Division Press Briefing – December 19, 2022

December 20, 2022

2:02 p.m. EST

MR PRICE:  Hey, everybody.  Blissful Monday.  I hope everybody has a very good begin to the week as we put together to finish the yr.

I’ll flip to your questions in only a second, however first, we do have one aspect on the prime, and that’s at present we introduced the appointment of Joe Kennedy III because the U.S. Particular Envoy to Northern Eire for Financial Affairs.  On this capability, Joe Kennedy will concentrate on advancing financial improvement and funding alternatives in Northern Eire to the advantage of all communities in addition to strengthening people-to-people ties between the USA and Northern Eire.  His function builds on the longstanding U.S. dedication to supporting peace, prosperity, and stability in Northern Eire and the peace dividends of the Belfast and Good Friday Settlement.

Joe has devoted his profession to public service, together with eight years within the U.S. Home of Representatives, his tenure as Massachusetts assistant district lawyer, and repair as a Peace Corps volunteer.  He’ll draw from his in depth expertise to help financial progress in Northern Eire and to deepen U.S. engagement with all communities.

So with that, I do know our colleague is out, so blissful to – Shaun.

QUESTION:  Certain.  There’s one thing else I wished to ask about.  Simply to observe up on Joe Kennedy —

MR PRICE:  Yeah.

QUESTION:  — simply to make clear, this isn’t a George Mitchell-style place of Northern Eire envoy?  He’s not going to be coping with post-Brexit points instantly no less than?

MR PRICE:  That’s proper.  Mr. Kennedy’s focus will probably be on strengthening U.S. financial engagement and people-to-people ties with all communities in Northern Eire.  He received’t be concerned in political points, together with ongoing efforts to resolve variations over the Northern Eire Protocol and to revive devolved establishments in Northern Eire.  That’s one thing that, after all, we’re deeply centered on; our diplomats right here in Washington, our diplomats in Europe as properly, they’ll proceed to interact all events on these explicit points.

However the financial facet of all of that is critically vital as properly and Joe Kennedy will concentrate on growing these alternatives for communities in Northern Eire and strengthening these people-to-people ties.

QUESTION:  Certain.  And simply briefly, is there a prepared plan to have that place as properly?  Is that defunct, basically don’t have any broader particular envoy place?

MR PRICE:  I don’t have any further personnel bulletins to make now.  Clearly we’re going to stay very engaged on the political facet of the equation, which can complement what Joe Kennedy is doing on the financial facet.  However I don’t have any additional personnel bulletins on the time.

QUESTION:  Certain.  Can we go to COP15?

MR PRICE:  Certain.

QUESTION:  There was an settlement introduced earlier —

QUESTION:  Can I ask on Joe Kennedy?  Is that – does that require Senate affirmation?  I do know – possibly I missed it.

MR PRICE:  It doesn’t.  It doesn’t.

QUESTION:  Okay, thanks.

QUESTION:  At COP15 there was an settlement introduced within the early hours at present.  Do you might have any broader – any broader response to that?  How vital is that, and significantly the function of China?  China was heading this – no less than the diplomacy.  Some individuals say this reveals China is stepping up its sport diplomatically.  How do you – how do you see that?  Do you see —

MR PRICE:  Effectively, we have been all fairly happy to see the excellent news that emanated from Montreal earlier at present, specifically that the delegates to COP15, the Conference on Organic Variety’s COP15, adopted a sweeping and impressive World Biodiversity Framework committing the world for the primary time to conserving and/or defending 30 p.c of world lands and waters by 2030.  The World Biodiversity Framework is the turning level we predict we have to fight the biodiversity disaster and depart a greater world for future generations.  We’re grateful to the work of all the delegates who have been there, together with our Particular Envoy and Assistant Secretary Monica Medina, who led the U.S. delegation and the U.S. staff that accompanied her there.

We’re actually thrilled to see this.  We see this because the end result of not solely this COP however actually years of effort with the outcomes being a framework that makes clear bold and measurable targets and targets coupled with evaluation efforts as properly to trace that progress.  We stay up for working with all of our companions to succeed in the World Biodiversity Framework’s 2030 targets.  In fact it’s vital to have targets, however it’s arguably much more vital to attain these targets and to verify the arduous work that went into this framework is definitely translated into the concrete outcomes that we hope to see within the coming yr.

Reaching this, what is named a 30×30 goal, isn’t solely vital for biodiversity, however for additionally supporting nature’s resilience in local weather impacts and contributing to a sustainable and resilient world financial system.  We’re – the USA has lengthy been a champion for conservation globally.  We all know that we’ve to work with companions all over the world to preserve vital ecosystems, to guard wildlife, scale back the threats that nature preserves all over the world may face.  And we’re ready to and we are going to proceed to offer vital overseas help for biodiversity yearly, and we are going to proceed to be one of many largest donors to the World Setting Facility – the monetary mechanism of this conference.

I discussed earlier than that we have been happy to work with all companions.  We’ll proceed to work with all companions on these vital and impressive biodiversity targets.  We recognize the PRC’s partnership with Canada in internet hosting the conference in Montreal and serving to to make sure a profitable conclusion to this COP and to us touchdown upon this vital framework.

The PRC minister of ecology and surroundings, Huang Runqiu, this particular person served because the president of the COP and presided over plenary periods, together with the session earlier at present the place the events to the CBD reached an settlement on the World Biodiversity Framework.  We’ve lengthy spoken of our strategy to the PRC.  It’s an strategy that, as you all know, relies largely on competitors.  There are clearly areas of no scarcity of stress in that relationship, however there are additionally areas the place we’re ready to and, frankly, we have to work collectively: local weather is considered one of them, world well being is considered one of them, different world and transnational challenges, and that features the threats to biodiversity that this COP was centered on.

QUESTION:  Yeah, simply to broaden on that, significantly on the function of China.  To what extent would you say the USA was cooperating with China on this?  And do you assume this may very well be – this may very well be an indication for different areas, whether or not it’s local weather or whether or not it’s much more geopolitical safety points the place there may very well be extra cooperation with the Chinese language?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, I feel there was a spirit of broad cooperation that basically pervaded this COP.  I feel you noticed that in what was introduced at present.  It was by no means inevitable that we’d land upon such an bold framework, however due to cooperation and concerted dedication on the a part of these individuals, we have been ready to do this.  We definitely hope that this spells deeper cooperation with the PRC on shared challenges, local weather, biodiversity being two of them.

