State Department Daily Press Briefing – November 8, 2021

Transcript

Yeah. Mhm. Yeah. Good afternoon. Mhm. Mhm. Okay I will beg your indulgence at the top. We have a few items to get through and by a few. I mean slightly more than a few. Um first starting today foreign nationals air travelers to the United States will be required with only limited exceptions to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to the United States. The new international air travel policy is stringent, it is consistent across the globe and it is guided by public health. This new global travel system replaces the existing country by country restrictions putting in place a consistent approach worldwide. There is no need as of today for foreign nationals, travelers who have been in one of the 33 countries with restrictions to obtain national interest exceptions in order to travel to the United States when it comes to testing fully vaccinated. Air travelers aged two and over continue to be required to show proof of vaccination and documentation of a negative covid test, viral covid test taken within three days of the flight’s departure to the United States before before boarding. That includes all travelers. Us citizens, lawful permanent residents and foreign nationals alike to further strengthen protections, unvaccinated travelers whether they are U. S. Citizens, whether they’re L. P. R. S. Or the small number of accepted unvaccinated foreign nationals now need to show documentation of a negative covid viral covid test taken within one day of the flight’s departure to the United States. Again this goes into effect today and we know there is um uh welcome for it around the world. Uh Next today, the Department of State’s through the transnational organized crime rewards program announced a reward offer of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of any individual or individuals who hold key leadership positions in the soda no Kobe uh, and reveal ransomware variant transnational organized crime group. The department is also offering a reward of up to $5 million dollars for information leading to the arrest and or the conviction of any individual conspiring to participate in or attempting to participate in a soda Kobe revival ransomware incident Since its first known ransomware incident in April 2019, this group has allegedly victimized more than 1000 entities in multiple industry sectors that includes in private businesses, law enforcement agencies, government agencies and educational and medical institutions. This announcement announcement complements today’s coordinated counter ransom counter ransomware actions from the Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of the Treasury of the United States remains committed to protecting all ransomware victims around the world from the exploitation of cyber criminals. And we look to nations who harbor ransomware criminals to bring to justice for businesses and organizations victimized by ransomware incidents. Next, we are concerned with disturbing images and reports emanating from the Belarus Poland’s border this weekend. The United States strongly condemns the Lukashenka regime’s political exploitation and coercion of vulnerable people and the regime’s callous and inhumane facilitation of irregular migration flows across its borders. We call on the regime to immediately halt its campaign of orchestrating and coercing irregular migrant flows across its borders into Europe, as long as the regime in Belarus refuses to respect its international obligations and commitments, undermines the peace and security of Europe and continues to repress and abuse people seeking nothing more than to live in freedom. We will continue to pressure Lukashenka and will not lessen our calls for accountability. The United States will continue to stand by Poland and all of our partners in Europe who have been threatened by Belarus. Belarus is unacceptable actions Next today marks the one year anniversary since Burma held elections. We previously noted from independent observers that the November eight elections last year, despite some concerns, were credible and reaffirm the commitment of the Burmese people to democracy, The military’s coup on February one of this year. An ongoing violent crackdown however, have undermined human rights and fundamental freedoms, suppressed the will of the people and reversed a decade of progress towards a genuine democracy. That the people of Burma clearly demands Today, I joined the secretary and honoring the people of Burma who strive to restore the path to democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law in their country, including the more than 1300 innocent people who have lost their lives in that struggle. The United States is committed to promoting justice and accountability for these and other abuses. We also reiterate our call for the military regime to immediately cease violence, release all those unjustly detains and return Burma’s path to a genuine and inclusive democracy. Next the United States is deeply concerned about the deteriorating health of PRC. Citizen journalist Miss Jean Jean. According to multiple reports citing her relatives comments, MS Jean is near death In December of 2020, Beijing authorities sentenced Smith Yang to four years in prison on