Daily Press Briefing
Jeff Rathke
Acting Deputy Spokesperson
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
April 28, 2015
Index for Today's Briefing
DEPARTMENT
EGYPT
DEPARTMENT
SECRETARY'S TRAVEL
SAUDI ARABIA
IRAN/MARSHALL ISLANDS
YEMEN/SAUDI ARABIA
BURUNDI
THAILAND
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
DEPARTMENT
NEPAL
MIDDLE EAST PEACE
BANGLADESH
IRAN
YEMEN
TRANSCRIPT:
1:12 p.m. EDT
MR RATHKE: Good afternoon. Sorry for the delay. We wanted to wait for the White House press availability to finish before starting. And also, just to flag, the Vice President and the Secretary will be hosting lunch upstairs at 1:30 for Prime Minister Abe. That may slip a little bit, but we'll try to make this quick. So when they make remarks --
QUESTION: Are we invited?
MR RATHKE: Excuse me?
QUESTION: Are we invited?
MR RATHKE: No, but – if you haven't gotten an invitation. I have a few things at the start to mention.
First, I mentioned yesterday our Free the Press campaign for this week. We have two cases today. Our first comes from Ethiopia. The freelance journalist and former high school English teacher Reeyot Alemu remains in prison after being convicted under Ethiopia's anti-terrorism proclamation on January 19th, 2012. Reeyot is among 18 other journalists detained in Ethiopia on charges related to their work, making Ethiopia the largest detainer of journalists on the continent.
Reeyot was arrested in June 2011 after writing articles that criticized government policies. She was tried, convicted, and sentenced to 14 years on terrorism-related charges. Her sentence was reduced to five years by the supreme court in August 2012, and she lost a subsequent appeal to dismiss the case altogether. We call on the government to release Reeyot, who is in prison simply for exercising her right of freedom of expression. We urge the government to refrain from using its anti-terrorism proclamation as a mechanism to curb the free exchange of ideas.
Our second case comes from Vietnam, where a blogger, Ta Phong Tan, winner of the 2013 International Women of Courage Awards, currently is imprisoned amid a 10-year sentence for writing posts critical of the government and the Communist Party. She was among the first bloggers to write and comment on political news events long considered off limits by authorities. And we call on the Government of Vietnam to release her immediately and to allow all Vietnamese to express their political views freely both online and offline.
Second item, Egypt: To solidify the partnership between the young people of Egypt and the United States, the U.S. Government is announcing the launch of the U.S-Egypt Higher Education Initiative. The U.S. seeks to provide young Egyptians with the skills to obtain jobs that will both help Egypt meet the needs of a 21st century economy with a particular focus on science, technology, and entrepreneurship, and on women's education, and provide meaningful employment to the thousands of Egyptians who enter the workforce each year. The unprecedented $250 million initiative will provide Egyptians with up to 1,900 university scholarships and exchanges to study in the United States and in Egypt, and it will support up to 20 higher education partnerships to strengthen research and exchanges between Egyptian and U.S. universities.
One preview for today: This afternoon, the Secretary will formally release the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review. That report will be launched here at 4 o'clock in the briefing room. He will be joined by Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Heather Higginbottom, USAID Acting Administrator Alfonso Lenhardt, and Special Representative for the QDDR Tom Perriello. Following their remarks, the deputy secretary, the acting administrator, and Special Representative Perriello will answer questions.
And last item: Secretary Kerry will travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 2nd for his first trip to the country and the first visit by a Secretary of State since 2005. In Colombo, he will meet government leaders, civil society members, and other representatives from the country's diverse communities to hear and express U.S. support for their vision of a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for its people. Secretary Kerry will join his hosts for the celebration of the Buddhist holiday of Vesak.
Secretary Kerry will also visit Nairobi, Kenya, beginning on May 3rd to reinforce the importance of our strong bilateral relationship. In his meetings with government officials, business leaders, opposition leaders, aid organizations, and civil society representatives, he will discuss issues including security cooperation, particularly in light of the recent tragic attack at Garissa University College as well as refugee assistance, trade, and biodiversity.
