WEBVTT

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good afternoon . I know yesterday was

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Groundhog Day , but let me start

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today's briefing by saying the exact

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same thing I said yesterday when I

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walked in . I'm sorry , Of course we

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were waiting for our White House

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colleagues to finish their briefing ,

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which they just did . So with that , um ,

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let's get started . We have a couple of

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things at the top first . Today , the

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United States and the Russian

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Federation completed the necessary

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legal procedures to extend the new

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start treaty for five years . Extending

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the new start treaty for five years

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ensures we have verifiable limits on

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Russian ICBMs , SLBM and heavy bombers

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through February 4th of 2026 . Avoiding

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a potentially unconstrained nuclear

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arms race . New start limits every

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Russian nuclear warhead that is loaded

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onto an ICBM missile that can reach the

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United States and approximately 30

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minutes . The United States will use

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the time provided by a five year

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extension of the new Start treaty to

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pursue what the Russian Federation , in

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consultation with Congress and U . S

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allies and partners arms control that

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addresses all Russian nuclear weapons .

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I would direct your attention to

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Secretary Blink UN's statement released

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earlier today for additional details .

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Second , we're closely monitoring

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peaceful demonstrations against the

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appointment of a new rector at Bogazici

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University in Turkey . We're concerned

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by detentions of students and other

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demonstrators and strongly condemned

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the anti LGBT Q Y rhetoric surrounding

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the demonstrations . Freedom of

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expression , even speech that some may

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find uncomfortable is a critical

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component of a vibrant , functioning

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democracy that must be protected .

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Peaceful , prosperous and inclusive

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societies depend on the free flow of

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information and ideas . The United

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States prioritizes the protection of

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human rights and stand shoulder to

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shoulder with all those fighting for

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their fundamental democratic freedoms .

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So with that , why don't we get started ?

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Map ? Thanks , Dad . Uh , just

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on a new start , Um ,

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this is one of these days where I

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unusual day where I didn't really have

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anything that was significantly , um ,

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important . I don't think Thio open

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with , but so I'll start with new start .

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So you've completed this ? Yes .

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Do you not see that there's any kind of ,

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uh , in dissonance in

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going ahead and and and extending an

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arms control treaty with Russians at

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the same time as you're criticizing

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them very heavily for the situation

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with Mr Navalny Onda

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secondly , and I know you were asked

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this yesterday about open skies , but

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also on the i N f . I mean , is there

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any as you look at arms control with

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Russia going forward ? Um , is there

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any thought in this administration to

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trying to return to those ? Well , to

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your first question , Matt , Um , there

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isn't any distance in the common

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denominator the nominator , that weird

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hearing to , uh , in this case are our

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interests . It is manifestly in our

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interest to have a full five year

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extension of the new start agreement .

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Um , you've heard us say this before ,

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but as we engage Russia in ways that

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advance American interests , as I just

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said , we can also remain clear eyed

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about the challenges that Russia poses .

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Even as we work with Russia to advance

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us interests . So too , will we hold

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Russia to account for its reckless and

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it's adversarial behavior . You heard

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me speak at some length yesterday about

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the ongoing review that the president

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is one of his first foreign policy

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actions . Tasked his director of

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national intelligence , uh , to conduct ,

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but I think the other point that

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remains that especially when a

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relationship is adversarial having

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something in place like new start

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something that puts those limits on

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Russia's unimportant elements of

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Russia's nuclear program becomes even

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more important . Um uh , frankly , when

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it comes Thio , you know , broader arms

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control treaties with Russia . You

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heard me say yesterday that when it

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comes to the open skies treaty were

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studying the issue will take a decision

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in due course . But , um to the best of

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our knowledge , still , Russia eyes not

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in full compliance with the treaty .

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Obviously , there have been compliance

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issues with the IMF is Well , I think

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the other issue here is that , um what

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the new start extension does . It gives

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us time and space to talk about the

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broader strategic stability elements ,

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the arms control elements that we would

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like Thio pursue it just heard me say

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in that topper , we will use three

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years that a new start extension has

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provided provided to us to focus on

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those very important issues . Do those

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s o then , and just to expand a little

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bit for further into ,

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uh , North Stream two

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in those sanctions , when you say

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you're gonna hold Russia to account for

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Navalny for other

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other issues are we talking about more

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Magnitsky sanctions ? I'm not asking

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you for specifics , but again , what ?

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What are we talking about ? And can you

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Can you address North Stream two . I'm

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done , So let me start with Nord Stream

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two . Section 2 32 of Cats a thing

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Countering America's Adversary

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Adversaries through Sanctions Act a

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zwelling protecting Europe's Energy

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Security Act are powerful tools that

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help us advance US government policy .

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Nord Stream two in the second line of

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Turk Turk Stream are designed to

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increase Russia's leverage over allies

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and partners on they undermine

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transatlantic security . The United

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States will continue to work with our

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allies and our partners to ensure

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Europe has a reliable , diversified

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energy supply that does not undermine

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collective security . That's exactly

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why you've heard President Biden even

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before the time he was president Biden

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when he was a candidate . Um , say that

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North Stream two is a bad deal . It

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divides Europe . It exposes Ukraine and

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Central Europe to Russia manipulation ,

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and it goes against Europe stated

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energy security goals . So again , this

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is one of those challenges on which

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will cooperate closely with our allies

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and partners when it comes thio

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potential punitive measures , including

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sanctions against Russian authorities .

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You heard me say yesterday that it

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doesn't do us any favors . Thio

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forecast potential targets or even

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really authorities , under which we

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might , um , enact additional sanctions .

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I'm gonna save that for when that

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review is completed . And when we have

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additional sanctions or any other

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punitive measures to announce , we'll

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do so , uh , we'll go with the Matley

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rule and we'll stick with new start for

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it . That's not my rule .

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It's not a rule . I don't know the

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Matley suggestion . I thought it was a

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good one . Eso we'll stick with it .

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Yeah , a U S . It's on topic , but

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they're obviously Askew said Secretary

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Blinken said that this is a bad idea .

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Uh , is it the administration's policy

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that this should not the pipeline

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should not be completed and they will

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work towards that ? I just asked

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because there was reports in the German

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media that they might be looking thio

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lift sanctions . Well , I don't think

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we could be any clearer . It's a bad

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deal . The president Biden has said

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that I think what we can say is that we

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will monitor activity to complete or

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certify the pipeline on def . Such

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activity takes place . We will make a

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determination on the applicability of

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sanctions . Um , all that said ,

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sanctions are only one of among many

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important tools here . And we will work

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closely with our allies and partners to

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reinforce European energy security on

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safeguard against predatory behavior ,

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including that of Russia . In this case ,

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um , sticking with New start . Yes or

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Russia . Thank you so much for this

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opportunity . Recently , the digital

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media news channel B P I . T . V was

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subject to a rate . Maduro ordered the

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station to cease operation in the

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country , immediately threatening our

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team with criminal charges . As a

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result , we were forced to stop

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transmission on producing content in

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Venezuela . What message can the State

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Department sent to the Maduro's regime

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to stop these campaigns ? US . Arrest ,

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harassment on repression , repression

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against the media ? And another

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question . Some nation groups and

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organization have said that the only

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way out off the crisis is to properly

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resume political negotiation to start a

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transitional process in Venezuela . We

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received information that some people

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visited Washington D . C . To try to

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convince the US off a dialogue

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process with the regime , had someone

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with the State Department participate

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in a meeting related to this is the US

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considering negotiations with the

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Venezuelan regime . Thank you . Thank

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you . Well , let me take the

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prerogative to welcome you to the

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briefing room if I'm not mistaken . You

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are Gabby . Pero so of v p I T v um

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Venezuelan journalist who , as you said ,

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your independent TV station has been

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shut down by the Maduro regime . So

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we're very honored . Toe . Have you

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here to your first question ? Um , the

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United States condemns media censorship

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anywhere in the world , media freedom

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is essential to the pursuit of a

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vibrant democracy and responsive

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governance . Nicolas Maduro as a

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dictator , there is no doubt about that .

