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TEST. >>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. HAPPY WEDNESDAY. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING OFF THE TOP TODAY. SHAWN, GO AHEAD. >> SURE. I GUESS GAZA. >> SURE.
>> THE CLOCK IT TICKING FOR ISRAEL RESPONSE, NOT JUST ISRAEL. BUT CAN YOU SAY WHERE THINGS STAND NOW? HAS ISRAEL SUBMITTED RESPONSE, HAS THERE BEEN ANY CORRESPONDENCE? >> AS I SAID YESTERDAY, I'M JUST.
NOT GOING TO SPEAK TO THE SPECIFICS OF ANY SINGULAR COUNTRY AT THIS MOMENT. THIS IS A BROAD MEMORANDUM, TOUCHING ON VARIOUS DIFFERENT CORNERS OF THE WORLD. AND TO TAKE A STEP BACK, SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY MEMORANDUM ON FEBRUARY.
8th, PARTNER COUNTRIES DEEMED TO BE IN ACTIVE ARMED CONFLICT HAVE 45 DAYS TO SHARE LETTERS OF ASSURANCES. AND UPON RECEIPT OF EACH OF THOSE, THE UNITED STATES WILL ASSESS WHETHER OR NOT A PARTNER COUNTRY, WHETHER THOSE ASSURANCES ARE CREDIBLE AND.
RELIABLE. AND SO THAT WORK IS ONGOING AND IMPLEMENTION OF THAT NATIONAL SECURITY MEMORANDUM IS ONGOING AS IS THE ASSESSMENT OF THOSE ASSURANCES FROM PARTNER COUNTRIES. SO I'M NOT GOING TO GET NO MORE SPECIFICS.
>> IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED HE'S GOING TO ISRAEL THIS WEEK. DO YOU EXPECT THIS TO BE ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT IS RAISED? >> WE EXPECT HIM TO TALK A WIDE — ABOUT A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES, THE SECRETARY, AS YOU NOTE, IS HEADED TO ISRAEL AT THE END OF THIS WEEK.
HE'S GOING TO DISCUSS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL, ITS LEADERSHIP, THE ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF HOSTAGES. HE'S GOING TO DISCUSS THE NEED TO DEFEAT HAMAS, INCLUDING IN RAFAH IN A WAY THAT WE BELIEVE WILL HOPEFULLY PROTECT CIVILIAN.
POPULATIONS. DOES NOT HINDER THE DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND ADVANCES ISRAEL'S OVERALL SECURITY. HE'S ALSO GOING TO DISCUSS THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE AND SUSTAIN DELIVERY OF.
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO CIVILIANS WHO ARE SUFFERING FOR THE LACK OF ADEQUATE FOOD SUPPLIES. THAT'S OBVIOUSLY BEEN AN IMMENSE PRIORITY FOR US AND HE'S GOING TO UPDATE ISRAELI LEADERS ON HIS TALKS ON THE EARLIER PART OF THE WEEK WITH ARAB LEADERS TO BUILD.
LASTING PEACE AND SECURITY FOR ISRAELIS, PALESTINIANS AND THE BROADER REGION. >> RAFAH, HOW MUCH DO YOU FIGURE THAT WILL BE IN THE DISCUSSIONS, EXPLICITLY TO HOLD OFF BECAUSE OF THE CIVILIANS IN RAFAH? >> I DON'T HAVE A PERCENTAGE OR AN ASSESSMENT TO OFFER, SHAWN,.
BUT WE HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT WE BELIEVE THAT IN ORDER TO UNDERTAKE ANY KIND OF OPERATION IN RAFAH, IT WOULD REQUIRE A SERIOUS AND SIGNIFICANT PLAN, ONE THAT ADDRESSES THE VARYING AND COMPLEX HUMANITARIAN CHALLENGES THAT ARE POSED IN THE RAFAH REGION, TALKING.
SPECIFICALLY ABOUT MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING REFUGE IN THE AREA. IT CONTINUING TO BE AN AREA THAT IS A CONDUIT FOR THE FLOW OF HUMANITARIAN AID. SO, I HAVE NO DOUBT IT WILL BE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED, BUT ALSO AS A.
REMINDER, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SULLIVAN SPOKE TO THIS EARLIER AND THIS WEEK, WE EXPECT A TEAM FROM ISRAEL TO MEET WITH MEMBERS OF THE INTERAGENCY IN THE UNITED STATES TO ALSO DISCUSS WAYS IN WHICH WE BELIEVE THAT HAMAS CAN BE DEFEATED, BUT DONE SO IN A TARGETED AND MORE.
PRECISE MANNER, AND HOPEFULLY DOES NOT IMPACT OR HAVE ANY NEGATIVE IMPACT ON PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS. DAPHNE, GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU. NETANYAHU HAS SAID THAT HE WILL SOON APPROVE A PLAN FOR THE EVACUATION OF PALESTINIAN.
CIVILIANS FROM FIGHTING AREAS AFTER HAVING GREEN LIT THE MILITARY'S OPERATIONAL PLANS FOR RAFAH. HAS THE U.S. SEEN ANY OF THESE PLANS YET? >> I'VE NOT SEEN — I DON'T HAVE ANY PLAN TO READ OUT OR TO OFFER AN ASSESSMENT ON, BUT LET ME BE.
VERY CLEAR, THIS HAS COME UP A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS WEEK, THERE SHOULD BE NO FULL SCALE MILITARY OPERATION IN RAFAH WITHOUT A CREDIBLE AND EXECUTABLE PLAN TO PROTECT THE CIVILIAN POPULATION. PART OF THAT ALSO, AND THIS HAS BEEN A — SOMETHING THE SECRETARY HAS MADE CLEAR AND.
REITERATED IN REMARKS HE GAVE IN TOKYO LAST YEAR, WE DO NOT SUPPORT THE FORCED DISPLACEMENT OF PALESTINIANS IN GAZA TO OUTSIDE OF GAZA. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD SUPPORT OR CONDONE. >> SORRY, JUST NOT LOOKING FOR ANY ASSESSMENT, BUT HAVE YOU.
ACTUALLY RECEIVED — >> I'M NOT AWARE. I'M NOT AWARE OF THAT. >> SURE, YEAH, GO AHEAD. >> WILL THE SECRETARY BE IN THE CONVERSATIONS NEXT WEEK WITH ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS, WITH ISRAELIS COMING HERE TO DISCUSS RAFAH?.
