Daily Press Briefing
Elizabeth Trudeau
Director, Press Office
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
June 6, 2016
Index for Today's Briefing
YEMEN
SYRIA
DEPARTMENT
SYRIA/REGION
CHINA/REGION
JAPAN
DEPARTMENT
SOUTH AFRICA/REGION
IRAQ
JAPAN
HONDURAS
BAHRAIN
SYRIA
TRANSCRIPT:
2:03 p.m. EDT
MS TRUDEAU: Good morning, everyone. Happy Monday. I have a --
QUESTION: Good morning?
MS TRUDEAU: Good afternoon. Thanks, Matt. Doesn't it feel like morning?
QUESTION: No.
MS TRUDEAU: Maybe it's just Monday. Okay. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: No, it feels like it should be about five o'clock.
MS TRUDEAU: Okay. I stand corrected. Thank you for the correction.
So a few things at the top. First, on Yemen, we continue to express our hope to see a successful outcome to the UN-led Yemeni-Yemeni peace talks. We call on the parties to continue to engage in good faith in the talks in Kuwait and to quickly follow through on the agreement to unconditionally release child prisoners. We also express our strong condemnation of the attacks in densely populated civilian areas of Taiz, Yemen, in which over a dozen people have been killed and more than a dozen injured. We express our condolences to the families of those killed and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. Such attacks threaten to undermine progress in the peace talks and the cessation of hostilities. We are deeply concerned about the devastating toll of the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Especially during this month of Ramadan, we call on all parties to redouble their efforts to work quickly to making the hard choices and compromises necessary to reach a final agreement. As we have said before, we firmly believe the solution to this conflict is political, not military, and the ongoing talks in Kuwait offer the best chance for reaching a comprehensive political solution to the conflict.
On Syria, the Syrian regime continues to renege on the agreement it reached with the UN, and so far has failed to authorize the UN and its partners on the ground to deliver badly needed food to Daraya. In other words, the regime continues to use the denial of food as a military weapon against its own civilians. The people of Daraya have not received food since 2012. This is unconscionable, and we expect the regime to live up to its commitments and allow for full delivery of assistance to all besieged areas. The people of Daraya are being brutalized by the regime through its blocking of food and basic supplies. We ask that Russia use its influence to end this inhumane policy. The only thing preventing UN deliveries to several besieged areas is the regime's violation of its own commitments and its ignoring of international calls and UN Security Council resolutions. In fact, the regime is stringing along the UN and international community by habitually reneging on promised deliveries, and when there are deliveries, the regime often removes needed supplies from convoys before allowing them to proceed. This is inhumane and unacceptable.
We're also deeply concerned about the escalating fighting in Aleppo and its impact on the cessation of hostilities. This includes the Nusrah Front offensive in southern Aleppo and the regime's offensive in northeast Aleppo. Southern Aleppo province – as per the terms of reference for the cessation of hostilities, the regime does have the right to respond against Nusrah in areas under its control. However, in the north, the regime's air offensive this weekend against participants to the cessation caused the collapse of a vital overpass, threatening closure of a key means of getting humanitarian supplies to Syrians in desperate need. We call on all those who are party to the cessation of hostilities to reaffirm their commitment to the cessations, particularly as many Syrians are now observing Ramadan.
Matt.
QUESTION: Right. We'll get back to Syria, but I just want to start with a couple housecleaning – or one housecleaning item --
MS TRUDEAU: Sure.
QUESTION: -- which is about the edited briefing video.
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: So last week we were told that you guys intended to respond to Congressman Chaffetz, and have you? Have you turned over the documentation that he has asked for? Does such documentation exist?
MS TRUDEAU: So we have received the letter. We're working on a response. We are hoping to provide at least a partial response by June 8th. So yes, we will be responsive.
QUESTION: "At least a partial response?"
MS TRUDEAU: Correct.
QUESTION: What is – can you explain what that means?
MS TRUDEAU: At this stage we're still looking at what the letter requested.
QUESTION: He's asked for – right, he has asked for documents, though. I'm wondering, are you aware that there are documents out there that are related?
MS TRUDEAU: So yeah, we are looking at creating a – at least a partial – we're going to be as responsive as we certainly possibly can be.
QUESTION: So there are documents?
MS TRUDEAU: We believe that we can be partially responsive.
QUESTION: But not fully?
MS TRUDEAU: At this stage we will continue to try and meet that goal by June 8th, which is the deadline they've set.
QUESTION: Right. Okay. And is there a --
QUESTION: Can I have a follow-up on --
QUESTION: Well, I just want to know if there's a – are there any updates on the – what happened, why?
MS TRUDEAU: No. I think we – we obviously had a couple exhaustive conversations about this last week in this briefing room. Assistant Secretary Kirby's focus is really on moving this forward. You guys saw the message he sent out to the Public Affairs Bureau. We are very focused on ensuring this does not happen again, and the procedures are in place.
