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U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin Inbox U.S. Department of State <usstatebpa@public.govdelivery.com> 6:54 AM (3 hours ago) to me Public Schedule – December 21, 2020 12/21/2020 You are subscribed to Public Schedule for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Public Schedule – December 21, 2020 12/21/2020 08:16 AM EST Office of the Spokesperson                                      ***THE DAILY PUBLIC SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE*** SECRETARY MICHAEL R. POMPEO Secretary Pompeo attends meetings and briefings, at the Department of State. DEPUTY SECRETARY STEPHEN E. BIEGUN Deputy Secretary Biegun attends meetings and briefings, at the Department of State. UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS DAVID HALE Under Secretary Hale attends meetings and briefings, at the Department of State. UNDER SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, ENERGY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT KEITH KRACH Under Secretary Krach attends meetings and briefings, at the Department of State. SENIOR BUREAU OFFICIAL FOR EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS PHILIP T. REEKER 1:30 p.m. Ambassador Reeker has lunch with Cypriot Ambassador to the United States Marios Lysiotis, in Washington, D.C. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE) Additions of Cuban Military-Owned Companies to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List 12/21/2020 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Additions of Cuban Military-Owned Companies to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List 12/21/2020 11:43 AM EST Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State Today, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added three Cuban military-owned companies to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List).  All property and interests in property of these entities that are in the United States or in the possession or control of persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction continue to be blocked and must be reported to OFAC. The companies are Grupo de Administración Empresarial SA (GAESA), FINCIMEX, and Kave Coffee S.A.  GAESA is the Cuban military’s largest company, which controls large portions of Cuba’s economy for the military’s benefit.  Cuban military-controlled FINCIMEX funnels remittances through channels that disproportionately benefit the Cuban military.  Kave Coffee S.A., a coffee company domiciled in Havana and incorporated in Panama, is part of an international network of Cuban-owned companies maintained by the Cuban military and used to evade the U.S. embargo. The revenue generated from the Cuban military’s economic activities is used to entrench the Cuban military’s control, prop up the Cuban Communist Party’s power, oppress the Cuban people, and fund Cuba’s interference in Venezuela.  Today’s action demonstrates the United States’ long-standing commitment to ending economic practices that disproportionately benefit the Cuban government or its military, intelligence, and security agencies or personnel, at the expense of the Cuban people.  It also demonstrates the United States’ commitment to disrupting Cuba’s malign support for the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela. The United States will continue to support the Cuban people in their desire for a democratic government and respect for human rights, including freedom of religion, expression, and association.  Until these rights and freedoms are respected, we will continue to hold the regime accountable. Additions of Cuban Military-Owned Companies to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List 12/21/2020 You are subscribed to Secretary's Remarks for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Additions of Cuban Military-Owned Companies to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List 12/21/2020 11:43 AM EST Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State Today, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added three Cuban military-owned companies to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List).  All property and interests in property of these entities that are in the United States or in the possession or control of persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction continue to be blocked and must be reported to OFAC. The companies are Grupo de Administración Empresarial SA (GAESA), FINCIMEX, and Kave Coffee S.A.  GAESA is the Cuban military’s largest company, which controls large portions of Cuba’s economy for the military’s benefit.  Cuban military-controlled FINCIMEX funnels remittances through channels that disproportionately benefit the Cuban military.  Kave Coffee S.A., a coffee company domiciled in Havana and incorporated in Panama, is part of an international network of Cuban-owned companies maintained by the Cuban military and used to evade the U.S. embargo. The revenue generated from the Cuban military’s economic activities is used to entrench the Cuban military’s control, prop up the Cuban Communist Party’s power, oppress the Cuban people, and fund Cuba’s interference in Venezuela.  Today’s action demonstrates the United States’ long-standing commitment to ending economic practices that disproportionately benefit the Cuban government or its military, intelligence, and security agencies or personnel, at the expense of the Cuban people.  It also demonstrates the United States’ commitment to disrupting Cuba’s malign support for the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela. The United States will continue to support the Cuban people in their desire for a democratic government and respect for human rights, including freedom of religion, expression, and association.  Until these rights and freedoms are respected, we will continue to hold the regime accountable. Additional Restrictions on the Issuance of Visas for People’s Republic of China Officials Engaged in Human Rights Abuses 12/21/2020 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Additional Restrictions on the Issuance of Visas for People’s Republic of China Officials Engaged in Human Rights Abuses 12/21/2020 12:06 PM EST Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State China’s authoritarian rulers impose draconian restrictions on the Chinese people’s freedoms of expression, religion or belief, association, and the right to peaceful assembly.  