When the PRC introduced over the summer time a pause or a cessation in cooperation with the USA on local weather and in different areas of shared mutual curiosity, we expressed what I feel international locations all over the world have been in lots of instances pondering to themselves: that as two world powers, because the world’s first and second largest emitters, we’ve not solely a necessity but in addition a duty to work collectively on the subject of these shared challenges.  The world expects that of us.

An incapability or, even perhaps worse, an unwillingness to work collectively on these shared challenges isn’t solely dangerous for the USA, it’s not solely dangerous for the PRC, however it’s particularly dangerous for the remainder of the world – particularly international locations within the growing world, rising companions of ours which are particularly, acutely feeling the implications of local weather change, a degradation of the financial system, reeling from the world’s – the toll that’s being taken on ecology and local weather in their very own – inside their very own territories and all over the world.  So I feel not solely we hope that this can translate into further areas of concrete cooperation between the USA and the PRC, however the remainder of the world presumably —

QUESTION:  Can I observe up?

MR PRICE:  — aspires to that as properly.

QUESTION:  Can I observe up on PRC?

MR PRICE:  Certain.

QUESTION:  China.  China and Russia will conduct joint navy workouts within the East China Sea from this week to subsequent week.  What do you see as the aim of coaching?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, I perceive that these are annual drills that the PRC and Russia participate in.  I perceive that these drills have been going down for a few decade or so.  So whereas this isn’t new, these explicit drills, we’ve made no secret of our concern concerning the relationship between China, and the PRC – the PRC’s alignment particularly with Russia, as Moscow continues its brutal, its illegal battle in opposition to Ukraine.  We’ve heard the PRC declare to be impartial on this battle, however its conduct, together with what we’re seeing right here, makes it clear it’s nonetheless investing in shut ties with Russia.  We’ve got warned the PRC in opposition to offering Russia navy help or systematic assist evading the sanctions that international locations all over the world have positioned on Moscow because of its brutal invasion of its peaceable neighbor.

We’re very carefully monitoring Beijing’s exercise on this explicit realm, however extra broadly the world is watching very carefully to see which international locations get up for the essential rules of freedom, of sovereignty, of self-determination, of independence that haven’t solely been on the coronary heart of the worldwide system over the previous eight a long time however are – actually type the idea of the UN system and the UN Constitution that some 200 international locations all over the world have endorsed, have invested in, have helped to create within the aftermath of the Second World Struggle.

The PRC has great sway on the subject of Russia, not solely the partnership that they’ve deepened lately, however their financial ties, their political ties, their safety ties.  We and the remainder of the world hope to see the PRC use that leverage constructively.  There have been some cases the place we’ve seen that and we welcome that.  The assertion from the PRC – the restatement, I ought to say – of the axiom that’s been round for the reason that Chilly Struggle {that a} nuclear battle can by no means be received and must not ever be fought – the restatement of that we welcomed as a result of it very clearly signaled that international locations all over the world wouldn’t tolerate the usage of nuclear weapons and have been tremendously involved with even the irresponsible rhetoric that we had heard emanating from Russia.

We definitely hope that the PRC makes use of its affect to assist result in an finish to this brutal battle, however steps like this, these usually are not useful.  They don’t transfer us any nearer to that.

QUESTION:  Yet another.  Final Sunday North Korea fired two mid-range ballistic missiles.  Are you able to inform us particularly what sort of a missile it’s?

MR PRICE:  I’m not ready to supply an in depth evaluation.  These have been ballistic missile launches.  These have been launches that, as we’ve mentioned about different ballistic missile launches, violate a number of UN Safety Council resolutions.  We imagine they pose a menace to the area and to the worldwide group extra broadly.

Our commitments to the protection of the ROK, the Republic of Korea, in addition to to Japan stay ironclad, and we stay dedicated to doing all that we are able to to make that clear whilst we search to clarify to the DPRK that we harbor no hostile intent, that we’re dedicated to a diplomatic strategy.  And we proceed to name on the DPRK to satisfy us in our continued requires sensible, pragmatic diplomacy to deal with this problem.

QUESTION:  A fast follow-up on PRC.  I’m going to shift to Ukraine after it.  Will the PRC’s conduct between now and subsequent couple weeks, and likewise talks with – upcoming talks with Putin, will these issue into the Secretary’s journey to China?

MR PRICE:  I’m sure that when the Secretary travels to Beijing, which we nonetheless count on to occur in some unspecified time in the future early subsequent yr, that Russia’s battle in opposition to Ukraine will probably be on the agenda.  Russia’s battle in opposition to Ukraine has been on the agenda since properly earlier than it began.  The specter of Russian aggression was on the agenda earlier than February twenty fourth, when Secretary Blinken spoke to his counterpart.  You all recall as properly that President Biden had a possibility to talk to President Xi from a distance earlier than Russia’s battle truly began.  Ever since February twenty fourth it has been excessive on the agenda as properly, and our message has been easy.

We hope and count on the PRC won’t help Moscow’s efforts by offering safety help or by serving to Moscow evade sanctions in a scientific means, that we’ll be watching carefully, and extra broadly all the world will probably be watching carefully to see the place the PRC falls on these points which are close to and expensive to international locations all over the world, the rules which are on the coronary heart of the UN Constitution.  To this point we’ve seen Moscow – or, excuse me, seen Beijing try to have it each methods to some extent, however there isn’t a having it each methods on the subject of this explicit difficulty.

Nations all over the world, together with the USA, however international locations within the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere, will probably be trying to hear that the PRC truly believes and really upholds the rules which were on the coronary heart of its overseas coverage for many years now – independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty.  That is what the PRC has persistently purported to face up for inside the UN system, inside the worldwide system, and international locations all over the world will wish to see that there’s truly that means there, that this truly means one thing to the PRC and these usually are not simply phrases.

QUESTION:  Thanks.  Staying on Ukraine, Russia once more (inaudible) kamikaze drones on Ukraine.  (Inaudible) concentrate on Kyiv since you simply tweeted Battle Observatory report on Kyiv falling into darkness.  What does it let you know about Russia’s battle technique?  What new have we discovered from this report?  I’ve additionally learn the report – thanks for posting it – however I didn’t see something about the place the drones are coming from, Iran.  Does this make Iranian, let’s say, trainers in Donbas, in Crimea, a professional goal for Ukraine?

MR PRICE:  So a pair issues in your query.  First, concerning the technique.  What it tells us is that President Putin’s technique has failed.  President Putin previous to February twenty fourth thought that he might deploy his forces, ship them into Kyiv, and inside six hours or at most six days basically be in charge of the nation, be the de facto chief of Ukraine, making an attempt to topple the federal government in Kyiv, making an attempt to subdue the individuals of Ukraine.

