WEBVTT 00:02.940 --> 00:03.940 afternoon . 00:06.940 --> 00:09.051 Still a little chilly in here today . 00:09.340 --> 00:12.340 The school that's probably true . All 00:12.340 --> 00:16.310 right . Mhm . Uh We'll go out and get 00:16.310 --> 00:18.790 started . We condemn in the strongest 00:18.790 --> 00:21.160 possible terms the terrorist attack in 00:21.160 --> 00:23.890 Baghdad yesterday , ISIS has claimed 00:23.890 --> 00:26.112 responsibility for the attack in Soccer 00:26.112 --> 00:28.279 city , Which killed at least 30 people 00:28.279 --> 00:30.820 and injured dozens of others . We 00:30.820 --> 00:33.700 extend our heartfelt condolences to the 00:33.700 --> 00:36.130 families of the victims and hope for a 00:36.130 --> 00:38.440 speedy recovery for all of those 00:38.440 --> 00:41.400 wounded . This vicious act of terrorism 00:41.410 --> 00:44.070 came the evening prior to the holy day 00:44.130 --> 00:46.950 of idle at a time of joy for millions 00:46.950 --> 00:49.710 of Iraqi families . The US reaffirms 00:49.720 --> 00:51.890 its commitment to support the Iraqi 00:51.890 --> 00:54.050 people and their government in these 00:54.050 --> 00:55.830 difficult times . And we remain 00:55.830 --> 00:57.774 steadfast in our commitment to the 00:57.774 --> 00:59.750 efforts of the global coalition to 00:59.750 --> 01:03.500 degrade and to defeat ISIS Next , the 01:03.500 --> 01:05.667 United States congratulates the people 01:05.667 --> 01:07.778 of Peru for making their voices heard 01:07.778 --> 01:09.722 and free and fair presidential and 01:09.722 --> 01:11.667 legislative elections . The United 01:11.667 --> 01:13.500 States and PerU enjoy deep bonds 01:13.500 --> 01:15.667 between our peoples and we have mutual 01:15.667 --> 01:17.667 interests in democracy . Security , 01:17.667 --> 01:19.722 trade and respect for human rights , 01:19.722 --> 01:21.833 cooperation between the United States 01:21.833 --> 01:24.000 and Peru has improved the health , the 01:24.000 --> 01:26.111 livelihood , safety and environmental 01:26.111 --> 01:28.278 protections for both our countries and 01:28.278 --> 01:30.444 throughout the region as well . We are 01:30.444 --> 01:30.300 eager to work with President elect 01:30.300 --> 01:32.670 Castro's administration to strengthen 01:32.680 --> 01:34.680 the U . S . Peru . Relationship and 01:34.680 --> 01:36.840 move our nation's towards an even 01:36.850 --> 01:39.610 better and brighter future . So with 01:39.610 --> 01:41.777 that madam , happy to pleasure . Thank 01:41.777 --> 01:44.750 you . Let's start with the Middle East 01:46.740 --> 01:50.190 and the ice cream war that is churning 01:50.190 --> 01:52.310 between Israel and Ben and Jerry's . 01:52.310 --> 01:54.250 Does the administration have any 01:54.250 --> 01:56.417 position on this or do you regard this 01:56.417 --> 02:00.410 as kind of a private matter to be that 02:00.420 --> 02:02.531 you don't need to weigh in ? Well , I 02:02.531 --> 02:04.520 don't have a reaction to offer 02:04.530 --> 02:07.320 regarding the actions of a private 02:07.330 --> 02:09.450 company . But more broadly , what I 02:09.450 --> 02:12.780 will say is that we firmly reject the 02:12.780 --> 02:15.710 BDS movement , which unfairly singles 02:15.710 --> 02:17.950 out Israel while the biden Harris 02:17.950 --> 02:20.006 administration will fully and always 02:20.006 --> 02:22.117 respect the First Amendment rights of 02:22.117 --> 02:24.339 our citizens , of the american people . 02:24.339 --> 02:26.561 Uh , the United States will be a strong 02:26.561 --> 02:28.728 partner in fighting efforts around the 02:28.728 --> 02:30.839 world , uh , that potentially seek to 02:30.839 --> 02:32.728 delegitimize Israel and will work 02:32.728 --> 02:34.820 tirelessly tirelessly to support 02:34.830 --> 02:37.120 Israel's further integration into the 02:37.120 --> 02:39.231 international community . Okay , what 02:39.231 --> 02:41.231 does that mean ? Do you regard this 02:41.231 --> 02:43.453 decision by the company not to sell its 02:43.453 --> 02:46.030 product and the yeah , occupied 02:46.030 --> 02:48.290 Palestinian territories as an element 02:48.290 --> 02:51.250 of the BDS movement or is an element of 02:51.250 --> 02:54.630 the broader BDS campaign ? What I will 02:54.630 --> 02:56.686 say is that this company , I believe 02:56.686 --> 02:59.900 has issued a statement regarding its 02:59.900 --> 03:01.844 motivations and its objectives . I 03:01.844 --> 03:04.178 would let this company speak for itself . 03:04.178 --> 03:06.520 So you would not than there to be any , 03:06.530 --> 03:08.950 this to be some kind of a flash point 03:08.950 --> 03:11.760 or a Touchstone issue for abroad for a 03:12.340 --> 03:15.860 speeding up or producing a 03:15.860 --> 03:19.130 broader review , the broader review of 03:19.140 --> 03:21.140 your policy of the administration's 03:21.140 --> 03:23.780 policy on the legitimacy or lack 03:23.780 --> 03:27.200 thereof of settlements and or of any 03:27.200 --> 03:30.260 potential federal support for any 03:30.260 --> 03:34.090 federal move for or against BDS . 03:34.440 --> 03:36.970 Look , our position on BDS has been 03:36.970 --> 03:39.770 clear . Uh , this is not something that 03:39.770 --> 03:41.760 we need to review again . The BDS 03:41.760 --> 03:43.927 movement unfairly singles out Israel . 03:43.927 --> 03:46.830 We will consistent with the First 03:46.830 --> 03:49.163 Amendment rights of the american people . 03:49.163 --> 03:51.274 Always work to be a strong partner to 03:51.274 --> 03:53.274 Israel uh , and work with Israel to 03:53.274 --> 03:56.450 counter efforts to de legitimize it 03:56.540 --> 03:58.790 around the world . Just as we work with 03:58.800 --> 04:00.800 our partner , Israel to further its 04:00.800 --> 04:03.022 economic , you do not necessarily think 04:03.022 --> 04:05.189 that this decision by this one company 04:05.189 --> 04:06.967 unfairly single quote unquote , 04:06.967 --> 04:09.930 unfairly success . Uh , singles out , 04:09.940 --> 04:12.540 I'm not going to weigh in on the 04:12.550 --> 04:15.380 objectives , the motivations of a 04:15.380 --> 04:17.547 private company . I'll let the company 04:17.547 --> 04:21.300 speak for itself . Thanks community 04:21.300 --> 04:25.170 CUBA the there is there's news of a 04:25.170 --> 04:28.210 working group on repentance is uh could 04:28.210 --> 04:30.321 you explain a little bit about that ? 04:30.321 --> 04:32.266 Um is there an intention at all to 04:32.266 --> 04:34.266 restart re businesses in some way , 04:34.266 --> 04:34.050 even if it's in a different way from 04:34.050 --> 04:36.130 reform ? Sure , let me give you a 04:36.130 --> 04:38.297 little more context and you heard this 04:38.297 --> 04:40.740 from the White House . Um and uh my 04:40.740 --> 04:42.573 colleague at the White House , I 04:42.573 --> 04:44.796 believe , spoke to this earlier today . 04:44.796 --> 04:47.010 But as you know , we have consistently 04:47.020 --> 04:50.170 stood with the Cuban people , including 04:50.210 --> 04:53.070 in the context of the recent protests 04:53.080 --> 04:56.040 across the island nation . We will 04:56.040 --> 04:58.096 continue to support the Cuban people 04:58.096 --> 05:00.870 and their legitimate aspirations for 05:00.870 --> 05:03.570 human rights , for democracy , for the 05:03.570 --> 05:06.370 values that have for far too long uh 05:06.380 --> 05:10.080 since 1959 at least been denied 05:10.090 --> 05:13.420 uh to them . Uh As part of that , we 05:13.420 --> 05:16.030 will always look for ways to support 05:16.030 --> 05:18.760 them , but also to hold the Cuban 05:18.760 --> 05:22.060 regime accountable . Um This includes 05:22.070 --> 05:24.340 our efforts to build international 05:24.350 --> 05:27.320 pressure against the abuses over the 05:27.320 --> 05:29.900 regime , um designating sanctions 05:29.910 --> 05:32.460 against those responsible for the 05:32.460 --> 05:35.250 violence , for the repression that has 05:35.250 --> 05:38.040 followed the recent peaceful protests . 05:38.050 --> 05:40.830 Um and when it comes to assisting the 05:40.830 --> 05:43.108 Cubans will look at any number of ways . 05:43.108 --> 05:45.330 And that includes uh you mentioned both 05:45.330 --> 05:47.360 remittances and we also spoke to 05:47.370 --> 05:50.280 helping to facilitate uh internet 05:50.290 --> 05:53.170 access as well . Uh when it comes to 05:53.180 --> 05:55.800 remittances , as you heard , we will 05:55.800 --> 05:58.510 form remittances Working group to 05:58.510 --> 06:01.180 identify the most effective ways to get 06:01.190 --> 06:02.968 remittances . This is important 06:02.968 --> 06:05.840 directly into the hands of the Cuban 06:05.850 --> 06:08.480 people . Beyond that . We are also 06:08.490 --> 06:12.350 reviewing our plans to augment staffing 06:12.360 --> 06:16.220 at our embassy in Havana to facilitate 06:16.230 --> 06:19.370 the consular activities , the 06:19.370 --> 06:22.230 engagement with civil society and to 06:22.230 --> 06:24.063 make sure we have an appropriate 06:24.063 --> 06:27.310 security posture uh as well . When it 06:27.310 --> 06:29.720 comes to internet access , we are 06:29.720 --> 06:32.240 working with the private sector as well 06:32.240 --> 06:34.407 as with Congress , which of course has 06:34.407 --> 06:36.460 a keen interest in all of this , to 06:36.460 --> 06:38.720 identify viable options to make the 06:38.730 --> 06:41.930 internet more accessible to the Cuban 06:41.930 --> 06:44.540 people . And will also leverage our 06:44.550 --> 06:46.494 international partners , including 06:46.494 --> 06:48.494 international organizations , to do 06:48.494 --> 06:50.550 what we can to increase humanitarian 06:50.550 --> 06:53.250 assistance flows uh to CUBA . Now , 06:53.250 --> 06:55.417 when it comes to the other side of the 06:55.417 --> 06:57.750 equation holding the regime accountable , 06:57.750 --> 07:00.200 the treasury , uh specifically via 07:00.200 --> 07:02.620 their Office of Foreign Assets . 