State Department Briefing by Mark C. Toner, July 13, 2011

• INDIA
  • Bombing in Mumbai / U.S. Condemnation / Offer of Condolences / Offer of Support and Assistance
• ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS
  • Quartet Meeting / Productive Session / Gaps Between Parties / Remain Engaged
  • Proposed Law / Internal Israeli Matter / Freedom of Expression
• TURKEY
  • Embassy in Touch with Turkish Authorities on Reported Arrests of al-Qaida Militants / U.S. Embassy / Turkish Operation
• SYRIA
  • President Obama Remarks / Police Presence Around Embassy
• EGYPT
  • Elections / Sympathetic to Logistics / Significant Challenges
• MALAYSIA
  • Concern About Arrests / Democratic Aspirations / Monitor Situation Closely
• PHILIPPINES
  • Abduction of Two American Citizens / Concerned About Their Safety
• CHINA/TIBET
  • Dalai Lama
• PAKISTAN
  • U.S. Assistance / U.S.-Pakistan Relationship
• NORTH KOREA
  • U.S. Hopes for Greater Access for Press

12:50 p.m. EDT

MR. TONER: Just at the top, I did want to speak to a situation that many of you have been following all morning, and that is the bombings in Mumbai. First of all, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Government condemns the senseless violence in the strongest possible terms. We offer our condolences to the families and friends of those affected by this attack and stand in solidarity with the people of India and Mumbai. We offer our full support and assistance to the Government of India in their response to an investigation of the attack. And in that vein, Under Secretary Burns did speak just a little while ago with Foreign Secretary Rao to convey our condolences and offer our support. And worth noting as well that Secretary Clinton will have an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the U.S.-India partnership when she travels there next week. I’ll stop there.

QUESTION: Do you know if (inaudible) actually asked for any help?

MR. TONER: I don’t know, Matt.

QUESTION: And do you know if there were any Americans who were (inaudible)?

MR. TONER: At this time, not aware of any U.S. citizens killed or injured as a result.

QUESTION: I realize it’s – this has just happened, but given the allegations of Pakistani involvement in the Mumbai attacks of 2008, do you have any reason to suspect that there may be Pakistani official or unofficial involvement in these bombings?

MR. TONER: Arshad, we don’t. It’s far too early to speculate. The Indian Government will no doubt begin an investigation of this incident, and we’ll wait for their results. And as I said, we stand ready to cooperate with them.

QUESTION: Any connection with Secretary’s visit to India or any advance warnings of any kind of this bombings?

MR. TONER: Not that I’m aware of. Again, this is very early on, so we’ll have to let this play out – investigation play out.

QUESTION: And no change in Secretary’s plans (inaudible)?

MR. TONER: No plans – no change in her plans.

QUESTION: Can we move on?

MR. TONER: Sure.

QUESTION: Can you enlighten us as to what happened at what I’m sure was an incredibly productive meeting of the Quartet envoys yesterday? I understand that once again they failed after three hours of intense negotiations to come up with a unified statement and may be trying to go at it again tomorrow. What’s the status?

MR. TONER: You want to get up and brief? (Laughter.) You seem to have a fairly full readout. Look, they did meet yesterday. We’ve said yesterday and indeed after the dinner that the intent of these meetings is not to issue a statement. When we’re ready and we feel that a statement will be productive and help push the process forward, the parties – or the members of the Quartet are ready to do so. But at this point, it was a productive session yesterday. They’re going to continue to be in contact. As you said, they may meet additionally today. They’ll remain in phone contact in the days ahead. I have no update on any travel at this point, but – and certainly we remain engaged.

QUESTION: All right. So the official record of the envoy – of the principals’ meeting on Sunday – or sorry, on Monday – Monday night, the official record that the U.S. and its partners want out there is basically no comment. That was – that’s the – that’s what it produced.

MR. TONER: No –

QUESTION: And nothing on the record about – other than the fact that there were significant gaps.

