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MR. VENTRELL: Okay. Happy Friday. Welcome to the State Department. One thing for you
at the top in our Free the Press Campaign: Today we're highlighting the case - the ***
of Vladimir Goncharenko. He's editor of - he was the editor of a newspaper on environmental
security and environmental activists in the Ukraine. On July 27th, 2012, Mr. Goncharenko
held a press conference on his investigation that revealed the illegal dumping of 180 tons
of dangerous chemical and radioactive industrial waste in the city of Kryviy Rih in the Ukraine.
The city denied the allegations of illegal dumping. Four days later, unknown assailants
beat him so severely that he was hospitalized and died. The United States calls for a thorough
investigation of his *** in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.
So having said that, I will turn it over to all of you.
QUESTION: Can we start with Syria?
MR. VENTRELL: Yeah.
QUESTION: Syrian officials today have rejected the assessment that you made public yesterday.
Do you have anything to say to that? Do you have any more proof so that this claim you
made is somehow substantiated?
MR. VENTRELL: Well, if the regime has nothing to hide, they should let the UN investigators
in immediately so we can get to the bottom of this. As we said yesterday, we're working
to establish credible and corroborated facts to build on this intelligence assessment in
order to establish a definitive judgment as to whether or not the President's redline
has been crossed. So that's what we're pursuing. And as I said yesterday, it's both the UN
process but we'll continue to consult very closely with friends, allies, and concerned
parties as we look at this body of evidence.
QUESTION: Can you just say - there's been a lot of talk about - including from the President
- that this would be a game-changer if they did it.
MR. VENTRELL: Those were the President's words.
QUESTION: Right. Up to now, nothing seems to have changed. Can you tell me what might
have changed now that you've - you've presented this evidence, yet we're in exactly the same
situation we were yesterday, or two days ago?
MR. VENTRELL: Well, to clarify, Brad, we're working to establish a definitive judgment
as to whether or not the President's redline of chemical weapons use has been crossed.
We're not there yet, but we're very carefully looking at the information, working to establish
credible and corroborated facts. And to be clear, you talk about sort of an intelligence
assessment. That is the assessment, but we're working to further corroborate the evidence.
And the evidence must build on the intelligence assessment as we seek to establish the corroborated
facts.
So that's where we are right now, but the President and others have said, and the White
House has said, that all options are on the table as we look at a range of scenarios here
and we continue to look at the facts.
QUESTION: If this intelligence assessment has so little fact in it that it's basically
not worth making any policy decisions based on, why make it public?
MR. VENTRELL: Well, look, I really refer you to the White House in terms of the timing
of responding to the congressional inquiries on this. It was an Administration decision
to respond to those inquiries in a public, unclassified fashion. But the bottom line
is, given the history that we all know in terms of intelligence assessments when it
comes to WMD, it's important to look very carefully at all the available evidence. And
in addition to the intelligence assessments, we have to work to corroborate the facts.
Jill, go ahead.
QUESTION: Can you tell us, please, what Secretary Kerry did this morning up on Capitol Hill?
MR. VENTRELL: Secretary Kerry had a briefing on Capitol Hill on the House side, similar
to his briefing yesterday on the Senate side. Syria was, again, one of the topics. It was
a classified hearing. But again, these were hearings that had been scheduled a while back
for the Secretary to update members of both the Senate and House on some of the key issues
that - key diplomatic issues he's been working on, Syria and North Korea certainly among
those. So that was the focus of this morning's briefing.
QUESTION: One of the participants is quoted as saying that they did discuss possible options.
Can you confirm that he at least - even in general, you can confirm that he talked about
possible options after this?
MR. VENTRELL: Again, I can't get into the details of a classified briefing, but certainly
the President on down have said that all options are on the table and we'll be looking at those.
But in terms of the actual details of a classified session, we can't get into the details of
that one way or another.
Go ahead, Camille.
QUESTION: After that meeting, some members of Congress said that Russia needs to be more
involved in this. And I wondered if you could update us on this building's conversations
with your counterparts in Russia about where to go next on Syria.
MR. VENTRELL: Well, our interaction with the Russians on the issue of Syria is intensive
and has been going back, as you know, many months. I don't have anything to update you
for in terms of meetings or diplomatic conversations just in the past hours, but we do have a robust
conversation with the Russian Government on the Syria account, including as recently as
when the Secretary met with his Russian counterpart last week. But we continue to brief them in
a number of different formats and continue to be in close collaboration with them on
all of these issues.