charges associated with her journalism on COVID-19 in Wuhan. The United States along with other diplomatic missions, we have repeatedly expressed our serious concerns about the arbitrary nature of her attention and her mistreatment during it. We reiterate our call to the PRC for her immediate and unconditional release and for Beijing to respect the free press and the right of people to express themselves freely. Today, Secretary Blinken met with Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry at the opening of the U. S. Egypt strategic dialogue. The first bilateral dialogue held since 2015, the secretary of the Foreign Minister welcomed the opportunity to deepen the strong partnership between the United States and Egypt. I assume many of you heard their comments and saw their comments earlier today. In addition to individuals from the Department of State, U. S. Participants in the dialogue include those from USA I. D. Department of Defense and senior Egyptian officials representing different cabinet ministries. The dialogue provides a valuable opportunity to exchange views on key regional security issues that includes developments in Sudan Libya Syria and the broader region as well. Us and Egyptian officials will discuss ongoing efforts to restore the civilian led transitional government and prevent violence in Sudan Sudan. We also will have conversation on human rights. President Biden has committed to putting human rights at the center of our foreign policy and we look forward to a constructive discussion on that front, including on civil and political rights, freedom of expression and Egypt’s recently announced national human rights strategy. We also discuss President President Biden support for increased economic cooperation in Egypt’s Water security, which was reaffirmed by Secretary Blinken when he met with President Sisi earlier this year in Cairo and our efforts to encourage negotiations between Egypt Ethiopia and Sudan regarding the Grand Ethiopian renaissance dam, our Interagency team and an Egyptian delegation will together explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation on judicial security, educational and cultural issues. This strategic dialogue is an opportunity to advance each of these areas of collaboration to improve the lives of both Americans and Egyptians. And with all that said, I am happy to turn to your questions. That’s it saved saved a minute or two for questions expecting another hours busy times. Uh let me I have a couple of things but I’ll make them extremely brief and won’t get too much into detail. One on your opening on Belarus, is that there isn’t anything new though, in terms of sanctions or actions that you’re taking today, is there we’re not we’re not announcing any new actions today, as you know, Matt, we have announced a series of policy steps that in some cases we have taken together with our partners and our allies in Europe as well. Okay, secondly, I’m not expecting much on this, but you have seen obviously you’ve seen these reports of coming from Yeah, I don’t know what you were cyber investigators that? S so the Israeli company NSO had hacked some of the phones of the Palestinian of members of the Palestinian NGOs that were designated as terrorist groups. I’m wondering what you make of of those allegations? I’ve seen those reports, I don’t have a response to them. What I can tell you is to reiterate that we had a constructive discussion with an Israeli delegation that was visiting last week. The delegation provided a verbal briefing on information that they had on certain groups. They also provided written materials. We provided those written materials to our counterparts in the administration. We’re going to take a very close look at them as we haven’t but you haven’t yet reached any kind of conclusion based on the information provided. And you don’t have anything or do you say about these allegations? We intend we intend and we are together with our partners throughout the inter agency to take a very close look at the information that was provided to us in written form to cross reference that information with what we may have in our own holdings. Uh and from that will form an informed judge. And then lastly on on the Egypt in his discussions with Foreign Minister Shukri did the secretary race specific cases that human rights cases that you guys are concerned about And the defeat Provide, a I don’t know a roadmap for lack of a better word for what what the the Egyptians must do or need to do to get the 130 million that’s been withheld stored. Well, the human rights discussion is actually ongoing right now. I believe it started at 1 45 or perhaps just a little bit uh there after. So I don’t have a readout to provide. We may have some additional uh that clock is an hour fast. We uh we need to we need to correct that obviously it’s not accounted for falling back here, but I would expect that the human rights discussion will have some specificity attached to it. And if we have more details to read out, we will. But in terms of the withheld the money that’s being withheld. Well, did they get into details about what must be done? So matt, as we, as we discussed, I believe it was in September when we talked about the FMF decision, we have conveyed to Egypt’s leaders specific