MR. TONER: Well, that’s not true. We – as you know, we did a backgrounder following the dinner –

QUESTION: I said on the record.

MR. TONER: — to try to give you an early readout. Oh, I’m sorry. On the record. And Toria has spoken to it at length yesterday. We – it was the judgment of the Quartet after this dinner and continuing through yesterday that realistically more work needs to be done to close the gaps that they believe are still there between the parties. But again, our goal is to get them back to the negotiating table.

Said.

QUESTION: Mark –

MR. TONER: He did have his hand up.

QUESTION: Mark, yesterday in an event, the Palestine Center just down the road from you guys, the PLO ambassador to Washington, Maen Areikat, said that the gaps are not between the Israelis and the Palestinians because these gaps are known. But there are apparently unbridgeable gaps between the United States and its partners within the Quartet. Could you comment on that?

MR. TONER: I mean, we’ve acknowledged that there are gaps between the parties. The Quartet remains committed to bringing them back to the negotiating table. And to that end, as I said, they continue to meet to find practical ways to encourage them to do so. But I’m not going to get into the substance of their meetings.

QUESTION: Could you tell us what these gaps might be? I mean, where do they differ and where do they agree – let’s say the United States and Russia or the United States and the United Nations?

MR. TONER: Well, there are – I’m not going to necessarily get into the gaps between the parties as well. As you said, some of them are known, and some of them are – pose significant challenges to bridge. But we would call on the parties to overcome those obstacles and find ways to resume direct negotiations. As I said, some of these are quite public, but others are not so much. But what’s important again is that we feel that there’s an opportunity here, and it’s worth staying engaged on.

QUESTION: So finally, do you still believe that you can still dissuade the Palestinians from going to the United Nations in September as they have promised?

MR. TONER: And again, it remains our policy and our firm commitment that the only way to reach a comprehensive peace is through direct negotiations, not through the UN.

QUESTION: Thank you.

QUESTION: Just a small thing.

MR. TONER: Sure.

QUESTION: How long was the envoys meeting yesterday? Do you know for a fact whether they will indeed meet again today (inaudible)?

MR. TONER: I think several hours – I wasn’t sure that – I’m not sure – I didn’t confirm that they will meet again today. That was being discussed. I’ll confirm that later. And what I was told is that they’ll remain in close phone contact over the coming days.

Yeah, go ahead.

QUESTION: What do you know about the situation in Turkey, the arrests –

QUESTION: (Off-mike.)

MR. TONER: Oh, go ahead. Yes –

QUESTION: (Inaudible.) What does the U.S. think of this law that the Israeli cabinet and their parliament is talking about that would ban any boycotts of products produced in settlements?

MR. TONER: Right. Well, the law itself is an internal Israeli matter. It’s important to note, as we often do, that Israel is a vibrant democracy and has strong democratic institutions that allow its citizens to address concerns they may have about their laws. And clearly, freedom of expression is something that we consider a basic right under democracy.

QUESTION: Well, so does that mean that you have problems with the law?

MR. TONER: Not necessarily. What I think I just said was that the law itself is an internal Israeli matter, that – I stated our commitment to basic freedom of expression. But also, it’s important to recognize that Israel does have the kind of democratic institutions that allow its citizens to express either their concerns or their grievances or their support for any given law.

QUESTION: Right, but does that mean that you have concerns and that you’re confident that those concerns can be addressed because Israel is a vibrant democracy or is that —

MR. TONER: I think what I would just say is it’s an internal Israeli matter. However, the concerns that some Israelis may have about the law can be addressed through Israelis’ —

QUESTION: But the U.S. Government does not have any concerns itself?

MR. TONER: We view it as an internal matter.

QUESTION: Why would you pointedly note the U.S. support for freedom of expression? That leaves the – that is a well-known policy. It’s not one that needs to be sort of repeated from the podium. It does, however, leave lingering the notion that maybe you feel that freedom of expression may be compromised by this.

