WEBVTT 00:11.340 --> 00:15.050 good afternoon . It's been a while . 00:16.240 --> 00:18.351 For those of you who don't remember , 00:18.351 --> 00:20.073 my name is Ned Price . I'm the 00:20.073 --> 00:22.184 spokesperson here . Um , it's good to 00:22.184 --> 00:24.240 be back with you all . We have a few 00:24.240 --> 00:26.690 items at the top , starting with 00:26.700 --> 00:28.930 Belarus . The United States has looked 00:28.930 --> 00:31.041 to improve the tenor of our bilateral 00:31.041 --> 00:33.263 relationship with Belarus . That effort 00:33.263 --> 00:35.620 has received broad bipartisan support 00:35.630 --> 00:38.430 across administrations . We still want 00:38.430 --> 00:40.160 to see Belarus succeed as an 00:40.170 --> 00:42.600 independent , prosperous , democratic 00:42.620 --> 00:44.880 country . However , the events 00:44.880 --> 00:46.602 surrounding the conduct of the 00:46.602 --> 00:48.824 fraudulent 2020 presidential election , 00:48.824 --> 00:50.936 the violent and repressive tactics in 00:50.936 --> 00:53.810 its aftermath and over 300 political 00:53.810 --> 00:56.470 prisoners cannot be ignored . Many 00:56.470 --> 00:58.637 American officials have conveyed these 00:58.637 --> 01:00.581 sentiments directly to Belarussian 01:00.581 --> 01:03.400 authorities . Since those elections in 01:03.400 --> 01:06.060 2015 , the Department of Treasury 01:06.250 --> 01:09.760 issued and has since extended annually 01:09.770 --> 01:11.480 a general license authorizing 01:11.480 --> 01:13.424 transactions with nine state owned 01:13.430 --> 01:15.890 enterprises and Belarus . We did this 01:15.890 --> 01:18.112 because of notable progress at the time 01:18.112 --> 01:19.946 in the field of human rights and 01:19.946 --> 01:22.112 specifically due to the release of all 01:22.112 --> 01:24.860 political prisoners . Regrettably , we 01:24.860 --> 01:27.110 find the human rights situation has 01:27.110 --> 01:29.160 deteriorated to arguably the worst 01:29.160 --> 01:31.560 point in Belarus's independent history , 01:31.940 --> 01:35.100 with more than 300 political prisoners 01:35.110 --> 01:37.240 currently detained in Belarus . The 01:37.240 --> 01:39.260 department is unable to recommend 01:39.270 --> 01:41.510 another extension at this time , 01:41.700 --> 01:44.180 particularly in light of the sense of 01:44.180 --> 01:46.060 Congress expressed in the 2020 01:46.070 --> 01:49.010 Belarus's Sovereignty and Democracy Act . 01:49.020 --> 01:51.170 The current extension will expire on 01:51.170 --> 01:54.350 April 26th . This step is reversible 01:54.660 --> 01:57.060 and we call on Belarussian authorities 01:57.060 --> 01:59.600 to take steps to allow us to do just 01:59.600 --> 02:02.720 that . Specifically by releasing all 02:02.730 --> 02:04.920 political prisoners , the Lukashenka 02:04.920 --> 02:06.930 regime is still able to take these 02:06.930 --> 02:09.180 necessary steps to reverse course 02:09.230 --> 02:11.640 release all those wrongfully imprisoned 02:11.640 --> 02:14.160 simply for peacefully disagreeing with 02:14.160 --> 02:16.271 the authorities , espousing different 02:16.271 --> 02:18.730 views or daring to compete in an 02:18.730 --> 02:21.120 election . We call for the full and 02:21.120 --> 02:23.287 unconditional release of all political 02:23.287 --> 02:25.509 prisoners and the cessation of violence 02:25.509 --> 02:27.231 by the authorities against the 02:27.231 --> 02:29.380 Belarussian people . Further , we 02:29.380 --> 02:31.491 continue our call for the authorities 02:31.491 --> 02:33.980 to commit to a meaningful dialogue with 02:33.980 --> 02:36.202 the leaders of the political opposition 02:36.202 --> 02:38.313 under the auspices of the SED leading 02:38.313 --> 02:40.290 to free and fair elections . Under 02:40.300 --> 02:42.690 independent observation , the United 02:42.690 --> 02:44.690 States will continue to support the 02:44.690 --> 02:46.912 Belarussian people in their aspirations 02:46.912 --> 02:48.550 for a democratic future . 02:50.940 --> 02:52.996 Well , we'll have a couple more , we 02:52.996 --> 02:55.107 can come back to it , as you may have 02:55.107 --> 02:56.829 seen in the secretary's recent 02:56.829 --> 02:58.996 statement , the Department of State is 02:58.996 --> 03:01.218 required by law to submit the Hong Kong 03:01.218 --> 03:03.162 Policy Act report and accompanying 03:03.162 --> 03:05.218 certification to Congress annually . 03:05.218 --> 03:07.384 This year's report details the actions 03:07.384 --> 03:09.496 taken by PRC in Hong Kong authorities 03:09.496 --> 03:11.384 to further erode Hong Kong's high 03:11.384 --> 03:13.551 degree of autonomy and freedoms during 03:13.551 --> 03:15.551 the reporting period which entailed 03:15.551 --> 03:18.140 June 2022 February of 2021 . Based on 03:18.150 --> 03:20.261 the report's findings , the secretary 03:20.261 --> 03:22.430 has certified to Congress that Hong 03:22.430 --> 03:24.920 Kong does not warrant treatment under U . 03:24.920 --> 03:27.210 S . Law in the same manner as U . S . 03:27.210 --> 03:29.680 Laws were applied to Hong Kong before 03:29.680 --> 03:32.570 July 1st of 1997 the date , of course 03:32.570 --> 03:35.460 of the handover from the UK to the PRC 03:36.040 --> 03:38.096 today . Therefore , we submitted the 03:38.096 --> 03:40.318 Hong Kong Policy Act report to Congress 03:40.318 --> 03:42.484 and certified for the second time that 03:42.484 --> 03:44.707 Hong Kong does not warrant differential 03:44.707 --> 03:46.873 treatment to the PRC under U . S . Law 03:46.873 --> 03:48.707 because of the PRC and Hong Kong 03:48.707 --> 03:51.430 actions taken to dismantle Hong Kong's 03:51.440 --> 03:53.496 autonomy . We also want to take this 03:53.496 --> 03:55.720 opportunity to strongly condemn the 03:55.730 --> 03:58.390 actions taken on March 30th by the PRC 03:58.390 --> 04:00.390 National People's Congress Standing 04:00.390 --> 04:02.620 Committee to further erode political 04:02.620 --> 04:04.960 participation and representation in 04:04.970 --> 04:07.080 Hong Kong . We are also deeply 04:07.080 --> 04:09.710 concerned by the delay of the September 04:09.710 --> 04:12.180 Legislative Council elections for the 04:12.180 --> 04:14.490 second time . These changes to Hong 04:14.490 --> 04:16.840 Kong's electoral system defy the will 04:16.840 --> 04:19.007 of the people in Hong Kong , deny Hong 04:19.007 --> 04:21.390 Kongers voice in their own governance . 04:21.700 --> 04:23.756 The changes , which will establish a 04:23.756 --> 04:25.922 committee to vet candidates for office 04:25.922 --> 04:27.756 based solely on their loyalty to 04:27.756 --> 04:29.922 Beijing and diminish the proportion of 04:29.922 --> 04:31.700 directly elected members of the 04:31.700 --> 04:33.700 Legislative Council , will severely 04:33.700 --> 04:35.533 curtail meaningful pluralism and 04:35.533 --> 04:37.811 representative governance in Hong Kong . 04:37.811 --> 04:39.811 These changes are inconsistent with 04:39.811 --> 04:41.867 Hong Kong's Basic Law , which states 04:41.867 --> 04:44.089 that universal suffrage is the ultimate 04:44.089 --> 04:46.311 objective for the people in Hong Kong . 04:46.311 --> 04:48.367 The United States stands united with 04:48.367 --> 04:50.422 our allies and partners and speaking 04:50.422 --> 04:52.256 out against the human rights and 04:52.256 --> 04:54.311 freedoms . Uh , speaking out for the 04:54.311 --> 04:56.200 human rights and freedoms of Hong 04:56.200 --> 04:58.144 commerce and we call on the PRC to 04:58.144 --> 05:00.200 uphold its international obligations 05:00.200 --> 05:02.033 and commitments . Under the Sino 05:02.033 --> 05:04.200 British Joint Declaration , the voices 05:04.200 --> 05:06.144 of the people in Hong Kong must be 05:06.144 --> 05:05.620 heard and the Legislative Council 05:05.620 --> 05:08.080 elections should proceed in a free and 05:08.080 --> 05:10.191 fair manner that allows candidates to 05:10.191 --> 05:12.720 run for election irrespective of their 05:12.730 --> 05:15.680 political views . Moving on to Syria 05:15.750 --> 05:17.861 yesterday , U . S . ambassador to the 05:17.861 --> 05:19.528 United Nations , Linda Thomas 05:19.528 --> 05:21.417 Greenfield represented the United 05:21.417 --> 05:23.639 States at the fifth Brussels conference 05:23.639 --> 05:25.806 supporting the future of Syria and the 05:25.806 --> 05:27.694 region . It was co chaired by the 05:27.694 --> 05:29.917 European Union and the United Nations . 