07:02.620 --> 07:04.650 Control will continue to explore 07:04.650 --> 07:07.720 designating Cuban officials who are 07:07.720 --> 07:09.720 responsible for what we have seen , 07:09.720 --> 07:11.887 namely the violence , the repression , 07:11.887 --> 07:14.180 the human rights violations again 07:14.190 --> 07:17.260 against these peaceful protesters in 07:17.260 --> 07:20.290 cuBA , who were and are doing nothing 07:20.290 --> 07:23.240 more than exercising their universal 07:23.250 --> 07:25.930 rights . Were also working diligently 07:25.930 --> 07:28.000 with the international community to 07:28.010 --> 07:30.820 collectively condemn this repression uh 07:30.830 --> 07:33.510 and support the Cuban people who very 07:33.510 --> 07:37.480 clearly our demanding the freedom 07:37.490 --> 07:39.434 and the rights that have long been 07:39.434 --> 07:42.240 denied to them . Um when it comes to 07:42.240 --> 07:45.060 remittances sean the administration , 07:45.060 --> 07:48.110 as I said before , is focused 07:48.120 --> 07:52.110 on allowing such transfers only 07:52.110 --> 07:54.720 if we can guarantee that the money 07:54.720 --> 07:58.410 flows directly into the hands of the 07:58.420 --> 08:01.190 Cuban people . We are going to as we 08:01.200 --> 08:03.690 explore this issue , make sure that we 08:03.690 --> 08:05.950 are doing everything we can to see to 08:05.950 --> 08:07.894 it , that those proceeds go to the 08:07.894 --> 08:09.950 Cuban people and that they do not go 08:09.950 --> 08:12.320 into the regime's coffers . Again , 08:12.320 --> 08:16.060 this is a regime that has denied its 08:16.060 --> 08:19.720 people of resources end of rights . And 08:19.720 --> 08:21.831 I think we have seen that come to the 08:21.831 --> 08:24.060 fore in cuba in recent days and we're 08:24.140 --> 08:26.307 as you heard from the White House very 08:26.307 --> 08:28.362 closely studying how he might affect 08:28.362 --> 08:30.196 this going forward . Okay . Just 08:30.196 --> 08:30.190 basically one point that you're seeing 08:30.200 --> 08:32.600 plenty to augment staff at the embassy 08:32.600 --> 08:34.433 is that something's gonna happen 08:34.433 --> 08:36.670 imminently ? Um and what you said 08:36.670 --> 08:38.770 specifically to engage civil society 08:38.770 --> 08:40.770 could explain a bit more what these 08:40.770 --> 08:42.937 extra people will be doing George . Um 08:42.937 --> 08:45.680 The staffing at our embassy will serve 08:45.680 --> 08:49.060 to enhance our diplomatic , our 08:49.070 --> 08:51.237 engagement , our diplomatic activity , 08:51.237 --> 08:53.610 our engagement with civil society , our 08:53.610 --> 08:56.360 consular service engagement , all of 08:56.360 --> 08:59.880 which will be in service of helping the 08:59.880 --> 09:03.580 Cuban people to secure greater 09:03.590 --> 09:07.260 degrees of human rights of um freedom 09:07.270 --> 09:10.100 of the universal rights that have been 09:10.100 --> 09:13.460 denied to them uh for far too long . 09:13.470 --> 09:15.526 So I don't have anything to offer in 09:15.526 --> 09:19.020 terms of time frame but we do know that 09:19.030 --> 09:21.197 if we are going to be doing all we can 09:21.197 --> 09:23.419 to support the aspirations of the Cuban 09:23.419 --> 09:26.110 people , um we need to have a presence 09:26.110 --> 09:28.221 on the ground that will appropriately 09:28.221 --> 09:31.550 position us to do just that laura . Oh 09:31.940 --> 09:34.180 um , last week , President biden said 09:34.190 --> 09:36.412 pretty clearly that he was not going to 09:36.412 --> 09:39.120 consider remittances . Mm wondering 09:39.120 --> 09:42.590 what changed between conversation with 09:42.600 --> 09:45.540 uh Chancellor Merkel and today . Uh I 09:45.550 --> 09:47.661 think you flicked out a little bit by 09:47.661 --> 09:49.828 saying that you want to make sure that 09:49.828 --> 09:51.939 the money is going to go to the Cuban 09:51.939 --> 09:51.290 people . But that was something that 09:51.290 --> 09:53.512 could have been considered last week as 09:53.512 --> 09:55.568 well . So what's changed in the last 09:55.568 --> 09:57.623 few days ? And then also when you're 09:57.623 --> 09:59.846 talking about augmenting , staffing and 09:59.846 --> 09:59.700 embassy Havana , what kind of 09:59.700 --> 10:01.700 precautions is the State Department 10:01.700 --> 10:04.360 taking to make sure that they are not 10:04.440 --> 10:06.496 victim to some of the illnesses that 10:06.496 --> 10:08.829 we've seen in years past there ? Thanks . 10:08.829 --> 10:10.773 Thank you . So what you heard from 10:10.773 --> 10:12.662 President biden last week was the 10:12.662 --> 10:14.884 concern that I expressed today . Uh and 10:14.884 --> 10:17.660 that is namely uh the 10:18.240 --> 10:21.210 the fact that we are going to do 10:21.220 --> 10:23.570 everything we can as we study this 10:23.570 --> 10:26.700 issue to devise ways to ensure that 10:26.710 --> 10:29.880 these remittances uh that in many cases 10:29.880 --> 10:33.690 are hard earned funds from Cuban 10:33.690 --> 10:35.857 americans uh and their associates back 10:35.857 --> 10:38.023 here in the United States to Cubans on 10:38.023 --> 10:39.912 the island to ensure that they go 10:39.912 --> 10:42.079 directly to the people . That has been 10:42.079 --> 10:44.079 the concern with remittances in the 10:44.079 --> 10:47.620 past . Look , we are all about devising 10:47.620 --> 10:49.890 ways that we can support the Cuban 10:49.890 --> 10:52.057 people , but we have to make sure that 10:52.057 --> 10:54.430 these tactics , these tools , these 10:54.530 --> 10:57.570 procedures in this case do in fact 10:57.570 --> 10:59.514 support the Cuban people . We have 10:59.514 --> 11:01.570 engaged in a number of consultations 11:01.570 --> 11:03.403 including with senior members of 11:03.403 --> 11:05.720 Congress on this . Uh and uh we are 11:05.720 --> 11:08.120 confident that um through setting the 11:08.120 --> 11:10.231 issue , we may be able to devise ways 11:10.231 --> 11:12.530 to to do just that just to affect these 11:12.530 --> 11:15.510 remittances um to ensure that the funds 11:15.520 --> 11:17.687 get into the hands of the Cuban people 11:17.687 --> 11:19.790 while ensuring that they do not , on 11:19.790 --> 11:22.012 the other hand , go into the coffers of 11:22.012 --> 11:25.210 the regime . Uh right after the 11:25.210 --> 11:27.099 President's comments , members of 11:27.099 --> 11:29.210 Congress and others in the government 11:29.210 --> 11:31.432 said , hey , let's take another look at 11:31.432 --> 11:33.654 this . There is a way we could at least 11:33.654 --> 11:35.877 study getting the money directly to the 11:35.877 --> 11:38.099 Cuban people as opposed to going to the 11:38.099 --> 11:39.988 regime . As as we have seen these 11:39.988 --> 11:41.988 peaceful protests take place on the 11:41.988 --> 11:44.920 island . The Cuban people demand the 11:44.930 --> 11:48.350 legitimate aspirations for human rights 11:48.360 --> 11:50.304 for greater degrees of freedom for 11:50.304 --> 11:54.000 liberty . We have made 11:54.000 --> 11:56.550 clear that we are going to thoroughly 11:56.600 --> 11:59.280 investigate any in all ways that we can 11:59.280 --> 12:01.820 support those legitimate aspirations . 12:01.820 --> 12:04.180 We have been in regular contact with 12:04.180 --> 12:06.347 members of Congress , of course , both 12:06.347 --> 12:08.860 before the protests of recent days . In 12:08.860 --> 12:10.804 the aftermath , we have heard good 12:10.804 --> 12:12.971 ideas from members of Congress . We've 12:12.971 --> 12:14.804 shared our ideas with members of 12:14.804 --> 12:16.582 Congress and other uh important 12:16.582 --> 12:18.680 stakeholders as well . So , uh this 12:18.680 --> 12:20.847 idea , of course , there's nothing new 12:20.847 --> 12:22.736 about this particular idea . It's 12:22.736 --> 12:25.310 always been on the table . Um but what 12:25.320 --> 12:27.542 what is new is the announcement that we 12:27.542 --> 12:29.431 are going to study it very , very 12:29.431 --> 12:31.264 carefully , very closely , uh to 12:31.264 --> 12:33.487 determine what and how we might be able 12:33.487 --> 12:35.653 to move forward in a way that supports 12:35.653 --> 12:37.820 the Cuban people without adding to the 12:37.820 --> 12:37.650 coffers of the regime To your second 12:37.650 --> 12:39.780 question , um and staffing at the 12:39.780 --> 12:43.380 embassy , Of course , we have spoken 12:43.380 --> 12:46.200 very clearly about the priority . We 12:46.200 --> 12:48.540 attached to the safety , the security , 12:48.540 --> 12:51.940 the well being of our personnel around 12:51.940 --> 12:54.740 the world . We have also spoken just 12:54.740 --> 12:56.740 yesterday of the unexplained health 12:56.740 --> 12:59.640 incidents that have plagued our 12:59.650 --> 13:03.110 personnel around the world . Um uh and 13:03.110 --> 13:06.600 it's no secret that Havana was a site 13:06.610 --> 13:08.790 of some of these incidents . So , as 13:08.790 --> 13:10.846 you know , I am not in a position to 13:10.846 --> 13:13.150 detail uh security precautions or 13:13.150 --> 13:15.670 measures that we may take . But every 13:15.670 --> 13:19.330 time we deploy our personnel overseas , 13:19.330 --> 13:22.500 we do so uh taking into account 13:22.510 --> 13:24.677 precautions uh and doing everything we 13:24.677 --> 13:27.950 can to see to it that our people are 13:27.950 --> 13:30.006 protected , That they have what they 13:30.006 --> 13:32.117 need to do their job effectively . Uh 13:32.117 --> 13:34.890 and that their safety well being and 13:34.890 --> 13:37.920 welfare is uh utmost 13:37.920 --> 13:41.780 priority . Confidence . Vanna and its 13:41.780 --> 13:44.320 environs are safe for diplomats in 13:44.320 --> 13:46.542 order for them to return . There is not 13:46.542 --> 13:48.542 a concern that this these illnesses 13:48.542 --> 13:50.653 could crop up again . So what we said 13:50.653 --> 13:52.876 is that we're going to review planet to 13:52.876 --> 13:55.420 augment personnel back at the embassy . 13:55.600 --> 13:58.180 We are taking every consideration into 13:58.180 --> 14:00.900 account as you expect . We would um the 14:00.910 --> 14:02.743 safety and security concerns are 14:02.743 --> 14:04.743 certainly one of those issues we're 14:04.743 --> 14:06.910 going to take into account , but we're 14:06.910 --> 14:06.740 just starting this process . So I don't 14:06.740 --> 14:09.010 want to uh prejudge it right now . It's 14:09.010 --> 14:13.000 not . This is you say you wanted to go 14:13.000 --> 14:14.722 directly to the Cuban people ? 