QUESTION: But there is no new information that has been uncovered since last week?
MS TRUDEAU: At this stage I am not aware of new information.
QUESTION: All right.
MS TRUDEAU: Lesley.
QUESTION: A follow-up on that is that they've asked for the Secretary to appear before the Oversight Committee. Have you received that request?
MS TRUDEAU: Yes, we have received this request. We will discuss it with the committee, as we do with any request to testify.
QUESTION: So is there a chance that the Secretary can – will agree to this?
MS TRUDEAU: We just received it. I just don't have any other details for you.
QUESTION: Did you receive it today?
MS TRUDEAU: We did.
QUESTION: Okay.
MS TRUDEAU: Thank you.
QUESTION: Can we go to Syria?
MS TRUDEAU: We can. Are we good on Syria?
QUESTION: Syria.
MS TRUDEAU: Thanks, great. Why don't we go here and then we'll move around. Said.
QUESTION: I wanted to ask you, how do you determine the scope and – of the tragedy that is going on in Daraya? I mean how you independently measure or gauge the kind of – whether there is a starvation or famine, or the kind of siege and its effect on the public that is besieged. How do you do it independently?
MS TRUDEAU: So what we do is we look at a range of sources. We look at individuals on the ground. We talk to our partners in the ISSG. We speak to the UN. This is something obviously we're very focused on, I think as, broadly, the international community is. This is a tragedy that we're seeing.
QUESTION: But this is not something that you can on your own say, this is it. This is what we have --
MS TRUDEAU: Are you asking if we have people on the ground in Daraya?
QUESTION: Right, right, I mean --
MS TRUDEAU: No, we don't.
QUESTION: No, whether by other means.
MS TRUDEAU: No.
QUESTION: Not necessarily people, but that the United States is doing or gauging on its own as it probably would do in other places.
MS TRUDEAU: No, I think the international community is looking at this.
QUESTION: Okay. And I just also wanted to ask you – you said that the regime continues to – I'm sorry, that the regime has a right to defend itself.
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: Okay. Now, but then you – with the caveat that they have to spare whatever groups that may be intermingled with al-Nusrah.
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah, we've been very clear on that.
QUESTION: How would they do that? I mean, this is an issue that is really nagging.
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah, and I know we've spoken about this.
QUESTION: How do we – yeah, we have, but you keep saying the same thing. But there's always that caveat. So in essence, they don't really have the right to defend themselves.
MS TRUDEAU: So we have called on the Assad regime to carefully distinguish between terrorists and parties to the cessation of hostilities – Russia as well. We all agree that ISIL, the Nusrah Front, and other UN-designated terrorist groups throw a – pose a real threat to regional and international security in Syria. But the regime and Russia cannot use the claimed presence of Nusrah to undertake offensive activities against other groups.
QUESTION: But can the --
MS TRUDEAU: We've been – let me finish, please. We've been clear about this. We'd also point out the regime continues to strike civilians. This only drives more support to the terrorists that they purport to fight. So I understand this. We've talked about this. We've talked about the need for groups to disengage, but we also call on those parties to also understand that this is a situation.
QUESTION: And the last one from me.
MS TRUDEAU: Sure.
QUESTION: There are reports that the Kurdish forces that you support are actually cooperating with the Syrian army to root out elements of ISIS and Nusrah and others. Are you aware of these reports? Are they true? Would you continue to support the Kurds if they are cooperating --
MS TRUDEAU: I'm not aware with those reports.
QUESTION: -- with them? Okay.
MS TRUDEAU: Okay. Dave.
QUESTION: How can --
QUESTION: Just before we came in here, Foreign Minister Lavrov said he was aware of these requests. He continued to distinguish between the HNC and the – and Jabhat al-Nusrah. But he rejected them. He said you've had enough time to get the so-called moderates away from the terrorists, and he said that the Russian Air Force would now be actively and directly supporting a Syrian army offensive around Aleppo.
MS TRUDEAU: Okay. So we've seen that. And again, we would reiterate that Russia and the Assad regime need to distinguish between the terrorists and parties to the cessation of hostilities. We've said this all along.
QUESTION: But he says that you haven't had – you haven't succeeded in persuading the rebels to distinguish themselves or to space themselves appropriately. And he says he's briefed Kerry on this and that Kerry's aware of --
MS TRUDEAU: No. We have had those conversations. We would just reiterate our point.
QUESTION: Well, his argument is that this has been – it is now June. For months now, since February, you guys have been making this case to them, to the moderate – the opposition that you support, and they don't seem to have taken the message to heart, or at least done anything about it. So his argument is that it's taking too much time and that they've had more than enough time already to do this, and that --
MS TRUDEAU: We continue to have conversations with those groups on the ground.
QUESTION: Well, I know you do. But you --
MS TRUDEAU: We've spoken about this.