05:29.917 --> 05:32.083 Ambassador Thomas Greenfield announced 05:32.083 --> 05:34.000 more than $596 million in new 05:34.000 --> 05:36.111 humanitarian assistance for the Syria 05:36.111 --> 05:38.170 crisis response . Continuing 05:38.170 --> 05:40.059 longstanding U . S leadership and 05:40.059 --> 05:42.281 alleviating the suffering of vulnerable 05:42.281 --> 05:44.448 people in line with both our values of 05:44.448 --> 05:46.670 the nation and our national interests . 05:46.670 --> 05:48.837 This brings US humanitarian assistance 05:48.837 --> 05:50.781 to more than $13 billion since the 05:50.781 --> 05:52.620 start of the crisis . This new 05:52.620 --> 05:54.630 assistance will help some of the 13 05:54.630 --> 05:56.686 million Syrians who have been forced 05:56.686 --> 05:58.908 out of their homes fleeing the horrific 05:58.908 --> 06:01.019 effects of the Assad regime's vicious 06:01.019 --> 06:02.852 campaign of unjust detention and 06:02.852 --> 06:05.074 violence . It will help those displaced 06:05.074 --> 06:06.963 inside Syria and those who sought 06:06.963 --> 06:08.852 refuge in Egypt , Iraq , Jordan , 06:08.852 --> 06:10.930 Lebanon and Turkey and support the 06:10.930 --> 06:13.340 generous communities hosting them . The 06:13.340 --> 06:15.340 United States will continue to be a 06:15.340 --> 06:17.562 leader in the humanitarian response and 06:17.562 --> 06:19.784 to advocate for unhindered humanitarian 06:19.784 --> 06:21.896 access to Syrians regardless of where 06:21.896 --> 06:24.062 they live . To that end , we will work 06:24.062 --> 06:26.118 with the U . N . Security Council to 06:26.118 --> 06:28.340 renew and expand the UN's authorization 06:28.340 --> 06:30.284 for cross border access to deliver 06:30.284 --> 06:32.396 humanitarian aid to Syrians in need . 06:32.396 --> 06:34.451 I'm sure many of you heard Secretary 06:34.451 --> 06:36.980 Blinken impassioned plea uh , during 06:36.980 --> 06:39.147 the U . N Security Council session the 06:39.147 --> 06:41.470 other day to do just that . In other . 06:41.480 --> 06:43.536 In other news yesterday , the United 06:43.536 --> 06:45.647 States and Cabo Verde participated in 06:45.647 --> 06:47.424 our third Bilateral Partnership 06:47.424 --> 06:49.369 Dialogue , reaffirming cooperation 06:49.369 --> 06:51.369 between our two countries that will 06:51.369 --> 06:53.647 strengthen our economic ties , express , 06:53.647 --> 06:55.702 expand our educational exchanges and 06:55.702 --> 06:57.313 further enhance our security 06:57.313 --> 06:59.424 coordination . United States is proud 06:59.424 --> 07:01.702 of its long friendship with Cabo Verde , 07:01.702 --> 07:01.700 which is a model of human rights and 07:01.700 --> 07:04.220 democracy , and we deeply value our 07:04.220 --> 07:06.442 rich history of relations over the past 07:06.442 --> 07:08.280 two centuries . As yesterday's 07:08.280 --> 07:10.391 partnership dialogue underscored , we 07:10.391 --> 07:12.613 will continue to closely work with Cabo 07:12.613 --> 07:14.669 Verde to expand trade and investment 07:14.669 --> 07:16.224 and cooperation on security 07:16.224 --> 07:18.391 telecommunications networks as well as 07:18.391 --> 07:20.058 pressing challenges including 07:20.058 --> 07:21.780 recovering from the pandemic , 07:21.780 --> 07:23.724 confronting the climate crisis and 07:23.724 --> 07:27.450 improving maritime security . Focusing 07:27.450 --> 07:29.561 on the global pandemic for a moment , 07:29.561 --> 07:31.783 the US announced on Monday that the U . 07:31.783 --> 07:34.050 S government will co host a vaccine 07:34.050 --> 07:36.050 alliance event with our partner and 07:36.050 --> 07:38.106 Kovacs , which is working to provide 07:38.106 --> 07:40.320 Covid 19 vaccines to 90 to low and 07:40.320 --> 07:42.542 middle income countries . In February , 07:42.542 --> 07:44.598 President Biden announced the United 07:44.598 --> 07:46.764 States providing an initial $2 billion 07:46.764 --> 07:49.260 out of a planned $4 billion two Kovacs . 07:49.640 --> 07:51.696 This event will bring together world 07:51.696 --> 07:53.529 leaders , the private sector and 07:53.529 --> 07:55.418 partners from around the world to 07:55.418 --> 07:57.307 mobilize additional resources and 07:57.307 --> 07:59.584 commitments needed to end the pandemic . 07:59.584 --> 08:01.751 Secretary of State Blinken , US acting 08:01.751 --> 08:03.696 administrator administrator Gloria 08:03.696 --> 08:05.584 Steele and Gabby Board chair Jose 08:05.584 --> 08:07.807 Manuel Barroso will all deliver remarks 08:07.807 --> 08:09.584 while we continue to distribute 08:09.584 --> 08:11.807 vaccines for Americans as quickly as we 08:11.807 --> 08:13.807 can . It is also imperative that we 08:13.807 --> 08:15.918 contain the global spread of Covid 19 08:15.918 --> 08:18.140 and emerging variants . We must win the 08:18.140 --> 08:20.307 race between getting all the community 08:20.307 --> 08:22.529 vaccinated and the emergence of new and 08:22.529 --> 08:24.696 even more dangerous variants that have 08:24.696 --> 08:26.640 the potential to threaten us all . 08:26.640 --> 08:28.640 While the US , through US ID is the 08:28.640 --> 08:30.751 world's largest donor to global covid 08:30.751 --> 08:33.280 covid 19 vaccination effort , no nation 08:33.290 --> 08:35.580 can act alone in a global pandemic that 08:35.580 --> 08:37.730 includes United States . Equitable 08:37.730 --> 08:39.619 access to vaccines is critical to 08:39.619 --> 08:42.100 reduce the tragic loss of life , uh , 08:42.110 --> 08:44.620 in the pandemic , recover the US and 08:44.620 --> 08:46.930 the global economy and keep Americans 08:46.940 --> 08:49.820 safe . And finally , in recognition of 08:49.820 --> 08:51.820 transgender day of visibility , the 08:51.820 --> 08:53.487 United States stance with the 08:53.487 --> 08:55.542 international community to celebrate 08:55.542 --> 08:57.209 the courage and resilience of 08:57.209 --> 08:59.264 transgender and gender nonconforming 08:59.264 --> 09:01.153 persons around the world , and to 09:01.153 --> 09:00.960 acknowledge their efforts to achieve 09:00.960 --> 09:03.330 equality and justice in the face of 09:03.330 --> 09:05.163 adversity , the United States is 09:05.163 --> 09:07.108 committed to continuing to advance 09:07.108 --> 09:09.219 human rights and fundamental freedoms 09:09.219 --> 09:11.108 around the world . We call on all 09:11.108 --> 09:13.274 governments to honor their commitments 09:13.274 --> 09:15.219 under the Universal Declaration of 09:15.219 --> 09:17.441 Human Rights to promote and protect the 09:17.441 --> 09:19.774 human rights of all individuals , which , 09:19.774 --> 09:21.997 of course , includes , gay , bisexual , 09:21.997 --> 09:23.830 transgender , queer and intersex 09:23.830 --> 09:27.740 intersex persons . With that , not that 09:27.740 --> 09:29.684 was supposed to a record number of 09:29.684 --> 09:31.920 toppers . Six , almost nine minutes . 09:31.930 --> 09:34.960 Anyway , um , so I've got two very 09:34.960 --> 09:37.071 brief ones in the Middle East . But I 09:37.071 --> 09:39.127 want to start with Belarus because I 09:39.127 --> 09:41.182 have some very quick questions about 09:41.182 --> 09:43.182 your opening on that one . You said 09:43.182 --> 09:45.349 that these nine state owned businesses 09:45.349 --> 09:47.460 are basically at risk of losing their 09:47.460 --> 09:49.682 authorization . Is there any indication 09:49.682 --> 09:51.793 that they have taken advantage of the 09:51.793 --> 09:53.793 authorization since it was I mean , 09:53.793 --> 09:55.849 what do they stand to lose here ? Do 09:55.849 --> 09:57.682 you know , or did you find out ? 