WEBVTT 00:07.540 --> 00:08.540 Good afternoon 00:12.440 --> 00:14.750 a couple of things at the top today and 00:14.750 --> 00:16.860 then we'll move on to your questions 00:16.860 --> 00:18.760 first . Today's announcement of 00:18.760 --> 00:20.816 deferred enforced departure for Hong 00:20.816 --> 00:22.982 kong residents currently in the United 00:22.982 --> 00:25.038 States provides Hong kongers who are 00:25.038 --> 00:27.204 concerned about returning to Hong kong 00:27.204 --> 00:29.093 with temporary safe haven in this 00:29.093 --> 00:31.570 country . The United States will differ 00:31.580 --> 00:33.802 the enforced departure of all Hong Kong 00:33.802 --> 00:36.024 residents who are physically present in 00:36.024 --> 00:38.590 the United States as of today , August 00:38.590 --> 00:41.280 5 , 2021 for a period of up to 18 00:41.280 --> 00:43.560 months . The United States stands in 00:43.560 --> 00:45.782 solidarity with the people in Hong kong 00:45.782 --> 00:48.120 in the face of cruel repression by the 00:48.120 --> 00:50.920 PRC . This is not just about the United 00:50.920 --> 00:53.031 States standing up for people in Hong 00:53.031 --> 00:55.400 kong . We join our allies and partners 00:55.400 --> 00:57.622 including the United Kingdom Canada and 00:57.622 --> 01:00.040 Australia and offering options to those 01:00.040 --> 01:02.860 who fear returning to Hong kong . Our 01:02.860 --> 01:04.916 announcement today is in response to 01:04.916 --> 01:06.804 the PRC and Hong kong authorities 01:06.804 --> 01:08.860 repeated actions to undermine rights 01:08.860 --> 01:11.090 and freedoms guaranteed by the basic 01:11.090 --> 01:13.380 law and the sino joint declaration , 01:13.390 --> 01:15.223 which is a binding international 01:15.223 --> 01:17.770 agreement . We strongly urge Beijing 01:17.770 --> 01:19.714 and Hong kong authorities to cease 01:19.714 --> 01:21.937 their continued attacks on Hong kongers 01:21.937 --> 01:23.937 for exercising protected rights and 01:23.937 --> 01:26.103 freedoms and that includes the freedom 01:26.103 --> 01:28.326 of peaceful assembly and expression and 01:28.326 --> 01:30.103 to allow people in Hong kong to 01:30.103 --> 01:32.214 participate meaningfully in their own 01:32.214 --> 01:34.326 governance . We again call on the PRC 01:34.326 --> 01:35.937 and Hong kong authorities to 01:35.937 --> 01:38.159 immediately and unconditionally release 01:38.159 --> 01:40.381 those detained or imprisoned solely for 01:40.381 --> 01:42.492 exercising their fundamental freedoms 01:43.540 --> 01:45.350 yesterday . U . S . A . I . D . 01:45.350 --> 01:47.517 Administrator Samantha power announced 01:47.517 --> 01:50.460 over $720 million in new funding to 01:50.460 --> 01:52.560 intensify the fight against Covid 19 01:52.560 --> 01:55.060 abroad , respond to humanitarian crises 01:55.060 --> 01:57.660 exacerbated by Covid 19 and support a 01:57.660 --> 01:59.660 global recovery while preparing for 01:59.660 --> 02:01.640 future pandemic threats . This 02:01.640 --> 02:03.751 announcement caps the end of her trip 02:03.751 --> 02:05.918 to Ethiopia , where she emphasized the 02:05.918 --> 02:07.918 urgent need for full and unhindered 02:07.918 --> 02:10.050 humanitarian access in Ethiopia's 02:10.050 --> 02:12.570 Tigray region and reiterated the us 02:12.570 --> 02:14.792 commitment to support African countries 02:14.792 --> 02:16.930 in their response to the COVID-19 02:16.940 --> 02:18.829 pandemic . During her visit , the 02:18.829 --> 02:20.662 Administrator toured USA I . D . 02:20.662 --> 02:22.884 Supported food commodities warehouse in 02:22.884 --> 02:24.773 a Covid treatment center and join 02:24.773 --> 02:26.829 humanitarian partners to discuss the 02:26.829 --> 02:28.940 response to efforts in Tigre . In the 02:28.940 --> 02:31.107 lead up to the administrative travel , 02:31.107 --> 02:33.329 the US announced more than $149 million 02:33.329 --> 02:35.273 dollars in additional humanitarian 02:35.273 --> 02:37.384 assistance to help people affected by 02:37.384 --> 02:39.273 the ongoing conflict . In Tigre . 02:39.273 --> 02:42.050 Administrative power met with dr john 02:43.150 --> 02:45.150 director of the African Centers for 02:45.150 --> 02:47.039 Disease control and Prevention to 02:47.039 --> 02:49.094 discuss the expansion of the U . S . 02:49.094 --> 02:50.706 Government partnership . The 02:50.706 --> 02:52.706 Administrator also held substantive 02:52.706 --> 02:54.594 frank discussions with Ethiopia's 02:54.594 --> 02:56.940 Minister of Peace Camille and 02:56.940 --> 02:58.940 separately with the Chairman of the 02:58.940 --> 03:01.162 Ethiopian Red Cross . She later had the 03:01.162 --> 03:03.384 chance to meet with young civil society 03:03.384 --> 03:05.329 leaders to discuss ethnic conflict 03:05.329 --> 03:07.440 Tigre and the future of the country . 03:07.440 --> 03:09.607 Among other issues before her visit to 03:09.607 --> 03:11.662 Ethiopia . Administrator Power spent 03:11.662 --> 03:13.829 four days in Sudan where she met where 03:13.829 --> 03:15.829 she met with Prime Minister Abdalla 03:15.829 --> 03:17.829 Hamdan Sovereign council Chairman , 03:17.829 --> 03:19.773 Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al 03:19.773 --> 03:21.773 Burhan Foreign Minister , Dr Miriam 03:21.773 --> 03:23.440 Almaty and other transitional 03:23.440 --> 03:25.607 government leaders as well as citizens 03:25.607 --> 03:27.718 who led the protests that resulted in 03:27.718 --> 03:29.840 former dictator Omar Omar al bashir's 03:29.850 --> 03:32.750 overthrow in 2019 . In a speech to 03:32.750 --> 03:34.694 students , academics and democracy 03:34.694 --> 03:36.917 activists at the University of Khartoum 03:36.917 --> 03:38.694 earlier this week on august 3rd 03:38.694 --> 03:40.694 Administrator of Power announced an 03:40.694 --> 03:42.720 additional $4.3 million to support 03:42.730 --> 03:45.660 electoral processes in Sudan . Making a 03:45.660 --> 03:48.620 total of $12 million . U . S . A . I . 03:48.620 --> 03:50.731 D . Has committed an election related 03:50.731 --> 03:52.564 assistance as Sudan prepares for 03:52.564 --> 03:55.500 democratic elections in 2024 she spoke 03:55.500 --> 03:57.556 with displaced communities in Darfur 03:57.556 --> 03:59.556 and Ethiopian refugees who fled the 03:59.556 --> 04:01.611 herring conflict in Tigre to Eastern 04:01.611 --> 04:03.944 Sudan and saw some of the U . S . A . I . 04:03.944 --> 04:06.000 D . Programs that are providing them 04:06.000 --> 04:08.470 with life saving assistance . So with 04:08.470 --> 04:10.748 that , happy to turn to your questions , 04:10.840 --> 04:13.250 Hey , thanks and sorry , I don't I 04:13.250 --> 04:15.361 don't have everything really to start 04:15.361 --> 04:17.694 with . But just on the Hong kong things , 04:17.694 --> 04:19.861 uh there are a bunch of questions that 04:19.861 --> 04:21.972 this raises , but I suspect that they 04:21.972 --> 04:24.680 will be more D . A . They're probably 04:24.690 --> 04:28.250 Dhs questions . So in terms of like 04:28.260 --> 04:30.870 what kind of passports that the Hong 04:30.870 --> 04:32.814 kongers have , whether they're the 04:32.814 --> 04:35.130 british overseas national passports or 04:35.130 --> 04:37.900 chinese passports , does that matter ? 04:37.900 --> 04:41.790 Or is this should specifics of 04:41.790 --> 04:43.660 this , go to DHS many of those 04:43.660 --> 04:45.882 questions about enforcement would would 04:45.882 --> 04:49.760 need to go to Dhs great , Sure , sure . 04:51.940 --> 04:54.051 Can you give us a little better sense 04:54.051 --> 04:56.329 of , you know , that 18 month decision , 04:56.329 --> 04:58.662 you know , what happens after 18 months ? 04:58.662 --> 05:01.670 Is there a plan in the works to offer , 05:01.680 --> 05:03.736 you know , the equivalent of refugee 05:03.736 --> 05:05.791 status to Hong kongers who looked to 05:05.791 --> 05:09.700 leave The territory to the US um 05:09.710 --> 05:12.710 and I mean if in 18 months , you know , 05:12.710 --> 05:14.766 their status hasn't changed and they 05:14.766 --> 05:16.543 have to go back , how does that 05:16.543 --> 05:18.766 actually help presidents of Hong kong ? 