Daily Press Briefing
Mark C. Toner
Deputy Spokesperson
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
April 8, 2016
Index for Today's Briefing
BURMA
SYRIA
EUROPEAN UNION
SYRIA
NETHERLANDS/UKRAINE
CHINA
RUSSIA/JAPAN
IRAN
PALESTINIANS/ISRAEL/ UNITED NATIONS
TRANSCRIPT:
12:36 p.m. EDT
MR TONER: Hey, everybody. Welcome to the State Department. Happy Friday.
QUESTION: Thank you. Happy Friday to you.
MR TONER: (Laughter.) It's nice to have that thrown back at me. So it is indeed – you try, you can look up from the coal mines where you work and toil every day.
Anyway, welcome to the State Department. And guys, if you'll indulge me once again, I have to be fairly quick. I know some of you also have stuff to get to this afternoon; I do as well, so I can give you about 30 minutes and then I have to run. I apologize.
I just have one thing at the top, and that is related to Burma and the release of political prisoners there. We do welcome reports that the new democratically elected, civilian-led Government of Burma has released a number of political prisoners, including dozens detained during peaceful protests on education reform last year and who had been awaiting trial. Respect for and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, are critical components of a vibrant democracy, and we commend the new government's early demonstrated commitment to human rights. The United States stands ready to support Burma on further democratic reform.
Matt, over to you.
QUESTION: So let's start with Syria and --
MR TONER: Of course.
QUESTION: Can we do Burma quickly?
QUESTION: Okay.
QUESTION: Does that include sanctions relief?
MR TONER: Nothing to announce on that front.
QUESTION: On the release of this freelance photographer --
MR TONER: Yeah.
QUESTION: -- can you say anything more than what Kirby said in his brief statement about his release, specifically what led up to it, what was the State Department's or U.S. officials' involvement in it, the circumstances, and where he is now?
MR TONER: Okay, I'll give you what I can say, and I have to start by saying we now have not confirmed the identity of this individual. We can confirm that a U.S. citizen was released by Syrian authorities, but obviously privacy considerations, as always, prevent us from commenting further about the identity of this individual. And as Kirby noted – John noted in his brief statement that we do applaud the work of our Czech protecting power in Syria, which helped – helped us both gaining access to this individual, but also in getting his release.
I can say that this individual was released in the last few days, just to give you a sense of the timeframe. He is no longer in Syria. And beyond that, I don't have too much else to – or if you have any other questions, I can try to answer what I can.
QUESTION: Well, I mean, is he in --
MR TONER: Yeah, please.
QUESTION: Is he – he's no longer in Syria, understood. But I mean, is he in your or U.S. Government protection or custody at the moment, or is he just free?
MR TONER: I believe he is free.
QUESTION: Okay.
QUESTION: In the U.S.?
MR TONER: I can't say that.
QUESTION: So if he was released in the last few days, it's not right to say he was released today, right?
MR TONER: That's correct, yeah.
QUESTION: Okay. Besides the Czechs, were – or who else participated in facilitating this release?
MR TONER: Well, I can say --
QUESTION: Were the Russians involved?
MR TONER: So in response to that question, we are appreciative of efforts on the part of Russian – the Russian Government that it undertook on behalf of this U.S. citizen in Syria.
QUESTION: So the Russian – but just to be clear --
MR TONER: Yeah.
QUESTION: -- it probably goes without saying, but the Russians were in no way involved in his detention?
MR TONER: No.
QUESTION: They were only involved in helping --
MR TONER: Correct, correct.
QUESTION: -- secure his release?
MR TONER: Correct.
QUESTION: John's statement talked of U.S. citizens in Syria. Can you tell us how many U.S. citizens are missing in Syria?
MR TONER: I don't have a precise number – excuse me – but we obviously continue to work through our Czech protecting power to – on behalf of these citizens. One --
QUESTION: Can you confirm --
MR TONER: Sorry, one of those individuals, just to – is Austin Tice. We continue to work on the welfare of, whereabouts of him in particular, but we also obviously take seriously our responsibility to get access to and protect other U.S. citizens who may be detained there.