The Secretary will also travel to Djibouti, Djibouti, on May 5th, where he will meet high-level leaders to discuss our bilateral cooperation and their support to evacuation efforts from Yemen. He will engage with Djiboutian youth and religious leaders on a range of issues, and the Secretary will also visit with U.S. military personnel at Camp Lemonnier. And this is the first time that a sitting Secretary of State will visit Djibouti.
So with that, turn it over to you.
QUESTION: Since we're on short timeframe today, can we just hit some of the breaking news first?
MR RATHKE: Certainly.
QUESTION: Firstly, do you have any reaction to the Saudi operation that resulted in several – well, several dozens of arrests, purportedly for an attack plan on the U.S. embassy?
MR RATHKE: Well, we're aware of the arrests. We don't have confirmation of the details, and, of course, refer you to the Saudis for further information. And of course, we're in close contact with our Saudi partners. They're an important partner for us in the region. And I would highlight, in recent days, we updated our Travel Warning and we've taken other steps in Saudi Arabia. I'm not drawing a connection to the arrests that were made, but of course security in Saudi Arabia and our warnings to American citizens remain an important priority for us.
QUESTION: Were these arrests the result of – was the U.S. involved in this operation in any capacity?
MR RATHKE: I don't believe we were involved in the arrests. Of course, we – Saudi Arabia is an important security partner. We cooperate with them. But I don't have details of cooperation --
QUESTION: Whether you shared intelligence or --
MR RATHKE: Well, we have an ongoing – we have ongoing sharing of intelligence and coordination with Saudis, but I don't have anything in connection with these arrests to announce.
QUESTION: Were you aware of a threat – a threat to the embassy specifically?
MR RATHKE: You'll recall last week we put out a security message through our Embassy in Riyadh, which talked about the – urging U.S. citizens to consider the risks of traveling to Saudi Arabia and also that the Saudi authorities had said in their own statement they would be taking precautionary measures to protect against attempts to target malls and oil facilities. Again, not drawing a connection to this, but clearly the security situation in Saudi Arabia is one we've kept under close watch.
QUESTION: And then just lastly, last month you guys shut down visa operations, I think, throughout Saudi Arabia for a couple of days.
MR RATHKE: Yes.
QUESTION: Was this – was that move related to the current threat that we've seen the Saudis take action against?
MR RATHKE: I don't have a connection to draw between the two. Again, we work closely with the Saudis, but we're not drawing a linkage.
QUESTION: Can you confirm that there was – that the plot involved hitting your Embassy in Riyadh with a car bomb?
MR RATHKE: I don't have any details of that to confirm.
QUESTION: And – well, okay. But can you – one of the distinctions we're looking to make here is that the Saudis said they arrested a total of 93 people, many of them with ties to the Islamic State. So do you know if this plot to target the embassy was directed and organized by the Islamic State?
MR RATHKE: Well, again, I'll – this was – these were Saudi steps that they've taken. I'll refer you to them for details of --
QUESTION: I know. But it was – this really closely involved the United States, given that it was targeting the embassy and that you have a campaign to defeat and degrade ISIS. So I don't think it's really out of your wheelhouse.
MR RATHKE: Well, again, I don't have details to share about the particulars of the arrests and the reasons for which the arrests were made. So we're referring to the Saudis to speak on that.
QUESTION: And you can't distinguish the plotters as ISIS from al-Qaida or anything?
MR RATHKE: Again, the arrests were just made. We'll refer it to the Saudis.
Arshad, did you --
QUESTION: Does it concern the U.S. that --
MR RATHKE: Sorry. Just a second, Ros.
QUESTION: Sure.
MR RATHKE: I think Arshad had also interjected earlier.
QUESTION: Actually, if you're still on this, I've got something else.
MR RATHKE: Okay. Go ahead, Ros.