14:14.722 --> 14:16.278 Obviously that's what every 14:16.278 --> 14:18.500 administration has wanted that . But is 14:18.500 --> 14:21.340 there a percentage fee or a percentage 14:21.340 --> 14:23.790 of an amount that is sent to cuba that 14:23.790 --> 14:26.900 you're okay with ? That is taken by , 14:26.910 --> 14:28.466 you know , a processing fee 14:28.466 --> 14:30.521 administrator for you , whatever you 14:30.521 --> 14:32.577 want to call it , by a bank which is 14:32.577 --> 14:34.299 obviously state run or a state 14:34.299 --> 14:36.650 controlled enterprise or one that has 14:36.650 --> 14:38.594 to pay the government like Western 14:38.594 --> 14:40.817 Union or something like that . Is there 14:40.817 --> 14:42.872 a is there a maximum percentage that 14:42.872 --> 14:46.090 you're prepared to allow because short 14:46.090 --> 14:49.260 of flying remittances cash from 14:49.260 --> 14:51.990 remittances into the embassy and then 14:51.990 --> 14:54.046 having people come to the embassy to 14:54.046 --> 14:56.620 hand it out to people . I don't see how 14:56.620 --> 14:58.453 you're going to get , you know , 14:58.453 --> 15:00.620 there's got there's a transaction here 15:00.620 --> 15:03.050 that doesn't involve unless you are 15:03.050 --> 15:05.272 going to do that , that doesn't involve 15:05.272 --> 15:07.580 us officials . So when you say you want 15:07.580 --> 15:09.691 the money to go directly to the Cuban 15:09.691 --> 15:11.747 people , is there an amount that can 15:11.747 --> 15:14.560 that is acceptable to go to a a Cuban 15:14.940 --> 15:17.580 government owned doors controlled 15:17.590 --> 15:19.757 entity ? Well of course there's not an 15:19.757 --> 15:21.868 amount that is acceptable to us to go 15:21.868 --> 15:23.580 into the coffers of the Cuban 15:23.580 --> 15:25.747 government . After are after all , our 15:25.747 --> 15:28.230 goal is support the Cuban people uh and 15:28.230 --> 15:31.550 to help them achieve their aspirations . 15:31.550 --> 15:34.130 the aspirations that this very regime 15:34.140 --> 15:37.210 has for far too long denied to the 15:37.210 --> 15:39.660 Cuban people . So , again , what we are 15:39.660 --> 15:41.771 doing is forming a Remittance working 15:41.771 --> 15:44.430 group to identify the most effective 15:44.430 --> 15:46.541 ways to get remittances directly into 15:46.541 --> 15:48.541 their hands . I get that . But does 15:48.541 --> 15:50.763 that mean that no fee is the only thing 15:50.763 --> 15:52.874 that's acceptable ? No percentage cut 15:52.874 --> 15:55.041 of whatever is sent there can't be any 15:55.050 --> 15:57.161 again , when it comes to this working 15:57.161 --> 15:58.994 group , which was just announced 15:58.994 --> 16:01.161 yesterday and and spoken to today when 16:01.161 --> 16:03.530 it comes to are planning for Embassy 16:03.530 --> 16:07.390 Havana . Uh these are uh 16:07.400 --> 16:09.622 they're just now the planning for these 16:09.622 --> 16:11.844 are just now underway . So I don't want 16:11.844 --> 16:11.770 to get ahead of where we are , but it's 16:11.770 --> 16:13.937 something we're looking at very , very 16:13.937 --> 16:16.140 closely . Uh Sorry , yep , you 16:16.140 --> 16:18.440 mentioned uh trying to working with 16:18.450 --> 16:20.617 Congress and the private sector to try 16:20.617 --> 16:24.260 and internet . I mean , looking towards 16:25.140 --> 16:27.160 private sector solution himself . 16:31.540 --> 16:33.560 Have you practice ? 16:35.940 --> 16:38.051 Yeah , well , we're working closely , 16:38.051 --> 16:40.051 yes , with the private sector , but 16:40.051 --> 16:42.290 we're also working with Congress as we 16:42.290 --> 16:44.260 are across many of these lines of 16:44.270 --> 16:47.790 effort to identify viable options 16:47.790 --> 16:50.490 to make the internet more accessible to 16:50.500 --> 16:53.180 the Cuban people , where we will be 16:53.190 --> 16:56.100 actively collaborating with our private 16:56.100 --> 16:59.150 sector partners to identify ways that 16:59.160 --> 17:01.510 may in fact be creative to ensure that 17:01.510 --> 17:03.910 Cuban people have access to the free 17:03.910 --> 17:06.170 flow of information on the internet . 17:06.180 --> 17:09.280 You've heard us say this before , but 17:09.290 --> 17:12.440 in the interim and right now today , we 17:12.440 --> 17:15.140 call on CUBA's leaders to reinstate and 17:15.140 --> 17:17.980 to maintain access to all internet and 17:17.980 --> 17:20.050 telecommunications services for all 17:20.050 --> 17:23.700 people within its borders . We support 17:23.710 --> 17:26.600 just as in CUBA as we do around the 17:26.600 --> 17:29.890 world , unrestricted access to the 17:29.890 --> 17:32.280 global , open and interoperable , 17:32.290 --> 17:34.920 reliable and secure internet . And we 17:34.920 --> 17:37.860 condemn actions by the Cuban government 17:37.870 --> 17:41.560 to restrict this access uh 17:41.830 --> 17:44.360 not only in CUBA but across the board , 17:44.610 --> 17:46.890 we very carefully examined and provide 17:46.890 --> 17:50.180 funding to support the development of 17:50.190 --> 17:54.010 the global deployment and operation of 17:54.010 --> 17:56.130 the latest available secure and 17:56.130 --> 17:58.980 reliable technical solutions to 17:58.990 --> 18:01.500 internet censorship , censorship to 18:01.510 --> 18:05.450 content blocking and shutdowns . Are 18:05.450 --> 18:08.560 programming make secure circumvention 18:08.710 --> 18:10.766 and communication tools available to 18:10.766 --> 18:13.180 you . Internet users everywhere who 18:13.180 --> 18:16.310 maybe who may seek access to block 18:16.310 --> 18:18.900 websites and social media platforms . 18:18.910 --> 18:21.960 Uh and that includes on Cuba . We 18:21.960 --> 18:24.010 currently provide over $60 million 18:24.010 --> 18:26.770 dollars in funding worldwide each year 18:26.940 --> 18:28.800 for programs to support that 18:28.810 --> 18:31.210 unrestricted access to the global open , 18:31.220 --> 18:33.220 interoperable , reliable and secure 18:33.220 --> 18:35.800 Internet . These programs are so 18:35.800 --> 18:38.440 important to us precisely because they 18:38.440 --> 18:40.384 can help to promote human rights , 18:40.384 --> 18:42.607 fundamental freedoms , the free flow of 18:42.607 --> 18:45.840 information online regardless of 18:45.850 --> 18:47.683 national boundaries or frontiers 18:47.683 --> 18:49.710 consistent consistent with 18:49.710 --> 18:52.820 international human rights norms and 18:52.820 --> 18:54.931 standards . We believe that the Cuban 18:54.931 --> 18:57.280 people deserve what people around the 18:57.280 --> 19:00.060 world deserve . And we'll be looking at 19:00.060 --> 19:02.393 ways to assist that going forward . Yes , 19:02.740 --> 19:04.860 staying on cuba . Let's Sure , yeah . 19:05.340 --> 19:09.000 The administration is looking at 19:09.010 --> 19:12.400 over 200 possible cases of these 19:12.400 --> 19:14.567 unexplained health incidents . Has the 19:14.567 --> 19:16.940 administration gotten any closer to 19:16.940 --> 19:19.218 determining who or what is behind them ? 19:19.240 --> 19:22.460 Well , we have spoken to this in some 19:22.460 --> 19:24.760 detail knowing that they're going to be 19:24.760 --> 19:26.760 certain details that were not in a 19:26.760 --> 19:29.510 position to share broadly . But you 19:29.510 --> 19:31.510 heard me in fact say this yesterday 19:31.510 --> 19:34.050 that the State Department is committed 19:34.060 --> 19:37.360 to ensuring the health , the safety , 19:37.440 --> 19:39.860 the well being of our personnel and 19:39.860 --> 19:41.860 their families . And we are working 19:41.860 --> 19:43.860 diligently with our partners in the 19:43.860 --> 19:46.550 inter agency to determine the cause of 19:46.550 --> 19:48.790 these incidents . The Secretary was 19:48.790 --> 19:52.550 asked about this on the hill . Other 19:52.560 --> 19:54.782 members of the administration have been 19:54.782 --> 19:57.210 asked about that . We're not in a 19:57.210 --> 20:01.070 position . Uh We don't yet uh 20:01.080 --> 20:03.700 know precisely the cause of these 20:03.700 --> 20:05.490 incidents . But we continue to 20:05.490 --> 20:07.323 encourage members of our mission 20:07.323 --> 20:09.730 communities around the world to report 20:09.740 --> 20:11.907 a potential U . H . I . Or unexplained 20:11.907 --> 20:14.510 health incident to their post security 20:14.510 --> 20:16.450 and medical personnel . We are 20:16.450 --> 20:19.010 investigating uh and reviewing reports 20:19.010 --> 20:22.770 of incidents from all around the world . 20:22.780 --> 20:25.270 Were also not in a position uh to 20:25.270 --> 20:27.270 confirm numbers . But as you know , 20:27.270 --> 20:29.640 Ambassador Spratling , whom Secretary 20:29.640 --> 20:32.360 Blinken appointed to head the Health 20:32.360 --> 20:35.560 Incident Response Task force along with 20:35.560 --> 20:37.449 our Deputy Secretary of State for 20:37.449 --> 20:39.616 Management Resources brian Macoun have 20:39.616 --> 20:41.727 been deeply engaged in this and there 20:41.727 --> 20:44.120 have been communications too . Uh the 20:44.130 --> 20:46.241 entire work force to targeted members 20:46.241 --> 20:48.940 of the workforce . They have met with 20:48.940 --> 20:51.810 members of our workforce who have been 20:51.820 --> 20:53.960 who have suffered from these 20:53.960 --> 20:56.820 unexplained health incidents . We're 20:56.830 --> 20:59.730 going to continue to do all we can to 20:59.730 --> 21:03.000 ensure that we are providing these 21:03.000 --> 21:05.370 employees with all the support they 21:05.370 --> 21:07.390 need as they deal with this going 21:07.390 --> 21:11.200 forward . Yes . Yeah , sure . And 21:11.380 --> 21:13.650 wherever the US is near an agreement 21:13.660 --> 21:15.910 with Qatar and kuwait to house the 21:15.910 --> 21:18.021 applicants on military bases in those 21:18.021 --> 21:20.077 countries , Can you comment on those 21:20.077 --> 21:22.132 reports ? Are they accurate ? Well , 21:22.132 --> 21:24.243 let me again , just give you a little 21:24.243 --> 21:24.240 bit of context . And of course , 21:24.240 --> 21:28.110 yesterday we spoke of our plans to 21:28.120 --> 21:30.231 relocate to the United States , about 21:30.231 --> 21:34.230 700 principal afghan principle 21:34.230 --> 21:36.420 s ivy applicants and their immediate 21:36.420 --> 21:38.642 families . And we spoke yesterday about 21:38.642 --> 21:40.480 the plans per a State Department 21:40.480 --> 21:42.702 request to the Department of Defense Uh 21:42.702 --> 21:45.320 to relocate them uh in the coming days , 21:45.320 --> 21:48.380 in coming weeks to Fort Lee in Virginia . 21:48.390 --> 21:50.501 And all , we estimate that that group 21:50.501 --> 21:53.250 of some 750 principal applicants , plus 21:53.250 --> 21:55.610 their family members , will total about 21:55.620 --> 21:59.510 2500 Afghans uh in this group . Uh 21:59.520 --> 22:01.300 these are individuals who have 22:01.300 --> 22:04.200 completed um there 22:04.210 --> 22:06.740 uh security processing 22:06.750 --> 22:10.750 uh and where they will undergo at 22:10.760 --> 22:14.060 Fort lee the final step in the process . 