QUESTION: I mean, have you shared your intelligence assessments about this chemical weapons with
the Russians?
MR. VENTRELL: I'll have to check on that detail in specific. I'm not sure in terms of intelligence
sharing one way or another other than to say that this issue is something that we, broadly
speaking, have been in touch the Russians on, and they too have expressed a concern
about the use of these horrific weapons.
Go ahead.
QUESTION: Joseph from Sky News Arabia.
MR. VENTRELL: Yeah.
QUESTION: If this is proven, like Syria has used chemical weapons, do you consider this
as an act of war, like a war crime? And what are the actions that the United States might
take or would take? Does it include military actions?
MR. VENTRELL: Again, I'm not going to get into hypotheticals of precisely what we may
be considering, but all options are on the table and we've said that consistently.
Okay. Other topics?
QUESTION: Syria?
MR. VENTRELL: Okay, sure.
QUESTION: Lucas Tomlinson, Fox News. Patrick, is going back to the UN or another resolution
a possible avenue for - to go ahead? Or is NATO expressing any willingness to be more
involved? I know people are a little shy from --
MR. VENTRELL: Again, when we talk about all options, of course it came sort of in a - the
previous question in a military context, but it's a diplomatic context as well. So we'll
look at everything appropriately. And we know the history of what's happened at the Security
Council in terms of the three vetoed resolutions and the difficulty we've had there given Chinese
and Russian opposition, but we're always willing to look at whatever diplomatic initiatives
may be helpful. I don't have anything for you one way or another.
QUESTION: Is it a war crime?
MR. VENTRELL: Again, I'm not sure - I'd have to check in terms of a definition one way
or another. Clearly, the use of chemical weapons would cross the President's redline. I'd have
to check on a legal definition.
Samir, go ahead.
QUESTION: Any new information, update on the two kidnapped bishops in Syria?
MR. VENTRELL: We still don't have an update. We continue to call for their immediate release
and we'll continue to look for more information. But it appears they have not been released
yet, and we'll continue to call publicly and make clear our belief that they should be
released.
Okay. Go ahead, sir.
QUESTION: Venezuela?
MR. VENTRELL: Yeah. Tell me your name and your outlet.
QUESTION: U.S. citizen Timothy Hallett Tracy has been arrested. There are charges that
he is a spy for the U.S., that he received funds from a NGO tied to the U.S. Government.
Have you been able to - the consulate has been able to talk to him at all? And what
is the latest on - from your side?
MR. VENTRELL: Yeah. So we are aware of the arrest of a U.S. citizen in Caracas. We're
seeking further information from the Venezuelan Government on the case, and we're seeking
consular access to the detained individual. Because of privacy considerations, we're unable
to comment on this specific case further at this time.
But let me just say that these type of accusations are the latest in a series of allegations
made by the Venezuelan Government in recent weeks against a variety of, quote/unquote,
"foreign actors" suggesting efforts to affect political developments in Venezuela. These
allegations have not been substantiated. The U.S. continues to categorically reject any
allegations of U.S. Government efforts to destabilize the Venezuelan Government or to
harm anyone in Venezuela. So again, we're still looking for more information about this
specific case, but that's the broad sweep of the pattern that we've seen.
QUESTION: But there's no link between Mr. Tracy and any U.S. Government agency?
MR. VENTRELL: Again, this is about an arrest of a private U.S. citizen.
Go ahead, Jill.
QUESTION: Patrick, another story kind of in that vein. The U.S. has indicted a former
State Department employee who is living in Sweden.
MR. VENTRELL: Right.
QUESTION: What can you tell us about that? And what will happen with extradition? We
understand the Swedes only extradite citizens to other EU members. Is that correct?
MR. VENTRELL: I really have to refer you to the Department of Justice. This is an ongoing
legal matter, and this is really better directed to the Department of Justice. I know you're
interested because of the former employment and that connection, but in terms of the ongoing
legal matter, it really is a Department of Justice concern. So I refer you to them on
this matter.
QUESTION: Can I ask you --
MR. VENTRELL: Go ahead, Brad.