steps, we’ve urged them to take, we’ve made, which are of course these steps are conveyed privately, but also very clearly. And we will leave them to those private discussions. Uh chuck Secretary’s remarks smith, Mr. Shoukry heard a lot of efforts to kind of move forward to talk about economic ties to talk about security ties in the region. And Secretary blinking seemed to say that, you know, he appreciated Egypt’s human rights blueprint that they put forward. So is that is that the correct understanding? You know, are the two countries moving forward in the relations despite the previous hang up of the human rights issue? Well, our relationship with Egypt is a multifaceted one. Egypt is a valuable partner across many fronts. That is why the strategic dialogue that is occurring both today and tomorrow. We’ll cover a broad range of issues we’ve talked about and they will talk about regional security issues. They will talk about uh specific uh countries and developments of concern uh in Sudan and Ethiopia, as you mentioned, they will talk about our economic ties, they will talk about energy issues as well. Uh They’ll talk about issues like artifacts uh is also on the agenda. But yes, human rights is certainly on the agenda. And as I mentioned just a moment ago, the human rights discussion is ongoing right now. Human rights has always been on the table when we’ve met with our Egyptian counterparts. When we went to Cairo Secretary Blinken had a conversation with President Sisi on this very topic every time he has spoken with his Egyptian counterpart Foreign Minister Shukri. Uh he has also raised human rights. So we have made very clear to the Egyptians are concerns. We have also welcomed certain steps they have taken, including uh this human rights strategy that you referred to. We will continue to make clear where we find our areas of concern to be. Uh and we will continue to welcome progress that we see going forward. Yes, thank you. Yeah, can you tell us special envoy felt money stealing? It’s okay, probably in the region back in Ethiopia. Uh, what the reason is engagement that we can um do you have any sense that he’s making progress there and also is having any engagement with the TPLF for the rural my Liberation Army or you’re not talking to them. Sure. To your question. The temporal reference is important. I think the last time we were in this room, uh Special envoy Feldman was in Ethiopia. He has since uh left Ethiopia to return. Let me come back to that and unpack that a little bit. Before I do, let me just reiterate that we remain fully engaged in efforts to move all sides ah towards an immediate cessation of hostilities, all of those in need, regardless of ethnicity, should have immediate access to lifesaving humanitarian assistance. We call for an immediate end to human rights abuses and violations being committed against civilians. Our embassy embassy in Addis Ababa remains open under the leadership of our ambassador uh Special envoy Feldman does remain in the region where he is working to further our diplomatic efforts and we urge all parties to in restraint to use restraint, excuse me to end hostilities to respect human rights and to protect civilians on the path towards an immediate cessation of hostilities. Um let me make a couple other points before I talk about our diplomacy, as you know, our embassy went to order departure. Um uh recently we are urging us citizens in Ethiopia to depart the country using commercially available options. We’ve been saying this for several days now we understand that commercial options remain available in Addis. The embassy is in a position to help the American citizen community in Ethiopia secure their departure from the country. We understand there is adequate space available capacity available on these flights. Um And in the past several days there have been more than a dozen flights leaving uh the airport uh in Atis we are providing a range of services to the American citizen community in Addis. We are prioritizing that even as we have gone on order departure to reduce our footprint from our embassy in Addis. We importantly can even provide a repeat repatriation loan for us citizens who cannot afford at this time to purchase the U. S. Commercial commercial ticket to the United States U. S. Citizens in Ethiopia who are interested in pursuing these options and we encourage all of them to do so should contact the embassy. There’s an email address available on the embassy website. Uh we are, as I said um engaged in concerted diplomacy to urge all parties to end the hostilities immediately. We have called on the Ethiopian government’s and the TPLF in the LA to enter into negotiations without preconditions towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities and for Eritrean forces to withdraw immediately and permanently from Ethiopia. Now, when it comes to Ambassador Feldman’s activity in the region, he returned to Ethiopia today from Kenya and I’ll come to that um to continue to urgently press the parties to de escalate the conflict and negotiate. As I said before a cessation of hostilities. He continues to raise our concerns about the risk of intercommunal violence and that is a concern that we have raised repeatedly with Ethiopian authorities in regional authorities in recent