>> ONE, I DON'T HAVE SPECIFIC SCHEDULING TO OFFER ON, LIKE, WHEN THOSE CONVERSATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE. TWO, I DON'T HAVE AN EXACT DELEGATION MAKEUP BOTH FROM THE UNITED STATES SIDE OR THE ISRAELI SIDE, BUT WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT I HAVE NO DOUBT THE.
STATE DEPARTMENT WILL BE DEEPLY ENGAGED IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT HE WILL BE HAPPENING AT THE SECRETARY'S LEVEL, BUT, OF COURSE, WE ARE DEEPLY ENGAGED ON THIS ISSUE FROM ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT. >> AND RAFAH EDLY TALKED ABOUT PROTECTING THE CIVILIAN.
POPULATION THERE AND GIVEN THE OUTREACH TO ISRAEL TO DISCUSS THIS PLAN, IN MORE DETAIL, IS THE ADMINISTRATION IN A POSITION WHERE YOU GUYS WOULD BE WILLING TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO ISRAEL TO ACTUALLY PROTECT THE CIVILIAN POPULATION, IF THEY'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD WITH THIS OPERATION, OR.
IS THE ONUS ON ISRAEL TO DO THAT WITH THEIR OWN RESOURCES? >> I DON'T WANT TO GET AHEAD OF THE CONVERSATIONS. AS YOU KNOW, THE COURSE OF — SINCE OCTOBER 7th, BUT PRIOR TO THAT, WE HAVE A LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL IN TERMS OF PROVISIONS OF SECURITY.
ASSISTANCE AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WHAT WE HOPE TO HAPPEN THROUGH THIS CONVERSATION IS FOR THERE TO BE A CLEAR AND DIRECT ENGAGEMENT ON HOW THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT THIS. AND OFFER SOME INSIGHT AND ADVICE ON HOW WE WOULD APPROACH THIS SITUATION WERE WE IN THAT.
POSITION. SO I DON'T WANT TO GET AHEAD OF THAT CONVERSATION AND IF IN THE COURSE OF THAT IT IS DETERMINED THAT OUR ISRAELI PARTNERS NEED X, Y AND Z THAT IS A CONVERSATION THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE. GO AHEAD, KAMILLAH, STILL ON.
GAZA, I ASSUME? >> FIRST, I WANT TO ASK ABOUT A COLLEAGUE OF MINE IN GAZA. HE'S THE BUREAU CHIEF OF GAZA FOREIGN NEWSPAPER AND FOR THE ELECTRONIC VERSION. HIS NAME AND HIS PICTURE, HE WAS TAKEN BY THE ISRAELIS ON SUNDAY NIGHT TO MONDAY MORNING.
AND WE LOST HIS WHEREABOUTS, AND THEN THERE WAS A PICTURE PUBLISHED WITH HIM STRIPPED NAKED WITH OTHERS AND SO ON. MY POINT IS, WHEN WILL THE UNITED STATES DEMAND AND SAY THAT THIS CANNOT KEEP ON GOING WITH JOURNALISTS THAT ARE CREDENTIALED, THAT HAVE WORKED.
THERE FOR YEAR AFTER YEAR, DECADE AFTER DECADE, KNOWN TO THE ISRAELIS, WHY DO THEY KEEP TAKING THEM, TARGETING THEM, KILLING THEM, IMPRISONING THEM, WITH IMPUNITY? WHY IS THAT NOT OUTRAGEOUS TO YOU? >> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CONTINUING.
TO PRESS ISRAEL TO ENHANCE ITS MECHANISMS TO BETTER PROTECT CIVILIANS, WE, OF COURSE, ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT EXTENDING THAT TO JOURNALISTS AS WELL. WE ARE ALWAYS CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS, ESPECIALLY IN CONFLICT ZONES, ESPECIALLY IN SOMEWHERE LIKE.
GAZA, WHERE JOURNALISM PLAYS A CRITT ICAL ROLE AND AS SECRETAR BLINKEN SAID, JOURNALISTS INCLUDING MANY PALESTINIANS IN GAZA ARE DOING EXTRAORDINARY WORK UNDER THE MOST DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. AND WE HAVE BEEN UNEQUIVOCAL HERE.
WE ALSO HAVE BEEN REITERATED THE FACT THAT ISRAEL NEEDS TO ABIDE BY INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW, ESPECIALLY AS IT CONDUCTS THESE OPERATIONS. AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL CONTINUE TO REITERATE WITH THEM. >> WITH THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS SLAP ON THE WRIST KIND OF.
LANGUAGE IS NOT GOING IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM TO DISSUADE THE ISRAELIS OR TO MAKE THEM DO STUFF. YOU SHOULD KNOW. EVERYBODY BELIEVES THAT A CIVILIZED COUNTRY LIKE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WHO IS BASICALLY THE UMBILICAL CORD FOR.
ISRAEL TO DO EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN, CAN STAND AND SAY THIS SHOULD NOT GO ON. THIS SHOULD NOT GO ON. NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, WE URGE THEM NOT TO HARM THEM AND SO ON. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY SYSTEMATIC. WHEN YOU — WHEN 150 — I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY, 150 JOURNALISTS.
ARE KILLED, TAKEN, AND SO ON, THIS IS NOT JUST, YOU KNOW — >> IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE YOU HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION. LET ME JUST JUMP IN AND SAY FROM THE PRESIDENT ON DOWN, WE HAVE REITERATED THAT ISRAEL NEEDS TO — IT HAS A MORAL AND STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE TO DO MORE.
AND TO DO EVERYTHING IT CAN TO WORK ON AND BOLSTER ITS DECONFLICTION MECHANISMS, TO TAKE ADDITIONAL STEPS TO PROTECT CIVILIANS AND MINIMIZE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES AND THAT, OF COURSE, INCLUDES AND EXTENDS TO JOURNALISTS WHO WE BELIEVE ARE DOING IMPORTANT AND VITAL WORK.
IN THE REGION. >> COUPLE THINGS ON RAFAH. YOU KNOW, IT HAS BEEN SAID IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO EVACUATE GAZANS FROM RAFAH, 1.4 MILLION AND SO ON. AND IT SEEMS THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT THE UNITED STATES IS HAVING MEETINGS NEXT WEEK OR.
ADMINISTRATION WILL BE HAVING MEETINGS TO DISCUSS RAFAH. SO, IF YOU ARE CONVINCED, AND THAT'S WHAT WE GET, AT LEAST, YOU KNOW, THE SUGGESTION IS THAT IT IS REALLY VERY DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE. WHY CANNOT THIS BE MADE A RESTATEMENT OR STANDARD U.S.