QUESTION: Yeah. Is the U.S. concerned that it appears that ISIL may have started to take root inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
MR RATHKE: Well, I'm not jumping to that conclusion. Again, we'll refer to the Saudi authorities for their information. We, of course, have been aware of organizations trying to claim a connection with ISIL. Whether that represents operational linkages or something that is purely rhetorical is something that we try to evaluate on a case-by-case basis. I don't have details about this particular group to offer at this point.
Said.
QUESTION: Yeah. Very quickly, is this, to the best of your knowledge, the first ISIS-related arrest in Saudi Arabia?
MR RATHKE: Well, again, that – I'd refer you to --
QUESTION: Has there been incidents in the past?
MR RATHKE: I'd refer you to Saudi authorities for that.
Yes, Arshad.
QUESTION: Do you have anything that you can say about the Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship that has been boarded by Iranian forces?
MR RATHKE: So we are – I think you've seen some comments from my DoD colleagues today. We are aware of reports that a commercial cargo ship, the MV Maersk Tigris – which is Marshall Islands-flagged, as you said, Arshad – a container vessel, was intercepted by several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy patrol craft this morning while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf on an internationally recognized maritime route. The IRGC navy contacted the vessel, and they directed the master of the vessel to divert further into Iranian waters. And the master initially declined, and one of the patrol craft, the IRGC navy patrol craft, fired shots across the Maersk Tigris's bow. The master then complied and diverted under escort of the IRGC navy vessels toward Iranian waters.
At about the same time, the vessel issued a distress call, which was received by U.S. forces. Our Navy forces are monitoring the situation with the Maersk Tigris. We're in communication with representatives of the shipping company and we are monitoring the situation. I'd also like to point out because there have been a number of questions about whether American citizens were onboard, according to information that we have received from the vessel's operators, there are no American citizens onboard. We are working to confirm that, of course.
QUESTION: One question here. You said that it was on an internationally recognized trade route. Was it in international waters when this occurred?
MR RATHKE: Well, I'd have to go back and check with the precise location. I haven't seen the precise location. Again, it was on an international route, though.
QUESTION: You said --
MR RATHKE: Yes.
QUESTION: -- "divert further into Iranian waters." That would sort of imply that it was already in Iranian waters, would it not?
MR RATHKE: Well, again, I haven't seen a chart with the pinpointing of the location. That we'll have to come back with more details.
QUESTION: Go ahead.
QUESTION: Was it in Iranian waters? And if --
MR RATHKE: My understanding is that it was on an internationally recognized route. If you'd like, we can come back to you right after the briefing --
QUESTION: Could you?
MR RATHKE: -- on that specific aspect.
QUESTION: Does this give you broader concern about the Strait of Hormuz and its – let's say its stability right now as an international waterway? We know how significant it is.
MR RATHKE: Well, it's a key concern of the United States to ensure that sea lanes in the region remain open and safe. You'll all recall that the U.S. recently deployed a carrier as well as other vessels into the Arabian Sea and into the region. We operate in the region as a core mission of the U.S. Navy to ensure the freedom of navigation, and we remain committed to our regional partners and to maintaining security in the maritime environment. I think the President also spoke to this last week. So certainly, the freedom of navigation and safe and secure shipping is very important to us.
QUESTION: Has there been any communication at all at any level between U.S. and Iranian officials regarding this incident?
MR RATHKE: I don't have any to report. I'm not aware of any, but there may be communications. Again, this was picked up by our Navy colleagues; it's happened just in the last couple of hours. I don't have any indications --
QUESTION: Jeff, do you have any idea what prompted this altercation? Why --
MR RATHKE: I don't have any speculation about Iran's motives. I'm not aware of that.
QUESTION: And what's the motive for the United States Navy sort of getting involved in – and heading that way? What are they going to do about it?
MR RATHKE: Well, as I just said in answer to Brad's question, we have – it is a key concern, the freedom of navigation and the safety of shipping in the region. And as well there is a security compact between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands that addresses security and defense matters. So beyond our concern for the open international shipping lanes, we also have a particular relationship with the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
QUESTION: So is the U.S. prepared to use force to defend the Marshall Islands in this case?