22:14.060 --> 22:16.890 And that is the medical exam to qualify 22:16.890 --> 22:19.890 for special immigrant status . Now , 22:19.900 --> 22:22.860 you are referring to another group of 22:22.870 --> 22:25.580 afghan s ivy applicants . Um 22:25.590 --> 22:28.710 uh and these are applicants who have 22:28.710 --> 22:31.810 not yet completed that step , the 22:31.810 --> 22:35.040 security , the rigorous security 22:35.050 --> 22:38.810 vetting procedures . Uh so there 22:38.810 --> 22:42.800 are about 4 4000 principal applicants 22:42.810 --> 22:45.900 in this group . Our plan for this 22:45.900 --> 22:48.240 contingent is to relocate them and 22:48.240 --> 22:50.770 their immediate families to locations 22:50.780 --> 22:53.150 outside of the United States , where we 22:53.150 --> 22:56.230 can help to ensure their safety and 22:56.230 --> 22:58.310 security for this group . We will be 22:58.310 --> 23:00.680 providing accommodation during the 23:00.680 --> 23:04.100 processing period . It can last uh 23:04.110 --> 23:06.277 several months , although of course we 23:06.277 --> 23:08.470 are going to continue to strive to 23:08.470 --> 23:10.692 condense and to shorten that process as 23:10.692 --> 23:13.160 much as possible . Um Once we have 23:13.160 --> 23:14.938 confirmed agreements with third 23:14.938 --> 23:17.090 countries and once we are confident 23:17.100 --> 23:20.030 about the security of individuals who 23:20.030 --> 23:22.930 will be relocated to those third 23:22.930 --> 23:25.610 countries , we will share more with all 23:25.610 --> 23:28.230 of you regarding where these applicants 23:28.230 --> 23:31.050 will be temporarily relocated , but 23:31.060 --> 23:33.060 always always always with an eye to 23:33.060 --> 23:35.270 ensuring that we're not doing anything 23:35.280 --> 23:38.020 that would jeopardize the safety or 23:38.020 --> 23:41.220 security of these uh individuals . Um 23:41.220 --> 23:43.920 What I can say now is that when we do 23:43.920 --> 23:45.698 relocate these individuals to a 23:45.698 --> 23:47.920 location outside of the United States , 23:47.920 --> 23:50.031 it will be to a location that is safe 23:50.031 --> 23:52.280 uh and there and from where they can 23:52.290 --> 23:55.390 await their visa decision . 23:55.440 --> 23:58.040 Every location we're considering is 23:58.050 --> 24:00.690 appropriate and will be appropriate to 24:00.690 --> 24:04.220 keep these families safe secure and 24:04.220 --> 24:06.387 well cared for . As you know , we have 24:06.387 --> 24:09.140 engaged in discussions with a number of 24:09.140 --> 24:12.110 countries . Those discussions are 24:12.110 --> 24:14.221 ongoing , so I'm not in a position to 24:14.221 --> 24:16.480 preview plans for this contingent , but 24:16.480 --> 24:18.702 consistent with the safety and security 24:18.702 --> 24:21.020 of these applicants . We will reveal 24:21.020 --> 24:23.076 additional details as well as well . 24:23.076 --> 24:25.298 That relocation happened before the end 24:25.298 --> 24:27.464 of august when the president says that 24:27.464 --> 24:29.631 withdrawal would be complete . Uh So I 24:29.631 --> 24:31.853 don't have a time frame for you there . 24:31.853 --> 24:34.020 But what I will um again uh emphasizes 24:34.020 --> 24:35.964 that the president said that these 24:35.964 --> 24:38.860 relocation flights will begin this 24:38.860 --> 24:42.060 month . Uh And so we certainly expect 24:42.070 --> 24:44.470 relocation to the United States for 24:44.470 --> 24:46.692 that first group of applicants who have 24:46.692 --> 24:48.859 cleared that rigorous security vetting 24:48.859 --> 24:51.460 procedure to start later this month . I 24:51.460 --> 24:53.790 think the other point though is that we 24:53.790 --> 24:57.340 are not we will maintain a 24:57.350 --> 24:59.760 diplomatic presence on the ground in 24:59.760 --> 25:01.970 Afghanistan . So just as we will 25:01.970 --> 25:04.026 continue to move as expeditiously as 25:04.026 --> 25:06.790 possible and the processing of S . I . 25:06.790 --> 25:09.700 V . Applicants at every stage of the 25:09.700 --> 25:13.170 process . Uh This opportunity this 25:13.170 --> 25:15.540 program will not come to an end with 25:15.540 --> 25:17.707 the withdrawal of the U . S . Military 25:17.707 --> 25:20.470 from Afghanistan in the coming weeks . 25:20.480 --> 25:22.313 We will maintain that diplomatic 25:22.313 --> 25:24.220 presence precisely so that we can 25:24.220 --> 25:26.590 continue to support the Afghan people . 25:26.600 --> 25:29.960 Uh And we have done that um through 25:29.970 --> 25:32.720 any number of of tools and with 25:32.720 --> 25:34.960 humanitarian assistance um but also to 25:34.960 --> 25:37.280 administer this program going forward 25:37.280 --> 25:40.760 as well missy . And I 25:41.540 --> 25:43.900 did you say that the that larger group 25:43.900 --> 25:46.160 of four K . Principal applicants 25:46.170 --> 25:48.290 they're going to be relocated to the 25:48.300 --> 25:50.244 location outside the United States 25:50.244 --> 25:52.078 while the security step is being 25:52.078 --> 25:54.940 conducted ? Okay . And um and then is 25:54.940 --> 25:56.750 will they be put exclusively on 25:56.750 --> 25:58.861 american military facilities at those 25:58.861 --> 26:01.780 third countries or just wherever we 26:01.780 --> 26:04.250 have ? We have not offered details on 26:04.250 --> 26:06.417 that yet . We're in discussions with a 26:06.417 --> 26:08.639 number of countries who may be suitable 26:08.639 --> 26:10.917 relocation sites for these individuals . 26:10.917 --> 26:12.917 Just two more things that there are 26:12.917 --> 26:15.028 some proposals from Congress to waive 26:15.028 --> 26:16.972 certain aspects of the application 26:16.972 --> 26:19.306 process . Are you guys going to do that ? 26:19.306 --> 26:21.472 Well , again , we have been in regular 26:21.472 --> 26:23.194 communication with Congress uh 26:23.194 --> 26:25.417 regarding this , knowing the interest , 26:25.417 --> 26:27.472 legitimate interest , of course that 26:27.472 --> 26:29.528 Congress has in this program . We've 26:29.528 --> 26:31.583 been very grateful to find uh such a 26:31.583 --> 26:33.361 willing and eager partner uh in 26:33.361 --> 26:35.600 Congress for this . The relevant point 26:35.600 --> 26:37.822 here is that the S I . V . Processing , 26:37.822 --> 26:39.544 it's written to law . Uh it is 26:39.544 --> 26:41.711 statutorily prescribed and as you said 26:41.711 --> 26:43.767 before , there are more than a dozen 26:43.767 --> 26:45.989 steps . So it is not a simple process . 26:45.989 --> 26:49.730 Uh and it probably is fair to say um uh 26:49.740 --> 26:51.796 it shouldn't be a simple process but 26:51.796 --> 26:53.907 we're always looking for ways that we 26:53.907 --> 26:56.129 might be able to streamline . And we've 26:56.129 --> 26:58.240 spoken in recent days about how using 26:58.240 --> 27:00.018 our own authorities and our own 27:00.018 --> 27:02.184 resources , we've been able to do that 27:02.184 --> 27:04.351 including by surging personnel to help 27:04.351 --> 27:06.573 adjudicate these applications including 27:06.573 --> 27:09.180 by moving uh some of this activity from 27:09.180 --> 27:12.320 kabul to Washington D . C . And we have 27:12.320 --> 27:14.750 been able to shorten the S . I . D . 27:14.750 --> 27:17.230 Processing time by a pretty significant 27:17.230 --> 27:19.452 margin . Even if you look from where we 27:19.452 --> 27:21.800 were in March to where we are , where 27:21.800 --> 27:23.911 we were in june , which I believe was 27:23.911 --> 27:26.078 the date for the most recent quarterly 27:26.140 --> 27:28.420 report . But we are going to continue 27:28.420 --> 27:30.587 to work with Congress . We're going to 27:30.587 --> 27:32.698 look for ways that we can responsibly 27:32.698 --> 27:34.642 shorten the processing uh here and 27:34.642 --> 27:36.253 we'll continue to have those 27:36.253 --> 27:38.198 discussions on the hill . Yeah the 27:38.198 --> 27:40.390 rocket attack right near the 27:40.400 --> 27:42.850 presidential palace and Kabul today 27:42.850 --> 27:44.850 while they were President Ghani was 27:44.850 --> 27:47.017 leading , I guess I need celebration . 27:47.017 --> 27:49.183 Can you just comment on what that says 27:49.183 --> 27:52.360 about the security situation or the 27:52.370 --> 27:54.960 prospects for peace and security in 27:54.960 --> 27:56.960 Afghanistan ? Let me start with the 27:56.960 --> 27:59.340 with the recent attack . Uh and uh it 27:59.340 --> 28:02.140 is um goes without saying , but we 28:02.150 --> 28:05.270 condemn the rocket attacks on Kabul 28:05.270 --> 28:07.720 that occurred today . We continue to 28:07.720 --> 28:09.609 call for an accelerated path to a 28:09.609 --> 28:12.060 political settlement and an end to the 28:12.060 --> 28:14.990 violence . What we have been consistent 28:14.990 --> 28:17.212 in saying is that the Afghanistan , the 28:17.212 --> 28:19.560 people of Afghanistan um are united in 28:19.560 --> 28:22.060 their desire for a just and for a 28:22.060 --> 28:24.810 lasting peace . Uh and that is what the 28:24.820 --> 28:27.042 diplomacy we are supporting and much of 28:27.042 --> 28:28.764 the international community is 28:28.764 --> 28:32.320 supporting uh is geared to effect um 28:32.330 --> 28:34.450 on the violence more broadly . Um 28:35.140 --> 28:38.580 The senior leader talks that took place 28:38.580 --> 28:41.090 in Doha uh just a few days ago , July 28:41.090 --> 28:44.570 17 and 18 were a positive step , as 28:44.570 --> 28:46.292 we've said , there was a joint 28:46.292 --> 28:48.820 declaration that emanated from that the 28:48.830 --> 28:51.750 sides committed to accelerating their 28:51.750 --> 28:53.900 diplomacy that indeed was positive . 