MR. TONER: No, I don’t think it’s necessarily a commentary on that specific law, but I think it’s the broader issue that we believe that freedom of expression is a fundamental right. Again, though, it’s important that I linked it to the fact that Israel is a vibrant democracy, does have strong democratic institutions, and is able to address these concerns.

QUESTION: And even if it is an internal matter, the Secretary and other U.S. officials often discuss internal matters. In Hungary, for example, she discussed a series of legislative moves that critics at least believe, and the Secretary herself suggested, might sort of undermine checks and balances in that country. Have any State Department officials raised this matter with Israeli officials in the last few days as the legislation has made its way?

MR. TONER: That’s a fair question. I’ll check.

QUESTION: Turkey?

MR. TONER: To Turkey.

QUESTION: What do you know, if anything, about these reported arrests of al-Qaida militants planning to attack the U.S. Embassy?

MR. TONER: Yeah. The short answer is not much at this point. We’ve obviously – you’ve all seen the press reports. I’m aware that our Embassy is in touch, as they always are, with Turkish authorities about this – these arrests. We obviously closely coordinate with them. But I’m not aware of how much we know about the – whether we can confirm that these were indeed attacks. I just don’t have that information right now. We’re in contact with the Turkish authorities. We do share information and intelligence, and I’ll let those play out (inaudible).

QUESTION: So did U.S. officials at the Embassy there, did they tell the Turkish authorities about the threat or —

MR. TONER: My understanding, no, is that this was a Turkish operation that we’ve subsequently been informed about.

QUESTION: Syria.

MR. TONER: Let’s go to Syria and then back – yeah.

QUESTION: Mark, has there been any contact – I’m sure there has been contact with Ambassador Robert Ford over the past 24 to 48 hours since the White House statement. Is there any reaction in Syria? Has he been called by the Syrian Government? Has there been any kind of official (inaudible)?

MR. TONER: You’re talking about the President’s remarks?

QUESTION: Yes. I mean, about President Asad losing one opportunity after another to reform. So has there been, like, any kind of protest by the Syrian Government officially?

MR. TONER: My understanding is – on the ground today, that it’s actually fairly quiet, and there is a larger police presence around the Embassy. I’m not aware that our Ambassador has had any additional meetings with the Syrian authorities.

QUESTION: Thank you.

QUESTION: Egypt. We have a report quoting a source in Cairo as saying that there is some possibility that the Egyptian parliamentary elections that were scheduled to take place in September will, in fact, slide to November; that the preparations will begin in September but the actual vote would not occur until two months later. Does the Administration have any view, (a), on the advisability of a delay, and (b) – well, I’ll leave it at that. I have nothing else to —

MR. TONER: Frankly, I’ll have to just say what we’ve said, because I’m not aware of this latest information and whether there is, in fact, a delay that’s been announced. We recognize that Egypt is navigating a difficult period as they head towards elections. It’s important that those elections stay on track. Obviously, we’re sympathetic to the logistics and et cetera that some of these elections – that these elections entail. So it’s important – again, I guess I would stress it’s important that these elections move forward in as free and fair a manner as possible. If that indeed entails a delay, that’s something we would have to look at, but it’s important that they remain on track.

QUESTION: What does “remain on track” mean? I mean, clearly, it doesn’t mean that you think that they have to occur on time.

MR. TONER: Right, but I guess too long a delay. But I will look into these specific reports.

QUESTION: Okay. So you’re open to some kind of a delay anyway, then, just not too long.

MR. TONER: Again, we’re aware that there’s significant challenges here and there’s a time squeeze, so let me get back to you if we have any more to say on it.

Yeah, go ahead.

QUESTION: Could I ask you – I know this issue was addressed last week, but Malaysia – there were arrests of opposition figures there. Over the weekend, there were some similar – some (inaudible) arrests there. How does the Administration view what’s gone on there and how the Malaysian authorities have dealt with this?

MR. TONER: Well, we do have some concerns. Obviously, we stand for – as we have elsewhere stood for and continue to stand for the right for people to freely express their democratic aspirations and express their views freely. I would stress that those must be peaceful demonstrations. So we did have some concerns; we continue to monitor the situation closely.