In fact, we are actually 9, ten months on from that, and it’s patently clear that President Putin’s goals have failed and so his technique has shifted.  His technique has now develop into considered one of acute brutality.  It’s a technique that, because the Secretary has mentioned, seeks to weaponize winter – going after infrastructure, going after what the individuals of Ukraine have to survive in the course of the chilly winter, making an attempt to deprive them of warmth, of water, of electrical energy, of fundamental companies.

In the meantime, President Putin’s technique has shifted; so too has ours.  We’re persevering with to offer our Ukrainian companions with exactly what they should tackle the battle the place it’s being waged proper now.  However simply as President Putin has taken his battle to the cities of Ukraine, to civilian infrastructure targets, we’re offering our Ukrainian accomplice with what they should defend these targets with a heavy emphasis on air protection techniques.  From the earliest days of this battle, we’ve offered Stingers and different air protection techniques.  In fact now, in newer months, we’ve offered extra subtle and succesful techniques, able to defending power infrastructure and the targets that Moscow is pursuing, together with the NASAMS that we’ve spoken about to some extent.

You elevate the difficulty of Iran’s provision of UAVs to Russia.  It’s clear that these UAVs are getting used to lethal and deadly impact.  Even when they don’t seem to be deadly – once they is probably not deadly within the first occasion by the assault, their intent is to inflict struggling and finally dying by depriving the Ukrainian individuals of warmth, of water, of electrical energy in the course of the winter.

Our Ukrainian companions have been efficient in taking up a very good variety of these drones in the middle of any explicit onslaught.  They’ve, in some case, been in a position to shoot down greater than half of those drones.  However the truth that a single drone is ready to evade air protection techniques and inflict such harm and brutality to us is only a reminder of the stakes.  It’s a reminder of those barbaric ways that President Putin and his enablers, together with his enablers in Tehran, are aiding.

Proper now, to your query, the battle is raging within the south, within the east, within the north as properly.  We’re offering our Ukrainian companions with what they should proceed to achieve success.  And so they have been profitable in that counteroffensive.  We – Secretary Blinken was final in Kyiv in September of this yr.  At the moment, it was only a few hours previous to his arrival when the counteroffensive had begun.  We obtained a briefing from the nation staff and our embassy in Kyiv, and later that day obtained a briefing from President Zelenskyy and his staff.

On the time, I feel they’d moved 40 kilometers previous the entrance traces, and now it’s simply exceptional to take a look at the effectiveness of the counteroffensive, the sq. mileage – 1000’s of sq. miles – that our Ukrainian companions have wrested again from Russian occupiers, bringing the struggle to territory that Moscow has tried to annex, tried to subsume, tried to occupy, after all with outcomes that talk for themselves.

QUESTION:  (Inaudible) on Ukraine —

QUESTION:  Does Ukraine have proper to focus on Iranian – as we requested earlier than – Iranian targets or Russian websites as properly in Donbas, in Crimea, when its hits again whereas utilizing the U.S. weapons?

MR PRICE:  Ukraine has a proper to defend its territory, and any goal on sovereign Ukraine territory is, by definition, self-defense.

QUESTION:  And simply following up on this difficulty, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger referred to as for negotiations to start and he mentioned that the one consequence is the negotiated settlement, a name that was dismissed by Kyiv.  They’ve referred to as it appeasing the aggressor and so forth.  Do you assume that his name is appeasing the aggressor?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, Mr. Kissinger was talking as a non-public citizen.  I’m typically hesitant – at all times hesitant, I ought to say – to characterize the views of personal residents.  I received’t do it right here besides to say we firmly imagine that Ukraine, and solely Ukraine, has the suitable to determine its future.  We imagine, as does President Zelenskyy, that this battle must finish ultimately by dialogue and diplomacy.  President Zelenskyy himself has laid out a imaginative and prescient for a simply peace.  We imagine within the want for a peace that’s each simply and sturdy.

Sadly, we haven’t seen any significant reciprocation from Moscow.  I made this level earlier than, however simply as President Zelenskyy was outlining his imaginative and prescient of a simply peace for world leaders who have been gathered in Bali in November, it was met inside hours by one other brutal assault by Russian drones, missiles, bombs falling down on infrastructure targets, a continued escalation of this section of the battle that started in October and that continues at present, continues even inside current hours.

QUESTION:  Can I transfer on to a different matter?

MR PRICE:  Certain.  Anything on Russia or Ukraine?

QUESTION:  Ukraine, Ukraine.

MR PRICE:  On Ukraine, positive.

QUESTION:  Sure.  In response to some studies, you ask Greece to ship the S-300 to Ukraine and Greece accepted your proposal.  On this case, are you ready to provide to the Greeks some Patriots?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, we at all times defer to particular person international locations on the subject of any contributions that they might be or are making to Ukraine’s self-defense.  However we definitely acknowledge the profound menace that Ukraine faces from the air.  Our NATO Allies – Greece, after all, included – acknowledge that as properly.

It’s at all times a subject of debate after we converse to our Ukrainian companions concerning what they should shield their individuals, to guard their nation, from the air.  It was a goal – excuse me.  It was a subject of debate in Bucharest on the NATO ministerial late final month.  And so we’re persevering with to take a look at methods, along with our allies and companions, to greatest and most successfully assist Ukraine shield its individuals, shield its inhabitants, to guard its broader infrastructure from these types of assaults.

Every nation goes to should determine for itself what it’s ready and to arrange – and ready to offer to Ukraine.  We definitely recognize the numerous methods the worldwide group, together with Greece, has demonstrated their help and has stepped up.

There have been instances – and generally we’ve pointed to those publicly; you could keep in mind that within the early days of this battle, Slovakia made the choice to offer an S-300 air protection system to Ukraine.  We have been in a position to assist help and to facilitate that contribution by backfilling Slovakia’s wants.  There are some instances the place international locations do that and we don’t speak about it as publicly.  However we’re taking a look at methods, whether or not it’s by instantly offering safety help to Ukraine – the some $20 billion that we’ve offered for the reason that begin of this administration – or in some instances what we are able to do, what we are able to present to different international locations in order that they in flip can present their wares and their provides to Ukraine.

Mentioned.

