U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin

 

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U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin Εισερχόμενα U.S. Department of State <usstatebpa@public.govdelivery.com> 8:43 π.μ. (πριν από 34 λεπτά) προς εγώ Secretary Blinken’s Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba 04/30/2022 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Secretary Blinken’s Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba 04/30/2022 07:44 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to follow up on their April 24 meeting in Kyiv.  The Secretary emphasized the United States’ robust support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s brutal aggression.   The Secretary provided an update on plans for U.S. diplomats to return to Ukraine, including initial visits to Lviv this week and plans to return to Kyiv as soon as possible.  The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed the Administration’s April 28 request to Congress for $33 billion in security, economic, and humanitarian aid to empower Ukraine to defeat the Kremlin’s unconscionable war. Public Schedule – May 2, 2022 05/01/2022 You are subscribed to Public Schedule for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Public Schedule – May 2, 2022 05/01/2022 09:29 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson ***THE DAILY PUBLIC SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***   SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN 1:00 p.m. Secretary Blinken meets with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan at the Department of State. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE) 1:30 p.m. Secretary Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan sign a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation, at the Department of State. (POOLED PRESS COVERAGE) This event will be live-streamed on www.state.gov and www.youtube.com/statedept. DEPUTY SECRETARY WENDY R. SHERMAN Deputy Secretary Sherman is on travel to South Africa, Angola, Gabon, and France from May 2-7, 2022.  Please click here for more information. DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES BRIAN P. MCKEON  Deputy Secretary McKeon attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State. UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS VICTORIA J. NULAND  Under Secretary Nuland attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State. ACTING UNDER SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ELIZABETH ALLEN  4:00 p.m. Acting Under Secretary Allen delivers remarks for the “Innovating Public Diplomacy: What’s Next” Forum, hosted by the University of Southern California’s Center on Public Diplomacy, at the Department of State’s National Museum of American Diplomacy. (MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS LEE SATTERFIELD 4:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Satterfield participates in the “Innovating Public Diplomacy: What’s Next” Forum, hosted by the University of Southern California’s Center on Public Diplomacy, at the Department of State’s National Museum of American Diplomacy. (MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST) BRIEFING SCHEDULE 2:30 p.m. Department Press Briefing with Spokesperson Ned Price. (OPEN PRESS COVERAGE) The Department Press Briefing will be live-streamed on www.state.gov and www.youtube.com/statedept. On the Occasion of Eid al-Fitr 05/02/2022 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. On the Occasion of Eid al-Fitr 05/02/2022 09:54 AM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my warmest greetings to Muslims and all those celebrating Eid al-Fitr in the United States and around the globe. This celebration marks the completion of Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection, charity, and generosity.  Eid morning begins with families and communities coming together for prayer services at mosques and community centers, followed by festivities and feasts with friends and neighbors.  Cultures worldwide have their own unique and vibrant Eid traditions, as diverse as Muslim communities themselves.  During this time of compassion and giving, we cannot forget those who are unable to celebrate this special holiday from the safety and comfort of their homes or with their communities, due to displacement by war, violence, or persecution.  The United States will continue efforts to pursue truth, justice, and accountability for members of religious minority groups suffering around the world. Later this month, I look forward to hosting an Eid-al-Fitr reception at the State Department, where I will get the chance to break bread with leaders from across the Muslim community and reflect on the past year and our shared values. Eid Mubarak to all celebrating this joyous day. Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan 05/02/2022 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan 05/02/2022 03:43 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan in Washington, D.C. to launch the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Dialogue.  The Secretary committed to further strengthening bilateral relations in line with our shared democratic values and continuing cooperation on Armenia’s reform agenda.  During their meeting, the Secretary and Foreign Minister signed a Nuclear Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding, paving the way for increased cooperation on civil nuclear matters as Armenia looks to diversify its energy supply.  The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed Armenia’s progress in implementing democratic, rule of law, and anti-corruption reforms.  