The United States has been clear that perpetrators of human rights abuses like these are not welcome in our country. Today, I am announcing the imposition of additional restrictions under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act on the issuance of visas for Chinese officials who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, policies or actions aimed at repressing religious and spiritual practitioners, members of ethnic minority groups, dissidents, human rights defenders, journalists, labor organizers, civil society organizers, and peaceful protestors.  Family members of such persons may also be subject to these additional restrictions. This action demonstrates the U.S. government’s resolve to hold the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accountable for its increasing repression against the Chinese people.  This year, the United States has imposed visa restrictions and financial sanctions on CCP officials involved in the horrific abuses taking place in Xinjiang, restrictions on access to Tibet, and the destruction of Hong Kong’s promised autonomy.  Today’s action creates additional restrictions applicable to all CCP officials engaged in such repressive activities, no matter their location. The United States stands with the many individuals persecuted for their peaceful efforts to exercise their rights – lawyers such as Xu Zhiyong, house church pastors such as Wang Yi, civil society activists such as Huang Qi, Uyghur academics such as Ilham Tohti, democracy advocates like Jimmy Lai, and Tibetan linguists and businesspeople such as Tashi Wangchuk.  We call for their immediate release and urge CCP authorities to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms to which the people of China are entitled under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Additional Restrictions on the Issuance of Visas for People’s Republic of China Officials Engaged in Human Rights Abuses 12/21/2020 You are subscribed to Secretary's Remarks for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Additional Restrictions on the Issuance of Visas for People’s Republic of China Officials Engaged in Human Rights Abuses 12/21/2020 12:06 PM EST Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State China’s authoritarian rulers impose draconian restrictions on the Chinese people’s freedoms of expression, religion or belief, association, and the right to peaceful assembly.  The United States has been clear that perpetrators of human rights abuses like these are not welcome in our country. Today, I am announcing the imposition of additional restrictions under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act on the issuance of visas for Chinese officials who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, policies or actions aimed at repressing religious and spiritual practitioners, members of ethnic minority groups, dissidents, human rights defenders, journalists, labor organizers, civil society organizers, and peaceful protestors.  Family members of such persons may also be subject to these additional restrictions. This action demonstrates the U.S. government’s resolve to hold the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accountable for its increasing repression against the Chinese people.  This year, the United States has imposed visa restrictions and financial sanctions on CCP officials involved in the horrific abuses taking place in Xinjiang, restrictions on access to Tibet, and the destruction of Hong Kong’s promised autonomy.  Today’s action creates additional restrictions applicable to all CCP officials engaged in such repressive activities, no matter their location. The United States stands with the many individuals persecuted for their peaceful efforts to exercise their rights – lawyers such as Xu Zhiyong, house church pastors such as Wang Yi, civil society activists such as Huang Qi, Uyghur academics such as Ilham Tohti, democracy advocates like Jimmy Lai, and Tibetan linguists and businesspeople such as Tashi Wangchuk.  We call for their immediate release and urge CCP authorities to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms to which the people of China are entitled under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On Nathan Sales’s Service as Senior Official, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights 12/21/2020 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. On Nathan Sales’s Service as Senior Official, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights 12/21/2020 05:13 PM EST Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State I want to thank Ambassador Nathan Sales for serving with distinction for more than three years as the senior Department of State official exercising the authorities of the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. His leadership has helped promote American values, human rights, and the rule of law across the globe. Since 2017, Ambassador Sales has overseen nine bureaus and offices responsible for preventing and countering threats to civilian security, including terrorism, mass atrocities, corruption, and violations of human rights and the rule of law. He has successfully led many of our efforts to push back against the Chinese Communist Party and its attempts to undermine human rights and religious freedom around the world, including in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.  In addition, serving as the co-chair of the Humanitarian Assistance Steering Council, Ambassador Sales has advanced our efforts to promote burden-sharing by other donor countries, enhance efficiency, and improve the impact of our humanitarian assistance. Ambassador Sales will continue to serve as the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, and as the Special Presidential Envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Eric Ueland Designated Authorities and Functions of Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights 12/21/2020 You are subscribed to Secretary's Remarks for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Eric Ueland Designated Authorities and Functions of Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights 12/21/2020 05:19 PM EST Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State I am pleased to announce that I have designated Eric Ueland to assume the delegable authorities and functions of the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. With these authorities, Eric Ueland will lead our efforts to advance the security of the American people by assisting countries to build more democratic, secure, stable, and just societies. On Nathan Sales’s Service as Senior Official, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights 12/21/2020 You are subscribed to Secretary's Remarks for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. On Nathan Sales’s Service as Senior Official, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights 12/21/2020 05:13 PM EST Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State I want to thank Ambassador Nathan Sales for serving with distinction for more than three years as the senior Department of State official exercising the authorities of the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. His leadership has helped promote American values, human rights, and the rule of law across the globe. Since 2017, Ambassador Sales has overseen nine bureaus and offices responsible for preventing and countering threats to civilian security, including terrorism, mass atrocities, corruption, and violations of human rights and the rule of law. He has successfully led many of our efforts to push back against the Chinese Communist Party and its attempts to undermine human rights and religious freedom around the world, including in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.  