28:53.900 --> 28:56.710 But we know that more must be done and 28:56.710 --> 28:59.830 more must be done urgently . And we say 28:59.830 --> 29:02.600 that because we know that afghans are 29:02.600 --> 29:06.130 suffering terribly from this violence , 29:06.130 --> 29:08.241 they have been suffering terribly for 29:08.241 --> 29:11.040 far too long . Credible reports of 29:11.050 --> 29:13.570 atrocities are emerging . Uh The 29:13.580 --> 29:16.290 party's commitment to prevent civilian 29:16.290 --> 29:18.512 casualties , something that we heard in 29:18.512 --> 29:21.880 the most recent um round of diplomacy 29:21.880 --> 29:23.800 is a start , but again , only a 29:23.800 --> 29:27.550 negotiated political settlement can end 29:27.560 --> 29:31.230 this senseless violence in any sort of 29:31.240 --> 29:34.070 durable and sustainable way . And so as 29:34.070 --> 29:36.660 afghans come together to celebrate Eid , 29:36.670 --> 29:38.960 we urge the negotiating parties to 29:38.960 --> 29:42.640 consider all that unites them um 29:42.640 --> 29:45.140 and that is everything from their 29:45.140 --> 29:48.770 shared history and traditions to the 29:48.770 --> 29:51.030 desire for a unified and independent 29:51.030 --> 29:54.180 Afghanistan as well as productive 29:54.180 --> 29:56.069 relations with neighbours and the 29:56.069 --> 29:58.236 international community . And so along 29:58.236 --> 30:00.180 with the rest of the international 30:00.180 --> 30:02.347 community , we continue to call for an 30:02.347 --> 30:04.124 accelerated path to a political 30:04.124 --> 30:06.347 settlement and an end to the violence . 30:06.347 --> 30:09.030 Uh And we do that because the Afghan 30:09.030 --> 30:11.840 people have borne the brunt of this 30:11.840 --> 30:13.990 conflict . again , it hasn't been 20 30:13.990 --> 30:16.250 years , it's been 40 years that the 30:16.250 --> 30:18.380 Afghan people have been been largely 30:18.380 --> 30:20.420 deprived of the safety and security 30:20.420 --> 30:22.476 they deserve . Uh And it's something 30:22.476 --> 30:25.560 that we seek to do all we can uh to 30:25.570 --> 30:27.737 establish in Afghanistan . Yes , sir , 30:28.040 --> 30:31.860 thank you . Thank you in mobile as 30:34.180 --> 30:36.270 and this is my first big proving in 30:36.270 --> 30:38.920 person after the pandemic and 30:38.920 --> 30:40.780 congratulations for your role as 30:40.790 --> 30:43.250 spokesperson . Thank you on Bangladesh . 30:43.740 --> 30:46.220 As you know Bangladesh biden as we know 30:46.220 --> 30:48.387 biden administration is moving forward 30:48.387 --> 30:50.498 putting human rights at the centre of 30:50.498 --> 30:52.553 the U . S . For foreign policy . I'm 30:52.553 --> 30:54.870 wondering how about Bangladesh as we 30:54.870 --> 30:56.981 are observing as extreme violation of 30:56.981 --> 30:59.190 human rights , disappearances and 30:59.190 --> 31:01.330 extrajudicial killings are going on . 31:01.340 --> 31:03.507 Everything is controlled by the regime 31:03.507 --> 31:05.284 including freedom of expression 31:05.284 --> 31:07.451 political opposition , civil society , 31:07.451 --> 31:09.396 judiciary . Now they are trying to 31:09.396 --> 31:12.460 control international community wise 31:12.840 --> 31:15.000 because as you see Bangladesh 31:15.010 --> 31:17.490 authorities , someone UK envoy over 31:17.490 --> 31:19.850 rights report in the report dimension 31:19.860 --> 31:22.680 that you can mention that country's 31:22.680 --> 31:24.791 main opposition leader Khaleda Zia is 31:24.791 --> 31:26.847 in house arrest is also mentioned in 31:26.847 --> 31:28.958 the U . S . State Department's report 31:28.958 --> 31:31.124 as it's a political ploy to remove her 31:31.124 --> 31:34.050 from the political process . So , I'm 31:34.050 --> 31:36.340 wondering what is us position on 31:36.340 --> 31:38.800 Bangladesh and Bangla Biden 31:38.800 --> 31:40.744 administration will be critical on 31:40.744 --> 31:42.967 current authoritarian prime minister in 31:42.967 --> 31:45.670 Bangladesh . Well , you are right in 31:45.670 --> 31:47.837 the sense that human rights are indeed 31:47.837 --> 31:50.980 at the center of our foreign policy uh 31:50.980 --> 31:53.130 and they are for the simple reason um 31:53.140 --> 31:56.930 that societies that respect uh 31:56.930 --> 31:59.360 and defend human rights and fundamental 31:59.370 --> 32:01.537 freedoms , societies that enshrine and 32:01.537 --> 32:03.814 protect them for all of their citizens . 32:03.940 --> 32:07.890 Um our societies that are more stable , 32:07.890 --> 32:11.390 more secure societies where the rule of 32:11.390 --> 32:14.970 law is prevalent um and citizens are 32:14.970 --> 32:17.620 able to reach their full potential . So 32:17.620 --> 32:20.690 it is indeed a universal aspect of our 32:20.690 --> 32:23.980 foreign policy to put human rights at 32:23.990 --> 32:25.657 the centre . When it comes to 32:25.657 --> 32:28.450 Bangladesh , we work closely with 32:28.450 --> 32:30.900 Bangladesh to address common challenges . 32:30.910 --> 32:33.910 Um those include climate change . We 32:33.910 --> 32:36.550 regularly discussed the importance of 32:36.550 --> 32:40.110 respecting uh labor uh and human 32:40.110 --> 32:42.810 rights as well . Bangladesh has shown 32:42.810 --> 32:45.110 improvements uh in protecting some 32:45.110 --> 32:48.550 human rights over the past year . Given 32:48.550 --> 32:51.970 Bangladesh zone challenges the decision , 32:51.980 --> 32:54.910 for example , to host more than 800,000 , 32:54.910 --> 32:58.480 I think it's 860,000 Rohingya refugees 32:58.490 --> 33:02.210 um and to provide protection uh to them 33:02.220 --> 33:05.620 since 2017 . Uh that deserves 33:05.630 --> 33:08.290 special recognition . So this progress 33:08.300 --> 33:10.590 is commendable , but we do remain 33:10.590 --> 33:13.100 concerned about the infringement on 33:13.100 --> 33:15.320 media and press freedoms . We have 33:15.320 --> 33:18.000 noted an increase in reports of charges 33:18.000 --> 33:20.460 filed an arrest made under the Digital 33:20.460 --> 33:23.720 Security Act against persons expressing 33:23.730 --> 33:26.150 personal opinions . Bangladeshi 33:26.150 --> 33:28.261 security forces allegedly continue to 33:28.261 --> 33:30.640 suppress to intimidate and detain civil 33:30.640 --> 33:32.473 society members of the media and 33:32.473 --> 33:34.810 political opposition . Since the first 33:34.810 --> 33:38.340 reported Covid 19 teen cases early last 33:38.340 --> 33:41.140 year , the government of Bangladesh has 33:41.140 --> 33:43.050 aggressively applied the Digital 33:43.050 --> 33:45.270 Security Act , leading to dozens of 33:45.270 --> 33:48.060 arrests for comments critical of the 33:48.060 --> 33:50.282 government's handling of the pandemic , 33:50.282 --> 33:52.270 including using the act against 33:52.270 --> 33:54.620 academic professionals for the first 33:54.620 --> 33:56.453 time and freedom of expression , 33:56.453 --> 33:58.520 including online expression is a key 33:58.520 --> 34:00.710 component of democratic governments 34:00.720 --> 34:02.831 governance . We recognize that in the 34:02.831 --> 34:04.942 context of Bangladesh , just as we do 34:04.942 --> 34:06.776 around the world and we urge the 34:06.776 --> 34:08.776 government of Bangladesh to protect 34:08.776 --> 34:10.776 freedom of expression association , 34:10.776 --> 34:12.998 including from members of the press and 34:12.998 --> 34:15.620 to ensure fair trial guarantees for all 34:15.620 --> 34:17.731 of those who have been detained under 34:17.731 --> 34:20.860 the Digital Security Act ? Yes , Hi , 34:21.340 --> 34:25.120 I've a couple questions about Northern 34:25.120 --> 34:27.910 Ireland . Um wondering does the State 34:27.910 --> 34:30.260 Department have a view on the proposal 34:30.260 --> 34:32.427 last week by the british government to 34:32.427 --> 34:34.593 introduce the statue of limitations in 34:34.593 --> 34:37.500 relation to instance that took place 34:37.500 --> 34:39.930 during the troubles ? So this effective 34:39.930 --> 34:42.130 amnesty has been condemned by victims 34:42.130 --> 34:44.241 groups and human rights organizations 34:44.241 --> 34:46.730 and indeed by members of Congress here 34:46.730 --> 34:49.070 in Washington . Um so , wondering what 34:49.070 --> 34:51.237 is the State Department's view on that 34:51.540 --> 34:53.770 if we have something to offer their we 34:53.770 --> 34:57.120 will we'll provide that to you . So 34:57.130 --> 34:59.297 Britain tomorrow is going to introduce 34:59.297 --> 35:01.130 new proposals about the Northern 35:01.130 --> 35:03.186 Ireland protocol . Is that something 35:03.186 --> 35:02.880 you're watching here in the State 35:02.880 --> 35:05.102 Department ? Well , it's something that 35:05.102 --> 35:06.880 we're watching . And as we have 35:06.880 --> 35:08.880 consistently said over time , we do 35:08.880 --> 35:10.936 support a close relationship between 35:10.936 --> 35:12.936 the United Kingdom and the european 35:12.936 --> 35:14.658 union and we encourage them to 35:14.658 --> 35:16.324 negotiate within the existing 35:16.324 --> 35:19.630 mechanisms when differences do arise , 35:19.640 --> 35:22.760 we've consistently said that we welcome 35:22.760 --> 35:24.816 the provisions in both the Trade and 35:24.816 --> 35:26.982 Cooperation Agreement and the Northern 35:26.982 --> 35:29.038 Ireland protocol between the U . K . 35:29.038 --> 35:30.760 And the european union , which 35:30.760 --> 35:32.982 importantly helped to protect the gains 35:32.982 --> 35:34.910 of the Belfast and good friday 35:34.920 --> 35:36.864 agreement . You've heard President 35:36.864 --> 35:40.790 biden speak of his commitment to 35:40.790 --> 35:42.940 these landmark agreements and that of 35:42.940 --> 35:45.550 course , remains as the UK and the EU 35:45.550 --> 35:47.661 implement Brexit related provisions . 35:47.661 --> 35:49.772 The biden administration encouraged , 35:49.772 --> 35:52.730 encourages them to prioritize political 35:52.730 --> 35:54.674 and economic stability in northern 35:54.674 --> 35:57.210 Ireland . One more generally on europe . 35:57.220 --> 35:59.442 Is there any update on when we may hear 35:59.442 --> 36:00.998 about changes to the travel 36:00.998 --> 36:03.109 restrictions on Europeans coming into 36:03.109 --> 36:05.109 America ? Obviously , the President 36:05.109 --> 36:07.164 suggested that was forthcoming quite 36:07.164 --> 36:09.276 soon . Any update on that ? Well , as 36:09.276 --> 36:11.498 you know , it was a topic of discussion 36:11.498 --> 36:11.350 when President biden had the 36:11.350 --> 36:13.572 opportunity to meet with several of his 36:13.572 --> 36:15.628 european counterparts at the G seven 36:15.628 --> 36:17.572 and then more of them at the US EU 36:17.572 --> 36:19.794 summit as well . When the president was 36:19.794 --> 36:22.128 in europe last month . As you also know , 36:22.128 --> 36:24.183 uh as a consequence of some of those 36:24.183 --> 36:26.550 discussions , there are working groups 36:26.560 --> 36:30.220 that are that are uh looking at these 36:30.220 --> 36:34.090 very issues . The broader point here is 36:34.090 --> 36:36.368 that for us this is not about politics , 36:36.368 --> 36:38.590 it's not about geopolitics , it's about 36:38.590 --> 36:40.812 one thing and it's about one thing only 36:40.812 --> 36:42.868 and that's um public , public health 36:42.868 --> 36:44.701 and public safety . And so these 36:44.701 --> 36:46.890 decisions are ones where medical 36:46.890 --> 36:49.420 experts including from the Centers for 36:49.420 --> 36:51.587 Disease Control and Prevention here in 36:51.587 --> 36:53.309 the United States will have um 36:53.530 --> 36:57.440 a an important say . 