1 00:00:02,740 --> 00:00:05,280 Mhm . Okay . A few things to get 2 00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:08,010 through here at the top . So , bear 3 00:00:08,010 --> 00:00:11,870 with me , I think you 4 00:00:11,870 --> 00:00:13,648 saw just a little bit ago , the 5 00:00:13,648 --> 00:00:15,703 secretary released a short statement 6 00:00:15,703 --> 00:00:18,830 thanking National Guards , men and 7 00:00:18,830 --> 00:00:22,300 women for their service at the capitol 8 00:00:22,300 --> 00:00:24,300 complex over the last five months , 9 00:00:24,300 --> 00:00:27,080 truly extraordinary work . Oftentimes 10 00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:29,580 in pretty extreme and nasty weather . 11 00:00:29,590 --> 00:00:31,950 Uh but they chipped in and performed an 12 00:00:31,950 --> 00:00:34,130 invaluable service and uh it was 13 00:00:34,130 --> 00:00:36,074 important for the secretary to say 14 00:00:36,074 --> 00:00:38,241 thank you to them as they now begin to 15 00:00:38,241 --> 00:00:40,186 transition out of the area . Their 16 00:00:40,186 --> 00:00:42,410 mission is over there still About 1000 17 00:00:42,410 --> 00:00:44,410 or so that are still in the capital 18 00:00:44,410 --> 00:00:46,299 area , but they're they're in the 19 00:00:46,299 --> 00:00:48,521 process , is there ? Their whole effort 20 00:00:48,521 --> 00:00:50,743 now is just in the process of moving on 21 00:00:50,743 --> 00:00:52,799 back back home . Um as you like , we 22 00:00:52,799 --> 00:00:54,966 saw in the news over the weekend , the 23 00:00:54,966 --> 00:00:57,077 United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group 24 00:00:57,077 --> 00:01:00,330 21 or c . s . g . gotten away from 25 00:01:00,340 --> 00:01:03,340 Portsmouth . Cst 21 is a large scale 26 00:01:03,340 --> 00:01:05,510 multinational deployment designed to 27 00:01:05,510 --> 00:01:07,788 demonstrate expeditionary capabilities , 28 00:01:07,788 --> 00:01:09,232 operational readiness and 29 00:01:09,232 --> 00:01:11,232 interoperability between the United 30 00:01:11,232 --> 00:01:13,343 States , the U . K . And other allies 31 00:01:13,343 --> 00:01:15,566 and partners . It will highlight global 32 00:01:15,566 --> 00:01:17,677 reach and enhances the deterrence and 33 00:01:17,677 --> 00:01:19,510 defence capabilities of the NATO 34 00:01:19,510 --> 00:01:21,677 alliance . In total , The strike group 35 00:01:21,677 --> 00:01:23,232 will include nine ships and 36 00:01:23,232 --> 00:01:25,970 approximately 3700 personnel . Though 37 00:01:25,970 --> 00:01:29,000 it's british led , our Navy will be 38 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,056 participating with the deployment of 39 00:01:31,056 --> 00:01:33,660 the destroyer USS , the sullivans uh in 40 00:01:33,660 --> 00:01:36,040 the Marine Corps , F 35 B squadron that 41 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:38,200 will be attached to the aircraft 42 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:40,311 carrier H . M . S . Queen Elizabeth . 43 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:42,700 In addition to press coverage coming 44 00:01:42,700 --> 00:01:44,533 out of the U . K . Are combatant 45 00:01:44,533 --> 00:01:46,478 commands and services will also be 46 00:01:46,478 --> 00:01:48,644 highlighting d O . D . S participation 47 00:01:48,644 --> 00:01:50,533 at various stages throughout this 48 00:01:50,533 --> 00:01:52,478 deployment . We're delighted to be 49 00:01:52,478 --> 00:01:54,367 underway and to be a part of it . 50 00:01:54,367 --> 00:01:56,980 Speaking about Being underway and a 51 00:01:56,990 --> 00:01:58,768 part of international efforts . 52 00:01:58,768 --> 00:02:01,200 Defending 21 . The exercise in Europe 53 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:03,640 continues as scheduled over the weekend . 54 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:05,980 The United States Army , second Cavalry 55 00:02:05,980 --> 00:02:08,180 Regiment road march began during the 56 00:02:08,180 --> 00:02:10,240 four day march . The the unit will 57 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:12,573 travel through Germany , Czech Republic , 58 00:02:12,573 --> 00:02:14,860 Hungary and Slovakia and integrate with 59 00:02:14,870 --> 00:02:17,690 exercise immediate response later this 60 00:02:17,690 --> 00:02:20,170 week . Also of note exercise Saber 61 00:02:20,170 --> 00:02:22,281 Guardian Kicked off today . More than 62 00:02:22,281 --> 00:02:25,040 13,000 service members from 19 nations 63 00:02:25,340 --> 00:02:27,284 will conduct live fire and air and 64 00:02:27,284 --> 00:02:29,396 missile defense operations in several 65 00:02:29,396 --> 00:02:31,340 countries and will conduct a large 66 00:02:31,340 --> 00:02:33,396 scale medical evacuation exercise in 67 00:02:33,396 --> 00:02:37,210 Germany on a separate topic . I think 68 00:02:37,210 --> 00:02:39,043 you saw that earlier today , the 69 00:02:39,043 --> 00:02:41,870 secretary spoke with his with the 70 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:44,150 pakistanis , Chief of Army Staff 71 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:46,200 General bagua to discuss shared 72 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:48,200 regional interests and objectives . 