days. Um but following his meeting meetings on his current trip, we believe there is a small window of opening to work with the Eu high representative for the Horn of Africa, former president of the Sancho, whom he will see again tonight uh in Addis where Ambassador Feldman has returned to further joint efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict in Ethiopia. We are working with international partners to address the crisis in Ethiopia including through action with the U. N. The au uh and other relevant partners and bodies. You all may have seen some of the statements that have emanated from the region in in recent days in recent hours. Of course, the U. N. Security Council which will help which will hold an open session on Ethiopia today released a statement uh and his ambassador Thomas Greenfield said the council spoke with one voice calling for an end to the violence uh and a cessation of hostilities. You may also have seen that President Kenyatta, with whom Ambassador Feldman has met in Nairobi in recent days uh issued a similar statement calling for dialogue and urging a few points. President Kenyatta made many of the same points that we have been making. All hostilities must seeks political solution is the only solution. Uh There should be no incitement, no incitement to violence Instead. Instead we must work to de escalate tensions and hostilities. Uh He noted the fact that we must address the humanitarian situation with some urgency and the parties to the conflict must allow humanitarian access. Which has been restricted for many of those in need for far too long. Uh And of course the imperative of respecting human rights for all and by all. Uh and so uh the actors, the forces in Ethiopia have heard a consistent message emanating from the United States uh emanating from other countries in the region, emanating from uh the U. N. Security Council. Of course the conflict in Ethiopia predates this administration. Unfortunately it was last week that we marked a somber milestone one full year of violence in Tigre. Uh and since the earliest days of this administration. President Biden Secretary Blinken have prioritized our diplomacy uh to find a way out of this violence. Uh It has involved not only the special envoy but Secretary Blinken in his repeated engagements, the national security adviser, Deputy Secretary, when you Sherman, Assistant Secretary fee all of them have been very much engaged in this. Um We have hold, we have held a special envoy Feldman in his seven or so months on the job have held over, held over 300 engagements with the Au with the U. N. With the EU with regional neighbors as well. This diplomacy has been concerted. It has been intense if you just look at the schedule uh that Ambassador Feldman uh has maintained over the past few days where he has shuttled back and forth between Ethiopia and Kenya, as I mentioned before. As of today, he is now back in Ethiopia. He is back in in Addis. Uh we will have more to read out when his trip concludes or at least this chapter of his trip uh concludes uh as we’ve made clear last week on November 4th, he met in Ethiopia with a number of Ethiopian officials uh and regional officials. He met with African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki, he met with Ethiopian Minister of Defense Bill, a Minister of Finance, ahmed Shide, Deputy Prime Minister, Hassan. Uh he met with Prime Minister Abe the following day on November 5th. Uh and over the weekend he met with President Kenyatta uh in Nairobi to consult on uh Ethiopia, as we’ve said, we certainly value the leadership that President Kenyatta has demonstrated. Uh, and we appreciate the constructive visit, uh, that special envoy Feldman um had to Nairobi from where he has just traveled back to us when it comes to the TPLF. Um, we have engaged with the TPLF as well. We are engaging with the parties to try and put them on a path to a cessation of hostilities, which is our priority now and going forward because we have been concerted and intense. But can you say it’s been successful? Uh, there or Sudan or Lebanon or Yemen? It is, can you, I’m not one to blame the US for all the world, You’re the one who’s just come out and given a five minute list of all the meetings that have been going on. And has the situation gotten better or worse? This administration took off intense diplomacy. That’s right. I, you know, it wasn’t the question you decided to do so, Has it been, I was asked about his activities. I thought it was prudent to answer the question, has the document, has the administration’s concerted an intense diplomacy, has this, has this, has this administration is considered diplomacy solved a problem that predates this administration. That doesn’t matter. Uh it really doesn’t matter matter matter matter what, what matters about how important, what matters, how much effort and time, what matters you put into it? And I just want to know, can you say that it’s successful. What matters Matt is that we have been engaged on this. We as I said before, see a window of opportunity here. Um the United States is engaged. We are working with Ethiopian authorities as well as with the countries in the region. Uh why don’t we come back to this uh in the coming days when uh this diplomacy will have been