On Tuesday, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller held a press briefing.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Good afternoon.
00:11 Start with some opening comments.
00:13 Over the past several days, the world has seen broad expressions of support for the
00:17 proposal that President Biden outlined on Friday for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
00:22 I'd like to run through just a few of the statements that we have seen over the past
00:25 few days.
00:26 The United Arab Emirates said the proposals are constructive, realistic, and achievable,
00:31 and both sides must seize them as they are an opportunity to stop the war, prevent further
00:36 loss of life, stop the escalation, release prisoners and hostages, and alleviate the
00:41 catastrophic and dangerous situation that civilians are experiencing in Gaza.
00:46 Morocco said it welcomed the initiative and hopes the various parties concerned will adhere
00:50 to it and commit to implementing its various phases.
00:53 Jordan said it supported efforts to reach a deal as quickly as possible.
00:58 In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the Quint, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE,
01:02 Qatar, and Egypt stressed the importance of dealing seriously and positively with the
01:06 proposal highlighted by the President on May 31st, with the aim of agreeing on a deal that
01:11 ensures a permanent ceasefire and the adequate delivery of aid to all parts of the Gaza Strip
01:16 in a manner that ends the suffering of the people in Gaza.
01:20 The European Union member states said that they wholeheartedly agree with President Biden
01:25 and that the latest proposal is a significant opportunity to move towards and into war and
01:30 civilian suffering.
01:32 Last night, the G7 said it too fully endorses and will stand behind the deal, and it called
01:37 on Hamas to accept it and urged countries with influence over Hamas to help ensure that
01:42 it does so.
01:43 Over the past 24 hours, Secretary Blinken has continued his diplomatic engagements to
01:48 stress the importance of finalizing this deal.
01:51 He spoke yesterday with the foreign minister of Morocco and earlier today with the foreign
01:55 ministers of Algeria and Saudi Arabia, his second conversation with the Saudi foreign
02:00 minister since Friday.
02:01 He also met earlier today with United Nations Secretary General Guterres.
02:05 In all of these conversations, he has continued to echo the broad international view that
02:10 Hamas must accept this deal, that we must finalize this ceasefire agreement and begin
02:16 to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
02:19 In addition, the Secretary has been emphasizing to partners the importance of the Security
02:23 Council speaking out to call for implementation of this deal without delay and without further
02:28 conditions.
02:29 Yesterday, the United States circulated a new draft Security Council resolution supporting
02:33 the proposal to end the fighting in Gaza, and we urge all members of the Council to
02:38 support that resolution.
02:40 The international community must continue to insist that Hamas accept this deal.
02:45 The proposal on the table is nearly identical to what Hamas said it would accept just a
02:49 few weeks ago.
02:51 Israel has said it is ready to implement it.
02:53 It is time to finalize this agreement, put an end to the violence, and to build a better
02:57 future for both Palestinians and Israelis alike.
03:00 Matt.
03:01 Matt.
03:02 So, you know, along those lines, the very intense focus, your very intense focus since
03:10 Friday has been on – or appears to be, at least from the readouts that you've just
03:16 been outlining, on getting Hamas to accept this deal.
03:20 And you keep saying that the Israelis have already – it was their idea or it's their
03:25 proposal and they've already agreed to it.
03:27 And yet, are you really convinced that that's the case?
03:32 And is – are you convinced that the focus should be entirely on Hamas?
03:40 So we are convinced it is the case that Israel is ready to implement this deal.
03:44 As I said, it's their proposal, a proposal put forward by the government, and they have
03:47 maintained to us they're ready to implement it.
03:49 It doesn't mean there aren't voices inside Israel, and voices even inside the Israeli
03:52 government are opposed to it.
03:54 But the government, speaking on behalf of the government, has said they support this
03:57 proposal and are ready to stand behind that, and we take them at their word.
04:02 The deal is in front of Hamas.
04:04 It is to Hamas to accept or reject or come back and say they want to further negotiate
04:08 the deal, but it is just the facts of it that Israel has agreed to this proposal and it
04:11 now stands with Hamas.
04:12 All right.
04:13 And what has been – other than all these statements of support, what has been the impact
04:20 that you have seen from Hamas?
04:22 We haven't seen any response yet from Hamas, but we do think it is important that the international
04:28 community and, I think quite importantly, countries in the Arab world have spoken out
04:33 to call on this deal to be finalized and Hamas to accept it.
04:37 It's important.
04:38 I think the world – you never say the world is speaking with one voice because there's
04:42 always a dissident country here or there, but when you see the broad support from Europe,
04:48 from the Arab world, from countries in the global south, I think it's a significant
04:52 statement of how – of the opportunity that we have here and how it's important that
04:57 we not miss this opportunity.
04:58 Okay.
04:59 Sorry.
05:00 Which countries from the global south?
05:01 I'll get you a list.
05:02 We have other lists as well.
05:03 Saudi Arabia is often considered a global south country, signed on the – I know.
05:07 It is?
05:08 I have seen them considered as a global south country, yeah.
05:10 And we have a full list.
05:11 I have a full – I have a – I have a –
05:12 Is the equator no longer the –
05:13 So I share that.
05:17 It is not –
05:18 All right.
05:19 Well, let's ask about a country from – let's ask about countries from the global south.
05:20 But I'll tell you – let me just say one thing.
05:21 Specifically.
05:22 I have a long list of countries in the –
05:23 Brazil, South Africa, Argentina.
05:24 I have a long list of countries in – let me just finish.
05:27 I have a long list of countries in my – back in my office.
05:30 I can send you statements of support, including a number from the global south.
05:33 But specifically those countries, I will tell you our diplomacy continues to try to
05:37 push –
05:38 India is often considered part of the global south, even though it's north of the equator.
05:39 To try to push –
05:40 To try to push –
05:41 Are they on your –
05:42 There you go.
05:43 There's another one north of the equator.
05:44 Well, right.
05:45 But are they on your list?
05:47 So I have not seen a statement from India, but look, we continue to push for every country
05:52 in the world to support us.
05:53 Okay.
05:54 So none of the BRICS?
05:56 I do not have the whole list in my –
05:57 Which is often referred to –
05:58 Yeah.
05:59 They're not all the global south.
06:00 No, I know.
06:01 But – you know, they're often referred to as speaking for – but none of them are.
06:04 I have not seen a statement from India.
06:06 They've been in an election in the last few days doing a few other things.
06:10 And a follow-on, Gabe?
06:11 Let me just – I will definitely come to India.
06:14 I suspect there will be more Middle East questions, so let me –
06:16 Yeah.