They also discussed the ongoing dialogue between Armenia and its neighbors.  Secretary Blinken thanked the Foreign Minister for the flexibility Armenia has shown and encouraged further direct talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, underscoring the U.S commitment to help Armenia and Azerbaijan find sustainable peace and prosperity, including in our capacity as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair. The United States of America and the Republic of Armenia Sign a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation 05/02/2022 You are subscribed to Europe and Eurasia for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. The United States of America and the Republic of Armenia Sign a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation 05/02/2022 03:52 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson Today, the United States and Armenia signed a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation (NCMOU), enabling us to deepen our strategic cooperation following on the gains made in connection with the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Dialogue. This MOU improves our cooperation on energy security and strengthens our diplomatic and economic relationship. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed for the United States, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan signed for Armenia. The United States and Armenia maintain long-standing cooperation across the breadth of our relationship, including in the fields of security, energy, commerce, and nonproliferation.  Deepening our cooperation in civil nuclear energy, science, and technology will strengthen our strategic bilateral relationship, and have wide-ranging, positive impacts on how we work together. Nuclear Cooperation MOUs are diplomatic mechanisms that strengthen and expand strategic ties between the United States and a partner country by providing a framework for cooperation and a mutually aligned approach to nonproliferation on civil nuclear issues and for engagement between experts from government, industry, national laboratories, and academic institutions. The United States of America and the Republic of Armenia Sign a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation 05/02/2022 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. The United States of America and the Republic of Armenia Sign a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation 05/02/2022 03:52 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson Today, the United States and Armenia signed a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation (NCMOU), enabling us to deepen our strategic cooperation following on the gains made in connection with the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Dialogue. This MOU improves our cooperation on energy security and strengthens our diplomatic and economic relationship. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed for the United States, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan signed for Armenia. The United States and Armenia maintain long-standing cooperation across the breadth of our relationship, including in the fields of security, energy, commerce, and nonproliferation.  Deepening our cooperation in civil nuclear energy, science, and technology will strengthen our strategic bilateral relationship, and have wide-ranging, positive impacts on how we work together. Nuclear Cooperation MOUs are diplomatic mechanisms that strengthen and expand strategic ties between the United States and a partner country by providing a framework for cooperation and a mutually aligned approach to nonproliferation on civil nuclear issues and for engagement between experts from government, industry, national laboratories, and academic institutions. Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan 05/02/2022 You are subscribed to Europe and Eurasia for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan 05/02/2022 03:43 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan in Washington, D.C. to launch the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Dialogue.  The Secretary committed to further strengthening bilateral relations in line with our shared democratic values and continuing cooperation on Armenia’s reform agenda.  During their meeting, the Secretary and Foreign Minister signed a Nuclear Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding, paving the way for increased cooperation on civil nuclear matters as Armenia looks to diversify its energy supply.  The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed Armenia’s progress in implementing democratic, rule of law, and anti-corruption reforms.  They also discussed the ongoing dialogue between Armenia and its neighbors.  Secretary Blinken thanked the Foreign Minister for the flexibility Armenia has shown and encouraged further direct talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, underscoring the U.S commitment to help Armenia and Azerbaijan find sustainable peace and prosperity, including in our capacity as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair. In Celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 05/02/2022 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. In Celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 05/02/2022 03:47 PM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State This month, the United States celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and the diverse contributions of these communities to all fields and, especially, public service.  