ongoing and we can point to progress. It is not in the D. N. A. Of this administration to sit on the sidelines or worse to uh take actions or engaged in rhetoric that may only inflame tensions. Uh so it is very much in our D. N. A. To be engaged to be engaged constructively to work with our international partners to try and put an end to the suffering to the violence to the humanitarian emergency that has afflicted the people of Tigre and uh in other regions of Ethiopia, Andrew and Iraq and the assassination attempt. Um What are your initial findings in terms of who may have been responsible? There’s an obvious uh huh an obvious neighbor that has sponsored militia attacks before and how that might affect other diplomatic well, when it come, Good, would there be another U. S. Response? Will there be a U. S. Response when it comes to the culpability? There is an Iraqi investigation that’s underway. We are going to defer to the Iraqis for the progress of that investigation? We have made very clear Secretary Blinken has made very clear President Biden has made very clear in his statements that the United States stands ready to assist in any and every way we can with the Iraqi investigation. Should they request our assistance but broadly uh to come back to your question? We are outraged. Uh and we strongly condemn uh the attack on Iraq’s Prime Minister. Uh He the Prime Minister, Prime Minister Economy represents not only uh the head of government, but he represents the state of Iraq and he is the Commander in Chief of Iraq’s security forces. And therefore we believe that this was an attack not only on him, but also on the sovereignty and stability of the Iraqi state. As I said before, the President has issued a very clear instruction to his national security team uh that we are to provide every form of appropriate assistance that our Iraqi partners may need in this. As you know, Secretary Blinken had an opportunity to speak yesterday with Prime Minister Economy. Uh He reiterated the same message. He condemned the attack. He noted his relief that the Prime Minister was unharmed uh in this. Uh and he also underscored the importance we place on our partnership with the government of Iraq and pledged to support the Iraqi security forces as they investigate this? If it I mean, how can the United States after pouring decades of support for the legitimate government and legitimate elections in Iraq, How can the United States stand back and not take some kind of action if you find and if the Iraqis find who might be responsible. I didn’t say we would I said we are going to defer to the Iraqi investigation which is ongoing. As you know, we reserve the right uh in coordination with our partners uh in this case the government of Iraq to respond to aggression at a time place and what the means of our choosing. But again, before we speak about a response, we will let the Iraqi investigation proceed. We will continue to consult closely with our Iraqi partners if they determine that they have any needs, that their own capacities and capabilities uh Leven met, we are happy to provide that assistance. Uh and together we will uh chart the next steps. If it does turn out that Iran is responsible, Would this impact other other negotiations or other tracks with Iran? Again, I’m not going to engage in a hypothetical about who may or may not be responsible? Um You are correct that we’ve seen a number of attacks that have been that have had links to Iran backed groups, but when it comes to uh this attack, we’re going to let the investigation play out please. So, regarding very Cronenberg’s coming travel with Soul, there’s been reporting that he was meeting with stuff special. Is that true? Uh We issued a media note on this as you know, uh Assistant Secretary Clinton brink is in Seoul right now. He is meeting with government counterparts. Uh He will then travel to Tokyo where he also will meet with counterparts. Will have read outs of those engagements I suspect when his travel ends. And what is these secretaries the secretary is planning to discuss with the Korean government German. Are there any topics um that you know of and will the end of war declaration be on table? Well, I would suspect that the threat that is posed by the Dprk s missile and ballistic uh ballistic missile and nuclear program will certainly be on the table, as will our uh strategy to advance the prospects for the complete and total denuclearization of the Korean peninsula um will also be a topic of discussion as well. But our relationship with the rok our treaty ally uh is broad uh and it’s deep so that there will be a number of issues that they discussed together. Just a follow up question that Mr. Sullivan um said that the U. S. And Korea have different perspectives on the end of war declaration. Will there be dialogue to narrow the difference during his visit? We see eye to eye with our south Korean counterparts uh that achieving a complete denuclearization uh and lasting peace on the Korean peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy is the best and the most effective course. Um We will continue to seek engagement with the Dprk as part of what we’ve called a calibrated and practical approach in order to make tangible progress. Uh that increases the security not only for the