QUESTION:  Thanks.  Transferring to the Palestinian difficulty.  In a prolonged interview with Haaretz, Ambassador Nides reiterated that the U.S. is intent on reopening the consulate in East Jerusalem.  The query for you is:  When?  I imply, it’s been a few years.  What are the obstacles for reopening the consulate?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, he reiterated that dedication as a result of we’re the truth is intent on following by on it.  We’re dedicated to reopening our consulate common in Jerusalem.  We proceed to imagine that reopening this facility would put the USA in the very best place to interact and – interact with and supply help to the Palestinian individuals.  And we’ll proceed to debate this difficulty with our Palestinian and Israeli companions, and we’ll proceed to seek the advice of with Congress on it as properly.

Whilst we’re working to meet this dedication that you just’ve heard from the Secretary, that you just’ve heard from the President and others, we’ve a devoted staff of colleagues working in Jerusalem, in our Workplace of Palestinian Affairs.  They’re centered on engagement with and outreach to the Palestinians day in, time out.

QUESTION:  Fast associated difficulty.  The Israelis deported a Palestinian human rights lawyer, Salah Hammouri, as he’s a French citizen.  Are you alarmed that this –they might use this, contemplating it was accomplished by the ministry of the inside, or the minister of the inside and so forth –  that this can set a precedent for deporting Jerusalemites?  Are you involved about this difficulty?

MR PRICE:  So a pair issues on this.  We’ve got heard the statements from the Israeli Authorities that this was a call made out of concern for Israel’s safety.  We’re not ready to evaluate this declare, however we refer you to the Authorities of Israel for extra data regarded – concerning their said foundation for this actions –for this motion.  For our half, we after all acknowledge the very actual safety challenges dealing with Israel, and we’ve reiterated our dedication to Israel’s safety.  It’s, the truth is, ironclad.  Nonetheless, we’ve issues concerning the follow of deportation and revocation of residency, and the potential menace of such insurance policies on the demographic character of Jerusalem.

To your query concerning any broader implications of this past this discrete state of affairs, we after all have critical issues about any broader follow of revocation of residency and deportation from East Jerusalem.  However I’d hasten so as to add that doesn’t seem like what is going on right here.

QUESTION:  And lastly, final week you expressed concern and referred to as on the Israelis who’re investigating the killing of 16-year-old Jana Zakarneh.  Have you ever heard something from the Israelis on this difficulty?  (Inaudible) again?

MR PRICE:  We did specific our condolences to the household of Jana Zakarneh.  We famous the IDF had put out an announcement; Prime Minister Bennett had issued an announcement as properly.  We all know that they’re endeavor a evaluation; we definitely hope to see that evaluation culminate in accountability.  We’ve raised the difficulty ourselves.  It’s not for us to talk to what we’ve heard privately from our Israeli companions, however our expression of condolence and the hope and expectation that this investigation will finish in accountability stands.

Sure, please.

QUESTION:  Mr. Value, three query.  One is concerning the Tom West journey.  Any replace?  As a result of occasions with Afghan delegation, together with the previous President Karzai.

And quantity two:  There was report at present that Moscow invited Ahmad Massoud and likewise protection performing minister Yaqoob, Mullah Yaqoob.  Any remark about that?

And likewise, Taliban beating ladies and a part of the individuals in north in Afghanistan, very dangerous.  It’s type of insultation.  Any remark about that?

MR PRICE:  Thanks, Nazira.  So first on Tom West’s current journey to the UAE, to Japan, to India – we talked about this; I imagine it was final week – this was a visit to satisfy with authorities counterparts, to satisfy with media and civil society, in addition to enterprise leaders and communities with ties to Afghanistan.  He, all through the journey however particularly within the UAE, mentioned shared pursuits in Afghanistan with our Emirati counterparts, together with, as we at all times do, the rights of the individuals of Afghanistan – its ladies, its minorities of all sort – of every type; the rights of ladies and ladies to schooling; the necessity for financial stabilization; our concentrate on safety challenges and the crucial of seeing to it that Afghanistan doesn’t once more develop into a secure haven for worldwide terrorism – all with the concentrate on our humanitarian help to the individuals of Afghanistan.

As we at all times do, Tom West engaged with a variety of stakeholders.  He did meet with Hamid Karzai.  He met with former Balkh Governor Atta as properly when he was within the UAE.  We predict it’s vital that we hear from a variety of voices representing the Afghan individuals and Afghan views.  That’s one thing we do right here on this nation on the subject of the Afghan diaspora, however it’s one thing that we do all over the world, and particularly within the Gulf, the place we’ve a capability to listen to from Afghans who spend vital or all of their time inside Afghanistan.  We predict that perspective is vital.

I’m not going to talk to Russian engagement with different Afghan actors or voices however to reiterate that simply as we interact with stakeholders from throughout Afghan society, we predict it’s vital that the worldwide group hear from stakeholders from throughout the worldwide – throughout the Afghan – who’re consultant of the Afghan individuals.

The – what we’ve seen – the photographs we’ve seen out of Afghanistan; the floggings, the general public executions; the clear, blatant, violent, barbaric violations of human rights after all are of grave concern to all of us.  They harken again to a previous period, to an period that no Afghan or Afghans definitely as an entire don’t wish to return to, an Afghanistan that lacked alternative, that lacked stability, that lacked safety, that definitely lacked prosperity.

In each engagement we’ve with the Taliban, human rights is on the prime of the agenda.  We after all not solely remind them of the commitments they’ve made to the USA however, extra importantly, of the dedication they should the individuals of Afghanistan to uphold their fundamental and basic and common rights, one thing that the Taliban have did not do.

Simply as it’s a matter with the Taliban themselves in our restricted engagements with them, we spend way more time consulting with companions from all over the world.  That is exactly what Tom West was doing within the UAE, in Japan, in India as properly.  It’s exactly what we do with the UN.  Rina Amiri, our particular envoy for Afghan ladies and ladies, was not too long ago in Indonesia, the place she represented the USA on the Worldwide Convention for Afghan Girls’s Training that was co-hosted by Indonesia and Qatar.  In each potential – in each discussion board, we reap the benefits of our presence to press the case for the human rights of the Afghan individuals and to press the case for tactics by which we are able to maintain the Taliban accountable for his or her failure to uphold these commitments.

QUESTION:  However Taliban by no means hear.  They don’t repair themselves and as a substitute of fixing themself they make insult – extra insultation for girls.  And likewise Afghan individuals, they’re very upset.  They are saying they obtain 40 – greater than $40 million each week, and United State doesn’t has any influences to the Taliban.  “Hey, respect ladies, in any other case we make a sanction on you.”