QUESTION: In terms of the circumstances of his – can you give – I mean, did he – was he – you thank the Russians, you thank the Czechs. Can you be any more specific about what either the Russians or the Czechs actually did or how he came to get outside – from custody, Syrian custody, to outside of Syria and safe?
MR TONER: Yeah.
QUESTION: Was he – did the Czechs play a role in the physical removal of him, or was it just the Russians, or what?
MR TONER: So I can – no, that's okay. So the Czechs obviously would have, as protecting power, provided whatever consular support on the ground that we, U.S. officials, would have been able to provide or would have wanted --
QUESTION: Right.
MR TONER: -- to provide during his – this individual's detention. I can't speak to the logistics. And in response to your question about the Russians, what was it? I'm sorry, I apologize. You just were asking about what Russians played in terms of – yeah.
QUESTION: Well, I'm just wondering what was the progression of him --
MR TONER: Yeah.
QUESTION: -- of this individual's release from Syrian custody.
MR TONER: I see.
QUESTION: Did he go to the Russians and then to the Czech embassy and then out or did he – what – how did it work?
MR TONER: So --
QUESTION: And was there any direct U.S.-Syria discussion of this person?
MR TONER: So I don't want to – other than to thank – or express our appreciation for Russia's assistance in this, I don't want to try to characterize their role beyond what I've already said. But I can say that we have also been in direct periodic contact with the Syrian Government regarding consular issues in general and American citizens detained in Syria.
QUESTION: And that means not through the Czechs?
MR TONER: That's right.
QUESTION: And is that – would that be the way it's happened in the past at the UN through Ambassador Power and the Syrian --
MR TONER: I can't qualify that. I apologize.
QUESTION: Would you – is it fair for us to describe this person as a freelance photographer?
MR TONER: I can't speak to his identity. I'm sorry. It's because of the Privacy Act waiver. So we can confirm a U.S. citizen. I can't go beyond that in identifying him. I apologize.
QUESTION: But there's an FBI missing persons report about the individual you're not identifying online and that's a U.S. Government thing. Are you able to confirm --
MR TONER: Confirm the authenticity of that report?
QUESTION: -- that that person is no longer missing?
MR TONER: I would say that reporting that we've seen thus far is not inaccurate in describing the individual released, but I really can't go beyond that. I apologize.
QUESTION: Because the FBI, in fact, took down that missing persons alert --
MR TONER: Yeah.
QUESTION: -- just this morning.
MR TONER: And I am just – that's as far as I'll go. Sorry.
QUESTION: Can you give us any update on Austin Tice? I mean, does this release mean that you feel more positive about what's happening with him?
MR TONER: So, a good question. So we continue to work through the Czechs on the ground to get information on the welfare and whereabouts of Austin Tice. It's something we raise all the time. We can't provide any individual – any additional details at this time. We are obviously in direct contact with his family as well as the families of any U.S. citizens detained there.
QUESTION: Since the Russians came through in this case, are you also going through them on the Tice case?
MR TONER: Again, without speaking to – in great detail about individual cases, I would say we welcome Russia's support wherever we can get it in terms of ascertaining – or getting the release or the – of any Americans who are held and detained in Syria.
QUESTION: Mark, can you talk at all about why he was detained, why the Syrian Government held him since --
MR TONER: I can't.
QUESTION: -- October 2012?
MR TONER: I don't have any details about why he was originally detained.
QUESTION: Do you – well, do you believe that he was improperly detained?
MR TONER: Again, I just can't – sorry, I apologize, but I just can't speak to the details.
QUESTION: Did the Syrian regime get anything in return?
MR TONER: What was that?
QUESTION: Did the Syrian regime get anything in return?
MR TONER: No, I'm not aware of that. I don't think there was any kind of tit-for-tat exchange. Again, we work through the Czech protecting power. We had the assistance of the Russians. But beyond that, I'm not aware that there was any kind of exchange of – in any way, but we're just gratified that an American is released.
QUESTION: And when you say that there are other Americans, are they in the Syrian regime custody or with ISIL or with the opposition? Can you – can you be more specific?