36:57.480 --> 36:59.770 And so I'm not for that reason able to 36:59.770 --> 37:02.730 offer any sort of time frame , offer 37:02.740 --> 37:05.660 any estimate there , but I can assure 37:05.660 --> 37:08.160 you that the administration wants to 37:08.160 --> 37:11.590 see travel resume between the United 37:11.590 --> 37:13.646 States and europe between the United 37:13.646 --> 37:15.868 States in other parts of the world just 37:15.868 --> 37:18.034 as soon as we can safely do so . Yes , 37:18.034 --> 37:21.990 sir . Discovery from Poland . And this 37:21.990 --> 37:24.590 question is in Poland . Uh could you 37:24.590 --> 37:26.950 comment please on the attempts of the 37:26.950 --> 37:30.110 ruling party in Poland uh to change the 37:30.110 --> 37:33.290 media law in the country in such a way 37:33.300 --> 37:36.800 that the changes would force Discovery , 37:36.800 --> 37:39.790 which is an american company to sell 37:39.790 --> 37:42.610 its polish tv network tv and Discovery . 37:42.620 --> 37:44.930 And that could of course lead to 37:44.940 --> 37:47.400 silencing free media and Poland . Well , 37:47.400 --> 37:49.400 we've spoken about this , I think I 37:49.400 --> 37:51.400 commented on this last week and the 37:51.400 --> 37:53.400 point we may then is the point that 37:53.400 --> 37:55.622 remains important for us and that is we 37:55.622 --> 37:58.440 believe that strong democracies welcome , 37:58.450 --> 38:01.030 welcome a free and independent press , 38:01.210 --> 38:03.460 diverse voices and independent 38:03.460 --> 38:06.330 viewpoints keep the public informed and 38:06.330 --> 38:08.108 importantly keep the government 38:08.108 --> 38:10.300 accountable . They're essential to 38:10.310 --> 38:13.110 democracies and that includes , it's a 38:13.110 --> 38:15.720 Poland in the United States . So media 38:15.720 --> 38:18.590 pluralism , independent media , that is 38:18.590 --> 38:21.200 something we support around the world , 38:21.210 --> 38:23.210 including here in our own country . 38:23.920 --> 38:26.087 Derek Chollet talked about this during 38:26.087 --> 38:28.364 his visit to Poland . Well as you know , 38:28.364 --> 38:30.587 counselor chalet is in the region he is 38:30.587 --> 38:33.430 uh he arrived I believe in Kiev earlier 38:33.430 --> 38:35.630 today he will from their travel on to 38:35.630 --> 38:38.310 Poland , I wouldn't want to preview his 38:38.310 --> 38:40.660 discussions but I do expect that upon 38:40.660 --> 38:42.980 the conclusion of his stop in Poland , 38:42.980 --> 38:45.091 we'll have more details to share . Uh 38:45.091 --> 38:47.670 huh True . Going bring the bad news to 38:47.680 --> 38:49.569 the Ukrainians that you guys have 38:49.569 --> 38:51.624 reached a deal with the Germans over 38:51.624 --> 38:53.791 North Stream to a lot of chatter about 38:53.791 --> 38:55.902 that today and yesterday . Was that a 38:55.902 --> 38:58.013 question or is that is he going to be 38:58.013 --> 39:00.180 you said in the statement that he'd be 39:00.180 --> 39:02.347 discussing North Stream ? Yes , but is 39:02.347 --> 39:04.569 he going to be telling them the details 39:04.569 --> 39:07.420 of this agreement ? Well , take your 39:07.420 --> 39:10.820 point on the chatter . I have seen it 39:10.820 --> 39:13.940 myself . Look , we have 39:14.320 --> 39:17.120 Consistently discussed Nord Stream two 39:17.120 --> 39:19.150 with our European allies and your 39:19.150 --> 39:21.720 European partners . President biden of 39:21.720 --> 39:23.776 course had an opportunity to discuss 39:23.776 --> 39:25.998 this with Chancellor Merkel . When they 39:25.998 --> 39:28.730 met just last week . Secretary Blinken 39:28.740 --> 39:32.730 has discussed it with the 39:32.740 --> 39:34.890 Germans with with his Ukrainian 39:34.890 --> 39:37.112 counterpart , Foreign Minister colaba . 39:37.112 --> 39:39.790 We met with uh President Zelinsky as 39:39.790 --> 39:42.410 well , where of course this was a topic 39:42.410 --> 39:44.960 of discussion . So We have consistently 39:44.960 --> 39:47.016 and long discussed this really since 39:47.016 --> 39:49.182 the beginning of this administration . 39:49.182 --> 39:52.240 And of course even before that with our 39:52.250 --> 39:55.130 European partners , President Biden 39:55.130 --> 39:57.310 couldn't have been any clearer when he 39:57.310 --> 39:59.650 met with Chancellor Merkel last week , 39:59.650 --> 40:02.040 he said that we continue to oppose the 40:02.040 --> 40:05.260 Nord Stream two pipeline . We view it 40:05.270 --> 40:09.220 as a Kremlin geopolitical project that 40:09.230 --> 40:12.250 is intended to expand Russia's 40:12.250 --> 40:14.580 influence over europe's energy 40:14.590 --> 40:16.740 resources and to circumvent Ukraine . 40:17.410 --> 40:19.700 We have made no bones about the fact 40:19.700 --> 40:22.350 that it is a bad deal for Germany . Uh 40:22.360 --> 40:24.890 It is a bad deal for Ukraine and for 40:24.890 --> 40:28.260 europe more broadly now , uh It's 40:28.270 --> 40:31.820 also worth a reminder of what this 40:31.830 --> 40:34.470 administration inherited . Uh and that 40:34.470 --> 40:37.500 is a pipeline that was over 40:37.500 --> 40:40.750 90% complete when we assumed 40:40.760 --> 40:44.490 office on January 20 . So , yes , we 40:44.490 --> 40:46.630 have continued to oppose the pipeline 40:46.810 --> 40:49.110 and most recently in May , a couple 40:49.110 --> 40:51.277 months ago . Now , We impose sanctions 40:51.277 --> 40:54.640 on 19 entities and vessels connected 40:54.650 --> 40:57.940 with Nord Stream two . Uh and I think 40:57.940 --> 41:01.620 it's noteworthy that uh in total , um 41:01.620 --> 41:04.830 we have levied these 19 sanctions 41:04.840 --> 41:08.350 compared to only two targets that were 41:08.360 --> 41:10.120 sanctioned by the previous 41:10.120 --> 41:13.560 administration . Um we recognize all 41:13.560 --> 41:17.480 along , however , that sanctions were 41:17.480 --> 41:19.430 unlikely to prevent the pipeline's 41:19.430 --> 41:21.840 construction And so that is why the 41:21.840 --> 41:25.390 secretary issued the waivers in on May 41:25.390 --> 41:28.950 19 . Um in line with President 41:28.950 --> 41:32.590 Biden's commitment to rebuild relations 41:32.590 --> 41:36.300 with our European allies at a time when 41:36.300 --> 41:38.350 we need our allies and partners , 41:38.360 --> 41:41.570 perhaps more so than ever for the 41:41.570 --> 41:43.400 challenges , the threats , the 41:43.400 --> 41:46.410 opportunities that together we face 41:46.410 --> 41:49.240 with our diverse set of shared 41:49.710 --> 41:52.180 interests and shared values . But 41:52.180 --> 41:54.360 importantly , the waivers also created 41:54.370 --> 41:58.020 space for diplomacy with Germany to 41:58.030 --> 42:00.880 address those very risks that I just 42:00.880 --> 42:03.158 mentioned , those very risk to Germany , 42:03.158 --> 42:05.380 those very risk to Ukraine , those very 42:05.380 --> 42:07.730 risk to our other european partners . 42:08.200 --> 42:10.650 And so as the president said last week , 42:10.650 --> 42:13.670 it did not make sense to sanction our 42:13.670 --> 42:17.080 allies over a project that was more 42:17.080 --> 42:20.110 than 90% complete on day one of this 42:20.110 --> 42:24.080 administration . We did not believe 42:24.090 --> 42:27.410 that sanctions could stop the 42:27.410 --> 42:30.900 completion of the pipeline . And so we 42:30.900 --> 42:32.900 made the determination that it made 42:32.900 --> 42:35.490 more sense to address Russia's use of 42:35.500 --> 42:39.000 energy um potentially as a weapon and 42:39.010 --> 42:42.950 other malign activity uh together with 42:42.960 --> 42:44.904 our allies and partners . And that 42:44.904 --> 42:47.690 includes Germany . And so the waivers 42:47.690 --> 42:49.357 that were issued were in fact 42:49.357 --> 42:51.680 instrumental and bringing Germany to 42:51.680 --> 42:55.240 the table to discuss how together we 42:55.240 --> 42:58.570 might be able to address the risk nord 42:58.570 --> 43:01.420 stream two poses to Ukraine and broader 43:01.430 --> 43:04.410 european energy security . The 43:04.420 --> 43:07.350 President , in his july 15th joint 43:07.350 --> 43:09.572 press conference with Chancellor Merkel 43:09.800 --> 43:12.250 stated that Germany United States were 43:12.350 --> 43:14.740 united in the conviction that Russia 43:14.750 --> 43:17.920 must not be allowed to use energy as a 43:17.920 --> 43:20.710 weapon to coerce or to threaten its 43:20.710 --> 43:22.932 neighbors . That's what President biden 43:22.932 --> 43:24.780 said . We heard the same message 43:24.790 --> 43:27.870 privately from our german partners and 43:27.870 --> 43:30.020 we've heard that same message 43:30.030 --> 43:32.650 consistently from our german partners . 