SECRETARY POMPEO: Good morning, everyone.
This morning, early, I had the chance to drive
through Arlington Cemetery, and as we approach
Memorial Day Weekend, I want to reflect on
the sacrifices of our uniformed military who
have given their lives in the cause of freedom.
As Secretary of State and an Army veteran,
I spend all my days working to use American
diplomatic power to secure freedom without
putting our servicemembers in harm’s way.
And I want to recognize and thank the families
who have lost loved ones in service to our
country for their sacrifices, too, from Lexington
to Leyte Gulf, from Valley Forge to the Ia
Drang Valley, and on all the other fields
of battle.
I hope every American will reflect on the
exceptional nation for which these warriors
fought and died so that we can live and enjoy
the fruits of this great country.
I want to begin today with a few observations
on China, because the media’s focus on the
current pandemic risks missing the bigger
picture of the challenge that’s presented
by the Chinese Communist Party.
First, basic facts.
China’s been ruled by a brutal, authoritarian
regime, a communist regime since 1949.
For several decades, we thought the regime
would become more like us through trade, scientific
exchanges, diplomatic outreach, letting them
in the WTO as a developing nation.
That didn’t happen.
We greatly underestimated the degree to which
Beijing is ideologically and politically hostile
to free nations.
The whole world is waking up to that fact.
Pew reported – I think it was this past
week – that 66% of Americans have an unfavorable
view of China.
That is a result of the Chinese Communist
Party’s choices, which are influenced by
the nature of the regime.
And the nature of that regime is not new.
Second point on the bigger picture: The Chinese
Communist Party’s response to the COVID-19
outbreak in Wuhan have accelerated our more
realistic understanding of communist China.
The Party chose to destroy live virus samples
instead of sharing them or asking us to help
secure them.
The People’s Liberation Army has claimed
more features in the South China Sea’s international
waters, sank a Vietnamese fishing boat, threatened
a Malaysian energy prospector, and declared
a unilateral fishing ban.
The United States condemns these unlawful
acts.
The Chinese Communist Party chose to threaten
Australia with economic retribution for the
simple act of asking for an independent inquiry
into the origins of the virus.
It’s not right.
We stand with Australia and the more than
120 nations now who have taken up the American
call for an inquiry into the origins of the
virus, so we can understand what went wrong
and save lives now, and in the future.
The Chinese Communist Party also chose to
pressure the World Health Organization’s
director-general into excluding Taiwan from
this week’s World Health Assembly in Geneva.
I understand that Dr. Tedros’s unusually
close ties to Beijing started long before
this current pandemic, and that’s deeply
troubling.
President Xi claimed this week that China
has acted “with openness, transparency,
and responsibility.”
I wish it were so.
It’s been 142 days since doctors at Wuhan
Central Hospital first started sharing information
about a SARS-like virus.
And yet, today, as we all sit here this morning,
Beijing continues to deny investigators access
to relevant facilities, to withhold live virus
samples, to censor discussion of the pandemic
within China, and much, much more.
If the Chinese Communist Party wants to demonstrate
real openness, real transparency, it could
easily hold press conferences, like this very
press conference, and allow reporters to ask
him anything that they would like.
Third: China’s contributions to fighting
the pandemic are paltry compared to the cost
that they have imposed on the world.
This plague has cost roughly 90,000 American
lives.
More than 36 million Americans have lost their
job since March.
Globally, 300,000 lives– could be as much
as around $9 trillion, according to our estimates,
the cost imposition on the world by the Chinese
Communist Party’s failures.
The United States has responded with about
$10 billion to benefit the international response
– everything from vaccine research to funding
for preparedness efforts and humanitarian
aid.
That’s compared to a promise of $2 billion
from the Chinese.
I look forward to seeing them fulfill that
$2 billion commitment.
Private American businesses, too – nonprofits,
charities, citizens have provided an additional
$4.3 billion from American donations to assist
the world.
There is no country that remotely rivals what
the United States has done to help combat
this terrible virus.
And today, I am pleased to announce another
$162 million in foreign assistance, bringing
our total commitments disbursed to more than
$1 billion since the outbreak began.
And that’s just what the State Department
and USAID have done.
In addition to that funding, today the State
Department and USAID, and the Inter-American
Foundation are providing more than 200 million
in assistance for Venezuelans in need as well.
This is what we do all around the world.
We will help the world recover from this pandemic.
Turning for a moment to Taiwan: I want to
say congratulations to President Tsai on her
inauguration.