05:18.766 --> 05:20.766 Well , in terms of how this program 05:20.766 --> 05:22.988 will work , as I told matches now , the 05:22.988 --> 05:25.043 Department of Homeland Security will 05:25.043 --> 05:27.266 have additional details on the deferred 05:27.266 --> 05:29.377 enforcement departure , including the 05:29.377 --> 05:31.599 mechanics of it in details they will be 05:31.599 --> 05:33.821 providing information to make sure that 05:33.821 --> 05:35.988 eligible individuals In this country . 05:35.988 --> 05:38.099 That is to say residents of Hong Kong 05:38.099 --> 05:40.321 who are based here as of today , August 05:40.321 --> 05:42.377 five , you know how to proceed given 05:42.377 --> 05:44.720 this announcement from a policy 05:44.720 --> 05:47.360 perspective , what this announcement 05:47.370 --> 05:49.570 signals is very clear . Uh It is a 05:49.570 --> 05:51.626 testament to the fact that the biden 05:51.626 --> 05:55.120 administration will has and will 05:55.130 --> 05:57.350 continue to take steps to ensure that 05:57.360 --> 06:00.210 our foreign policy aligns with our 06:00.210 --> 06:02.740 values we have and we will stand up for 06:02.740 --> 06:06.000 all of those who are struggling 06:06.010 --> 06:09.800 to uh defend their rights to 06:09.800 --> 06:12.260 defend uh 06:12.740 --> 06:16.310 the uh to defend 06:16.320 --> 06:18.830 their democracy . Uh there are a number 06:18.830 --> 06:20.910 of tools we have at our disposal to 06:20.910 --> 06:23.800 demonstrate that support uh this is 06:23.810 --> 06:26.700 just one tool of many . Uh each 06:26.700 --> 06:29.290 situation is different as we have said 06:29.300 --> 06:31.390 even in recent weeks , we have 06:31.390 --> 06:33.820 announced a number of measures to 06:33.820 --> 06:37.240 support the aspirations of the people 06:37.240 --> 06:40.540 of Hong kong to defend what was given 06:40.550 --> 06:43.560 to them , what was guaranteed by the 06:43.560 --> 06:46.290 PRC to them . You have heard us talk 06:46.290 --> 06:48.940 about the Hong kong business advisory 06:48.950 --> 06:51.260 uh that we released last month 06:51.270 --> 06:54.500 essentially warning american businesses 06:54.510 --> 06:57.560 of the deteriorating climate for the 06:57.560 --> 06:59.580 private sector in Hong kong . Uh In 06:59.580 --> 07:01.636 conjunction with that we announced a 07:01.636 --> 07:04.720 series of sanctions on PRC and Hong 07:04.720 --> 07:08.220 kong authorities uh Today this deferred 07:08.220 --> 07:11.050 enforced departure announcement that 07:11.060 --> 07:13.300 President biden made and that you've 07:13.300 --> 07:15.522 heard more about from the Department of 07:15.522 --> 07:17.578 State and the Department of Homeland 07:17.578 --> 07:19.633 Security and all throughout our work 07:19.633 --> 07:22.270 with um the international community , 07:22.280 --> 07:26.270 our partners around the world in europe 07:26.280 --> 07:30.210 in the indo pacific to make 07:30.210 --> 07:33.280 clear that the United States and our 07:33.280 --> 07:35.280 like minded allies and partners are 07:35.280 --> 07:38.420 standing with the people of Hong kong 07:38.430 --> 07:41.970 uh that we are by their side as they 07:41.970 --> 07:44.390 are seeking to protect again uh that 07:44.390 --> 07:46.390 which was guaranteed to them rather 07:46.390 --> 07:48.600 than just deferring . Uh This 07:48.600 --> 07:50.489 enforcement is the administration 07:50.489 --> 07:52.580 considering any scenario under which 07:52.580 --> 07:55.030 you would offer permanent residency to 07:55.040 --> 07:57.250 Hong kongers who are in the US or Hong 07:57.250 --> 08:00.270 kongers who want to flee uh Hong kong 08:00.270 --> 08:02.940 to the U . S . Well what is true is 08:02.940 --> 08:05.800 that residents from Hong kong can be 08:05.810 --> 08:08.390 referred for consideration to the U . S . 08:08.390 --> 08:10.910 Refugee admissions program by the U . N . 08:10.910 --> 08:13.243 High commissioner for refugees or any U . 08:13.243 --> 08:15.780 S embassy . Uh Any resident from Hong 08:15.780 --> 08:18.550 kong referred to the U . S . Refugee 08:18.550 --> 08:21.150 admissions program and guaranteed and 08:21.150 --> 08:23.570 granted refugee status will be admitted 08:23.580 --> 08:25.802 consistent with the annual presidential 08:25.802 --> 08:27.913 determination on refugee admissions . 08:27.913 --> 08:29.969 Uh There isn't as you know , at this 08:29.969 --> 08:32.024 time , a special program uh for Hong 08:32.024 --> 08:34.410 kong residents from Hong kong referred 08:34.410 --> 08:36.690 to the program will be required to pass 08:36.700 --> 08:38.867 the same security and health screening 08:38.867 --> 08:40.867 as any other refugee in the U . S . 08:40.867 --> 08:42.922 Refugee admissions program . What we 08:42.922 --> 08:45.033 did today of course , applies to Hong 08:45.033 --> 08:47.200 kong residents who are already in this 08:47.200 --> 08:50.650 country , really just to bring it back . 08:51.040 --> 08:54.240 Why now ? Why not a month ago ? What is 08:54.240 --> 08:56.407 the us seeing that's happening in Hong 08:56.407 --> 08:58.680 kong that made the government say we 08:58.680 --> 09:00.620 need to protect people who 09:00.630 --> 09:03.000 theoretically could be facing real harm 09:03.000 --> 09:05.260 if they were to go back Say Today , 09:05.260 --> 09:07.580 August five . Well , the why now 09:07.580 --> 09:09.980 question is all around us . Uh and 09:09.980 --> 09:13.290 virtually every week we have spoken of 09:13.300 --> 09:16.740 additional uh crackdowns of 09:16.740 --> 09:20.150 additional incidents of repression , of 09:20.160 --> 09:22.500 continuing efforts by the part of PRC 09:22.500 --> 09:25.940 and Hong kong authorities to assault uh 09:25.950 --> 09:29.520 the um fundamental rights freedoms and 09:29.520 --> 09:32.710 again the guarantees that to which the 09:32.710 --> 09:36.160 people of Hong kong were promised . Uh 09:36.170 --> 09:38.760 it is clear when you look at what is 09:38.760 --> 09:42.520 happening that PRC authorities seek to 09:42.520 --> 09:44.910 use the tools that they have given 09:44.910 --> 09:47.077 themselves and that includes of course 09:47.077 --> 09:49.077 the national security law and other 09:49.077 --> 09:52.320 legislation to make arbitrary arrests , 09:52.330 --> 09:55.860 politically motivated prosecutions of 09:55.870 --> 09:58.230 opposition candidates and politicians , 09:58.230 --> 10:02.070 activists and peaceful protesters with 10:02.080 --> 10:04.302 the goal , it seems , are certainly the 10:04.302 --> 10:06.980 end result of creating an atmosphere of 10:06.990 --> 10:10.860 fear of self censorship of 10:10.870 --> 10:14.270 repression among the general populace . 10:14.280 --> 10:17.170 And our measures today are a response 10:17.170 --> 10:20.220 to these and other actions by the PRC 10:20.220 --> 10:22.109 and other Hong kong and Hong kong 10:22.109 --> 10:25.350 authorities to undermine again what was 10:25.350 --> 10:27.461 promised to the people of Hong kong . 10:27.461 --> 10:29.794 And that is the high degree of autonomy . 10:29.794 --> 10:32.950 The freedoms uh for people in Hong kong 10:33.020 --> 10:36.950 and its democratic institutions were 10:36.950 --> 10:39.850 affected by this memorandum or if 10:39.850 --> 10:41.739 that's not available , what's the 10:41.739 --> 10:43.739 number of chinese citizens arriving 10:43.739 --> 10:45.794 from Hong kong who are in the United 10:45.794 --> 10:48.490 States right now . Uh I don't have 10:48.490 --> 10:50.712 those numbers with me . We'll see if we 10:50.712 --> 10:52.934 can offer anything on on that front for 10:52.934 --> 10:55.101 you to do these things . Does the date 10:55.101 --> 10:57.410 get renewed as well ? Like if someone 10:57.410 --> 10:59.466 from Hong kong were to come tomorrow 10:59.840 --> 11:02.840 fleeing persecution from the National 11:02.840 --> 11:04.784 Security law , is that the kind of 11:04.784 --> 11:07.007 thing that has been renewed in the past 11:07.007 --> 11:09.173 where the date the date is renewed and 11:09.173 --> 11:11.118 and future future people could get 11:11.118 --> 11:13.340 protection . There are various programs 11:13.340 --> 11:15.340 that afford this type of protection 11:15.340 --> 11:18.840 deferred enforced departure is one uh 11:18.850 --> 11:21.060 There is a separate program temporary 11:21.060 --> 11:23.282 protected status with which you are all 11:23.282 --> 11:26.090 aware . Uh We are always evaluating 11:26.100 --> 11:28.211 conditions on the ground in