The Asian American community is diverse, dynamic, and growing, encompassing a wide range of experiences from Native Hawaiians, to 1800s pioneers from East Asia and the Philippines, to immigrants from South and Southeast Asia.  At the Department of State, we are proud to have Asian Americans serving at the highest levels of leadership, from Under Secretary Uzra Zeya and Assistant Secretaries Michele Sison, Eliot Kang, and Donald Lu, to Special Envoy and Ambassador Sung Kim, Executive Secretary Kamala Lakhdhir, and several of our Ambassadors proudly serving their country at posts around the world.  We tremendously appreciate these and the many other talented Asian Americans who are tackling the foreign policy challenges of the 21st century and representing the United States at home and abroad. Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan at a Signing Ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation 05/02/2022 You are subscribed to Europe and Eurasia for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan at a Signing Ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation 05/02/2022 04:04 PM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Washington, D.C. Benjamin Franklin Room SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good afternoon, everyone.  It is a great pleasure to welcome the foreign minister from Armenia here to the State Department, to the United States.  Ararat, it’s very good to be with you today, to be with your entire team.  We just had a very good dialogue, exchange between us, and indeed a big part of the purpose of these meetings is to relaunch the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Armenia that was suspended because of COVID.  This is a very important vehicle by which we can continue to deepen and strengthen our relationship to pursue new areas of cooperation and collaboration, and we’re very pleased to be able to do that now. At the same time, we will shortly be signing this Memorandum of Understanding on nuclear cooperation.  This too, for the United States and Armenia, opens new cooperative paths and, I think, can also serve to strengthen very much the bilateral relationship between us. I just want to take this opportunity as we’re sitting here to, in the first instance, praise the leadership of the prime minister and his government, the democratic reforms that they’ve been pursuing, the progress that continues to be made – but also to very much welcome the dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and to express real appreciation for the vision and the courage and the flexibility that the prime minister and Armenia have been showing in this process working toward what we all want, which is a lasting peace. And finally, let me say, Mr. Minister, to you, to all of your colleagues, it’s – it really is a great pleasure being able to work with you as we work to strengthen and deepen our relations.  These are challenging times in many, many ways, and they’re challenging for Armenia, but know that you have a strong and true friend and partner in the United States.  Welcome. FOREIGN MINISTER MIRZOYAN:  Thank you.  Dear Secretary Blinken, it is a great pleasure for me to be here.  Thank you for your invitation and also for a very warm welcome.  This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and during these years we have succeeded to build very strong relations based on common and shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Now after the democratic Velvet Revolution of 2018, through joint efforts, we elevated the level of our collaboration, cooperation to Strategic Dialogue.  And it is very significant that I am here also in scope of the capstone session of the Strategic Dialogue.  And during this session, we focused on our democratic reforms, justice reforms, cooperation in banking sphere, looking ways of deepening cooperation in the sphere of defense, and of course prevention and fight against corruption, and many other areas.  And we appreciate United States efforts to support our reforms. Armenia also appreciate United States support for developing Armenia’s energy sector, and I was talking about – I was speaking also about exploring new areas, and here it will be honor for me to sign with you the Memorandum of Understanding on our civil nuclear cooperation. And I also want to note that we value our partnership aimed at peace and stability in our region, and in this regard I want to highlight the important role the United States of America play as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, which has a mandate from the international community to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.  I also appreciate United States support through the Armenia-Turkish normalization process and United States strong stance on the recognition on the condemnation of the Armenian genocide and confirmation of this stance this year, too. Thank you very much. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you. (The Memorandum of Understanding is signed.) SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you very much.  Good to be with you. FOREIGN MINISTER MIRZOYAN:  Thank you. Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan at a Signing Ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation 05/02/2022 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan at a Signing Ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation 05/02/2022 04:04 PM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Washington, D.C. Benjamin Franklin Room SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good afternoon, everyone.  It is a great pleasure to welcome the foreign minister from Armenia here to the State Department, to the United States.  