73 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:50,256 During the call Secretary reiterated 74 00:02:50,256 --> 00:02:52,478 his appreciation for Pakistan's support 75 00:02:52,478 --> 00:02:54,644 for the Afghanistan peace negotiations 76 00:02:54,644 --> 00:02:56,867 and expressed his desire to continue to 77 00:02:56,867 --> 00:02:58,867 build on the United States Pakistan 78 00:02:58,867 --> 00:03:02,570 bilateral relationship um onto 79 00:03:02,580 --> 00:03:04,358 Covid . As part of the national 80 00:03:04,358 --> 00:03:07,060 response to Covid 19 , the Department 81 00:03:07,060 --> 00:03:09,171 of Defense , in coordination with the 82 00:03:09,171 --> 00:03:11,393 Department of Health and Human Services 83 00:03:11,393 --> 00:03:13,504 signed a Defense Production Act title 84 00:03:13,504 --> 00:03:15,338 three Agreement with retractable 85 00:03:15,338 --> 00:03:17,560 technologies incorporated to expand the 86 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:19,449 production of safety syringes and 87 00:03:19,449 --> 00:03:21,560 needles . The amount of the agreement 88 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:24,730 was $27.3 million and this investment 89 00:03:24,730 --> 00:03:27,190 will enable retractable technologies to 90 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:29,150 install two additional automated 91 00:03:29,150 --> 00:03:31,261 assembly lines at their manufacturing 92 00:03:31,261 --> 00:03:33,680 facility in Little Elm texas . The full 93 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:35,847 release on this agreement can be found 94 00:03:35,847 --> 00:03:38,390 on our website defense dot gov . And 95 00:03:38,390 --> 00:03:40,612 lastly , I think you probably solve for 96 00:03:40,612 --> 00:03:42,834 But for your planning purposes , as the 97 00:03:42,834 --> 00:03:44,723 White House announced today , the 98 00:03:44,723 --> 00:03:46,946 president will lay a wreath at the tomb 99 00:03:46,946 --> 00:03:49,168 of the Unknown soldiers A week from now 100 00:03:49,168 --> 00:03:49,100 in honor of Memorial Day . Immediately 101 00:03:49,100 --> 00:03:51,044 following that wreath laying , the 102 00:03:51,044 --> 00:03:52,989 president will give a memorial day 103 00:03:52,989 --> 00:03:54,933 address to the amphitheater in the 104 00:03:54,933 --> 00:03:56,933 amphitheater . Secretary Austin and 105 00:03:56,933 --> 00:03:58,711 Chairman Millie will also be in 106 00:03:58,711 --> 00:04:00,878 attendance and we'll provide remarks . 107 00:04:00,878 --> 00:04:02,989 The first lady , the Vice President , 108 00:04:02,989 --> 00:04:04,767 the second gentleman and Deputy 109 00:04:04,767 --> 00:04:06,767 secretary hicks will also all be in 110 00:04:06,767 --> 00:04:08,933 attendance due to Covid . This will be 111 00:04:08,933 --> 00:04:10,878 a closed event and not open to the 112 00:04:10,878 --> 00:04:10,780 public . And with that we'll take 113 00:04:10,780 --> 00:04:14,040 questions . Uh , I have a question for 114 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,420 you connected to the disclosure last 115 00:04:16,420 --> 00:04:18,642 week that the Justice Department during 116 00:04:18,642 --> 00:04:20,753 the trump administration had obtained 117 00:04:21,310 --> 00:04:23,254 phone and email records of Barbara 118 00:04:23,254 --> 00:04:26,590 starr of the CNN and I realized that 119 00:04:26,590 --> 00:04:28,701 this was before Secretary Austin took 120 00:04:28,701 --> 00:04:30,930 office . Of course , my question is , 121 00:04:30,930 --> 00:04:33,620 would Secretary Secretary Austin's view 122 00:04:33,620 --> 00:04:35,787 on the appropriateness of this sort of 123 00:04:35,787 --> 00:04:38,560 activity with the pentagon under Austin 124 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:41,151 cooperate with any Justice Department 125 00:04:41,151 --> 00:04:43,373 effort to obtain communications records 126 00:04:43,373 --> 00:04:45,484 of reporters who cover the pentagon ? 127 00:04:45,484 --> 00:04:47,651 Well , I certainly can't speak to this 128 00:04:47,651 --> 00:04:49,762 case in particular , um and referring 129 00:04:49,762 --> 00:04:51,873 to the Justice Department to speak to 130 00:04:51,873 --> 00:04:54,040 that . Um , and I don't think you'd be 131 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:56,318 wise for me to get into a hypothetical , 132 00:04:56,318 --> 00:05:00,090 um uh you know , hypothetical cases 133 00:05:00,540 --> 00:05:04,000 going forward , let me just say bob . 134 00:05:04,010 --> 00:05:06,340 The secretary has enormous respect and 135 00:05:06,340 --> 00:05:08,284 admiration for what members of the 136 00:05:08,284 --> 00:05:11,810 media do , uh and the contributions you 137 00:05:11,810 --> 00:05:14,320 make to informing and educating not 138 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:16,376 just the american people , but , but 139 00:05:16,376 --> 00:05:18,790 public around the world . Um and he 140 00:05:18,830 --> 00:05:21,910 believes in fostering healthy 141 00:05:21,910 --> 00:05:23,577 relationship with the media , 142 00:05:23,577 --> 00:05:25,743 particularly the media that cover this 143 00:05:25,743 --> 00:05:27,950 building . Um and and that includes , 144 00:05:27,960 --> 00:05:30,550 you know , enabling a measure of trust 145 00:05:30,550 --> 00:05:33,560 and confidence uh in the kinds of um 146 00:05:33,940 --> 00:05:36,162 communications that those relationships 147 00:05:36,162 --> 00:05:38,250 will foster . So he doesn't have a 148 00:05:38,260 --> 00:05:40,410 specific view on whether the best 149 00:05:40,410 --> 00:05:43,160 problems should or could cooperate on . 150 00:05:43,170 --> 00:05:46,990 I think it would , it would be uh 151 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,910 you look , he he understands that you 152 00:05:49,910 --> 00:05:52,980 have an important job to do um and that 153 00:05:52,980 --> 00:05:55,060 you also have uh 154 00:05:55,940 --> 00:05:59,610 uh duty and obligation to protect 155 00:05:59,620 --> 00:06:02,150 the sources of information that you 156 00:06:02,150 --> 00:06:04,206 need to do your job . He understands 157 00:06:04,206 --> 00:06:06,600 that , but I I don't think it's helpful 158 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:09,450 for me to hypothesize or speculate with 159 00:06:09,450 --> 00:06:12,040 any great detail about about cases that 160 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:14,040 haven't even happened , things that 161 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:16,151 haven't happened there haven't been a 162 00:06:16,151 --> 00:06:19,460 concern . Um uh Clearly um 163 00:06:19,940 --> 00:06:22,630 we have good interagency relationships 164 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:24,862 here in town and that includes with the 165 00:06:24,862 --> 00:06:26,973 Justice Department , but I just don't 166 00:06:26,973 --> 00:06:29,084 no that would be helpful to speculate 167 00:06:29,084 --> 00:06:31,140 about something that hasn't happened 168 00:06:31,140 --> 00:06:33,362 yet . He does understand the importance 169 00:06:33,362 --> 00:06:35,670 of your work and the way in which you 170 00:06:35,670 --> 00:06:37,760 need to go about that work . Right . 