 --> 23:31.400 and look at the bigger picture out of all of this, 23:31.400 --> 23:33.946 we want to remind all ports in the Mediterranean 23:33.946 --> 23:38.391 that these are sanctionable activities 23:38.391 --> 23:40.310 that they shouldn't participate in, 23:40.310 --> 23:42.772 and we appreciate all countries 23:42.772 --> 23:46.244 complying with U.S. sanctions and with U.S. law. 23:46.244 --> 23:47.392 - Can I just clarify, when you say-- 23:47.392 --> 23:48.277 - [Morgan] Yeah, last one. 23:48.277 --> 23:50.350 - If that ship heads again, is he referring to the-- 23:50.350 --> 23:51.510 - In the Secretary's quote? 23:51.510 --> 23:53.100 Yeah, when he was asked that yesterday, 23:53.100 --> 23:56.213 he was referring to the Grace 1 and that particular thing. 23:56.213 --> 23:58.360 But I think the important point that he was make there is, 23:58.360 --> 24:01.287 he was asked about actions, and you asked me about that, 24:01.287 --> 24:03.190 and he was saying that we'll take actions 24:03.190 --> 24:06.010 that are consistent with sanctions to prevent that. 24:06.010 --> 24:09.080 So I think we have a range of options. 24:09.080 --> 24:10.490 Time flies when you're having fun. 24:10.490 --> 24:11.450 I apologize. 24:11.450 --> 24:13.760 I will look forward to seeing some of you 24:13.760 --> 24:15.570 who are going to Canada with us tomorrow, 24:15.570 --> 24:16.860 so thank you for coming. 24:16.860 --> 24:18.690 And we'll be happy to follow up with anything 24:18.690 --> 24:19.523 that we haven't answered, 24:19.523 --> 24:21.710 and we'll see you next week for the rest of you. 24:21.710 --> 24:22.543 Thanks.