In addition, serving as the co-chair of the Humanitarian Assistance Steering Council, Ambassador Sales has advanced our efforts to promote burden-sharing by other donor countries, enhance efficiency, and improve the impact of our humanitarian assistance. Ambassador Sales will continue to serve as the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, and as the Special Presidential Envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Eric Ueland Designated Authorities and Functions of Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights 12/21/2020 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Eric Ueland Designated Authorities and Functions of Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights 12/21/2020 05:19 PM EST Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State I am pleased to announce that I have designated Eric Ueland to assume the delegable authorities and functions of the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. With these authorities, Eric Ueland will lead our efforts to advance the security of the American people by assisting countries to build more democratic, secure, stable, and just societies. Public Schedule – December 22, 2020 12/21/2020 You are subscribed to Public Schedule for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Public Schedule – December 22, 2020 12/21/2020 08:00 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson                      ***THE DAILY PUBLIC SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE*** SECRETARY MICHAEL R. POMPEO Secretary Pompeo attends meetings and briefings, at the Department of State. DEPUTY SECRETARY STEPHEN E. BIEGUN Deputy Secretary Biegun attends meetings and briefings, at the Department of State. UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS DAVID HALE Under Secretary Hale attends meetings and briefings, at the Department of State. UNDER SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, ENERGY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT KEITH KRACH Under Secretary Krach attends meetings and briefings, at the Department of State.   Israel-Lebanon Maritime Negotiations 12/22/2020 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Israel-Lebanon Maritime Negotiations 12/22/2020 08:16 AM EST Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State Earlier this year, the Israeli and Lebanese governments sought U.S. assistance in mediating an agreement on their maritime boundary.  Such an agreement would offer potentially significant economic benefits to the people of both countries.  Regrettably, despite goodwill on both sides, the parties remain far apart.  The United States remains ready to mediate constructive discussions and urges both sides to negotiate based on the respective maritime claims both have previously deposited at the United Nations. Israel-Lebanon Maritime Negotiations 12/22/2020 You are subscribed to Secretary's Remarks for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Israel-Lebanon Maritime Negotiations 12/22/2020 08:16 AM EST Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State Earlier this year, the Israeli and Lebanese governments sought U.S. assistance in mediating an agreement on their maritime boundary.  Such an agreement would offer potentially significant economic benefits to the people of both countries.  Regrettably, despite goodwill on both sides, the parties remain far apart.  The United States remains ready to mediate constructive discussions and urges both sides to negotiate based on the respective maritime claims both have previously deposited at the United Nations. The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations and the National Organization of Minority Architects Sign Memorandum of Understanding 12/22/2020 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations and the National Organization of Minority Architects Sign Memorandum of Understanding 12/22/2020 09:19 AM EST Office of the Spokesperson On December 18, 2020, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will promote OBOs workplace diversity, improve employee engagement through diversity-focused initiatives, and diversify the architectural firms that partner with the bureau to advance the Department of States mission. The MOU solidifies and builds on the existing relationship between the two organizations and facilitates future OBO collaboration with the professional design community, particularly with minority-owned architecture firms. The MOU outlines several opportunities for collaboration between the two organizations including advancing mutual design objectives, promoting diversity within OBOs contractor base, and establishing an OBO membership program in NOMA. This collaboration will help OBO become a more diverse and inclusive organization, thus contributing to its overall operations. The MOU was signed by OBO Director Addison D. Tad Davis, IV and NOMA President Kimberly Dowdell on behalf of their respective organizations. OBO provides safe, secure, functional, and resilient facilities that represent the U.S. Government to the host nation and support American diplomats in advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives abroad. For further information, please contact Christine Foushee at FousheeCT@state.gov or visit www.state.gov/obo. Syria Sanctions Designations on the Anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 12/22/2020 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Syria Sanctions Designations on the Anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 12/22/2020 10:54 AM EST Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State Five years ago last Friday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2254, firmly laying out the only path for an enduring resolution to the Syrian conflict.  