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And media censorship eyes ah , hallmark

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of Dictatorships . Hey ! And those who

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support him have tried to silence

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journalists like yourself who report

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the truth through regime directed

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harassment , intimidation on violence

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as well . We condemn censorship . We

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condemn blocking harassment , other

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tactics to stifle independent media

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voices , including the recent

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shuttering of V P I . T . V . On

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harassment of six other Venezuelan

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independent outlets . We support

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journalists and other democratic actors

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who are advancing the struggle for

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democracy . Uh , in Venezuela . Maduro

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is continuing . Media crackdowns

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severely limit Venezuelans Access toe

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accurate information As a result , more

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than five million Venezuelans , um

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limited live in a so called news desert

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with insufficient access . Two

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independent media I think the broader

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point here is it Only a regime , afraid

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of its own people , would engage in

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such practices . You mentioned ,

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um , our general approach to Nicolas

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Maduro , Maduro and his regime . We

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haven't had a chance to speak to it in

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this context , I think it zwart . While ,

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um , the overriding goal . The

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overriding goal of Biden Harris

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administration is to support a peaceful

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democratic transition in Venezuela

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through free and fair presidential and

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parliamentary elections on and to help

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the Venezuelan people rebuild their

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lives . In countries in country ,

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Venezuelans have a right to democracy

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and a government that promotes and

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defends it , just like everyone else in

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this hemisphere . President Biden . You

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have heard him say this even before he

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was elected president . Biden . He

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understands the pain that the current

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crisis in Venezuela has inflicted on

11:40.640 --> 11:42.696
the people of Venezuela . Andi their

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families again , Maduro as a dictator .

11:45.350 --> 11:47.710
His repression , corruption and

11:47.710 --> 11:50.280
mismanagement have created one of the

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most dire humanitarian crises this

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hemisphere has seen . Um , that is why

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this administration is committed to

11:58.350 --> 12:01.390
several principles one designating as

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appropriate Venezuelans Venezuela for

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temporary protected status number to

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addressing the humanitarian concerns of

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millions of Venezuelans with

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international partners number three

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targeting regime officials and their

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cronies involved in corruption and

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human rights abuses . And number four

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again aiding and restoring a peaceful ,

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stable , democratic future for

12:25.212 --> 12:27.470
Venezuelans , Uh , and the regime both

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through free and fair elections on a

12:29.526 --> 12:31.748
long term economic recovery . As to how

12:31.748 --> 12:34.000
we're going to do that . Look , I

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certainly don't expect this

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administration to be engaging directly

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with Maduro , Azzawi said . We will

12:40.650 --> 12:44.380
work through , Ah , number of way will

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work with a number of allies Andi

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partners , to bring about progress

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towards democracy in Venezuela . We

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will do that with our partners in the

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region . We will do that with our

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European partners and allies will do

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that with the O . A s . We will do that

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through the Lima Group through a number

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of fora like minded for a that share

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the same goals of bringing about

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democracy . Andi , Human rights andan

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end to this corrupt , corrupt

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dictatorship in Venezuela following Yes ,

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administration still believe that Juan

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Guido is the best person to lead the

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opposition of Venezuela . So the United

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States continues to recognize the 2015

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National Assembly as the last remaining

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democratic institution in Venezuela on

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DCA insistent with that the person

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chosen by the National Assembly to be

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its president as the interim president

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of Venezuela . One Guido Yes . Sorry .

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Connections . We'll put a fine point on

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this . You mentioned the Lima Group in

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the OS . What other like minded for a

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Are you talking about here ? Well , I

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was using , uh you know , as you know ,

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a very small number of

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U . N members have have done this . I

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have recognized widow or

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unrecognized Maduro , as the case may

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be . So is there Are there any other

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fora that you're talking about ? Well ,

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eso to name a couple here . The OS has

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indeed taken a strong leadership

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position pressing for a democratic

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transition , uh , in Venezuela , the

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Lima Group way welcome its leadership

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to further strengthen a regional

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coalition to advocate for free and fair

14:26.446 --> 14:28.390
elections . I was using for , uh ,

14:28.390 --> 14:30.112
perhaps cloak really bilateral

14:30.112 --> 14:31.723
relationships , multilateral

14:31.723 --> 14:33.723
relationship to But I mean , so are

14:33.723 --> 14:35.946
there more . I mean , yeah , that's too

14:35.946 --> 14:38.057
is plural . I accept that . Are there

14:38.057 --> 14:41.050
more that you can point ? Is that right ?

14:41.440 --> 14:43.620
I said , for a which which were to

14:43.630 --> 14:45.797
working with our allies and partners .