Ararat, it’s very good to be with you today, to be with your entire team.  We just had a very good dialogue, exchange between us, and indeed a big part of the purpose of these meetings is to relaunch the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Armenia that was suspended because of COVID.  This is a very important vehicle by which we can continue to deepen and strengthen our relationship to pursue new areas of cooperation and collaboration, and we’re very pleased to be able to do that now. At the same time, we will shortly be signing this Memorandum of Understanding on nuclear cooperation.  This too, for the United States and Armenia, opens new cooperative paths and, I think, can also serve to strengthen very much the bilateral relationship between us. I just want to take this opportunity as we’re sitting here to, in the first instance, praise the leadership of the prime minister and his government, the democratic reforms that they’ve been pursuing, the progress that continues to be made – but also to very much welcome the dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and to express real appreciation for the vision and the courage and the flexibility that the prime minister and Armenia have been showing in this process working toward what we all want, which is a lasting peace. And finally, let me say, Mr. Minister, to you, to all of your colleagues, it’s – it really is a great pleasure being able to work with you as we work to strengthen and deepen our relations.  These are challenging times in many, many ways, and they’re challenging for Armenia, but know that you have a strong and true friend and partner in the United States.  Welcome. FOREIGN MINISTER MIRZOYAN:  Thank you.  Dear Secretary Blinken, it is a great pleasure for me to be here.  Thank you for your invitation and also for a very warm welcome.  This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and during these years we have succeeded to build very strong relations based on common and shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Now after the democratic Velvet Revolution of 2018, through joint efforts, we elevated the level of our collaboration, cooperation to Strategic Dialogue.  And it is very significant that I am here also in scope of the capstone session of the Strategic Dialogue.  And during this session, we focused on our democratic reforms, justice reforms, cooperation in banking sphere, looking ways of deepening cooperation in the sphere of defense, and of course prevention and fight against corruption, and many other areas.  And we appreciate United States efforts to support our reforms. Armenia also appreciate United States support for developing Armenia’s energy sector, and I was talking about – I was speaking also about exploring new areas, and here it will be honor for me to sign with you the Memorandum of Understanding on our civil nuclear cooperation. And I also want to note that we value our partnership aimed at peace and stability in our region, and in this regard I want to highlight the important role the United States of America play as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, which has a mandate from the international community to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.  I also appreciate United States support through the Armenia-Turkish normalization process and United States strong stance on the recognition on the condemnation of the Armenian genocide and confirmation of this stance this year, too. Thank you very much. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you. (The Memorandum of Understanding is signed.) SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you very much.  Good to be with you. FOREIGN MINISTER MIRZOYAN:  Thank you. Department of State Offers Reward for Information to Bring Honduran Drug Traffickers to Justice 05/02/2022 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Department of State Offers Reward for Information to Bring Honduran Drug Traffickers to Justice 05/02/2022 03:58 PM EDT Ned Price, Department Spokesperson The U.S. Department of State is offering rewards of up to $5 million each for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of Honduran drug trafficker Herlinda Bobadilla and her two sons, Tito Montes Bobadilla and Juan Carlos Montes Bobadilla.  Their leadership roles in the Montes drug trafficking organization have grown significantly since the 2017 arrest and 2019 extradition to the United States of Herlinda’s third son, Noe Montes Bobadilla, who is currently serving a 37-year sentence for conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine intended for unlawful importation to the United States.  The Montes drug trafficking organization imports, supplies, transports, and distributes drugs and launders illicit narcotics proceeds through Central America, Mexico, and the United States. Together, the Department of Justice’s indictment and the Department of State’s reward offers are part of a whole-of-government effort to combat drug trafficking and transnational organized crime globally and in Honduras.  Today’s action supports U.S. government efforts to fight the destabilizing effects of transnational crime in Central America. This reward is offered under the Department of State’s Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP).  The NRP has helped bring more than 75 transnational criminals and major narcotics traffickers to justice since its inception in 1986.  The Department has paid more than $135 million in rewards for information leading to apprehensions and convictions. The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs manages the NRP in close coordination with federal law enforcement partners and other U.S. government agencies.  