countries 11:28.310 --> 11:30.750 to which these programs apply . So this 11:30.750 --> 11:32.750 is what we're announcing today , as 11:32.750 --> 11:35.083 I've said before . Even in recent weeks , 11:35.083 --> 11:37.028 we've announced a series of policy 11:37.028 --> 11:36.990 measures to indicate that we're 11:36.990 --> 11:39.101 standing with the people of Hong kong 11:39.101 --> 11:41.323 the business advisory , the sanctions , 11:41.323 --> 11:43.546 the statements the spotlight that we're 11:43.546 --> 11:45.490 putting on , what is what has been 11:45.490 --> 11:48.140 going on in Hong kong uh for some time 11:48.140 --> 11:50.940 now . So if conditions warrant and um 11:50.990 --> 11:53.000 an additional policy response is 11:53.000 --> 11:55.540 appropriate , we will um make that 11:55.550 --> 11:59.150 clear . Yes . Does the State Department 11:59.150 --> 12:01.150 have any way to collect data on how 12:01.150 --> 12:03.261 many people from Hong kong arrived in 12:03.261 --> 12:05.261 the U . S . I believe most of these 12:05.261 --> 12:07.428 questions will need to go to DHS . You 12:07.428 --> 12:09.483 don't , I mean you might get it from 12:09.483 --> 12:11.539 DHS but unless they've gotten a visa 12:11.640 --> 12:13.751 and even if they have gotten a visa , 12:13.940 --> 12:16.070 if they need a visa to get in , you 12:16.070 --> 12:19.110 wouldn't you wouldn't know first off , 12:19.120 --> 12:21.120 I mean you might know if you get it 12:21.120 --> 12:22.950 from we talked we talked to our 12:22.950 --> 12:25.172 interagency partners quite frequently . 12:25.172 --> 12:27.228 Yes . Yeah . I know . But you do not 12:27.228 --> 12:29.260 collect that information that is 12:29.270 --> 12:33.190 primarily a DHS issue correct . Uh Iran 12:33.190 --> 12:35.301 and then I'll go the back shirt . The 12:35.540 --> 12:39.250 new Iranian president sent some mixed 12:39.260 --> 12:42.240 messages today saying he's ready to 12:42.240 --> 12:44.630 support any diplomatic plans to lift 12:44.630 --> 12:47.140 the sanctions but also that he won't 12:47.150 --> 12:49.261 back down from defending their rights 12:49.261 --> 12:52.630 and their nuclear program . Are you now 12:52.630 --> 12:56.070 that he's in place ? Are you telling 12:56.070 --> 12:58.570 the Iranian government that now is the 12:58.570 --> 13:01.260 time to resume talks in jena or are you 13:01.260 --> 13:04.040 ready to wait for some more time ? Well , 13:04.040 --> 13:06.040 we wouldn't want to weigh in on the 13:06.040 --> 13:08.262 messages that the new Iranian president 13:08.262 --> 13:10.429 may or may not be sending . What I can 13:10.429 --> 13:12.490 say is that our message to President 13:12.500 --> 13:16.010 Raissi is the same as our message 13:16.010 --> 13:18.680 to his predecessors . And that is very 13:18.680 --> 13:21.700 simple . The US will defend and advance 13:21.700 --> 13:23.700 our national security interests and 13:23.700 --> 13:25.756 those of our partners . We hope that 13:25.756 --> 13:28.620 Iran seizes the opportunity now to 13:28.630 --> 13:31.040 advance diplomatic solutions and the 13:31.040 --> 13:33.730 diplomatic solutions that are before 13:33.730 --> 13:37.100 all of us were waiting to see as I've 13:37.100 --> 13:39.410 said before , the approach that the new 13:39.410 --> 13:42.230 government in Iran will take uh and we 13:42.230 --> 13:45.810 will in turn respond in consultation 13:45.810 --> 13:47.921 with our partners . For our part , we 13:47.921 --> 13:49.754 have made very clear that we are 13:49.754 --> 13:51.921 prepared to return to Vienna to resume 13:51.921 --> 13:54.070 negotiations . We are prepared to do 13:54.070 --> 13:56.181 that for one simple reason . And that 13:56.181 --> 13:58.348 goes back to the message . Our message 13:58.348 --> 14:01.850 to President racy doing so is in our 14:01.860 --> 14:04.720 national security interests . It is in 14:04.730 --> 14:06.952 our national security interests and the 14:06.952 --> 14:08.897 national security interests of our 14:08.897 --> 14:10.952 allies and our partners in the world 14:10.952 --> 14:12.897 over to once again permanently and 14:12.897 --> 14:15.119 verifiably ensure that Iran is not able 14:15.119 --> 14:17.860 to acquire a nuclear weapon . We urge 14:17.870 --> 14:20.650 Iran to return to the negotiations soon 14:20.840 --> 14:24.370 so that we can seek to conclude our 14:24.370 --> 14:27.130 work . We've heard what the new Iranian 14:27.130 --> 14:29.408 president has had to say on that score . 14:29.408 --> 14:32.790 Um but at the same time and the 14:32.790 --> 14:34.679 secretary has said this message . 14:34.679 --> 14:36.846 You've heard it from here as well . Uh 14:36.846 --> 14:39.650 this process cannot go on indefinitely . 14:39.670 --> 14:43.110 Uh the opportunity to achieve a mutual 14:43.110 --> 14:45.443 return to compliance with the J . C . P . 14:45.443 --> 14:48.180 O . A won't last forever . The longer 14:48.190 --> 14:51.500 this goes on , the advantages to our 14:51.500 --> 14:53.980 national security , uh , that would be 14:53.980 --> 14:55.647 accrued by a mutual return to 14:55.647 --> 14:59.370 compliance will start to chip away by 14:59.370 --> 15:02.880 the advancements that Iran is able to 15:02.880 --> 15:06.500 make while the shackles are at present 15:06.500 --> 15:09.020 removed from its nuclear program . So 15:09.030 --> 15:11.252 we're mindful of that and that's why we 15:11.252 --> 15:13.200 urge the new Iranian government to 15:13.200 --> 15:16.140 return to diplomacy . Yes , 15:16.150 --> 15:18.090 again , we're not going to put a 15:18.090 --> 15:21.040 timeline on it . Um , but for us , uh , 15:21.050 --> 15:23.960 this is an urgent priority uh , knowing 15:23.960 --> 15:26.182 the issues that are at play and we hope 15:26.182 --> 15:29.280 the other uh we hope the Iranians 15:29.290 --> 15:31.512 treated with the same degree of urgency 15:31.940 --> 15:34.580 specifically , is the US worried about 15:34.580 --> 15:37.620 losing by this extended delay in the 15:37.620 --> 15:39.670 return to talks . What progress has 15:39.670 --> 15:41.570 been made that you think could be 15:41.570 --> 15:44.170 degrading ? Because there aren't these 15:44.170 --> 15:46.680 conversations happening ? Well , for us , 15:46.690 --> 15:50.100 the more important issue , it's less 15:50.110 --> 15:52.770 the progress that has been achieved in 15:52.780 --> 15:55.550 the sixth round of talks . I think the 15:55.550 --> 15:57.550 United States and our partners , we 15:57.550 --> 15:59.720 assume that the seventh round would 15:59.720 --> 16:01.887 pick up where the sixth round has left 16:01.887 --> 16:03.998 off for us , the more important issue 16:03.998 --> 16:07.080 is what the deal , the implications of 16:07.090 --> 16:10.990 further delays uh for the 16:11.000 --> 16:13.167 broader issue that we're talking about 16:13.167 --> 16:15.167 and that's Iran's nuclear program . 16:15.167 --> 16:18.070 Again , this goes back to the original 16:18.080 --> 16:20.310 advantage of the J . C . P . O . A . 16:20.320 --> 16:23.790 When it was being negotiated in 2014 16:23.790 --> 16:27.430 and 2015 . And uh in the proceeding 16:27.440 --> 16:31.320 talks before that Iran at points was a 16:31.320 --> 16:34.760 handful of months away from being able 16:34.760 --> 16:36.540 to produce the fissile material 16:36.550 --> 16:39.380 required for a nuclear weapon . Should 16:39.380 --> 16:41.491 it decide to weaponize and and pursue 16:41.491 --> 16:43.769 that route ? Uh The advantage of the J . 16:43.769 --> 16:45.824 C . P . O . A . Was that it extended 16:45.824 --> 16:47.900 that so called breakout time to 12 16:47.900 --> 16:51.220 months to a year for us , this has 16:51.220 --> 16:53.660 always been the advantage of the J . C . 