MR PRICE:  Effectively, the Taliban stays closely sanctioned, after all, and we aren’t ready to enhance our relationship with the Taliban till and except they really begin to uphold the commitments they’ve made to the Afghan individuals.  We’ll have a look at further accountability measures, together with sanctions, if it involves that.

The opposite vital level, although, Nazira, is that we’re not offering funding on to the Taliban.  We’re offering tons of of tens of millions of {dollars} on to the Afghan individuals, very deliberately bypassing the Taliban to see to it that the humanitarian funding, the funding that’s offered by the American individuals, doesn’t cross by their coffers, doesn’t – isn’t diverted to their wallets and financial institution accounts, however as a substitute will get to the Afghan individuals the place they want it most.

The identical is true of the Afghan Fund, the fund that the USA has established with the help of companions within the worldwide group, the $3.5 billion that’s offered for Afghanistan’s macroeconomic wants.  That too – there are rigorous checks on that funding and any potential disbursements from that funding to see to it that there isn’t diversion to the Taliban.

QUESTION:  Thanks.

MR PRICE:  Let me transfer round a bit.  Sure.

QUESTION:  Simply to observe up on Nazira query, I’m positive you might have heard former Secretary Hillary Clinton speak about Ashraf Ghani operating away with stashes of cash to UAE.  That cash belonged to the American individuals.  Is there ever going to be one thing to recuperate that cash from individuals like Ashraf Ghani and lots of others who I’ve personally reported on as properly and several other different journalists as properly, that there are officers or contractor that in these final 20 years, they’ve looted the U.S. Authorities and saved their cash over there within the UAE.  Is the State Division ever going to take motion about them?

MR PRICE:  I’m not within the place to talk to any particular claims, however what I can say is that the Afghan financial system and the Afghan state extra broadly has lengthy been tormented by corruption.  It after all was a problem previous to August of final yr.  It after all stays a problem with the Taliban now no less than in de facto management.  There are – there was a spotlight that the USA had with the prior Afghan authorities on anti-corruption.  There have been – we offered a great deal of help to the prior Afghan authorities to assist them with this problem, to see to it that the prior Afghan authorities have been – was efficient, an efficient steward of the revenues that it collected from the Afghan individuals.

In fact these kinds of applications are in – are now not potential with the Taliban now in no less than de facto management throughout Afghanistan.  However we are going to proceed with worldwide companions to do what we are able to to be sure that what’s rightfully – what rightfully belongs to the individuals of Afghanistan is or stays within the fingers of the individuals of Afghanistan.

QUESTION:  And Ned, yet one more query.  Similar to Nazira mentioned, in Afghanistan you’ve seen the human rights violation getting elevated day-to-day. In Pakistan, I don’t know if you’re conscious since final – simply even two days yesterday, one police station was attacked and 4 cops have been killed.  Proper now there’s a counterterrorism division, which is below siege proper now by the parliament, by the TTP.  So do you see in coming days any over-the-horizon or under-the-horizon drones coming again to the area and concentrating on these terrorist teams, or state of affairs has not gotten that worse but?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, first on the continuing state of affairs in Pakistan, we’re after all conscious.  We’ve been carefully following studies that militants have seized management of the counterterrorism heart in Bannu.  We provide our deepest sympathies to these injured.

We urge these answerable for the assault to stop all acts of violence, to securely launch those that stay hostage, and to finish the seizure of the counterterrorism heart.  In fact we refer you to the Authorities of Pakistan for particulars on this ongoing state of affairs.  However the broader level is that the Authorities of Pakistan is a accomplice on the subject of these shared challenges, together with the problem of terrorist teams – terrorist teams within Afghanistan, terrorist teams alongside the Afghan-Pakistan border.

We’ve got partnered with our Pakistani buddies to tackle – to assist them tackle this problem.  We stand prepared to help, whether or not with this unfolding state of affairs or extra broadly.  However this can be a state of affairs for which we’d should refer you to Pakistani authorities.

QUESTION:  Simply final one.  Two days in the past, Pakistani overseas minister has referred to as the Indian prime minister “butcher of Gujarat” in New York.  Sarcastically, I had requested the identical query six years in the past to Mr. Kirby when, for the primary time, Mr. Modi was coming to the U.S.  I had mentioned that Modi was not getting a U.S. visa now, is he going to be allowed to come back to the U.S.

All these years down the road, don’t you assume the strategic partnership with India has type of influenced in some methods the human rights issues which the U.S. stands for, minority rights – like Modi has been treating the best way Muslims are being handled since previous few years?  Former prime minister, even, Mr. Singh, had tweeted about it.

Similar factor with Ukraine, once you have a look at it.  They’re nonetheless supplying – shopping for massive variety of oil from Russia, India.  However this strategic alliance, it appeared prefer it has influenced or it’s no less than portraying the U.S. picture as it’s forcing U.S. to compromise on a few of its human rights issues that the U.S. mainly stands for.

MR PRICE:  We’ve got a world strategic partnership with India.  I’ve simply spoken to the depth of our partnership with Pakistan.  These relationships stand on their very own; it isn’t zero-sum.  We see the significance – the indispensability actually – of sustaining beneficial partnerships with each our Indian and our Pakistani buddies.  Every of those relationships is – we don’t view them in relation to the opposite.  Every of those relationships additionally occurs to be multifaceted.

So whilst we deepen our world strategic partnership with India, we’re additionally – we even have a relationship by which we could be candid and frank with each other.  The place we’ve disagreements or issues, we voice these simply as we’d with our Pakistani buddies as properly.

Sure.

QUESTION:  Following?  Thanks, Ned.

QUESTION:  Thanks.

QUESTION:  Raghubir Goyal.  Simply going again, so far as U.S.-India diplomacy and relations are involved, Secretary Blinken is family identify in India due to U.S.-India relations and likewise diplomacy between the 2 international locations.

One, I’d wish to have remark that to what you assume or what prime minister present – Secretary Blinken thinks about U.S-India relations.  But in addition, on the identical time, final week, and my good friend mentioned, and the United Nations Safety Council heated argument occurred between the 2 international locations – between the – Indian and Pakistan, additionally between the 2 overseas ministers India and Pakistan blaming to one another.  Indian overseas minister mentioned that about terrorism Pakistan is supporting terrorism, after which Pakistani prime – overseas minister mentioned so and so and so and “butcher” and calling names to Prime Minister Modi.  And I feel Overseas Minister Bilawal, he will probably be right here in Washington tomorrow, or he’s already right here and is taking – having many engagements.  My query is:  He referred to as names to Prime Minister Modi, and again residence in Pakistan.  His overseas minister referred to as – threatened India with nuclear weapons, that we’ve nuclear weapons and we – they don’t seem to be simply to point out them off and we are able to use them.  What I’m asking you – when Secretary Blinken is engaged with each international locations – so what do you assume now?  And what do you consider this and the way he’s going to interact with many regional international locations when he’s go to on that?  The state of affairs may be very heated between India and Pakistan additionally again residence, so the place can we stand now so far as U.S. involved?  Sorry.