QUESTION: Do you have any more information on Bangladesh, whether any American companies
were sourcing product from --
MR. VENTRELL: Yeah. I did check again this morning, Brad, and we still don't have information
one way or another on any American companies. I know that it's a fairly chaotic scene as
they go through and continue to work through this very grim scene. But in terms of American
--
QUESTION: Right. The companies are not - the names of companies are not lost in the rubble.
It's a --
MR. VENTRELL: Well, my understanding is that there were a number of floors in this facility
that had a number of different companies. And so in terms of making - doing our due
diligence in terms of looking at not only sort of subcontractors and other associations,
we don't have any information at this --
QUESTION: So you've found none so far.
MR. VENTRELL: We've found none so far.
QUESTION: Okay.
MR. VENTRELL: Thanks, Brad.
Go ahead, Catherine.
QUESTION: Today there was a hearing of the Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threat Subcommittee
in the House. A couple of the members and even one of the panelists were dismayed that
there was not any State Department representation there to testify. Did you receive a request
for someone to go to this hearing on State's behalf? And if so, the representatives were
saying the request was declined. Why was it declined? And then one representative specifically
said that State seems too busy to send someone here and suggests that this might be part
of the problem with the region of Chechnya, that it hasn't gotten the attention it deserves.
MR. VENTRELL: I believe we did have a request on this subcommittee. Let me just say that,
I mean, first of all, the Secretary of State of the United States of America was on Capitol
Hill all morning yesterday and today, and so we've had close cooperation with the Congress.
And I think in terms of the reason that they're interested in Chechnya is probably because
of the issue going on with Russia and the Boston bombings, and I think that's the tie
that they're looking at it.
And so my understanding is that there were extensive hearings up on the Hill in the past
couple of days, and we did have State Department representatives there to accompany Department
of Justice witnesses as well, and this is at the committee level. So I'd have to check
again on this particular subcommittee, but my understanding is in the past couple of
days, there have been pretty extensive hearings and witnesses from the Department of Justice,
and we made State Department people available as necessary. So thank you.
Go ahead.
QUESTION: China.
MR. VENTRELL: Yeah.
QUESTION: The Chinese Government called Senkakus as a core interest to the - at press conference.
This is first time on this issue that they called Senkakus core interest publicly. How
do you take this comment?
MR. VENTRELL: I really hadn't seen the remark, but our position on the Senkakus has not changed.
Go ahead.
QUESTION: Japanese Government and the Chinese Government officials met in Beijing today
to discuss the current situation, I think, of East China Sea. And what kind of progress
do you expect they're going to make?
MR. VENTRELL: Well, I'm not sure what kind of progress in one specific bilateral exchange,
but we've consistently pushed for good and close cooperation between the Chinese and
the Japanese and an improvement of the diplomatic situation there.
QUESTION: Another question about Japan. Is the --
MR. VENTRELL: Yeah.
QUESTION: The Japanese Government will hold a ceremony on this weekend to celebrate 61st
anniversary of the restoration of their sovereignty from the United States to Japan after World
War II, and this is the first time that this kind of event will be held by Japanese Government.
And I was just wondering if you have any comment on that.
MR. VENTRELL: Let me look into it for you after the briefing. I'm not aware of this
specific event in Japan.
Scott, go ahead.
QUESTION: In Guatemala, the trial of Rios Montt was suspended this week as it approached
final arguments. Does the United States have any concern that that suspension might undermine
efforts to have accountability for human rights violations in Guatemala?
MR. VENTRELL: Well, first of all, let me say, Scott, that the United States supports credible,
independent, and transparent and impartial judicial processes, including in Guatemala
in this case. The Rios Montt trial is historic not only for Guatemala but for the international
community. It's the first prosecution of a former head of state at the national level
for genocide, and the trial is also an unprecedented and complex legal situation.
So we urge the Government of Guatemala to ensure that this legal case is conducted in
accordance with Guatemala's domestic and international legal obligations, and we expect the process
and outcome will advance the rule of law. So I don't have an update for you on these
most recent developments one way or another, but broadly speaking, we're pushing for a
credible, independent, transparent, and impartial judicial process in this case.
Go ahead, Lalit.
QUESTION: I have a follow-up, one on Bangladesh.
MR. VENTRELL: Yeah.
QUESTION: Do you have anything additional on this Bangladesh tragedy? Have you any further
on any presence of U.S. companies in that building?
