Cspan, created by americas Cable Television programs as a Public Service and brought to you today by your television provider. Secretary of state mike pompeo responded to questions about recent reports of russian bounties on u. S. Troops in afghanistan while speaking to reporters at the state department. He was also asked about chinas National Security law and hong kong and u. S. Policy toward iran. This is 35 minutes. Good morning, everyone. Seeing as we are in the fourth of july, i thought i would lead off with americas founding principles for us this morning. The u. S. Was the first nation established on the premise that government exists to protect our godgiven, unalienable rights. I will say more on that in a couple of weeks. Wewas a revolutionary idea, shouldnt forget about these complex Foreign Policy issues. Important andns was unique. We dont get it right every day. Touse our unmatched power protect rights at home and abroad. Happy early fourth of july to you all and your families. The substance of my remarks today. I want to talk about one of the worlds most unfree countries. Yesterday, the Chinese Communist party implement it its draconian National Security law on hong kong in violation commitments it made to the hong kong people and the united kingdom. Andu. N. Register treaty hong kong for human rights and freedoms. Free hong kong was one of the most stable, prosperous, and dynamic cities. Now it is a communist city where the people will be subject to the party elites whims. Its sad. Indeed, its happening. Security forces are already rounding up hong kongers for daring to speak and think freely. The rule of law has been eviscerated. The communist party fears its own people more than anything else. The u. S. Is deeply concerned about the law of sweeping privations and everyone living in the territory, including americans. Article 38 of the new law. This likely includes americans. On friday, we implement it these restrictions for those responsible on the hong kong crackdown. Ofcan add defense equipment u. S. Origin going to the territory. We will continue to implement President Trumps directive to e hong kong end hong kongs special status. Other agencies are involved. I applaud the sec chairman for zte asting hauwei and National Security risks. We are also taking action to build up President Trumps signing of the we are human rights policy act. The u. S. Department of state, along with treasury, commerce, a businesse issuing advisory to companies with supply chain links to those complicit enforce labor and other human rights abuses throughout china. Ceos should read this notice closely and be aware of the reputation, economic, and legal risks of supporting such an on Human Dignity. I want to call attention to these incredible and disturbing new reports that the Chinese Communist party is imposing forced sterilization and abortions on minorities in western china. This shocking news is sadly consistent with the decades long disregard for the safety of human life. Womensations, advocates, religious groups, and human rights organizations to stand up for the chinese peoples basic Human Dignity. Their brutality affects the rest of the world. We welcome indias ban on certain mobile apps and appendages of the ccps surveillance state. Indias clean app approach will boost their sovereignty, integrity, and National Security, as the Indian Government itself has stated. Canadas national day of celebrations are dimmed by the ccps decision to bring charges to michael corbin. They have implied these are hostages held in retaliation for canadas lawful arrest of hauwei s executive. She is charged by the department of justice with bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. I commend the canadian government for Standing Firm and backing their legal system. Hostagetaking for political gains, which china, in league with iran and venezuela. They need to come home now. East, the u. S. Announced almost 700 million in humanitarian Aid Assistance to support syrians inside the country and displaced abroad, bringing the total funding to just over 11. 3 billion dollars since the conflict began more than nine years ago. Theraq, i want to commend government from bringing all armed groups under his control, including those firing rockets at Iraqi Government facilities. The presence of these lawless actors remains the biggest single obstacle to additional assistance or Economic Investment for the country. For the world to help iraq, they must first help them. They have a step in the right direction, and we applaud them. One of three brutal honor killings that have taken place in iraq. A 14yearold. A 19yearold. And a 22yearold. Two were beheaded, and one was beaten to death with an iron bar at the hands of relatives. For 40 years, corrupt iranian leaders have condoned murder, dehumanized women, and ignored cries for justice. When will they stop this unspeakable, wicked assault on Human Dignity . Yesterday, iu saw spoke to the Un Security Council urging them to retain the church inyearold arms embargo on iraq. These restrictions as a result of the failed jcpoa were set to expire in october. If iran is allowed to buy weapons from china and russia, more civilians in the middle east will die at the hands of its regime and proxies. Tehran