United States but also for our regional allies. And of course that includes the rok uh in Japan as well. Yes, results and meet with jury correct. He’s there and then there’s also reports that two gray and residents and artists are being targeted. Right State Department aware of these reports. And do you have anything when it comes to Ambassador Feldman’s travel uh and his current stay in in Addis, we’ll update you as we’re able with with additional meetings. As I mentioned, he is meeting with the A U. S. Representative for the Horn of Africa uh former President Obasanjo uh today but we will update you as additional meetings um uh come into the are confirmed. We have seen reports uh that uh those with two grand ethnicity are coming under um are being harassed or or worst of course those reports are concerning. It is part of the reason why we have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities knowing that the potential for intercommunal violence remains high. Uh We are deeply concerned about the potential for escalating intercommunal violence. Uh It is why we are engaged with a number of actors, a number of officials um in the Ethiopian Ethiopian government. Why we have engaged with the TPLF why we are working at this very conservatively. Yes, that’s it a few for lots. First on Iraq and then on Egypt and Sudan on Iraq. Many experts believe that this attack or attempted assassination on the Prime Minister’s life has a modest operandi of the pro Iran militias. Do you believe that the State Department believe that his militias can work independently and operate independently with that? A green light from the again, um I don’t want to get ahead of the Iraqi investigation. What is true is that we have seen a number of aggressive actions conducted by Iran backed groups including in Iraq. But when it comes to this attack, I wouldn’t want to characterize where the investigation, what the investigation has uncovered yet or what it may uncover in the days to come. We will stay in close touch with our Iraqi partners on that. You can confirm that they used drones and the only militias that have drones are the one who trained and supplied by Iran. Uh certainly everything that I have seen speaks to the use of a drone. We have also expressed our concerns with the proliferation of drone technology, some of it Iranian U A. V. Capabilities uh in in the region. Again without speaking to what happened over the weekend. This has been a persistent um uh prominent concern of ours as you know, it was just several days ago that we announced additional policy tools to um pursue those who have been responsible for proliferating some of this U. A. V. Technology in the region, some of which is of Iranian origin on Egypt. You said that one of the topics of discussion is regional security. Sudan is one of them. Um Do you see uh the Egyptian position identical to the U. S. Where do you differ? What you’d agree and why? We didn’t see Egypt on the signatory of the quad statement that you issued last. So I will leave it to Cairo to explain their position on Sudan. What I will say is that regional security uh and specific and developments in certain countries will be on the agenda and that includes what has transpired in Sudan on October 25. In the days since um they will Secretary Blinken and his Egyptian counterpart will discuss ongoing efforts to restore the civilian led transitional government and to prevent violence in Sudan. A lot has been made of the quad statement that was issued last week. It was an important statement because it did carry the signatures of the United States of the United Kingdom of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, calling for a restoration of the of the civilian led transitional government. The Quad for Sudan is as you as the name would suggest a collection of four countries uh in the in the Sudanese context. Uh It could be for frequent quad on there. There was this event, it could have been a set. There was a quad forcing dan’s statement last week in a very powerful one at that? Had the quad on Sudan ever issued a statement before, I would have to go back and look just as well. So it could have been acquitted. And and and assistant to the Secretary General of the Arab League said that a solution to the crisis in Sudan is imminent. Are you aware of any developed that would indicate actually that could be ending the crisis soon? Look, we, as I have said already in the context of Ethiopia, but Ambassador Feldman and the team here including Secretary Blinken who’s had engagements both with Prime Minister Han Deok and General Burhan in recent days, we are working to uh c a um A resolution to this. And in our minds, there is only one resolution, one appropriate resolution and that is the restoration of the civilian led transitional government. Uh so we are working on that. We are doing that across multiple diplomatic fronts and through multiple diplomatic channels. I think it’s best not to characterize the progress there. But again, in our mind, there is only one appropriate resolution to this and that’s the restoration of the civilian. Sorry, one last question. I don’t get the chance to ask questions of course. So, one last question on Egypt and Ethiopia as well. You said one of the discussions was about the dam, which