06:17 So I think it goes along the lines of what Matt was asking, but the Qataris, of course,
06:21 who are playing a key role in this, they said basically that they don't see a unified
06:24 position from Israel.
06:25 I know you're saying that the onus is on Hamas, but the fact that you do have dissident
06:30 voices within the Israeli Government, do you think that complicates things at all in terms
06:33 of getting a response from Hamas or moving this forward?
06:36 Look, I think some of the – when you talk about – let me separate.
06:41 First of all, there are clearly people inside Israel and inside the Israeli Government who
06:44 are opposed to any kind of ceasefire at all and want the war to continue and have not
06:49 seen to make the return of the hostages a priority.
06:53 But that said, there is also debate inside Israel about how you get from phase one to
06:57 phase two.
06:58 So I think it's fair to say there are people who would support acceptance of the ceasefire
07:03 that is on the table, and they're going to have significant things that they want
07:05 to negotiate in phase two.
07:06 And we fully expect that.
07:07 That's natural.
07:09 We understand that the negotiation to get from phase one to phase two is going to be
07:12 something that will require a great deal of work.
07:14 But here's the point.
07:15 You're not even at that point if we don't get a phase one.
07:20 We need to get a ceasefire so we can get to the point where we're having negotiations
07:24 about how to bring a durable end to the war.
07:26 Because without a ceasefire, we're not even at that point.
07:29 We just have a continued military campaign and continued death and destruction inside
07:33 Gaza and hostages continue to be held away from their loved ones.
07:37 So our focus is trying to get Hamas signed up to this deal so we can get phase one underway.
07:44 And then 16 days into phase one, we will begin negotiations about how to take phase one to
07:48 phase two.
07:49 And we are committed to trying to get it over the line.
07:52 Qatar and Egypt are committed to trying to get it over the line.
07:55 And Israel has said that it's Israel's proposal.
07:58 So while there will be details that have to be negotiated, we believe Israel is committed
08:02 to negotiating that as well.
08:04 Yeah.
08:05 QUESTION: Matt, U.S. Sassa representatives is due to vote on this legislation that would
08:10 sanction ICC after its prosecutor applied for a sworn for Netanyahu and others.
08:18 The U.S. State Department supports this?
08:19 MR.
08:20 RATHKE: So we have made clear that while we oppose the decision taken by the prosecutor
08:25 of the ICC, we don't think it was appropriate, especially while there are ongoing investigations
08:30 inside Israel looking at some of these very same questions.
08:33 And we are willing to work with Congress on what a response might look like.
08:36 We don't support sanctions.
08:37 QUESTION: Right.
08:38 And what would that response look like, then, if you don't support sanctions?
08:42 MR.
08:43 RATHKE: So that is a consultation that we will have with Congress.
08:44 I'm not going to preview it from here.
08:46 Those are discussions we have with members of Congress.
08:48 But our position as the administration is that we don't support sanctions, don't believe
08:52 they're appropriate at this time.
08:53 QUESTION: Right.
08:54 And one other thing is this time interview with President Biden.
08:59 In there, he says when he was asked if Israeli forces have committed war crimes in Gaza,
09:06 he says it's uncertain.
09:09 The fact that he did not say an outright no, don't you think that's something that the
09:19 State Department should consider launching an atrocity determination on, given that you've
09:25 also said in your NSM report that it is possible that there may have been violations?
09:33 MR.
09:34 RATHKE: So we do have processes ongoing to look at whether there have been violations
09:39 of international humanitarian law.
09:40 And that's --
09:41 QUESTION: Is atrocity determination one of them?
09:42 MR.
09:43 RATHKE: I'm not going to speak to that in specific.
09:44 But that's why the President says the answer to that question is uncertain.
09:46 It's because we don't know the answer.
09:48 It's something that we have an ongoing process to look at and to try to get an answer to.
09:52 But at this time, we don't know the answer.
09:53 And that's what we made clear in the National Security Memo 20 report, is that we are looking
09:58 at those various questions and making those assessments now.
10:00 QUESTION: Right.
10:01 So you're just saying that we don't know if Israeli forces have committed war crimes in
10:06 Gaza or not.
10:07 You said we don't know.
10:09 MR.
10:10 RATHKE: I would go a bit further and say that we said in the -- we don't know the definitive
10:13 answer to it, but the NSM-20 report said it's reasonable to conclude that they may have,
10:18 given the sheer number of incidents.
10:20 But we need to finish these processes to have definitive answers to the question.
10:23 QUESTION: So despite these assessments, you think there is no change in the U.S. policy
10:29 to continue providing arms to Israel?
10:32 MR.
10:33 RATHKE: There is no change in our policy.
10:34 As you know, we paused one shipment.
10:35 We have not -- but we have not changed our overall policy, and we will continue to support
10:41 Israel's security.
10:42 Please.
10:43 QUESTION: Thank you, Matt.
10:44 There are reports that --
10:45 MR.
10:46 RATHKE: I didn't mean to call on you if you didn't have your hand up.
10:47 I was just going along --
10:48 QUESTION: Oh, no, I did.
10:49 I just --
10:50 MR.
10:51 RATHKE: -- going along the front row.
10:52 QUESTION: There are reports that the CIA Director and Brett McGurk are heading back to the region
10:53 in furtherance of potential hostage and ceasefire talks.
10:57 Do you expect that the Secretary will engage in in-person diplomacy in the region as well?
11:01 MR.
11:02 RATHKE: So the Secretary has been engaged, as I discussed in my opening comments and
11:06 as I discussed yesterday, in a number of phone conversations with partners in the region
11:11 over the past now four days, since Friday's announcement.
11:15 And he will be traveling to Europe, leaving tonight, to join the President for his trip
11:19 to Normandy and then a bilateral visit with France.
11:21 And I don't have any further travel to announce beyond that.
11:24 QUESTION: Okay.
11:26 And I know you said that there has been no response received as yet from Hamas.
11:30 Is it known from either Egyptian or Qatari interlocutors whether the proposal has actually
11:35 reached G.I.
11:36 Asanwar for his evaluation, even if a response hasn't come back?
11:39 MR.
11:40 RATHKE: I don't know an answer to that question.
11:41 QUESTION: Okay.
11:42 Have we --
11:43 MR.
11:44 RATHKE: I just – I don't believe we know.
11:45 QUESTION: Okay.
11:46 On aid, you mentioned yesterday that there were constructive discussions that took place
11:50 in Cairo.
11:51 Obviously, a number of international aid groups have been raising alarms that the situation
11:55 is dire and getting worse by the day.