will become an arms dealer. Sworn enemies of israel. The european nations will be put at risk. Our team has put together a short video that explains why this is so important. Id like to show it to you now. We hear about eagle niceties and complexities, and International Fighting about whether the right course of action is. Remind yourself about what happens to the world if theres arms embargo is lifted. In the end, thats what matters, thats what the Un Security Council has the capacity to ensure does not take place. I remind you to look at remarks from the Previous Administration about the fact that the u. S. Has the unambiguous right, without the consent of any other nation, to ensure this arms embargo stays in place. This administration will do everything we can to make sure that happens. To keep not only the American People safe, but reduce instability in the middle east. Weittle north of iran, applaud the constitutional reform in the republic of georgia to honor the will of the georgian people. Officials for internationally recommended election reforms. Good on them. For the third time in less than a year, i met with my counterparts from kazakhstan, to jicha stan, turkmenistan, and uzbekistan. We share many goals, including peace in afghanistan, strengthening regional trade, energy and security, and building resilient economies for each of those countries. As a sign of americas focus on building genuine partnerships, our Development Corporation ceo is accompanying the ambassador on a trip to the region to scout out Investment Opportunities where american businesses can be successful and help these countries be sovereign and independent, as well. Congratulations are in order for the democratic republic of congo. Ruling, theedented president s chief of staff was convicted for corruption. Office however high and should be above the law. Electedk, the people their next president. This is only the second time africa hast in overturned a president ial election tainted by irregularities, and the only time a reelection process has resulted in an election of a party candidate. Truly a historic opportunity for the people of that country. This past week, the United States and russia held the first talks of nuclear arms control. They had positive, detailed concern discussions on a wide range of topics, including chinas secretive buildup, beijing booked out of the talks. Continuing its right of secrecy and rejection of multilateralism. Bureau of and the Energy Resources led an Interagency Working Group as part of strategic dialogue. We are working together to diversify Energy Sources in southeast europe, develop resources together, and promote Regional Energy security. States votedmber to condemn the maduro regimes attempts to the political parties. Our region has categorically rejected the idea to create a phony maduro friendly opposition. The u. S. Also congratulates the people in their elections and a peaceful transition of power to a new national assembly. We look forward to working with that government. Long past due for a peaceful transition of power. They have certified the recount results. I have instructed my department to ensure those are held accountable. The usmca comes into effect today. It will open up new opportunities for u. S. , mexico, and canadian businesses and consumers. I will book and my remarks by marking another anniversary. The 70th anniversary of the fulbright tiling. American edge of a promotional programs, americas respect for freedom, democracy, decency, and respect for human rights. With that, i am happy to take questions. Had two for you. One on the arms embargo. I was curious if the u. S. Is willing to accept temporary extension to potentially get russia and china to go along with it. I was hoping you can get into the specifics of the terms that are acceptable. On the larger nuclear violation havethe u. S. And the iaea identified, are we looking at a menu of options for repercussions for this . Snapbacks being one of the options on the menu . I was hoping you can touch on that. It seems some are making the argument that snapback accounts for the arms embargo and other restrictions. Our objective is not to extend the arms embargo for a short period of time. Thats how we got into this mess. The arms embargo should be lifted when the Islamic Republic of iran begins to behave in a way that is consistent with the ability to move arms around the world, to purchase, to act in a way consistent with the way normal nations act. Its not a timelimited matter, its a conditions based matter. Our objective is to make sure the lifting of that arms embargo is conditions based. When the time is right, happy to let it happen tomorrow, but extending it for six months or two years fundamentally falls the previous trap Administration Fell into. What if you got 20 years, 50 years, i dont want to talk about anything specific, but our objective is to say the lifting of that arms embargo is not appropriate until such time as the world can be assured they wont use the weapon systems, or the money that flows from the systems areweapon for malign purposes. As for the other provisions, was happening at the iaea, make sure everybody is up to speed. They filed a report that made it clear that iranians have failed to allow access to