Military

MR. GALLEGOS: Good afternoon. I don't have any statements for you. So with that, now that everybody's comfortable, Matthew.

QUESTION: Yes, sir. Do you have any hurricane updates for us?

MR. GALLEGOS: I sure do. First of all, we have a task force opened up and, for your information, I was asked earlier today, the public inquiry line for American citizens there is 888-407-4747, so I'd appreciate it if you could circulate that to your audiences.

In terms of the Cayman Islands, I understand that the hurricane took a move south so that they received less of an impact than they originally thought. And our understanding is that our consular officer who was assigned there out of our Embassy in Jamaica has been able to make regular calls to our task force here and update us. So word is that we don't have any American citizen injuries or deaths to report from there so far.

In terms of Jamaica, we were able to put two Foreign Service officers in Montego Bay and we have a six-person USAID assessment team which is currently there. They are determining the impact of the hurricane and assessing immediate needs. They are working closely with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management from the Government of Jamaica. They have -- the Government of Jamaica has activated an emergency operation center monitoring the impact there and they're coordinating their responses to the hurricane. Our --

QUESTION: One quick thing about that?

MR. GALLEGOS: Yes.

QUESTION: When you say the six-person USAID team there, do you mean in Montego Bay or in Jamaica?

MR. GALLEGOS: No, they're in Jamaica. In Kingston, I believe. They will be fanning -- now that the hurricane has passed, they will be working with the Jamaican Red Cross and NGOs and the government to do an assessment and evaluation of the island itself. So they're probably starting that process now, although I don't have information to confirm that.

We will be working with Jamaican Red Cross and the nongovernmental organizations. They were able to preposition emergency relief supplies to respond to immediate needs. And in addition, we stand ready to provide emergency relief supplies, including blankets, hygiene kits, plastic sheeting, water containers and water purification units, in response to the needs as we assess them.

We were able to work to provide an initial $25,000 in emergency -- $25,000 to the Jamaican Government so that they could begin emergency preparedness activities. And today, our U.S. Ambassador, Brenda LaGrange Johnson, has made a disaster declaration and we have provided an additional $100,000 of humanitarian assistance to them.

In terms of Mexico and Belize, we have -- I have an update on that number. We have about 20 Foreign Service officers who have been assigned from Mexico City and other consulates in Mexico to Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen, where they are working with the Mexican Government to assist American citizens as needed there. And also we have a six-person emergency assessment team in Mexico, three of them in the Yucatan, and they'll be working with the American -- excuse me, they'll be working with Mexican authorities and the U.S. Embassy there to continue their evaluations.

So that's about all I have right now, Matt.

QUESTION: The 20 people that -- the 20 Foreign Service officers that have been reassigned from Mexico City and other consulates, what exactly are they doing?

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, they go out to the locations. They preposition themselves. They coordinate with local authorities to have an understanding of what's happening. They report back to the task force and to Mexico City, informing them of what's happening, what do they see happening. They provide communication links with the Mexican Government. And once the hurricane passes, they're there coordinating with other Americans that they reach out to so that they can assist -- lend assistance where possible.

In addition, they have been in place working with American airlines -- the company and American airlines in general -- to ensure that additional flights can be laid in to help coordinate the movement of Americans from those areas onto the planes or onto buses to help them depart the area.

QUESTION: So basically helping people to actually get out if they want --

MR. GALLEGOS: Yeah, helping people get out before the hurricane. They sit through the hurricane, and then their task afterwards is to ensure that American citizens in need have access to representatives to their embassy in the different locations where they can be found.

QUESTION: Thanks.

MR. GALLEGOS: Yes.

QUESTION: Can I ask about India?

MR. GALLEGOS: Yes.

QUESTION: Can you --

MR. GALLEGOS: Oh, I'm -- we have another one on that?

QUESTION: Mm-hmm.

MR. GALLEGOS: Yes.

QUESTION: You said that the Embassy in Mexico and the consulates provided an additional 20. I thought the number this morning was 30.

MR. GALLEGOS: Yeah, I checked up on that again and they corrected me.

QUESTION: So 20's the correct one?

MR. GALLEGOS: Twenty is the number I have, yes. Can we move on? Yes.

QUESTION: Can you clarify because there's been a lot of debate back in India about this. What happens to the India-U.S. nuclear agreement if India goes ahead and tests a nuclear weapon?