09:57.682 --> 09:59.904 Secondly , you said that the department 09:59.904 --> 10:02.127 is at the moment is unable to recommend 10:02.127 --> 10:05.320 another extension of this , too . Isn't 10:05.320 --> 10:07.320 it the case that this is a Treasury 10:07.320 --> 10:09.376 decision ? So Secretary Yellen could 10:09.376 --> 10:11.431 basically say , Well , that's a nice 10:11.431 --> 10:13.653 recommendation , but I don't agree with 10:13.653 --> 10:16.540 it right and then do it anyway . And 10:16.540 --> 10:18.707 then lastly , I just wondered , What's 10:18.707 --> 10:20.762 the status of the ambassador who has 10:20.762 --> 10:22.762 been kind of bouncing around in the 10:22.762 --> 10:24.484 region ? Were you referring to 10:24.484 --> 10:26.707 Ambassador Julie Fisher ? As you know , 10:26.707 --> 10:28.818 she continues to be our ambassador to 10:28.818 --> 10:30.984 Belarus to represent our interests and 10:30.984 --> 10:32.762 our values When it comes to the 10:32.762 --> 10:34.873 challenges in Belarus , when it comes 10:34.873 --> 10:37.040 to America's support for the people of 10:37.040 --> 10:39.151 Belarus who are standing firm against 10:39.151 --> 10:40.984 the repression of the Lukashenka 10:40.984 --> 10:43.040 government , she has traveled in the 10:43.040 --> 10:45.318 region . She was in Europe , I believe . 10:45.318 --> 10:45.270 It was just last month meeting with 10:45.270 --> 10:47.810 some of our allies and partners to 10:47.820 --> 10:51.550 explore , um uh , and to coordinate 10:51.560 --> 10:54.470 our collective action to support , uh , 10:54.480 --> 10:56.702 and collective efforts , I should say , 10:56.702 --> 10:59.680 to support the people of Belarus . So 10:59.680 --> 11:01.960 she continues to do that important work 11:01.960 --> 11:04.182 when it comes to the general licenses , 11:04.940 --> 11:06.829 progress and actually getting her 11:06.829 --> 11:09.260 commence . She is . She is not immense . 11:09.260 --> 11:11.149 She is . She is based here at the 11:11.149 --> 11:13.260 moment when it comes to the general , 11:13.260 --> 11:15.610 uh , license , Uh , as I alluded to at 11:15.610 --> 11:17.832 the at the at the outset . This is , in 11:17.832 --> 11:20.030 fact , something that we hope does not 11:20.040 --> 11:22.830 come to pass . We have put forward , as 11:22.830 --> 11:26.630 I said just a moment ago , various , uh , 11:26.640 --> 11:30.360 demands , Uh , that , uh , if 11:30.540 --> 11:32.700 they were to be met , um , this would 11:32.700 --> 11:34.811 not go into effect . And in fact , it 11:34.811 --> 11:36.811 is our hope that we will be able to 11:36.811 --> 11:38.978 renew this general license that before 11:38.978 --> 11:40.867 it is set to expire on April 26 . 11:40.867 --> 11:42.756 You're right . This is a treasury 11:42.760 --> 11:45.000 decision . The united the Department of 11:45.000 --> 11:46.889 State works closely , uh , in all 11:46.889 --> 11:49.167 matters , including this to coordinate , 11:49.170 --> 11:51.320 providing recommendations , providing 11:51.330 --> 11:54.160 input , um , to that treasury decision . 11:54.740 --> 11:58.430 But you expected this building's 11:58.430 --> 12:00.430 recommendation would be accepted by 12:00.430 --> 12:02.430 Treasury , right ? Well , we worked 12:02.430 --> 12:04.486 closely together . We coordinate any 12:04.486 --> 12:06.819 pushback we coordinate closely together . 12:06.819 --> 12:08.986 I know when it comes to supporting the 12:08.986 --> 12:10.986 people of Belarus , uh , supporting 12:10.986 --> 12:13.208 their aspirations for democracy . We've 12:13.208 --> 12:15.374 worked incredibly closely together not 12:15.374 --> 12:17.541 only with treasury , but also with our 12:17.541 --> 12:19.708 partners throughout . Would do that to 12:19.708 --> 12:21.930 brief Mideast once an hour . I can wait 12:21.930 --> 12:21.630 for them . Uh , let's let's come back 12:21.630 --> 12:25.060 to that . Sean . 12:25.440 --> 12:27.496 Um , following up yesterday , I know 12:27.496 --> 12:29.718 you had an entire grouping yesterday on 12:29.718 --> 12:31.607 the human rights report , but the 12:31.607 --> 12:33.718 question of occupation , there's been 12:33.718 --> 12:33.430 quite a bit of attention to that . The 12:33.430 --> 12:35.763 U . S . Didn't use occupied territories . 12:35.763 --> 12:38.430 The State Department in the report Does 12:38.430 --> 12:40.263 this indicate the type of person 12:40.263 --> 12:41.819 changing policy ? Is this a 12:41.819 --> 12:43.874 continuation of the policy under the 12:43.874 --> 12:45.874 Trump administration ? How do you ? 12:46.140 --> 12:48.362 Well , I addressed this from the podium 12:48.362 --> 12:50.690 several weeks ago . Now , what I said 12:50.690 --> 12:53.190 then , of course , remains true today . 12:53.190 --> 12:55.860 And that is it is a historical fact 12:55.870 --> 12:58.250 that Israel occupied the West Bank , 12:58.260 --> 13:00.540 Gaza and the Golan Heights after the 13:00.540 --> 13:03.920 1967 War . You mentioned the human 13:03.920 --> 13:05.753 rights report that we rolled out 13:05.753 --> 13:07.809 yesterday . In fact , the 2020 human 13:07.809 --> 13:09.587 rights report does use the term 13:09.587 --> 13:11.420 occupation in the context of the 13:11.420 --> 13:13.587 current status of the West Bank . This 13:13.587 --> 13:15.753 has been the long standing position of 13:15.753 --> 13:17.587 previous administrations of both 13:17.587 --> 13:19.920 parties over the course of many decades . 13:19.920 --> 13:21.976 To follow up on that , what were the 13:21.976 --> 13:24.087 implications for US policy ? Does the 13:24.087 --> 13:26.087 US consider , for example , Israeli 13:26.087 --> 13:28.309 settlements in the occupied territories 13:28.309 --> 13:30.642 to be illegal as a result of this staff , 13:30.642 --> 13:33.880 Uh , this doesn't change our position . 13:33.890 --> 13:36.057 We , as you have heard me say before , 13:36.057 --> 13:38.610 um , we continue to encourage all sides 13:38.610 --> 13:40.499 to avoid actions . Both sides , I 13:40.499 --> 13:42.443 should say , to avoid actions that 13:42.443 --> 13:44.277 would put the two state solution 13:44.277 --> 13:46.110 further out of reach again . Our 13:46.110 --> 13:48.277 ultimate goal here is to facilitate to 13:48.277 --> 13:50.499 help bring about a two state solution . 13:50.499 --> 13:52.760 Because , uh , it is the best path to 13:52.760 --> 13:54.927 preserve Israel's identity as a Jewish 13:54.927 --> 13:57.420 and democratic state while bestowing on 13:57.420 --> 13:59.310 the Palestinians their legitimate 13:59.310 --> 14:02.200 aspirations of sovereignty and dignity 14:02.210 --> 14:04.321 in the state of their own . Oh , come 14:04.321 --> 14:07.290 on , on the on assistance to the 14:07.290 --> 14:09.457 Palestinians have been some reports on 14:09.457 --> 14:11.679 that , but I know you had a statement I 14:11.679 --> 14:13.512 believe was last week on covid . 14:13.512 --> 14:15.734 Assistance to the Palestinians can give 14:15.734 --> 14:17.901 an update on what the total assistance 14:17.901 --> 14:17.620 has been since the resumption of the 14:17.620 --> 14:19.731 administration . Well , as you you're 14:19.731 --> 14:22.070 right . We announced last week that we 14:22.080 --> 14:25.840 had granted $15 million in covid 14:25.850 --> 14:29.630 assistance to the Palestinian People 14:29.640 --> 14:32.830 USA I D u s A . I d . I believe it was 14:32.840 --> 14:36.190 made that announcement . We continue 14:36.200 --> 14:39.610 to believe that American support 14:39.620 --> 14:41.787 for the Palestinian people , including 14:41.787 --> 14:44.100 financial support uh , it is in it is 14:44.100 --> 14:46.322 consistent with our values . Uh , it is 14:46.322 --> 14:48.267 consistent with our interests . Of 14:48.267 --> 14:50.211 course , it is consistent with the 14:50.211 --> 14:52.322 interests of the Palestinian people . 