two sites suspected of potentially having engaged in Nuclear Activity related to their previous programs, programs that predate the jcpo. They continue denying access to the iaea. Framework,ut the npt the safeguard provisions every andear power signs up for, that the iranians have agreed to. This is outside and separate from the jcpoa. It has never happened that they were denied access. In terms of our thinking about responding, we hope the world will see this is a serious risk to the entire nonproliferation regime. The u. S. Is prepared to leave to come up with responses to this, which will be appropriate and consistent with protecting and preserving that regime against iranian interventions. Hopefully they will change their mind. Unfettered, repeated, and consistent access. They have chosen not to do so to date. And remarks about a week ago at the brussels form, you mentioned the review of American Resources abroad, reordering. Can you tell us more about that, and does the indo pacific and asia figure into the . Figure into that . I will leave specifics to secretary astor. There is important policy recommendations of how we think about resource allocation and secure American Freedom. The has been going on since National Security strategy was laid out at the beginning asset outset of the administration. We are looking at not only how to deploy our forces, but all of the assets we have. How we think about our cyber tape ability, where our embassies should be. The state department has undergone a parallel process of thinking about how we engage diplomatically, where we need to be, where we need to put our resources. This has been a broad National Security strategy, thinking about the threats that challenge us today, and not 10, 20, or 30 years ago. Raised ourtainly game, with respect to thinking about the tread of the threat they posed to america. You will see the resources and strategy will be the result of the objective President Trump laid out. Yesterday at the security they have no standing to invoke the sanctions. Be by doing so, you will violating international law. How do you comment on that . That if itent with is not supported by european allies . I dont want to get into the legal analysis. We have the full authority to go exercise that right. As a participant in Resolution Counsel 20 to 31, we are confident we have the right to exercise that. Wes not our first objective, hope the Un Security Council, the chinese, the russians, every partner sees its in their best interest to deny iran the benefits to come when they have not changed their behavior. We are hopeful we can do this without going through a complex and difficult process. Thats our objective. We think we will prevail. The world will see. If you are living in brussels, or in athens, do you really want their Iranian Regime to have chinese fighter planes . I dont think so. I think the government agrees, we will conclude the same thing. In finland and you are trying to search your way through about whether its a good idea for the russians to be able to have another partner who they sell weapons to, i think each nation will conclude its a bad idea. Allowedl regret they this to expire, and they will join us. It is a fullfledged diplomatic effort we are into convince the world its the right outcome, not just for the u. S. , but talk to our partners in saudi arabia, the emirates, kuwait. Becomes been allowed to an Arms Merchant again, and instability in the middle east will flow. On this bounty issue, you had conversations with senior russian officials after your aides were told about evidence of the russian bounties. Opportunitiesose to tell moscow not to endanger u. S. Troops in that manner . Lets back up. A lot of what you said suggests knowledge i dont think you actually have. I dont want to comment on the intelligence. Statements have been put out. The Intelligence Community handled this very well. We see threats in intelligence reporting to our soldiers stationed all over the world every single day. You thatassure whatever reporting it is you are referring to, that we responded in precisely the correct way, making sure our forces were postured up a really, aware of the level of the threat, the credibility, and that we were aware. The fact that the russians are engaged in afghanistan in a way that at versus the u. S. Is nothing new. Of congress are suggesting they are shocked and appalled by this. They saw the same intelligence we saw. It will be interesting to ask them what they did when they saw whatever intelligence they are referring to. They would have had access to this information, as well. Not just the intelligence committees, but more broadly than that. We took this seriously, we handled it appropriately. The russians have been selling small arms that have put americans at risk there for 10 years. We have objected to it. When i meet with my russian counterparts, i talk about this each time. , not perfect,ve a but overlapping objective in afghanistan. We know they were routed in afghanistan. They have an objective to reduce the risk of terrorism. Every time, but with great frequency, when i talk to my russian counterparts, we talk about afghanistan and the fact we dont want them engaged in this. Just so everybody can be level set, money flowing to