MR TONER: I don't have any more specific details beyond that. Again – excuse me – in terms of Austin Tice, I mean, I think we're still trying to get specific information about his whereabouts.
Please.
QUESTION: Mark, exactly what assistance did you get from Russia? Can you go through that?
MR TONER: I can't. I already said that – I mean --
QUESTION: It wasn't directly --
MR TONER: I just wouldn't --
QUESTION: It wasn't going through – was it getting him out of there or was it particularly involved in his release? I mean --
MR TONER: So --
QUESTION: -- in actually negotiating his release?
MR TONER: So we've expressed our appreciation for – that they did play a role in this. I don't want to go beyond what I've already said because it's really up for them to characterize what role they played in this.
Please.
QUESTION: Can you say if the special envoy for hostage affairs was the lead negotiating agency in this effort?
MR TONER: I don't believe so. I can check that.
QUESTION: You – so who was?
MR TONER: I'll have to check on that.
QUESTION: Okay. So --
MR TONER: Yeah. I just don't have a --
QUESTION: -- you don't know who, then, was leading this effort to secure his release?
MR TONER: I'll try to get clarity on it, Justin.
QUESTION: Okay.
QUESTION: Was he held in --
QUESTION: Mark, do you have the number of --
MR TONER: Yeah, Barbara.
QUESTION: -- U.S. citizens detained? Is that like a single digit – single digits or double digits? Can you give us some general sense?
MR TONER: Yeah, let me see if I have any – I apologize, I should – I mean, we have – in general, I don't have a concrete number. We are aware of reports of U.S. citizens who have gone missing in Syria, and obviously, we take all those reports seriously and, as I said, try to get as much information as we can on their welfare and whereabouts. But I don't have a specific number, other than, obviously, the Austin Tice case.
QUESTION: But it's more than just him, right? It's plural.
MR TONER: Yes. Yes, yes, yes.
QUESTION: It's more than one?
QUESTION: It's double digits?
MR TONER: No, no, no. I said – did you say more than 10 or more than just him?
QUESTION: No, more than one.
MR TONER: Yes.
QUESTION: More than one. Sorry.
QUESTION: How is it best to describe this individual – a hostage, a detainee?
MR TONER: Detainee.
QUESTION: A detainee. You wouldn't describe him as a hostage then?
MR TONER: No.
QUESTION: Can you tell us, was he – where he was held or where was he released from? Damascus?
MR TONER: I believe it was Damascus. I don't have that level of detail. I believe he was released in Damascus, yeah.
QUESTION: All right. Move on?
MR TONER: Are we done with --
QUESTION: Yeah.
MR TONER: -- this particular case? Yeah. Go ahead.
QUESTION: So I'm sure you are probably aware that the EU is, next week, going to start looking – or begin a discussion about whether or not to require visas from Americans and Canadians, but I don't expect you to speak on behalf of the fine country of Canada or its citizens.
MR TONER: (Laughter.) Our northern neighbors.
QUESTION: Exactly.
MR TONER: Close allies. Yeah.
QUESTION: So as it relates to American citizens --
MR TONER: Right.
QUESTION: -- what are your thoughts about this? Are you prepared to open up the Visa Waiver Program to the EU countries that are not currently included in it as a way to stop this from happening?
MR TONER: Well, a couple thoughts on that, Matt. So this is – it was a January 2014 amendment to the EU Visa Code requiring the European Commission to seek visa-free entry for all EU member-states to countries that can enter the EU visa-free. So we have maintained an open dialogue with the EU, as well as those officials from member-states that require visas for travel to the United States, on this matter. And those are – I can name them – it's Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Poland, and Romania. Fundamentally, they just haven't met the requirements for Visa Waiver Program. And this is something – we've talked individually about some of these countries, some of the requirements. They haven't met the legal requirements, and we're working with them and with the EU on how they can take the steps that will help them meet those requirements. So – and just to finish, these are requirements that are set by law. It's – it is – and they have to be addressed on a case-by-case bilateral --
QUESTION: So --
MR TONER: -- basis. Sorry, go ahead.