43:32.650 --> 43:35.010 And so in the context of this diplomacy 43:35.310 --> 43:37.366 and as the President said , it was a 43:37.366 --> 43:39.421 topic of discussion when he met with 43:39.421 --> 43:41.532 the Chancellor , the Germans have put 43:41.532 --> 43:43.900 forward useful proposals and we have 43:43.900 --> 43:47.350 been able to make progress on steps to 43:47.350 --> 43:49.770 achieve that shared goal . Again , that 43:49.770 --> 43:53.140 shared goal being to ensure that Russia 43:53.150 --> 43:56.440 cannot weaponize energy flows . We have 43:56.440 --> 43:58.910 consulted closely with Ukraine with 43:58.910 --> 44:01.132 Poland , as you rightly noted counselor 44:01.132 --> 44:03.570 chalet is in Ukraine Now he'll be going 44:03.570 --> 44:05.681 to Poland shortly . We've spoken with 44:05.681 --> 44:08.730 other countries who may face harm Du 44:08.730 --> 44:11.420 nord Stream two and we've taken their 44:11.430 --> 44:14.740 ideas into account in those ongoing 44:14.740 --> 44:17.080 conversations with Germany . So we 44:17.080 --> 44:19.640 don't have any final details to 44:19.640 --> 44:22.040 announce yet . But I expect we will be 44:22.040 --> 44:24.610 able in a position to , to say more 44:24.620 --> 44:27.950 soon in the meantime . Uh , and going 44:27.950 --> 44:30.860 forward . We will continue to fulfill 44:30.870 --> 44:33.180 our legislative obligations . It's very 44:33.190 --> 44:35.190 important to us that we continue to 44:35.190 --> 44:37.246 follow the law . As you know , there 44:37.246 --> 44:39.412 was a nord stream two report submitted 44:39.412 --> 44:41.357 to Congress in May . There will be 44:41.357 --> 44:43.523 another 1 90 days later , submitted in 44:43.523 --> 44:46.090 august . Um , and so in all of this , 44:46.090 --> 44:48.280 we have been in regular contact with 44:48.280 --> 44:50.490 our allies with our partners . Again , 44:50.500 --> 44:52.700 Derek chalet is in Kiev today . He'll 44:52.700 --> 44:54.800 travel to Warsaw tomorrow . He will 44:54.800 --> 44:57.022 continue those diplomatic conversations 44:57.022 --> 44:59.133 with Ukraine and Poland On a range of 44:59.133 --> 45:01.356 issues . And so that does include North 45:01.356 --> 45:03.580 Stream two um , and energy security 45:03.590 --> 45:05.840 more broadly as well as the , the 45:05.850 --> 45:08.420 broader set of mutual interests and 45:08.420 --> 45:10.830 values . We have a very , very long and 45:10.830 --> 45:12.886 defensive answer for a question that 45:12.886 --> 45:14.830 could have been answered with . We 45:14.830 --> 45:17.163 don't have anything to announce for you , 45:17.163 --> 45:21.040 not if you prefer , if if 45:21.050 --> 45:23.217 if you prefer going forward that I say 45:23.217 --> 45:25.272 what I think the offer would make my 45:25.272 --> 45:27.217 job a lot easier . So I'm Happy to 45:27.217 --> 45:30.090 happy to Oblige 19 yeah , 45:30.890 --> 45:34.750 East Asia uh Deputies Secretary of 45:34.750 --> 45:37.730 State Wendy . Sherman is visiting North 45:37.730 --> 45:39.786 East Asia and she's meeting with the 45:39.786 --> 45:43.010 senior officials in Japan and Korea . 45:43.490 --> 45:46.690 As you have may have everything in the 45:46.700 --> 45:50.250 media reports , there are new emerging 45:50.250 --> 45:52.460 rift between these two countries 45:52.460 --> 45:55.210 dependent Korea , two close allies of 45:55.220 --> 45:58.170 the United States over some wartime 45:58.170 --> 46:00.680 history . For example , the korean 46:00.680 --> 46:03.740 president Moon Jae in is canceling his 46:03.740 --> 46:06.590 plane travel to Tokyo and to meet with 46:06.870 --> 46:09.750 Japanese Prime Minister . First , I 46:09.750 --> 46:11.750 will let you know , do you have any 46:11.750 --> 46:14.780 comment on the latest development ? So 46:14.780 --> 46:17.480 I don't have any comments on travel 46:17.480 --> 46:20.860 plans or potential meetings between 46:20.870 --> 46:22.926 uh those countries . I would need to 46:22.926 --> 46:25.148 refer you to them for comments , what I 46:25.148 --> 46:27.259 would say broadly . And as you know , 46:27.259 --> 46:29.370 Deputy Secretary Sherman will have an 46:29.370 --> 46:31.481 opportunity to engage in a trilateral 46:31.481 --> 46:33.450 conversation with our Japanese and 46:33.460 --> 46:36.460 Republic of Korea counterparts later 46:36.470 --> 46:38.748 today Washington time , early tomorrow , 46:38.748 --> 46:41.200 tomorrow morning Tokyo time . But the 46:41.200 --> 46:43.470 broader point that we have made all 46:43.470 --> 46:45.860 along is that a robust and effective 46:45.860 --> 46:47.950 trilateral relationship among the 46:47.950 --> 46:50.061 United States , the Republic of Korea 46:50.061 --> 46:52.006 and Japan . It is critical for our 46:52.006 --> 46:55.110 shared security and common interests in 46:55.120 --> 46:57.009 defending freedom and democracy , 46:57.009 --> 46:59.064 upholding human rights , championing 46:59.064 --> 47:01.287 women's empowerment , combating climate 47:01.287 --> 47:03.453 change , promoting regional and global 47:03.453 --> 47:05.580 peace and security uh and bolstering 47:05.590 --> 47:08.060 law and bolstering the rule of law in 47:08.060 --> 47:10.770 the indo pacific region uh and across 47:10.770 --> 47:13.230 the globe . And so I know that Deputy 47:13.230 --> 47:15.119 Secretary Sherman is engaged in a 47:15.119 --> 47:18.080 series of conversations in uh Tokyo . 47:18.080 --> 47:21.760 Now the trilateral agenda will be 47:21.770 --> 47:25.410 literally on the agenda for her in the 47:25.420 --> 47:27.531 coming hours . We did issue a readout 47:27.531 --> 47:30.240 of her meeting with Japanese , Vice 47:30.240 --> 47:33.000 Foreign Minister mori Tokyo and will 47:33.000 --> 47:35.111 continue to issue readout as her trip 47:35.111 --> 47:37.222 goes forward . Does the United States 47:37.222 --> 47:40.410 has a position over the so called 47:40.420 --> 47:44.260 comfort women issue ? Well , we have 47:44.260 --> 47:47.610 long encouraged the rok rok and Japan 47:47.620 --> 47:50.240 uh to work together on history related 47:50.240 --> 47:52.930 issues in a way that promotes healing 47:52.940 --> 47:56.900 and reconciliation . Uh Secretary 47:56.900 --> 47:59.380 Blinken , who was then Deputy Secretary 47:59.380 --> 48:01.700 Blinken has spent a lot of time um 48:01.710 --> 48:03.932 working and intending to the trilateral 48:03.932 --> 48:07.140 relationship knowing just how important 48:07.150 --> 48:11.040 it is as we stated at the time uh 48:11.050 --> 48:14.710 in 2015 we welcome efforts such as the 48:14.710 --> 48:17.360 2015 agreement between the two 48:17.360 --> 48:20.110 countries as an example of their 48:20.110 --> 48:22.850 commitment to forging a more productive 48:22.860 --> 48:26.380 and constructive bilateral relationship . 48:26.390 --> 48:28.557 And so even while addressing sensitive 48:28.557 --> 48:30.668 historical questions , cooperation on 48:30.668 --> 48:32.779 our common regional and international 48:32.779 --> 48:35.960 priorities must proceed if I may move , 48:35.970 --> 48:39.670 I'm sorry the 48:39.670 --> 48:41.670 secretary's travels to the region , 48:42.170 --> 48:44.170 thank you whether she will go on to 48:44.170 --> 48:46.226 china . I know that was discussed in 48:46.226 --> 48:48.610 the air um and was going to be a game 48:48.610 --> 48:51.690 day call . Well we discussed this a bit 48:51.690 --> 48:53.801 yesterday . I don't have an update to 48:53.801 --> 48:56.180 offer you from what we said then , um 48:56.190 --> 48:59.300 but we have been consistent that we 48:59.310 --> 49:01.900 will continue to explore opportunities 49:01.910 --> 49:04.730 to engage officials from the PRC , 49:04.730 --> 49:07.200 including at senior levels as we did in 49:07.200 --> 49:09.630 the context of Anchorage , as part of 49:09.640 --> 49:12.960 our efforts to advance us interests uh 49:12.970 --> 49:16.710 and uh responsibly manage this very 49:16.710 --> 49:18.877 consequential bilateral relationship . 49:18.970 --> 49:22.810 Um whether it is this travel or any 49:22.820 --> 49:25.270 travel abroad by a senior State 49:25.270 --> 49:26.937 Department official , we make 49:26.937 --> 49:29.100 announcements only once and of course 49:29.110 --> 49:31.950 if we determine that a visit has the 49:31.950 --> 49:34.470 potential to be substantive and 49:34.470 --> 49:37.320 constructive for our purposes . And so 49:37.320 --> 49:39.487 we've been clear that when it comes to 49:39.487 --> 49:41.790 the PRC we will engage when it's in our 49:41.800 --> 49:45.550 interests to do so and we do um remain 49:45.560 --> 49:47.282 uh interested in doing so in a 49:47.282 --> 49:49.920 practical substantive and direct manner . 49:49.920 --> 49:52.087 That certainly remains the case . Have 49:52.087 --> 49:53.920 you gotten any feedback from the 49:53.920 --> 49:56.031 chinese that they're interested ? I'm 49:56.031 --> 49:58.310 not gonna detail any discussions we may 49:58.310 --> 50:00.620 be having in diplomatic channels . What 50:00.620 --> 50:02.787 I'll say is what I said yesterday . If 50:02.787 --> 50:05.064 we have updates to our travel schedule , 50:05.064 --> 50:07.287 we'll be sure to provide them . Yes , I 50:07.287 --> 50:11.230 just fish read out . You mentioned 50:11.230 --> 50:13.286 supply changed the U . S . And Japan 50:13.660 --> 50:15.771 discuss any new initiatives on supply 50:15.771 --> 50:17.716 chain security , particularly with 50:17.716 --> 50:21.390 semiconductors or things of that nature . 50:21.960 --> 50:24.182 Well technology and emerging technology 50:24.182 --> 50:27.900 often is a topic on the agenda . Um 50:27.910 --> 50:31.820 uh We did issue a readout of that 50:31.830 --> 50:34.260 of her discussion with Japanese , Vice 50:34.260 --> 50:37.330 Foreign Minister mori Tokyo . Uh They 50:37.340 --> 50:41.040 discussed their commitment to the U . S . 50:41.040 --> 50:43.650 Japan alliance which remains the 50:43.650 --> 50:45.650 cornerstone of peace , security and 50:45.650 --> 50:47.650 prosperity and a free and open indo 50:47.650 --> 50:49.817 pacific region uh and their commitment 50:49.817 --> 50:51.830 to importantly the rules based 50:51.840 --> 50:54.062 international order as well as to those 50:54.062 --> 50:56.007 shared values of democracy , human 50:56.007 --> 50:58.229 rights and the rule of law . The Deputy 50:58.229 --> 51:00.340 Secretary as we said , reiterated our 51:00.340 --> 51:02.507 commitment to the immediate resolution 51:02.507 --> 51:04.562 of the abduction issue . She and the 51:04.562 --> 51:06.784 vice foreign minister discussed efforts 51:06.784 --> 51:09.050 to support the people of burma uh in 51:09.050 --> 51:11.430 their efforts to see uh their democracy 51:11.430 --> 51:13.541 restored uh and they also highlighted 51:13.541 --> 51:15.374 the importance of us , Japan Rok 51:15.374 --> 51:17.670 cooperation as we said before to meet 51:17.670 --> 51:20.780 global challenges of the 21st century . 