[Moderator]: Okay, so, welcome everybody and thank you so much for coming. My name is Rebecca Resnik. I am the new Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the embassy. I will be moderating tonight’s discussion. I will be the one calling on people for you to ask your questions and when I do call on you please state your name and what outlet you’re with.
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:
Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met today in Manama with Bahraini Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The Deputy Secretary expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for Bahrain’s strong partnership with the United States.
Today, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen hosted the second day of the Conference on Prosperity and Security in Central America, which focused on improving citizen security and safety in Central America.
The UN, Israel, and Syria have agreed to re-open the Quneitra crossing between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights on October 15. The re-opening is part of an ongoing effort of UN peacekeepers in the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) to carry out their mandate, which includes maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and Syria.
On the International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) stands beside girls to ensure that they reach their greatest potential.
The United States congratulates Ukraine’s Parliament and Ukrainian leadership on extending the law on special status for Russia-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine.
QUESTION: One, is just generally, is there anything new that you can report to us on what your understanding of what happened to him is? And then secondly, the President, in some kind of an interview this morning, said that you guys did have investigators on the ground, and then a Turkish official came around and said no, that’s not correct. Can you fill – what’s the story here?
WASHINGTON-The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an advisory today to help financial institutions better detect and report potentially illicit transactions related to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Tom, thank you for the kind introduction. Catherine, it’s great to see you. Catherine Herridge is my favorite reporter, but you should know that’s a low bar. (Laughter.) I --
MR PALLADINO: Something for the top. Looking ahead to tomorrow, we are honored to have the Vice President here at the State Department tomorrow to open the second Conference on Prosperity and Security in Central America. Secretary Pompeo is co-hosting this two-day event with the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen and our Mexican partners, Foreign Secretary Videgaray, and the Secretary of Government Navarrete.