The United States and the vast majority of the international community remain committed to this dignified plan for ending the suffering of the Syrian people. The Assad regime, supported by its enablers and allies, however, refuses to end its needless, brutal war against the Syrian people, stalling efforts to reach a political resolution.  The Department of State today is imposing sanctions on Asma al-Assad, the wife of Bashar al-Assad, for impeding efforts to promote a political resolution of the Syrian conflict pursuant to Section 2(a)(i)(D) of Executive Order 13894.  Asma al-Assad has spearheaded efforts on behalf of the regime to consolidate economic and political power, including by using her so-called charities and civil society organizations. In addition, we are sanctioning several members of Asma al-Assad’s immediate family, including Fawaz Akhras, Sahar Otri Akhras, Firas al Akhras, and Eyad Akhras as per Section 2(a)(ii) of EO 13894.  The Assad and Akhras families have accumulated their ill-gotten riches at the expense of the Syrian people through their control over an extensive, illicit network with links in Europe, the Gulf, and elsewhere.  Meanwhile, the Syrian people continue to wait in long lines for bread, fuel, and medicine as the Assad regime chooses to cut subsidies for these basic essentials that Syrians need. As we mark the one-year anniversary of the President signing the bipartisan Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 into law, the United States will also continue to pressure the Assad regime and its enablers to prevent them from amassing the resources to perpetuate their atrocities.  As part of that effort, the Department of State today is taking action against Syria’s Military Intelligence (SMI) organization by designating the SMI commander, General Kifah Moulhem, for his role as one of the architects of the Syrian people’s suffering.  Moulhem is now sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order 13894 Section 2(a)(i)(A) for his actions in preventing a ceasefire in Syria. The Department of the Treasury is additionally imposing sanctions on the Central Bank of Syria, as well as on Lina al-Kinayeh, one of Assad’s key advisers, her husband, Syrian parliamentarian Mohammed Masouti, and several regime affiliated businesses.  The United States will continue to seek accountability for those prolonging this conflict.  The Syrian people will decide the future of Syria.  To support them, the United States has provided over $12.2 billion in humanitarian assistance since the start of the conflict and will continue applying pressure on the Assad regime until there is irreversible progress toward a political transition as called for in UNSCR 2254.  Also as called for in UNSCR 2254 and the Geneva Communiqué, there must be a nationwide ceasefire, accountability for acts committed during the conflict, free and fair elections pursuant to a new constitution, as well as the release of all arbitrarily detained persons.  This is the only path toward a peaceful future for the Syrian people. Syria Sanctions Designations on the Anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 12/22/2020 You are subscribed to Secretary's Remarks for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Syria Sanctions Designations on the Anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 12/22/2020 10:54 AM EST Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State Five years ago last Friday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2254, firmly laying out the only path for an enduring resolution to the Syrian conflict.  The United States and the vast majority of the international community remain committed to this dignified plan for ending the suffering of the Syrian people. The Assad regime, supported by its enablers and allies, however, refuses to end its needless, brutal war against the Syrian people, stalling efforts to reach a political resolution.  The Department of State today is imposing sanctions on Asma al-Assad, the wife of Bashar al-Assad, for impeding efforts to promote a political resolution of the Syrian conflict pursuant to Section 2(a)(i)(D) of Executive Order 13894.  Asma al-Assad has spearheaded efforts on behalf of the regime to consolidate economic and political power, including by using her so-called charities and civil society organizations. In addition, we are sanctioning several members of Asma al-Assad’s immediate family, including Fawaz Akhras, Sahar Otri Akhras, Firas al Akhras, and Eyad Akhras as per Section 2(a)(ii) of EO 13894.  The Assad and Akhras families have accumulated their ill-gotten riches at the expense of the Syrian people through their control over an extensive, illicit network with links in Europe, the Gulf, and elsewhere.  Meanwhile, the Syrian people continue to wait in long lines for bread, fuel, and medicine as the Assad regime chooses to cut subsidies for these basic essentials that Syrians need. As we mark the one-year anniversary of the President signing the bipartisan Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 into law, the United States will also continue to pressure the Assad regime and its enablers to prevent them from amassing the resources to perpetuate their atrocities.  As part of that effort, the Department of State today is taking action against Syria’s Military Intelligence (SMI) organization by designating the SMI commander, General Kifah Moulhem, for his role as one of the architects of the Syrian people’s suffering.  Moulhem is now sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order 13894 Section 2(a)(i)(A) for his actions in preventing a ceasefire in Syria. The Department of the Treasury is additionally imposing sanctions on the Central Bank of Syria, as well as on Lina al-Kinayeh, one of Assad’s key advisers, her husband, Syrian parliamentarian Mohammed Masouti, and several regime affiliated businesses.  The United States will continue to seek accountability for those prolonging this conflict.  The Syrian people will decide the future of Syria.  To support them, the United States has provided over $12.2 billion in humanitarian assistance since the start of the conflict and will continue applying pressure on the Assad regime until there is irreversible progress toward a political transition as called for in UNSCR 2254.  Also as called for in UNSCR 2254 and the Geneva Communiqué, there must be a nationwide ceasefire, accountability for acts committed during the conflict, free and fair elections pursuant to a new constitution, as well as the release of all arbitrarily detained persons.  This is the only path toward a peaceful future for the Syrian people. ... 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