14:52.322 --> 14:54.544 It's also consistent with the interests 14:54.544 --> 14:56.489 of our partner , uh , Israel , and 14:56.489 --> 14:56.420 we'll have more to say on that going 14:56.420 --> 14:58.400 forward . What ? I don't have a 14:58.400 --> 15:00.511 cumulative toll on me , but we can We 15:00.511 --> 15:02.511 can look into that for you comments 15:02.511 --> 15:04.622 that I got earlier about my let's get 15:04.622 --> 15:06.511 on the congressional notification 15:06.511 --> 15:08.733 stance . You don't have anything that I 15:08.733 --> 15:08.160 don't have anything for you . As I 15:08.160 --> 15:10.480 mentioned we we announced $15 million 15:10.480 --> 15:12.536 in covid aid to the Palestinians . I 15:12.536 --> 15:14.910 believe it was last week . I know that 15:14.910 --> 15:17.132 you're not gonna have an answer , but I 15:17.132 --> 15:19.243 want to get it out there and and that 15:19.243 --> 15:18.150 is that . I realized that 15:18.150 --> 15:20.428 ambassadorships haven't been named yet , 15:20.428 --> 15:22.372 and certainly not an ambassador to 15:22.372 --> 15:24.539 Israel . But that's going to happen at 15:24.539 --> 15:28.000 some point , and currently , whoever it 15:28.000 --> 15:31.140 is doesn't have a place to live . Um , 15:31.150 --> 15:33.200 so I'm just wondering , are you 15:33.200 --> 15:35.422 actively looking for a new property for 15:35.422 --> 15:37.330 the ambassador's residence and 15:37.340 --> 15:39.562 Ambassador to Israel residents , and if 15:39.562 --> 15:42.280 so , have you . Have you found one is 15:42.290 --> 15:44.457 going to take time to get something up 15:44.457 --> 15:46.623 to the , you know , security needs and 15:46.623 --> 15:48.846 all that kind of your your writing that 15:48.846 --> 15:50.901 I don't have anything for you on the 15:50.901 --> 15:50.830 identity of that forthcoming 15:50.840 --> 15:54.370 forthcoming ambassador or or the or the 15:54.370 --> 15:56.370 issue of the of the residents Don't 15:56.370 --> 15:58.426 have anything for you on that side . 15:58.840 --> 16:02.270 What ? One on on the U . S . 16:02.270 --> 16:05.650 Delegation that visited Sudan , Egypt , 16:05.660 --> 16:07.830 Ethiopia and Congo . Do you have any 16:07.830 --> 16:11.400 update on this visit ? And another 16:11.400 --> 16:14.680 question ? Yeah . Uh , if we do , we'll 16:14.680 --> 16:16.680 let you know . We'll get back to on 16:16.680 --> 16:18.736 that . You don't have . I don't have 16:18.736 --> 16:20.950 any . Okay . On China Iran . Did you 16:20.950 --> 16:23.006 review the agreement between the two 16:23.006 --> 16:25.640 countries ? And what is your comment on 16:25.640 --> 16:29.490 it ? Well , when it comes to our 16:29.490 --> 16:33.400 broad posture , um , our current Iran 16:33.400 --> 16:35.860 related sanctions remain in effect 16:35.870 --> 16:38.260 unless and until they are lifted as 16:38.260 --> 16:40.710 part of a diplomatic process . Uh , we 16:40.710 --> 16:43.520 will address any efforts at sanction of 16:43.520 --> 16:45.880 Asian . Of course . Are policy when it 16:45.880 --> 16:48.120 comes to sanctions has not changed at 16:48.120 --> 16:50.270 the moment . Um , we won't comment on 16:50.270 --> 16:52.381 any specific allow specific bilateral 16:52.381 --> 16:54.381 discussions . Um , in this regard , 16:54.381 --> 16:56.714 though , um , competition , as you know , 16:56.714 --> 16:59.600 does define our relationship with China , 16:59.610 --> 17:02.420 but we do have , in some cases , rather 17:02.420 --> 17:04.740 narrow areas of tactical alignment . 17:04.740 --> 17:06.962 We've spoken to some of those in recent 17:06.962 --> 17:09.330 days , and it so happens that Iran is 17:09.330 --> 17:11.100 one of them . China has been 17:11.100 --> 17:13.570 cooperative in efforts to constrain 17:13.580 --> 17:15.636 Iran's nuclear program . Of course , 17:15.636 --> 17:17.691 China is an original member of the P 17:17.691 --> 17:20.060 five plus one . Beijing , of course , 17:20.060 --> 17:22.227 has no interest in seeing Iran develop 17:22.227 --> 17:24.230 a nuclear weapon in the profoundly 17:24.240 --> 17:27.030 destabilizing impact that would have in 17:27.030 --> 17:30.850 a region upon which China does depends . 17:31.040 --> 17:33.610 We have been engaged with all parties 17:33.610 --> 17:36.480 to , uh , to include China on the 17:36.480 --> 17:38.647 question of the J . C p o a . And what 17:38.647 --> 17:40.920 comes next ? We remain ready to engage 17:40.920 --> 17:43.530 in meaningful dialogue with Iran , as 17:43.530 --> 17:46.770 we have said , to find a mutual return 17:46.770 --> 17:50.030 to the J . C p O A , um , and a mutual 17:50.030 --> 17:52.086 return to those commitments . And of 17:52.086 --> 17:54.308 course , we'll continue to engage China 17:54.308 --> 17:56.890 in other countries to discourage them 17:56.900 --> 18:00.270 from taking steps vis a vis Iran or any 18:00.270 --> 18:02.492 other issue that threaten our interests 18:02.492 --> 18:04.800 that one follow up . Will this 18:04.810 --> 18:08.740 agreement change your approach to the 18:08.740 --> 18:10.907 Iranian nuclear file and to the region 18:10.907 --> 18:14.080 as a whole to know it doesn't be , uh , 18:14.090 --> 18:15.923 precisely because of what I said 18:15.923 --> 18:17.812 earlier , and that is that we are 18:17.812 --> 18:20.034 aligned in our interests . By and large 18:20.034 --> 18:21.923 with Beijing . On this question , 18:21.923 --> 18:24.460 Beijing has no interest in seeing Iran 18:24.470 --> 18:27.770 either acquire a nuclear weapon or have 18:27.770 --> 18:30.103 the ability to acquire a nuclear weapon . 18:30.103 --> 18:32.790 It's precisely why China Beijing was a 18:32.790 --> 18:34.846 member of the P five plus one . Uh , 18:34.846 --> 18:37.030 it's precisely why , Um uh , we have 18:37.040 --> 18:39.151 this alignment of interests that will 18:39.151 --> 18:42.360 continue to pursue as we look to ways 18:42.370 --> 18:45.130 to find that mutual return to 18:45.130 --> 18:47.930 compliance with the J . C p O A . Yes , 18:48.190 --> 18:51.310 just following reported that Biden 18:51.310 --> 18:53.421 administration plans to put forth the 18:53.421 --> 18:55.477 new proposal to jumpstart talks with 18:55.477 --> 18:57.532 Iran , maybe as early as this week . 18:57.532 --> 18:59.754 Can you give us an update on timing and 18:59.754 --> 18:59.520 comment on that ? Well , we have been 18:59.520 --> 19:02.020 clear for a number of weeks now , 19:02.020 --> 19:04.076 almost two months . I believe it has 19:04.076 --> 19:07.070 been that we are ready to pursue a a 19:07.080 --> 19:09.550 joint return to compliance with the J C 19:09.550 --> 19:11.770 p o . A . Uh , we have been open that 19:11.770 --> 19:13.992 we are talking with our partners in the 19:13.992 --> 19:16.740 P five plus one and elsewhere about the 19:16.740 --> 19:18.990 best way to achieve this . We did so , 19:19.000 --> 19:21.400 uh , in Europe last week , Secretary 19:21.410 --> 19:23.270 Blinken met with several his 19:23.270 --> 19:25.214 counterparts at the NATO summit in 19:25.214 --> 19:28.730 Brussels where Iran was a topic of 19:28.730 --> 19:30.897 discussion . We had a meeting with the 19:30.897 --> 19:33.008 three in the multilateral format last 19:33.008 --> 19:35.360 week as well . Uh , and those 19:35.360 --> 19:37.582 discussions have been ongoing about the 19:37.582 --> 19:39.527 best way to achieve that return to 19:39.527 --> 19:41.749 compliance , including through a series 19:41.749 --> 19:43.804 of initial , uh , and mutual steps . 