QUESTION: Do you think that they should – do you think he has a point?
MS TRUDEAU: We think that, frankly, the situation, as we've said before in here, that the situation writ large --
QUESTION: In four months?
MS TRUDEAU: -- in Syria has gone on too long.
QUESTION: Yeah.
MS TRUDEAU: But Russia has an obligation. The Syrian regime has an obligation. We have spoken out against them hitting civilians – against hitting parties to the cessation.
QUESTION: You said also that the Syrian Government is not living – stringing along the UN and --
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: -- not living up to its promises. Did the Syrian Government actually commit, make a promise to the UN that aid would get to Daraya?
MS TRUDEAU: So in the May 17th ISSG statement, there was a commitment.
QUESTION: Yeah.
MS TRUDEAU: It's my --
QUESTION: Remind me who represented Syria at that ISSG meeting?
MS TRUDEAU: So the Russians agreed to this.
QUESTION: Did the Syrian Government actually go to the UN and say, "Yes, okay?" Or did they not?
MS TRUDEAU: So this is an ongoing conversation the Russians are having with the Syrians on this.
QUESTION: Yeah, but the Syrian Government hasn't made any promises to this effect, have they?
MS TRUDEAU: To – I think the idea that a government, however punitive they are to their own people, it needs to make a commitment to allow aid deliveries – I find that --
QUESTION: Well, I'm not trying to defend the government. I'm just trying to figure out where it is that they made a promise to the UN to allow these deliveries. Because I --
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah. This was in --
QUESTION: The ISSG statement, the Syrians aren't there.
MS TRUDEAU: It's our understanding that that commitment was made by the Syrians.
Yeah.
QUESTION: How can the U.S. accuse Russia or anyone else of hitting legitimate Syrian opposition when the U.S. itself can't separate them from terrorists, particularly in and around Aleppo?
MS TRUDEAU: Okay, so I think we've actually talked about this. We've talked about the need that we've actually spoken to the groups on the ground, but we also call on the Russians and the Syrian regime to make that distinction as well.
QUESTION: Can you give us some specific results of Washington's efforts to separate rebels in Syria from terrorists?
MS TRUDEAU: I would say that those are ongoing conversations, and we would also ask – as I've said – for the Syrian regime and the Russians to also continue to do that.
Michel.
QUESTION: For weeks now – I'm sorry --
MS TRUDEAU: Michel.
QUESTION: I have a few more. For weeks now we've been hearing just that, that the U.S. is working on it, that it's a challenge to getting – to get rebels groups in Syria to separate themselves from terrorists. What we don't hear is what the result of those efforts is.
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: But we are seeing reports of their joint attacks. This weekend al-Nusrah and Ahrar al-Sham have together attacked a Kurdish neighborhood in Aleppo; over 40 people died. Does the U.S. still insist that because those groups are intermingled, they shouldn't be targeted?
MS TRUDEAU: Our view is that the UN-identified terrorist groups are not parties to the cessation of hostilities. We've spoken about that. We've also spoken extensively about the needs for those groups on the ground to separate themselves, to distinguish themselves. The responsibility, though, also lies with the Russians as well as the Syrian regime to not target parties to the cessation of hostilities.
We're going to move on. Michel.
QUESTION: Are you aware of the --
MS TRUDEAU: Michel.
QUESTION: But you didn't say what the result of those efforts has been.
MS TRUDEAU: You know what? We're going to move on. Michel.
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
QUESTION: Are you aware of the offensive that the Syrian regime is leading towards al-Raqqa?
MS TRUDEAU: Yes. So I'm aware of those reports. I cannot confirm it. For our part, we continue to work with the Syrian Democratic Forces, our partners on the ground in Syria, to retake land from ISIL and further isolate ISIL's transportation, communications, and supply routes into Raqqa to weaken its grip on the city. We believe the SDF has seen progress in recent months in retaking land from ISIL. Again – and we've spoken about this – this is not an easy fight. This is a slow slog. So I've seen the reports. I just can't confirm them now.
QUESTION: But you support such offensive --
MS TRUDEAU: So we support the SDF as they continue to take land back from ISIL. I'm not going to speak to the Syrian movements. And we've actually had this conversation. No person should have to choose between a regime that has targeted as – against ISIL. So I'm going to leave that, but unfortunately, I can't confirm that.
QUESTION: But it looks like Russia is supporting this offensive too.
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah, I'd refer you to the Russians to speak to that.
QUESTION: Can we --
MS TRUDEAU: Pam.
QUESTION: The Security Council --
MS TRUDEAU: I'm sorry. I'll go to you, Ros.
QUESTION: Sure.
QUESTION: The UN Security Council agreed on Friday to ask the Syrian Government formally about the airdrops.
MS TRUDEAU: Yes.
QUESTION: Has there been any initial feedback on whether or not it looks like this will be able to go forward?