afghanistan to support the taliban has been going on since we went to afghanistan, now almost two decades ago. Its not just the russians. Money has flowed from a lot of places, from iran, even today they continue to undermine what we are trying to accomplish, in terms of peace and reconciliation in afghanistan. It is incredibly important you take in context how it is this reporting has developed and how the u. S. Has responded. We do everything we can, and this president has been vicious in securing American Freedom and protecting american soldiers. There is some suggestions about how there wasnt appropriate response taken because it was russia. If you have 20 minutes, i will read you what this administration has done with respect to russia, but instead i will provided for the record. It starts with the 700 billion allocation of resources to the department of defense. It continues with withdrawing from the inf, something the russians remain unhappy about. What we have done in syria to push back against them. This administration has taken it serious. I only wish we didnt have so much to clean up from the Previous Administrations work to allow russia to get on the ground in syria, make enormous gains, interfere in elections in the u. S. Under their watch. We had a lot to clean up. President trump has been serious about responding to this in a way that protects america, keeps americans safe, and every day, working diligently to make sure we keep our soldiers safe wherever any threat, whether from russia or otherwise, presents itself. The u. S. Has viewed russia as a bad actor, but wouldnt the bounties be an escalation . Mr. Secretary, thank you. Reportt mentioned the regarding the forced sterilization and abortion of the legal population by china assimilating the people. In the report, dr. Vence presented compelling evidence the Chinese Government had rights. Iolation of also, the former hong kong governor called chinas policy genocide. In addition, European Parliament and that the reports further corroborate the assessment we may be witnessing the implementation of genocide. I know you had a statement regarding this report. Do you believe china is committing genocide . The United States has taken the strongest action of any nation in the world to protect the human rights of all chinese people, including the uighur people. Wille our european allies take it serious. We hope other muslim nations will take this serious as well and respond in a way that has the opportunity to protect their human rights. How we thinkate about the chinese actions and what it is we ought to call them. We have worked closely with congress to pass legislation, that if i recall correctly, past nearly unanimously on capitol hill. The president signed that legislation. The u. S. Takes seriously arbitration to preserve human rights. We will continue to do that. We are evaluating those actions against the legal norms and standards for the world. Given all that you just laid out about the threat from russia, is now the time to bring russia back into the g7 . Kong, china has passed the National Security law , the measures taken so far dont appear to have prevented them from taken these actions. How far is the u. S. Willing to go . Are you willing to take the mandatory actions sanctions laid out . If they are mandatory, we will do it. We always comply with the law at the state department. We will absolutely implement those laws, both consistent with the letter and spirit of what those statutes were. And there is more work to do, for sure. End, the general secretary gets to make the decision about whether he wants to move his destination closer to something disconnected from the world in the most fundamental ways. They talk about wanting to be good stewards, International Players that comply with multilateral obligations, but when you are violating citizen most fundamental freedoms, we should look to your actions, not your words. Thats what we will continue to do. We will do all the things we can. Importantly, we will build out a Global Coalition that understands the challenge the Chinese Communist party threat places on freedom loving peoples all across the world. Its not a u. S. China talent. Its a challenge between freedom and authoritarianism. As long as we keep that foremost in our minds, im confident freedom loving peoples of the world will prevail. With respect to russia in the g7, when they were in this, they were causing problems. Out of it, they continue presenting risk to us. We need to talk to the russians. The president gets to decide if he wants them to come, that his decision. I will leave that to him. But i believe its absolutely important we have more frequent engagement with the russians. We talked about really critical strategic allies about Nuclear Weapons systems proliferating around the world. Important is wholly and appropriate for the u. S. To continue to have talks with the russian to convince them to change activities consistent with what the u. S. Needs to do to preserve security and freedom for its own people. I understand you dont want to get into the specifics of this intelligence its not that i dont want to, i wont. Im not going to further justify jeopardize intelligence capability. I will not risk the men and women in afghanistan as news