POSITION? STANDARD U.S. POSITION THAT RAFAH SHOULD NOT BE INVADED? >> SAEED, IT IS OUR POSITION THAT SUCH AN OPERATION SHOULD NOT AND CANNOT BE CONDUCTED WITHOUT A CREDIBLE AND SERIOUS PLAN, A PLAN THAT NEEDS TO ACCOUNT FOR AND ADDRESS THE.
VARYING HUMANITARIAN FACTORS IN THE RAFAH REGION. FIRSTLY, THE MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE SEEKING REFUGE IN THE AREA. TWO, IT CONTINUING TO BE AN AREA THAT IS A CONDUIT FOR HUMANITARIAN AID. IT IS OUT OF SERIOUS CONCERN FOR.
THESE TWO FACTORS THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN UNAMBIGUOUS ABOUT OUR CONCERNS AS IT RELATES TO AN OPERATION IN RAFAH, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR ISRAELI PARTNERS PAR PARTNERS.
ANYTHING ELSE? >> LAST ONE. AFTER WEEKS OF THE RAFAH DILEMMA THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON, IS THERE A CONSIDERABLE WAY TO REMOVE SUCH HUGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE AND MOVE THEM SAFELY AND IN YOUR VIEW OR ANYBODY'S VIEW? >> WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
DEALING WITH THE MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING REFUGE IN RAFAH, SAEED, WE'RE NOT BEING PRESCRIPTIVE ABOUT HOW TO GO ABOUT AND DO THAT. WHEN IT COMES TO THE MOVEMENT OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE RESIDING IN GAZA, WE HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR.
THAT THE FORCIBLE MOVEMENT OR THE FORCIBLE REMOVAL OF THEM IS CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD SUPPORT. BUT BEYOND THAT, I DON'T HAVE — WE'RE NOT AIMING TO BE PRESCRIPTIVE HERE, SAEED. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR ISRAELI.
PARTNERS ON WHAT WE BELIEVE CAN HOPEFULLY BE A PATH FORWARD THAT WILL HELP DEFEAT HAMAS, AND ALSO BE MINDFUL OF THESE VARYING HUMANITARIAN FACTORS. ON GAZA, GO AHEAD. >> YOU SAID THAT YOU EXPECT ISRAEL TO ACT IN INTERNATIONAL LAW.
LAST MONTH YOU ANNOUNCED PUBLICLY THAT YOU ARE ASSESSING WHETHER OR NOT ISRAEL IS COMPLYING WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ALSO ASSESSING THE USE OF — IN ISRAEL'S WAR. HAVE YOU COME TO ANY CONCLUSION AND DO YOU HAVE ANY EXPECTATION OF THAT, HOW LONG IT MIGHT TAKE?.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY UPDATES. I DON'T HAVE ANY UPDATES TO OFFER IN THAT SPACE. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THAT ONGOING WORK, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THE CONTEXT OF HOW THIS KIND OF WORK IS ONGOING IN ALL CONFLICT AREAS, WHERE WE'RE ASSESSING THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND ANECDOTES ON.
THE GROUND AND WE'RE ASSESSING WHAT IS HAPPENING. AND, OF COURSE, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF VECTORS AND NUMBER OF LINES OF EFFORTS WITHIN THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO ASSESS THOSE KIND OF THINGS. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT A COUPLE OF THEM FROM UP HERE.
PROCESSES LIKE THE PROCESSES LIKE CHURN AND SOME OF THAT WORK IS JUST GOING TO CONTINUE AND I DON'T HAVE AN UPDATE TO OFFER ON THAT. >> ONE MORE ON THAT, YESTERDAY, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH SAID THEY SUBMITTED MEMORANDUM TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT REGARDING ISRAEL'S.
VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THIS INCLUDES THE MYSTERIES OF U.S. WEAPONS AND BLOCKING THE AID. WHAT IS YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THIS REPORT BECAUSE THIS INCLUDES, LIKE, SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS LIKE USE OF PHOSPHOROUS IN LEBANON AND GAZA, ATTACKING AMBULANCES,.
HOSPITALS, AND BLOCKING THE U.S. — >> I'VE SEEN THE OPEN SOURCE REPORTING OF IT, AS IT RELATED TO THE REPORT I DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC ASSESSMENT TO OFFER ON THAT SPECIFICALLY AS IT RELATES TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY MEMORANDUM AND ITS LINKAGE TO.
THAT REPORT IN JUST SPEAKING TO SHAWN'S QUESTION, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NSM IS ONGOING AND I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO OFFER ON THAT. ANYTHING ELSE ON GAZA BEFORE — WE CAN DO AS MANY AS YOU WANT, I WANT TO STAY ON TOPIC. ON GAZA, CAN I DO CAMILA FIRST?.
>> YOU HAVE STOOD AT THE PODIUM AND YOU HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THERE ARE INCIDENTS THAT ARE RAISED WITH THE ISRAELIS EVERY TIME SOMETHING HAPPENS, THAT YOU GUYS WANT ANSWERS ON EVERY TIME A JOURNALIST IS SUBJECTED TO INHUMANE TREATMENT OR EVIDENCE OF THAT OR JOURNALIST IS KILLED.
IN GAZA, IS THIS TREATED THE SAME WAY WHERE YOU GO TO THE ISRAELIS AND ASK THEM WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND IS THERE A LIST OF JOURNALISTS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE ASKED ABOUT, ESPECIALLY ONES THAT COLLEAGUES OF OURS IN GAZA WHO ARE WORKING WITH US ON THIS STORY EVERY DAY, AND HAVE YOU.
HAD ANY RESPONSE FROM THE ISRAELIS ON ANY INDIVIDUAL CASES? >> THERE CERTAINLY ARE. THERE CERTAINLY ARE SPECIFIC INCIDENTS AS IT RELATES TO JOURNALISTS IN WHICH WE HAVE ASKED OUR PARTNERS IN THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL FOR MORE.
INFORMATION. AND INSTANCES WE HAVE GOTTEN MORE INFORMATION ON THE SPECIFICS TO THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE. I'M NOT AT LIBERTY TO SPEAK TO SOME OF THOSE GIVEN PRIVACY CONCERNS, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE RAISE AND WE RAISE IT.