QUESTION: No, no. Don't apologize. So you – well, the EU makes the case that this a time-honored practice of reciprocity. You would argue with that, yes? You don't think that this is reciprocal treatment, requiring Americans to have visas if – to visit Europe if some EU members haven't met the requirements for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program?
MR TONER: Well, look, we understand the concept, obviously, of reciprocity. We --
QUESTION: I would hope so.
MR TONER: I was about to say, we subscribe to it ourselves. I just would say that we have always treated the Visa Waiver Program as on a case-by-case or individual bilateral relationship. I understand --
QUESTION: But the EU wants to treat it as --
MR TONER: I understand that.
QUESTION: -- a group thing. So you would disagree with that, and – I presume? And if I'm correct in that, have you made that case to them or are you going to make the case?
MR TONER: Well, certainly we have. And I think what we're trying to convey to them is we are more than willing to work proactively with these countries to help them address some of the issues that are preventing them from obtaining visa-free travel to the United States, stuff like low non-immigrant visa fraud – refusal rates, rather, immigration violations. All those things can be addressed, and many countries who have had problems have overcome them and gained visa-free travel. That's always been – I guess rather than – I understand the reciprocity mindset or argument in this case. We're just simply arguing that, based on U.S. law, we have to look at the numbers and whether these countries individually are complying with the standards.
QUESTION: Right. I get that.
MR TONER: Yeah.
QUESTION: But then – all right. So if you don't want them to --
MR TONER: And so – I'm sorry. Just to finish my – sorry, I apologize.
QUESTION: Go ahead.
MR TONER: But just to finish the thought, so that's our argument to the EU. We want to work with these countries and we're happy to have that dialogue with the EU going forward, but we believe we can help these countries address --
QUESTION: Would you object if the individual EU countries that do not – that are not in the Visa Waiver Program ended visa-free travel for American citizens to them?
MR TONER: We never want to see that – obviously that right and privilege rescinded. To say we'd object, I mean, we certainly would argue against it.
QUESTION: How about if Europe just required visas from people from Florida, Illinois and Arkansas? (Laughter.)
MR TONER: Well, depending on the refusal rates and their overstays, I guess that's an argument. But I'd have to see those numbers.
QUESTION: Or Florida gets its own passport. That might be the case.
MR TONER: There you go. Please, Michael.
QUESTION: Syria's chemical weapons?
MR TONER: Yeah.
QUESTION: The UN earlier today said it was going to start coordinating with the OPCW on another investigation into another round of allegations of chemical weapons use in Syria. Are – is the U.S. – are you trying to confirm these allegations yourself, and are you going to cooperate with this investigation? The head of the UN said, in a speech earlier today, that they were coordinating with the OPCW --
MR TONER: OPCW? I don't --
QUESTION: -- on the second round of allegations.
MR TONER: Oh, a second round?
QUESTION: This is the second phase. He was responding to a question that Jaysh al-Islam took responsibility for a chemical weapons attack in Syria, and he said yes, we're looking into a second round of --
MR TONER: I see. Well, we will continue to hold Daesh or ISIL accountable for its actions, and that extends to any efforts to use WMD. It's not surprising that they would resort to the use of WMD or, rather, chemical weapons. We do believe and have acknowledged that Daesh has been responsible for several small-scale sulfur mustard attacks in Iraq and Syria, including one in particular in Marea on August 21st, 2015.
And I think with regard to whether we're going to work with the OPCW, I think we would – we have full confidence in their ability to carry out these investigations. We support them in carrying out these kinds of investigations. We all – it's not surprising that we all take a common view towards just the abhorrence of using chemical weapons, and we did work, obviously, in conjunction with other partners, including Russia, to remove stockpiles of the regime's, the Syrian regime's, declared chemical weapons. So these are allegations anytime when we see them that we take very seriously.
QUESTION: Do you think you'll work with Russia on these instances?
MR TONER: I mean, it's something we continue to discuss with Russia as well as other members of the ISSG.