51:20.960 --> 51:24.290 There also was a discussion of ensuring 51:24.300 --> 51:27.010 strong supply chains . These are 51:27.020 --> 51:29.490 especially uh important to us that we 51:29.490 --> 51:31.960 work together with other democracies 51:31.960 --> 51:34.127 and other advanced economies to ensure 51:34.127 --> 51:35.960 we're doing all we can and we're 51:35.960 --> 51:39.050 doubling our efforts but I don't have 51:39.050 --> 51:41.272 any more to offer you on that front . I 51:41.272 --> 51:43.161 don't think the readout mentioned 51:43.161 --> 51:45.217 chinese cyber activities , but given 51:45.217 --> 51:47.161 the statement put out by the White 51:47.161 --> 51:49.272 House yesterday with cyber activities 51:49.272 --> 51:51.217 by the PRC . Also discussed during 51:51.217 --> 51:53.439 their bilateral , I'm not in a position 51:53.439 --> 51:55.494 to go beyond the readout in terms of 51:55.494 --> 51:57.606 what they discussed , but what I will 51:57.606 --> 52:01.070 say is that broadly we have discussed 52:01.650 --> 52:04.410 the PRC is malicious cyber activity 52:04.420 --> 52:07.700 with a broad range of countries , and 52:07.710 --> 52:11.600 that is precisely why yesterday we 52:11.600 --> 52:15.090 were in a position to include so many 52:15.100 --> 52:18.670 of our partners and allies . Um in 52:18.680 --> 52:20.920 that response , The response included 52:20.930 --> 52:24.880 all 30 NATO allies , all 27 Eu members , 52:25.050 --> 52:27.600 non NATO allies like Australia , japan 52:27.600 --> 52:29.810 and New Zealand . I think all of this 52:29.810 --> 52:31.699 underscores the point that shared 52:31.699 --> 52:33.866 concerns regarding the PRC's malicious 52:33.866 --> 52:36.490 cyber activities are in some ways 52:36.500 --> 52:39.010 bringing countries around the world 52:39.020 --> 52:41.870 together to call out those activities 52:41.880 --> 52:43.602 to promote network defense and 52:43.602 --> 52:46.050 cybersecurity uh and to act in unison 52:46.050 --> 52:50.000 and tandem to disrupt threats to 52:50.000 --> 52:52.330 our economies uh and national security . 52:52.340 --> 52:56.220 Yes , get the readout , of course , 52:56.220 --> 52:58.442 last night , at the Secretary's meeting 52:58.442 --> 53:00.910 with Mr kinoshita , she afterward was 53:00.910 --> 53:03.470 talking about a desire for further 53:03.470 --> 53:06.010 sanctions on the lukashenko , the 53:06.010 --> 53:08.232 government . Um do you have any details 53:08.232 --> 53:10.670 about other about the discussions on 53:10.670 --> 53:12.614 that topic in particular ? Is that 53:12.614 --> 53:14.614 something is under consideration to 53:14.614 --> 53:16.837 expand the range of sanctions that well 53:16.837 --> 53:19.120 broadly , as you know , yesterday , Mr 53:19.310 --> 53:22.110 Sky uh did meet with Secretary Blinken , 53:22.110 --> 53:24.540 who stopped by a meeting that Miss 53:24.550 --> 53:26.980 Chicken , like I was having with under 53:26.980 --> 53:29.147 Secretary of State Nuland , along with 53:29.147 --> 53:31.369 Department um Councillor Derek chalet . 53:31.369 --> 53:34.240 Uh the level of engagement that we saw 53:34.240 --> 53:38.160 yesterday with Mr Zhivanevskaya um uh 53:38.170 --> 53:40.800 was an unprecedented level engagement 53:40.810 --> 53:43.990 with a belarussian leader in this 53:44.000 --> 53:46.540 century . Um Look , when it comes to 53:46.550 --> 53:49.360 sanctions , we as you know , we don't 53:49.360 --> 53:52.470 preview sanctions actions , but as 53:52.480 --> 53:55.480 evidenced by our most recent joint 53:55.700 --> 53:59.270 Sanctions announcement on June 21 , we 53:59.270 --> 54:01.492 know that sanctions are a powerful tool 54:01.492 --> 54:03.214 and one that the United States 54:03.214 --> 54:05.437 continues to use in an effort to change 54:05.437 --> 54:07.659 the behavior of the lukashenka regime . 54:07.659 --> 54:09.881 On May 28th , moreover , the United the 54:09.881 --> 54:13.110 White House announced that the Treasury 54:13.110 --> 54:14.943 Department would develop for the 54:14.943 --> 54:16.999 President's review , a new executive 54:16.999 --> 54:18.943 order that would provide increased 54:18.943 --> 54:20.820 sanctions authorities to address 54:20.820 --> 54:24.440 precisely what we see going on in 54:24.450 --> 54:26.420 Belarus , the repression , the 54:26.420 --> 54:28.800 crackdown , um the continued 54:28.800 --> 54:31.300 imprisonment of political prisoners and 54:31.300 --> 54:34.160 political opponents . Um We stand with 54:34.160 --> 54:36.216 the people of Belarus and members of 54:36.216 --> 54:38.271 its civil society . We support their 54:38.271 --> 54:40.800 aspirations for a democratic , free and 54:40.800 --> 54:43.090 prosperous future . We also echo their 54:43.090 --> 54:45.240 calls for the regime to respect human 54:45.240 --> 54:47.480 rights and fundamental freedoms . And 54:47.480 --> 54:49.650 so we are committed to close 54:49.650 --> 54:51.706 coordination with like minded allies 54:51.706 --> 54:53.928 and partners on next steps , just as we 54:53.928 --> 54:55.817 have been , and demonstrating our 54:55.817 --> 54:57.720 response to the crackdown to the 54:57.720 --> 55:00.340 outrageous actions in recent weeks of 55:00.340 --> 55:03.090 the lukashenka regime . We support 55:03.100 --> 55:05.340 international efforts to independently 55:05.350 --> 55:07.628 look into Belarus is flawed . Election , 55:07.628 --> 55:09.683 it's human rights abuses surrounding 55:09.683 --> 55:11.628 the election in the crackdown that 55:11.628 --> 55:13.572 followed in the United States will 55:13.572 --> 55:15.683 remain actively engaged in this going 55:15.683 --> 55:15.420 forward . Quickly follow up , she said 55:15.420 --> 55:17.587 she gave the administration a specific 55:17.587 --> 55:19.809 list of targets . She would like to see 55:19.809 --> 55:21.642 sanctions knowing that you can't 55:21.642 --> 55:21.410 previous sandwiches , can you say 55:21.410 --> 55:23.580 whether the administration is taking 55:23.580 --> 55:26.270 that list into account next step ? So 55:26.270 --> 55:28.492 again , I'm not in position to speak to 55:28.492 --> 55:30.381 private discussions . She did say 55:30.381 --> 55:32.214 publicly that it was a very good 55:32.214 --> 55:34.437 discussion . I think we would certainly 55:34.437 --> 55:36.850 agree with that characterization . Mhm . 55:37.240 --> 55:39.351 I ask you very quickly about Jordan , 55:39.351 --> 55:41.629 the meeting with the king this morning . 55:41.629 --> 55:43.796 Secretary . I just want to know if the 55:43.796 --> 55:46.570 Tamimi extradition issue came up , as 55:46.580 --> 55:49.980 you're aware last year and then 55:49.980 --> 55:51.813 ambassador nominee . But now the 55:51.813 --> 55:54.550 ambassador told the Senate Foreign 55:54.550 --> 55:57.140 Relations Committee that withholding 55:57.140 --> 55:59.890 aid aid could be used as leverage to 55:59.890 --> 56:02.110 secure her expedition to the States to 56:02.120 --> 56:04.920 face . Well , I expect we'll have a 56:04.920 --> 56:07.142 readout of the secretary's meeting with 56:07.142 --> 56:09.364 his majesty , the king later today when 56:09.364 --> 56:11.587 it comes to missile to Mimi , she is on 56:11.587 --> 56:13.809 the FBI's most wanted list for her role 56:13.809 --> 56:16.031 in the 2001 Hamas attack in Jerusalem . 56:16.031 --> 56:18.240 We continue to seek her extradition 56:18.240 --> 56:20.810 will continue to work to ensure that 56:20.810 --> 56:22.921 she faces justice . Yeah . Well , did 56:22.921 --> 56:25.350 it come up not in a position to speak 56:25.350 --> 56:27.517 to the meeting , but we'll have a read 56:27.517 --> 56:29.239 out . Are you are you has this 56:29.239 --> 56:31.350 administration yet raised with raised 56:31.350 --> 56:33.572 the matter with Jordanian authorities , 56:33.572 --> 56:35.794 king or not ? Or is this something that 56:35.794 --> 56:37.906 would have just come up for the first 56:37.906 --> 56:40.128 time today ? This issue has been raised 56:40.128 --> 56:42.300 with our Jordanian partners . I just 56:42.300 --> 56:44.244 want to follow on from yesterday . 56:44.244 --> 56:46.411 Sorry , didn't ask yesterday . But you 56:46.411 --> 56:48.633 mentioned the strategic dialogue coming 56:48.633 --> 56:50.689 up with Iraq one question to ask the 56:50.689 --> 56:52.467 issue of troop levels . Is that 56:52.467 --> 56:54.411 something that's going to be under 56:54.411 --> 56:56.744 discussion ? You think on friday ? Well , 56:56.744 --> 56:58.578 what I will say is that our sole 56:58.578 --> 57:01.110 mission in Iraq is to secure the 57:01.110 --> 57:04.410 enduring defeat of ISIS ? Uh We are in 57:04.420 --> 57:06.640 Iraq at the invitation of the 57:06.640 --> 57:08.807 government of Iraq to enable the Iraqi 57:08.807 --> 57:12.140 security forces as they lead the fight 57:12.150 --> 57:14.920 against ISIS . As as you said , we will 57:14.920 --> 57:17.550 have a an opportunity to engage in a 57:17.550 --> 57:20.560 strategic dialogue with our Iraqi 57:20.560 --> 57:23.680 partners later this week . Um but I 57:23.680 --> 57:27.470 wouldn't want to preview uh that 57:27.470 --> 57:30.970 session before it starts . Yes . Quick . 57:30.970 --> 57:34.230 Final question . Yeah . Do you know if 57:34.230 --> 57:37.440 Secretary , I've spoken to Dr 57:37.590 --> 57:40.840 Arborio Andre or any senior 57:40.970 --> 57:43.400 administration official families 57:43.400 --> 57:46.520 building , spoken to Andre since he's 57:46.530 --> 57:48.308 being sworn in as the new prime 57:48.308 --> 57:50.460 minister , and is there any plan to 57:50.460 --> 57:53.100 invite him over to visit the United 57:53.100 --> 57:55.810 States ? Thank you . Well , I think you 57:55.810 --> 57:57.977 have all seen that we are expecting an 57:57.977 --> 57:59.810 installation ceremony later this 57:59.810 --> 58:02.290 afternoon . I would similarly expect 58:02.300 --> 58:05.560 that after uh that uh installation 58:05.560 --> 58:08.790 ceremony , uh you will see a statement 58:08.800 --> 58:11.940 uh from us . Uh we have uh 58:12.320 --> 58:16.260 continued to be in regular contact with 58:16.270 --> 58:20.150 political actors uh in Haiti at various 58:20.150 --> 58:22.720 levels . Secretary Blinken , uh , in 58:22.720 --> 58:24.442 the immediate aftermath of the 58:24.442 --> 58:26.553 assassination of President Louise did 58:26.553 --> 58:30.040 take part in uh several calls . Uh 58:30.050 --> 58:33.510 the embassy in Port au Prince continues 58:33.510 --> 58:35.890 to maintain a dialogue as have senior 58:35.890 --> 58:39.070 department officials here in uh 58:39.080 --> 58:41.750 Washington . I would expect that we 58:41.750 --> 58:44.210 will have opportunities for additional 58:44.220 --> 58:46.810 senior uh , community , uh , high level 58:46.820 --> 58:49.120 communications , uh , going forward . 58:49.130 --> 58:51.150 But obviously , we're going to be 58:51.520 --> 58:53.360 watching today as we expect the 58:53.360 --> 58:55.304 installation ceremony take place . 58:55.304 --> 58:57.527 Thank you all very much . We'll see you 58:57.527 --> 58:59.820 tomorrow . Mhm . Yeah .