These actions demonstrate the Department’s commitment to supporting law enforcement efforts to bring transnational criminals to justice. For more information on the individuals listed above and the NRP and TOCRP, please see https://www.state.gov/bureau-of-international-narcotics-and-law-enforcement-affairs/inl-rewards-program/ . Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Zeya’s Travel to Chile May 3-5 05/02/2022 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Zeya’s Travel to Chile May 3-5 05/02/2022 03:57 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya will travel to Santiago, Chile, May 3-5 to meet with senior Chilean government officials.  Under Secretary Zeya will underscore U.S. commitment to deepening cooperation with Chile on humane solutions to the hemisphere’s irregular migration crisis, advancing democracy and safeguarding human rights, as well as on shared security priorities in areas such as combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling.  In addition, the Under Secretary will meet with implementing partners and civil society leaders working on migration and democracy issues.  Senior Advisor for Civilian Security Enrique Roig, who is a longtime champion of human rights accountability in Latin America, will join the delegation. Under Secretary Zeya will also tour the Museum of Memory and Human Rights to learn how Chile has confronted difficult periods of repression in its past and how it serves as an example for others in the region. For press inquiries, please contact WHA Press at WHA-Press@state.gov. Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan at a Signing Ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation 05/02/2022 You are subscribed to Secretary's Remarks for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan at a Signing Ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation 05/02/2022 04:04 PM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Washington, D.C. Benjamin Franklin Room SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good afternoon, everyone.  It is a great pleasure to welcome the foreign minister from Armenia here to the State Department, to the United States.  Ararat, it’s very good to be with you today, to be with your entire team.  We just had a very good dialogue, exchange between us, and indeed a big part of the purpose of these meetings is to relaunch the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Armenia that was suspended because of COVID.  This is a very important vehicle by which we can continue to deepen and strengthen our relationship to pursue new areas of cooperation and collaboration, and we’re very pleased to be able to do that now. At the same time, we will shortly be signing this Memorandum of Understanding on nuclear cooperation.  This too, for the United States and Armenia, opens new cooperative paths and, I think, can also serve to strengthen very much the bilateral relationship between us. I just want to take this opportunity as we’re sitting here to, in the first instance, praise the leadership of the prime minister and his government, the democratic reforms that they’ve been pursuing, the progress that continues to be made – but also to very much welcome the dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and to express real appreciation for the vision and the courage and the flexibility that the prime minister and Armenia have been showing in this process working toward what we all want, which is a lasting peace. And finally, let me say, Mr. Minister, to you, to all of your colleagues, it’s – it really is a great pleasure being able to work with you as we work to strengthen and deepen our relations.  These are challenging times in many, many ways, and they’re challenging for Armenia, but know that you have a strong and true friend and partner in the United States.  Welcome. FOREIGN MINISTER MIRZOYAN:  Thank you.  Dear Secretary Blinken, it is a great pleasure for me to be here.  Thank you for your invitation and also for a very warm welcome.  This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and during these years we have succeeded to build very strong relations based on common and shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Now after the democratic Velvet Revolution of 2018, through joint efforts, we elevated the level of our collaboration, cooperation to Strategic Dialogue.  And it is very significant that I am here also in scope of the capstone session of the Strategic Dialogue.  And during this session, we focused on our democratic reforms, justice reforms, cooperation in banking sphere, looking ways of deepening cooperation in the sphere of defense, and of course prevention and fight against corruption, and many other areas.  And we appreciate United States efforts to support our reforms. Armenia also appreciate United States support for developing Armenia’s energy sector, and I was talking about – I was speaking also about exploring new areas, and here it will be honor for me to sign with you the Memorandum of Understanding on our civil nuclear cooperation. And I also want to note that we value our partnership aimed at peace and stability in our region, and in this regard I want to highlight the important role the United States of America play as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, which has a mandate from the international community to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.  