QUESTION: Are there other measures that can be taken to mitigate this risk?
MR TONER: Well, it's very difficult, I mean, obviously. And it's very difficult when these groups can get these kinds of – get access to these kinds of chemicals they can – and are able to use them in small quantities, as we've seen. It's very hard to – other – beyond carrying out kind of airstrikes when we have intelligence that allows us to do that, but other than that we'll continue to monitor it closely.
Please.
QUESTION: One more?
MR TONER: Yeah.
QUESTION: What about the reports that Jaysh al-Islam was involved, who have taken responsibility for this, and they're one of the parties that have a delegation in the intra-Syrian talks?
MR TONER: Yeah, and I apologize. I just don't have any information on that at this point. I'd have to look into it.
QUESTION: Are you concerned that that's something --
MR TONER: Of course we'd be concerned for any – again, any group –
QUESTION: Yeah.
PARTICIPANT: Serious, credible allegations that they used chemical weapons we would be concerned about.
QUESTION: And in the context of affecting the intra-Syrian talks, do you think --
MR TONER: Well, again, I don't want to comment on it before I have the full picture.
QUESTION: Mark, on China?
MR TONER: Do you have Syria? Okay.
QUESTION: Uh, close. (Laughter.) In the region.
MR TONER: Good enough. All right.
QUESTION: Okay. Just one quick one.
MR TONER: Yeah, sure.
QUESTION: I think I know your answer, but in the Secretary's meetings with Prime Minister Barzani, did the case of American Mohamad Khweis come up at all? Is the State Department seeking his extradition back to the U.S. from Kurdish custody?
MR TONER: Yeah, Justin, you know what, I don't have that level of detail or granularity in the readouts of his meeting, so I'll have to take the question. Apologize.
QUESTION: U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt --
MR TONER: Yes, sir.
QUESTION: -- has said that United States Government will continue to support Ukraine on its path to EU association. So what does it mean? Does it mean that U.S. Government urge to ignore, like, the will of Dutch people, or --
MR TONER: No, I wouldn't say that at all, and I spoke to this yesterday. We – while we're disappointed in the results from the Dutch referendum, we also respect its democratic process. That said, it's unclear to us what the next steps are. Obviously, this is not the culmination of this process within the Netherlands, so I would refer any questions about kind of what next in terms of that to the Dutch Government.
For our part, we have consistently argued that we believe that the association agreement is in the best interests of Ukraine, best interests of Europe, best interests of the United States. We strongly stand behind Ukraine's efforts to engage more closely with the EU and with European institutions and build its own economy and build its own democratic institutions.
QUESTION: Are going to put pressure on Dutch Government to sign the agreement or some --
MR TONER: We work closely with the Dutch. We have candid conversations them. They're a close ally and partner, including on Ukraine, and we're going to continue to hold those kinds of discussions with them. But again, we respect the Dutch political process and democratic process, and they did hold a referendum. The referendum results were credible and valid, so we'll have to take it from there.
QUESTION: Mark, can we go to China?
MR TONER: Please, in the back. Yeah.
QUESTION: Yes.
MR TONER: A few more, guys.
QUESTION: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said today that territorial disputes – particularly, in this case, South China Sea disputes – shouldn't be on the agenda at the G7 summit. Do you have a response?
MR TONER: Well, I mean, I would just say that we believe that any time that we get together with our Asian partners or with our – the key partners in the region that we should be able to talk about all – the full range of issues, including security issues and concerns about security in Asia. And so, in that regard, what we want to see happen in South China Sea is important. It's important to the region, it's important to the stability of the region, so I would suggest that those topics should be on the table.
QUESTION: Follow-up?
QUESTION: So Secretary Kerry will be bringing up the issue?
MR TONER: I can't say that for sure. I just don't know yet.
QUESTION: Follow-up.
MR TONER: Please.
QUESTION: On South China Sea, Senator John McCain said in a statement to Navy Times that "the White House aversion to risk has resulted in an indecisive policy that has failed to deter China's pursuit of maritime hegemony while confusing and alarming our regional allies and partners." Do you have any comment on his statement?