11:58 So where do efforts to reopen Rafa stand, and what is the broader aid picture in terms
12:03 of what the U.S. is facilitating on a daily basis?
12:06 MR.
12:07 RATHKE: Well, with respect to the opening of Rafa, there were conversations over the
12:10 weekend in Cairo between the United States, Israel, and the Government of Egypt that focused
12:17 on how to get Rafa open.
12:19 We found there to be constructive discussions.
12:21 There were detailed proposals that were put forth by the various parties.
12:25 And then as often happens in these sorts of negotiations, the negotiators had to go back
12:29 to their countries, consult with their capitals, and continue discussions.
12:32 So we have – there are a number of proposals that are on the table that need to be fleshed
12:35 out that are different ways you could go about reopening Rafa that we are working through.
12:42 Separate from that, though it's of course related, the question of humanitarian assistance.
12:46 We have continued to work to get carom – to get humanitarian assistance back flowing through
12:50 Carom Shalom after the decision about 10, 11 days or so ago made by Egypt to allow trucks
12:57 to move through Carom Shalom.
13:00 Yesterday I think it was somewhere around 250 trucks that went in through Carom Shalom.
13:03 I'm probably off by a dozen or so because I'm doing this from memory.
13:06 Other trucks that went in through one of the crossings in the north, the majority of those
13:10 were humanitarian assistance trucks, so trucks by the UN and partner agencies, not commercial
13:15 trucks.
13:16 Generally, over the past few days, we've continued to see a mix of commercial trucks
13:20 and humanitarian assistance.
13:21 We want to see both.
13:22 We think it's important that there be both, and we're looking to maximize as many – maximize
13:28 as many as possible coming through all the various crossings.
13:32 Third thing I'll say – maybe third, maybe I've lost count – is that the Pentagon
13:35 continues to work to try to re-establish the maritime option, get that pier up and running
13:39 so we can flow assistance through there.
13:41 But then the big question overhanging all of this is the status of the ceasefire proposal,
13:47 which would alleviate all of these various logistical problems that make it so hard to
13:51 move humanitarian assistance in through a conflict, would make all of those not 100
13:57 percent go away, but would make them in many cases evaporate or be at least significantly
14:01 lessened.
14:03 So the push for a ceasefire deal is inherently related to the push to try to dramatically
14:10 increase the level of humanitarian assistance that makes it to the people of Gaza.
14:14 One more, just to tag onto Humeyra's question about President Biden's remarks in this
14:18 recent interview.
14:19 Is the Secretary of the view that Prime Minister Netanyahu may be prolonging the conflict in
14:23 an effort to stay in office?
14:24 I don't think that's exactly what the President said.
14:26 I think he said that some people could conclude that.
14:30 Look, the President's comments speak for themselves.
14:32 I'm not going to add anything to that.
14:34 But I will just say we have been engaged with the Prime Minister on this question, and the
14:38 Prime Minister has put forward a proposal on behalf of the Israeli government that would
14:43 lead to a ceasefire and ultimately could lead to the end of the war, pending other negotiations,
14:48 and we're trying to get that ceasefire.
14:49 The President said there's every reason for people to draw that conclusion without commenting
14:53 permanently.
14:54 So just one follow-up.
14:55 I mean, so the proposal is on the table as a contingency.
14:59 Have you had any indication that the Israelis are also planning for a day-after scenario,
15:03 as you have urged them to do?
15:05 We've seen the defense minister come out and make public statements about possible day-after
15:11 scenarios.
15:12 You've seen, obviously, statements from Minister Gantz, a member of the War Cabinet, about
15:17 the need to do day-after planning.
15:19 We have not – we have still not seen the kind of rigorous planning for the end of the
15:25 conflict that we think is essential.
15:28 And as you've heard us say, this isn't just about the end of the conflict, because
15:33 in our view, without a plan for the day after, there won't be a day after.
15:36 Without a plan for post-conflict governance and some kind of political transition, you're
15:41 not going to have an end to the conflict.
15:42 You're just going to have a continued insurgency and Israel being bogged down fighting against
15:46 Hamas or Hamas' successors for years and years to come.
15:50 I have another on Ukraine.
15:52 Yeah, Said.
15:53 Thank you.
15:54 Just to follow up on Olivia about the interview in Time magazine, I thought the President
16:01 was very clear that it is Mr. Netanyahu's desire to keep this war going, because he
16:07 sees his political future or the continuation of his political future and the continuation
16:13 of the war.
16:14 But also that comes along the statement by the prime minister himself, who called the
16:19 proposal incomplete, making remarks that seemed aimed at sabotaging the deal and so
16:27 on.
16:28 So, but you are, I don't know how that meshed with the fact with what you said, that Israel
16:33 would agree.
16:34 If Hamas agrees to this proposal, Israel is going to agree to it.
16:38 There's an element of certainty in what you're saying.
16:40 So a good deal of that certainty, Said, comes from the fact that this is Israel's proposal.
16:45 It's not a United States proposal.
16:47 Just to make that very clear, the President outlined it publicly, but this was a proposal
16:51 the government of Israel put forward.
16:53 So look, I understand why some people are cynical or have questions or look for ways
17:03 that this deal might be completed.
17:05 It doesn't change the bottom line right now, which is there is a proposal on the table
17:08 that Israel put forward, that the United States is backing, that Egypt is backing, that Qatar
17:13 is backing, but not just those three countries who are mediators, but also a good number
17:17 of countries around the world.
17:18 And it is only Hamas that is saying no.
17:20 Now, if you want to talk about how we'd get from phase one to phase two, that is a fair
17:24 question to ask because there will be a great deal of negotiation that has to go on.
17:28 But we can't even get there if Hamas doesn't say yes.
17:30 Okay.
17:31 So, you know, Hamas is supposed to say something today, I guess.
17:34 The spokesperson is going to hold a press conference in Beirut or somewhere else and,
17:39 you know, say their say, whatever it is.
17:42 So if they agree, how do you see what kind of time frame we have to begin the ceasefire,
17:49 to start to actually cease the guns from firing?
17:53 So I don't want to get ahead of what Hamas would say, but we would expect it to agree
17:57 as soon as to begin as soon as possible.
18:00 We want to ceasefire start.
18:02 We want to see it start immediately.
18:04 So that is our goal.
18:05 That's what we're working towards.
18:06 Because you also- It may take time to implement the various
18:08 provisions that we want as soon as possible.
18:11 But you also said yesterday that this was very close or identical to the proposal that
18:16 Hamas signed on to on May 6th and so on.
18:19 And now, suppose this falls apart or falls- doesn't come to be, how will that impact your
18:27 plans for aid?