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, I think Sean spoke to that the other day. I'm going to go ahead -- it's on the record. You have the transcript from that. I'm going to go ahead and leave it at that. I don't really have anything different or additional to add to that. I think that, obviously, this is an important agreement that we believe will help India reduce its energy shortfall and will allow Indians to gain access to advanced technologies that will improve their daily lives. So we're working towards that end, coordinate with the Indians, coordinate with our Congress, and we hope to move forward on it.

QUESTION: Another clarification on that. The 123 agreement says that the President has options to look at the situation if Delhi goes ahead and test. Does he also have the option to waive any consequences?

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, I think I'll refer you back to Sean's comments on that. I know that he went on the record with that. I know that he's been standing by those comments and I'll just have to refer you to them.

QUESTION: And finally, in the Left parties in India are opposing this deal. What is your reaction to their opposition? Do you think it's justified?

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, we don't have any specific comments on discussions within India about the agreement. This is a determination for the Indians to make and we're going to be working with them to hopefully see this to fruition.

Yes, Nina.

QUESTION: On the Russian-China strategic relationship.

MR. GALLEGOS: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: In view of the spectacles like the summit last week and the war games weekend, what's the level of concern in the U.S. about the close relationship at the moment between China and Russia?

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, the stated aim of the organization -- maintaining

stability in Central Asia -- is obviously one that we support. We think it's important and we hope that it can continue. It's natural for sovereign nations to form associations with countries which they share common interests. I think that's where we are on this.

QUESTION: But surely you must be -- you know, Russia, in particular, has been ratcheting up the tension lately. You have had Putin being very disgruntled about this missile defense system. At the summit he just cited -- we saw the -- sorry, scrap that. At the summit we had, you know, Putin, we had Hu, we had Ahmadi-Nejad as an observer. Are you not nervous that China and Russia are becoming even closer to Iran?

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, I believe that these organizations -- it's only natural, like I said, for these organizations to be formed. It's only natural for countries, who live near each other or next to each other, to become this involved. We encourage that throughout the world. We seek, obviously, stability. And this is one of the most important issues that we try to encourage throughout the world; that these are going to happen. These countries have significant interests that they share. They're going to work together and we'll work with them.

QUESTION: Well, we've seen reluctance from China and Russia all the way along in passing resolutions on -- at the UN on Iran. Are you not concerned that now they're even closer, that you might have that kind of problem again if another resolution goes to the table?

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, the resolution -- that's a separate thing. I think that ultimately, we know and understand that we obviously work with these countries. We know and understand the fact that they will have relations with each other. Those relations will come to a point where they're going to create organizations with each other. We believe that as long as these create a more stable atmosphere for which -- from which we can engage them in a diplomatic way, that this is a positive thing and we're going to continue to do that.

Yes.

QUESTION: First on this subject, are you concerned by the large-scale military exercises to be undertaken by the Shanghai Group?

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, I believe our Pentagon made a statement on that earlier today. I'll refer you to them in terms of the military aspects of that.

QUESTION: And another thing. The Greek Cypriot Government, in a contentious issue with Turkey, last week announced a number of international bidders to take part in this project to explore oil and natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean. What's the U.S. position on that? It seems at least one American company is among the bidding companies. Do you have -- do such companies have to consult you before undertaking such an effort?

MR. GALLEGOS: I'm going to have to take that question. I'm not sure. I don't have any information on that, so I'll go ahead and take that. Obviously, our position in terms of multiple fonts of energy is well known. We believe that there should be multiple fonts for energy. We believe that they're -- they should -- energy should be sold on the open market. Further or more to that, I'm going to have to take that question and get back to you guys.

QUESTION: Do you post something or should I just get in touch with you?

MR. GALLEGOS: I -- we will post that.

Yes, Param.

QUESTION: If you can just update us on efforts at the United Nations on the possible third resolution against Iran?

MR. GALLEGOS: The -- I'm sorry?

QUESTION: On the possible third resolution on --

MR. GALLEGOS: Oh, is it Iran and the IAEA?

QUESTION: Yes.

MR. GALLEGOS: Is that the --

QUESTION: Yes.

MR. GALLEGOS: Let's see. Ambassador Schulte today -- I believe he said the UN Security Council has required Iran to cooperate fully with the IAEA and to suspend proliferation-sensitive activities. Cooperation that is partial, conditional, or promise for the future is not enough. The Security Council and IAEA Board of Governors expect full cooperation, plus compliance with the core Security Council requirement for full suspension. I think that's pretty clear what our position is on that. We'll be working towards that.

QUESTION: Well, can I follow up? About a month ago or so, Ron submitted this 120-day plan to the IAEA. I mean, Ambassador Schulte's statement would suggest that they're not offering full cooperation with the IAEA in accordance with that plan?