MR RATHKE: Well, I think that's premature to jump to that conclusion. Again, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, they have not requested specific U.S. assistance; but we do have a security compact with them, so we pay close attention to that.
Said.
QUESTION: To clarify, you said internationally recognized trade shipping lanes or trade routes.
MR RATHKE: Yeah.
QUESTION: Versus international waters. What is that (inaudible)?
MR RATHKE: I think Arshad and Brad asked exactly the same question, and we'll come back with further clarification. I don't have --
QUESTION: Okay. So you don't have – you don't have a definition now.
MR RATHKE: I don't have a definition in front of me. We'll come back to you with that.
QUESTION: What do you consider the Iranian act? Is it an act of piracy, act of violence?
QUESTION: Aggression?
MR RATHKE: Again, this, I think, is underway. I'm not going to apply an adjective to it right now. We are following the situation very carefully, but I'm not going to label it.
QUESTION: But do you condemn it?
MR RATHKE: Well, again, we're gathering more information. I don't have a further reaction at this point.
Yes, Brad.
QUESTION: Can you explain what's entailed by this security compact between the U.S. and the Marshall Islands? I mean, I'm guessing in theory you're not required to provide military assistance every time a boat that happens to be carrying a Marshall Islands flag is intercepted.
MR RATHKE: Well, the security compact between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands gives the U.S. authority and responsibility for security and defense matters that relate to the Marshall Islands, including matters related to vessels flying the Marshallese flag. But it won't surprise you that we have not done a thorough, full-ranging analysis of that compact in the last couple of hours just to – but certainly, that's something we're looking at.
QUESTION: Is it --
QUESTION: Can we put a topper on this?
MR RATHKE: Yeah. Anything else on this and then we'll move on? One more, Abbie, and then we'll move on.
QUESTION: In the past, Iranians have threatened to block the strait in response to some of the sanctions, nuclear sanctions on the country. Do you see any connection between this and the Iran nuclear negotiations?
MR RATHKE: I'm not going to speculate on what their motives might be. But as I said in response to Brad's question, keeping the strait open and international commerce and freedom of navigation is very important to the United States.
QUESTION: Just --
QUESTION: Can you address her other part of the question, though, which is whether or not you see this as having any impact on the Iran negotiations?
MR RATHKE: I think it's premature to jump to that conclusion. Again, we've – that's – the nuclear talks have been on a track that we've been pursuing and this incident which has just happened in the last couple of hours. We're looking into it.
QUESTION: Do you think that Iran was trying to send any message?
MR RATHKE: Again, I'm not going to speculate about what the motives might be.
Let's move on. You wanted to move on to Yemen?
QUESTION: Go to Yemen. So as you're, I think, aware, the Saudis are reported to have bombed an airport in Sana'a to prevent an Iranian cargo plane from landing there. As a result of that, we are told that aid flights can now not get into Sana'a. Was this a good idea?
MR RATHKE: Well, I would refer you to the Saudis for a – for any information about their military strikes as part of their ongoing operation, but – so I don't have a comment on that. We're certainly aware of those reports, but would refer you to the Saudis for details of that.
And clearly, humanitarian efforts have been important to the United States and to the international community and indeed to the Saudis, which they made explicit when they shifted from Operation Decisive Storm to Operation Renewal of Hope. And it's been the ongoing aggressive actions of the Houthis to which they've been responding that have made the situation even more complicated.
QUESTION: Well, but stopping, preventing a plane from a third country from landing – it's not clear to me that can be directly attributed to the Houthis, even if they were going to deliver something to the Houthis, which maybe they were or not. So why is it a good idea for the Saudis, who, as you said, last week said that they were trying to shift away from bombing to take an act like this, which has implications on the humanitarian situation because aid shipments then can't get in either? So why is – I can understand that you don't want to talk about what they did, but on the other hand surely you must have a view on whether this is a good idea.