The democratic process in Taiwan has matured
into a model for the world.
Despite great pressure from the outside, Taiwan
has demonstrated the wisdom of giving people
a voice and a choice.
In Hong Kong, our decision on whether or not
to certify Hong Kong as having “a high degree
of autonomy” from China is still pending.
We’re closely watching what’s going on
there.
This week pro-democracy legislators were man-handled
while trying to stop a procedural irregularity
by pro-Beijing legislators.
Leading Hong Kong activists like Martin Lee
and Jimmy Lai were hauled into court.
Actions like these make it more difficult
to assess that Hong Kong remains highly autonomous
from mainland China.
We’re also keeping a close eye on human
rights, as we always do – pandemic or no
pandemic.
I was pleased that France arrested this weekend
Felicien Kabuga, who is alleged to have played
a key role in the Rwandan genocide.
We’re monitoring Burundi, as voters there
go to the polls today.
I urge all sides to refrain from provocations
and allow there to be an election with no
violence, to let every citizen have the opportunity
to exercise their democratic rights.
Nicaragua, too – we’re concerned about
numerous credible reports of hospitals filling
up and bodies being buried under cover of
night, pointing to a much more severe situation
than the regime is actually acknowledging.
And we’re concerned that individuals around
the world, individuals including journalists,
have been arrested and detained based on their
public statements or activities regarding
COVID-19.
The United States condemns all such uses of
the pandemic around the world as a pretext
for repression.
Onto better news: Last week saw three diplomatic
wins.
I’d like to highlight them:
First, last week the United States shipped
its first-ever crude oil to Belarus.
I traveled there a few months back, made the
commitment that we would work on this project
with them so they would be less dependent
on crude oil from those who see the world
a little bit differently.
This deal will allow Belarus to diversify
its supplies to go forward and take crude
oil from free nations.
We’re the largest producer of oil and gas
in the world.
If nations want enhanced energy security and
deals crafted with respect for property rights
and free enterprise and the rule of law, come
talk to us.
We’ll get it done with you.
Second, in Afghanistan, the United States
welcomes the political settlement by President
Ghani and Dr. Abdullah.
We urge the two leaders to channel momentum
generated by this positive outcome to speed
up the government’s entry into intra-Afghan
negotiations.
We need all sides, including the Taliban,
to do their part to get into talks.
We need violence reduced.
We’re working hard to meet the critical
objective of getting peace and reconciliation
inside of Afghanistan.
Third, I’m really proud of the team here
at the State Department and the Commerce Department
who worked hard to help bring in the Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation’s
new $12 billion investment for a new state-of-the
art chip foundry to Arizona.
Microchips integral to all our national security
will be made in America again.
That deal was a piece of and an integral part
of a string of accomplishments that we call
the “5G National Security Trifecta,” something
we’ve been working on for some time.
Last week, the United States closed a loophole
Huawei had used to circumvent export controls
by designing and producing semiconductors
abroad.
And third, the third part of the trifecta
is something I have mentioned before: the
5G Clean Path. 5G data transiting American
diplomatic facilities must only transit through
trusted equipment.
I had a good conversation with Secretary Esper
this week on the importance of making sure
our military bases participate in the 5G path
initiative as well.
I want to update you on our maximum pressure
campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran,
too.
Tomorrow marks 24 months, two years, since
I launched the campaign to get Iran to behave
like a normal nation.
We continue to follow through on that commitment.
On June 8th, our designation of Islamic Republic
of Iran Shipping Lines goes into effect.
Last week, the U.S.
Government provided the maritime and energy
industries new guidance to reduce their risk
of exposure to sanctionable activities related
to Iran, as well as those regarding North
Korea and Syria.
The world’s maritime community has warned
– doing business with these vessels risks
severe consequences.
Our maximum pressure campaign also entails
demanding that the regime in Tehran treat
its own people with respect and dignity.
Today, the United States announces that it
is imposing sanctions on 12 Iranian individuals
and entities under human rights authorities.
One of those sanctioned is the current Minister
of Interior for Iran, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli.
We have reason to believe he is the individual
who gave orders in November 2019 authorizing
Iranian police forces to use lethal force
on peaceful protesters inside of Iran.
His evil commands killed Iranian citizens.
We’re proud to mete out what justice we
can on behalf of the slain and silenced inside
of Iran.
And finally, we have just marked the sad anniversary
of six years since Paul Overby’s disappearance
in Afghanistan.