19:43.804 --> 19:46.027 We've been looking at options for doing 19:46.027 --> 19:48.080 so , including with indirect 19:48.090 --> 19:50.030 conversations with our European 19:50.040 --> 19:52.710 partners . We're not going to comment 19:52.710 --> 19:55.220 on the details of our diplomatic 19:55.220 --> 19:57.331 conversations , but of course , we've 19:57.331 --> 19:59.331 been very clear that we want to see 19:59.331 --> 20:01.164 Iran constrained permanently and 20:01.164 --> 20:03.331 verifiably so that it can't produce or 20:03.331 --> 20:05.387 acquire or obtain a nuclear weapon . 20:05.387 --> 20:08.900 That remains our goal . Yes , with BBC 20:08.900 --> 20:11.067 news , Uh , does the department have a 20:11.067 --> 20:13.178 reaction to Russian opposition leader 20:13.178 --> 20:15.178 Alexei Navalny announcing that he's 20:15.178 --> 20:17.344 going to go on a hunger strike because 20:17.344 --> 20:19.344 of what he says is a lack of proper 20:19.344 --> 20:21.567 medical treatment and the Russian penal 20:21.567 --> 20:23.733 colony where he's incarcerated ? We've 20:23.733 --> 20:25.844 been very clear that Alexei Navalny . 20:25.844 --> 20:28.310 Mr . Navalny is , uh a , uh is a 20:28.310 --> 20:30.730 political prisoner . His detention is 20:30.730 --> 20:32.780 politically motivated . We have 20:32.780 --> 20:35.080 continued to call for Mr Navalny's 20:35.090 --> 20:37.580 release . We have done so both 20:37.580 --> 20:40.020 ourselves and in tandem with our allies 20:40.020 --> 20:41.964 and partners around the world will 20:41.964 --> 20:44.131 continue to do that . We will continue 20:44.131 --> 20:46.076 to hold accountable , seek to hold 20:46.076 --> 20:48.242 accountable those in Russia who may be 20:48.242 --> 20:51.270 responsible for the attempt on his life , 20:51.340 --> 20:54.170 for the repression against his peaceful 20:54.170 --> 20:56.003 supporters who have taken to the 20:56.003 --> 20:58.170 streets . And we will continue to find 20:58.170 --> 21:00.620 ways to support Mr Navalny and to call 21:00.620 --> 21:02.731 for his release . And then you talked 21:02.731 --> 21:05.064 about that $600 million in aid to Syria . 21:05.064 --> 21:07.176 Is there a concern that either Russia 21:07.176 --> 21:10.530 or China is going to veto the renewal 21:10.530 --> 21:12.820 of safe passage into northwestern Syria 21:12.820 --> 21:15.098 at the Security Council in July ? Well , 21:15.098 --> 21:17.153 you heard Secretary Blinken speak to 21:17.153 --> 21:17.040 this in the U . N . Security Council 21:17.040 --> 21:18.929 meeting earlier this week that he 21:18.929 --> 21:21.450 chaired on humanitarian access in Syria . 21:21.450 --> 21:23.780 He was impassioned , I think . Rightly 21:23.780 --> 21:26.740 so . He invoked his own two Children in 21:26.740 --> 21:29.630 speaking about the 13 million plus 21:29.640 --> 21:33.580 Syrians who are food insecure at 21:33.580 --> 21:36.240 the moment . Uh , the , uh the Syrian 21:36.240 --> 21:39.130 Children that have been affected by 21:39.140 --> 21:41.251 this humanitarian suffering . I think 21:41.251 --> 21:43.690 his words were shame on us . If we are 21:43.690 --> 21:45.690 not able to address this , there is 21:45.690 --> 21:48.060 absolutely no reason . Any country that 21:48.060 --> 21:50.220 includes China or Russia should stand 21:50.220 --> 21:53.120 in the way of , uh , offering 21:53.120 --> 21:56.340 humanitarian access to the people of 21:56.340 --> 21:58.920 Syria who have long suffered at the 21:58.930 --> 22:01.030 brutal repression and violence 22:01.030 --> 22:03.760 perpetrated by the Assad regime . Yes , 22:04.540 --> 22:06.540 this is the memory from a circle of 22:06.540 --> 22:09.000 newspaper . I have two questions about 22:09.000 --> 22:11.650 Iran and Yemen . So when you talked 22:11.650 --> 22:14.190 about the nuclear agreement about Iran , 22:14.200 --> 22:17.930 uh , there is a multiple statement by U . 22:17.930 --> 22:20.640 S officials . They haven't talked about 22:20.650 --> 22:23.900 the human rights abuse and the 22:23.910 --> 22:27.270 hostage swap . So any update on that 22:27.740 --> 22:30.030 well , we have made clear early in this 22:30.030 --> 22:31.919 administration , and the National 22:31.919 --> 22:34.086 Security Advisor , Jake Sullivan , has 22:34.086 --> 22:36.197 spoken to its secretary . Blinken has 22:36.197 --> 22:38.086 spoken to it . Others within this 22:38.086 --> 22:40.197 administration have spoken to it that 22:40.197 --> 22:40.080 we have no higher priority , uh , than 22:40.080 --> 22:42.270 the safe return of Americans who are 22:42.280 --> 22:44.336 unjustly detained around the world . 22:44.336 --> 22:46.558 And that includes the Americans who are 22:46.558 --> 22:48.669 unjust , unjustly detained or who are 22:48.669 --> 22:51.230 missing in Iran . We will continue to 22:51.230 --> 22:54.740 make clear to the Iranians . Um , 22:54.750 --> 22:57.510 that that practice is unacceptable . 22:57.520 --> 22:59.940 Secretary Blinken , of course , issued 22:59.940 --> 23:03.040 a very strong message about the , 23:03.050 --> 23:06.750 uh , state , um , taking of hostages 23:06.760 --> 23:09.510 using people for political ponds . He 23:09.510 --> 23:11.732 condemned it . Just as importantly , he 23:11.732 --> 23:13.843 condemned it in the context of dozens 23:13.843 --> 23:15.954 of other world leaders who made clear 23:15.954 --> 23:18.650 that this practice is unacceptable . I 23:18.660 --> 23:20.950 don't want to go into , uh , specific 23:20.950 --> 23:24.490 mechanics , but the Iranian , uh , 23:24.500 --> 23:28.410 Iran's leaders are , um uh they have 23:28.410 --> 23:31.080 no misimpression about where we stand 23:31.090 --> 23:33.090 on this issue . It is a paramount , 23:33.090 --> 23:35.640 important importance to us , just as we 23:35.640 --> 23:38.950 pursue , uh , a nuclear agreement that 23:38.950 --> 23:40.839 provides verifiable and permanent 23:40.839 --> 23:42.950 limits on Iran's nuclear program . We 23:42.950 --> 23:45.006 will not . We will persist . We will 23:45.006 --> 23:47.860 not desist in our efforts to secure the 23:47.860 --> 23:49.693 safe return of Americans who are 23:49.693 --> 23:51.971 detained inside Iran . Okay . On Yemen . 23:51.971 --> 23:54.082 I'm sorry . Yeah . When Mr Tim lender 23:54.082 --> 23:56.304 King , the U S special envoy to Yemen , 23:56.304 --> 23:58.670 returned from his second trip , um , 23:58.680 --> 24:01.410 from the Gulf Arab region . He said he 24:01.410 --> 24:05.230 would go back if the the Houthis 24:05.240 --> 24:08.950 are willing to , uh , to speak or to 24:08.950 --> 24:11.470 talk . So now he is being there for the 24:11.470 --> 24:14.670 third trip . My question is , did he 24:14.670 --> 24:16.790 met with them . And what happened to 24:16.790 --> 24:19.012 his ceasefire plan ? Well , let me give 24:19.012 --> 24:20.901 you a little bit of context about 24:20.901 --> 24:22.957 special envoy Linder kings , travels 24:22.957 --> 24:25.123 and activities in the region . You are 24:25.123 --> 24:27.290 right . Uh , that , uh , he , um uh is 24:27.290 --> 24:29.512 back from his trip to Riyadh and Muscat 24:29.512 --> 24:31.679 in Muscat . He had productive meetings 24:31.679 --> 24:33.790 with senior officials in coordination 24:33.790 --> 24:35.846 with U . N . Special envoy for Yemen 24:35.846 --> 24:37.734 Martin Griffiths . Uh , the U . S 24:37.734 --> 24:40.430 special envoys discussions were and 24:40.430 --> 24:42.780 continue to be focused on joint 24:42.790 --> 24:44.734 international efforts to promote a 24:44.734 --> 24:47.660 lasting ceasefire , political talks and 24:47.660 --> 24:50.060 an inclusive peace agreement , along 24:50.060 --> 24:51.782 with our effort to address the 24:51.782 --> 24:54.004 country's dire humanitarian crisis . To 24:54.004 --> 24:56.227 that end , we have been very encouraged 24:56.227 --> 24:59.070 that fuel ships continue to offload and 24:59.070 --> 25:01.340 who died at port . And we welcome Saudi 25:01.340 --> 25:03.284 Arabia's announcement yesterday to 25:03.284 --> 25:06.810 provide over $400 million.422 25:06.820 --> 25:09.240 million dollars in support to fuel 25:09.240 --> 25:11.410 products in Yemen in terms of special 25:11.410 --> 25:13.540 envoy Linder Kings meetings . Uh , in 25:13.550 --> 25:16.170 the region he met with Omani with Saudi 25:16.180 --> 25:18.069 with you , many senior government 25:18.069 --> 25:20.402 officials And , as I said before with U . 