16:53.660 --> 16:56.380 P . O . A . Uh It is the extension of 16:56.380 --> 16:59.850 that so called breakout time . But even 16:59.850 --> 17:01.690 more so it's the permanent and 17:01.690 --> 17:04.650 verifiable prohibition on Iran ever 17:04.660 --> 17:07.090 obtaining a nuclear weapon . So now 17:07.100 --> 17:10.170 that Iran has been has distanced itself 17:10.170 --> 17:12.590 from Its nuclear limitations since 17:12.600 --> 17:16.160 2018 . The breakout time , according to 17:16.160 --> 17:19.540 published reports uh is back down to a 17:19.540 --> 17:22.500 handful of months uh for us that is not 17:22.510 --> 17:25.250 a proposition that can last 17:25.260 --> 17:27.427 indefinitely . Uh And it is also not a 17:27.427 --> 17:29.593 proposition that can last indefinitely 17:29.593 --> 17:32.450 when as these nuclear constraints 17:32.460 --> 17:36.090 aren't applied , Iran's 17:36.240 --> 17:39.200 advancements continue day by day . Uh 17:39.200 --> 17:42.210 And we are not comfortable with an 17:42.210 --> 17:45.000 Iranian nuclear program uh that is able 17:45.000 --> 17:47.320 to make advancements without these 17:47.320 --> 17:49.431 checks in place . So that's why we're 17:49.431 --> 17:51.542 treating this as an urgent priority . 17:51.542 --> 17:53.764 We're treating it as an urgent priority 17:53.764 --> 17:55.764 to return to the diplomacy . But um 17:55.764 --> 17:58.990 more so as an urgent priority to ensure 17:59.000 --> 18:01.280 that those permanent and verifiable 18:01.290 --> 18:04.690 limits on Iran's nuclear program and 18:04.690 --> 18:06.357 that permanent and verifiable 18:06.357 --> 18:08.412 prohibition on Iran ever obtaining a 18:08.412 --> 18:10.301 nuclear weapon is back in place . 18:10.301 --> 18:13.520 Anything else on Iran run ? Sorry . 18:14.750 --> 18:18.700 And under sanctions , President 18:18.700 --> 18:20.700 Racy said today , as he said in the 18:20.700 --> 18:23.310 past , that is focused is on lifting 18:23.310 --> 18:25.310 the sanctions . Now , you guys have 18:25.310 --> 18:27.421 said in the past that you are willing 18:27.421 --> 18:29.588 to consider lifting the sanctions that 18:29.588 --> 18:31.588 were imposed under Former President 18:31.588 --> 18:33.860 trump is that the case we would adapt , 18:34.340 --> 18:36.507 that probably covers all the sanctions 18:36.507 --> 18:38.784 that Iran would want to lift it . Well , 18:38.784 --> 18:42.430 again , the nature of uh 18:42.440 --> 18:45.340 sanctions relief is a primary topic of 18:45.340 --> 18:48.610 discussion uh in Vienna . Uh if 18:48.620 --> 18:51.380 President racy uh is genuine in his 18:51.380 --> 18:53.324 determination to see the sanctions 18:53.324 --> 18:55.213 lifted . Well , that is precisely 18:55.213 --> 18:58.910 what's on the table uh in Vienna . The 18:58.920 --> 19:02.260 formulation uh that was enshrined in 19:02.260 --> 19:04.600 the original J . C . P . O . A . The J . 19:04.600 --> 19:06.711 C . P . O . A with which we're trying 19:06.711 --> 19:08.822 or attempting to see if we can resume 19:08.822 --> 19:10.822 mutual compliance was a formulation 19:10.822 --> 19:12.989 that called for the lifting of nuclear 19:12.989 --> 19:15.211 sanctions in return for these permanent 19:15.211 --> 19:17.433 and verifiable limits on Iran's nuclear 19:17.433 --> 19:19.930 program . Uh This is something that in 19:19.930 --> 19:23.580 2015 , I was in the interests of the 19:23.580 --> 19:25.747 United States . It was in the interest 19:25.747 --> 19:27.636 of our P five plus one partners , 19:27.636 --> 19:31.350 according to the Supreme Leader then uh 19:31.350 --> 19:33.980 and now the now former President of 19:33.980 --> 19:36.460 Iran . it was in Iran's interest at 19:36.460 --> 19:39.090 that time . You just cited President 19:39.090 --> 19:41.201 raises statement about wishing to see 19:41.201 --> 19:43.550 that sanctions relief come into play 19:43.560 --> 19:46.340 once again . That might suggest that 19:46.350 --> 19:49.030 there's an appetite on the part of the 19:49.030 --> 19:51.040 new Iranian government to engage in 19:51.040 --> 19:52.984 this diplomacy . We certainly hope 19:52.984 --> 19:55.660 that's the case because we believe 19:55.670 --> 19:57.630 profoundly that it remains in our 19:57.630 --> 19:59.852 interest in the interests of our allies 19:59.852 --> 20:01.797 and partners to see Iran's nuclear 20:01.797 --> 20:03.852 program once again , permanently and 20:03.852 --> 20:07.160 verifiably restricted . But this is a 20:07.160 --> 20:09.280 new administration in Iran . We've 20:09.280 --> 20:13.230 heard their words but to us actions 20:13.230 --> 20:15.180 will speak louder and the Iranians 20:15.180 --> 20:17.180 clearly have some decisions to make 20:17.340 --> 20:20.930 anything else on Iran before actions 20:20.930 --> 20:22.874 speak louder . Yeah . Okay , let's 20:22.874 --> 20:25.130 leave apart the increased aggression in 20:25.130 --> 20:27.580 the gulf . The attacks on various ships , 20:27.580 --> 20:29.802 drone attacks . Whether or not you guys 20:29.802 --> 20:31.858 have decided who was responsible for 20:31.858 --> 20:34.090 the mercy uh for the for the incident 20:34.090 --> 20:36.146 involving multiple vessels the other 20:36.146 --> 20:39.140 day , the kidnapping attempt on someone 20:39.140 --> 20:42.370 who's living in in the states . 20:42.840 --> 20:46.600 The increase in Houthi aggression in 20:46.600 --> 20:49.830 Yemen , the Hezbollah rocket attacks on 20:49.840 --> 20:52.040 Israel . So let's leave aside all of 20:52.040 --> 20:53.984 that right now . Just focus on the 20:53.984 --> 20:57.100 nuclear Side of it . Uh it is your 20:57.100 --> 20:59.210 position right that since January 26 20:59.210 --> 21:00.710 this administer since this 21:00.710 --> 21:02.710 administration Biden administration 21:02.710 --> 21:04.821 took office that Iran has become less 21:04.821 --> 21:07.630 compliant with the J . C . P . O . A 21:07.640 --> 21:09.640 right . They have taken steps since 21:09.640 --> 21:13.390 january 22 Bring themselves further out 21:13.390 --> 21:15.860 of compliance . That's correct . What 21:15.860 --> 21:19.030 is correct is that since the last 21:19.030 --> 21:21.780 administration left in January , since 21:21.780 --> 21:23.780 you guys have been running , it's a 21:23.780 --> 21:25.891 little nuanced , as is often the case 21:25.891 --> 21:28.002 in foreign policy . So if you'll give 21:28.002 --> 21:30.113 me a second to explain , I will uh in 21:30.113 --> 21:32.280 2018 , the last administration Uh left 21:32.280 --> 21:36.160 the JCPOA in 20 in 2019 . In 21:36.160 --> 21:39.770 2019 , Iran began to distance itself 21:39.780 --> 21:42.140 from the limitations that were on its 21:42.140 --> 21:44.230 nuclear program . So this 21:44.230 --> 21:46.530 administration took action whether or 21:46.530 --> 21:48.752 not it was successful or not , but they 21:48.752 --> 21:51.086 imposed more and more sanctions on them . 21:51.086 --> 21:53.308 Right ? So since January , The Iranians 21:53.308 --> 21:55.419 have continued to distance themselves 21:55.419 --> 21:57.474 from the agreement , correct . Since 21:57.474 --> 21:59.586 January , the Iranians have continued 21:59.586 --> 22:01.820 to pursue the path that they have gone 22:01.820 --> 22:04.800 down since 2019 . Yes , but they've 22:04.810 --> 22:06.977 gotten , but it's gotten worse . Their 22:06.977 --> 22:09.088 compliance has gotten worse . Right ? 22:09.088 --> 22:11.199 They've continued to go down the path 22:11.199 --> 22:13.310 that has been that has been available 22:13.310 --> 22:15.532 to them since 2019 . Have you guys done 22:15.532 --> 22:17.754 what has this administration done since 22:17.754 --> 22:19.921 January 2 to make , you know , to make 22:19.921 --> 22:22.199 it clear to Iran other than , you know , 22:22.199 --> 22:23.921 getting up on the podium or in 22:23.921 --> 22:26.143 condemning them ? What actions has this 22:26.143 --> 22:28.420 administration done to show your 22:28.430 --> 22:31.220 disapproval or to punish them or to 22:31.230 --> 22:33.480 however you want whatever word you want 22:33.480 --> 22:36.410 to use , what what have you done to 22:36.410 --> 22:38.577 make it clear to them that this is not 22:38.577 --> 22:40.960 acceptable . Uh Matt , as you said 22:40.960 --> 22:44.090 yourself , Iran has been under heavy 22:44.090 --> 22:47.690 sanctions since 2018 . Those sanctions , 22:47.700 --> 22:50.240 every single one of them remains in 22:50.240 --> 22:53.330 place . We have not removed worse . And 22:53.330 --> 22:55.460 you guys haven't done anything . In 22:55.460 --> 22:58.080 fact you've lifted some sanctions . We 22:58.080 --> 23:01.710 have we have not lifted in new york . 