Our colleagues at the FBI have renewed their
$1 million offer for information leading to
his return, and my team continues to press
towards that goal through diplomatic channels
as well.
The well-being of American citizens comes
first to this President, to this administration.
And with that, I’m happy to take a few questions.
MS ORTAGUS: Nike, go ahead.
QUESTION: Thank you.
Good morning.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Hi.
Good morning.
QUESTION: On Taiwan, you mentioned that the
democratically-elected Taiwan President Tsai
Ing-wen, a few hours ago inaugurated to continue
her second term.
We saw a video message from Deputy National
Security Advisor Pottinger in Mandarin Chinese,
and we saw the video message from Assistant
Secretary Stillwell, and your statement to
congratulate Taiwan.
My question for you is: How does the United
States envision its relationship with Taiwan
and Taiwan’s global participation after
WHO in the coming years?
Separately if I may, President Trump mentioned
last week that the U.S. may cut off all relationship
with China.
Would you like to weigh in your thoughts?
Should the United States ponder an official
relationship with Taiwan based on shared values
of democracy, religious freedom, and human
rights?
Thank you.
SECRETARY POMPEO: So we congratulated the
winner of the election there.
We were happy to see that.
My congratulations were in English, not Mandarin.
It was the best that I could do.
But we understand that the work that we have
done there – and it comports with the history
of the agreements between the United States
and China – is the right solution to maximize
the stability there in the straits.
The President talked about how we’re going
to respond, how he’s beginning to think
about responding to the calamity that has
befallen the world as a result of the actions
of the Chinese Communist Party.
I don’t want to get ahead of him in terms
of talking about how the administration will
respond to that, but you can already begin
to see the outlines of it.
I talked about this with our 5G National Security
Trifecta.
You can already see how we’re beginning
to work to make sure we get America First,
that we get this foreign policy right, and
that we respond to these risks that the Chinese
Communist Party presents to the United States
in an appropriate way.
You saw – yesterday I think it was, or maybe
it was the day before – the Department of
Defense make announcements about work on rare
Earth minerals so that, again, we wouldn’t
be dependent on a nation that has demonstrated
its unreliability, its willingness to steal
our intellectual property, all the things
that, frankly, for decades – and this isn’t
remotely partisan.
Democrat presidents, Republican presidents
all just turned the other way because of 1.5
billion people and the opportunity for enormous
markets, and this hope, this hope that engagement
would lead to a change in the behavior of
the Chinese Communist Party.
It didn’t happen.
And President Trump has been incredibly serious
about making sure that we do the right things
for the American people.
I know he’ll continue to do it.
We continue to work on this to develop an
appropriate way to think about how we can
get the Chinese Communist Party and China
to behave in a way that’s consistent with
how we ask every nation to behave.
MS ORTAGUS: Said, go ahead.
QUESTION: Thank you, Morgan.
Thank you, Mr. Secretary.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Hello, sir.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, last night the Palestinian
Authority President Mahmoud Abbas abrogated
all agreements with Israel and the United
States, including security coordination.
Do you have any comment on that?
And would you also comment on the process
or the progress of annexation per the announcement
by Mr. Netanyahu that he will do so on July
1?
Thank you, sir.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah, sure.
So I – we note the announcement by Abbas.
I was in communication today with our teams
there.
We hope that the security arrangements will
continue to be in place, that the work that’s
done on the ground there to keep people in
Israel and Palestinians safe will continue.
So I’m not exactly sure what to make of
his statement, but I regret that he has decided
to abrogate these agreements.
We laid out a very clear vision for how peace
could be brought.
We asked simply for this: We asked the Israelis
and the Palestinians to agree that that would
be the basis for negotiations between them.
The Israelis have accepted that.
The Palestinians have continued to refuse
to just simply sit down and enter into negotiation
based on President Trump’s Vision for Peace
there.
We know that vision for peace will lead to
better lives for the Palestinian people.
It acknowledges that in a very clear and unambiguous
way.
We hope that the leadership in the Palestinian
Authority will see that that’s in their
people’s best interest, and that we can
move out in that way according to the vision
that was laid out.
The last thing to say is I was in Israel last
week.
We had conversations about how we can move
this vision for peace forward, and we’re
going to continue to work with the – all
the parties involved to try to get that ultimate
outcome.
You can see how the Middle East has changed.
You can see how you now have the most anti-Semitic
country in the world, the Islamic Republic
of Iran, pitted against Arab nations and Israel
who understand that the great threat in the
Middle East is very different than it may
have been decades ago.