MS TRUDEAU: So we support the World Food Program moving forward on its plan to carry out those air operations. The World Food Program has provided briefings to the U.S. on a series of approaches that could be taken. We did discuss those with our Russian counterparts. We understand the World Food Program will be submitting a plan for airdrops soon.
QUESTION: If Syria says no or if Syria does not respond to the request one way or the other, what's the plan B? What's the alternative? Could the airdrops take place without the Syrian Government's approval?
MS TRUDEAU: That's a complex question. I think we've talked about that. And one thing I also want to back up and sort of emphasize here is that the airdrops were never anyone's first choice. Ground transportation for aid deliveries remains the most effective means to get these individuals the help they need. As the World Food Program develops its plans and we remain in close coordination, we'll take a look at that, but it's a complex – it's a complex effort. It has happened in the past, I think you remember, but ground transportation is always number one.
QUESTION: And I have one more.
MS TRUDEAU: And then we'll go to Ros. Yeah.
QUESTION: One more. Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Lavrov spoke last week. They've had several recent conversations.
MS TRUDEAU: They have.
QUESTION: Is the U.S. aware, as a result of this, of a Russian proposal to send a significant amount of ground troops into Syria? There is a report from a former foreign minister – deputy foreign minister of Russia that Putin was considering such a request. Has this come up in any of the Kerry-Lavrov talks?
MS TRUDEAU: So we've seen the reports on what this former official is reported to have said. First and foremost, we're focused on engaging Russia to get the cessation of hostilities back on track and on proposals for sustainable mechanism to support the cessation. We're really focused in our conversations with Foreign Minister Lavrov to ensure that all parties live up to its commitments and that Russia continues to use its influence on the regime.
QUESTION: You said you've seen the reports. Do you know if it's an issue that the Secretary's raised with Lavrov or --
MS TRUDEAU: I do not. I do not.
QUESTION: Okay.
MS TRUDEAU: It's a former official. We've just seen the same reports you have.
Ros.
QUESTION: The town of Manbij, which has about 100,000 --
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: -- people apparently is being targeted by Syrian defense forces to try to liberate the town from ISIL. The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that that might be all well and good, except that these people are in an impossible location. They try to flee north to the border --
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: -- ISIL still has control of Jarabulus. They can't go south to Raqqa. They can't go west to Azaz. And they are very worried that not just the citizens of Manbij but another 100,000 people in that area could end up being not just displaced but without food, without medicine, and could possibly be caught in the middle of an all-out slaughter. What is the U.S.'s concern about this, given that the SDF assault is being supported by the U.S.-led coalition?
MS TRUDEAU: Thanks for the question. As with all territory under Daesh's control, we're concerned by reports of those who are displaced by the fighting that takes place to recapture territory from this barbaric organization. We continue to urge Syrian opposition forces to take all measures to protect civilian populations during this operation. We're closely monitoring the situation. We remain in close contact with our partners on the ground to provide assistance to those impacted areas.
QUESTION: Is there enough aid coming across the rebuilt bridge across the Euphrates to at least --
MS TRUDEAU: I think it's going to be hard to quantify that.
QUESTION: -- come in from the eastern side?
MS TRUDEAU: You take a look at some of these areas that have been starved of aid. It's one of the issues that we're very focused on in this region as well as other regions. In terms of specific deliveries, I'm going to refer you to the World Food Program, but it's absolutely a priority for this building, for this Administration.
QUESTION: Would there be any thought, from a humanitarian perspective, to try to persuade the Syrian opposition to perhaps change course in its efforts to retake Manbij given that their efforts could end up pushing people into more harm's way than otherwise? I mean, they can't just all easily get across that one bridge into the eastern – far eastern parts of Syria.
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah. I would say that we remain in communication with them. One of the points that I've heard is liberating Manbij City is actually a key route that ISIL has used to move fighters, finances, weapons in and out of the remaining territory. So it's not only people; it's a supply route for ISIL. As they move forward on this to isolate Raqqa, this is actually a critical step, but I will say that we do remain in communication with them.
Did you have one? Yeah.
QUESTION: Yeah, just on the aid deliveries. No one here is saying that you have never – that the ground deliveries were never your – not your first option. The point is, is that it was the ISSG itself – not us or not anyone else – that raised the – that said in its statement that if ground deliveries haven't happened by June 1st, airdrops were going to begin. It's now June 6th.
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: And the World Food Program has still not presented a report on how to do this.
MS TRUDEAU: True.
QUESTION: What was the point of the June 1st date?
MS TRUDEAU: I think it was a – what's the word I'm looking for – a forcing mechanism. The World Food Program --
QUESTION: Wait, wait, wait. Force --
MS TRUDEAU: -- it's my understand – will present its plan soon. We have been in consultation with them. This is a priority, absolutely. It's a complex situation.
QUESTION: Yeah, well, it's not a June 1st priority.