QUESTION: So you don’t – no longer have concerns?

MR. TONER: Again, I’m not aware of the status – the latest state of play on the ground, but we did have concerns about some of the events over the weekend.

QUESTION: Can I ask you why this is not an internal Malaysian matter that wouldn’t concern you at all?

MR. TONER: I’m sorry, why this is not an internal —

QUESTION: I would like to know why this is not an internal Malaysian matter that should —

MR. TONER: Well, I think I just said that it’s the right for —

QUESTION: Well, if you stand – if in fact, though, you said in your statement that you stand for the rights of people around the world, free speech and peaceful protests, and you said the same thing about Israel, and you said about Malaysia that you do have concerns about this – granted it’s a little bit different situation – but why would you have concerns about an internal Malaysian matter and not have concerns about an internal Israeli matter that affects the same thing?

MR. TONER: Again, it’s important that we stand up for universal rights. It’s one of the reasons I did mention, when I talked about Israel, the fact that they have the – that we stand for these fundamental rights, freedom of expression. And I – we would say the same thing about Malaysia that —

QUESTION: Right, but in the case of Malaysia, you said you do have concerns. Is it the case

—

MR. TONER: I said I did have concerns. I’m not sure what the – I’m unaware of what’s happened over the last 24, 48 hours.

QUESTION: But in the case of Israel, you wouldn’t go that far. You wouldn’t say that the U.S. has concerns about this law.

MR. TONER: Well, we view it as an internal debate, but – and one that Israel can address.

QUESTION: Is the difference, then, that you don’t believe Malaysia is a vibrant democracy with the ability to address these matters itself?

MR. TONER: Again, what we are – what I said on Malaysia was that these protestors do have the right to peacefully express their aspirations, if you will. And again, I would note that the onus is on them as well to be – to do so in a peaceful manner.

QUESTION: May I stay on Southeast Asia?

MR. TONER: Sure.

QUESTION: Yesterday, I asked about these two Americans who were abducted or allegedly abducted in the Philippines. Did – were you able to find anything about that?

MR. TONER: I can confirm – actually, Matt, just one second – I can confirm that two U.S. citizens have been abducted near Zamboanga, and excuse me if the pronunciation is a bit off on that.

QUESTION: No, that’s right.

MR. TONER: Yeah. We —

QUESTION: Can you spell it?

MR. TONER: Sure. It’s Z-a-m-b-o-a-n-g-a. We clearly remain concerned about their safety and well-being, and we’re working with the Philippine authorities and have also been in contact with the families of these individuals to provide appropriate consular assistance.

QUESTION: What are their names and where are they from?

MR. TONER: I will have to check on that, whether we have – the families have signed a Privacy Act waiver.

QUESTION: Now, is it in fact —

MR. TONER: I’ll check and get to you.

QUESTION: Can the families sign a Privacy Act waiver on their behalf?

MR. TONER: Well, I think in this situation, Matt, given that these individuals —

QUESTION: Have been abducted and —

MR. TONER: — cannot be contacted by consular officials, that their families would be appropriate – the appropriate people to sign any Privacy Act waiver.

QUESTION: Can we go back to Mumbai for just one moment?

MR. TONER: Yeah, sure.

QUESTION: Did you say – is the U.S. Government providing any assistance yet or not?

MR. TONER: We have not; we have offered our assistance.

QUESTION: Okay. And does the U.S. Government have a position on who they might think would be behind this?

MR. TONER: We do not. No. Investigation underway – no, it’s just far too early.

QUESTION: Fine.

MR. TONER: Yeah. In the back.

QUESTION: Has the Department any information on the transfer of nuclear technology from Argentina to Iran through the Venezuelan Government?

MR. TONER: From Argentina to?

QUESTION: Iran, through the Venezuelan Government.

MR. TONER: I do not. We’ll have to take that question. I mean, clearly, we would be concerned about any reports of a transfer of nuclear material. But this is the first time I’ve heard of those reports.