18:29 We will continue to work to try to surge aid into- to Gaza.
18:35 We've been doing that when ceasefire negotiations have been going well.
18:38 We have been doing that when ceasefire negotiations have been completely broken down, because
18:41 our commitment to trying to get aid to innocent Palestinians has nothing to do with the status
18:47 of ceasefire negotiations.
18:48 And including the reopening of Rafa?
18:49 Yes, including the reopening of Rafa.
18:51 Yeah.
18:52 I promise I'll come to you.
18:54 Any more on- any more on the region?
18:56 Go ahead.
18:57 Yeah, related to Israel, how do you view the escalation of fighting between Hezbollah
19:02 and Israel?
19:04 And do you expect a total war, especially that there are calls from the left and the
19:10 right in Israel for a full-blown war against Hezbollah?
19:14 The situation along the Israeli-Hezbollah border continues to be extremely dangerous.
19:21 Escalation of that conflict is something that we have been worried about and working to
19:25 contain since October 7th, when you didn't have to be a genius to figure out that this
19:30 was a possible significant area of conflict and of expanded conflict.
19:35 And so that has been our focus, trying to keep it from moving from shelling across the
19:42 border and airstrikes across the border to a full-fledged conflagration.
19:47 I will say it is our assessment that the acceptance of a ceasefire by Hamas in the beginning of
19:54 a calm would help us reach calm in northern Israel and southern Lebanon and would be the
20:01 thing that would help us reach both temporary calm and potentially a long-term agreement
20:05 to resolve the situation that would allow Israelis to return to their homes in northern
20:11 Israel.
20:12 There are tens of thousands of Israelis who have been forced to move from their homes
20:14 because it's not safe to live there.
20:15 They could return home.
20:16 And a number of Lebanese who have been forced to flee their homes in southern Lebanon who
20:21 would be able to return home too.
20:23 So it's something that we're pursuing, but it is really difficult to do as long as there
20:27 is continued fighting in Gaza.
20:28 So it's not--it's obviously not the sole reason or the main reason we're pursuing an end to
20:34 the fighting in Gaza, but it is something that we think would be a significant byproduct
20:40 of achieving a ceasefire there.
20:41 HEVER: And any comments on the Israeli calls for a full-blown war with Hezbollah?
20:47 EPSTEIN: So we do not support a full war with Hezbollah.
20:49 We don't want to see that happen.
20:50 Now, that said, Israel has the right to defend itself from Hezbollah's attacks.
20:54 Hezbollah is a terrorist organization that is committed to the destruction of Israel
20:57 and has launched attacks against Israel for years.
21:00 And so Israel has the right to defend itself and has the right to deal with that threat.
21:04 You can understand why it is not a tenable situation for Israel to see tens of thousands
21:09 of its citizens continue to be displaced from their homes and why they would want to do
21:12 something about it.
21:14 But ultimately we've heard Israeli leaders say the solution that they prefer is a diplomatic
21:18 solution, and obviously that is the solution that we prefer, too, and that we're trying
21:21 to pursue.
21:22 HEVER: And one more, if you don't mind.
21:24 The Iran supreme leader has said in a speech yesterday that October 7th attack came at
21:33 the right time and the action thwarted the grand plan of the Middle East region.
21:39 Do you have any comments on that?
21:40 EPSTEIN: So it goes to something you've heard the Secretary say before, which is there is
21:45 a--there are two paths for this region.
21:48 One is a path to greater integration, greater peace, greater stability, greater commonality
21:53 among the peoples of the region.
21:55 And the other path is continued conflict and death and destruction and despair.
22:02 And we obviously support the first path.
22:08 But it's also quite clear that the biggest opponents to further integration in the region,
22:12 further peace in the region, stability, are Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, the other proxy groups
22:19 that Iran funds.
22:20 So when you look at the possibilities that lie in front of the region in the long term
22:28 if we can achieve a ceasefire, the possibility of greater integration that would bring peace
22:33 to Israelis and peace to Palestinians and further stability in the region, it's why
22:40 we believe the greatest rebuke to Hamas and its sponsor, the greatest rebuke to those
22:46 who support the attacks of October 7th would be not just this initial ceasefire, but long-term
22:53 peace and stability that leaves Israel further integrated with its neighbors.
22:56 QUESTION: Thank you.
22:57 Sam.
22:58 QUESTION: Thanks.
22:59 Just quickly circling back to Qatar and the statement from his foreign ministry questioning
23:02 Israel's position, are you fully confident that Qatar is putting as much pressure as
23:06 it possibly can on Hamas to accept the deal, given that the U.S. and Qatar apparently are
23:11 on different pages?
23:12 MR PRICE: We are not on different pages.
23:14 And I will say that, yes, I am confident that we have had a number of conversations with
23:18 the Government of Qatar about this exact question, going back without giving away too much to
23:24 the immediate days right after October 7th, and have always made clear that there can't
23:30 be any more business as usual with Hamas for countries in the region.
23:34 But at the same time, we have valued the role that Qatar has played in being a channel to
23:40 Hamas, in being able to mediate this potential hostage deal, as well as the last pause, the
23:46 one-week pause that they were able to mediate that happened last November.
23:49 And so we greatly value the role that Qatar has played, including on sending the appropriate
23:54 level of messages to Hamas.
23:55 Yeah.
23:56 QUESTION: Could I follow up slightly on Iran, actually?
23:59 MR PRICE: Yeah.
24:00 QUESTION: I know this is slightly a segue.
24:02 The IAEA – could you explain what's going on there?
24:07 The European powers have talked about a reprimand, a censure.
24:10 Iran, of course, has said back at this.
24:13 What's the U.S. position?
24:14 I mean, it's been widely reported that the U.S. doesn't think that it's the right
24:17 time for a censure.
24:18 MR PRICE: So I'm not going to preview any of the actions that we might take at the IAEA
24:22 board of governors.
24:23 I'll just say that we have taken significant actions at the IAEA in the past.
24:29 We are prepared to do so again in the future, and we continue to talk with our partners,
24:34 including the E3, about exactly what those might look like.
24:36 QUESTION: And a censure – do you think it's not productive at this time?
24:38 What do you think?
24:39 MR PRICE: Again, I'm going to keep those conversations private for now.
24:41 They're conversations that are ongoing as part of the board of governors' meetings.
24:45 But as I've said, we've taken significant actions in the past and are prepared to do
24:48 so in the future.
24:49 QUESTION: I don't think he's asking you for the details of the actual conversations.
24:52 He's asking you what the administration's position is.
24:56 Correct?