171 00:06:38,140 --> 00:06:41,870 Yeah . Uh Yeah . Thanks . Uh Could you 172 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:43,824 elaborate a little bit more on the 173 00:06:43,824 --> 00:06:46,102 guard draw down or they're gonna leave ? 174 00:06:46,102 --> 00:06:48,950 A residual force are gonna leave Qrf um 175 00:06:49,840 --> 00:06:51,840 any capabilities , equipment , that 176 00:06:51,840 --> 00:06:53,784 type of thing ? Are they gonna get 177 00:06:53,784 --> 00:06:55,896 reimbursed for it ? And then I have a 178 00:06:55,896 --> 00:06:57,840 second quick question . There's no 179 00:06:57,840 --> 00:07:01,000 reimbursable plan . Abraham . Uh , 180 00:07:01,010 --> 00:07:03,121 there's no plans for a quick reaction 181 00:07:03,121 --> 00:07:05,370 force to be left behind . As I said , 182 00:07:05,370 --> 00:07:07,690 the 1000 or so that are still in the 183 00:07:07,690 --> 00:07:09,523 capital region are preparing for 184 00:07:09,523 --> 00:07:12,560 departure . I don't have any um 185 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:16,370 additional requests or 186 00:07:16,370 --> 00:07:19,610 desires to talk to today 187 00:07:19,620 --> 00:07:22,410 by the capitol police for any residual 188 00:07:22,410 --> 00:07:24,521 capabilities . If that changes , will 189 00:07:24,521 --> 00:07:26,466 certainly let you know . Okay , so 190 00:07:26,466 --> 00:07:28,466 nothing left behind the equipment , 191 00:07:28,466 --> 00:07:30,410 though . Not that I'm aware of , I 192 00:07:30,410 --> 00:07:32,521 would point you to the National Guard 193 00:07:32,521 --> 00:07:34,632 um , for more specifics , but I'm not 194 00:07:34,632 --> 00:07:36,930 aware of any residual equipment that's 195 00:07:36,930 --> 00:07:38,986 going to be left behind . Remember , 196 00:07:38,986 --> 00:07:41,760 most of these soldiers were essentially 197 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:46,280 acting as physical and barrier 198 00:07:46,570 --> 00:07:49,150 centuries . Sure . And then quickly on 199 00:07:49,540 --> 00:07:51,900 Secretary Austin's call with his 200 00:07:51,900 --> 00:07:53,850 counterpart in Pakistan , Did he 201 00:07:53,850 --> 00:07:56,950 discuss a possible basing agreement ? 202 00:07:58,140 --> 00:07:59,973 I think I'm just leave it to the 203 00:07:59,973 --> 00:08:01,696 readout and uh , the degree of 204 00:08:01,696 --> 00:08:04,880 specificity in the readout . Very good 205 00:08:04,890 --> 00:08:07,420 Tara . Thank you . Just to follow up on 206 00:08:07,430 --> 00:08:10,570 his question . The Qrf though was a 207 00:08:10,580 --> 00:08:12,580 recommendation from General Andres 208 00:08:12,590 --> 00:08:15,650 review . Are there plans in place to 209 00:08:15,660 --> 00:08:17,549 set up a long term cure f for the 210 00:08:17,549 --> 00:08:19,438 capital ? And then I have another 211 00:08:19,438 --> 00:08:22,160 question . I think we're still , um , 212 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:24,951 taking in some of the recommendations 213 00:08:24,951 --> 00:08:27,310 by General Honore and his team . Um , 214 00:08:27,310 --> 00:08:30,010 no decisions have been made about any 215 00:08:30,010 --> 00:08:32,177 of the specifics with respect to those 216 00:08:32,177 --> 00:08:34,288 recommendations . And again , if that 217 00:08:34,288 --> 00:08:36,232 changes , we'll let you know as of 218 00:08:36,232 --> 00:08:38,343 right now , there's no , uh , there's 219 00:08:38,343 --> 00:08:40,454 no intention to have a quick reaction 220 00:08:40,454 --> 00:08:42,510 force as a result of these guardsmen 221 00:08:42,510 --> 00:08:44,677 and women leaving . This may be too in 222 00:08:44,677 --> 00:08:46,843 the weeds . But is that something that 223 00:08:46,843 --> 00:08:49,010 we would see reflected in the upcoming 224 00:08:49,010 --> 00:08:50,788 budget request ? Whether or not 225 00:08:50,788 --> 00:08:52,677 accurate was being funded for the 226 00:08:52,677 --> 00:08:52,550 capital and wouldn't come out of D . O . 227 00:08:52,550 --> 00:08:55,030 D . Or would it be part of a U . S . 228 00:08:55,030 --> 00:08:58,420 Capitol like the legislative budget ? I 229 00:08:58,420 --> 00:09:00,600 don't have any details on that . Are I 230 00:09:00,610 --> 00:09:02,777 you know , if it was to be , if it was 231 00:09:02,777 --> 00:09:04,888 something we were going to pursue and 232 00:09:04,888 --> 00:09:06,888 we're going to pursue it out of our 233 00:09:06,888 --> 00:09:08,888 execute herbal funds , clearly that 234 00:09:08,888 --> 00:09:08,250 would be something we'd have to budget 235 00:09:08,250 --> 00:09:10,417 too . But I don't want to get ahead of 236 00:09:10,417 --> 00:09:12,639 the budget , which obviously we haven't 237 00:09:12,639 --> 00:09:14,806 released yet . So I think um I think I 238 00:09:14,806 --> 00:09:16,806 would just stay tuned on that . But 239 00:09:16,806 --> 00:09:19,370 again , no I know of no specific plans 240 00:09:19,380 --> 00:09:21,980 uh that are in place right now to act 241 00:09:21,980 --> 00:09:24,800 on the recommendations were still going 242 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:28,070 through that . Um and uh in concert 243 00:09:28,070 --> 00:09:30,810 with the inter agency to see um what 244 00:09:30,820 --> 00:09:32,653 capabilities might be best going 245 00:09:32,653 --> 00:09:34,487 forward . But I wouldn't want to 246 00:09:34,487 --> 00:09:36,653 speculate right now . Let me go to the 247 00:09:36,653 --> 00:09:39,040 phones , I haven't done that yet . Uh 248 00:09:39,050 --> 00:09:42,510 Jeff from v away john thanks very much 249 00:09:42,510 --> 00:09:44,677 for doing this . Two questions . First 250 00:09:44,677 --> 00:09:46,788 question . Um there were reports last 251 00:09:46,788 --> 00:09:48,732 week about the death of boko Haram 252 00:09:48,732 --> 00:09:50,510 Haram leader , Abu bakar Shekau 253 00:09:50,510 --> 00:09:52,343 possibly after being captured by 254 00:09:52,343 --> 00:09:54,800 Islamic State West Africa . Does the 255 00:09:54,810 --> 00:09:57,320 pentagon have any assessment of those 256 00:09:57,320 --> 00:10:00,510 reports and based on those