I also appreciate United States support through the Armenia-Turkish normalization process and United States strong stance on the recognition on the condemnation of the Armenian genocide and confirmation of this stance this year, too. Thank you very much. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you. (The Memorandum of Understanding is signed.) SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you very much.  Good to be with you. FOREIGN MINISTER MIRZOYAN:  Thank you. Secretary Blinken to Participate in a Press Briefing on World Press Freedom Day 05/02/2022 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Secretary Blinken to Participate in a Press Briefing on World Press Freedom Day 05/02/2022 05:20 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson In recognition of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the Washington Foreign Press Center will host a briefing with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on the state of world press freedom. The briefing will take place at 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. This event will be live-streamed on www.state.gov and www.youtube.com/statedept . In-person attendance is limited to journalists credentialed with the Washington Foreign Press Center.  For further information, please contact the Washington Foreign Press Center at DCFPC@state.gov or visit fpc.state.gov. Department Press Briefing – May 2, 2022 05/02/2022 You are subscribed to Department Press Briefings for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Department Press Briefing – May 2, 2022 05/02/2022 07:36 PM EDT Ned Price, Department Spokesperson Washington, D.C. 2:32 p.m. EDT MR PRICE: Good afternoon, everyone. Happy Monday. As you can see, we have a special guest with us today. It’s always a good day when we have someone here at the podium to – someone else here at the podium to answer your questions. We have with us Dr. Michael Carpenter. He is our ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He will provide some opening remarks and then take a few of your questions, and then we’ll continue on with the press briefing. QUESTION: Thank you. AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: Great. Thank you so much, Ned, and good to be with you all. I wanted to spend a little bit of time today talking about some indications we have concerning Russia’s political intentions in Ukraine, particularly in the south and east. First I want to start out by saying just how inspired we all are by the courage of the Ukrainian people in defending their homes, their neighborhoods, their cities, and indeed their country. We have seen they have repelled attacks, particularly on the northern reached of Kyiv, and pushed Russian troops back across the border. And their heroism at battle has been commendable. And indeed, they have won the battle of Kyiv and Russia has lost, but that of course has come at a huge cost in terms of both human – the human toll – and also the humanitarian toll. What we are seeing right now is that Russia’s forces are regrouping and refocusing their effort on Ukraine’s south and east, and as we look at Russian planning it is also being refocused on Ukraine’s south and east. And I want to share with you all something that I spoke about at the OSCE’s Permanent Council recently, which is that we have information that Russia’s initial planning including – included a plan for a forced capitulation of Ukraine’s democratically elected government as well as dissolution of local government structures. And that plan, to the best of our information, included plans not just for a new government in Ukraine but also for a new constitution. So what I would say is that although Ukraine won the battle of Kyiv, we’re now seeing that Russia’s playbook is being tailored for what it plans to do in the south and east of Ukraine. And so I would highlight for you reports that we have seen of abductions of mayors and other local officials. We have received reports of enforced disappearances of a range of folks to include school directors, journalists, local activists, municipal officials. There have been reports of plans to impose a Russian school curriculum in the south and east. I think you’ve probably seen reports that Russia plans to force the local population to use the ruble. More recently, there have been reports as well that Russian forces have cut off internet and some cellular phone access in these regions in order to disable the flow of reliable information. And then finally, there is this phenomenon of the replacement of local municipal governments with these groups that are loyal to Moscow. And in addition to this – and this is something that I’d like to highlight – we believe that the Kremlin may try to hold sham referenda to try to add a veneer of democratic or electoral legitimacy. And this is straight out of the Kremlin’s playbook. They organized these sham referenda, as you all know, in Crimea, in Luhansk, in Donetsk, and in other places. And when it calls – what the Kremlin playbook calls for is delegitimizing, as I said, the democratically elected leaders and imposing fake people’s councils essentially made up of the Kremlin’s puppets and proxies. Again, this is something that we’ve seen in the past, and we’re looking very closely to see whether the Kremlin might try to orchestrate something like this in the near future. So just as Russia engineered these quasi-statelets, the Donetsk “people’s republic” and the Luhansk “people’s republic,” now we believe that the Kremlin may be trying to organize a Kherson “people’s republic” in the Kherson oblast of southern Ukraine. And here’s something that I also would like to highlight. According to the most recent reports, we believe that Russia will try to annex the