25:20.402 --> 25:22.770 N . Special envoy Martin Griffiths 25:22.780 --> 25:25.040 during this trip , he and the U . N 25:25.050 --> 25:27.610 special envoy continue to work side by 25:27.610 --> 25:29.666 side . Uh and both , of course , are 25:29.666 --> 25:31.980 committed to bringing about a ceasefire 25:31.990 --> 25:34.370 and an end to this devastating conflict 25:34.370 --> 25:36.537 in the country of Yemen , which is now 25:36.537 --> 25:38.703 home to the world's worst humanitarian 25:38.703 --> 25:40.870 catastrophe . Meeting with the Houthis 25:40.870 --> 25:43.092 I'm sorry , did he ? As I said before , 25:43.092 --> 25:44.926 he's met with senior officials , 25:44.926 --> 25:46.870 including Omani , Saudi and Yemeni 25:46.870 --> 25:48.926 senior government officials and , of 25:48.926 --> 25:48.700 course , with the U . N Special Envoy . 25:48.700 --> 25:52.640 Yes , questions about the Spain 25:52.640 --> 25:54.770 and another one about Brazil , about 25:54.770 --> 25:56.826 the Spain in the human rights report 25:56.826 --> 25:58.881 yesterday , Uh , the report included 25:58.881 --> 26:00.937 some complaints of Reporters Without 26:00.937 --> 26:03.048 Borders and other organizations about 26:03.048 --> 26:05.159 the situation of freedom of the press 26:05.159 --> 26:07.350 in Spain . So my question is , what ? 26:07.360 --> 26:09.471 What is the U . S . Opinion about the 26:09.471 --> 26:11.582 situation of the freedom of the press 26:11.582 --> 26:14.320 in Spain ? And it's the if what was the 26:14.320 --> 26:16.790 U . S . Intention ? Including this in 26:16.790 --> 26:18.734 the report of the intention was to 26:18.734 --> 26:21.300 express concern or to criticize the 26:21.310 --> 26:23.760 government of Pedro Sanchez ? Well , as 26:23.760 --> 26:25.816 we mentioned yesterday , this is now 26:25.816 --> 26:27.871 the 45th year that the Department of 26:27.871 --> 26:29.982 State has proudly produced the annual 26:29.982 --> 26:32.149 human rights reports , Um , as it does 26:32.149 --> 26:33.927 every year . Uh , this document 26:33.927 --> 26:36.140 provides a report on the world's 26:36.140 --> 26:38.473 countries . 198 countries were included . 26:38.540 --> 26:41.420 Um , in this year's report , of course , 26:41.420 --> 26:43.950 it's no surprise that Spain was among 26:43.950 --> 26:46.480 them . Uh , Secretary Blinken was here 26:46.490 --> 26:48.379 yesterday rolling out this report 26:48.379 --> 26:51.890 himself because this administration is 26:51.900 --> 26:54.850 seeking to restore human rights and 26:54.850 --> 26:57.970 democracy to the center of our foreign 26:57.970 --> 27:01.100 policy . Um , when it comes to , uh , 27:01.110 --> 27:03.360 the issues that you flagged in , um , 27:03.440 --> 27:06.000 the report on Spain ensuring proper 27:06.000 --> 27:08.111 focus on media freedom and freedom of 27:08.111 --> 27:10.640 expression , um is a priority ourselves 27:10.650 --> 27:13.200 without within our own programming . 27:13.200 --> 27:15.460 And our own diplomatic engagement book 27:15.470 --> 27:17.248 will also continue to work with 27:17.248 --> 27:19.470 international partners in bilateral and 27:19.470 --> 27:21.581 multilateral fora to encourage strong 27:21.581 --> 27:23.803 and sustained support for media freedom 27:23.803 --> 27:25.910 and freedom of expression that is 27:25.920 --> 27:29.190 around the world . We consider freedom 27:29.190 --> 27:31.950 expression , including freedom of the 27:31.960 --> 27:34.580 press to be a critical component of 27:34.580 --> 27:37.510 vibrant democracies the world over . 27:37.520 --> 27:39.610 Peaceful , prosperous and inclusive 27:39.610 --> 27:42.460 societies , in fact , do depend on the 27:42.460 --> 27:44.516 free flow of information and ideas , 27:44.516 --> 27:46.610 including the freedom to seek to 27:46.610 --> 27:50.430 receive to impart information . A 27:50.430 --> 27:53.500 free and professional press is a vital 27:53.510 --> 27:55.860 and core institution that undergirds 27:55.940 --> 27:58.300 healthy democracies . Whether that is , 27:58.310 --> 28:01.420 uh , in North America . Asia , Europe , 28:01.430 --> 28:03.374 Africa , around the globe . Let me 28:03.374 --> 28:05.600 follow up on that . Um , it would be 28:05.600 --> 28:07.600 useful to get , like , a Jason . No 28:07.600 --> 28:10.140 answer . If the US was intending to 28:10.140 --> 28:12.307 criticize the government of Spain , if 28:12.307 --> 28:14.196 that was the intention , when you 28:14.196 --> 28:16.529 included those complaints in the report , 28:16.529 --> 28:18.584 that was intentional . These reports 28:18.584 --> 28:21.190 are factual reports . Uh , these are , 28:21.200 --> 28:24.310 uh , intended , um , for countries 28:24.310 --> 28:26.960 around the world to report , of course , 28:26.970 --> 28:29.490 on issues , um , pertaining to 28:29.490 --> 28:32.630 democracy into human rights . Uh , so I 28:32.630 --> 28:34.741 would look at it through through that 28:34.741 --> 28:38.570 lens . Yes . Richard , Um , I'm 28:38.570 --> 28:41.070 wondering if you can confirm report in 28:41.070 --> 28:42.903 the Wall Street Journal that the 28:42.903 --> 28:44.737 climate on by John Kerry will be 28:44.737 --> 28:47.070 traveling to India and the u A . E . Uh , 28:47.070 --> 28:49.014 and if so , if there are any other 28:49.014 --> 28:51.126 countries as part of that trip Well , 28:51.126 --> 28:53.348 as you know , Rich special envoy , uh , 28:53.348 --> 28:55.570 for climate , Kerry has been relentless 28:55.570 --> 28:57.570 in his work and his work too . Uh , 28:57.570 --> 29:00.250 increase climate ambition around the 29:00.250 --> 29:02.800 world . Uh , knowing that we have the 29:02.810 --> 29:05.070 president summit on climate change on 29:05.070 --> 29:07.670 April 22nd , that is quickly coming up . 29:07.670 --> 29:09.614 Of course . The White House issued 29:09.614 --> 29:11.448 invitations for that last week . 29:11.448 --> 29:13.559 Secretary Kerry has been working hard 29:13.559 --> 29:15.448 at that , as well as working very 29:15.448 --> 29:17.820 closely on preparations for Cop 26 that 29:17.820 --> 29:20.880 will follow on the April 22nd summit . 29:20.890 --> 29:23.290 I believe his office later today We'll 29:23.290 --> 29:25.510 have some additional details on the 29:25.520 --> 29:28.050 next chapter of special envoy carries , 29:28.060 --> 29:30.227 UM , efforts , including some upcoming 29:30.227 --> 29:32.171 travel . When the climate envoy is 29:32.171 --> 29:34.171 having these meetings trying to get 29:34.171 --> 29:36.171 countries to curb their emissions , 29:36.440 --> 29:38.384 what is he telling them ? That the 29:38.384 --> 29:40.780 United States is willing or can do as 29:40.780 --> 29:43.360 part of that ? Well , the fact is , 29:43.360 --> 29:46.810 very simple that the United States is 29:46.820 --> 29:50.030 the world's most influential country . 29:50.040 --> 29:52.790 Um , what we do , uh , in the realm of 29:52.790 --> 29:55.080 climate , of course , um has 29:55.090 --> 29:57.090 implications for the broader glow , 29:57.090 --> 29:59.312 because , of course , we are one of the 29:59.312 --> 30:02.110 world's largest emitters . But we also 30:02.120 --> 30:04.650 set a an example . Uh , and we are 30:04.650 --> 30:07.080 seeking to raise that climate ambition 30:07.090 --> 30:09.710 by not only asking countries to make 30:09.710 --> 30:11.932 these commitments themselves , but also 30:11.932 --> 30:15.270 to lead by example . And I suspect , uh , 30:15.280 --> 30:17.280 in the coming weeks , you will hear 30:17.280 --> 30:19.613 more about the example we intend to set , 30:19.613 --> 30:21.836 uh , the example . We intend to set not 30:21.836 --> 30:24.002 to be virtuous not to pat ourselves on 30:24.002 --> 30:26.002 the back , but to set this powerful 30:26.002 --> 30:28.002 example , knowing that , uh , if we 30:28.002 --> 30:30.002 were to do this , we will see other 30:30.002 --> 30:32.058 countries raise their ambition . And 30:32.058 --> 30:34.224 and more importantly , we will be able 30:34.224 --> 30:36.280 to make progress on this existential 30:36.280 --> 30:38.224 threat of climate change . Is it a 30:38.224 --> 30:40.169 challenge given just a complicated 30:40.169 --> 30:42.391 nature of of We're always interested in 30:42.391 --> 30:44.669 being virtuous , but not just virtuous . 