14:45.797 --> 14:49.330
Okay , Yes , John , it's not just 2% a

14:49.330 --> 14:51.274
little bit . Maduro . The previous

14:51.274 --> 14:53.108
administration said that they're

14:53.108 --> 14:55.163
basically should there be no contact

14:55.163 --> 14:57.052
with Maduro other than perhaps on

14:57.052 --> 14:59.108
logistical things like the status of

14:59.108 --> 14:59.050
the U . S . Embassy there is this

14:59.050 --> 15:01.272
administration willing to have any sort

15:01.272 --> 15:03.439
of dialogue with Maduro if it advances

15:03.439 --> 15:05.606
the goals that you mentioned again , I

15:05.606 --> 15:08.240
would expect that our dialogue will be

15:08.240 --> 15:10.018
with our like minded allies and

15:10.018 --> 15:12.129
partners as well as with the National

15:12.129 --> 15:14.184
Assembly one Guido Aziz , the leader

15:14.184 --> 15:16.690
chosen by that National Assembly . I

15:16.700 --> 15:18.920
would not expect any direct contact

15:18.920 --> 15:20.930
with with Maduro again , whom we

15:20.930 --> 15:22.874
consider consider to be a dictator

15:22.874 --> 15:26.390
anytime . A . That's the current

15:26.390 --> 15:28.440
policy . I'm always talking about

15:28.440 --> 15:31.520
current policy . I don't wanna , uh ,

15:31.530 --> 15:33.419
clearly I'm talking about current

15:33.419 --> 15:35.930
policy , but it is the policy . We will

15:35.930 --> 15:38.140
not talk to him or is the policy we

15:38.140 --> 15:40.307
don't expect to call him any time this

15:40.307 --> 15:44.040
week . Uh , I think it's a little bit

15:44.040 --> 15:46.400
of both . We certainly don't expect any

15:46.400 --> 15:50.260
contact with Maduro . Um , anytime soon

15:50.270 --> 15:52.880
again , our focus is on working with

15:52.880 --> 15:55.047
our allies and partners , working with

15:55.047 --> 15:57.990
partners in the region . Uh , working

15:57.990 --> 16:01.480
with Sorry , uh , working

16:01.480 --> 16:04.590
with through the for , uh

16:04.600 --> 16:08.270
on Not through the regime directly ,

16:09.630 --> 16:12.110
but as well . Where does that leave

16:12.120 --> 16:15.200
Citgo ? Five . And can you also give us

16:15.200 --> 16:18.110
an a bit of a backgrounder ? On

16:18.120 --> 16:21.320
Secretary's comments are two families

16:21.330 --> 16:25.240
of people like , um , the American

16:25.250 --> 16:27.680
veteran who's been taken by a Taliban

16:27.680 --> 16:30.250
offshoot in Afghanistan , etcetera .

16:30.740 --> 16:33.220
I would be happy . Thio eso let me

16:33.220 --> 16:35.490
start with that second question and

16:35.490 --> 16:39.150
actually , I will

16:39.160 --> 16:42.110
offer a little detail . Um , that

16:42.110 --> 16:43.943
yesterday is I think we read out

16:43.943 --> 16:46.510
Secretary Blinken held a private video

16:46.510 --> 16:48.630
conference with the family of us

16:48.630 --> 16:51.440
hostages in wrongful detainees . A za

16:51.440 --> 16:53.450
we've said bringing home U . S .

16:53.450 --> 16:55.672
Citizens in captivity is a priority for

16:55.672 --> 16:57.839
this administration is also vital that

16:57.839 --> 17:00.280
we continue to partner with the

17:00.280 --> 17:03.320
families of those wrongfully detained

17:03.320 --> 17:06.950
and held around the world . It was a

17:06.960 --> 17:09.182
meeting that it was a virtual meeting ,

17:09.182 --> 17:12.760
of course , but as I understand it , it

17:12.760 --> 17:14.927
included a number of families went for

17:14.927 --> 17:17.570
about 90 minutes . The secretary I know

17:17.580 --> 17:20.310
you asked to be briefed on these cases

17:20.310 --> 17:22.480
is one of his first acts in office .

17:22.480 --> 17:24.536
And , as you can tell by the meeting

17:24.536 --> 17:27.930
just yesterday , he's prioritized the

17:27.940 --> 17:29.996
collective work of this department ,

17:29.996 --> 17:31.940
including the special presidential

17:31.940 --> 17:34.107
envoy for hostage affairs . Ambassador

17:34.107 --> 17:36.273
Carson's . The work we're doing around

17:36.273 --> 17:38.384
the world to see to it that Americans

17:38.384 --> 17:40.496
who were unjustly detained our return

17:40.496 --> 17:40.260
to their families into their loved ones

17:40.380 --> 17:44.380
as expeditiously as possible way

17:44.380 --> 17:46.380
talked a couple families who are on

17:46.380 --> 17:48.602
that call . The feedback was was pretty

17:48.602 --> 17:50.713
positive , but one of the things that

17:50.713 --> 17:50.390
we've heard a couple of times is , you

17:50.390 --> 17:52.612
know , they're kind of asking what this

17:52.612 --> 17:54.279
administration is going to do

17:54.279 --> 17:56.446
differently when it comes to trying to

17:56.446 --> 17:55.790
get those families released . You know ,

17:55.790 --> 17:58.012
Are you gonna communicate more with the

17:58.012 --> 17:59.957
families on the back end ? Are you

17:59.957 --> 18:02.123
going to deal with intermediaries ? Is

18:02.123 --> 18:01.970
there something that you could do that

18:01.970 --> 18:04.026
your predecessor didn't do to try to

18:04.026 --> 18:06.137
bring those people home ? Well , um ,

18:06.137 --> 18:08.359
look , I think this may be one of those

18:08.359 --> 18:10.470
areas where there will be some degree

18:10.470 --> 18:12.470
of continuity . Of course , when it

18:12.470 --> 18:14.470
comes to our efforts . Thio release

18:14.470 --> 18:16.637
Americans who are unjustly held around

18:16.637 --> 18:18.637
the world . Um , it is telling that

18:18.637 --> 18:20.526
Ambassador Carson's served in the

18:20.526 --> 18:20.440
previous administration . He's

18:20.440 --> 18:22.718
continuing to serve , uh , in this one .

18:22.718 --> 18:24.829
We think it's important that there be

18:24.829 --> 18:26.940
continuity there and obviously , um ,

18:26.940 --> 18:28.829
in his role , he's achieved great

18:28.829 --> 18:30.884
success . I know the families have a

18:30.884 --> 18:33.218
tremendous relationship with his office .

18:33.218 --> 18:36.610
Um , eso we're always looking for ways ,

18:36.620 --> 18:40.150
um Thio be better partners thio the

18:40.150 --> 18:43.100
families when it comes thio various

18:43.100 --> 18:45.211
policies . Of course , the Department

18:45.211 --> 18:47.100
of Justice has a role in that the

18:47.100 --> 18:49.322
National Security Council has a role in

18:49.322 --> 18:51.489
that . But when it comes to the office

18:51.489 --> 18:51.050
here , the special Presidential Spa

18:51.240 --> 18:53.407
special presidential envoy for hostage

18:53.407 --> 18:55.351
affairs , Ambassador Carson's will

18:55.351 --> 18:58.410
continue to engage daily with the

18:58.410 --> 19:01.170
families . Um , I know that he has .

19:01.180 --> 19:03.630
He's always on the phone working those

19:03.630 --> 19:05.741
cases . I assume when it's safe to do

19:05.741 --> 19:07.908
so , he will again be back on the road

19:07.908 --> 19:10.130
working those cases around the world as

19:10.130 --> 19:12.130
well . I'm sure you saw the reports

19:12.130 --> 19:14.352
that Paul Whelan in Russia is unable to

19:14.352 --> 19:16.352
reach out to the U . S . Embassy is

19:16.352 --> 19:18.408
unable to be in contact with the U S

19:18.408 --> 19:20.630
embassy on he is sick in prison . Did

19:20.630 --> 19:22.408
this come up with the secretary

19:22.408 --> 19:24.741
yesterday in his call with the families ?

19:24.741 --> 19:26.686
And what does the State Department

19:26.686 --> 19:28.463
plans to do to reestablish that

19:28.463 --> 19:30.686
communication ? Well , I don't wanna go

19:30.686 --> 19:32.640
into either the identity of the

19:32.640 --> 19:34.473
participants or the needs of the

19:34.473 --> 19:36.751
conversation , as you can imagine , Um ,

19:36.751 --> 19:39.470
it was , ah , private conversation on

19:39.470 --> 19:41.692
bits . Best left that way when it comes

19:41.692 --> 19:44.600
Thio Paul Whelan , Uh , the welfare and

19:44.600 --> 19:46.656
safety of U . S . Citizens . Again ,

19:46.656 --> 19:48.711
it's our It's our highest priority .