reports , 257 00:10:00,510 --> 00:10:02,677 any concern about the growing strength 258 00:10:02,677 --> 00:10:04,788 of ISIS West Africa ? And then I have 259 00:10:04,788 --> 00:10:06,566 another question , I don't have 260 00:10:06,566 --> 00:10:08,690 anything specific um to say with 261 00:10:08,690 --> 00:10:12,300 respect to that report . Obviously , um 262 00:10:12,310 --> 00:10:14,477 we're well aware of the threat that Al 263 00:10:14,477 --> 00:10:16,490 Shabaab continues to pose and we're 264 00:10:16,490 --> 00:10:20,280 certainly well aware of uh of the 265 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:22,740 desire by ISIS to expand their 266 00:10:22,740 --> 00:10:25,560 footprint in places like africa . But I 267 00:10:25,560 --> 00:10:27,727 don't have anything more specific than 268 00:10:27,727 --> 00:10:29,949 that . Okay , and the second question , 269 00:10:29,949 --> 00:10:32,116 getting back to Pakistan , its Foreign 270 00:10:32,116 --> 00:10:34,060 Ministry put out a statement today 271 00:10:34,060 --> 00:10:36,393 ruling out the possibility of any U . S . 272 00:10:36,393 --> 00:10:38,560 Military bases for the post withdrawal 273 00:10:38,560 --> 00:10:40,449 from Afghanistan counterterrorism 274 00:10:40,449 --> 00:10:42,616 effort . Um Is there anything that the 275 00:10:42,616 --> 00:10:42,590 U . S . Is looking for right now from 276 00:10:42,590 --> 00:10:45,440 Pakistan in terms of what happens after 277 00:10:45,450 --> 00:10:47,450 the withdrawal is complete . And is 278 00:10:47,450 --> 00:10:49,620 there any update on other possible 279 00:10:49,620 --> 00:10:52,110 basing agreements in the region for 280 00:10:52,110 --> 00:10:54,277 doing counterterrorism operations once 281 00:10:54,277 --> 00:10:56,550 the Afghan general is done , I don't 282 00:10:56,550 --> 00:10:58,661 have any specific updates in terms of 283 00:10:59,240 --> 00:11:02,430 the potential for overseas basing their 284 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:04,660 after our withdrawal . These are 285 00:11:05,340 --> 00:11:07,680 obviously diplomatic discussions um 286 00:11:07,680 --> 00:11:10,030 that are ongoing um and are clearly not 287 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:13,070 complete . Uh We're exploring a range 288 00:11:13,070 --> 00:11:16,400 of options and opportunities uh to to 289 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:19,370 be able to provide a credible and 290 00:11:19,370 --> 00:11:20,810 viable over the horizon 291 00:11:20,810 --> 00:11:22,699 counterterrorism capability . And 292 00:11:22,699 --> 00:11:24,754 there's lots of ways you can do that 293 00:11:24,754 --> 00:11:26,866 overseas basing is just one of them . 294 00:11:26,866 --> 00:11:26,620 So nothing to report on that front . I 295 00:11:26,620 --> 00:11:30,590 certainly wouldn't uh speak to uh in 296 00:11:30,590 --> 00:11:32,810 any greater detail with respect to any 297 00:11:32,810 --> 00:11:35,860 one country . Again . The Secretary's 298 00:11:35,870 --> 00:11:39,240 discussion uh this morning uh 299 00:11:39,250 --> 00:11:42,890 was was was very useful uh and 300 00:11:42,900 --> 00:11:46,560 uh and dealt with , as I said , uh 301 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:50,630 range of bilateral uh opportunities 302 00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:52,740 that our two countries have gone 303 00:11:52,740 --> 00:11:55,440 forward . Follow up question on 304 00:11:55,440 --> 00:11:57,162 Pakistan itself . The previous 305 00:11:57,162 --> 00:11:59,520 administration had stopped all 306 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:01,970 financial aid to Pakistan because the 307 00:12:01,980 --> 00:12:04,091 previous administration believed they 308 00:12:04,091 --> 00:12:05,980 were not cooperating in the fight 309 00:12:05,980 --> 00:12:07,591 against terrorism , This new 310 00:12:07,591 --> 00:12:09,813 administration reviewing that policy or 311 00:12:09,813 --> 00:12:12,290 has it ? Where do you stand on that at 312 00:12:12,290 --> 00:12:14,401 this time ? Us security assistance to 313 00:12:14,401 --> 00:12:16,790 Pakistan is still suspended . Um and I 314 00:12:16,790 --> 00:12:18,901 won't get into speculating one way or 315 00:12:18,901 --> 00:12:21,123 another about uh therefore whether that 316 00:12:21,123 --> 00:12:23,290 will change going and going to India . 317 00:12:23,290 --> 00:12:25,457 You Covid assistance to India ? Do you 318 00:12:25,457 --> 00:12:27,679 have an update on that radio ? We stand 319 00:12:27,679 --> 00:12:29,790 on it . No , I don't have any updates 320 00:12:29,790 --> 00:12:31,901 from , from what we talked about last 321 00:12:31,901 --> 00:12:34,012 week . And finally , India's External 322 00:12:34,012 --> 00:12:36,234 Affairs Minister SG Schenker is in town 323 00:12:36,234 --> 00:12:38,457 later this week uh , that the secretary 324 00:12:38,457 --> 00:12:40,760 has any plans to meet him . I don't 325 00:12:40,770 --> 00:12:42,770 have anything on . The Secretary is 326 00:12:42,770 --> 00:12:44,881 scheduled to speak to with respect to 327 00:12:44,881 --> 00:12:44,800 that right now . If that changes though , 328 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:48,110 I'll let you know . Thank you , Laura . 329 00:12:48,110 --> 00:12:51,830 Solomon . Political . Hey 330 00:12:51,830 --> 00:12:53,990 john , thanks for doing this . Um , I 331 00:12:53,990 --> 00:12:56,790 wanted to ask you actually about the 332 00:12:56,790 --> 00:12:59,060 budget this week . Secretary Austin and 333 00:12:59,060 --> 00:13:01,116 General Milley are testifying on the 334 00:13:01,116 --> 00:13:03,004 hill on thursday about the budget 335 00:13:03,004 --> 00:13:05,360 before the budget rollout . So what can 336 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:07,693 you explain what the logic and this was ? 