QUESTION: Because the Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen wrote a letter to Secretary Hillary Clinton asking about this matter, and I was —

MR. TONER: I’ll have to look into it.

QUESTION: Okay.

QUESTION: (Off-mike.)

MR. TONER: Sure.

QUESTION: Maleeha Lodhi, the former Pakistani Ambassador to Washington, she said that, as far as the U.S. aid to Pakistan – military aid – the U.S. needs more Pakistan than Pakistan needs U.S., so this is not the time for the U.S. to hold any aid or anything doing against Pakistan. And also, ISI chief Pasha is in Washington. I know that this building may not be his subject, but you never know if he’s meeting anybody here.

MR. TONER: On your second question, I’ll check on that. Did – was your first question a question or was it a statement?

QUESTION: I’m asking you if he’s meeting anybody in this building?

MR. TONER: Oh, yeah, no. Pasha – I’ll check into that. I don’t believe so, but —

QUESTION: Thanks.

QUESTION: The clock is ticking on the Secretary’s opportunity to meet with the Dalai Lama before she leaves tomorrow. Is it going to happen or not?

MR. TONER: No. I have nothing to announce on that right now.

QUESTION: Well, I mean, has a decision been made that she’s not going to see him? Because she’s got about less than 12 —

MR. TONER: I’m aware that the clock is ticking, Matt.

QUESTION: — 15 hours.

MR. TONER: But there’s no – nothing to announce.

QUESTION: Well, is there a possibility? If there is no meeting, is that something that you would announce? It would just happen, and you would let it go – slip by without any kind of – without saying anything?

MR. TONER: As you know, these things – when we have something to announce, we’ll announce it.

QUESTION: Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani spoke today, and he expressed concern about the suspension of aid to Pakistan, which is – the tone is different from what the military had to say about it. So has there been any official contact at governmental level between United States and Pakistan about this issue?

MR. TONER: Well, there’s always contact between us and the Pakistani authorities on a regular, daily basis.

QUESTION: But this specific issue.

MR. TONER: I can imagine, since this story broke, what, over the weekend, that they’ve talked about it. And in fact, this is something that we’ve spoken to publicly as well – we value our partnership with Pakistan; it’s not always easy, but it’s certainly vital and it’s in both our shared interests. We’re strongly committed to it, and it’s important to note, with all the talk about military and security assistance, our civilian assistance does continue without any restrictions.

QUESTION: (Inaudible.)

MR. TONER: Yeah.

QUESTION: On North Korea: The U.S. news agency AP is opening a bureau in Pyongyang and the British agency Reuters announced yesterday that it will begin a video news service there, and France is going to (inaudible) there in Pyongyang. Maybe – North Korea seems to be trying to reach out to the Western world. Do you think it is a good sign or just —

MR. TONER: Well, we would hope.

QUESTION: — a gesture that is not meaningful?

MR. TONER: Sure. At the risk of getting into another debate about universal freedoms with Matt, greater access for the press – as you said, you noted Associated Press and – is it true Reuters is also opening a bureau there? Is that right, or has —

QUESTION: Reuters, the European —

MR. TONER: I don’t want to start a – (laughter).

QUESTION: The Reuters will begin the video news service there.

MR. TONER: In any case, I just – I am aware that AP has said it’s going to open a bureau there. We would just hope that the government allows them for – greater freedom of the press, greater access. More information is, in our view, a good thing, and we hope that’s the case.

QUESTION: Do you think it is a good sign?

MR. TONER: We’ll see.

QUESTION: Any reaction to the Japanese prime minister’s announcement that Japan will no longer rely on nuclear energy in the future?

MR. TONER: Again, these are – I’ve noted the – I’ve seen the announcement; we don’t have any comment. This is something that Japan is assessing its own energy needs and looking to the future, but not something we would necessarily react to.

QUESTION: Thank you.

MR. TONER: Yeah.

(The briefing was concluded at 1:13 p.m.)

Source: state.gov