We commend United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura and his team for their efforts in the latest round of Syria talks in Geneva. We also note the constructive participation of the Syrian opposition delegation, which stands in contrast to the obstructionism and procrastination of the Syrian regime delegation.
More than 25 governments – from the Middle East, South America, Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and North America – participated in this session, along with Europol and INTERPOL. The LECG session focused on Hizballah’s terrorist plotting and activities, and in particular on how the organization moves operatives and goods across borders. Participants discussed how law enforcement and border security tools can be used to counter these types of transnational threats.
It’s really important that you be here today, because we have a story to tell, and the story is a very important one. And it’s not just important for the United States, it’s important for the entire international community. As President Trump announced on October 13, the United States is taking a new approach to Iran by focusing on all of the regime’s destabilizing behavior. That means we are focused not just on the nuclear program.
On December 12, U.S. citizen Joshua Holt was charged after more than 17 months of detention. U.S. Embassy personnel were not permitted to observe Mr. Holt’s court hearing on December 12.
Washington – The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated Okot Lukwang and Musa Hatari pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13667, which targets certain persons contributing to the conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR), including those that support armed groups involved in activities that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the CAR through the illicit trade of natural resources. Both designated persons facilitated the transfer of ivory, weapons, and money in support of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
Ambassador Kaidanow is going to talk about a newly published report. You should have it on the desks in front of you. It’s called, “To Walk the Earth in Safety,” and she’s here to talk a little bit more about this. It’s an annual State Department report that highlights the State Department’s commitment to conventional weapons destruction.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen will convene the second high-level dialogue with their Mexican counterparts to continue discussion on strategies to disrupt transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) on December 14 at 9:00 a.m. at the Department of State. Attorney General Jeff Sessions will also participate.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will participate in a UN Security Council Ministerial Briefing on Non-Proliferation and the DPRK on Friday, December 15, 2017 in New York, New York.
SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, thank you so much, Stephen, for that warm welcome. And we’ve known each other for a long time as well, and in my old life would often share perspectives on what I was seeing around the world and try to get some advice on whether I was leaning the correct way to the left or the right. And the advice was always sound and very appreciated. Thank you.
The United States commends NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for his outstanding service and is pleased to join the other 28 Allies in supporting his extension through September 2020.