19:48.711 --> 19:50.656
Russian authorities convicted Paul

19:50.656 --> 19:52.767
Whalen in a closed and secret trial ,

19:52.767 --> 19:54.989
depriving him of a key protection . And

19:54.989 --> 19:57.156
that is transparency . The trial was a

19:57.156 --> 19:58.790
mockery of justice . Russian

19:58.790 --> 20:00.901
authorities does not provide evidence

20:00.901 --> 20:03.068
and did not allow Mr Whelan to produce

20:03.068 --> 20:05.068
witnesses in his own defense . Mr .

20:05.068 --> 20:07.234
Whelan is now serving a 16 year prison

20:07.234 --> 20:09.430
sentence and a Russian labor camp . We

20:09.430 --> 20:11.680
remained remain concerned , of course ,

20:11.810 --> 20:14.088
for Mr Whelan's well being in a safety ,

20:14.088 --> 20:16.143
and will continue to speak out on Mr

20:16.143 --> 20:18.032
Whelan's behalf until the Russian

20:18.032 --> 20:20.254
government finally does the right thing

20:20.254 --> 20:22.477
on sends Mr Whalen home to his family .

20:22.477 --> 20:24.421
U . S . Officials both here at the

20:24.421 --> 20:26.588
State Department in Washington as well

20:26.588 --> 20:28.588
as in Moscow . Um , regularly speak

20:28.588 --> 20:32.060
with , uh , Mr Whalen's family . Um ,

20:32.540 --> 20:34.940
were , of course , aware of his health

20:34.940 --> 20:37.051
concerns you raised . We have been in

20:37.051 --> 20:39.260
touch with his family on We're

20:39.260 --> 20:42.050
appealing to appropriate government ,

20:42.060 --> 20:45.380
um , government authorities in Russia

20:45.440 --> 20:47.720
to facilitate consular access . The

20:47.730 --> 20:51.050
point that if it was a private

20:51.050 --> 20:53.161
conversation , why did you guys put a

20:53.161 --> 20:54.883
statement out of Well , we the

20:54.883 --> 20:56.883
statement , as you will note , um ,

20:56.883 --> 20:58.883
didn't didn't speak to any names or

20:58.883 --> 21:02.270
identities or cases . Um , on I think a

21:02.270 --> 21:04.270
zur colleague just said several the

21:04.270 --> 21:06.326
families have been speaking to it as

21:06.326 --> 21:08.326
well . Yes . Yeah . Do you have any

21:08.326 --> 21:10.492
reaction to the charges that have been

21:10.492 --> 21:12.492
brought against tanks and sushi and

21:12.492 --> 21:14.714
have any update on whether or not U . S

21:14.714 --> 21:16.659
officials have been able to get in

21:16.659 --> 21:19.150
touch with her Well again to recap

21:19.150 --> 21:20.928
where we are , you heard us say

21:20.928 --> 21:23.300
yesterday that what transpired on

21:23.300 --> 21:25.150
February 1st , uh , in Burma

21:25.160 --> 21:27.490
constituted military coup d'etat . Uh ,

21:27.500 --> 21:29.722
when it comes to what we have seen take

21:29.722 --> 21:33.560
place in in recent hours , were aware

21:33.570 --> 21:35.681
of reports that State Council on some

21:35.681 --> 21:37.920
sushi on president win Myint have been

21:37.920 --> 21:39.976
charged with crimes and the National

21:39.976 --> 21:41.753
League for Democracy members of

21:41.753 --> 21:43.753
parliament have been ordered . Thio

21:43.753 --> 21:46.710
Vacate Capita Um , we are disturbed ,

21:46.720 --> 21:50.270
of course , by these reports , we

21:50.270 --> 21:52.690
call on the military to immediately

21:52.690 --> 21:54.850
release them all on all detained

21:54.850 --> 21:56.683
civilian and political leaders ,

21:56.683 --> 21:58.739
journalists on detained human rights

21:58.739 --> 22:00.350
activists and to restore the

22:00.350 --> 22:02.406
democratically elected government to

22:02.406 --> 22:04.517
power a za president . Biden has said

22:04.517 --> 22:06.350
the military seizure is a direct

22:06.350 --> 22:08.517
assault on the country's transition to

22:08.517 --> 22:10.628
democracy on the rule of law . So has

22:10.628 --> 22:12.794
anyone been able to reach her or other

22:12.794 --> 22:15.017
leadership in NLD ? My understanding is

22:15.017 --> 22:17.128
that we have not had that contact and

22:17.128 --> 22:19.128
about the conversation that General

22:19.128 --> 22:20.980
Milley allegedly tried to have .

22:20.980 --> 22:23.070
According to Pentagon . What was the

22:23.080 --> 22:25.080
purpose of trying to establish that

22:25.080 --> 22:27.250
call ? I need to refer you to the to

22:27.250 --> 22:29.306
the Pentagon for any questions about

22:29.306 --> 22:31.528
what the chairman maybe attended before

22:31.528 --> 22:33.528
we move on . Have you guys made any

22:33.528 --> 22:37.040
decision ? Sorry about specific

22:37.050 --> 22:39.990
aid suspension cuts or is that still

22:40.120 --> 22:43.150
under review ? Eso we ? Their review is

22:43.150 --> 22:45.261
ongoing matters you will know it just

22:45.261 --> 22:47.428
started yesterday . You are right that

22:47.428 --> 22:49.950
we have moved swiftly . Thio assess the

22:50.150 --> 22:52.310
fax and do the legal analysis of this

22:52.310 --> 22:54.532
case . We came to that designation of a

22:54.532 --> 22:58.110
coup in very short order . But that

22:58.120 --> 23:02.000
result that review is ongoing will be

23:02.000 --> 23:04.111
guided by our longstanding commitment

23:04.111 --> 23:05.889
to the people of Burma on their

23:05.889 --> 23:07.889
aspirations for democracy , peace ,

23:07.889 --> 23:10.167
justice , development and human rights .

23:10.167 --> 23:12.167
Um , continuing our support for the

23:12.167 --> 23:14.278
people of Burma is more important now

23:14.278 --> 23:16.111
than ever , even as we determine

23:16.111 --> 23:18.590
additional what additional policy moves

23:18.590 --> 23:21.110
may be appropriate for those behind

23:21.120 --> 23:24.800
things . Cool ? Yes , E one

23:25.640 --> 23:28.850
e said the continuing support for the

23:28.850 --> 23:30.906
Burmese people is more important now

23:30.906 --> 23:33.017
than ever . Have you started a review

23:33.017 --> 23:35.072
of whether or not the crimes against

23:35.072 --> 23:37.840
the Rohingya eyes a genocide ? Eso you

23:37.840 --> 23:40.030
heard a time secretary ? Doesn't

23:40.030 --> 23:41.650
Blinken speak Thio ?