24:57 MR PRICE: And – he is.
24:58 And those are positions – as I said, it's an issue that we are --
25:02 QUESTION: I don't see how that has anything to do with your conversations with anybody
25:04 else.
25:05 It's what --
25:06 MR PRICE: It does have something to do with our conversations with the private – the
25:10 content and nature of a resolution, a potential resolution, is absolutely something that would
25:14 be the – we'd be talking about with our partners.
25:16 QUESTION: Right, but what's your position on a censure?
25:19 MR PRICE: Should there be a resolution, you will see the United States position when that
25:23 resolution comes forward.
25:24 But I think you should not expect us to be acting in any sort of disharmony with our
25:28 E3 partners.
25:29 We've prized our unity with them, and I expect that to continue.
25:33 QUESTION: I have another on Iran, sort of separate.
25:35 Does the U.S. have clarity on these Israeli airstrikes in Syria that appear to have killed
25:41 an Iranian general?
25:42 Has it asked for information as to their target and intent of --
25:45 MR PRICE: We do not.
25:46 I've seen the reports but don't have any further information on it.
25:48 QUESTION: Have you consulted with the Israeli Government as to their purpose?
25:50 MR PRICE: I just don't have any information other than that we've seen the reports.
25:52 QUESTION: Given the background of it rising to a almost global conflagration when this
25:57 happened last time in April, shouldn't it kind of top the list?
26:00 MR PRICE: I may have something to say later, but as I said, for now, just reports that
26:04 we've seen don't have anything further.
26:05 QUESTION: Thanks.
26:06 MR PRICE: So go ahead.
26:07 QUESTION: Thank you.
26:08 My own question is about – before that, let me follow up on the Secretary's schedule.
26:12 You said he is leaving tonight.
26:13 Can you elaborate more on his schedule and the bilats in Normandy?
26:17 And when is he trying to – hoping to show up in the Switzerland?
26:19 MR PRICE: Show – what was the last part?
26:21 QUESTION: In the Switzerland, what piece?
26:22 MR PRICE: So with respect to the initial part of this trip, he's traveling with the
26:27 President.
26:28 He's going to be in Normandy and then in Paris.
26:30 His schedule will largely follow the President's schedule.
26:33 If we have any separate programming meetings or such to announce, we will make those public
26:38 in the coming days.
26:40 With respect to dates beyond that, I think a week beyond that, I don't have anything
26:44 further to announce.
26:45 QUESTION: All right.
26:46 A couple of questions on the EU elections.
26:50 There are reports about increasing Russian disinformation campaign in Europe.
26:53 What is your level of concern about those reports?
26:56 MR PRICE: So we have been incredibly concerned about Russian disinformation.
27:00 This was a significant subject of conversation at the NATO foreign ministers meeting last
27:05 week in Prague, something the Secretary raised and not only raised but then heard significant
27:10 concern about from our European partners.
27:13 We have seen the Russian Government use disinformation against its own people.
27:17 We have seen the Russian Government use disinformation to spread lies and rumors across Europe and
27:25 across the world, and we continue to consult with our partners about the best way to respond
27:29 to that.
27:30 QUESTION: Kremlin is also echoing Georgian Government's propaganda.
27:34 Today we heard from deputy foreign minister saying that the U.S. is planning to implement
27:39 a new Maidan in October in Georgia.
27:42 Do you have any response to that?
27:43 MR PRICE: So, look, you continue to see – I think the answer I just gave about disinformation
27:47 that you see from the Kremlin probably applies here pretty well.
27:51 What you have seen in Georgia is – over the past few weeks is the Georgian people's
27:56 expression of their will and their opposition to this Kremlin-backed law that the Georgian
28:02 Government has passed.
28:03 It has nothing to do with the United States.
28:04 It has to do with the people of Georgia expressing their own views.
28:08 QUESTION: Thank you.
28:12 And finally, on Ukraine, we have seen a letter came from the House Foreign Affairs Committee
28:16 urging the Secretary, both the Secretary of State and Treasury, to speed up in terms of
28:20 implementing the Rapport Act.
28:21 Where are you at this, and why is – what is the delay?
28:24 MR PRICE: So the Secretary has made quite clear that we have been given those authorities
28:27 and we plan to use them, but it's also important that we use them in concert with our European
28:33 and other allies.
28:35 As I think you know, the vast majority of the frozen Russian assets are not held in
28:40 the United States; they're held in European countries.
28:42 So for this action to be as effective as possible, it's important that we act in concert with
28:49 our allies, and we are in consultation with our European allies about the best way to
28:53 do that possible.
28:54 But we are committed to ensuring that Russian frozen assets remain immobilized and that
29:01 they're put to use for the benefit of the Ukrainian people.
29:03 QUESTION: Thank you.
29:04 MR PRICE: Yeah.
29:05 QUESTION: Thank you.
29:06 I wanted to ask you about India's elections.
29:07 After three months, the people of India have voted.
29:10 The results are out now.
29:12 Prime Minister Modi's ruling coalition has crossed the halfway mark.
29:15 How do you see the election results from the elections?
29:17 MR PRICE: So first of all, our understanding is that the election results have not been
29:20 finalized, so we will wait for the finalization of those election results before we offer
29:25 any definitive comment.
29:26 I'm also not going to comment on winners and losers in an election, as is our case
29:31 around the world.
29:32 What is important for us and what we have seen over the past six weeks is the largest
29:37 exercise of democracy in history as the Indian people came to the polls.
29:42 And on behalf of the United States, we want to commend the Government of India and voters
29:46 there for successfully completing and participating in such a massive electoral undertaking, and
29:53 we look forward to seeing the final results.
29:54 QUESTION: During the election campaign, India's External Affairs Minister Jai Shankar and
29:58 Prime Minister also indicated multiple times that there have been attempts to influence
30:02 India's elections from Western side, U.S. and other countries.
30:06 Two statements that came out from this podium about – you expressed concerns about the
30:10 arrest of Indian chief minister and the freezing of bank accounts of the Congress Party were
30:16 also not taken care of.
30:17 How do you see that?
30:18 MR PRICE: So we always will express our views clearly and openly.
30:20 We express them with foreign governments privately, and when we see – have things that we are
30:23 concerned about, we also express them publicly, including from this podium.
30:26 That's what I've done, but that in no way is an attempt to influence an election
30:30 in India or anywhere else.
30:31 Thank you.
30:32 QUESTION: On India, may I follow?
30:33 MR PRICE: Yeah, go ahead.
30:34 Another one on India.
30:35 QUESTION: Thank you, sir.
30:36 Two questions.