MS TRUDEAU: This is something we continue --
QUESTION: Why did they say June 1st if they weren't going to – if it wasn't going to happen?
MS TRUDEAU: I think they continue to have conversation on how to do this and how to make it happen quickly, Matt.
QUESTION: Yeah, but it's not June 1st.
MS TRUDEAU: No.
QUESTION: So why did they say June 1st?
MS TRUDEAU: I think that as we set dates, these are always good milestones, and we will continue to try and work to make those plans in conjunction with the World Food Program as soon as possible.
QUESTION: Can we have another topic?
MS TRUDEAU: Are we done on Syria, guys? Okay.
QUESTION: Okay. Can I ask a question about the S&ED? Do you have any readouts on the U.S. participation in the S&ED Beijing?
MS TRUDEAU: Okay. In terms of the exact readout, I don't have a list. I think you've seen the extensive transcripts that have come out of Beijing. We've had some very good remarks coming out of there.
I can say a few things. Today, Secretary Kerry joined Treasury Secretary Lew and their Chinese counterparts, State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Vice Premier Wang Yang, for the first day of S&ED. Secretaries Kerry and Lew chaired a joint session on climate change where the two sides discussed their efforts to implement the Paris climate agreement and expand bilateral cooperation. Secretary Kerry and State Councilor Yang led small meetings in which they held in-depth discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, including North Korea as well as maritime issues. Secretary Kerry then hosted a Blue Oceans public event, speaking to a crowd of Chinese students about the importance of ocean conservation and areas of U.S. and Chinese cooperation.
Tomorrow is the second day. I expect that we will have even more information. And it's my understanding that there will be a press briefing at the end.
QUESTION: According from what I gather, more than 400 delegates and about 10 ministers are involved. Can you verify?
MS TRUDEAU: In terms of the granularity on who was there, I can't. I would refer you either to the host – I can also look and see if we can get – enormous event, very important event.
QUESTION: And also, at the opening ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a keynote speech and he pointed a few new points, like he said, "The broad Pacific Ocean should not become an arena for [big] rivalry, but a platform for inclusive cooperation." He also points out disputes are not excuses for confrontational attitude.
How do you comment on those remarks? And is U.S. on the same page with China on this?
MS TRUDEAU: Okay. Well, I'm not going to speak specifically to his remarks. He should speak to those. However, as we have consistently said, we support peaceful resolution of disputes, including the use of international legal mechanisms such as arbitration.
QUESTION: And also, experts say this is the last year of Obama, and so the S&ED is more about bilateral cooperation instead of difference, so as to provide more Obama legacy and to lay a solid foundation for the new president. Do you agree?
MS TRUDEAU: I would say that our partnership and our relationship with China is important now, it'll be important in the future, it's been important in the past. I think we're having serious, substantive conversations right now in Beijing, and we look forward to having them tomorrow as well.
QUESTION: And in September there will be G20, and people say there will be more outcomes in G20 instead of the S&ED. Do you agree with the logic?
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah, I'm not going to get ahead of the G20. We're very focused on the S&ED right now.
QUESTION: Thank you.
QUESTION: Just on the --
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: -- arbitration issue, which you mentioned, did the Chinese say that they're going to ignore the decision by the arbitration panel?
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah, we've seen those remarks. When the Philippines and China became parties to the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, they agreed to the compulsory dispute settlement regime set out in the convention. In accordance with the terms of the Law of the Sea Convention, the decision of the tribunal will be legally binding on the Philippines and China.
QUESTION: Yeah. But the Chinese say they're going to ignore the --
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: So what's the – what do you do about it?
MS TRUDEAU: I'm not going to get ahead of that. We understand the decision is coming within the next few weeks. So this is our understanding.
QUESTION: Right. But the United States, which is not a party --
MS TRUDEAU: Yep.
QUESTION: -- has standing, or does not have any standing to --
MS TRUDEAU: So we --
QUESTION: -- make its – to make this point?
MS TRUDEAU: So the U.S. – and we've talked about this – strongly supports the convention. Since 1983, U.S. policy has been that the convention's provisions relating to traditional uses of the ocean reflect customary international law, and the U.S. Government acts in a manner --
QUESTION: Right.
MS TRUDEAU: -- consistent with those provisions.
QUESTION: But what's your standing as not – since you're not a party to the treaty --
MS TRUDEAU: As you know, the U.S. --
QUESTION: -- what's your standing to complain if the Chinese ignore --
MS TRUDEAU: I think it's a standing of the international community, when you have parties that have agreed to this --
QUESTION: No, no. I – you can say anything you want, obviously. But you don't actually have any legal standing to bring a complaint against the Chinese for violating the provision of a treaty that you're not a member of, right?
MS TRUDEAU: The U.S. can only become party to the convention after it's received the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. You're correct.
QUESTION: Right. So you don't have any standing – legal standing, under this – under the treaty?
MS TRUDEAU: Correct.