MR TONER: I don't, respectfully. Our policy has been very clear. We don't want to see any efforts to increase or escalate tensions in the South China Sea. We believe in freedom of navigation.
QUESTION: I got two brief ones.
MR TONER: Sure. Let's you and then to you, and then I'm going to have to cut it off. I apologize. Please.
QUESTION: Foreign Minister Lavrov is expected to meet with Foreign Minister Kishida on the 15th of this month, and President Putin is expected to meet with Prime Minister Abe next month. I don't expect you to speak for either country, but Secretary Kerry was in Moscow a couple of weeks ago and will be in Japan in a couple days.
MR TONER: Of course.
QUESTION: So do you welcome closer ties between Japan and Russia? How do you see these meetings?
MR TONER: I would just say in response that we never see these things in terms of zero-sum games – gains, rather. We believe that a country like Japan can have close relations with us and close relations with Russia. It shouldn't be mutually exclusive.
Please, Matt.
QUESTION: Two very briefly.
MR TONER: Yep.
QUESTION: In Bahrain yesterday --
MR TONER: Yes, sir.
QUESTION: -- the secretaries made mention of the U.S. being open to a new arrangement with Iran to deal with missile tests and their misbehavior, as you would put it. What – can you be any more specific?
MR TONER: No, I don't have any more specifics. And I don't think he was being specific that there's some kind of new policy to be launched here or new arrangement in the terms of concrete actions. Simply, he was just emphasizing or underscoring the fact that if Iran chooses to act more constructively in the region, then we can have a different kind of relationship with Iran.
QUESTION: So he wasn't suggesting that there's some kind of a new – that you're open to a negotiation with Iran over ballistic missiles or other stuff?
MR TONER: No, no.
QUESTION: Okay. That's off the --
MR TONER: Yep.
QUESTION: All right. And then secondly, the Palestinians say that they are going to introduce or get someone to introduce on their behalf a resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity at the UN, or they're going to introduce a resolution at the UN that would condemn Israeli settlement activity.
MR TONER: Right.
QUESTION: What's your position on that? Is this something that the United States would support or veto?
MR TONER: Well, so we understand there is an early draft that the Palestinians have shared informally in New York. And I'm not going to comment on what is really an informal draft resolution. Nothing has been formally introduced or circulated at the Security Council, and nothing has been introduced by a Security Council member.
Excuse me. So, I mean, I guess I would say that this is not an uncommon practice at the UN, but we just don't have any comment on – like I said, this is a very early, early stage.
QUESTION: What's not an uncommon practice? For the Palestinians to want to --
MR TONER: For drafts to circulate like this at a very early stage, but not – there's been no formal draft offered.
QUESTION: Okay. So you don't have a position on a draft?
MR TONER: We don't. We don't, other than beyond our general position on settlements.
QUESTION: Okay.
QUESTION: But tied to that, the UN today was talking about – was pushing other countries to raise political pressure on Israel. They said that with more than 540 demolitions and confiscations in the occupied West Bank so far this year, the Israeli military has already matched or exceeded total of 2015. Does one – do you – do you feel that that is a worrying trend, that --
MR TONER: Well, I think we've spoken from here and elsewhere about our concerns about ongoing settlement activity, and that we believe they're illegitimate and counterproductive to the cause of peace in the Middle East. And that hasn't changed.
QUESTION: And that doesn't change what the Palestinians then are trying to --
MR TONER: Again, so I just want to set that apart and say that's a very draft resolution. It's not ready – as we say, not ready for prime time yet. So we've seen it, but we're not going to comment on it at this current form.
QUESTION: It's a "very draft resolution?"
MR TONER: I'm sorry, that was terrible. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Is that a technical UN term? (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Very drafty. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
MR TONER: Very drafty, thank you. Much better.
QUESTION: Is it written in pencil?
QUESTION: Yeah, written in white ink so it can't be seen.
MR TONER: On that note – (laughter) --
QUESTION: Thank you.
MR TONER: -- I'm going to call it a week, guys.
(The briefing was concluded at 1:06 p.m.)
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