23:01.720 --> 23:04.080 You guys you guys went back on the you 23:04.080 --> 23:06.970 know on the snap back , you lifted the 23:06.980 --> 23:09.202 prohibitions of the travel restrictions 23:09.202 --> 23:11.560 on Iranian diplomats who are accredited 23:11.570 --> 23:13.790 to the U . N . You've removed at least 23:13.790 --> 23:16.040 five . Maybe not you but Treasury has 23:16.040 --> 23:17.984 at least five . Maybe six or seven 23:18.050 --> 23:20.850 Iranian individuals and entities from 23:20.850 --> 23:22.961 sanctions list . But have you imposed 23:22.961 --> 23:26.060 any new costs on Iran ? Since january 23:26.240 --> 23:29.560 there is a strict uh 23:29.560 --> 23:32.560 and comprehensive sanctions regime that 23:32.560 --> 23:36.350 is in place against Iran uh that will 23:36.360 --> 23:39.470 remain in place against Iran unless and 23:39.470 --> 23:42.270 until we reached a mutual return to 23:42.280 --> 23:44.502 compliance with the J . C . P . O . A . 23:44.502 --> 23:47.280 Added any anything to the sanctions 23:47.280 --> 23:49.502 regime that was imposed by the way . We 23:49.502 --> 23:51.460 we absolutely have added sanctions 23:51.470 --> 23:53.860 against Iran . We've talked we've 23:53.860 --> 23:56.230 talked about them in the context of uh 23:56.240 --> 23:58.800 support for the Houthis in Yemen . 23:58.810 --> 24:01.120 We've talked about them in in 24:01.120 --> 24:03.287 connection with Iran's abuses of human 24:03.287 --> 24:05.940 rights . Absolutely . We continue to 24:05.940 --> 24:08.380 hold I just said leaving aside my 24:08.380 --> 24:10.324 opening to my question was leaving 24:10.324 --> 24:13.920 aside the non nuclear things just on 24:13.920 --> 24:16.087 the nuclear front . What have you guys 24:16.087 --> 24:19.630 done in terms of the nuclear file to 24:19.630 --> 24:21.640 impose costs on Iran for their 24:22.200 --> 24:25.490 increasing non compliance . 24:26.640 --> 24:29.930 First of all the non compliance . It's 24:29.930 --> 24:33.350 a binary . Either they are They are in 24:33.350 --> 24:35.572 compliance with the J . c . p . O . A . 24:35.572 --> 24:38.160 or they're not since 2019 . Iran has 24:38.160 --> 24:40.382 not been in compliance with the J . C . 24:40.382 --> 24:42.716 P . O . A . There was a pathway that uh , 24:42.716 --> 24:44.938 in our estimation unfortunately was put 24:44.938 --> 24:48.130 before them in 2018 that they have very 24:48.130 --> 24:51.470 regrettably chosen to pursue . Uh it is 24:51.470 --> 24:54.130 true that they have continued to make 24:54.130 --> 24:56.352 advancements in their nuclear program . 24:56.352 --> 24:58.186 This is a concern for us . It is 24:58.186 --> 25:00.297 motivating the fact that we have been 25:00.297 --> 25:02.700 very clear that this is not a process 25:02.700 --> 25:05.710 that will be open indefinitely . As 25:05.710 --> 25:07.877 they are not complaining . You haven't 25:07.877 --> 25:09.932 done anything other than to say that 25:09.932 --> 25:12.154 you're still open to talks in any way . 25:12.154 --> 25:14.154 I'll stop because I don't think you 25:14.740 --> 25:16.851 please . I'm sorry I'm I told you I'd 25:16.851 --> 25:20.770 come back to you . Yes . Yes . Okay . 25:21.940 --> 25:24.580 Uh thank you ned My name is Marvin from 25:24.580 --> 25:27.320 TD Ethiopian broadcasting . I have two 25:27.330 --> 25:29.470 questions for you . Two questions for 25:29.470 --> 25:31.700 you . Please be patient . And this 25:31.700 --> 25:34.950 question these questions are not only 25:34.950 --> 25:36.990 mine . There are also questions of 25:37.000 --> 25:38.944 millions and millions of Europeans 25:38.944 --> 25:41.167 around the globe . Two weeks ago when I 25:41.167 --> 25:43.090 got a chance to ask jen Psaki a 25:43.100 --> 25:45.322 question at her White House press press 25:45.322 --> 25:47.740 press briefing . She responded , I 25:47.740 --> 25:49.760 caught I would point you to State 25:49.760 --> 25:51.816 Department . I know my colleague ned 25:51.970 --> 25:55.000 price is briefing later this afternoon 25:55.000 --> 25:58.290 and giving your more details on what 25:58.290 --> 26:01.290 our work is . Um since this press 26:01.290 --> 26:04.410 briefing is a pulled press uh press 26:04.410 --> 26:06.760 coverage . I was not able to come soon 26:06.760 --> 26:09.020 to ask you this question and I'm glad 26:09.020 --> 26:10.964 I'm here today ned and here is the 26:10.964 --> 26:13.187 question I asked jen Psaki and I wanted 26:13.187 --> 26:16.580 to answer it for me . The United States 26:16.580 --> 26:18.247 and other countries have been 26:18.247 --> 26:20.469 supporting and into the fighting in the 26:20.469 --> 26:23.260 Tigray region . And at the first step , 26:23.270 --> 26:25.680 as you know in the fighting , the 26:25.680 --> 26:27.569 government of Ethiopia declared a 26:27.810 --> 26:30.950 unilateral ceasefire and pulled out the 26:30.960 --> 26:32.960 troops from the Tigray region . But 26:32.960 --> 26:35.470 TPLF , the Tigray Liberation Front 26:35.470 --> 26:38.160 rejected the ceasefire , calling it a 26:38.160 --> 26:41.560 sick job and the TPLF continues the war , 26:41.740 --> 26:44.650 especially by deploying child soldiers 26:44.910 --> 26:46.966 in this conflict . And if there were 26:46.966 --> 26:49.230 continues , there are thousands and 26:49.230 --> 26:52.090 thousands of people will die ned what 26:52.100 --> 26:54.211 is the biden administration statement 26:54.211 --> 26:57.340 on TPLF refusal to accept the cease 26:57.340 --> 27:00.340 fire and the use of Children as 27:00.350 --> 27:03.680 soldiers . Thank you . Well , thank you 27:03.690 --> 27:06.340 for that question . Uh there are a 27:06.340 --> 27:08.780 couple of pieces there . Um one want to 27:08.780 --> 27:11.460 be very clear on these allegations that 27:11.460 --> 27:14.630 the TPLF is recruiting child soldiers . 27:14.640 --> 27:17.700 We are very much concerned by these 27:17.700 --> 27:20.000 reports . We take these allegations 27:20.000 --> 27:23.790 very seriously . We reiterate our call 27:23.800 --> 27:26.710 for all parties to adhere strictly to 27:26.710 --> 27:28.877 international humanitarian law and for 27:28.877 --> 27:30.940 those responsible for violations of 27:30.950 --> 27:33.220 international humanitarian law and 27:33.220 --> 27:36.120 human rights abuses uh to be held 27:36.130 --> 27:39.190 accountable when it comes to the 27:39.190 --> 27:41.500 broader conflict . We have made this 27:41.500 --> 27:44.800 point before , but again , it bears 27:44.800 --> 27:47.680 repeating . We call on the TPLF , we 27:47.680 --> 27:50.200 call on the Amhara regional forces , we 27:50.200 --> 27:52.311 call on the eritrean defense forces , 27:52.311 --> 27:54.200 on the Ethiopian national Defense 27:54.200 --> 27:56.560 forces and associated regional militias 27:56.610 --> 27:59.520 to end this crisis and to move towards 27:59.530 --> 28:01.910 a negotiated ceasefire in our mind , 28:01.930 --> 28:04.480 this is what is most important ending 28:04.480 --> 28:06.650 the conflict , moving towards that 28:06.650 --> 28:09.890 negotiated uh ceasefire and providing 28:09.900 --> 28:13.340 the level of humanitarian access uh 28:13.350 --> 28:17.040 that the people in Tigre uh need 28:17.050 --> 28:20.170 are in of which they are in dire need . 28:20.180 --> 28:23.650 Uh the Ethiopian government in the TPLF 28:23.660 --> 28:26.420 need to begin ceasefire negotiations 28:26.430 --> 28:29.500 immediately and without preconditions . 