QUESTION: So – all right. So this is basically just your opinion of --
MS TRUDEAU: We believe that they have both agreed, they are both members, that the arbitration is set out there.
QUESTION: Topic of – about Okinawa?
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: Anti-Futenma relocation plan assembly members win majority in the Okinawa election on Sunday. So that result of the elections shows the Okinawa people willing or opposed to construction new air base in Henoko. So would – I would like to have a – State's comment. And also, will U.S. Government reconsider that the current plan, Futenma relocation plan?
MS TRUDEAU: So I'm not going to comment on the specific vote that you're talking about. Our position on the relocation of Futenma has not changed. We continue to work with the Government of Japan to move ahead on that.
QUESTION: Can I ask a question?
MS TRUDEAU: Sure.
QUESTION: I just want to go back to the first question here. You said you were going to provide a partial response by June 8.
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: And to what request is that?
MS TRUDEAU: I believe that is to Representative Chaffetz's letter.
QUESTION: About – but about what? He was asking for information. He's also asking for Secretary Kerry to testify. So you're going to give him a response by the 8th about whether he's going to testify or not?
MS TRUDEAU: The information.
QUESTION: The --
MS TRUDEAU: The information. We continue to work with the committee on the Secretary's availability, as we do with the committee on all requests.
QUESTION: Have you agreed to testify and you're just looking for a date, or --
MS TRUDEAU: At this stage we've just received the letter. We'll work --
QUESTION: Okay.
MS TRUDEAU: -- with the committee on that.
QUESTION: Okay. And then also, Secretary Kerry said that he was going to – he wanted to get to the bottom of who was responsible and why they did that. Has he asked the Inspector General to do an audit, or what --
MS TRUDEAU: So I've seen that Secretary Kerry obviously was very seized with this issue, spoke out very strongly about it. In terms of the path forward I don't have any other information to share with you on that.
QUESTION: And then --
QUESTION: You don't have any --
MS TRUDEAU: No.
QUESTION: There's no plan in place, or --
MS TRUDEAU: Well, the plan in place, obviously, is, as Kirby has said, is to make sure it never happens again. In terms of what they would do if more information becomes available, more information comes to light – as Kirby has said, we'll continue to take a look.
QUESTION: Well, no, no, no. But that's – there's a difference between if more information just happens to fall in your lap and what the Secretary says, which was: I want more information about who was available. So I --
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah. I just don't have details on that. The Secretary did make himself very clear on that, though.
QUESTION: And the – from the partial response, is that new information that is coming to light?
MS TRUDEAU: I believe that in the letter to the department, they detailed some materials that they were interested in. It's – we will work to provide those materials. And it's our understanding that at the very least we'll have a partial response on those.
QUESTION: And then can I change the subject?
MS TRUDEAU: Sure.
QUESTION: This is – today the British followed up on a U.S. warning, a terror alert, against South Africa – in South Africa.
MS TRUDEAU: Mm-hmm.
QUESTION: Can you give us a little bit more specifics? Is this particularly one group or – that the threat is from? Is it ISIS or is it al-Shabaab?
MS TRUDEAU: Okay. So on June 4th, the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria issued a security message to U.S. citizens warning them that the U.S. Government has received information that terrorist groups are planning to carry out near-term attacks against places where U.S. citizens congregate in South Africa, such as shopping malls and shopping areas in Johannesburg and Cape Town. As you know, the Department has no higher priority than the protection of U.S. citizens overseas. When we receive specific, credible, non-counterable threat information, it is our worldwide policy for U.S. embassies and consulates to share that information.
In response to your question, I'd note, as the security message said, this information comes against a backdrop of ISIL's public call for adherents to carry out terrorist attacks globally during Ramadan.
QUESTION: So given that militancy – this kind of militant group is not really a factor in that part of the world. It's more West Africa and up in Central Africa. Does this in any way – do you in any way believe that ISIS is actually expanding into the rest of Africa or getting deeper into it?
MS TRUDEAU: I wouldn't speak to that, but I would say that we have a concern about the rise of violent extremism anywhere in the world, and we work with the local authorities around the world to share information on terrorist threats.
QUESTION: And one more --
MS TRUDEAU: One sec, Said.
QUESTION: -- question on this one. Given that the British also now put out a --
MS TRUDEAU: Mm-hmm.
QUESTION: -- was there some kind of sharing? Is this the same threat that you've both seen?
MS TRUDEAU: I'd let the Brits speak to their threats.
QUESTION: You can't do it?
MS TRUDEAU: I couldn't speak to that.
Said.
QUESTION: Can I go to Iraq?
MS TRUDEAU: Of course.
QUESTION: (Off-mike.)
QUESTION: Yeah. There is --
MS TRUDEAU: I'm sorry. Said, do you mind?
QUESTION: Please.
MS TRUDEAU: Go ahead.