23:41.660 --> 23:45.170
Uh , note that he would

23:45.180 --> 23:47.347
undertake such a review . I don't have

23:47.347 --> 23:49.458
any further details to reach out . We

23:49.458 --> 23:51.624
have Secretary Blinken has now been on

23:51.624 --> 23:53.624
the job just just a week today s So

23:53.624 --> 23:55.791
we're very early as we have additional

23:55.791 --> 23:57.680
details to read out . Certainly .

23:57.680 --> 23:59.736
Certainly will . Anything else and I

23:59.736 --> 23:59.440
learned a lot of other reviews , though

23:59.440 --> 24:01.662
Why wouldn't you confirm whether or not

24:01.662 --> 24:03.607
you've started this one ? I just I

24:03.607 --> 24:05.607
don't have an update . When we do ,

24:05.607 --> 24:07.750
we'll let you know . Mhm . Could you

24:07.750 --> 24:09.861
come in on whether you think China is

24:09.861 --> 24:11.917
going to be part of an international

24:11.917 --> 24:14.280
response on Myanmar on any efforts that

24:14.290 --> 24:16.540
you're doing at the moment to make that

24:16.540 --> 24:19.630
happen and separately but related ,

24:19.640 --> 24:22.360
there's a delay in the confirmation of

24:22.740 --> 24:24.980
your nominee for the U . S . Ambassador

24:24.980 --> 24:28.130
to the U . N . Is that affecting

24:28.220 --> 24:30.276
diplomatic efforts to respond to the

24:30.276 --> 24:32.240
crisis in Myanmar ? Well , on your

24:32.240 --> 24:34.610
first question , um , I was struck by

24:34.620 --> 24:36.842
what was in President Biden statement .

24:36.842 --> 24:39.420
I guess it was early yesterday morning .

24:39.420 --> 24:41.364
Yesterday morning . Hey , said the

24:41.364 --> 24:43.476
United States is taking note of those

24:43.476 --> 24:45.809
who stand with the people of Burma . Um ,

24:45.809 --> 24:47.920
in this difficult hour , um , we , of

24:47.920 --> 24:50.700
course , have been working assiduously

24:50.700 --> 24:52.870
around the clock , both here at the

24:52.870 --> 24:54.920
State Department as well as in our

24:54.930 --> 24:57.530
embassies around the world again , as I

24:57.530 --> 24:59.474
was saying yesterday with our like

24:59.474 --> 25:01.910
minded allies and partners , to ensure

25:01.910 --> 25:04.040
that our responses , uh , coordinated

25:04.040 --> 25:06.400
and that's appropriate , I'm sure a t

25:06.400 --> 25:08.344
least I hope many of you saw the G

25:08.344 --> 25:10.567
seven Foreign minister statement on the

25:10.567 --> 25:12.733
situation in Burma that came out , and

25:12.733 --> 25:14.956
I believe it was 7 a.m. Here in D . C .

25:14.956 --> 25:18.150
The u K issued it overnight . Um , it

25:18.150 --> 25:20.372
was a very strong statement on that was

25:20.372 --> 25:22.594
no accident . It called three events in

25:22.594 --> 25:24.900
Burma , Coop , um , it also said we

25:24.900 --> 25:27.011
call upon the military to immediately

25:27.011 --> 25:29.233
in the state of emergency restore power

25:29.233 --> 25:30.900
to the democratically elected

25:30.900 --> 25:32.678
government to release all those

25:32.678 --> 25:34.844
unjustly detained and to respect human

25:34.844 --> 25:37.130
rights on and the rule of law so very

25:37.130 --> 25:39.400
unequivocal there from our G seven

25:39.410 --> 25:42.240
allies and partners in this case , um ,

25:42.240 --> 25:44.462
to your second question , when it comes

25:44.462 --> 25:46.629
to Ambassador uh , Thomas Greenfield ,

25:46.629 --> 25:48.851
Look , if we are going toe , hold China

25:48.851 --> 25:52.660
Thio account . Um , we need a confirmed

25:52.670 --> 25:55.880
ambassador to the U . N . Confirmed

25:55.890 --> 25:58.057
United States permanent representative

25:58.057 --> 26:01.010
to the U . N . Ambassador Thomas

26:01.010 --> 26:03.177
Greenfield has been sounding the alarm

26:03.177 --> 26:05.550
on China for decades . Now the Biden

26:05.550 --> 26:08.000
administration is prepared thio out ,

26:08.000 --> 26:10.167
compete the Chinese across the board ,

26:10.167 --> 26:12.056
including at the U . N . And it's

26:12.056 --> 26:14.111
important that to that end should be

26:14.111 --> 26:16.333
swiftly confirmed . Yes , it does . The

26:16.333 --> 26:18.389
administration support the one China

26:18.389 --> 26:20.660
policy . Eso

26:23.740 --> 26:27.350
uh oh . All right , now we know it's

26:27.350 --> 26:29.950
gonna be in no tomorrow it's on , Lee .

26:29.950 --> 26:33.440
Because I can't answer whether you know

26:33.440 --> 26:35.440
it is on Lee , because I want to be

26:35.440 --> 26:38.510
very careful about my language here ,

26:38.600 --> 26:42.170
but , yes , the answer is that our

26:42.170 --> 26:46.050
policy has not changed .

26:46.240 --> 26:50.220
Um , it has not changed . And then

26:50.230 --> 26:53.180
on Iran , Can you Sorry , I just What ?

26:53.180 --> 26:55.920
I was teeing off that , Matt . I know ,

26:55.920 --> 26:58.142
Nick , but wait a second . Can you just

26:58.142 --> 26:59.809
say that you support that the

26:59.809 --> 27:01.976
administration's or one china policy ?

27:01.976 --> 27:05.050
Otherwise , Yeah , well , of course ,

27:05.060 --> 27:06.893
guided by the one China policy .

27:06.893 --> 27:10.590
Correct . Okay , uh , the

27:10.600 --> 27:12.840
secretary has been saying and you from

27:12.840 --> 27:16.470
this podium and saying , uh , once Iran

27:16.470 --> 27:18.637
comes back to the compliance , the U .

27:18.637 --> 27:20.637
S . Will abide by its commitments .

27:20.637 --> 27:24.190
Under the jcpoa question I have is the

27:24.190 --> 27:26.246
U . S . Left the deal first . So why

27:26.246 --> 27:28.301
are you guys saying that It's Iran's

27:28.301 --> 27:30.134
responsibility to come back into

27:30.134 --> 27:32.301
compliance before you do . I mean , if

27:32.301 --> 27:34.490
the United States abandoned the deal ,

27:34.490 --> 27:36.601
isn't it three U . S s responsibility

27:36.601 --> 27:38.768
to come back into compliance first and

27:38.768 --> 27:40.990
then it wrong with follow suit ? Well ,

27:40.990 --> 27:43.101
I think it is also true that Iran has

27:43.101 --> 27:45.268
distanced itself from the J c p o a in

27:45.268 --> 27:47.379
very profound ways , Aziz . Well , as

27:47.379 --> 27:49.490
we have discussed , So , um right now

27:49.490 --> 27:51.323
what we're doing is I alluded to

27:51.323 --> 27:53.379
yesterday . We're doing exactly what

27:53.379 --> 27:55.601
you heard from secretary , doesn't it ?