MR RATHKE: Well, again, we would refer to the Saudis for the – their explanation of any specific strikes they've taken. I'm not able to confirm those reports. Of course, we're aware of those reports, but I'm not able to confirm the details of them. So I'm not going to draw a conclusion based on those details that I'm not able to confirm.
Yeah.
QUESTION: In principle, the U.S. does not support the idea of bombing civilian infrastructure unless, what, deemed absolutely necessary? I mean, there are principles in international law at stake too when it comes to civilian infrastructure, correct?
MR RATHKE: Well, we've certainly repeated several times the importance of humanitarian – on the one hand of international humanitarian law being respected, and also the importance of humanitarian assistance to Yemen. And we call on all parties to the conflict to provide access to humanitarian organizations to reach vulnerable Yemenis. So clearly, the importance of the humanitarian aspect in this conflict is important.
QUESTION: And things like airports, seaports, power stations, water plants – I mean, these things should be – they have a special character, do they not, because they directly impact civilians and people caught in the conflict?
MR RATHKE: Well, I'm not going to make a legal statement on – with respect to those kinds of facilities. In the same way – in response to Arshad's question, I don't have all the details of the Saudi action and what it was done in response to, if indeed it was done in response to something. So I'm not going draw a conclusion about the status of the airport based on that.
QUESTION: Jeff --
MR RATHKE: Yep.
QUESTION: Jamal Benomar, the former UN envoy, claims that when the Saudis began bombing, the UN was about to broker a peace deal, an agreement. Do you refute that or do you agree with them? Are you aware of that statement?
MR RATHKE: I don't mean to cut you off, Said, but we addressed this at length yesterday so I'd refer you to yesterday's briefing on that.
QUESTION: Apologies. I'm sorry, I wasn't (inaudible).
MR RATHKE: That's okay.
Yes, we'll go to Nicolas. Yeah.
QUESTION: A very quick one on Burundi. Do you have an updated assessment of the situation in Burundi, where the protests continue?
MR RATHKE: I don't have an assessment beyond our comment yesterday, I believe, in which we expressed our regret that the decision of the Burundian ruling party for the – for President Nkurunziza to be a candidate for a third presidential term. So what I said yesterday stands. I don't have further comment on it today.
We'll go to Pam and then we'll come across. Yeah.
QUESTION: Thailand. Thailand's deputy foreign minister said he expected his meetings with U.S. officials last week to mark a beginning of a greater understanding between Bangkok and Washington. And Washington, of course, has criticized last year's military coup. Does the U.S. now think that the Thai political situation is moving back to democracy quickly enough or does progress need to speed up in that area? And also, what was discussed during the meeting with the deputy foreign minister? And I have a second question also.
MR RATHKE: So Deputy Secretary Blinken met with his counterpart, the deputy foreign minister of Thailand, to discuss matters of mutual interest and also to discuss U.S. concerns that the Thai military has yet to relinquish its control of the government. Thailand is a valued friend and ally and we have a longstanding history of strong cooperation on many, many issues, and we'll continue cooperation on issues that matter to the security and wellbeing of both our countries and of the region.
In the meeting, the deputy secretary reiterated our position that the interim government should remove undue restrictions on civil liberties, such as limits on fundamental freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly and the practice of trying civilians in military courts and detention without charge; institute a genuinely inclusive reform process that reflects the diversity of views within the country; and return the country to democracy. The deputy secretary also discussed trafficking in persons issues and our concerns about slave labor.
Did you – you said you had a follow-up?
QUESTION: I did. Different part of the world, but last night there was a gunman who appeared to be a radicalized Bosnian Muslim who attacked a police station in the Bosnia town of Zvornik, and U.S. experts and officials have expressed concern regarding the rise of extremism in this area. What is – could I get a comment from you regarding this incident and basically your reaction to the incident?
MR RATHKE: Well, we condemn the April 27th attack on the police station in Zvornik and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Dragan Djuric, who was killed in the attack, to the police officers who were injured, as well as other employees of the police station and citizens of the city. We call on the relevant agencies to conduct a thorough and professional investigation, and we think it's important that this situation is not politicized. We fully support the Bosnia authorities in their efforts to fight threats to security as they work to maintain public order.