QUESTION: Just to clarify: You were saying that the Pretoria issued the warning to U.S. citizens because places that they tend to go may be attacked. Is that because Americans go to them, or do you have a specific threat against places that Americans happen to go to?
MS TRUDEAU: That's a good question. Let me take that and see if I can get that nuance. Our security messages like this are addressed to U.S. citizens. Let me see if I can dig a little deeper, because I don't want to speak wrongly on that.
QUESTION: Yeah, can I – just as a – just follow up --
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: Because their – yours said specifically "U.S. citizens" --
MS TRUDEAU: Which is what our security messages say.
QUESTION: -- so – and the British say "foreigners."
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: So --
MS TRUDEAU: Our messages are directed at U.S. citizens overseas.
QUESTION: Just one technical question. Is there a timeframe for when this thing – when it's lifted? Or is it just something that continues?
MS TRUDEAU: Let me see. So there is no timeframe on the message I'm looking at. You can also find it on the U.S. embassy's website in Pretoria.
Said.
QUESTION: I wanted to go to Iraq.
MS TRUDEAU: Of course.
QUESTION: I wanted to ask you if you could share with us or shed some light on the very confusing situation in Fallujah --
MS TRUDEAU: Mm-hmm.
QUESTION: -- or the American role in the advance towards the city. First of all, if you have any information that you could share with us? Then I have a couple questions.
MS TRUDEAU: So I'm not going to get into sort of operational details.
QUESTION: Right.
MS TRUDEAU: I believe Mark spoke to some of this --
QUESTION: Right.
MS TRUDEAU: -- on Friday. We continue to support the Iraqi Security Forces with precision airstrikes, tactical intelligence, military advice, equipment. The fight to liberate Fallujah from Daesh continues. We believe they are making progress, though it's a hard slog.
QUESTION: Yeah. But there is also a great deal of fear by the communities in the area from the Shia militias and mobilization committees and so on. Are you having any conversations with the Iraqi Government, or maybe directly even with the militias themselves, on – to alleviate these fears or to have some sort of a contingency plan to ensure that some excessive use of force, let's say, against the population is not carried out?
MS TRUDEAU: Well, I'd point you, actually, in fact, to Prime Minister Abadi's comments himself. He was in Fallujah this weekend; he spoke to this. He has spoken about the need to protect civilians and their property. We continue to have those conversations.
Yes.
QUESTION: And lastly, my question is: Despite so many years of training, the Iraqi army, it seems that they – the battle for Mosul has been put back. And they say that the Iraqi army is still equipped with some Soviet-era military equipment and so on. I mean, this is after what, 12, 13 years of training and equipping and so on? Could you explain this to the --
MS TRUDEAU: Well, I wouldn't speak to specific equipment, but I would say we continue to support the ISF as they continue. We believe they've made extraordinary gains and extraordinary progress even in the last three years. So actually, Ambassador Jones spoke to this earlier too, and commended them for the work that they're doing.
QUESTION: Okay.
MS TRUDEAU: Sir?
QUESTION: Sorry, going back to Okinawa.
MS TRUDEAU: Yep.
QUESTION: I mean, given the results of the election, and especially the response of the drunk driving incident over the weekend, I mean, there's no concern that there's going to be increased pressure against the FRF plan?
MS TRUDEAU: Well, I'm glad you brought up that incident, because I would like to say we deeply regret that incident. We are concerned about the accident victims. We wish them a full and fast recovery, and our hearts – heartfelt sympathies go out to them and their families. The U.S. military is cooperating fully in that investigation. In terms of our position on Futenma though, again, it hasn't changed. We remain in partnership with the Government of Japan as we move that forward.
QUESTION: What type of actions, I mean, are you thinking of to sort of combat this renewed pressure against the Futenma replacement facility?
MS TRUDEAU: This is an ongoing conversation that we are having with the Government of Japan. I think the military took some immediate steps this weekend I'd refer you to them to speak to. Okay.
Hi.
QUESTION: (Off-mike.)
MS TRUDEAU: Sure.
QUESTION: Why the kind of incident that occurred by U.S. service member is continuing in Okinawa? Why a U.S. member – U.S. service personnel, like the commander order, so – because the Okinawan indigenous people used to doubt – have a doubt that why are U.S. military personnel violate their commander order, usually?
MS TRUDEAU: So I can't speak to the actions of individual U.S. forces overseas, but I will say I believe the Defense Department has spoken about this. We are taking this extremely seriously. You know, they can speak about additional steps they've taken actually even over this weekend on that, but I'd refer you to them. Okay.
Hi, Michael?
QUESTION: Hi. The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, last Friday issued a pretty strongly-worded statement against the murder of a prominent LGBT rights advocate. Do you have anything to add to that? And then on top of that, can you provide a little bit more information about some of the assistance that the U.S. has provided to the Honduran officials to investigate this murder?