AS — AT THE SERIOUSNESS — WE RAISE OTHER ISSUES THAT WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT AND WE'RE SEEKING MORE INFORMATION ON. >> AND WOULD THIS BE A CASE IN WHICH YOU WOULD RAISE — >> I'M NOT AWARE OF THE SPECIFICS AROUND THIS CASE. I'M HAPPY TO CHECK BUT I DON'T.
WANT TO SPEAK TO SOMETHING IN THAT SPECIFICITY WHEN I DON'T HAVE INFORMATION IN FRONT OF ME. >> — EXPECTING THAT TO BE SOMETHING TO MAKE THE LIST TO BE RAISED WITH THE ISRAELIS AND I CAN TURN TO HAITI AFTER. >> WITH REGARD TO THE ONGOING OPERATION ON THE LARGEST.
HOSPITAL COMPLEX IN GAZA, OBVIOUSLY IT WAS THE SAME LOCATION WHERE THE ISRAELIS CARRIED OUT ANOTHER OPERATION IN NOVEMBER. SO, I JUST WONDER IF THEY'RE HAVING TO GO BACK AGAIN IF THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF THEIR OPERATIONS AS THEY, YOU.
KNOW, CONTINUE TO GO AFTER WHAT THEY SAY ARE TERRORISTS IN THE HOSPITAL. >> I WILL LET THE ISRAELIS SPEAK TO THEIR OWN OPERATION AND HOW THEY'RE CONDUCTING IT AND ANY ASSESSMENT THEY HAVE MADE THAT WOULD MAKE — THAT GOES INTO THEIR REASONING FOR WHY THEY'RE.
DECIDING TO CONDUCT SUCH AN OPERATION. WHAT I WILL JUST SAY IS THERE TINS CONTINUES TO BE PLENTY OF OPEN SOURCE REPORTING OUT THERE OF HAMAS USING HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS AS AREAS IN WHICH HOSTAGES ARE BEING HELD, AS.
AREAS THAT LEAD INTO THEIR TUNNEL NETWORKS. THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS SURPRISING TO US. THERE IS A CLEAR TRACK RECORD OF THAT. BUT AS IT RELATES TO THE SPECIFIC OPERATION, I'LL DEFER TO OUR ISRAELI PARTNERS.
>> ONE MORE. >> GO AHEAD. >> REALIZING THAT BASED ON OUR COUNTRY'S POLICIES, BUT DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT ON CANADA SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO STOP — TO ISRAEL? >> THAT'S FOR OUR CANADIAN PARTNERS TO SPEAK TO AND A.
SOVEREIGN DECISION OF THEIRS TO MAKE. THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN CLEAR, YOU SAW THE PRESIDENT SPEAK TO THIS NOT TOO LONG AGO, WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF, AND BEEN CLEAR THAT WE MUST DO SO WHILE ALSO BEING VERY CLEAR THE MORAL.
AND STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE OUR PARTNERS IN ISRAEL HAVE IN PROTECTING THE LIVES OF CIVILIANS AND OUR POSITION HASN'T CHANGED. WE TALKED TO OUR CANADIAN PARTNERS ALL THE TIME. I'M NOT AWARE OF A SPECIFIC CONVERSATION TO READ OUT,.
THOUGH. ON GAZA, DAPHNE. I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ANY FOLKS THAT STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ON GAZA. BUT WE'LL HAVE TIME TO TALK HAITI. GO AHEAD. >> THE MARITIME CORRIDOR, WHEN.
WILL THAT BE READY? >> THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK ON AROUND THE CLOCK. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS CONFLICT. WE HAVE BEEN LEADING EFFORTS TO GET LIFE SAVING HUMANITARIAN AID INTO GAZA TO ALLEVIATE THE.
SUFFERING YOU SAW AT THE STATE OF THE UNION, THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED THIS UNDERTAKING THAT HE IS DIRECTED THE U.S. MILITARY TO ESTABLISH. AND SO THAT WORK IS HAPPENING. I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER DETAILS TO OFFER. ON THE CONSTRUCTION, ANY UPDATES.
ON THE PEER ITSELF, THE TEMPORARY PIER ITSELF, I'M SURE MY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE COLLEAGUES WILL BE HAPPY TO SPEAK TO THAT. >> WILL HE BE MEETING OTHER FOREIGN MINH SISTERS IN CAIRO OR THAN EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER? >> I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO MUCH.
AHEAD OF THE SECRETARY'S SCHEDULE AND WHAT HIS VISIT TO THE SPECIFIC COUNTRIES PLAY OUT, BUT WE FULLY EXPECT HIM TO ENGAGE WITH ARAB LEADERS WHILE HE'S IN THE REGION. ON GAZA, OKAY, ANYTHING ELSE ON GAZA? OKAY.
CAMILA HAS BEEN PATIENTLY WAITING FOR HAITI OR DAPHNE, WHOEVER WANTS TO GO. >> THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE ANY UPDATES ON AMERICANS TRYING TO LEAVE HAITI? ANY MORE U.S. ORGANIZED FLIGHTS? >> AS OF MARCH 20th, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IS FACILITATING THE.
SAFE DEPARTURE OF U.S. CITIZENS FROM PORT-au-PRINCE, HAITI. WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZING GOVERNMENT CHARTERED HELICOPTER FLIGHTS FROM PORT-au-PRINCE TO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WHERE PERSONNEL ARE PRESENT TO PROVIDE CONSULAR ASSISTANCE AND FROM SANTO.
DOMINGO AMERICANS WILL BE SP RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ONWARD TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES. I ASSUME THE NEXT QUESTION IS WILL THERE BE MORE OF THESE AND THAT IS GOING TO DEPEND ON THE DEMAND, THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND, THE RELIABILITY OF COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION, OUR.
HOPE IS TO KEEP THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO NEED IT. AND THE FEASIBILITY AND THE ASSESSMENT OF THAT WORK IS GOING TO BE ONGOING. >> AND HOW MANY AMERICANS ARE ON THE FLIGHTS TODAY? >> SO FOR OPERATIONAL SECURITY.
REASONS AND ONGOING, I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK WITH GREATER S SPECI SPECIFICITY, BUT WE EXPECT HELICOPTER MOVEMENTS TO MAKE MULTIPLE TRIPS IN ORDER TO TRY AND GET AS MANY AMERICAN CITIZENS AS WE CAN TODAY. WHILE ALSO CONTINUING TO LOOK AT.