337 00:13:07,693 --> 00:13:09,638 Will they be have anything to talk 338 00:13:09,638 --> 00:13:11,804 about ? Oh , I think there's plenty to 339 00:13:11,804 --> 00:13:14,027 talk about laura . Yeah , I mean it was 340 00:13:14,027 --> 00:13:17,560 just a scheduling um It's just the 341 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:20,760 way the sort of schedule played out , 342 00:13:20,760 --> 00:13:24,070 both with the the subcommittee um and 343 00:13:24,070 --> 00:13:26,700 with O . M . B . Um So you're right , 344 00:13:26,700 --> 00:13:28,811 the testimony will be on thursday the 345 00:13:28,811 --> 00:13:32,140 budget rolls out on uh friday . So 346 00:13:32,140 --> 00:13:36,140 while uh a they won't be able to get 347 00:13:36,140 --> 00:13:38,362 into too many specifics with respect to 348 00:13:38,362 --> 00:13:40,480 actual line items , there's certainly 349 00:13:40,490 --> 00:13:44,040 uh enough of a broad take on uh 350 00:13:44,050 --> 00:13:45,772 budgetary requirements and the 351 00:13:45,772 --> 00:13:47,772 budgetary direction that they'll be 352 00:13:47,772 --> 00:13:49,828 able to address just in terms of the 353 00:13:49,828 --> 00:13:51,939 sorts of capabilities and operational 354 00:13:51,939 --> 00:13:51,730 concepts that we're going to be 355 00:13:51,730 --> 00:13:54,310 pursuing . I mean , well , there needs 356 00:13:54,310 --> 00:13:56,860 to be a follow up hearing that will 357 00:13:56,870 --> 00:13:58,703 actually dive into the details , 358 00:13:58,703 --> 00:14:00,814 because the hearing before the budget 359 00:14:00,814 --> 00:14:02,814 details come out really doesn't get 360 00:14:02,814 --> 00:14:04,814 into any of the specifics specifics 361 00:14:04,814 --> 00:14:07,148 that lawmakers need . No , that's right . 362 00:14:07,148 --> 00:14:09,370 There won't be able to get into many of 363 00:14:09,370 --> 00:14:09,360 the specifics as for whether there will 364 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:12,550 be a need for a remedial uh 365 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:14,584 session . That's really a question 366 00:14:14,584 --> 00:14:17,820 better put to uh to chair mccollum . Uh 367 00:14:17,830 --> 00:14:20,052 and the ranking member , ranking member 368 00:14:20,052 --> 00:14:23,860 calvert of the subcommittee . Okay 369 00:14:24,340 --> 00:14:27,840 Here , General Mackenzie is in uh the 370 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:30,240 area , made some statements and talked 371 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:33,400 also to the press . Uh reporting at 372 00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:36,190 least from our colleagues from the 80 373 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:38,144 gives us under the impression that 374 00:14:38,144 --> 00:14:41,790 vacuum is coming . Is the United States 375 00:14:41,790 --> 00:14:44,600 committed to the security and to help 376 00:14:44,610 --> 00:14:46,870 allies and partners in the area . Of 377 00:14:46,870 --> 00:14:48,926 course we are , of course we are and 378 00:14:48,926 --> 00:14:51,390 we've said this time and time again 379 00:14:51,390 --> 00:14:53,960 pierre just because we are removing our 380 00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:56,520 troops and our ending our military 381 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:58,520 mission in Afghanistan doesn't mean 382 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:01,260 that we're um walking away from the 383 00:15:01,260 --> 00:15:03,427 region . Nothing could be further from 384 00:15:03,427 --> 00:15:05,649 the truth . There's still going to be a 385 00:15:05,649 --> 00:15:07,704 robust United States presence in the 386 00:15:07,704 --> 00:15:09,871 Middle East in the Central com central 387 00:15:09,871 --> 00:15:11,982 Command area of responsibility . Um I 388 00:15:11,982 --> 00:15:13,816 think what General Mackenzie was 389 00:15:13,816 --> 00:15:16,038 referring to is just that we need to be 390 00:15:16,038 --> 00:15:20,020 uh that you know aware of the potential 391 00:15:20,020 --> 00:15:23,640 for other nation states um with our 392 00:15:23,650 --> 00:15:25,650 absence from Afghanistan . You know 393 00:15:25,650 --> 00:15:27,817 what kind of actions they might take . 394 00:15:27,817 --> 00:15:29,928 But um there's absolutely going to be 395 00:15:29,928 --> 00:15:32,094 no dimunition of our commitment to our 396 00:15:32,094 --> 00:15:33,983 allies and partners in the region 397 00:15:33,983 --> 00:15:36,860 whatsoever . Um Let's see . 398 00:15:38,040 --> 00:15:40,350 Yeah Jeff taxing purpose . 399 00:15:41,840 --> 00:15:44,062 Thank you . How many U . S . Troops are 400 00:15:44,062 --> 00:15:46,720 in Afghanistan right now Jeff I think 401 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:50,420 you know , we're not given out exact 402 00:15:50,430 --> 00:15:53,200 numbers of our troops there as we as we 403 00:15:53,210 --> 00:15:56,940 continue this uh withdrawal . Okay , we 404 00:15:56,950 --> 00:15:59,050 all bark it . Can we say you know , 405 00:15:59,060 --> 00:16:02,540 half have left anything like that . No 406 00:16:02,540 --> 00:16:04,596 Jeff , I'm I'm really not able to do 407 00:16:04,596 --> 00:16:06,484 that . We're going to confine our 408 00:16:06,484 --> 00:16:08,950 assessments to the assessments that you 409 00:16:08,950 --> 00:16:11,172 see every Tuesday coming out of Central 410 00:16:11,172 --> 00:16:14,690 Command and I recognize that 411 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:18,040 you would like more data . I do and 412 00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:20,151 frankly so does General Mackenzie and 413 00:16:20,151 --> 00:16:21,929 his staff . But I hope you also 414 00:16:21,929 --> 00:16:23,818 recognize our need to be somewhat 415 00:16:23,818 --> 00:16:25,929 circumspect in terms of the amount of 416 00:16:25,929 --> 00:16:27,540 information that we give out 417 00:16:27,540 --> 00:16:29,707 particularly on a weekly basis . Uh So 418 00:16:29,707 --> 00:16:32,180 as not to violate operational security 419 00:16:32,180 --> 00:16:35,230 so as not to um to provide information 420 00:16:35,230 --> 00:16:37,341 that could actually put our people in 421 00:16:37,341 --> 00:16:39,230 harm's way . I know you share our 422 00:16:39,230 --> 00:16:41,341 desire to to make sure that that that 423 00:16:41,341 --> 00:16:43,563 that doesn't happen . And as I told you 424 00:16:43,563 --> 00:16:45,674 last week and I reiterated again that 425 00:16:45,674 --> 00:16:47,570 as the retrograde the withdrawal 426 00:16:47,570 --> 00:16:51,360 continues um um and 427 00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:54,660 we and the capabilities in Afghanistan 428 00:16:55,140 --> 00:16:59,010 get progressively smaller . Um uh 429 00:16:59,020 --> 00:17:01,290 I would expect and you should expect 430 00:17:01,290 --> 00:17:04,100 that the uh the way we package the 431 00:17:04,100 --> 00:17:06,100 information and how much we give is 432 00:17:06,100 --> 00:17:08,211 also going to change to again to make 433 00:17:08,211 --> 00:17:10,378 sure that we're not putting anybody in 434 00:17:10,378 --> 00:17:12,544 more harms way than they already are . 