MS TRUDEAU: Okay. Well, we have actually, in fact, already offered our assistance to the Honduran authorities bringing justice in this case, and I'm glad you brought this up. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the apparent murder of Rene Martinez, who was a leader in the LGBTI community in San Pedro, a rising political figure in Honduras. We do offer the condolences to his friends, his family, and his colleagues. In terms of the assistance that we have offered to the Government of Honduras, I don't have that granularity. I don't have those details, but we did proactively offer that.
QUESTION: One follow-up to that. This is the latest in a long series of murders of prominent activists, whether they're LGBT folks or otherwise. Do you have confidence that the Honduran Government can effectively investigate and prosecute those folks who are not only responsible for Rene's murder, but the other human rights advocates who've been murdered in recent months?
MS TRUDEAU: As well as the environmental activist --
QUESTION: Yeah, Berta Caceres too.
MS TRUDEAU: -- that we – that we have actually spoken about --
QUESTION: Yeah.
MS TRUDEAU: -- before. In each of these cases we continue to stay in close contact with the Honduran Government on it. In the previous case, we publicly and privately called for the prompt, thorough investigation. We have offered resources on this. It's something that we remain committed to seeing through.
Okay, guys.
QUESTION: No, no.
MS TRUDEAU: Yep. Oh, no, Matt won't let me get away.
QUESTION: Bahrain.
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: It's been more than 120 days since you guys were supposed to have given a report to the Hill on the situation in Bahrain.
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: Why – what is taking so long? What's the – what's the delay? Why is it, what, four months --
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah. So --
QUESTION: -- late?
MS TRUDEAU: -- we have checked on that. They're continuing to work on it. It's my understanding that the department right now has convening the group of experts to provide a thorough, accurate report derived from a variety of sources. We have a commitment, understanding that it is late, that we'll provide this report to Congress as soon as we can.
QUESTION: But why is it taking so long?
MS TRUDEAU: I believe it's a process issue. We are late. We recognize we've missed the deadline.
QUESTION: Why did you agree to give it to them 123 or -4 days, or whatever it is --
MS TRUDEAU: I can't speak to that.
QUESTION: -- ago? And this is the same thing as the ISSG in June 1st.
MS TRUDEAU: I was wondering when you'd make that link.
QUESTION: Well, I mean, I just --
MS TRUDEAU: Yeah.
QUESTION: Well, what is the point of setting out dates or agreeing to deadlines if you're just going to miss them?
MS TRUDEAU: I think – I think our plan is that we will strive to meet those deadlines.
QUESTION: Right. Well, is there a – is there a good reason for – an explanation for why this is four months late?
MS TRUDEAU: I think – I think on this particular report, which is the committee of inquiry --
QUESTION: Yeah.
MS TRUDEAU: -- on Bahrain, is they're very focused, making sure it's thorough, it's accurate, it's complete. There's a number of sources they're pulling from, and I'm told that they have every commitment to get it to Congress soon.
QUESTION: All right. Do you know if people have reached out to the – to those who are expecting it on the Hill and explained to them --
MS TRUDEAU: I can check on that.
QUESTION: And do you know when – when might it see the light of day?
MS TRUDEAU: I can't speak to when it will be. I am told soon, and I'm not told what "soon" means.
QUESTION: Soon.
MS TRUDEAU: Soon.
QUESTION: So this summer? This year?
MS TRUDEAU: We have a commitment to get it to Congress as soon as we can.
QUESTION: I know. You had a commitment to get it to Congress a hundred and whatever days ago.
MS TRUDEAU: Thanks.
QUESTION: Are you going to get it to this session of Congress?
MS TRUDEAU: We have a commitment to get it to Congress as soon as we can.
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
MS TRUDEAU: Last one.
QUESTION: Thank you. I just want to go back to my question about --
MS TRUDEAU: Okay. I think we've answered.
QUESTION: -- U.S. effort --
MS TRUDEAU: If you have another question --
QUESTION: But I didn't hear an answer. Maybe there is no answer – you tell me – about U.S. efforts to separate rebels from terrorists in Syria.
MS TRUDEAU: We continue --
QUESTION: Can you give us --
MS TRUDEAU: Let me --
QUESTION: Can you speak to any results of those efforts, any results?
MS TRUDEAU: I think we continue to have conversations. This is a complex battlefield situation. This is a situation where you have a lot of movement, a lot of people. We continue to have conversations with people on the ground and we also continue to have conversations with the Russians and the Syrian regime[1] on their respect for the cessation of --
QUESTION: In those conversations, did Ahrar al-Sham specifically tell Washington, "We're done hanging out with al-Nusrah," for example?
MS TRUDEAU: We continue to have those conversations.
Do you have any or are we good? Thanks, guys.
QUESTION: Thank you.
QUESTION: Thank you.
(The briefing was concluded at 2:44 p.m.)
DPB # 97
[1] There are no discussions with the Syrian regime on this issue.
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