That threat now emanates from Iran, and you
can see these other nations working together
to ensure that we take down risk throughout
the Middle East.
And the President’s Vision for Peace there
is an important component of that.
QUESTION: Has anyone spoken to the Palestinians,
sir?
SECRETARY POMPEO: I don’t have anything
to say on that.
Thank you.
MS ORTAGUS: Go ahead, Rich.
QUESTION: (Off-mike.)
SECRETARY POMPEO: Hi, Rich.
QUESTION: Several Senate Republicans say they
want a specific explanation as to why the
administration fired the inspector general
here.
Senator Grassley says, “An expression of
lost confidence, without further explanation,
is not sufficient to fulfill the requirements
of the IG Reform Act.”
Will you provide Congress a more detailed
explanation on why you recommended the firing
to the President?
And will the State Department make the House
Foreign Affairs Committee deadline for documents
this Friday at 5:00?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So there’s been lots of
discussion about – I’ve read a number
of reports.
Let me say three things.
First, the President has the unilateral right
to choose who he wants to be his inspector
general at every agency in the federal government.
They are presidentially confirmed positions,
and those persons, just like all of us, serve
at the pleasure of the President of the United
States.
In this case, I recommended to the President
that Steve Linick be terminated.
I frankly should have done it some time ago.
MS ORTAGUS: I think I’ve got to get you
out, sir.
QUESTION: (Off-mike.)
SECRETARY POMPEO: I’m happy to take – I’m
happy to take one more.
MS ORTAGUS: Okay.
Barbara, go ahead.
QUESTION: Okay.
So you have said, sir, that Mr. Linick was
“undermining” the department’s mission.
What exactly does that mean?
Can you give us examples?
Even the President doesn’t know what that
means.
He says he didn’t really know the guy before
you mentioned it.
So what specifically has Mr. Linick done?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah.
Yeah, unlike others, I don’t talk about
personnel matters.
I don’t leak to you all, and —
QUESTION: So did he leak?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah, I just – I’ll
just say this: I can’t talk.
I can’t give you specificity.
We’ll share with the appropriate people
the rationale, but no – there should be
no mistake.
There’s —
QUESTION: But he’s an accountability official.
Does —
MS ORTAGUS: Can we let him finish, please?
QUESTION: Is it a secret as to why he was
fired?
MS ORTAGUS: Can we let him finish, please?
SECRETARY POMPEO: May I answer the question,
if you will?
I appreciate the question.
Let’s be clear.
There are claims that this was for a retaliation
for some investigation that the Inspector
General’s Office here was engaged in.
It’s patently false.
I have no sense of what investigations were
taking place inside the Inspector General’s
Office.
Couldn’t possibly have retaliated for all
the things – I’ve seen the various stories
that – like, someone was walking my dog
to sell arms to my dry cleaner.
(Laughter.)
I mean, it’s all just crazy.
It’s all crazy stuff.
QUESTION: What about the Saudi arms?
Sir —
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I didn’t have access
to that information, so I couldn’t possibly
have retaliated.
It would have been impossible.
There’s one exception.
I was asked a series of questions in writing;
I responded to those questions with respect
to a particular investigation.
That was some time earlier this year, as best
I can recall, responding to those questions.
I don’t know the scope.
I don’t know the nature of that investigation,
other than what I would have seen from the
nature of the questions that I was presented.
I did what was right.
I don’t know if that investigation is continuing.
I don’t know if that investigation has been
closed out.
I don’t have any sense of that.
Again, it’s not possible for there have
been retaliation.
Here’s the last thing to think about as
you see these stories that have been leaked
– to you all, right, to the press.
This is all coming through the office of Senator
Menendez.
I don’t get my ethics guidance from a man
who was criminally prosecuted – case number
15-155 in New Jersey federal district court
– a man for whom his Senate colleagues,
bipartisan, said basically that he was taking
bribes.
That’s a – that’s not someone who I
look to for ethics guidance.
And so I’ll continue to do the right thing,
to make sure the State Department is served
by every employee, including our inspector
general, and we’ll make sure the State Department
continues to deliver on behalf of the American
people.
QUESTION: What about Congressman Engel?
What about the House Foreign Affairs Committee,
sir?
MS ORTAGUS: Okay.
I think that’s it, sir.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, all.
Everybody have a great day, and —
QUESTION: And Senator Grassley?
SECRETARY POMPEO: — have a wonderful Memorial
Day weekend, too.
So long.