435 00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:16,600 Yes , ma'am . Any details or update 436 00:17:16,610 --> 00:17:20,490 on today's rocket attack on nine 437 00:17:20,500 --> 00:17:24,480 assad ? Uh Ira also any update on the 438 00:17:24,490 --> 00:17:27,900 decision about the troops level there , 439 00:17:27,950 --> 00:17:30,400 Is there any change ? American troops 440 00:17:30,410 --> 00:17:33,210 in Iraq ? No , there's been no change 441 00:17:33,740 --> 00:17:35,684 to their presence , their or their 442 00:17:35,684 --> 00:17:37,740 purpose . They're quite frankly . Um 443 00:17:37,740 --> 00:17:39,962 You may already have all this . This is 444 00:17:39,962 --> 00:17:42,129 what I have if you already have it . I 445 00:17:42,129 --> 00:17:45,380 apologize . But Um at about 1:30 local 446 00:17:45,380 --> 00:17:49,040 time there uh the uh Al 447 00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:53,020 Asad Air Base Uh did experience 448 00:17:53,030 --> 00:17:56,010 one rocket round that landed on base . 449 00:17:56,440 --> 00:17:58,551 Uh Initial reports are that there are 450 00:17:58,551 --> 00:18:01,260 no injuries , but the damage is still 451 00:18:01,260 --> 00:18:03,427 being assessed as you know . Sometimes 452 00:18:03,427 --> 00:18:05,649 initial reports change . That's what we 453 00:18:05,649 --> 00:18:07,760 have right now . Um The attacks under 454 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:11,020 investigation uh by the Iraqi Ministry 455 00:18:11,020 --> 00:18:13,076 of Defense and I'd point you to them 456 00:18:13,076 --> 00:18:15,298 for any additional information ? That's 457 00:18:15,298 --> 00:18:18,030 probably what you already had . But uh 458 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:21,120 that that's what I've got for you matt 459 00:18:21,120 --> 00:18:21,780 from abc . 460 00:18:27,340 --> 00:18:30,200 Hi john thank you . Um on covid now 461 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:32,367 that the C . D . C . Is looking into a 462 00:18:32,367 --> 00:18:34,680 myocardial , that heart swelling issue 463 00:18:34,690 --> 00:18:36,857 and checking and seeing if it might be 464 00:18:36,857 --> 00:18:38,968 associated with vaccines . And it was 465 00:18:38,968 --> 00:18:41,301 reported a few weeks ago that the D . O . 466 00:18:41,301 --> 00:18:43,301 D . Was maybe looking at some cases 467 00:18:43,301 --> 00:18:45,246 within its ranks . Um Is there any 468 00:18:45,246 --> 00:18:47,468 update on that ? Is there any cause for 469 00:18:47,468 --> 00:18:49,523 concern at this point ? Well , we're 470 00:18:49,523 --> 00:18:51,530 always uh monitoring the health and 471 00:18:51,530 --> 00:18:53,586 well being of our people . I'm not , 472 00:18:53,586 --> 00:18:55,419 you know , matt I'm not going to 473 00:18:55,419 --> 00:18:57,252 speculate so I'm gonna take your 474 00:18:57,252 --> 00:18:59,252 question because that is one that I 475 00:18:59,252 --> 00:19:01,260 want to make sure crystal clear and 476 00:19:01,260 --> 00:19:04,370 precise on . So rather than wing it 477 00:19:04,370 --> 00:19:06,426 here , let me take that question for 478 00:19:06,426 --> 00:19:09,370 you if that's okay . Thank you . Yeah , 479 00:19:09,380 --> 00:19:12,770 you bet . Uh Ellen from synopsis . 480 00:19:21,840 --> 00:19:25,360 Okay , go to you . Barb often 481 00:19:25,360 --> 00:19:27,960 something discussed earlier last week , 482 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:32,300 President biden publicly said that 483 00:19:32,300 --> 00:19:34,640 seizing reporters fund records was 484 00:19:34,650 --> 00:19:37,360 wrong and it would not happen under his 485 00:19:37,360 --> 00:19:39,693 administration . He said that on camera . 486 00:19:40,140 --> 00:19:43,670 Um so not hypothetical , 487 00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:46,880 I didn't see you endorse that . Maybe 488 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:49,340 it just didn't cross your mind at that 489 00:19:49,340 --> 00:19:52,060 very moment . The President says that 490 00:19:52,070 --> 00:19:53,910 his administration Reporter Fund 491 00:19:53,910 --> 00:19:56,430 records will not be seized . Is that a 492 00:19:56,430 --> 00:19:59,290 policy now that Secretary Austin and 493 00:19:59,290 --> 00:20:01,401 this department including the uniform 494 00:20:01,401 --> 00:20:03,670 military ? We'll abide by and agree 495 00:20:03,670 --> 00:20:06,150 with . Well , we absolutely agree with 496 00:20:06,150 --> 00:20:09,060 the President that uh that that's not 497 00:20:09,070 --> 00:20:11,126 appropriate behavior . I just didn't 498 00:20:11,126 --> 00:20:14,040 want to speculate about cases that 499 00:20:14,040 --> 00:20:16,770 haven't happened yet . And um , 500 00:20:17,340 --> 00:20:20,830 uh , and you know what results they 501 00:20:20,830 --> 00:20:23,052 might have for national security . That 502 00:20:23,052 --> 00:20:25,274 didn't seem like a wise thing for me to 503 00:20:25,274 --> 00:20:27,330 do . But of course we agree with the 504 00:20:27,330 --> 00:20:31,170 president . Yes jane . Thank you john I 505 00:20:31,540 --> 00:20:35,360 escobar but lived to missile guidance 506 00:20:35,360 --> 00:20:37,690 and of action provide Washington , 507 00:20:37,690 --> 00:20:41,370 south Korea and the last friday U . S . 508 00:20:41,370 --> 00:20:44,290 And south Korea summit President biden . 