27:55.601 --> 27:55.260
At the time , Blinken . We're

27:55.260 --> 27:56.970
undertaking careful in close

27:56.970 --> 27:59.026
consultations with our partners with

27:59.026 --> 28:02.020
our allies with members of of Congress .

28:02.030 --> 28:04.470
Uh , there has been a proposition

28:04.480 --> 28:07.120
proposition that President Biden , um ,

28:07.130 --> 28:10.080
put on the table . I'm not out here to

28:10.080 --> 28:13.780
negotiate in public with , um ,

28:13.790 --> 28:16.750
any country on . We're not there yet .

28:16.760 --> 28:18.982
Frankly , we're still undertaking those

28:18.982 --> 28:21.150
close consultations with partners ,

28:21.150 --> 28:23.317
allies , members of Congress , and and

28:23.317 --> 28:25.539
we'll take it from there with that with

28:25.539 --> 28:27.810
that . Include , uh , e I mean , are

28:27.810 --> 28:29.921
you thinking about the possibility of

28:29.921 --> 28:33.820
offering them some signal ? Some relief

28:33.820 --> 28:35.709
that would , outside of sanctions

28:35.709 --> 28:38.210
relief , that would would send a signal

28:38.210 --> 28:40.210
about the seriousness of urine . So

28:40.210 --> 28:42.377
when it comes to those signals again ,

28:42.377 --> 28:44.488
that's something we want to make sure

28:44.488 --> 28:44.040
we've coordinated closely and

28:44.040 --> 28:46.262
calibrated closely with partners allies

28:46.262 --> 28:48.510
and that we have consulted closely with

28:48.510 --> 28:50.890
members of Congress is well , so again ,

28:50.900 --> 28:54.140
this is , uh , today is February 3rd

28:54.140 --> 28:56.084
were less than two weeks into this

28:56.084 --> 28:58.196
administration , we were serious when

28:58.196 --> 29:00.251
we said that we want to take those ,

29:00.251 --> 29:02.473
undertake those consultations with with

29:02.473 --> 29:04.640
a range of with a range of parties and

29:04.640 --> 29:06.640
that's precisely what we're doing .

29:06.640 --> 29:08.696
Sure isn't the administration's view

29:08.696 --> 29:11.040
that Iran is about three weeks away

29:11.040 --> 29:13.262
from having enough enriched uranium for

29:13.262 --> 29:15.660
a nuclear weapon . And if so , what is

29:15.660 --> 29:18.900
the assessment based on eso ? Any

29:18.900 --> 29:20.980
assessment like that would be

29:20.990 --> 29:23.530
necessarily classified . I know there

29:23.530 --> 29:25.697
have been press reports . I know there

29:25.697 --> 29:27.697
was one press report overnight that

29:27.697 --> 29:29.863
pointed to a six month breakout time .

29:29.863 --> 29:31.919
I think what you have heard us say ,

29:31.919 --> 29:33.863
we've heard to say a couple things

29:33.863 --> 29:35.586
number one when Iran was fully

29:35.586 --> 29:37.586
complying with the Iran deal , that

29:37.586 --> 29:40.050
time was 12 months . Um , now that Iran

29:40.060 --> 29:42.750
has been in a position to distance

29:42.750 --> 29:45.900
itself from those strict , uh ,

29:45.910 --> 29:48.460
protocols that strict verification and

29:48.460 --> 29:50.870
monitoring regime , um , Iran is closer .

29:50.880 --> 29:53.290
Um , that that breakout time is shorter ,

29:53.300 --> 29:55.467
but I wouldn't wanna characterize that

29:55.467 --> 29:57.633
from here . Our goal , um , consistent

29:57.633 --> 30:00.350
with our goal thio keep Iran's nuclear

30:00.350 --> 30:02.572
program in a box and to ensure that can

30:02.572 --> 30:04.572
never obtain a nuclear weapon is to

30:04.572 --> 30:06.572
make that breakout time asl long as

30:06.572 --> 30:08.683
possible and to have those verifiable

30:08.683 --> 30:10.683
measures in place to make sure that

30:10.683 --> 30:12.572
Iran could never obtain a nuclear

30:12.572 --> 30:14.517
weapon . So when Secretary Blinken

30:14.517 --> 30:16.461
raised this in his interview about

30:16.461 --> 30:18.572
weeks away , he was just referring to

30:18.572 --> 30:20.628
public media reports . He didn't say

30:20.628 --> 30:19.970
that . I think you're misquoting him .

30:19.970 --> 30:23.960
What he said , um , is that Iran , if

30:23.960 --> 30:26.760
left on its current trajectory , um ,

30:26.770 --> 30:29.710
could one day be within within weeks .

30:29.720 --> 30:31.553
Hey , was not speaking about the

30:31.553 --> 30:33.831
present Heywood speaking about , um uh ,

30:33.831 --> 30:35.998
continuation of the status quo if left

30:35.998 --> 30:38.053
unchecked . It's precisely why we're

30:38.053 --> 30:39.887
approaching this with such great

30:39.887 --> 30:41.609
urgency again , starting those

30:41.609 --> 30:43.498
consultations right off the bat .

30:43.498 --> 30:45.720
Partners , allies , members of Congress

30:45.720 --> 30:47.609
still in around Yes , you saw the

30:47.609 --> 30:49.831
reports yesterday that Iran had brought

30:49.831 --> 30:51.998
on Mawr centrifuges online . And given

30:51.998 --> 30:54.164
that this is a deepening of violations

30:54.164 --> 30:56.387
of the J . C p o A . Given that you see

30:56.387 --> 30:58.553
Israel come ahead of Israeli officials

30:58.553 --> 31:01.190
close to Netanyahu saying that with if

31:01.200 --> 31:03.311
Iran gets closer to building a bomb ,

31:03.311 --> 31:05.256
that it will have no choice but to

31:05.256 --> 31:07.478
launch the military action . Is there a

31:07.478 --> 31:09.330
red line in Iran's production of

31:09.340 --> 31:11.284
nuclear capability that the United

31:11.284 --> 31:13.870
States would say No , we cannot rejoin

31:13.870 --> 31:17.310
this agreement . I'm not going toe set

31:17.320 --> 31:19.570
a specific time frame from the podium .

31:19.570 --> 31:21.681
Certainly not today . I think what we

31:21.681 --> 31:23.903
can say is what I said before . We want

31:23.903 --> 31:25.848
that breakout time to be a long as

31:25.848 --> 31:28.070
possible . We want to make sure that we

31:28.070 --> 31:30.310
have verifiable , um uh , restrictions

31:30.310 --> 31:33.130
in place on the type of activity um ,

31:33.140 --> 31:35.890
that the Iranians can undertake . Um ,

31:35.900 --> 31:39.020
that's precisely why again starting

31:39.030 --> 31:41.197
very early in this administration were

31:41.197 --> 31:43.197
setting out about this challenge to

31:43.197 --> 31:45.197
make sure that we can lengthen that

31:45.197 --> 31:46.974
break out time and again , um ,

31:46.974 --> 31:48.863
verifiably prevent Iran from ever

31:48.863 --> 31:50.808
obtaining a nuclear weapon . By my

31:50.808 --> 31:52.697
question , I'm not asking about a

31:52.697 --> 31:54.808
timeline . I'm asking about actions .