Donetsk “people’s republic” and Luhansk “people’s republic,” in quotes, so-called, to Russia. The reports state that Russia has plans to engineer referenda on joining Russia sometime in mid-May, and that Moscow is considering a similar plan for Kherson. Now, the international community, including the OSCE, where I work as ambassador, has been very clear that such referenda, such sham referenda, fabricated votes, will not be considered legitimate, nor will any attempts to annex additional Ukrainian territory. But we have to act. We have to act with a sense of urgency. And if you’ll allow me, I’ll say a few things that we’re doing at the OSCE in this regard. We are exposing Russia’s actions, doing it here in Washington at the podium every day, my colleagues are. We’re doing it at the OSCE. We’re doing it in other multilateral fora. We are standing with Ukraine. We are isolating Russia diplomatically, which is the case at the OSCE. We are working to – overtime and leaving no stone unturned to try to get humanitarian assistance to the populations in need across Ukraine. And we’re working, in fact, at the OSCE on the ground to provide some humanitarian relief as well as calling for a humanitarian pause and an end to this monstrous war of choice that Russia has waged on Ukraine. So that’s what I’ve got, and I’m happy to take a few questions. MR PRICE: Great, start with a few questions. Yes. QUESTION: Ambassador, speaking of Kherson, you mentioned Russia’s political intentions. We have also seen pictures of how Russian troops are declaring victory and then installing the statues of Lenin. Why are they doing this? AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: Well, look, I’m not going to speak to the political mythology that Russian forces are trying to impose on democratic Ukraine. But I think it speaks volumes that we have seen this sort of effort underway. And it jives certainly with the propaganda that we have heard from Moscow. MR PRICE: Yes, sir. QUESTION: Can you detail how specific are those reports and what is the source? Is this intelligence? And do you have any response planned to react to that, any more sanctions? AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: So we think the reports are highly credible. For reasons I’m sure you all can appreciate, I won’t get into specific sources and methods. But we have every reason to believe that these reports are highly credible. And I can’t – by the way, I’ll just follow up on that. I cannot speak to whether Russia will be able to execute on its planning, but this is the planning that we are seeing. MR PRICE: Simon. QUESTION: There’re some reports that Russia, President Putin might formally declare war with Ukraine. I wonder if you have any sense whether that’s possible and what that might mean for some of these plans. Would that give them any extra ability to conduct the kind of things you’re talking about? AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: Look, I know there’s speculation that a formal declaration of war would allow Russia to engage in mass mobilization. But I can’t speak to their intentions. MR PRICE: Matt. QUESTION: Yeah. Sorry for being late and forgetting my phone, having to leave. But on the reports that you’re talking about, about Donetsk and Luhansk and annexation, what can the OSCE actually do about this? We’ve already seen Abkhazia, South Ossetia. We’ve already seen Crimea. AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: Well, I think as the Secretary – yeah. QUESTION: You can come out and say, “Oh, well, we oppose this” all you want to. But the reality on the ground is that both those two places – part of Georgia, you would argue – are essentially not part of Georgia. And even though they’re not recognized by anyone other than Nicaragua and Belarus, maybe, what actually can you do? AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: Well, part of what we’re trying to do is to expose Russia’s intentions. And as the Secretary said some time ago, unfortunately we have been more right than wrong in exposing what we believe may be coming next. And so that is part of what we are trying to do here, but of course, this all falls into the larger strategy of dealing with Russia’s revanchism and imposing costs and degrading their war machine. QUESTION: Okay. But then, Crimea – I mean, this is stuff that you don’t have to warn about. It’s stuff that’s already actually happened. And you and others can say we don’t recognize Crimea as part of Russia, and yet it is, de facto. Right? AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: We do not recognize Russia’s attempted annexation — QUESTION: No, I know you don’t. But — AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: — and I would just remind you of the Welles Declaration, which held for many, many decades as a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy with regard to the Baltics. QUESTION: I get that. But I’m just wondering – the OSCE seems to be completely toothless here. It can’t really do anything. AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: Well, the OSCE – that’s a separate question. The OSCE is a consensual organization, but it has engaged – first of all, it has a field presence in Ukraine. The project coordinator’s office does exist inside Ukraine and assists with the disbursement of humanitarian relief. We have invoked something called the Moscow mechanism, which is an accountability tool for documenting human rights abuses, war crimes, and possible crimes against humanity. And we speak out, and we isolate Russia and Belarus diplomatically, as I said at the outset. So we’re going to continue to