509 00:20:44,290 --> 00:20:47,960 President Moon has agreed to live 510 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:52,310 decide guidelines to south Korea and 511 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:56,110 provide the vaccines . two I think of 512 00:20:56,110 --> 00:20:59,960 500 , 550,000 of 513 00:20:59,960 --> 00:21:03,510 South Korean soldiers . How do you know 514 00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:07,420 I mean deal these uh , assessment 515 00:21:07,420 --> 00:21:10,960 on this . What's our assessment of it ? 516 00:21:12,140 --> 00:21:14,620 Well , obviously we support the 517 00:21:14,620 --> 00:21:17,620 president's direction here to provide 518 00:21:17,630 --> 00:21:21,580 vaccines to our rok allies . 519 00:21:21,590 --> 00:21:24,550 I think we're still working through the 520 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:26,760 details of how that's going to occur . 521 00:21:26,770 --> 00:21:28,970 It will come out of U . S . Stockpiles 522 00:21:28,980 --> 00:21:31,640 but the beaches of it , the details on 523 00:21:31,650 --> 00:21:34,150 where , when how it gets distributed . 524 00:21:34,150 --> 00:21:36,150 I think we're still working our way 525 00:21:36,150 --> 00:21:38,261 through that right now . Do you think 526 00:21:38,261 --> 00:21:40,039 the lifting of the missile uh , 527 00:21:40,039 --> 00:21:43,690 guidelines will help to 528 00:21:43,700 --> 00:21:47,080 depend enough against threats 529 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:51,620 from north Korea and china ? Yeah , I'm 530 00:21:51,620 --> 00:21:53,842 not sure what you mean . The lifting of 531 00:21:53,842 --> 00:21:56,310 missile guidelines . I'm not sure . I 532 00:21:56,310 --> 00:21:58,421 understand there is like a long lines 533 00:21:58,421 --> 00:22:01,070 in the sides or either length inside 534 00:22:01,080 --> 00:22:04,480 whatever South Korea one . Is there any 535 00:22:04,480 --> 00:22:08,290 limited debt development ? I'm not 536 00:22:08,290 --> 00:22:11,560 going to get into specific um , 537 00:22:12,640 --> 00:22:14,584 missile capabilities here from the 538 00:22:14,584 --> 00:22:16,696 podium . But I'll tell you what , why 539 00:22:16,696 --> 00:22:19,610 don't why don't we follow up after so I 540 00:22:19,610 --> 00:22:21,721 can get a better sense of what you're 541 00:22:21,721 --> 00:22:24,350 referring to ? I'm just not aware of 542 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:27,696 of limitations on missile guidelines 543 00:22:27,696 --> 00:22:29,862 and where you're coming from on that . 544 00:22:29,862 --> 00:22:32,084 So why don't we follow up afterward and 545 00:22:32,084 --> 00:22:34,029 I'll see if I can get you a better 546 00:22:34,029 --> 00:22:36,196 answer . Okay . Does that make sense ? 547 00:22:36,196 --> 00:22:38,560 Thank you . Okay . Okay Lee Sandman . 548 00:22:41,640 --> 00:22:45,300 Okay . I have a question about the 549 00:22:45,310 --> 00:22:48,210 possibility that you guys considering 550 00:22:48,220 --> 00:22:51,250 resumption of large scale feel the 551 00:22:51,250 --> 00:22:53,690 basis U . S . And South Korea joint 552 00:22:53,700 --> 00:22:57,200 military exercise . If I understood 553 00:22:57,200 --> 00:22:59,422 your question correctly , you're asking 554 00:22:59,422 --> 00:23:01,589 if we're considering the resumption of 555 00:23:01,589 --> 00:23:05,210 large scale exercises with South 556 00:23:05,210 --> 00:23:08,460 Korea , correct ? I won't talk to 557 00:23:08,470 --> 00:23:10,790 specific uh , plans going forward . I 558 00:23:10,790 --> 00:23:12,790 mean , obviously we've talked about 559 00:23:12,790 --> 00:23:14,846 this before , but uh , training with 560 00:23:14,846 --> 00:23:18,020 our our okay allies is uh , a 561 00:23:18,030 --> 00:23:20,252 significant component of our ability to 562 00:23:20,252 --> 00:23:22,363 meet our treaty commitments , uh , to 563 00:23:22,363 --> 00:23:24,890 South Korea . Uh , and we constantly 564 00:23:24,890 --> 00:23:27,500 assess and review what training events 565 00:23:27,500 --> 00:23:29,910 might be best and executed in the , in 566 00:23:29,910 --> 00:23:32,430 the , in the most effective manner . Um , 567 00:23:32,430 --> 00:23:34,430 and we're going to continue to that 568 00:23:34,430 --> 00:23:36,263 going forward . But I don't have 569 00:23:36,263 --> 00:23:38,208 anything specific to read out with 570 00:23:38,208 --> 00:23:40,319 respect to a a change in this or that 571 00:23:40,319 --> 00:23:44,300 exercise . Oh yeah , Just a 572 00:23:44,310 --> 00:23:46,650 follow up question . Thank you . Coming 573 00:23:46,650 --> 00:23:48,850 from China . And uh , what she said 574 00:23:48,850 --> 00:23:51,200 about missile is our energy is revised 575 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:53,860 missile guidelines and then the South 576 00:23:53,860 --> 00:23:56,580 Korea has had limitations when we 577 00:23:56,580 --> 00:24:00,530 develop missiles . It's 800 km and last 578 00:24:00,530 --> 00:24:04,060 Friday to leaders like terminated all 579 00:24:04,060 --> 00:24:06,400 the limit about the missile , which was 580 00:24:06,410 --> 00:24:09,470 really important to Korea because it 581 00:24:09,470 --> 00:24:12,620 has implications that we could now have 582 00:24:12,620 --> 00:24:16,370 a missile , um , to attack china and 583 00:24:16,370 --> 00:24:18,537 Russia . So it has a , I think that it 584 00:24:18,537 --> 00:24:20,592 has a large implications in the , in 585 00:24:20,592 --> 00:24:22,550 the pacific strategy . So it was a 586 00:24:22,550 --> 00:24:24,890 little bit surprising to me that the 587 00:24:24,890 --> 00:24:28,450 viewer he doesn't have like yeah , 588 00:24:28,460 --> 00:24:30,840 I understand . Thank you for the 589 00:24:30,840 --> 00:24:33,460 context . Will we'll see if we can take 590 00:24:33,460 --> 00:24:35,750 the question and get you a question 591 00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:38,550 about the summit about Time on trade ? 592 00:24:38,560 --> 00:24:42,360 The two leaders agreed that they agreed 593 00:24:42,360 --> 00:24:44,138 the importance of the peace and 594 00:24:44,138 --> 00:24:46,138 security of the time as trade . And 595 00:24:46,138 --> 00:24:48,360 then they put it in a joint statement . 