31:54.808 --> 31:56.919
For example , Iran has also said that

31:56.919 --> 31:59.030
it may not let the i e a inspect some

31:59.030 --> 32:01.030
of its sights . Would that be a red

32:01.030 --> 32:03.300
line again ? I would point to the

32:03.300 --> 32:05.411
consultations that were undertaking ,

32:05.420 --> 32:07.364
um , the sorts of decisions you're

32:07.364 --> 32:09.587
pointing , Thio , um , is not something

32:09.587 --> 32:11.476
the United States would want Thio

32:11.476 --> 32:13.370
undertake alone or would want to

32:13.370 --> 32:15.750
consider or contemplate alone . We

32:15.750 --> 32:18.290
entered the Iran deal in 2015 . Um ,

32:18.300 --> 32:22.050
with the P five plus one . We're , uh ,

32:22.060 --> 32:25.600
those , um on that . Those air , a set

32:25.610 --> 32:28.570
of allies and in a couple cases , um ,

32:28.580 --> 32:30.747
tactical partners that we want to make

32:30.747 --> 32:33.560
sure we are coordinating with again

32:33.560 --> 32:35.950
members of Congress is well , so I

32:35.960 --> 32:38.127
don't want Thio set any red lines from

32:38.127 --> 32:40.470
here . Certainly not today again .

32:40.480 --> 32:42.647
We're not here . Thio , negotiate from

32:42.647 --> 32:44.702
the podium . We're here . Um , toe ,

32:44.702 --> 32:46.758
undertake those consultations in the

32:46.758 --> 32:48.980
first instance behind closed doors . Do

32:48.980 --> 32:51.202
you have a reaction to the ICJ's ruling

32:51.202 --> 32:53.430
today allowing Iran's lawsuit against

32:53.440 --> 32:55.718
the U . S . On sanctions to move ahead ?

32:55.718 --> 32:57.940
I dio I think in the first instance , I

32:57.940 --> 32:59.996
would say that we have great respect

32:59.996 --> 33:02.162
for the International Court of Justice

33:02.162 --> 33:04.329
a same time were disappointed that the

33:04.329 --> 33:06.440
court did not accept are well founded

33:06.440 --> 33:08.496
legal arguments , um , that the case

33:08.496 --> 33:10.329
Iran Brat is outside the court's

33:10.329 --> 33:12.384
jurisdiction on the court should not

33:12.384 --> 33:14.440
hear it . While we do not agree with

33:14.440 --> 33:16.218
the court's reasoning , today's

33:16.218 --> 33:18.384
judgment is a preliminary ruling , not

33:18.384 --> 33:20.496
a decision on the merits . While Iran

33:20.496 --> 33:22.551
may seek to frame , this decision is

33:22.551 --> 33:24.496
somehow supporting its view on the

33:24.496 --> 33:26.607
merits . The ICJ's Rule three I see ,

33:26.607 --> 33:28.662
uh , excuse me . The ICJ's rules and

33:28.662 --> 33:30.829
case law make plain that a decision on

33:30.829 --> 33:32.607
preliminary objections does not

33:32.607 --> 33:34.829
prejudge the merits . In the next phase

33:34.829 --> 33:36.890
of this case will explain why Iran's

33:36.890 --> 33:40.050
claim has no merits . We remain clear

33:40.050 --> 33:43.300
eyed about the dangers posed by Iran's

33:43.530 --> 33:46.120
malign activities . And that's again

33:46.240 --> 33:48.240
why we're undertaking the important

33:48.240 --> 33:50.240
diplomacy , Um , that we are at the

33:50.240 --> 33:51.796
moment in undertaking those

33:51.796 --> 33:53.907
consultations that I've referred Thio

33:53.907 --> 33:55.907
still in Iraq . Can we stay on Iran

33:55.907 --> 33:57.740
just for one second ? It'll take

33:57.740 --> 34:00.950
Michelle Good . Uh , news reports said

34:00.950 --> 34:03.650
that Secretary Blinken has asked Iran

34:03.650 --> 34:06.390
envoy Rob Malley toe form a negotiating

34:06.400 --> 34:09.390
team made up off diplomats and experts

34:09.390 --> 34:11.630
with a range of views on the path

34:11.630 --> 34:13.830
forward with Iran . Do you have any

34:13.830 --> 34:16.580
names ? And is the team set and ready

34:16.590 --> 34:19.680
for to work on for work . So special

34:19.680 --> 34:22.530
Envoy Malley just started late last

34:22.530 --> 34:25.410
week on Friday s Oh , this is literally

34:25.430 --> 34:28.910
day four or so for him on the job . Um ,

34:28.920 --> 34:32.280
you're right that the

34:32.290 --> 34:34.930
secretary across the board wants to

34:34.930 --> 34:38.230
ensure that our thinking that our

34:38.230 --> 34:40.600
approach eyes never dominated by group

34:40.600 --> 34:43.130
think that we are always , uh ,

34:43.140 --> 34:45.110
incorporating , uh , inappropriate

34:45.110 --> 34:47.990
diversity of views on dove course . Um ,

34:48.000 --> 34:50.111
that is no different when it comes to

34:50.111 --> 34:52.167
Iran . As soon as we have additional

34:52.167 --> 34:54.389
members of the team to announce , we'll

34:54.389 --> 34:56.556
be happy toe let you know others on on

34:56.556 --> 34:58.611
Iran . Just I just wanted to get one

34:58.611 --> 35:00.833
thing straight here when you're talking

35:00.833 --> 35:02.889
about what The secretary said in his

35:02.889 --> 35:05.000
interview that if left on its current

35:05.000 --> 35:07.111
trajectory , Iran could be weeks away

35:07.111 --> 35:09.167
from getting it doesn't not stand to

35:09.167 --> 35:11.360
follow , then that also , if left on

35:11.360 --> 35:13.680
its current trajectory , Iran could be

35:14.540 --> 35:18.260
hours away or minutes away from

35:20.540 --> 35:23.440
from developing . Ah , weapon E . I

35:23.440 --> 35:24.260
mean the

35:28.040 --> 35:30.710
the longer it goes without there any

35:30.720 --> 35:33.150
there being any constraints or with

35:33.160 --> 35:36.160
without Iran recognizing or respecting

35:36.160 --> 35:38.770
any constraints , doesn't it ? Doesn't

35:38.780 --> 35:41.280
flow . Doesn't follow naturally that

35:41.280 --> 35:44.080
they will get closer and closer to that .

35:44.080 --> 35:47.970
And so this idea of weeks , it

35:47.970 --> 35:50.192
really could be days . Could be hours .

35:50.192 --> 35:52.414
Could be , you know , minutes , right ?