30:37 One, how do you put relations between U.S.-India relations today and tomorrow, Modi 3, how
30:45 the relations will be between the two countries?
30:46 MR PRICE: So I expect a continued close partnership between the United States and India.
30:50 There is a great partnership both at the government level and at the people-to-people level, and
30:56 I fully expect that to continue.
30:57 QUESTION: And second, sir, there are a few actors against the United States working these
31:02 days, including Russia and China, maybe a few others.
31:07 Who are the worst as far as the U.S. national security is concerned, Russia or China?
31:13 MR PRICE: Look, it is clear that it is Russia that is – has invaded a country right now,
31:19 is actively trying to overthrow a democratically elected government and has required the United
31:24 States to mobilize an international coalition to respond to that.
31:28 But we also have concerns about actions that China has taken.
31:31 Look, it's clear that Russia and China are the two countries both with the size and ability
31:40 and motivation to offer a different vision of the world than that that is put forward
31:45 by the United States and a number of our allies.
31:48 And so we will continue to offer our vision of the world and continue to stand up to either
31:51 of those countries when we see actions that contradict that.
31:54 Thank you, sir.
31:55 MR PRICE: Amer.
31:56 QUESTION: Matt, on India election follow-up --
31:57 MR PRICE: Hey, just – Amer.
31:58 MR PRICE: Yeah, go ahead.
31:59 QUESTION: Matt, this is – Excellency, this is – I mean, come on.
32:00 MR PRICE: Can I ask?
32:01 MR PRICE: Yeah, yes, call him.
32:02 QUESTION: Yes, sir.
32:03 Thank you very much.
32:04 So 27 members so far, Muslim members, have been winning in the elections in India.
32:11 You really think that India is becoming secular?
32:14 Because when President Biden was running for elections, one of the issue was that Prime
32:18 Minister Modi is turning India into a Hindu state where there are more than 300 Muslims,
32:25 27 seats there.
32:26 So for winning – Modi is winning the election, but you have to admit that under President
32:31 Biden, a leader is coming who is turning a country into a one religion, a Hindu state,
32:38 basically, right?
32:39 Would you agree with that?
32:40 MR PRICE: So I will say that when we have concerns about human rights, as we have in
32:43 India, we express those openly.
32:44 We express them directly to the Government of India.
32:46 We have done that and we'll continue to do it, as we do with countries all around
32:49 the world.
32:50 QUESTION: Thank you so much.
32:51 Can I just ask one more?
32:52 MR PRICE: Yeah.
32:53 QUESTION: The Pakistan military, 83rd Corps Commander Conference met just a couple of
32:57 days ago, and they came up with this term called "digital terrorism," where they
33:01 think that official – public in the U.S. and Canada and U.K. mostly, through digital
33:07 platforms, they are spreading terrorism and creating anarchy sort of situation.
33:11 Do you have any comments about that?
33:13 MR PRICE: I have not seen that specific report or that allegation, but obviously, we oppose
33:18 terrorism or any attempts to recruit people to terrorism or phoning terrorism anywhere
33:22 in the world.
33:23 QUESTION: No, no, no, sir.
33:24 Digital terrorism.
33:25 MR PRICE: I'm saying I just – I haven't seen that report, but --
33:26 QUESTION: Okay.
33:27 Thank you so much, Matt.
33:28 QUESTION: Can I just quickly follow up?
33:29 MR PRICE: Yeah, go ahead.
33:30 QUESTION: India has the world's largest – second-largest number of Hindu population
33:33 – Muslim population after Indonesia.
33:35 None of the other Muslim countries have that much Muslim population as India has.
33:39 Why do you think India is converting into a Hindu?
33:42 MR PRICE: I'm just not going to speak to that question.
33:45 Go ahead.
33:46 Humera.
33:47 QUESTION: Matt, just to go back to Hezbollah.
33:49 A minute ago, I just want to make sure I heard what you said – I heard right what you said.
33:54 So you said U.S. does not support a full-blown war in the border?
34:00 MR PRICE: It's not what we want to see.
34:02 We don't want to see a full-blown war.
34:03 We want to see this resolved by a diplomatic resolution.
34:05 QUESTION: Sure.
34:06 So are you saying that U.S. is against the possible offensive that Israel is talking
34:12 about carrying out?
34:13 MR PRICE: We want to see it resolved through diplomatic means, and that's what we have
34:17 been pursuing.
34:18 I also said that Israel has a right to defend itself, and it is not a tenable situation
34:22 for tens of thousands of people to be – continue to be displaced from their homes.
34:28 But what we've heard Israel say is that their preferred resolution is a diplomatic
34:32 one, and we agree with that.
34:33 QUESTION: Right, but they are also saying today military chief of general staff Harzi
34:37 Halevi is saying Israel is ready for a military offensive along the border and that it was
34:41 nearing a decision point.
34:43 So what is your comment for that?
34:44 MR PRICE: Our comment is that we want to see it resolved by diplomatic means.
34:47 We want to see a ceasefire agreed to in Gaza that would allow us to pursue a diplomatic
34:55 resolution in the north.
34:56 QUESTION: Have you told --
34:57 MR PRICE: This could all be solved by a ceasefire, and that's what we're pursuing.
34:59 QUESTION: Have you told the Israelis in the past couple of days or today specifically
35:03 about the – like, advising them not to do it?
35:05 MR PRICE: I don't – so I don't know of any recent conversations with them, but
35:09 we have had this conversation with them for a long time.
35:12 And Israel has made clear they don't want a war in the north.
35:17 A war in the north would tax their resources, which have already been taxed by the conflict
35:22 in Gaza.
35:23 This goes to the thing that the Secretary has talked about and I talked a little bit
35:25 about yesterday, where we look all of it and you see the potential of Israel being bogged
35:29 down in Gaza, fighting a war in the north.
35:32 If you have further instability in the West Bank – and as the President said, that drains
35:36 them diplomatically, economically, militarily, and it's not a strategic success for them.
35:41 So we have heard Israel say publicly and privately that their preferred resolution is a diplomatic
35:48 one.
35:49 Now, should we not get a ceasefire in Gaza?
35:51 Should they continue to see strikes in the north?
35:54 I don't know what will happen, but we will continue to focus on trying to achieve a diplomatic
35:59 resolution to this conflict.
36:00 It is not in anyone's interest to see escalation along the border between Israel and Lebanon.
36:05 QUESTION: And from U.S. point of view, would it be unacceptable for Israel to start this
36:11 offensive in the north in the event of a ceasefire in Gaza?
36:13 MR PRICE: So I'm not going to get into hypotheticals.