30:44.669 --> 30:47.600 Just the complicated nature of getting 30:47.600 --> 30:49.990 things through Congress or or imposing 30:49.990 --> 30:52.560 certain mandates . Um , what's that 30:52.570 --> 30:54.681 challenge like for the administration 30:54.681 --> 30:57.230 as it looks to set this example ? Well , 30:57.240 --> 31:00.460 Congress is always a partner for the 31:00.460 --> 31:02.516 Department of State , and , uh , and 31:02.516 --> 31:04.516 and well beyond Secretary Secretary 31:04.516 --> 31:06.627 Blinken has spoken of our partnership 31:06.627 --> 31:08.849 with Congress not only on the landing , 31:08.849 --> 31:10.904 as he likes to say , but also on the 31:10.904 --> 31:13.127 takeoff and so across every challenge . 31:13.127 --> 31:15.100 We have been working closely with 31:15.100 --> 31:17.880 Congress to keep them apprised of our 31:17.880 --> 31:19.602 objectives of our goals of our 31:19.602 --> 31:21.769 activities that includes when it comes 31:21.769 --> 31:25.230 to climate ambition as well . Yes , um , 31:25.240 --> 31:27.407 on Syria , you spoke of the importance 31:27.407 --> 31:29.407 of getting aid to Syrians no matter 31:29.407 --> 31:31.518 where they live . I'm wondering about 31:31.518 --> 31:33.740 Groupon . Um , the Syrian government is 31:33.740 --> 31:35.907 not allowing you and aid to get to the 31:35.907 --> 31:37.962 camp with the Biden administration , 31:37.962 --> 31:40.129 consider providing direct humanitarian 31:40.129 --> 31:42.351 assistance to these people . Given that 31:42.351 --> 31:44.240 there are just miles away from an 31:44.240 --> 31:46.129 American military base , Well , I 31:46.129 --> 31:48.351 wouldn't want to get ahead of that . Of 31:48.351 --> 31:50.573 course you heard as I mentioned earlier 31:50.573 --> 31:52.684 today . Uh , Secretary , Blink un's , 31:52.684 --> 31:55.210 um uh , first and foremost , uh , focus 31:55.210 --> 31:57.470 on ensuring there is adequate 31:57.470 --> 31:59.550 humanitarian access . Um , and 31:59.550 --> 32:02.260 including by doing so in the context of , 32:02.340 --> 32:04.320 uh , the urine , Uh , U N Security 32:04.320 --> 32:08.130 Council . Uh , system . Uh , we did 32:08.130 --> 32:12.000 that because we know that there is no 32:12.010 --> 32:14.620 viable alternative to meet the scope 32:14.620 --> 32:17.210 and scale of U . N . Cross border 32:17.220 --> 32:20.240 assistance , uh , into Syria . That is 32:20.240 --> 32:22.500 precisely why you've seen the emphasis 32:22.500 --> 32:24.722 that Secretary Blinken has placed on it 32:24.722 --> 32:26.833 that Ambassador Thomas Greenfield has 32:26.833 --> 32:28.833 placed on it . That U S A . I d has 32:28.833 --> 32:31.056 placed on it precisely because there is 32:31.056 --> 32:34.650 no viable alternative to meet that 32:34.650 --> 32:37.510 scope and scale . And we also know at 32:37.510 --> 32:39.810 the same time that humanitarian 32:39.820 --> 32:42.810 situation in Syria is already dire . Uh , 32:42.820 --> 32:45.610 and it continues to worsen . And so I 32:45.610 --> 32:47.600 think that is why no one should be 32:47.600 --> 32:49.822 surprised that Secretary Blinken was so 32:49.822 --> 32:52.220 impassioned earlier this week when he 32:52.220 --> 32:54.220 spoke about the need to ensure this 32:54.220 --> 32:58.120 humanitarian access again , Um , making 32:58.120 --> 33:00.960 clear that , uh , shame on us . Shame 33:00.960 --> 33:03.182 on the international community if we're 33:03.182 --> 33:05.238 not able to do this . Um , given the 33:05.238 --> 33:07.630 dire situation that so many millions of 33:07.630 --> 33:10.860 Syrians faced today , yes , 33:11.340 --> 33:13.340 Terry Blinken yesterday called on 33:13.340 --> 33:15.340 international companies to consider 33:15.340 --> 33:17.173 cutting ties to enterprises that 33:17.173 --> 33:19.360 support Myanmar's military . US . 33:19.360 --> 33:21.420 Company Chevron is still working in 33:21.420 --> 33:23.510 Myanmar and providing revenue to the 33:23.510 --> 33:26.350 junta . Isn't Chevron now supporting 33:26.350 --> 33:28.910 the junta ? And will the US take action 33:28.910 --> 33:30.750 to prevent natural gas revenues 33:30.750 --> 33:33.210 propping up this junta ? Our focus has 33:33.210 --> 33:36.470 been on ensuring seeking to assist , uh , 33:36.480 --> 33:39.470 the Burmese people in their aspirations 33:39.470 --> 33:41.470 for the restoration of civilian led 33:41.470 --> 33:43.414 government , uh , and democracy in 33:43.414 --> 33:45.526 their own country consistent with the 33:45.526 --> 33:48.770 November elections . Uh , last year , 33:48.780 --> 33:52.160 uh , in Burma , we have sought to hold 33:52.170 --> 33:54.450 accountable leaders of this military 33:54.450 --> 33:56.617 junta and a number of ways . USTR , of 33:56.617 --> 33:58.990 course , announced , uh , action 33:59.000 --> 34:01.660 yesterday , together with our partners 34:01.660 --> 34:03.771 and allies around the world , we have 34:03.771 --> 34:05.604 enacted a number of sanctions on 34:05.604 --> 34:07.650 individuals and entities affiliated 34:07.650 --> 34:09.900 with the military to make clear that 34:09.900 --> 34:12.011 the United States will not stand by . 34:12.011 --> 34:14.233 Just as importantly , we've done that , 34:14.233 --> 34:16.289 uh , together , oftentimes in tandem 34:16.289 --> 34:19.020 with other , uh , international allies 34:19.020 --> 34:21.020 and partners , knowing that when we 34:21.020 --> 34:24.100 work in concert , our our actions will 34:24.100 --> 34:26.850 have , uh , an outsized effects and an 34:26.860 --> 34:29.460 outsized role . It is also true that 34:29.470 --> 34:31.803 the international community can do more . 34:31.803 --> 34:33.914 Uh and , um , we have made that clear 34:33.914 --> 34:35.914 and any number of context . We , of 34:35.914 --> 34:38.770 course , continue to call on China on 34:38.780 --> 34:41.100 the government in Beijing to use its 34:41.110 --> 34:44.060 influence to hold to account those 34:44.060 --> 34:47.780 responsible for this military coup . Uh , 34:47.790 --> 34:51.240 what the junta has done , uh , in Burma 34:51.250 --> 34:53.306 is not in the interest of the United 34:53.306 --> 34:55.417 States . It's not in the interests of 34:55.417 --> 34:55.270 our partners and allies . And it's not 34:55.270 --> 34:57.270 in the interest of Beijing . Uh , I 34:57.270 --> 34:59.381 wouldn't want to comment from here on 34:59.381 --> 35:01.437 any specific U . S . Companies . The 35:01.437 --> 35:03.700 secretary's focuses on diplomacy is on 35:03.700 --> 35:05.922 working with countries around the world 35:05.922 --> 35:08.033 to make sure that we are doing all we 35:08.033 --> 35:10.256 can again support those aspirations for 35:10.256 --> 35:12.256 the restoration of democracy of the 35:12.256 --> 35:15.040 Burmese people . Yep . In Alaska , I 35:15.040 --> 35:17.690 know a lot happened in Alaska , but how 35:17.690 --> 35:19.690 much time , if any , did you get to 35:19.690 --> 35:21.801 address this issue with the Chinese . 35:21.801 --> 35:23.801 Were there any signals that they're 35:23.801 --> 35:25.912 willing to help or speak out loudly ? 