organizations have done. Its inappropriate, dangerous, and you ought not be part of that. Director former cia and soldier, do you feel the president should have been told about the russian bounty being offered to the taliban to kill u. S. Troops, even if that was not fully verified intelligence . You have six things in your question im not going to go there. You have assumptions about things that just dont reflect what it is that we have actually seen and done. Idea, thist to this administration has been good. When i was cia director, i was involved in making sure the president had the information he needed to make important strategic decisions. Embassy, every morning i get a briefing. The first or second thing i do every day, about challenges that we have threats to our embassy. I dont share that with the president every day. These are americans, state Department Diplomats who are at risk. What we do is the hard work. We put our team on the ground, make sure we have the security posture. Making sure the president s forces are properly positioned if the threat is verifiable enough. We do this every day. That is my responsibility to do that and do it well when the threat is sufficiently serious. The scale of the threat is of such importance that there is an action i think the president needs to be aware of, and the information i have seen is sufficiently credible, and we make sure the president is aware of that. The president has been consistently aware of the challenges russia presents to us. Hes aware of the risk in afghanistan. Its why we have spent so much the over this past year, at president s direction, to reduce risk to our forces in afghanistan in a way no Previous Administration has done. We have set about a peace and reconciliation plan. As part of that, we have talked to the russians of how to reduce the risk of violence from the taliban to americans on the ground. We have taken the threat, and the president has taken the threat to our forces in afghanistan incredibly serious through the duration of this administration. Anyone else have a question . Its your opinion he didnt need to know about this intelligence . My question is on lebanon. The lebanese judge who issued the ruling banning local and certain journalists, submitted the resignation. Dashed off thee ruling. Are you concerned of any military escalation between israel and hezbollah in the near future . We are always concerned about the space between has blot and israel. Related to this incident with our ambassador and her ability to speak freely, that doesnt raise my concerns greatly. I dont think it greatly increases the risk of conflict between the two. Asked for this judge no longer one fewer lote, of judges is always a good thing. Secretary, you just mentioned you had talks with the russians about threats from the taliban ompeo not just from the taliban. Russians if indeed the were offering bounties. Sec. Pompeo if indeed. You guys are going places that im not going to go. We have worked to keep our soldiers safe and i am not going to let you lay down questions with i am not going to go down that path. Iran,er you talked about anytime iran would attack u. S. Troops through their proxies, there would be consequences to pay. I wonder if that same kind of warning should be given to the russians . Sec. Pompeo i can assure you, anytime we see serious, credible threats, whether engaged in threatening activity in ukraine, in syria, now in libya, venezuela, the list is long, when we see credible information to suggest the russians are putting american lives at risk, we are responding in a way that is serious. Do we warn them, do we talk to them . Of course we do. Kong, in yourong opening remarks, you called it now after the security law was imposed just another city subject to the ccps whims. Is hong kong lost . And how far is the ministration willing to go to prevent that . Lost,ompeo when you say you mean is it no longer an account of this place . Autonomous place . At this point, it seems the Chinese Government has no intention of reversing that trend. I will repeat what the president said. He wants to ensure that hong kong is treated just like Mainland China because that is the way that president xi has chosen to treat that place as well. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2020] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] cspans washington journal. Every day, we take your calls on the air come on the news of the day, and policy issues that impact you. Coming up thursday morning, reports that russia was offering bounties to tell a manlinked militants to kill u. S. And inlition personnel afghanistan. And, the strategy and role in 2020. Live at 7 00 eastern. The conversation. Thursday, dr. Francis collins, cdc director robert redfield, and secretary for preparedness and response testify before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee for review of operation warp speed, the researching, manufacturing, and distributing of a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine. Cspan. Org ord at listen on the free cspan radio app. Next, u. S. Diplomats are part of a discussion on u. S. Leadership and the advancement of lgbtq rights around the world. From the atlc
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