596 00:24:48,360 --> 00:24:50,610 So that was another big headline for 597 00:24:50,620 --> 00:24:52,787 our korean media because we have a lot 598 00:24:52,787 --> 00:24:55,980 of hard uh responses from china . So 599 00:24:55,990 --> 00:24:58,157 can you explain a little bit more what 600 00:24:58,157 --> 00:25:01,570 implications it has um uh in terms of 601 00:25:01,570 --> 00:25:04,240 military aspect defense . So what do 602 00:25:04,240 --> 00:25:06,407 you expect from South Korea when there 603 00:25:06,407 --> 00:25:08,629 is any kind of armed conflict in Taiwan 604 00:25:08,629 --> 00:25:10,573 strait or things like that for the 605 00:25:10,580 --> 00:25:12,900 South korean government to speak to ? 606 00:25:12,910 --> 00:25:16,420 Not for us . Um our 607 00:25:16,430 --> 00:25:19,760 approach hasn't changed . We obviously 608 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:22,140 don't want to see any unilateral change 609 00:25:22,150 --> 00:25:24,430 to the status quo . We 610 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:28,020 uh we will continue 611 00:25:28,020 --> 00:25:31,710 to uh assist Taiwan in its 612 00:25:31,720 --> 00:25:33,960 self defense as we have in accordance 613 00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:37,220 with the Taiwan relations Act . Uh 614 00:25:37,230 --> 00:25:38,897 Three communication , the six 615 00:25:38,897 --> 00:25:40,952 assurances . Nothing's changed about 616 00:25:40,952 --> 00:25:43,174 our policy with respect to Taiwan and I 617 00:25:43,174 --> 00:25:45,370 leave it to South Korea to um to speak 618 00:25:45,370 --> 00:25:47,730 to it from their perspective . Yes , 619 00:25:47,730 --> 00:25:50,940 sir , thank you . There is a report 620 00:25:50,950 --> 00:25:54,330 that China has rejected Secretary 621 00:25:54,340 --> 00:25:57,900 request to engage with the Vice 622 00:25:57,900 --> 00:26:01,700 Chair of the China's Central 623 00:26:01,700 --> 00:26:05,510 Radio Commission several times of the 624 00:26:05,520 --> 00:26:07,460 Secretary make such requests . 625 00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:10,760 Uh Well , I can tell you is the 626 00:26:10,760 --> 00:26:13,670 Secretary has not spoken to uh 627 00:26:14,540 --> 00:26:18,050 leaders in the People's Republic of 628 00:26:18,540 --> 00:26:20,651 China . We look forward to being able 629 00:26:20,651 --> 00:26:22,818 to having a dialogue with them , but I 630 00:26:22,818 --> 00:26:24,818 have nothing to speak to it at this 631 00:26:24,818 --> 00:26:26,596 time of it . Okay , uh that's a 632 00:26:26,596 --> 00:26:28,651 secretary thing . It is necessary to 633 00:26:28,651 --> 00:26:31,810 meet chinese counterparts for speak 634 00:26:31,820 --> 00:26:35,180 directly to them in order to avoid the 635 00:26:35,190 --> 00:26:37,246 potential of this calculation , as I 636 00:26:37,246 --> 00:26:39,190 said , we look forward to having a 637 00:26:39,190 --> 00:26:41,412 dialogue with them , but I have nothing 638 00:26:41,412 --> 00:26:43,579 to uh to announce her to talk to it at 639 00:26:43,579 --> 00:26:46,870 this time , get it . Yeah , Pakistan , 640 00:26:46,870 --> 00:26:49,300 you said this security assistant to 641 00:26:49,300 --> 00:26:51,980 Pakistan still remains suspended . We 642 00:26:51,980 --> 00:26:53,980 have seen that Secretary Austin and 643 00:26:53,980 --> 00:26:57,580 also uh um Ambassador Sullivan spoke to 644 00:26:57,580 --> 00:26:59,940 his counterparts in Pakistan at least . 645 00:26:59,940 --> 00:27:02,360 Can you say that there is a discussion 646 00:27:02,740 --> 00:27:04,573 about the security assistance to 647 00:27:04,573 --> 00:27:07,880 Pakistan to be resumed ? Or Is it part 648 00:27:07,880 --> 00:27:10,047 of is it on the Table one . I won't go 649 00:27:10,047 --> 00:27:11,991 beyond what I said in the question 650 00:27:11,991 --> 00:27:15,950 previous . Um See Laurie , 651 00:27:18,340 --> 00:27:20,396 thank you very much , john for doing 652 00:27:20,396 --> 00:27:24,000 this . Um uh following up a little bit 653 00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:26,200 of a previous question to talk about 654 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:28,850 the fight against ISIS in Iraq and 655 00:27:28,850 --> 00:27:32,300 Syria . Um General Mackenzie was just 656 00:27:32,300 --> 00:27:34,189 there . Could you tell us both in 657 00:27:34,189 --> 00:27:36,356 Baghdad in Northeast Syria , could you 658 00:27:36,356 --> 00:27:38,522 tell us what he discussed and what the 659 00:27:38,522 --> 00:27:40,578 results were , those discussions ? I 660 00:27:40,578 --> 00:27:42,633 say no , I can't Lori . I mean , I'd 661 00:27:42,633 --> 00:27:44,800 refer you to General Mackenzie staff . 662 00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:47,970 Uh , these are recent discussions . I 663 00:27:47,980 --> 00:27:50,970 don't have a readout of uh how those 664 00:27:50,970 --> 00:27:53,192 discussions when I think the best place 665 00:27:53,192 --> 00:27:55,192 to refer you to a central command , 666 00:27:55,192 --> 00:27:57,414 I'll do that . But but you did reaffirm 667 00:27:57,414 --> 00:27:59,637 your the US commitment to fighting ISIS 668 00:27:59,637 --> 00:28:01,470 in those places . I can tell you 669 00:28:01,470 --> 00:28:03,692 without speaking to General Mackenzie's 670 00:28:03,692 --> 00:28:05,803 conversation specifically . We remain 671 00:28:05,803 --> 00:28:09,000 committed to coalition efforts against 672 00:28:09,000 --> 00:28:11,167 ISIS in Iraq and Syria . We still have 673 00:28:11,340 --> 00:28:13,062 troops in both places that are 674 00:28:13,062 --> 00:28:15,229 dedicated that mission . We still have 675 00:28:15,229 --> 00:28:17,173 partners in the coalition that are 676 00:28:17,173 --> 00:28:19,284 dedicated to that mission and nothing 677 00:28:19,284 --> 00:28:21,507 has changed about it uh , as of today . 678 00:28:21,507 --> 00:28:23,618 But as as to the specifics of General 679 00:28:23,618 --> 00:28:25,840 Mackenzie's conversations , I think his 680 00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:28,007 staff is better positioned to give you 681 00:28:28,007 --> 00:28:30,173 that than I am . Thank you very much . 682 00:28:30,173 --> 00:28:31,896 You're welcome . Okay . Thanks 683 00:28:31,896 --> 00:28:30,660 everybody .