was a sticking point between the three countries. Two of them now are going through strive for turmoil or civil war if you want. So what’s going to happen to that? Considering the, what’s happening in Ethiopia and Sudan does does adversely affect this negotiation. Obviously, you worry about it. That might go completely out of hand. Well, developments vis a vis the GERD uh, developments in these countries won’t affect the bottom line. Uh and that is that we will continue to support a collaborative uh and constructive efforts by these three countries to reach an enduring arrangement on the. Obviously, this is uh an issue that is of high importance to all three countries, given their reliance on the Nile river waters. Uh, and will continue to engage uh engage with these countries to find a solution that’s acceptable to the three of them? Yes, son of Man. Right. Mhm. Came up in court and he was denied bail. Uh huh. And a new charge brought against him that coincided with the trip of Governor Richardson to Myanmar. And he’s subsequently told press, the State Department told him not to raise Spencer’s case with the Burmese government in these meetings that he had? I’m wondering, you know, why would you ask him not to not to raise that? And you know, do you not think that of Governor Richardson would have could have some impact on the case where you guys, you know, your diplomacy so far hasn’t been able to get free? Well, I wouldn’t want to characterize any private discussions that were had with Governor Richardson. As you know, he traveled to Burma, not as an emissary, not as a representative of the United States government, but as a private citizen. This is an effort. This was an effort that was not sponsored by or on behalf of the United States government. Now, of course, we hope that his trip over the longer term does contribute to improve humanitarian access. That of course, is in our interest. It’s in everyone’s interest as well. When it comes to the case of Danny fenster. Um look, we have made very clear where we stand on this. We remain deeply concerned over his continued uh detention. Um We recognize it as just another sad reminder of the continuing human rights and humanitarian crisis facing the country. We do so today on the one year anniversary of the Burmese elections um that uh indicated a degree of promise that the military junta has attempted to extinguish, even though the people of Burma have made clear that their democratic aspirations, uh their demands for human rights and basic freedoms will not be extinguished. We have continued to press the junta for Danny’s release. We will do that until he is able to return home to his family. Consular officers have routinely met and and have spoken with Danny. They last did so by phone late last month on October 31. Uh this case is an absolute priority for the department and it will be until Danny is able to return to his family. Yes. What? Uh huh. What? All right, do not walk most people. Yeah. Government that comes deal and negotiate a deal. Do you think that this is an approach that you can support the no bra and no um Duke for the future? Again? Our bottom line is in the bottom line of the international community. Uh and we have heard a number of countries, a number of international institutions, a number of international bodies uh, speak with one voice on that. Uh and that is that there needs to be a restoration of the civilian led transitional government. Uh There needs to be a restoration of what it is that the military uh sought to topple. Uh this is uh these are uh what is most important is that these are not um our objectives, these are the aspirations of the Sudanese people. We have seen the Sudanese people take to the streets to march peacefully throughout Khartoum, uh and other cities and towns across Sudan, millions of Sudanese have done so, uh and they have done so too clearly underscore where it is uh that um and what it is that they feel needs to happen. There’s no ambiguity about what the people of Sudan want. Uh and there should be no ambiguity about where the United States, where our allies and partners stand on this as well. Mhm The Secretary said that the US shared that interests with the Egyptians. But there are reports of the Egyptians supported this take a military takeover. So, can you square that? What the secretary said in his opening remarks? And what I said in the topper as well is that we will discuss with our Egyptian partners the need to restore the civilian led transitional government in Sudan. Again, I’m gonna allow the Egyptians to characterize the nuance of their position. But certainly this will be a topic of discussion with our Egyptian counterparts. There is a uh there is a widespread shared consensus uh that the civilian led transitional government in Sudan needs to be restored, restored and needs to be restored immediately. Trevor re just without it for strike the state have any comment. And when was the last time embassy officials were granted access to. So I’ve seen those reports. But due to privacy considerations, I’m not in a position to uh comments on them. When it comes to Trevor Reed, Ambassador Sullivan last visited Trevor Reed on September 22. We are continuing to seek contact with Trevor as we monitor his case closely. I