Yes, go ahead.
QUESTION: So Vox reporting at least 181 firms donated to the Clinton Foundation while also formally lobbying the Department of State when Secretary Clinton was at the helm. Does that not raise valid concerns of at least the appearance of a conflict of interest?
MR RATHKE: I'm sorry, can you repeat the first part of your question --
QUESTION: Yeah. There's a report in Vox --
MR RATHKE: Yeah.
QUESTION: -- looking at how 181 firms donated to the Clinton Foundation while also formally lobbying the Department of State when Clinton was at – was the top officer. Does the State Department not see that at least – show the appearance of a conflict of interest?
MR RATHKE: Again, I think we've talked about these details a number of times in the briefing. In January 2009, then-nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton set forth a number of undertakings that addressed her financial interests; the speaking, writing, and consulting of former President Clinton; and certain matters involving the William J. Clinton Foundation and its initiatives. And I think, as we've said, those commitments went beyond many of the requirements. And as to the particulars, without having the specific details of the cases, I don't have further comment.
Let's move on. Laura.
QUESTION: Go to Nepal.
MR RATHKE: Yes.
QUESTION: Do you have an update since yesterday on the number of Americans confirmed either dead or missing in the earthquake? And then also, there was a landslide just today where about 200 people are estimated to be missing. Are any Americans at this point known to've been involved in that?
MR RATHKE: Mm-hmm. So going first to U.S. citizen victims, yesterday I gave the names of two U.S. citizens. I have a third name that I can share with you now. We can confirm the deaths of U.S. citizens Marisa Eve Girawong, Vinh B. Truong, and Thomas Ely Taplin – the latter two I mentioned yesterday – and we are aware of reports of the death of one other U.S. citizen. All of these victims were located at the Mount Everest base camp area when the earthquake struck.
There was a question yesterday, I believe – we have no information at this point about U.S. citizens who were injured as a result. Of course, there are the reports of deaths that we just talked about, but we don't have reports of U.S. citizens injured. And we continue to look into all the queries that come into the State Department about U.S. citizen family members or friends and loved ones who are located in Nepal to try to track those down, but there are a number – we've had hundreds of inquiries. Some of those inquiries may have been about the same person, so I can't pinpoint the precise number of people. But certainly, we're following up on all of those through our Embassy in Kathmandu.
QUESTION: The spelling of the name of the new --
MR RATHKE: Yes. It's Marisa, M-A-R-I-S-A; middle name Eve, E-V-E; surname Girawong, G-I-R-A-W-O-N-G.
QUESTION: Thank you.
QUESTION: Jeff?
MR RATHKE: Yes. Said.
QUESTION: Yeah. Can we go to the Palestinian issue very quickly?
MR RATHKE: Yes.
QUESTION: Yeah. Yesterday the secretary general of the United Nations blamed Israel for the killing of 40 civilians at least in UNRWA schools. You have any comment on that?
MR RATHKE: Repeat the beginning. Who leveled this accusation?
QUESTION: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
MR RATHKE: I had not seen that statement. Of course, we are aware that there was the report of the board of inquiry, the Gaza board of inquiry, which was discussed, I believe, yesterday in the UN Security Council, and Security Council members expressed grave concern over the incidents that were investigated in the report, including those that resulted in deaths or injuries at UN premises and those in which weaponry was discovered at vacant UN facilities. So – but I don't have a specific --
QUESTION: Do you have any comment on the statement --
MR RATHKE: I'd have to look at that statement. I wasn't familiar with it.
QUESTION: Also, Under Secretary Wendy Sherman said that if there is no two-state solution, the situation is going to go out of control or something to that effect. Do you have any comment on that?
MR RATHKE: Well, that paraphrase – I'm not going to respond to a paraphrase. She gave remarks yesterday --
QUESTION: (Off-mike.)