35:53.140 --> 35:56.160
Is that not ? Does not not follow

35:56.160 --> 35:59.400
Logically , I think the print ,

35:59.410 --> 36:02.570
if it is , if it continues , sure , you

36:02.570 --> 36:04.737
can take any argument to the extreme .

36:04.737 --> 36:06.792
Any arguments , the absurd . I think

36:06.792 --> 36:08.903
what we're saying here it's absurd it

36:08.903 --> 36:11.126
all . I think what we're saying here is

36:11.126 --> 36:13.292
that we are approaching this challenge

36:13.292 --> 36:15.940
with urgency because we understand that

36:15.950 --> 36:19.670
with Iran um uh , not currently

36:19.670 --> 36:21.870
complying with its obligations under

36:21.870 --> 36:24.210
the J C p o a . Um , this challenge

36:24.220 --> 36:26.420
does grow more acute , and that's

36:26.420 --> 36:29.190
exactly why we're undertaking these

36:29.190 --> 36:31.246
consultations . I know we've gone on

36:31.246 --> 36:34.240
for a little while . Um , any

36:34.830 --> 36:38.780
last questions way Haven't talked

36:38.780 --> 36:41.002
about Afghanistan yet , so why don't we

36:41.002 --> 36:43.224
Why don't we just do that briefly ? I'm

36:43.224 --> 36:45.391
wondering if the secretary is now seen

36:45.391 --> 36:47.391
that full agreement because he said

36:47.391 --> 36:47.110
several times he had to review was

36:47.110 --> 36:49.221
actually in it . Is there anything in

36:49.221 --> 36:51.443
it that surprised him that he disagrees

36:51.443 --> 36:53.590
with ? And Zahl is still on the job .

36:53.600 --> 36:55.767
What exactly are his marching orders ?

36:55.767 --> 36:58.230
Is he trying to salvage What's there or

36:58.240 --> 37:00.296
are we starting from scratch again ?

37:00.296 --> 37:02.700
Where you seeing this ? Coming on ? The

37:02.710 --> 37:05.710
Taliban's rejection of , uh , Kirby's

37:05.710 --> 37:08.370
comments from the Pentagon last well s .

37:08.370 --> 37:10.880
So I think , um , it's worth starting

37:10.880 --> 37:14.720
with just a broad , um , survey on been

37:14.720 --> 37:17.460
recap of where the president is Ondas .

37:17.460 --> 37:19.682
You have heard the president say , um ,

37:19.730 --> 37:22.430
he is committed to bringing responsible

37:22.580 --> 37:25.770
into these so called Forever wars thes

37:25.770 --> 37:28.180
wars that have gone on for nearly two

37:28.180 --> 37:31.020
decades . On Biden administration plans

37:31.020 --> 37:33.076
to support the ongoing peace process

37:33.076 --> 37:35.076
between the Islamic Republic in the

37:35.076 --> 37:36.990
Taliban aimed at achieving a just

37:37.080 --> 37:39.136
endurable political settlement and a

37:39.136 --> 37:41.490
permanent and comprehensive ceasefire

37:41.590 --> 37:43.701
were doing that because we believe it

37:43.701 --> 37:45.423
is the best way to achieve our

37:45.423 --> 37:47.146
objectives , were committed to

37:47.146 --> 37:49.257
supporting the Democratic Excuse me ,

37:49.257 --> 37:51.970
the diplomatic process that is underway

37:52.250 --> 37:54.306
when it comes to the U . S . Taliban

37:54.306 --> 37:56.361
agreement . We're reviewing what has

37:56.361 --> 37:58.583
been negotiating negotiated , including

37:58.583 --> 38:01.450
that agreement . The review will

38:01.460 --> 38:04.220
include an assessment of whether the

38:04.220 --> 38:05.831
Taliban are fulfilling their

38:05.831 --> 38:07.998
commitments to cut ties with terrorist

38:07.998 --> 38:10.710
groups , uh , to reduce violence and to

38:10.710 --> 38:13.500
engage in meaningful negotiations with

38:13.500 --> 38:16.130
the Afghan government's Andi other

38:16.140 --> 38:18.360
stakeholders . At this time , no

38:18.360 --> 38:20.527
decisions about our force posture have

38:20.527 --> 38:22.770
been made were committed , as I said ,

38:22.770 --> 38:24.770
supporting the diplomatic process .

38:24.770 --> 38:26.992
Andi . We're committed to ensuring that

38:26.992 --> 38:29.520
Afghanistan never again provides a base

38:29.520 --> 38:31.576
for terrorist attacks against United

38:31.576 --> 38:33.742
States . Are partners or our interests

38:34.320 --> 38:36.487
been running on the entire agreement ,

38:36.487 --> 38:38.709
though , is that process still done ? A

38:38.709 --> 38:40.598
ZAY said . We're reviewing the US

38:40.598 --> 38:42.653
Taliban agreement . One more . Let's

38:42.653 --> 38:44.820
not get a new topic , Anything else on

38:44.820 --> 38:46.987
Iran , Afghanistan before we call it a

38:46.987 --> 38:49.264
day . Your reaction . It is a good one .

38:49.720 --> 38:51.940
Uh huh . Let's let's just close out in

38:51.940 --> 38:54.120
Afghanistan , we're doing this every

38:54.120 --> 38:56.453
day . I should say with the caveat that ,

38:56.453 --> 38:58.830
of course , we have some

38:58.840 --> 39:02.360
VIPs , um , coming our way tomorrow so

39:02.370 --> 39:04.537
we may not be able to do this briefing

39:04.537 --> 39:06.759
tomorrow , But again , we're gonna plan

39:06.759 --> 39:09.320
to do this on a routine basis . Uh , so

39:09.320 --> 39:12.650
the Taliban rejected um , U s

39:12.650 --> 39:14.950
criticism that they weren't holding up

39:14.950 --> 39:17.172
there under the agreement . Do you need

39:17.172 --> 39:20.270
to see them publicly repudiate Alqaida ,

39:20.270 --> 39:22.620
which they have not done so far ? Well ,

39:22.630 --> 39:26.280
our review of what was negotiated with

39:26.280 --> 39:28.391
the Taliban includes assessing , um ,

39:28.391 --> 39:30.502
not just what the group has committed

39:30.502 --> 39:32.630
to , but what they have done on what

39:32.630 --> 39:35.050
Mawr remains . We've had regular

39:35.050 --> 39:37.217
discussions with the Taliban regarding

39:37.217 --> 39:39.530
implementation of the counterterrorism

39:39.530 --> 39:41.530
commitments that you're referring .

39:41.530 --> 39:43.530
Thio Andi will continue to do so as

39:43.530 --> 39:45.586
that diplomatic process continues to

39:45.586 --> 39:47.752
unfold . So with that , thank you very

39:47.752 --> 39:49.863
much , everyone . And we will see you

39:49.863 --> 39:52.030
third Friday , if not sooner . You get

39:52.030 --> 39:54.141
a call . Are we doing this claim to a

39:54.141 --> 39:57.180
calling ? Thank you . Yes ,