MR PRICE:  So a pair issues.  Primary, we’ve, as I mentioned earlier than, a world strategic partnership with India.  Have additionally spoken concerning the deep partnership we’ve with Pakistan.  These relationships in our thoughts usually are not zero-sum.  We don’t view them in relation to at least one one other.  Every of them is indispensable to us and to the promotion and the pursuit of the shared targets that we’ve with India, the shared targets that we’ve with Pakistan, the shared targets that every one three of us share.

The truth that we’ve partnerships with each international locations makes us – after all leaves us not desirous to see a confrontation between India and Pakistan.  We want to see constructive dialogue between India and Pakistan.  We predict that’s for the betterment of the Pakistani individuals, for the Indian individuals.  There’s a lot work that we are able to do collectively bilaterally.  There are variations that, after all, should be addressed between India and Pakistan.  The US stands prepared to help as a accomplice to each.

QUESTION:  Can I simply observe one rapidly?  I did ask that query different day.  Mr. Patel was very good and type in the course of the briefing.  But when I can ask once more query, how critically Secretary Blinken is taking the feedback of Prime Minister Modi that he informed to President Putin to finish the battle and this isn’t the time to play video games or navy use and all that?  And what function you assume, Secretary assume that Prime Minister Modi or India can play to finish the battle between Russia and India – I imply Russia and Ukraine, a superpower invading a smaller (inaudible) nation, Ukraine?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, international locations the world over welcomed what we heard from Prime Minister Modi about this not being the period of battle.  I feel it’s notable that the communique emanating from the G20 additionally had very comparable language – I feel a testomony to the truth that this was language and this was a name that resonated on this nation, in South Asia, in Europe, and all over the world.  The US definitely welcomes it.

It’s additionally vital as a result of India has a relationship with Russia that the USA doesn’t have.  For many years, India – I ought to say Russia was ready to be a accomplice to India in a means that the USA on the time was not.  In fact, that has modified in current a long time.  It’s a bipartisan legacy of the final a number of administrations, maybe beginning most notably with the administration of President George W. Bush, that the USA is now a accomplice of we hope first resort for India.  There’s numerous good that we are able to do collectively, not just for our two international locations however all over the world, and I feel we’ll see a very good instance of that within the coming yr, when India hosts the G20.  I do know we’ll have a possibility to journey to India, to be in shut contact with India within the context of the G20, and we’ll be capable of see what cooperation between our two international locations and a broader set of nations can present.

Sure, Ian.

QUESTION:  Thanks, sir.

QUESTION:  Transferring over to China, I’m simply questioning, is there something – given the tempo and scale of their COVID outbreak in the mean time, I’m questioning if there’s something you may share concerning the division’s evaluation of how that outbreak goes, the way it’s more likely to unfold, and any impression you may see.  And I’m additionally questioning, is the U.S. involved that China may not be being totally clear concerning the COVID numbers, the instances, and likewise the deaths that we’re seeing in China proper now.

MR PRICE:  So a couple of issues on this.  First, we’re not an epidemiological company.  I can barely pronounce the phrase, so I’m not going to be ready to supply these types of figures from right here.  We would want to refer you elsewhere for these.  However on the subject of the present outbreak in China, we wish to see this addressed.  We hope our Chinese language companions, the Chinese language are in a position to deal with it, and we hope for a number of causes.

Initially, any time there’s dying and sickness anyplace all over the world, we wish to see a state of affairs like that come to an finish.  In the case of COVID, secondly, we all know that any time the virus is spreading, that it’s within the wild, that it has the potential to mutate and to pose a menace to individuals in every single place.  We’ve seen that over the course of many various permutations of this virus and definitely one more reason why we’re so centered on serving to international locations all over the world deal with COVID, one more reason why bringing this to an in depth in China can be useful.

However third, the toll of the virus is of concern to the remainder of the world given the dimensions of China’s GDP, given the dimensions of China’s financial system.  It’s not solely good for China to be in a stronger place vis-à-vis COVID, however it’s good for the remainder of the world as properly.  We – the USA continues to be a number one power for international locations all over the world within the provision of vaccines and serving to international locations overcome the acute section of the virus.  We definitely hope that would be the case earlier than lengthy within the PRC as properly.

Sure.

QUESTION:  I’ve one other query.  In response to studies, Germany hosted a non-public assembly in Brussels between the highest advisors of the prime minister of Greece and the president of Turkey.  They mentioned, as we perceive, the rapprochement of the 2 international locations.  Are you able to give us a touch upon this?  Do you might have something to say?

MR PRICE:  I don’t.  I would want to refer you to Germany for feedback on that.

Shaun.

QUESTION:  I do know we mentioned Ukraine already, however might you – might you say something about Putin’s journey to – President Putin’s journey to Belarus?  A few issues there.  Initially, there was some speak about whether or not Russia will attempt to get a extra direct Belarusian function within the battle in Ukraine.  Additionally, Putin only a whereas in the past made some remarks saying that Russia has no intention of absorbing Belarus and mentioned why might anyone assume that?  Do you might have any reactions?

MR PRICE:  Certain.  I did see that headline simply as I used to be coming down right here.  The reported declare from President Putin that he has no intention of, as you mentioned, absorbing anybody in his talks with president – with Lukashenka, look, I feel an announcement like that needs to be handled as the peak of irony coming from a pacesetter who’s searching for at present second, proper now, to violently soak up his different peaceable subsequent door neighbor.  We’ve heard these statements from President Putin.  On the identical time, for the reason that earliest days of this battle and the weeks previous this battle, we’ve seen the Lukashenka regime basically cede its sovereignty, cede its independence to Russia.  We noticed Russian forces mass inside what ought to have been sovereign Belarusian territory.  We’ve seen assaults launched from what ought to be sovereign Belarusian territory.  And now we hear these feedback from President Putin and from Lukashenka, however I feel the observe file speaks a lot louder than something these two leaders might say.

QUESTION:  A Jordan —

QUESTION:  Similar matter.

QUESTION:  A Jordan query?

MR PRICE:  Let me transfer round to individuals I haven’t referred to as on.