do that. But the OSCE is not the perfect forum. It doesn’t allow us to accomplish every goal. But we use it to the extent that we can. MR PRICE: Vivian. QUESTION: Two questions, Ambassador. Vivian Salama from The Wall Street Journal. On the question if war crimes, I’m wondering what the OSCE’s role has been. And in particular, we’re talking about the southeastern part of the country, where we’re hearing reports about mobile crematorium and other ways that Russia is trying to basically hide some of its tracks – allegedly hide some of its tracks – in terms of what’s been going on there. And so what effort are you making to collect with your – with our allies, partners any kind of evidence and investigate and possibly prosecute down the line in conjunction with the UN and the International Criminal Court, and whether or not that’s being complicated by efforts to hide, cover it up? AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: Yeah, that’s a great question. So the OSCE in early March invoked something that I just referred to called the Moscow mechanism, the U.S. together with 44 other participating states. And as a result of that we were able to deploy a fact-finding team that collected evidence on violations of human rights, on war crimes, and on possible crimes against humanity. That team then released a report a couple of a weeks ago which, in fact, stated unequivocally that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine. Now, I’m not an international lawyer, but my understanding is that those crimes then get prosecuted at the individual level. And so it is now incumbent on that fact-finding team and other similar accountability mechanisms to collect the evidence, preserve the evidence, and then eventually build cases so that everybody at all levels of the chain of command is held accountable. QUESTION: The other question I wanted to ask you is there’s been discussion about replacing Ukraine’s weapons with sort of NATO-grade weapons, and I’m wondering if OSCE is also kind of working in conjunction with NATO to be able to kind of phase out some of the more Soviet-era weapons and security systems that Ukraine has, to give them sort of a – overall like a post-Soviet arsenal that they can fight this war. AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: Yeah, this is not something that the OSCE is involved in. The OSCE does have a political-military dimension, but it’s primarily focused on military transparency and confidence- and security-building. MR PRICE: Said and then Michele. QUESTION: Thank you, Ned. Thank you, Ambassador. Quick question – we’ve heard the Secretary of Defense and I believe the Secretary of State talk about we weakened Russia, a weakening Russia. And we’ve – we heard the strategic defeat for Russia. When did that – what will that look like? Is that going to (inaudible)? I have another — AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: So I believed the Secretary of Defense referred to strategic as the goal, and of degrading Russia’s war machine so that it cannot prosecute this monstrous of a campaign against its neighbors in the future. And that does remain very much part of one of our goals. MR PRICE: Michele. Go ahead. QUESTION: I just want to follow up. Do you expect the Russian president on May 9 – a week from today – to make some sort of an announcement that goals have been achieved and victory – much like, let’s say President George W. Bush did, I think 2003? AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: I can’t anticipate what President Putin’s going to do on May 9th. I know that so far the military campaign has been an abject failure, and the monstrosity and the barbarity of Russia’s assault is plain for all to see. MR PRICE: Michele. QUESTION: Yes. Does the OSCE – you were saying – do they still have monitors in Ukraine? Are they able to document some of these things you’re talking about, the abductions, taking people out of Ukraine and forcing them into Russia? Do you have any sense of the scale of that? And then secondly, have you seen any indications that the Russians are stirring up trouble in any of these other frozen conflicts where the OSCE does have monitors, whether Transnistria or Nagorno-Karabakh or any of these other frozen conflicts? AMBASSADOR CARPENTER: Yeah. So on your first question, the OSCE did have a several-hundred-person-strong special monitoring mission in Ukraine that was deployed primarily around the line of contact, and that monitoring mission did exist until a few weeks ago when it was evacuated, at first temporarily, but then Russia vetoed the mandate, essentially, of the SMM or the monitoring mission. And so that mission in now in a wind-down process. As far as some of the other protracted conflicts on Russia’s periphery, of course, we watch very carefully. There were some unexplained explosions in Transnistria just last week, and we continue to look very carefully. And it is, in fact, part of the OSCE mandate to monitor the security situation in and around Transnistria in Moldova. And of course, we watch Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia as well. MR PRICE: A few more questions. Yes. QUESTION: As you well know, today Georgia has quite horrible situation in terms (inaudible) violations in the occupied territories of Georgia, and the role of OSCE has always been so important for us. Against in this background, Georgia has repeatedly heard calls about the opening of second front as – and that now might be the time for Georgia to retake the occu ... [Περικομμένο μήνυμα]  Προβολή ολόκληρου του μηνύματος ΑπάντησηΠροώθηση

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