MR RATHKE: Excuse me, Said. Excuse me, Said. She gave remarks yesterday. I think we've distributed those remarks. I think her remarks speak for themselves.
QUESTION: But her statements stand, right, on the issue of the two-state solution?
MR RATHKE: Yeah, if you quote them accurately.
Yes.
QUESTION: I want to cover Bangladesh.
MR RATHKE: Then we're going to wrap up. Yes.
QUESTION: Election held yesterday in Bangladesh, and American ambassador made a statement already and condemned the violence. But the BNP's midway pullout, they boycotted from the election. What's your position?
MR RATHKE: I'll see if I – I'm sorry, the – our embassy has issued a statement on this. I don't have anything to add. I'd refer you to our embassy's statement.
Yes, go ahead.
QUESTION: On the Iranian ship.
MR RATHKE: Yes.
QUESTION: When you come back to us with any more information on the waters --
MR RATHKE: Sure.
QUESTION: -- can you also explain to us what an internationally recognized maritime route is? I didn't know --
MR RATHKE: Yeah, we'll get into that distinction.
QUESTION: I didn't know nations recognized routes. I mean, has – are there any other – do you know what it is? I've never heard of this concept.
MR RATHKE: I understand the question. We'll clarify --
QUESTION: I think you guys just made it up, right?
MR RATHKE: -- we'll clarify the – I don't think we just made it up.
QUESTION: All right. (Laughter.)
MR RATHKE: But we'll come back to you with clarification on that.
QUESTION: All right.
MR RATHKE: Yeah, very quick.
QUESTION: Sorry if I missed this. Did you have a readout of a meeting yesterday between Zarif (inaudible)?
MR RATHKE: The – so, right. Just a moment.
So both Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Zarif were in New York and they took the opportunity to review progress in the nuclear talks. They met for about an hour and a half at the residence of the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations. The meeting was productive. They discussed the work that political directors and experts did last week in Vienna and the path forward for the talks.
To preempt, perhaps, a couple of questions, the Secretary did raise the situation in Yemen with Foreign Minister Zarif. The focus of the talks, again, was on the nuclear issue, but the Secretary did discuss the situation in Yemen. I don't have further details to share on that.
And he also did raise the cases of detained and missing U.S. citizens, and we continue to call for the immediate release of Amir Hekmati, Saeed Abedini, and Jason Rezaian. And we continue to call for Iran to help locate Robert Levinson so they all can return home to their families.
QUESTION: So he mentioned Hekmati specifically yesterday?
MR RATHKE: He raised all four of those cases.
QUESTION: Did – okay. Did you see the statement from Hekmati's family expressing concern and dissatisfaction with the fact that the President did not mention him when mentioning other Iranian hostages, most recently – hostages in Iran, Americans in Iran – most recently at the White House Correspondents' Dinner?
MR RATHKE: I think with – I'd refer you to the White House for the President's remarks there. I think that may have had something to do with the fact that it was the Correspondents' Dinner, Jason Rezaian is a journalist, and his brother was in attendance at the dinner. But I don't – I'd refer you to the White House for more on that.
Yeah.
QUESTION: Was there in any significance for their choice of venue?
QUESTION: (Inaudible) with the reference to Yemen, when the Secretary talked about this in public yesterday, he – after saying that he wouldn't be surprised if the topic of Yemen would come up with Minister Zarif, he said that he hoped that everyone would do their utmost to try to achieve a political solution in Yemen. Was that what he raised with Zarif, that he would like the Iranians to work toward a political solution in Yemen?
MR RATHKE: Well, I think it's safe to say that his private message was consistent with the public message that the Secretary and the U.S. Government have made with regard to Yemen and the need for --
QUESTION: So he was looking for them to exert their efforts to --
MR RATHKE: I'm not going to characterize the conversation further. I would just say that the private message is consistent with our public messages.
Samir, last one.
QUESTION: Did they discuss Syria and the de Mistura initiative?
MR RATHKE: I don't have anything else to read out from the meeting.
Okay, thanks.
(The briefing was concluded at 1:43 p.m.)
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