35:25.912 --> 35:25.620 And to that effect , how much this come 35:25.620 --> 35:27.676 up with the Japanese , who have been 35:27.676 --> 35:29.787 criticized for not speaking out on on 35:29.787 --> 35:32.064 what's happening ? And it's attributed , 35:32.064 --> 35:34.231 wrongly or rightly , to their economic 35:34.231 --> 35:33.730 ties they have with that country . You 35:33.730 --> 35:35.674 were You were with us on that very 35:35.674 --> 35:38.350 memorable trip . So , as you know , uh , 35:38.360 --> 35:41.600 the topic of Burma did come up in both 35:41.600 --> 35:44.240 Alaska and in Japan and as well as in 35:44.240 --> 35:46.540 South Korea . Um , it also came up for 35:46.540 --> 35:49.260 that matter in Brussels because this is 35:49.260 --> 35:51.530 an issue where we know that again 35:51.530 --> 35:54.770 concerted action action , uh , that is 35:54.770 --> 35:57.370 coordinated with and among our closest 35:57.370 --> 35:59.592 partners and allies is likely to have , 35:59.592 --> 36:02.530 uh , and outsized , uh , effect on the 36:02.540 --> 36:05.290 hunt . So we discussed it in Tokyo . We 36:05.290 --> 36:07.800 discussed it in Anchorage . I think 36:07.800 --> 36:09.522 when it comes to Beijing , the 36:09.522 --> 36:11.689 government in Beijing can certainly do 36:11.689 --> 36:14.880 more . It can say more knowing that the 36:14.890 --> 36:17.960 PRC does have a good deal of influence , 36:17.970 --> 36:20.690 that we want the government in Beijing 36:20.690 --> 36:22.820 to use constructively to leverage 36:22.820 --> 36:25.730 constructively again to support the 36:25.730 --> 36:27.452 aspirations , the legitimate , 36:27.452 --> 36:29.670 absolutely legitimate aspirations of 36:29.670 --> 36:31.503 the people of Burma to see their 36:31.503 --> 36:33.726 democracy restored . But was that topic 36:33.726 --> 36:35.781 shifted into the bucket of things we 36:35.781 --> 36:37.948 think the two countries have in common 36:37.948 --> 36:37.660 and can work on ? Or is that still , 36:38.030 --> 36:39.863 and the contentious issues we're 36:39.863 --> 36:41.919 working through ? Category ? I would 36:41.919 --> 36:43.697 say that we do have overlapping 36:43.697 --> 36:46.500 interests when it comes to Burma . We 36:46.500 --> 36:48.500 would like to see the government in 36:48.500 --> 36:50.611 Beijing act on those interests , uh , 36:50.611 --> 36:53.010 and to do so constructively again in a 36:53.010 --> 36:55.440 way that supports the people of Burma . 36:55.450 --> 36:57.117 The government in Beijing has 36:57.117 --> 36:58.950 absolutely no interest in seeing 36:58.950 --> 37:01.390 instability . Uh , in Burma , Uh , the 37:01.390 --> 37:03.612 United States has no interest in seeing 37:03.612 --> 37:05.334 instability in Burma . Just as 37:05.334 --> 37:07.112 importantly , the United States 37:07.112 --> 37:09.240 government , uh , puts a premium on 37:09.250 --> 37:12.320 democracy on human rights on the 37:12.320 --> 37:14.042 legitimate aspirations for the 37:14.042 --> 37:15.987 restoration of democracy . Uh , in 37:15.987 --> 37:18.970 Burma . Uh , of course , the government 37:18.970 --> 37:20.914 in Beijing might see that slightly 37:20.914 --> 37:22.859 differently , But in many ways our 37:22.859 --> 37:24.970 interests are aligned in the in state 37:24.970 --> 37:27.026 that we would like to see in Burma , 37:27.026 --> 37:28.859 and we continue to encourage the 37:28.859 --> 37:30.914 government in Beijing to act in that 37:30.914 --> 37:34.430 regard . Yes , Lamar's from Al Qaeda's 37:34.430 --> 37:36.850 newspaper I've got a question regarding 37:36.850 --> 37:39.850 Brazil . Um , I would like to know is 37:39.850 --> 37:42.990 the U . S concerned by the resignation 37:42.990 --> 37:46.790 of several military chiefs ? 37:46.800 --> 37:50.410 Uh , yesterday , uh , military chiefs 37:50.410 --> 37:53.300 that are not only opposed 37:53.310 --> 37:57.250 to some measures like the military rule ? 37:57.830 --> 38:00.300 Well , of course , we're aware of 38:00.310 --> 38:02.510 developments in Brazil , but we're not 38:02.510 --> 38:04.621 going to comment comment on it . From 38:04.621 --> 38:06.732 here , we refer you to the government 38:06.732 --> 38:08.677 in Brazil . We continue to support 38:08.677 --> 38:10.899 Brazil's democratic institutions before 38:11.920 --> 38:14.142 the one of the issues with the Boston . 38:14.142 --> 38:16.253 Our government , of course , has been 38:16.253 --> 38:17.976 the spire vaccines . There are 38:17.976 --> 38:20.031 agreements with China and the supply 38:20.031 --> 38:19.650 vaccines . Do you have any concern 38:19.650 --> 38:21.872 about China's effort there elsewhere in 38:21.872 --> 38:24.094 terms of how their supplying vaccines ? 38:24.094 --> 38:26.206 Do you see it as a There's a conflict 38:26.206 --> 38:28.317 of what the U . S . Wants to . Well , 38:28.317 --> 38:30.428 the United States has always stood by 38:30.428 --> 38:32.480 vaccines that are safe that are 38:32.490 --> 38:35.450 effective . Um , and with that in mind , 38:35.450 --> 38:37.700 we remain a firm partner with Brazil 38:37.700 --> 38:39.730 and our joint fight against the 38:39.740 --> 38:41.970 pandemic . In the last couple months 38:41.970 --> 38:44.780 alone , the United States has delivered 38:44.780 --> 38:47.002 field hospitals to Brazil equipped with 38:47.002 --> 38:48.780 ventilators and other necessary 38:48.780 --> 38:50.447 equipment . We continue close 38:50.447 --> 38:52.169 cooperation , uh , and sharing 38:52.169 --> 38:54.490 information critical with Brazil's 38:54.500 --> 38:57.100 health agency , um uh , to support 38:57.100 --> 39:00.450 their vaccine approval process on more 39:00.520 --> 39:03.170 and more . Earlier this month , on 39:03.170 --> 39:05.830 March 21st , Brazil received its first 39:05.830 --> 39:07.886 one million doses of the AstraZeneca 39:07.886 --> 39:09.997 vaccine through the Kovacs facility . 39:09.997 --> 39:11.830 Uh , and this , of course , is a 39:11.830 --> 39:13.830 strategic multilateral mechanism to 39:13.830 --> 39:16.370 expand global access to vaccines that 39:16.370 --> 39:18.592 the United States has already supported 39:18.592 --> 39:21.820 to the tune of UH , $2 billion and 39:21.820 --> 39:25.320 pledged $2 billion more . Kovacs is an 39:25.320 --> 39:27.540 important , uh , mechanism when it 39:27.540 --> 39:30.200 comes to allowing Brazil , um , that 39:30.210 --> 39:32.590 access to vaccines now and it will 39:32.590 --> 39:34.740 continue to be , uh , in the coming 39:34.750 --> 39:37.340 months ahead . Our embassy in Brazil 39:37.340 --> 39:39.118 has also provided technical and 39:39.118 --> 39:42.310 financial support directly to public 39:42.320 --> 39:44.940 health and science experts , uh , in 39:44.940 --> 39:46.940 Brazil . So in all of these various 39:46.940 --> 39:49.107 ways , we continue to partner with the 39:49.107 --> 39:51.218 government , Brazil on this challenge 39:51.218 --> 39:53.329 of the pandemic , and I would take it 39:53.329 --> 39:52.830 back to what Secretary Blinken has said 39:52.830 --> 39:55.052 before . Um , of course , when it comes 39:55.052 --> 39:56.997 to this administration , our first 39:56.997 --> 39:59.400 priority is ensuring the vaccination of 39:59.410 --> 40:01.577 millions of Americans in that campaign 40:01.577 --> 40:03.743 is well underway . But we know that as 40:03.743 --> 40:06.820 long as this virus continues , um , 40:06.830 --> 40:09.680 unchecked whether it is in the United 40:09.680 --> 40:12.180 States or around the world . All of us 40:12.180 --> 40:14.402 will continue to be threatened by it as 40:14.402 --> 40:16.980 it continues to mutate and as variants 40:16.990 --> 40:19.470 developed . So we all share an interest 40:19.470 --> 40:21.950 in seeing , uh , an end quickly to this 40:21.950 --> 40:24.210 virus in the United States , in Brazil 40:24.220 --> 40:26.276 and around the world . I'm sorry . I 40:26.276 --> 40:28.276 need to make the final question . I 40:28.276 --> 40:30.442 have to run to a meeting , but we will 40:30.442 --> 40:30.440 do this again tomorrow . Thank you all 40:30.440 --> 40:31.340 very much .