36:15 As I said, we don't believe it is in their interest.
36:17 They have --
36:18 QUESTION: They're saying they're ready for it.
36:19 MR PRICE: They have said that it's different than launching – they have said it is not
36:22 something they want to pursue either if they can pursue a diplomatic resolution.
36:25 At the same time, the situation, we do understand, is untenable, so it does give urgency to the
36:31 diplomatic negotiations to resolve that problem and connect to that for Hamas to reach a ceasefire.
36:37 QUESTION: Matt, one follow-up, please.
36:39 MR PRICE: Yeah.
36:40 QUESTION: Are you confident that you will be able to find a diplomatic solution for
36:44 the fighting and for the crisis between Hezbollah and Israel?
36:47 MR PRICE: Look, obviously, we can't make any predictions about what would happen.
36:50 That would involve, of course, Hezbollah being willing to agree to a resolution as well.
36:54 But we are – we do believe that if we can get calm in Gaza, that it dramatically increases
37:00 our chance.
37:01 It unlocks the real possibility of calming the situation in the north, which does not
37:07 need to be at the level it is today.
37:10 It wasn't at this level before October 7th.
37:12 It was the fight – there's always been, obviously, tension along that border and strikes
37:15 and even wars that have been fought over that border.
37:17 But we have seen an increase in strikes across the border after October 7th, and should we
37:22 reach a ceasefire in Gaza, we think it's something we have a good chance of resolving.
37:26 Yeah, go ahead.
37:28 QUESTION: Thank you, Matthew.
37:32 So I'm really confused by this proposal that the President said Israel put forth.
37:38 There seems to be a misunderstanding between the sides and there are conflicting reports.
37:42 Israel says its objectives have not changed yet.
37:45 This deal would not, say, result in the elimination of Hamas.
37:47 Prime Minister Netanyahu said some of what President Biden said in a speech on Friday
37:52 is inaccurate.
37:53 Can you please clarify?
37:54 MR PRICE: So I think some of this goes to what has to be negotiated in getting to phase
37:58 one and phase two.
37:59 Israel has agreed to the proposal that includes all of the elements of the proposal – phase
38:03 one, phase two, phase three.
38:05 But as the President said in his remarks, the details of how you get to phase two are
38:09 going to have to be negotiated.
38:11 And that's what we are prepared to do.
38:15 QUESTION: But it doesn't require Hamas to be gone, right?
38:19 MR PRICE: So we have made clear that Hamas cannot continue to govern Gaza.
38:26 We also don't believe that you can eliminate Hamas just with a military campaign, that
38:30 a military campaign can kill fighters, can detain fighters, but those fighters in many
38:35 cases will be replaced by other recruits.
38:36 So we need a political path forward, and that's what we want to try and negotiate.
38:39 QUESTION: But the proposal doesn't require Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza, correct?
38:43 MR PRICE: Again, these are all details that have to be negotiated as we get from phase
38:46 one to phase two and as we implement phase three.
38:48 QUESTION: Wait a minute.
38:49 Wait a minute.
38:50 It's up to – for negotiation if Hamas can stay in charge of Gaza?
38:54 MR PRICE: It is our – it is our position, it is Israel's position that Hamas cannot
38:59 stay in charge of Gaza.
39:01 And as we —
39:02 QUESTION: But it's still up for negotiation?
39:04 MR PRICE: To get from phase one to phase two, you have to negotiate what the – all – what
39:09 the end of the conflict looks like and what the governance —
39:12 QUESTION: Okay.
39:13 And you think Hamas will agree to a deal in which they cease to exist?
39:17 MR PRICE: You know what?
39:18 We just need – so we just need to get a ceasefire.
39:19 And I will say I think the broad interest of the Palestinian people, if you look at
39:25 what has happened over the past eight months, because of the campaign that Hamas launched,
39:31 is to see Hamas replaced as the leaders of Gaza.
39:36 And so when you see the U.S. position, the Israeli position, the position of Arabs in
39:41 the Arab countries in the region, that's what we're going to try to achieve.
39:43 QUESTION: So that's just a framework —
39:44 QUESTION: Can I just – I have to get around this.
39:45 Sorry.
39:46 MR PRICE: No, no, you can't interrupt a call.
39:47 Go ahead.
39:48 QUESTION: Sorry.
39:49 Just so —
39:50 MR PRICE: One more, and then I'm – one more, and then I'll move on.
39:51 QUESTION: Oh, sorry.
39:52 So just to —
39:53 MR PRICE: No, just let him finish.
39:54 Go ahead.
39:55 QUESTION: Oh, me?
39:56 Okay, thank you, man.
39:57 So just to clarify, so this is just a framework that has to be modified through negotiations,
39:59 correct?
40:00 MR PRICE: Correct.
40:01 So if you look at the President's statement, he outlined this pretty clear – what is
40:04 in phase one, what is in phase two, and the negotiation that has to get to phase two,
40:09 which includes how to achieve an enduring end to the war.
40:12 QUESTION: Thank you.
40:13 MR PRICE: Go ahead.
40:14 I'm going to come to you next.
40:15 Let's – hold on, because we're – I've got to leave in a few minutes because the
40:18 President's starting to speak, so I'm going to try to get to everyone in the room.
40:20 Go ahead.
40:21 QUESTION: Okay.
40:22 Thanks, Matt.
40:23 I'll just be very quick and I'll pick up on my colleague here beside me.
40:24 So you mentioned the President's remarks, which included the idea that as long as Hamas
40:29 lives up to its commitment, there could be, and I quote, "the cessation of hostilities
40:33 permanently."
40:34 And you say that is an Israeli proposal.
40:37 So the Government of the State of Israel is signed up to a proposal that there could be
40:44 a permanent end to hostilities and Hamas still in existence in a meaningful way?
40:48 MR PRICE: No.
40:49 They are signed up to an agreement that leads to a permanent cessation of hostilities, but
40:58 with a number of provisions that have to be negotiated to get there at the end of the
41:00 faith.
41:01 But if the provisions —
41:02 QUESTION: But if – but I'm not going to negotiate all those provisions in public.
41:04 I talked about this a good deal yesterday, about the fact that one of the principles
41:08 the Secretary outlined in Tokyo in November is that there cannot be continued rule of
41:13 Hamas in Gaza after October 7th – I'm sorry, after the end of this conflict, and that's
41:18 what we're committed to.
41:19 MR PRICE: No, but I understand that – but if the provisions required would be the dissolution
41:24 of Hamas, why would Hamas sign up to get that ball rolling?