28:29.510 --> 28:31.920 Uh this should lead to a broader 28:31.930 --> 28:35.140 dialogue to find a durable political 28:35.150 --> 28:38.770 solution to this conflict . We strongly 28:38.770 --> 28:41.140 condemn any attacks that have been or 28:41.140 --> 28:44.020 may be directed against uh civilians in 28:44.020 --> 28:46.470 the Tigray region , regardless of the 28:46.470 --> 28:48.359 actor , whether it's organized by 28:48.359 --> 28:51.300 military or security forces or rogue 28:51.310 --> 28:54.080 elements operating there . Those who 28:54.080 --> 28:56.540 commit such acts as I said before , um 28:56.550 --> 28:58.980 uh must be held accountable . And we 28:58.980 --> 29:01.120 call on all parties to condemn such 29:01.120 --> 29:04.260 acts and do everything in their power 29:04.270 --> 29:06.640 to stop them . We're particularly 29:06.650 --> 29:10.350 concerned by credible reports that 29:10.360 --> 29:13.120 armed forces affiliated with the TPLF 29:13.120 --> 29:15.342 and the Syrian militias have engaged in 29:15.342 --> 29:18.020 attacks against eritrean refugees in 29:18.020 --> 29:20.840 the region . Uh such conduct is 29:20.850 --> 29:24.090 reprehensible . It must cease . It must 29:24.090 --> 29:26.660 come to an immediate halt . Uh those 29:26.660 --> 29:28.630 responsible again should be held 29:28.640 --> 29:31.530 responsible and accountable for their 29:31.530 --> 29:33.950 actions . Were equally concerned by 29:33.960 --> 29:36.140 reports of Ethiopian security force 29:36.140 --> 29:38.530 harassment and arbitrary detention of 29:38.540 --> 29:40.840 ethnic ingredients in regions of 29:40.850 --> 29:43.590 Ethiopia beyond Tigre and security 29:43.590 --> 29:45.701 force harassment and detention on the 29:45.701 --> 29:48.550 basis of ethnicity is unacceptable . We 29:48.550 --> 29:51.830 call on all parties to cease cease such 29:51.840 --> 29:54.050 activities and to respect human rights 29:54.060 --> 29:56.440 and the rule of law . We further call 29:56.440 --> 29:58.400 on all armed actors to comply with 29:58.400 --> 30:00.760 international humanitarian law uh 30:00.770 --> 30:03.570 including uh the obligations regarding 30:03.580 --> 30:06.470 the protection of civilians . As we 30:06.480 --> 30:08.780 consistently stated , any effort to 30:08.780 --> 30:10.960 change Ethiopia's internal boundaries 30:10.970 --> 30:14.160 by force is unacceptable . Any issue of 30:14.160 --> 30:16.382 national importance is an issue for the 30:16.382 --> 30:18.327 Ethiopian people to decide through 30:18.327 --> 30:20.330 consensual dialogue and democratic 30:20.340 --> 30:22.970 processes , not through violence . And 30:22.970 --> 30:25.192 that is why we have put such a priority 30:25.192 --> 30:28.010 on this negotiated ceasefire . That is 30:28.010 --> 30:31.460 what we have continued to urge urging 30:31.460 --> 30:33.071 the parties to come together 30:33.071 --> 30:35.071 immediately without preconditions , 30:35.071 --> 30:37.230 just as we push for increased 30:37.230 --> 30:39.820 humanitarian access so that the long 30:39.820 --> 30:42.110 suffering people of Tigre can be in 30:42.110 --> 30:45.890 receipt of that relief . The TPLF 30:45.900 --> 30:48.290 refuses the cease fire and to access 30:48.290 --> 30:50.179 the ceasefire and it advances its 30:50.179 --> 30:52.960 process to Amara and regional mm hmm . 30:53.440 --> 30:56.690 Mhm . Tomorrow and upper regions , what 30:56.690 --> 30:58.710 do you say when the TPLF refuses to 30:58.710 --> 31:01.100 cease fire ? How how can there will be 31:01.100 --> 31:03.420 negotiations ? Well , we have seen 31:03.420 --> 31:05.720 these reports of the expansion of the 31:05.720 --> 31:08.250 fighting , uh the expansion of the 31:08.250 --> 31:11.690 fighting uh in Tigre are concerning . 31:11.690 --> 31:13.690 The reports of the expansion of the 31:13.690 --> 31:15.857 fighting and Tigre are concerning . Uh 31:15.857 --> 31:17.857 and it's concerning because it will 31:17.857 --> 31:19.857 only lead to more suffering uh into 31:19.857 --> 31:22.310 more death . That is why we continue to 31:22.310 --> 31:24.810 say that all parties to the conflict 31:24.820 --> 31:28.660 should immediately agree to an 31:28.660 --> 31:32.350 end to the violence and to begin 31:33.540 --> 31:36.650 in earnest negotiations and political 31:36.650 --> 31:40.460 dialogue . Armed actors in Tigre and 31:40.460 --> 31:43.350 Amhara . Uh those uh and the government 31:43.350 --> 31:45.517 of Ethiopia need to reach an agreement 31:45.517 --> 31:48.280 that allows the ceasefire to include 31:48.290 --> 31:50.720 all parties and facilitates , As I said 31:50.720 --> 31:53.920 before delivery of humanitarian access , 31:54.040 --> 31:56.490 the government of Eritrea , for its 31:56.490 --> 31:58.740 part must withdraw its forces 31:58.900 --> 32:01.110 consistent with commitments by both 32:01.190 --> 32:04.330 Ethiopia and Eritrea . Please , 32:05.140 --> 32:08.670 during your press briefing , you often 32:08.670 --> 32:12.170 call TPLF forces military forces . 32:12.540 --> 32:15.380 Uh as you know , TPLF is an opposition 32:15.380 --> 32:17.580 in armed resistance to the established 32:17.590 --> 32:20.000 Ethiopian government whether you like 32:20.000 --> 32:23.930 it or not , which makes uh the TPLF 32:23.940 --> 32:26.330 is against the government , then it 32:26.330 --> 32:29.920 makes it a rebel force . As uh my 32:29.930 --> 32:31.763 even though my english as second 32:31.763 --> 32:34.470 language military is a name given to 32:34.470 --> 32:37.460 the armed forces of a country . So name , 32:37.470 --> 32:40.650 why are you calling TPLF forces 32:40.660 --> 32:43.380 military ? Whenever you give the a 32:43.380 --> 32:46.140 press briefing the military is for as I 32:46.140 --> 32:49.760 said , is for uh given for 32:50.340 --> 32:52.670 a country forces , not just for rebel 32:52.670 --> 32:54.892 forces . The point we've been making in 32:54.892 --> 32:56.892 what in part makes this conflict so 32:56.892 --> 32:59.059 concerning is the fact that a range of 32:59.059 --> 33:02.440 actors are engaged in violence and in 33:02.440 --> 33:05.910 some cases in these reported atrocities . 33:05.990 --> 33:09.170 There are military actors involved . 33:09.240 --> 33:11.270 There are regular forces involved , 33:11.270 --> 33:13.500 their militias involved . There are 33:13.500 --> 33:17.050 rogue actors involved are um 33:17.060 --> 33:20.780 what we have been pushing for uh is 33:20.780 --> 33:23.180 for the Ethiopian government uh and the 33:23.180 --> 33:26.700 TPLF to begin the ceasefire 33:26.700 --> 33:30.100 negotiations immediately and without 33:30.100 --> 33:32.322 preconditions , just as we call for all 33:32.322 --> 33:34.500 armed actors in this conflict . And 33:34.500 --> 33:38.270 unfortunately there are many uh to 33:38.280 --> 33:40.570 cease the violence to cease the killing 33:40.760 --> 33:43.740 and to respect the international legal 33:43.750 --> 33:46.470 obligations to which they're subject to 33:46.480 --> 33:48.770 follow up on Ethiopia . Sure . Going 33:48.770 --> 33:51.040 back to powers trip , did she get any 33:51.050 --> 33:53.550 concrete guarantees while in Ethiopia , 33:53.840 --> 33:55.729 was there any commitment from the 33:55.729 --> 33:57.784 Ethiopian government on humanitarian 33:57.784 --> 34:00.007 access to Tigray ? And then while we're 34:00.007 --> 34:02.118 on this forces from Ethiopia's Tigray 34:02.118 --> 34:04.229 region have taken control of the town 34:04.229 --> 34:06.240 of Lalibela , which is the U . N . 34:06.240 --> 34:08.600 World Heritage Site . Do you have any 34:08.600 --> 34:10.767 reaction to this ? And do you have any 34:10.767 --> 34:13.040 comments on the responsibility if any 34:13.050 --> 34:15.272 of forces to protect the World Heritage 34:15.272 --> 34:17.383 Site ? So , an ambassador powers trip 34:17.383 --> 34:20.020 um I suspect there will be additional 34:20.020 --> 34:22.930 details available later today . She 34:22.930 --> 34:26.460 also had a press conference in addis 34:26.470 --> 34:29.370 um prior to the conclusion of her trip . 34:29.380 --> 34:31.750 It was during that press conference uh 34:31.760 --> 34:34.300 that she spoke of her conversation with 34:34.310 --> 34:38.310 the Minister of Peace and she called 34:38.320 --> 34:40.550 as she said yet again for a cessation 34:40.550 --> 34:44.260 of hostilities uh and unhindered 34:44.260 --> 34:46.520 humanitarian access . And she 34:46.520 --> 34:48.631 reiterated the United States care and 34:48.631 --> 34:50.853 concern for the people of Ethiopia . Uh 34:50.853 --> 34:53.400 no matter their identity or affiliation . 34:53.400 --> 34:56.260 She of course also did announced a very 34:56.260 --> 34:59.980 substantial sum of aid . Um One of 34:59.990 --> 35:02.860 the A . I . D . U . S . A . I . D . Has , 35:02.940 --> 35:05.580 we've worked very closely with U . S . 