MR. GALLEGOS: I would be loath to question his statement. I think I'm going to stay with what he said.

QUESTION: Well, I mean, but he's saying that, but Iran did submit this plan. And supposedly is supposed to be working with the IAEA on clearing up some of these other lingering questions. So I mean, what does that statement --

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, I believe --

QUESTION: -- why did he make that statement, I guess?

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, we're looking for them to cooperate fully with the IAEA to suspend proliferation sensitive activities. And he states very clearly, cooperation that is partial, conditional or promise for the future is not enough. We're looking for their continued cooperation on that.

QUESTION: What was the occasion that he made this -- like, why did he make this --

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, he's -- he actually spoke to a reporter on this, so I have those quotes that he made.

QUESTION: Back to Param's question --

MR. GALLEGOS: Yes.

QUESTION: -- are you making any headway in your effort to get a third sanctions resolution out of the Security Council on Iran? Are there still active talks on that now? Are you --

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, I believe this is an issue that's ongoing for us. I think Sean has spoken to the fact that we continue to work with our allies toward moving -- and the rest of the world towards moving towards this. Statements have been clear about this. The position hasn't changed, and we're going to continue to move forward and work with them. A long process, we know and understand that. Having to work with a lot of different states. We'll continue that effort.

QUESTION: Some diplomats have basically said September could be the date for such a resolution.

MR. GALLEGOS: I don't have any information on that. And I think that most of the people who stood at this podium, when it comes to talking about timing in the UN, have preferred not to put a date on that. I will do the same.

Yes, David.

QUESTION: Gonzo, do you have anything to say about the election in Kazakhstan where the government party got 90 percent of the vote and the opposition came up with no seats in the parliament?

MR. GALLEGOS: I sure do. We welcome progress demonstrated by Kazakhstan in their August 18th parliamentary elections, including in the pre-election campaign period. However, we share the view of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's observation mission that the election process did not fully meet the international standards to which Kazakhstan has committed itself.

We take note of Kazakhstan's commitment to improve the election process and the central election committee work to increase the transparency and integrity of the elections. Nonetheless, there were serious shortcomings, including legal provisions such as high threshold of seven percent for party representation in the parliament, the process by which victorious parties chose deputies from their list and the fact that an unelected body appoints nine of the 107 seats in the lower house of parliament.

We hope that the Government of Kazakhstan will address these shortcomings as it continues to reform the elections law and promptly and fairly resolves any complaints and appeals related to violations of that law.

QUESTION: Nine of 107? That doesn't sound like a whole hell of a lot.

MR. GALLEGOS: Enough.

QUESTION: That's bad?

MR. GALLEGOS: Enough.

QUESTION: Anything on the referendum?

QUESTION: Anything on the Thai constitution? Do you have any guidance on that?

MR. GALLEGOS: Oh, the Thai referendum. Yeah, I do have that. Let's see. We welcome holding the referendum as another positive step toward restoration of elected government in Thailand. The Thai Government has announced plans to hold general elections on December 16th or the 23rd. We urge the government to continue to adhere to its electoral timetable and ensure the elections are free and fair, and we encourage the return of the democratically elected government in Thailand and look forward to restoring full bilateral ties with the longstanding U.S. partner.

QUESTION: How do you see the margin of the votes? Only 58 percent seem to have basically endorsed the constitution and turnout in the last elections were about 70 percent.

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, we feel that it's important that they move forward. We believe it's important that they hold their elections as soon as possible. And this is a positive direction that we want them to continue.

Yes.

QUESTION: On North Korea?

MR. GALLEGOS: Yes.

QUESTION: U.S.-North Korea meeting will be in Geneva?

MR. GALLEGOS: Oh, you're talking about the bilateral with Chris Hill? I do not have a location for that yet. My understanding is that we hope to do it sometime towards the end of this month, the beginning of September, and I'll be waiting for more information. We'll announce that as soon as we can.

QUESTION: (Inaudible)…hope for Hill to --

MR. GALLEGOS: Yes.

QUESTION: What will the topics of the talks be?

MR. GALLEGOS: Hold on one sec. Lost in paper at this point. One second here. Let's see. Chris was pretty clear about where he wanted to take this, but I will endeavor to -- here we go. They're going to continue the modalities, how to move towards -- how to move towards the disarming of the -- they will -- I'll have to get back to you on the specifics. Let me get back to you and escape here at this point.

Anything else?

QUESTION: Thank you.

MR. GALLEGOS: All right. Thank you.

(The briefing was concluded at 12:57 p.m.)

DPB # 147