41:28 MR PRICE: Because they don't want to see continued conflict, continued Palestinian
41:32 people dying.
41:33 They don't want to see war in Gaza.
41:35 They want to see reconstruction of Gaza.
41:36 Now, look, I will say – I will grant you one thing.
41:40 I said this to Matt yesterday.
41:41 It may be that Sinwar decides that he is safe in a tunnel and his interests have diverged
41:46 from the people of Gaza, and so he's not willing to agree to a ceasefire and he's
41:49 not willing to – he's not willing to look at this proposal and say it requires good-faith
41:52 negotiations to get from phase one to phase two.
41:55 So I'm not going to accept it because I'm safe and I don't have any interest in the
41:59 Palestinian people who continue to suffer the ravages of war.
42:02 But I will say if you look at the deal that's on the table, it is manifestly in the interest
42:06 of the Palestinian people, it's manifestly in the interest of the Israeli people, it's
42:10 manifestly in the interest of the world, and so that's why we'll continue to push for
42:13 it.
42:14 And if Hamas really does represent the interests of the Palestinian people, as they say over
42:18 and over, it's without a doubt that they'll take this deal.
42:21 QUESTION: Thank you very much, Matt.
42:23 We hear more from the U.S. Administration about Netanyahu, which sounds like there may
42:28 be a frustration.
42:30 For example, recently a follow-up to my colleague's question about President Biden's comment,
42:35 which you clarified that President Biden said that Netanyahu may be prolonging the war on
42:41 Gaza for political reasons.
42:43 And last week --
42:44 MR PRICE: It's not what the President said.
42:45 Go ahead.
42:46 QUESTION: Actually --
42:47 MR PRICE: It's not the President's – go ahead, but --
42:48 QUESTION: And last week --
42:49 MR PRICE: It's not his quote.
42:50 It's the Hamas quote.
42:51 QUESTION: Yeah.
42:52 Last week, also, President Biden implied that there's a risk for Israel to be isolated
42:57 from the world.
42:58 So given these statements by President Biden and the amount of Palestinians killed by the
43:04 Israeli attacks in Gaza and the destruction in Gaza, is it fair to say that the U.S. Administration
43:11 frustrating about Netanyahu?
43:13 MR PRICE: So we have – we've been over this a number of times in this room.
43:19 There are things with which we agree with Prime Minister Netanyahu and things with which
43:23 we disagree, and that's true with other members of the Israeli Government.
43:25 It's true with a lot of our partners around the world and our allies around the world.
43:29 We have at times had very frank, direct, candid conversations with the prime minister.
43:34 And there are policy things where those disagreements are well known.
43:36 We've been quite clear that we support the establishment of an independent Palestinian
43:39 state, and I think his view on that matter has been pretty clear as well.
43:43 We will continue to work to try to achieve policies that are in the interest of the United
43:47 States, that are in the interest of our partners in the region, including the Israeli people.
43:51 And sometimes that means we're going to disagree about the specifics, and what we are committed
43:54 to is continue to call it like we see it.
43:56 Go ahead, and then we'll wrap with it.
43:57 QUESTION: Thank you, Matt.
43:58 Bangladesh ruling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently claimed a white man offered her that
44:04 she can stay in power without any pressure if she allows a foreign country to establish
44:10 an air base.
44:11 He also mentioned that there is a conspiracy to turn Bangladesh into another East Timor
44:17 and make a Christian country taking a part of Bangladesh and Myanmar, forming a base
44:22 in the Bay of Bengal.
44:24 Is Sheikh Hasina shooting too many arrows towards the U.S. as you are asking for free,
44:29 fair, and credible election and rule of law and anti-corruption?
44:31 Yeah.
44:32 MR PRICE: So I'm not exactly sure who those comments refer to, but if it is in fact the
44:36 United States, I'll just say that they're not accurate with that.
44:38 QUESTION: Nobel laureate --
44:39 MR PRICE: All right, one more.
44:40 I'll read it.
44:41 We'll come – yeah.
44:42 Sorry.
44:43 QUESTION: Thank you, Matt.
44:44 Nobel laureate Professor Mohamed Yunus on Sunday entered the dark and iron cage-like
44:50 enclosure of the accused inside the courtroom and said he was at the worst point of his
44:58 cursed life.
44:59 Similarly, millions of Bangladeshis are at the worst point of their cursed lives due
45:05 to the absence of democracy, rule of law, and massive corruption.
45:09 We have seen you impose some sanction and visa restriction immediate past army chief
45:13 and police chief.
45:14 Do you think this is enough to hold the regime accountable after the same election held on
45:19 January 7 last year, or will you consider more actions to show solidarity with the democratic
45:24 – democracy-loving people of Bangladesh, as you promised before?
45:27 MR PRICE: Sure.
45:28 So we continue to closely monitor developments in the case against Dr. Yunus.
45:31 We have expressed our concern that these cases may represent a misuse of Bangladesh's labor
45:35 laws to harass and intimidate Dr. Yunus.
45:38 We also worry that the perceived misuse of labor and anti-corruption laws could raise
45:42 questions about rule of law and dissuade foreign direct investment.
45:45 We will continue to encourage the Bangladeshi Government to ensure a fair and transparent
45:49 parent legal process for Dr. Yunus as the appeals process continues, but I don't have
45:53 any actions for you.
45:54 Go ahead.
45:55 QUESTION: Thanks, Matt.
45:56 Today is the anniversary of the suppression of the demonstrators in Beijing's Tiananmen
46:01 Square.
46:02 I was wondering if you have any comments.
46:03 MR PRICE: The Secretary issued a statement on that about two hours – two and a half
46:07 hours ago.
46:08 I'd refer you to that for detailed comment.
46:10 With that --
46:11 QUESTION: Can I ask one briefly?
46:12 MR PRICE: Yeah.
46:13 I hope the President's not – it's a bad career.
46:14 I don't know how to speak.
46:15 QUESTION: I'll just be very brief.
46:16 Indonesia, Prabowo, the incoming president, he says that Indonesia is willing to send
46:20 peacekeepers to Gaza to monitor any potential troops.
46:25 Is that something the U.S. has been in discussions with, or do you have anything to – any comment
46:27 on that?
46:28 MR PRICE: I don't have any specific comment on that.
46:29 Obviously, we've been engaged in a broad conversation with countries around the world
46:34 about what the security situation could look like at the end of the conflict, but I don't
46:38 want to comment on that specific idea.
46:39 Thanks, everyone.
46:40 (Applause.)
46:40 (END)
46:41 This is an uncorrected transcript.
46:41 For more information on this and other topics, please visit www.fema.org.