Sure.

QUESTION:  Ned, thanks.  Going again to North Korea, final month in the course of the summit assembly between United States, ROK, Japan, they agreed to share the DPRK missile warning information in actual time.  So I’m questioning if – whether or not this exercise has been working successfully every time when DPRK launched its missile, together with yesterday?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, what I can say is that we’re in almost fixed communication with our Japanese and ROK allies.  That’s definitely true within the aftermath of DPRK provocations.  We’re in communication from the State Division.  We’re in communication from the Protection Division, from elsewhere on this administration as properly.  However as for the technical particulars of any early warning techniques, I must refer you to the Division of Protection.

Sure.

QUESTION:  Thanks a lot.  Jahanzaib Ali, ARY Information in Pakistan.  Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan launched large assaults in opposition to Pakistani safety forces and Pakistani civilians.  As you’ve not too long ago talked concerning the present state of affairs proper now and when – what sort of help you may supply to Pakistan to crush this terrorist group?  As a result of we’ve seen that United States has the flexibility to trace down these terrorist teams and wipe them out, like we see al-Qaida’s management.  So what sort of help you may supply to Pakistan to crush this Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, after all, Pakistan is a vital safety accomplice.  There are teams which are current in Afghanistan, within the Afghan-Pakistan border area that current a transparent menace as we’re seeing not solely to Pakistan however doubtlessly to international locations and other people past.  So we’re in common dialogue with our Pakistani companions.  We’re ready to assist them tackle the threats they face, however I feel the main points of that cooperation are greatest left in diplomatic channels.

QUESTION:  You simply spoke about Pakistan-India, simply not concerning the confrontation, their stress on the border, their stress (inaudible) management (inaudible).  What sort of message you’ll give to the management of each the international locations to convey peace to the area?

MR PRICE:  I’m sorry.  What sort of —

QUESTION:  Message —

MR PRICE:  Message.

QUESTION:  — you’ll give to management of each the international locations to convey peace to that area?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, I feel the message is, simply as I associated to your colleague, each Pakistan and India are companions of the USA.  As with every of our companions, we wish to see constructive relations between them.  It’s at all times of concern after we see escalation in tensions, after we see escalation in phrases, in dialogue.  We wish to see international locations – definitely, we wish to see our companions work collectively to attain widespread ends.

QUESTION:  Sir, the principle cause of tensions between two international locations is the India-occupied Kashmir – you realize about it – former President Trump supplied the function of mediation between India and Pakistan to resolve the difficulty of Kashmir.  What’s the coverage of present administration on Kashmir?

MR PRICE:  Our coverage is that this is a matter that must be addressed by India and Pakistan.  We’re ready to help if the events need that, however this can be a query for India and Pakistan to adjudicate.

Sure.

QUESTION:  A Jordan query?

MR PRICE:  Let me return to – sure.

QUESTION:  Thanks, Ned.  I’ve two questions.  One is a few session at present on the Safety Council on the implementation of the Decision 2231.  Mr. Guterres’s report is already out, and we all know that he determined in the mean time he’s not going to lift the difficulty whether or not Islamic Republic’s drone sale to Russia is in opposition to 2231 or it’s not in opposition to that.  He solely talked about two instances that it’s below research.  They’re nonetheless gathering data and he’s going to speak about it later.

So what’s your response to that?  Since you, together with European allies, you’re pushing that that is in opposition to 2231.  So how are you going to reply to that?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, earlier than this briefing began, no less than, the report was not out.  It might have come out in the course of the course of the previous hour.  I perceive that there’s going to be a session on the UN Safety Council within the 3 o’clock hour at present.  I’ve not seen the report, whether it is the truth is out but, so I’ll reserve judgment till we’ve an opportunity to check out it.

However as we’ve mentioned beforehand, Russia’s acquisition of UAVs from Iran contravenes UN Safety Council Decision 2231 and significantly the restrictions that decision locations on the switch of missile-related know-how to or from Iran.  It was adopted in July of 2015.  It established vital restrictions on Iran that might final for a interval of years.  And all councilmembers, together with, after all, Russia as a Everlasting Member of the Safety Council, voted for it.  Russia was itself concerned in negotiating the provisions of 2231.

Iran, in the meantime, in violation of UN Safety Council Decision 2231, offered Russia with drones which Moscow is now utilizing to wreak havoc and inflict destruction on Ukrainian civilians.  We’ve got offered data concerning that; that has been offered publicly, it’s offered – it’s been offered inside the UN system as properly.  Russia, in violation of 2231 for its half, then procured them.  There is no such thing as a doubt that the switch occurred with out advance case-by-case approval by the council, and it’s thus a violation of Decision 2231.

We, together with our companions, reported these violations to the UN Safety Council in accordance with the procedures set forth in UN Safety Council Decision 2231, and the UN secretary has mandated below this very decision to analyze allegations of violations of this decision sometimes following studies by member states, which the truth is occurred – the studies of violations.  There’s ample precedent for the UN secretariat to hold out impartial investigations as a part of this mandate to report on implementation, and as we’ve mentioned earlier than, we encourage the secretariat to proceed with documenting and analyzing data concerning this violation.

QUESTION:  I’ve one other query on the liberty of web – free web for Iranian individuals.  You gave out an announcement at present, a really clear, very lengthy, clear assertion which may be very clear, however my query is about the results of that group of consultants that the U.S. shaped with European Council.  Do you assume based mostly on the present report that you’ve or the upcoming studies, is there any chance of U.S. and European allies to type, like, a joint plan of actions for Iranian individuals to help their entry to free web based mostly on the studies that’s coming from that group?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, the USA and lots of of our companions all over the world, together with our companions in Europe, have taken particular person steps to assist facilitate the flexibility of the Iranian individuals to speak with each other and with the skin world.  For our half, we’ve spoken of the issuance of Normal License D-2, which gives know-how corporations the flexibility to ship {hardware} and software program that’s wanted by the Iranian individuals to Iran on a self-executing foundation – that’s to say, they don’t want approval from the Division of Treasury to take action.

If there are steps that we are able to take, related steps that we are able to take with our European companions, we’ll after all have a look at these.  However we encourage international locations all over the world to face with these courageous protesters in Iran who’re expressing rights which are as common to them as they’re to individuals all over the world.  It’s at all times the coverage of the USA to face on the facet of these exercising their rights peacefully.  We’re doing that right here.  We’ve inspired international locations all over the world to do the identical, and we’ll work with international locations all over the world to do the identical.

Sure.  Yeah.