35:05.580 --> 35:07.320 A . I . D . On this issue of 35:07.320 --> 35:09.740 humanitarian access . It is an issue 35:09.740 --> 35:12.240 that ambassador power uh stressed it's 35:12.240 --> 35:14.480 an issue that Secretary Blinken has 35:14.480 --> 35:16.647 stressed directly in his conversations 35:16.647 --> 35:19.340 with Prime Minister A . B . It's a an 35:19.350 --> 35:21.072 issue that the special envoy , 35:21.072 --> 35:23.340 Ambassador Feldman , has stressed as 35:23.340 --> 35:27.230 well and we will um continue to uh 35:27.240 --> 35:29.462 to work that remind me what your second 35:29.462 --> 35:32.710 question was . Right um when it comes 35:32.710 --> 35:36.600 to Lalibela . Uh we recall that 35:36.600 --> 35:39.170 when the World Heritage Committee 35:39.180 --> 35:42.170 inscribed the rock hewn churches of 35:42.170 --> 35:44.430 Lalibela to the World Heritage List , 35:44.440 --> 35:46.496 the committee described the whole of 35:46.496 --> 35:49.470 Lalibela as a testament to 35:49.480 --> 35:52.660 Ethiopia's civilization uh and the 35:52.660 --> 35:55.860 medieval civilization uh that was there , 35:55.940 --> 35:58.780 La La Bella represents part of 35:58.780 --> 36:01.540 Ethiopia's unique , diverse and rich 36:01.540 --> 36:03.410 cultural heritage . Uh and it's 36:03.410 --> 36:06.360 something that should serve to unite 36:06.370 --> 36:09.190 all Ethiopians . We've seen the reports 36:09.190 --> 36:11.130 that two grand forces have taken 36:11.130 --> 36:14.460 Lalibela , we call on the TPLF to 36:14.460 --> 36:16.800 protect this cultural heritage . We 36:16.810 --> 36:18.810 also call on all parties to the 36:18.810 --> 36:20.840 conflict to end the violence , as I 36:20.840 --> 36:22.784 said before , to initiate talks to 36:22.784 --> 36:25.760 achieve a negotiated ceasefire and for 36:25.760 --> 36:28.110 the TPLF to withdraw its associated 36:28.110 --> 36:30.510 military forces immediately from the 36:30.510 --> 36:33.040 Amhara and afar regions at the same 36:33.040 --> 36:34.929 time , we renew our calls for the 36:34.929 --> 36:37.096 Amhara regional government to withdraw 36:37.096 --> 36:39.262 immediately . It's Associated Military 36:39.262 --> 36:41.373 forces from Western Tigre and for the 36:41.373 --> 36:43.373 eritrean government to withdraw its 36:43.373 --> 36:45.207 military forces permanently from 36:45.207 --> 36:47.484 Ethiopia . All parties , as we've said , 36:47.484 --> 36:49.596 should accelerate unhindered delivery 36:49.596 --> 36:51.596 of humanitarian assistance to those 36:51.596 --> 36:53.373 affected by the conflict in the 36:53.373 --> 36:55.540 commercial blockade of Tigre must come 36:55.540 --> 36:59.530 to an end . Yes . Her power 36:59.530 --> 37:01.641 met the Minister of Peace but she did 37:01.641 --> 37:03.808 not meet Prime Minister Abbey or other 37:03.808 --> 37:05.808 senior Ethiopian officials . Do you 37:05.808 --> 37:07.808 believe that she was snubbed in not 37:07.808 --> 37:09.752 having these meetings ? And do you 37:09.752 --> 37:11.752 think to Daphnis question that your 37:11.752 --> 37:13.910 point about humanitarian access is 37:13.910 --> 37:15.743 being heard within the Ethiopian 37:15.743 --> 37:18.860 government ? Uh in terms of the 37:18.860 --> 37:21.620 meetings that ambassador power had , 37:21.630 --> 37:23.741 she was able , as we said before , to 37:23.741 --> 37:25.852 meet with the Minister of Peace , she 37:25.852 --> 37:28.430 was able to take part in a very frank 37:28.440 --> 37:32.020 conversation with the Minister about 37:32.030 --> 37:35.980 these issues we seek to engage and 37:35.980 --> 37:39.250 we have engaged Ethiopia's leadership 37:39.330 --> 37:41.330 at various levels . The Minister of 37:41.330 --> 37:44.060 Peace . Uh in the past , Secretary 37:44.060 --> 37:46.620 Blinken Ambassador Feldman have had 37:46.620 --> 37:49.140 conversations with Prime Minister abe 37:49.150 --> 37:52.710 we have been very clear with the Prime 37:52.710 --> 37:54.810 Minister about the need for this 37:54.810 --> 37:57.500 humanitarian access , about the need 37:57.510 --> 38:01.120 for uh this um for 38:01.120 --> 38:04.980 ceasefire talks to uh to start 38:04.990 --> 38:07.890 uh and for a negotiated 38:07.900 --> 38:11.520 ceasefire to be on the table as an 38:11.520 --> 38:14.530 immediate priority . Yes , 38:16.220 --> 38:19.310 India and UN Security Council India is 38:19.320 --> 38:21.209 the President of the U N Security 38:21.209 --> 38:23.376 Council for the month of august and in 38:23.376 --> 38:25.042 the past three presidents and 38:25.042 --> 38:27.209 administrations had supported publicly 38:27.209 --> 38:29.431 about India being a permanent member of 38:29.431 --> 38:31.653 U . N . Security Council . What is this 38:31.653 --> 38:33.653 administration's position on that ? 38:33.653 --> 38:37.350 Well we value working with India at the 38:37.350 --> 38:40.180 United Nations including in the context 38:40.190 --> 38:42.790 uh this month of the Security Council . 38:42.800 --> 38:45.470 We believe that a reformed Security 38:45.470 --> 38:47.890 Council that is representative that is 38:47.890 --> 38:50.630 effective and that is relevant is in 38:50.630 --> 38:52.852 the best interest the United States and 38:52.852 --> 38:55.019 all of the U . N . Member States . And 38:55.019 --> 38:57.130 we look forward to the opportunity of 38:57.130 --> 38:59.297 working very closely with India in the 38:59.297 --> 38:59.040 context of the Security Council . In 38:59.040 --> 39:01.207 the coming weeks . This administration 39:01.207 --> 39:03.429 thinks that India should be a permanent 39:03.429 --> 39:05.429 member of the UN Security Council . 39:05.429 --> 39:08.800 Well we support building a consensus 39:08.810 --> 39:12.020 for modest enlargement of the Security 39:12.020 --> 39:14.210 Council for both permanent and non 39:14.210 --> 39:16.610 permanent members provided it does not 39:16.610 --> 39:18.832 diminish its effectiveness or it or its 39:18.832 --> 39:20.943 efficacy and does not alter or expand 39:20.943 --> 39:23.770 the veto This expansion number 34 . 39:23.770 --> 39:25.992 What's the number of that ? Well that's 39:25.992 --> 39:28.214 that's the point of consensus . We look 39:28.214 --> 39:30.326 forward to building that consensus in 39:30.326 --> 39:32.548 the past . Us government officials have 39:32.548 --> 39:34.548 said that India and us don't on the 39:34.548 --> 39:36.603 same page when it comes to voting on 39:36.603 --> 39:38.770 several crucial issues that the United 39:38.770 --> 39:40.600 Nations , they had the lack of 39:40.600 --> 39:42.822 cooperation coordination within the two 39:42.822 --> 39:45.044 countries in the past . Has it improved 39:45.044 --> 39:48.620 or what how is it right now ? Well as 39:48.620 --> 39:52.450 you heard during our visit to India . 39:52.460 --> 39:54.930 Just the other last week . I guess it 39:54.930 --> 39:58.490 was um we have a number of shared 39:58.490 --> 40:02.110 values and shared interests um with our 40:02.120 --> 40:04.820 indian counterparts in our indian um 40:04.830 --> 40:07.390 partners . Uh indeed , we have a 40:07.400 --> 40:09.860 comprehensive strategic partnership 40:09.870 --> 40:12.640 with India that unites us on many 40:12.640 --> 40:15.070 levels that we are seeking to deepen 40:15.080 --> 40:17.630 and strengthen on many levels as well . 40:17.640 --> 40:19.900 Uh and we're very much looking forward 40:19.910 --> 40:23.280 to working very closely with the indian 40:23.280 --> 40:25.391 government's in the context of the UN 40:25.391 --> 40:27.391 and the Security Council this month 40:28.390 --> 40:31.230 Washington post about a hindu temple 40:31.230 --> 40:34.180 being vandalized in Pakistan . Have you 40:34.180 --> 40:36.347 seen that ? Do you have any comments ? 40:36.347 --> 40:38.291 And I haven't seen that report . I 40:38.291 --> 40:40.180 haven't seen that report . Couple 40:40.180 --> 40:42.291 questions in Israel . I don't know if 40:42.291 --> 40:44.458 you talked about it at the top . Could 40:44.458 --> 40:46.624 you comment on the Israeli air raid on 40:46.624 --> 40:49.560 major human ? I'm sorry , say that one 40:49.560 --> 40:52.450 time , I don't know if you talked about 40:52.450 --> 40:54.610 it at the top , Have you talked about 40:54.620 --> 40:57.130 the Israeli air raid on and more 40:57.130 --> 40:59.440 genuine and you see this as you know , 40:59.440 --> 41:02.920 dramatic escalation . Well , we did 41:02.920 --> 41:05.380 talk about this yesterday and we noted 41:05.380 --> 41:08.260 yesterday that we condemn . But what 41:08.260 --> 41:11.140 about the Israeli response ? Well , uh , 41:11.150 --> 41:13.150 it's it's uh they're obviously very 41:13.150 --> 41:15.810 related . Um and we condemn the rocket 41:15.810 --> 41:19.630 attacks from armed groups based in 41:19.630 --> 41:21.830 Lebanon into Israel . We've made the 41:21.830 --> 41:24.500 point that Israel has the right to 41:24.500 --> 41:27.050 defend itself will continue to monitor 41:27.050 --> 41:29.050 the situation , We've remained very 41:29.050 --> 41:31.340 engaged with Israeli and with Lebanese 41:31.340 --> 41:33.396 officials , uh and other partners in 41:33.396 --> 41:35.562 the region in an effort to de escalate 41:35.562 --> 41:39.140 the situation on on Israel is really 41:39.510 --> 41:43.270 media sources claim that Iranian 41:43.270 --> 41:45.820 diplomats are talking to you about 41:45.830 --> 41:48.670 coaxing the Palestinians into accepting 41:48.670 --> 41:51.550 a deal in ah the area in the Jerusalem . 