WHAT OPTIONS MIGHT BE AVAILABLE AND HOW — WHAT OPTIONS MIGHT BE AVAILABLE FOR REOCCURRING MOVEMENTS IN THE DAYS AHEAD AND EVEN BEYOND. >> OKAY. AND JUST ON THE TRANSITION, ANY UPDATE ON ITS FORMATION AND ARE YOU CONCERNED BY HOW LONG THIS.
HAS TAKEN? >> EVERY DAY COUNTS AND OUR HOPE IS THAT CONVERSATIONS ARE CONTINUING WITH THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TRANSITIONAL PRESIDENTIAL COUNSEL. WE UNDERSTAND HAITIAN STAKEHOLDERS ARE CLOSELY FINALIZING MEMBERSHIP AND REMAIN.
IN ACTIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH CARE COM AND WE THINK THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN SWIFTLY BECAUSE IT IS CLEAR TO US THAT THIS HAITIAN-LED PROCESS IS KEY FOR PAVING THE WAY FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AS WELL AS DEPLOYMENT OF THE MULTINATIONAL SECURITY SUPPORT MISSION AS WELL.
ANYTHING ELSE ON HAITI? GO AHEAD. >> HELICOPTERS, GRANTED THAT IS A SENSITIVE SECURITYWISE, ARE YOU ABLE TO COME ON A TOUR AND CONCERNS AROUND HELICOPTERS TAKING OFF FROM PORT-au-PRINCE AND GOING THAT PARTICULAR ROUTE. >> LET ME JUST SAY BROADLY.
FIRST, YOU HEARD ME SAY THIS BEFORE, HAITI IS A LEVEL FOUR, DO NOT TRAVEL COUNTRY, IT HAS BEEN SO SINCE 2020. THE VIOLENCE ON THE GROUND IN PORT-au-PRINCE HAS BEEN DIRE. THE SECURITY SITUATION IS CERTAINLY ONE OF HIGH RISK. BUT I WILL ALSO JUST SAY THAT WE.
WOULD NOT CONDUCT SUCH AN OPERATION IF WE DID NOT FEEL THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DO SO AND THAT WE DID NOT HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO CONDUCT SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT, GIVEN SECURITY CONCERNS. AND, OF COURSE, THE SITUATION ON.
THE GROUND IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST FACTORS INTO DETERMINING THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH WE CAN DO THIS AND WHAT OTHER OPTIONS MIGHT BE AVAILABLE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS INCLUDING POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL OPTIONS. >> AN UPDATE ON NUMBERS OF AMERICANS INTERESTED IN GETTING.
ASSISTANCE OF DEPARTURE? >> AGAIN, REMEMBER, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CRISIS IN TAKE FOUR, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A WIDE POPULATION OF AMERICAN CITIZENS, SOME ARE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING DEPARTURE OPTIONS, SOME JUST WANT TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR THE.
EMBASSY, SOME WANT EXPERTISE AT ADVICE ON HOW THEY MAY BE ABLE TO REMAIN SAFE AND OTHERS MAY NOT BE IN A PLACE FOR SAFE DEPARTURE NOW, BUT MAYBE DOWN THE LINE. IT IS IMPORTANT WE TALK ABOUT THIS, THIS POPULATION IN THE BROAD SENSE THAT IT IS.
BUT OUR — THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS WHO HAVE REACHED OUT TO US THROUGH THIS FORUM IS APPROACHING 1600. >> A QUESTION ON HOW WE CAN DISCUSS THE MOVEMENTS GIVEN THEY'RE ONGOING, SO WE CAN SAY THEY'RE ONGOING TODAY, AND THEN THE DEPARTMENT IS EXPLORING.
OPTIONS FOR CONTINUING THEM AS SOON AS TOMORROW? IS THAT — >> WE ARE EXPLORING WHAT OPTIONS ARE POSSIBLE FOR CONTINUING THEM AND SHOULD THE CIRCUMSTANCES BE PROPER, IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE, BUT I WANT TO TAKE THIS ONE DAY AT A TIME.
GIVEN THE VERY FLUID SITUATION ON THE GROUND. >> GO AHEAD, NICK. >> YOU SAID WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZING GOVERNMENT CHARTERED HELICOPTER FLIGHTS. HAVE THEY ALREADY STARTED OR ARE THEY STARTING LATER TODAY OR — >> THAT IS WHAT I AM.
INTENTIONALLY BEING VAGUE ABOUT GIVEN OPERATIONAL SECURITY. HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE MORE LATER TODAY, BUT THIS IS — THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF AMERICAN CITIZENS IS — WE HAVE NO HIGHER PRIORITY THAN THAT, AND SO WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAD CLARITY ON WHAT WE WERE DOING.
AND ALSO MAINTAINING THE SECURITY FOR THIS OPERATION TO BE CONDUCTED. ANYTHING ELSE ON HAITI BEFORE WE CLOSE OUT? OKAY. ALEX, GO AHEAD. >> ON UKRAINE, RUSSIA IS USING FEAR TO CONTROL OCCUPIED.
TERRITORIES. CAN I GET YOUR REACTION? >> LOOK, ALEX, I HAVE NOT SEEN THAT SPECIFIC REPORT. BUT IT SHOULD BE NO SURPRISE TO ANYBODY THAT THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IS USING, PAR TAKING IN REPRESSIVE TACTICS TO SILENCE THE VOICE OF DISSENTERS, TO.
SILENCE THE VOICES OF OPPOSITION. AND, AGAIN, WHEN IT COMES TO THESE TERRITORIES, LET ME BE UNEQUIVOCALLY CLEAR, THEY ARE UKRAINE. AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR UKRAINIAN PARTNERS AS THEY CONTINUE TO DEFEND AND FIGHT FOR.
THEIR TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND SOVEREIGNTY. >> — SAYING THAT SUCCESS IN UKRAINE AGAINST RUSSIAN OCCUPATION IS A QUESTION OF U.S. CREDIBILITY. DO YOU THINK THE U.S. CREDIBILITY IS AT STAKE HERE? >> I WOULD — I THINK THAT.
OUR — WHEN IT COMES TO OUR CREDIBILITY, YOU NEED NOT LOOK ANY FURTHER THAN THE IMMENSE SUPPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES AND PARTNERS HAVE PROVIDED TO OUR UKRAINIAN PARTNERS, SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2022. AND THAT WORK IS GOING TO.
CONTINUE AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO SO IN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH OUR ALLIES AND PARTNERS. IT IS BECAUSE, OF COURSE, THE COURAGEOUSNESS AND HEROISM OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE, BUT ALSO THE CONVERGENCE WITH OUR PARTNERS IN EUROPE AND OTHERS.
AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT UKRAINE IN THE WAY THAT WE HAVE, AND IT HAS BEEN ABLE TO DEFEND ITSELF SO FIERCELY. >> ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS THAT HUMAN RIGHT SUPPORTS IS ENDURING, IS THERE ANY REASON FOR DELAY?.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY SCHEDULING ITEMS TO OFFER. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE WILL SHARE THE HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT WITH YOU ALL AT SOME POINT SOON. >> THERE ARE REPORTS, OUTCOME, NOT COMPARABLE WITH — ISN'T IT SUCCESSFUL? >> WE WOULD SAY IT WAS A.
SUCCESSFUL SUMMIT AND I KNOW THE SECRETARY REALLY APPRECIATED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THERE AND APPRECIATED THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA FOR HOSTING. OUTSIDE OF THE SECRETARY THERE CONTINUE TO BE OR HAVE BEEN SENIOR OFFICIALS IN KOREA, CONTINUING TO PARTICIPATE IN.
THIS SUMMIT. THE FOLKS LIKE UNDER SECRETARY ZAYA. THE SECRETARY, AS YOU SAW, ALEX, I SPOKE ABOUT THIS EARLIER THIS WEEK, HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE A SET OF REMARKS ON INFORMATION INTEGRITY, WHICH WE THINK IS ONE OF THE MOST.
CRITICAL ASPECTS AT THE NEXUS OF DEMOCRACY WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT. I'M SURE WE'LL HAVE MORE TO SHARE ON THIS SPACE GOING FORWARD. I'M GOING TO WORK THE ROOM A LITTLE BIT, ALEX. GO AHEAD.
>> — TODAY REPORTED THAT SECRETARY BLINKEN BLOCKED THE RELEASE OF G-7 STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN RUSSIA. CAN YOU CONFIRM THAT? CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE DECISION? >> I'VE NOT SEEN THAT REPORT. AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT TO BE.
TRUE. AND WE HAVE TAKEN A NUMBER OF STEPS IN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH OUR G-7 PARTNERS AS WELL AS INDEPENDENTLY TO HOLD THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION TO ACCOUNT FOR ITS ACTIONS AND ITS INFRINGEMENT ON UKRAINIAN TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND.
SOVEREIGNTY. >> ONE MORE, ON MONDAY, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE — SAID THAT THE UNITED STATES — TO ENGAGE IN ARMS CONTROL TALKS WITH CHINA AND RUSSIA WITHOUT ANY PRECONDITIONS. IF WASHINGTON HAS PUT FORWARD ANY PROPOSITIONS TO MOSCOW OR.
BEIJING? >> I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY MEETINGS OR ENGAGEMENTS TO READ OUT BUT I'M HAPPY TO CHECK. GO AHEAD. YEAH, YOU, YES. >> SO, RECENTLY PRIME MINISTER MODI VISITED THE INDIAN STATE OF PRADESH AND THERE IS A REACTION.
THE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON HAS SAID THAT CHINA STRONGLY DEPLEERNZ FIRMLY OPPOSES THE INDIAN LEADER'S VISIT TO THIS BOUNDARY. I WANT TO GET YOUR COMMENT ON THAT. CHINA'S ENCROACHMENTS INTO OTHER LANDS HAVE, IT SEEMS LIKE HAVE.
ENCROACHMENTS HAPPENING WITHIN THE INDO-PACIFIC AS WELL, IN PLACES LIKE SOLOMON ISLANDS AND NOW WE'RE SEEING ALL OVER MICRONESIA. IT SEEMS LIKE THE FOLKS ON THE GROUND ARE DEMANDING FOR A COUNTER TO CHINA'S ENCROACHMENTS INTO THEIR SOVEREIGN.
TERRITORIES. CAN I GET YOUR COMMENT ON THAT? >> LET ME TAKE YOUR FIRST QUESTION. THE UNITED STATES RECOGNIZES PRADESH AS INDIAN TERRITORY AND WE OPPOSE ANY UNILATERAL ATTEMPTS TO ADVANCE TERRITORIAL CLAIMS BY INCURSIONS OR.
ENCROACHMENTS, MILITARY OR CIVILIAN, ACROSS THE LINE OF ACTUAL CONTROL. I'LL NEED YOU TO REPEAT YOUR FOLLOW UP. >> SIMPLY, CHINESE ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE INDO-PACIFIC HAS BEEN VERY VISIBLE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, AND MANY FOLKS WITHIN.
THE SOLOMON ISLANDS, TO FIJI, TO PLACES WITHIN THE MICRONESIA HAVE BEEN DEMAND FOING FOR A COUNTER TO THE CHINESE INFLUENCE. A LOT OF THEM ARE WONDERING WHAT THE U.S. POSITION IS ON THIS. >> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE INDO-PACIFIC, YOU HAVE TO.
REMEMBER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING ECONOMIES, AND I CAN'T THINK OF A MORE IMPORTANT PLACE WHERE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RULES-BASED INTERNATIONAL ORDER, THE U.N. CHART, ALL THOSE.
THINGS ARE BEING RESPECTED AND ABIDED BY AND THAT'S ONE OF OUR TENANTS OF OUR ENGAGEMENTS IN THE REGION. THE SECRETARY WAS JUST THERE IN SEOUL FOR THIS SUMMIT, FOR DEMOCRACY, IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA WHERE HE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH NOT.
JUST THE FOREIGN MINISTER COUNTERPARTS AND PRESIDENT EUN. OVER THE COURSE OF THIS ADMINISTRATION THERE IS A NUMBER OF STEPS THAT WE HAVE TAKEN TO BOLSTER OUR ENGAGEMENT IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION. I REMIND YOU THAT JUST LAST YEAR PRESIDENT BIDEN HOSTED THE FIRST.
TRIROUTE SUMMIT AT CAMP DAVID WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS. WE HAVE UPDED OUR ENGAGEMENT INE QUAD. IT IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE AND PLAY A FOCUS ON. GO AHEAD IN THE BACK. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
YESTERDAY AT TWO U.S. RETIRED GENERALS TESTIFIED AT CONGRESS ABOUT AFGHANISTAN. AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WANTED 2,500 AMERICAN TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN, THE FINAL DECISION WAS MADE BY THE PRESIDENT BIDEN AND ALSO STATE DEPARTMENT. ALSO I TALKED TO SOME LAWMAKERS.
INCLUDING MICHAEL WALLS, THEY BLAMED PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT THAT MADE THE FINAL DECISION AND OUTCOME WAS WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN AFGHANISTAN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S REACTION ON THAT AND I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.