QUESTION:  Yesterday you referred to as Tunisia’s parliamentary elections an “preliminary step.”  How can an election with (inaudible) voter turnout in Tunisia’s current historical past for a parliament that will probably be largely toothless, how is that not thought of a step again for Tunisia’s democracy?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, at the start, you heard this from Secretary Blinken final week when he met with President Saied, and he mentioned this publicly.  We stand with the Tunisian individuals.  We stay dedicated to the longstanding U.S.-Tunisia partnership.  We did be aware within the assertion yesterday that parliamentary elections that occurred in Tunisia over the weekend have the potential to place the nation again on the trail, put it again in direction of a democratic trajectory.  However I feel we’ve to be candid that elections alone don’t a democracy make.  The – what you pointed to, after all, is an obvious signal of discontent among the many Tunisian individuals.  We have been additionally very clear about that: the low voter turnout displays the necessity for the Authorities of Tunisia to interact in a extra inclusive, and to interact in a extra inclusive course of going ahead to additional broaden political participation.  And we’ll proceed to help the Tunisian individuals’s aspirations for democratic and accountable authorities that protects free expression, together with dissent, and to help civil society.

We additionally on the identical time urge the Tunisian Authorities to take pressing steps to deal with the present financial disaster and obtain long-term stability and prosperity for all Tunisians.

Sure.

QUESTION:  Sorry to backtrack a bit to Belarus, however on the prospect of elevated navy assist from that nation to Russia, does the State Division assess that may very well be a difference-maker in Ukraine?  And is the State Division attempting to do something to counter any burgeoning assist that it would get on the battlefield?

MR PRICE:  Effectively, we’re going to proceed to look at very carefully, and the truth that we’ve watched very carefully has led us to see very clearly the extent of complicity, the extent of cooperation between the Lukashenka regime and the Kremlin.  That’s why the Lukashenka regime is now topic to a bevy of sanctions.  We’ll search for further means to carry Belarus accountable if it continues to cooperate with the Kremlin on this brutal battle.

Remind me the second – the opposite a part of your query.

QUESTION:  Whether or not or not it is perhaps a difference-maker in Ukraine.

MR PRICE:  In – look, we’re going to proceed to look at very carefully.  We’ve got seen President Putin’s goals thwarted at each step of the best way.  He initially, as I mentioned earlier than, thought that the nation would successfully be his inside hours or days of February twenty fourth.  That after all turned out to not be the case.  He referred to as upon a partial mobilization, mobilizing as much as a number of hundred thousand Russians, placing them into fight.  That has turned out to not be a difference-maker.  He has turned to Iran, doubtlessly turned elsewhere, together with the DPRK, for safety help and provides to make use of in opposition to the Ukrainian individuals.  That has turned out to not shift the general tide of battle, whilst they inflict great harm throughout Ukraine.

As he has modified his ways, I feel we’ve seen again and again that his goals, even when they’ve develop into narrower and smaller, they’ve been thwarted.  And so no matter what he does, we are going to proceed to offer Ukraine with what it wants.  And we’re assured that no matter what we see, the Ukrainian armed forces, the Ukrainian individuals will probably be resilient, they are going to be dedicated to profitable again their sovereignty, their independence, their territorial integrity.

QUESTION:  Might I observe up on this one, please?

MR PATEL:  Certain, ultimate —

QUESTION:  I do know you simply mentioned that – thanks a lot.  I do know you simply mentioned that you’ve been watching, however do you might have any crimson line that you just want to convey to Belarus?  I’m asking as a result of there are two warning indicators.  One is Putin at present mentioned that they’re going to – they pledged nearer cooperation to beat Western sanctions.  And secondly, Belarus opposition chief Tsikhanouskaya mentioned that possibilities of Belarus sending troops into Ukraine will improve within the coming weeks.

MR PRICE:  Effectively, we’re going to proceed watching very carefully.  And our concern has at all times been that regardless of what we hear from President Putin, regardless of what we hear from Lukashenka and his regime, President Putin has been ready to make use of Belarus as a launch pad for his brutal battle in opposition to Ukraine, mobilizing forces onto what ought to be sovereign Ukrainian territory, launching assaults from what ought to be sovereign Ukrainian territory into Belarus.  Whether or not Belarus gives further help to Putin’s battle in Ukraine, that’s one thing we’re going to pay very shut consideration to.  And if we see it, if we see the potential for it, we are going to reply appropriately to impose further measures to carry the Lukashenka regime accountable for what is actually its complicity in President Putin’s battle in opposition to Ukraine.

QUESTION:  Might I – a fast query on Jordan?

MR PRICE:  Let me take one query within the again from Kristina, in the event you haven’t had a query but.

QUESTION:  Yeah, the worldwide authorized director on the Middle for Organic Variety, Tanya Sanerib, referred to as – mentioned that conserving biodiversity and stopping pathogen spillover must go hand in hand with a purpose to stop the following pandemic.  Did we possibly miss a possibility to push China to affix us in a decision – calling for a decision throughout COP15, calling for the elimination of pathogen spillover threat with a purpose to make progress towards the objective of eliminating pandemics?

MR PRICE:  I don’t know that we’d converse of a missed alternative within the context of COP15 when COP15 resulted in a extremely – what’s an incredible success and an bold goal for the remainder of the world, or the world, by 2030 on the subject of biodiversity.  Now, nobody has ever anticipated a single conference, a single gathering to be a panacea.  I feel that’s the case right here.  Defending biodiversity, together with with different instruments and ways, that may proceed to be excessive on the agenda of the division.  I do know our particular envoy, our assistant secretary for our OES bureau, will stay engaged on this.  And if there are methods that we are able to work with international locations all over the world, together with the PRC, to attain that objective, we received’t hesitate to take action.

Mentioned.

QUESTION:  Yeah, I simply wished to ask a fast query on Jordan, whether or not you might have any touch upon the violence that broke out within the final couple of days, and three safety individuals have been killed and so forth.  Are you in contact – I imply, Jordan is an in depth ally and also you coordinate a fantastic deal on safety issues.  So do you might have any touch upon what is going on?

MR PRICE:  As we do all over the world, we respect and we help the suitable of people to interact in peaceable protest.  That’s true in Jordan.  That’s as true in Jordan as it’s anyplace all over the world.  In fact we condemn violence, we name for de-escalation, however the suitable of people to train their common rights, that’s the truth is one thing we stand for universally.

QUESTION:  All proper, thanks.

MR PRICE:  Thanks.

(The briefing was concluded at 3:10 p.m.)

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