suspect that the ambassador will have another opportunity to visit Trevor and of course all wheel and uh going forward. Yes. Okay. Yes. 40 plus countries to phase out the use of coal. Why didn’t you buy uh we have made very clear where it is that we stand um when it comes to Cole uh and when it comes to our use of coal um domestically and around the world, I think the important point is that statements are declarations and they are important but they can’t be seen as an end in and of themselves. They have to be backed up by action. Uh and we are and have been moving forward on a just energy transition. In fact, President Biden’s first specific climate pledge was carbonizing the U. S. Energy supply by 2035. So no one should underestimate how serious we are. No one should underestimate the ways in which we not have. We have not only raised our own climate ambition with our own ambitious targets but also the ways in which we’ve galvanized actions by countries around the world to seek to meet uh the needs of this decisive decade. If we are to arrive at um problem. If we are to ride that a means by which to prevent global warning warming from not exceeding the 1.5 degrees Celsius market as the third largest user of coal. I mean, would it help to galvanize some more action if the U. S. Did sign on to this pledge? And regardless of the pleasure you are you willing to say, well not the administration things that can phase out coal by a certain date? Well, we have pushed in a number of ways to transition away from some of the most harmful uh emitters of greenhouse gasses. Um When it comes to Cole uh we pushed for and won an agreement at the G7 last summer to support a quote transition away from unabated coal capacity uh and to achieve an overwhelmingly carbonized power system in the twenties thirties. Um we did push hard for language like that at the G 20 last week or the other week, I should say. Um and we’ll continue to do so again. We have been very clear in terms of where we stand on our own climate targets, on our own climate ambitions, and that includes with regards to coal. Yes. Uh Jake Jake Sullivan said that the circumstances had changed in in the island. What does he mean? Is the US molly new sanctions is anything else to sanction? Well, I think what the National Security Security Advisor was referring to is that events in Cuba certainly the events of July 11, the events subsequent to July 11, they avoid heavily on our approach and we have not been shy in speaking about and calling out the human rights abuses, the repression uh the arbitrary detentions that have taken place in Cuba since July 11, and our policy um Both before July 11 and and certainly since has focused on support for the Cuban people and accountability for the Cuban officials who have been responsible for some of the human rights abuses that we have seen. Um we are the world is expecting protests in the coming days, as well as the Cuban people have made clear that they will once again peacefully uh march in the streets to make clear their aspirations for democracy, human rights, civil liberties, civil liberties and political rights. Um We have uh centered our efforts uh in Cuba when it comes to Cuba on this question of the rights of the Cuban people uh and steps that we can take to advance the cause of democracy on the island. Uh and we have sought in doing so to impose tangible and significant consequences in connection with the abuses that I mentioned before. Uh and we are prepared to continue doing so. Um should the repression, should the human rights abuses, should the uh should the abuses of the Cuban regime, uh not Nazis, that is correct. Thing that Tom was first trip is and his new formal position I am. Can you give us any details about that is correct? So Tom West is currently in brussels, uh he had an opportunity to uh meet with the knack uh in brussels. He also engaged in a press call earlier this morning. Uh He did and he provided some some detail on his travel. Uh I’ll just very quickly make the point that he will go to London as well. He will go to Pakistan to Russia to India together with our partners who will continue to uh make clear the expectations that we have of the Taliban and of any future afghan covered. Uh There are no plans to that. Uh he did not speak to plans to go to dojo today, but he’s going to London as well as to Pakistan Russia in India. The hostage missionaries there, Reuters reported on Friday that the US had seen proof of life for some of them. Can you confirm? I’m not in a position to confirm that and I’m not in a position to confirm that chiefly because the resolution of these cases oftentimes relies on uh this activity taking place out of public sight, out of public view. And that is exactly the way we’ve been engaging with the organization, the Missionary Organization at the center um of this. It’s how we’ve been engaging with our Haitian counterparts, including the Haitian national Police, the most senior Haitian authorities as well, including with the Canadian government. Given that one of the hostages is a Canadian citizen. So our embassy in Port a prince, our senior officials here have continued to be very focused on this. But I don’t have an update to offer publicly. Okay, thank you all very much. Yeah. Yeah, sure. The year