TOO. >> OKAY. SO I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE ZOOM OUT AND WIDEN THE APERTURE TO REMEMBER WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE EXACTLY TALKING ABOUT. AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE 20-YEAR END OF THE COMPLEX WAR.
AMERICA'S LONGEST WAR. THOUSANDS OF TROOPS WERE KILLED. MANY MORE THOUSANDS PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY HARMED. AND WE HONOR THEIR SERVICE AND MOURN THEIR LOSSES AND INJURIES WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES. YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT.
PRESIDENT BIDEN MADE THE DECISION TO END THIS WAR AND HAS REPEATEDLY SAID IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, AND TODAY OUR NATION IS STRONGER AS A RESULT. AND AS PART OF THE ROBUST INTENSE INTERAGENCY PROCESS TO END AMERICA'S LONGEST WAR, THE DECISION WAS MADE TO KEEP AN.
EMBASSY AND DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE IN KABUL, FOLLOWING THE WITHDRAW OF U.S. COMBATANT TROOPS. THE EMBASSY MAINTAINED AN ACTIVE EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE PLANNING PROCESS, THAT CONVENED REPEATEDLY IN 2021 TO ASSESS THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND. AS MANY OF YOU IN THIS ROOM SO.
WELL KNOW, EMBASSIES ALL AROUND THE WORLD WHERE WE HAVE DIPLOMATS MAINTAIN AN EAC PROCESS. AND AT NONCOMBATANT EVACUATION OPERATION WAS ONE OF THE TOOLS AVAILABLE TO AN EMBASSY. AN EMBASSY KABUL WAS WELL VERSED IN PLANNING, IT HAD A PLAN AND.
THE GENERALS TESTIFIED TO THE EXISTENCE OF THIS PLAN YESTERDAY. THIS IS AN ENTITY THAT COORDINATED AND MET REGULARLY. THIS KIND OF CONTINGENCY AND FEASIBILITY PLANNING HAPPENS AROUND THE WORLD. IT IS ALSO WELL DOCUMENTED THAT.
THE U.S. DID NOT WANT TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE PLANNING FOR OR THE START OF A NEO SO AS TO NOT WEAKEN THE POSITION OF THE THEN AFGHAN GOVERNMENT, POTENTIALLY SIGNALING A POTENTIAL LACK OF FAITH. AGAIN, OUR INTENTION AT THE TIME WAS TO KEEP OPEN AND OPERATING.
EMBASSY KABUL. BUT BY THE SUMMER OF 2021, THERE WAS A TASK FORCE STOOD UP, PREPARED TO EXECUTE A NEO IF AND WHEN IT WAS CALLED FOR. IT IS WORTH REMINDING AND REPEATING THAT IT WAS THE PREFER ADMINISTRATION THAT NEGOTIATED THE DOHA AGREEMENT WITH NO.
SUBSEQUENT PLAN FOR EVACUATING U.S. CITIZENS OR OUR AFGHAN ALLIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. AND IT WAS UP TO THIS ADMINISTRATION, INCLUDING FROM THE GARBLED TRANSITION PERIOD TO DO THAT. IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR MILITARY COLLEAGUES, AS A NEO.
WAS INTENDED, WE ACHIEVED THE MOST SUCCESSFUL AIRLIFT IN HISTORY, NEARLY 124,000 PEOPLE ON PLANES OUT OF THE COUNTRY, DUE TO THE TALIBAN'S OVERRUNNING OF THE CITY AND THE COLLAPSING OF THE AFGHAN GOVERNMENT. THIS OCCURRED IN A VERY FLUID AND DYNAMIC AND DANGEROUS.
ENVIRONMENT AT THE KABUL AIRPORT. AND INCLUDED THE DEATH OF 13 MILITARY COLLEAGUES OF OURS, HUNDREDS OF CIVILIANS AND INJURIES TO MANY OTHERS. AND THOSE LOSSES ARE TRAGIC. WITHIN WEEKS OF THE COLLAPSE OF THE AFGHAN GOVERNMENT, THE U.S.
BEGAN RELOCATION FLIGHTS BY CONTINUING TO PROTECT AMERICANS IN HARM'S WAY, AS WELL AS STANDING BY OUR AFGHAN ALLIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. I'LL ALSO NOTE, I KNOW SO MANY IN THIS ROOM ARE WELL AWARE OF IT, SECRETARY BLINKEN CALLED FOR AN AFTER ACTION REVIEW TO LEARN.
THE IMPORTANT LESSONS AND TO FORTIFY PROCESSES AND HOW WE RESPOND TO UNEXPECTED CRISS AROUND THE WORLD AND HOW WE SUPPORT AMERICAN CITIZENS AND FOREIGN NATIONALS AND OTHERS ENGAGING WITH OUR DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS. THIS WHOLE WEEK I'VE BEEN TAKING.
QUESTIONS ON PLACES LIKE HAITI, SUDAN, UKRAINE, ISRAEL, GAZA, THESE ARE ALL PLACES IN WHICH WHERE WE HAVE TAKEN LESSONS FROM THIS AFTER ACTION REPORT AND IMPLEMENTED THEM TO FURTHER IMPROVE IN THE AREAS OF COMMUNICATION, RESOURCES, PREPAREDNESS, AND THAT WORK WILL.
CONTINUE. WE'RE GOING TO WORK TO BETTER INFORM OUR RESPONSE IN TIMES OF CRISIS. AND WE ALREADY HAVE TAKEN MORE THAN 40 CONCRETE ACTIONS AND IDENTIFIED ADDITIONAL STEPS TO GUIDE ITSELF. WE'RE ALSO GOING TO CONTINUE TO.
COMPLY WITH THE HOUSE AND SENATE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEES, WITH LEGITIMATE OVERSIGHT OF THE AFGHANISTAN WAR, BUILDING ON THE DOZENS OF WITNESS AND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF TESTIMONY AND THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PAGES OF DOCUMENTS THAT WE HAVE ALREADY MADE.
AVAILABLE AND CONTINUE TO MAKE AVAILABLE. >> SO, YOU TALK ABOUT THIS PREVIOUSLY AS WELL, BUT SO THE TALIBAN ANNOUNCED REOPENING — ONLY FOR — LONG STORY, SO GIRLS CANNOT GO TO SCHOOL. I KNOW — I'M AWARE YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE, BUT MY.