41:51.550 --> 41:53.550 That is , you know , so much in the 41:53.550 --> 41:55.950 news that they would accept to live 41:55.950 --> 41:58.890 there as renters now for a long period 41:58.890 --> 42:00.946 of time . Is that true ? Could you , 42:00.946 --> 42:03.057 could you can you share anything with 42:03.057 --> 42:05.279 us on this score ? Well , as you know , 42:05.279 --> 42:08.300 we don't speak to any diplomatic or 42:08.300 --> 42:10.467 private conversations . But what I can 42:10.467 --> 42:12.244 say is that we believe that the 42:12.244 --> 42:14.356 proposal offered by the Israeli court 42:14.356 --> 42:16.520 on august 2nd uh is a matter for the 42:16.520 --> 42:19.300 Israeli and Palestinian parties to the 42:19.300 --> 42:21.630 case to consider and to decide for 42:21.630 --> 42:24.830 themselves . Uh we've said this just 42:24.830 --> 42:27.260 this week , uh and many times before 42:27.260 --> 42:30.310 that families should not be evicted 42:30.320 --> 42:32.320 from their homes in which they have 42:32.320 --> 42:34.520 lived for decades . We have encouraged 42:34.520 --> 42:36.970 Israeli authorities to avoid evictions 42:36.980 --> 42:38.869 and other actions that exacerbate 42:38.869 --> 42:40.980 tensions and the undercut efforts to 42:40.980 --> 42:43.313 advance a negotiated two state solution . 42:43.900 --> 42:46.630 Has any American diplomat talked to any 42:46.630 --> 42:48.920 Palestinians and shelled giraffe , but 42:48.930 --> 42:50.930 perhaps a compromise of some sort . 42:51.300 --> 42:53.850 Look , we're not going to comment or 42:53.860 --> 42:56.360 comment on or confirm reports of 42:56.360 --> 42:59.280 diplomatic conversations , what we have 42:59.280 --> 43:01.790 said as it relates to this . We have 43:01.800 --> 43:03.900 both in public and in private , 43:03.910 --> 43:06.730 encouraged Israeli authorities to avoid 43:06.730 --> 43:08.563 evictions and other actions that 43:08.563 --> 43:10.397 exacerbate tensions and undercut 43:10.397 --> 43:12.397 efforts to advance , negotiated two 43:12.397 --> 43:14.780 state solution . Come on last week , 43:14.780 --> 43:16.880 you suspended cooperation with the 43:16.880 --> 43:19.120 Public ministry over the suspension of 43:19.120 --> 43:21.520 the special prosecutor for corruption . 43:21.900 --> 43:23.900 This week , the Guatemalan attorney 43:23.900 --> 43:27.190 general appointed a new prosecutor who 43:27.190 --> 43:29.830 is said to be even , you know , have 43:29.830 --> 43:32.260 corruption allegations of their own , 43:32.270 --> 43:34.326 just wondering what your response is 43:34.326 --> 43:37.010 and whether or not you believe that the 43:37.020 --> 43:39.242 Guatemalan government is heading in the 43:39.242 --> 43:41.576 wrong direction . If you're cooperative , 43:41.576 --> 43:43.220 you're you're you're seeking 43:43.220 --> 43:45.276 cooperation with them is not working 43:45.700 --> 43:49.030 well on this . Attorney general , 43:49.030 --> 43:51.450 Consuelo Porras , sudden appointment of 43:51.450 --> 43:55.180 rafael to lead uh does 43:55.180 --> 43:57.470 not add confidence uh in the body's 43:57.470 --> 43:59.526 ability to independently investigate 43:59.526 --> 44:01.990 and prosecute corruption cases . Our 44:01.990 --> 44:04.440 position remains that it is essential 44:04.450 --> 44:07.750 for uh that is essential for is able to 44:07.750 --> 44:09.917 function . Uh and it's prosecutors and 44:09.917 --> 44:12.028 analysts are empowered to continue to 44:12.028 --> 44:14.350 investigate cases to maintain the fight 44:14.360 --> 44:16.960 against corruption in Guatemala . Any 44:16.960 --> 44:19.071 politically motivated interruption of 44:19.071 --> 44:21.770 investigations has no place in an open 44:21.770 --> 44:23.830 and strong democratic system . We 44:23.830 --> 44:26.052 continue to encourage the government of 44:26.052 --> 44:28.274 Guatemala to reject the use of spurious 44:28.274 --> 44:30.497 lawsuits as a way to silence opposition 44:30.497 --> 44:32.497 viewpoints or impede the Guatemalan 44:32.497 --> 44:34.663 judicial process . Uh , the Guatemalan 44:34.663 --> 44:36.663 people , as we have said , time and 44:36.663 --> 44:38.608 again , deserve accountability and 44:38.608 --> 44:40.608 transparency from their leaders and 44:40.608 --> 44:42.663 that's what we're seeking to support 44:42.663 --> 44:42.380 your picture . Do you believe that the 44:42.390 --> 44:44.334 government is heading in the wrong 44:44.334 --> 44:46.446 direction in terms of trying to clean 44:46.446 --> 44:48.612 up this , these cases of corruption or 44:48.612 --> 44:50.557 or as you said , using lawsuits to 44:50.557 --> 44:52.779 attack political opponents ? Well , the 44:52.779 --> 44:54.890 firing uh certainly was a step in the 44:54.890 --> 44:56.834 wrong direction . This latest move 44:56.834 --> 44:58.557 certainly does not inspire any 44:58.557 --> 45:01.630 additional confidence . Alright , so 45:01.630 --> 45:03.519 there was supposed to be a second 45:03.519 --> 45:05.519 flight of afghan S . I . V . S . Uh 45:05.519 --> 45:07.741 that left yesterday . Kabul should have 45:07.741 --> 45:09.908 arrived this morning . Can you confirm 45:09.908 --> 45:12.050 that , that there have been several 45:12.060 --> 45:15.950 flights that have arrived ? Uh I'm 45:15.950 --> 45:18.170 not in a position to give a precise 45:18.170 --> 45:22.100 number but uh as far 45:22.100 --> 45:24.240 as I know , but the second one left 45:24.240 --> 45:26.462 yesterday , it should have arrived this 45:26.462 --> 45:28.407 morning . So is that did it arrive 45:28.407 --> 45:30.240 again ? We're we're for security 45:30.240 --> 45:31.962 reasons , we're not confirming 45:31.962 --> 45:33.962 precisely the first one . We're not 45:33.962 --> 45:35.770 we're not we're not confirming 45:35.770 --> 45:38.610 precisely when flights land . Um but 45:38.620 --> 45:40.676 I'm not asking you precisely when it 45:40.676 --> 45:43.470 landed , did they get here , matt ? We 45:43.470 --> 45:45.637 just don't have any additional details 45:45.637 --> 45:49.120 to offer on that . Yes ned what do you 45:49.120 --> 45:52.340 say to those millions of Ethiopians who 45:52.340 --> 45:54.173 believe now the United States is 45:54.173 --> 45:58.120 supporting TPLF . We 45:58.120 --> 45:59.953 have been very clear that we are 45:59.953 --> 46:02.490 supporting uh and we are standing with 46:02.500 --> 46:04.730 the people of Ethiopia uh in the case 46:04.730 --> 46:07.870 of Tigre , we are doing all that we can 46:07.880 --> 46:10.102 to support the people of Tigre who have 46:10.102 --> 46:12.170 suffered tremendously from this 46:12.170 --> 46:14.392 conflict . We're doing that in a number 46:14.392 --> 46:18.040 of ways through the provision of aid , 46:18.180 --> 46:20.440 our calls for expanded humanitarian 46:20.440 --> 46:22.430 access , but on a political and 46:22.430 --> 46:25.110 diplomatic level to bring the parties 46:25.120 --> 46:27.350 together , the Ethiopian government in 46:27.350 --> 46:31.050 the TPLF to arrive at a negotiated 46:31.060 --> 46:33.227 cease fire , just as we call on all of 46:33.227 --> 46:35.760 the armed actors in this conflict to 46:35.770 --> 46:38.830 halt the violence to cease some of 46:38.830 --> 46:40.950 these atrocious attacks that in case 46:40.950 --> 46:44.300 some cases reportedly have um resulted 46:44.310 --> 46:48.170 in um very grim uh civilian deaths . 46:48.180 --> 46:51.590 We are working urgently on this . Our 46:51.590 --> 46:54.850 priority again is to bring about peace 46:54.860 --> 46:58.150 and security for the people of Tigre in 46:58.150 --> 47:00.350 the form of a negotiated cease fire to 47:00.350 --> 47:02.600 this conflict . Thank you very much .