MR. VENTRELL: Brad just asked about that. I already answered that we don't have updated
information.
Go ahead, Brad. You looked like you had a question.
QUESTION: Can I ask you about Amir Hekmati?
MR. VENTRELL: Yeah.
QUESTION: His family was in the building yesterday, I believe, and had some meetings. What are
you doing to help get him released?
MR. VENTRELL: Yeah. Thanks for the question, Brad. We continue have serious concerns about
the fate of U.S. citizen Amir Hekmati. We are determined to secure his release and remain
deeply concerned about his well-being in Iranian custody. Our diplomatic efforts to secure
Mr. Hekmati's release are ongoing, and this is what we discussed with his sister yesterday
in the meeting she had with senior officials of the Department. One of our highest priorities
is ensuring the safety and well-being of U.S. citizens overseas, and we've been continuously
working to secure the release of Mr. Hekmati.
QUESTION: They want this to raise to the Secretary level; there's been no statement, I think,
from Secretary Kerry, but there have been statements about the pastor. I mean, are you
going to augment your effort by kind of raising the political level of this?
MR. VENTRELL: We've been very clear: there's - a few of these cases of American citizens
where we've been very clear and robust in our public commentary that they should be
freed. I can't get into sort of our private diplomatic efforts because they're, again,
very sensitive in terms of trying to help secure their release. But we've been very
focused on his case and, indeed, the others that you've mentioned.
QUESTION: Okay. But, I mean, he is a veteran. I guess you would think he would get as much
treatment as a private pastor.
MR. VENTRELL: Again, we're looking for the release of all these American citizens. And
there's a few cases out there, as I mentioned, and so we take them all very seriously.
Go ahead in the back.
QUESTION: Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned President Obama's April 24 statement on remembrance
of the so-called Turkish - sorry, Armenian genocide. Do you have any reaction to that?
MR. VENTRELL: I mean, the statement stands for itself, and I really refer you to the
President's very clear statement.
QUESTION: And also, two months ago, U.S. failed to honor victims of the Khojaly massacre committed
by the Armenians. Do you have any reaction to the statement that it could be - it is
a wrong-sided approach to honor victims on one side and ignore victims on the other side
- on all the other sides?
MR. VENTRELL: Well, we've talked about this before, and I'll give the same response, which
is that the tragic loss of life in the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia reminds us
that there cannot be a military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Only a lasting
and peaceful settlement can bring stability, prosperity, and reconciliation to the region.
And you know that the United States is a co-chair of the Minsk Group, and we remain firmly committed
to working with both sides to achieve peace.
Looks like we have one more. Lalit.
QUESTION: Can you follow up on yesterday's question? The Indian Embassy --
MR. VENTRELL: Right.
QUESTION: -- has said that they have liaised with the State Department yesterday on the
ill treatment of an Indian minister at the Boston airport. Do you have any response to
that?
MR. VENTRELL: I'm not sure about the Indian communication directly here with the State
Department, but what I said yesterday stands. We very much have a strong bilateral relationship
with Indian Government officials and refer you to Department of Homeland Security on
airport operations.
Scott.
QUESTION: The Enough Project today released satellite imagery that it says shows that
Sudan is supporting the Lord's Resistance Army --
MR. VENTRELL: Yeah.
QUESTION: -- and Joseph Kony. Does the United States Government believe that to be the case?
MR. VENTRELL: The United States is aware and continues to evaluate reports that the LRA
has operated in the disputed Kafia Kingi area claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan. The
U.S. and the international community as a whole would take very seriously any credible
evidence of support or safe haven being provided to the LRA.
And I do point you back the December 2012 presidential statement at the UN Security
Council that expressed concern about possible LRA presence in Kafi Kingi. So we continue
to discuss our concerns about the whereabouts of Joseph Kony with all governments in the
region, including with the Government of Sudan, and we have encouraged Sudan to cooperate
with regional efforts to counter the LRA.
More broadly speaking on the LRA, I did want to make the point that we're in a position
now where two of the top five commanders are gone, the number of people killed by the LRA
has gone down by 66 percent, and defections continue. So our pressure on the LRA continues.
QUESTION: Have you had the opportunity to look at the information that was released
today and determine whether that meets the threshold of credible information?
MR. VENTRELL: We're aware of it and we continue to evaluate, and our experts continue to look
at it.
All right. Thank you, all.