SPECIFIC QUESTION FOR TODAY IS THAT IS UNITED STATES LEVERAGE DECLINING FOR TALIBAN. IF NOT, WHICH KIND OF LEVERAGE IS LEFT TO USE IN TERMS OF CONVINCING THE TALIBAN TO ALLOW GIRLS TO GO TO SCHOOL. >> WE CONTINUE TO HAVE A NUMBER OF TOOLS IN OUR TOOL BELT AT OUR.
DISPOSAL. WE HAVE BEEN CLEAR THAT GIRLS SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN BLOCKED FROM GOING TO SCHOOL IN THE FIRST PLACE. ADVANCING RESPECT FOR THE RIGHTS OF AFGHAN WOMEN AND GIRLS IS CRITICAL TO U.S. EFFORTS IN AFGHANISTAN.
>> FEW DIFFERENT TOPICS. INDONESIA, STATEMENT FROM THE SECRETARY THIS MORNING, BUT, IT WASN'T SO LONG AGO WASN'T WELCOME IN THE UNITED STATES TO HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS. ARE THOSE GOING TO FIGURE INTO THE RELATIONSHIP WITH INDONESIA? >> SO, WE EXTEND OUR SINCEREST.
CONGRATULATION TO THE INDONESIAN PRESIDENT ELECT AND WE APPLAUD THE INTERNEEGS PEOPLE FOR THEIR ROBUST TURNOUT AND COMMITMENTS TO DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW. AS CLOSE PARTNERS AND FRIENDS UNDER OUR COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP, WE'RE.
GOING TO WORK HAND AND HAND TO BETTER DELIVER FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CITIZENS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO ENGAGE ON THAT, AND PARTNERING WITH THE PRESIDENT ELECT AND HIS ADMINISTRATION WHEN THEY TAKE OFFICE IN OCTOBER. LOOK, JUST TO TAKE A BIT OF A.
STEP BACK AND TO ANY BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE IN COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD, WE — WHEN WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS OR VIOLATIONS OF OTHER KINDS, WE RAISE THOSE AND RAISE THOSE DIRECTLY AND CANDIDLY AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT WHEN APPROPRIATE.
>> I KNOW ALSO SEPARATE TOPIC, FROM THE PODIUM, I WANT TO — GET TOO DEEP INTO POLITICS, BUT ALSO REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATION, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP DENOUNCED THE AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S., SAYING HE SHOULD BE — I THINK HIS TERM WAS HE'S■ NOT — OR SOMETHING.
JUST THE U.S. HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT AND ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH — >> WELL, ONE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES JUST ASKED ABOUT THE INDO-PACIFIC AND I WOULD SAY THAT AUSTRALIA IS ONE OF OUR MOST VITAL PARTNERS, NOT JUST WHEN IT COMES TO THE.
INDO-PACIFIC, BUT WE THINK ABOUT THE WORLD BROADLY, IT IS A COUNTRY IN WHICH WE SHARE A NUMBER OF LIKE MINDED POINTS OF VIEW, AND WHO ALSO HAVE DONE IMMENSE WORK TO SUPPORT OUR UKRAINIAN PARTNERS. AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY AND COOPERATE WITH.
THEM. I KNOW PRIME MINISTER RUDD HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PARTNER IN D.C. AS AN AMBASSADOR AND FOLKS AROUND THIS BUILDING HAVE ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIM AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. >> FOLLOW-UP QUESTION ON SERBIA AND KOSOVO.
BASICALLY WHETHER THERE IS AN AGREEMENT, ARRANGEMENT BY THE U.S. FOR — >> I DON'T HAVE THE UPDATE ON THE PROCESSES, SHAWN, OTHER THAN THE CONCERNS THAT WE RAISED YESTERDAY. AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH THE EU FACILITATED.
DIALOGUE AND LET THE PROCESS GO FROM THERE. LEAH, GO AHEAD. >> ON MONDAY, THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN WILL CLOSE THE FIRST TRILATERAL U.S. JAPAN PHILIPPINES — COULD YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS MEETING.
WILL BE AND WHAT SIGNAL IT IS INTENDED TO SEND? >> SO, THIS IS HAPPENING ON THE MARGINS OF PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA'S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES FOR HIS STATE VISIT. BUT THE SECRETARY SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT THIS IN HIS TRIP TO MANILA.
AND PART OF IT IS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR APPROACH TO THE INDO-PACIFIC, A BIG KEY PIECE OF THAT IS COORDINATING CLOSELY WITH OUR ALLIES AND INVESTING IN THOSE ALLIES AND PARTNERSHIPS. WHEN IT COMES TO JAPAN, AND THE PHILIPPINES, THEY ARE SOME OF OUR MOST KEY INTEGRAL AND VITAL.
PARTNERS IN A NUMBER OF AREAS, IN ADDRESSING THE CLIMATE CRISIS, SECURITY COOPERATION, ECONOMIC COOPERATION, TRADE, AND A NUMBER OF OTHER SPACES AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING ABOUT IT AND DISCUSSING A NUMBER OF ISSUES BOTH BILATERALLY WITH THEM AND ALSO THROUGH THIS.
TRILATERAL MECHANISM AS WELL. >> TODAY, MR. DONAHUE APPEARED IN COMMITTEE AND CONGRESSMAN ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT THE DOCTOR WHO HELPED CIA TO KILL OSAMA BIN LADEN. HE WAS ASKING IF PAKISTAN IS GOING TO — WITHIN THE AMERICAN JAIL.
HE COULDN'T COMPLETE HIS ANSWER BECAUSE THERE WAS, LIKE, MANY QUESTIONS. SO COULD YOU TELL US IS THERE ANY PLAN TO — >> I DON'T HAVE ANY UPDATES AS IT RELATES TO THAT. I DIDN'T CATCH THAT PART OF THE HEARING, BUT YOU HAVE TO.
REMEMBER ONE OF THE THIS DEPARTMENT'S MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES IS ENGAGING WITH CONGRESS ON OUR FOREIGN POLICY, THIS WAS A ROUTINE HEARING AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY LEW'S TESTIMONY PROVIDED INSIGHT ON THE U.S. PAKISTAN BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP AS A WHOLE AND A.
NUMBER OF AREAS WE'RE LOOKING TO DEEPEN OUR COLLABORATION. HE SPENT A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT THE GREEN ALLIANCE FRAMEWORK AND BOLSTERING RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO INGENGAGING IN THESE TYPES OF HEARINGS. THANKS, EVERYBODY.
I DIDN'T SEE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
