U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin

 

Anniversary of the Russian Invasion of Georgia 08/07/2022 Anniversary of the Russian Invasion of Georgia 08/07/2022 11:29 AM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Fourteen years ago today, Russia invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia.  As we have done since 2008, we remember those killed and injured by Russian forces.  For decades, the citizens of Georgia in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have lived under Russian occupation and tens of thousands have been displaced, persecuted, and impoverished.  Lives and livelihoods have been taken from them. This year, Russia’s unprovoked further invasion of Ukraine underscores the need for the people of Georgia and Ukraine to stand together in solidarity.  The people of Georgia know all too well how Russia’s aggressive actions, including disinformation, so-called “borderization,” and mass displacement cause untold hardships and destruction. Russia must be accountable to the commitments it made under the 2008 ceasefire – withdrawing its forces to pre-conflict positions and allowing unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.  It also must reverse its recognition of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.  This is essential for hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons to be able to return to their homes safely and with dignity. We remain steadfast in our support for the people of Georgia as they seek to protect their sovereignty and territorial integrity and find a peaceful solution to the conflict. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Minkara’s Travel to Romania and Moldova 08/08/2022 Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Minkara’s Travel to Romania and Moldova 08/08/2022 12:16 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Sara Minkara will travel to Bucharest, Romania and Chisinau, Moldova August 9-12 to meet with senior government officials, civil society organizations, and international organization representatives about addressing the challenges facing persons with disabilities in each nation, including refugees from Ukraine with disabilities.  Special Advisor Minkara will highlight both countries’ efforts to reshape the narrative around disability emphasizing the value, rights, and equality that persons with disabilities bring to all sectors of society when fully included.  The meetings will also focus on further supporting the needs of refugees from Ukraine with disabilities and increasing support for persons with disabilities globally. Follow Special Advisor Minkara on the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor’s Facebook and Twitter. For media inquiries, please contact DRL-Press@state.gov. $1 Billion in New U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine 08/08/2022 $1 Billion in New U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine 08/08/2022 01:11 PM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Nearly six months into the unprovoked and brutal assault on Ukraine, Russia continues its destruction of Ukrainian towns and villages. President Biden has been clear that we will continue to support the Ukrainian people as they defend their country from Russian aggression, for as long as it takes. As part of those efforts, pursuant to a delegation of authority from the President, today I am authorizing our largest single drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment utilizing this authority. This eighteenth drawdown since August 2021 of up to $1 billion includes arms, munitions, and equipment from U.S. Department of Defense inventories for Ukraine’s self-defense. This package provides a significant amount of additional ammunition, weapons, and equipment that Ukrainians are using so effectively to defend themselves and will bring total U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to approximately $9.8 billion since the beginning of this Administration. The United States stands with Allies and partners from more than 50 countries in providing vital security assistance to support Ukraine’s defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia’s aggression. As this war stretches on, the courage and strength of Ukraine’s military and its people become even more evident and even more extraordinary. Together, we will continue to consult closely with Ukraine and surge additional available systems and capabilities carefully calibrated to make a difference on the battlefield and strengthen Ukraine’s eventual position at the negotiating table. We stand united with Ukraine. Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Romain Chanson of Radio France Internationale (RFI) 08/09/2022 Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Romain Chanson of Radio France Internationale (RFI) 08/09/2022 02:32 AM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State (As translated.) QUESTION:  Antony Blinken, hello. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Hello QUESTION:  Your visit to South Africa is about to end, you will next be expected in the Democratic Republic of Congo and then in Rwanda.  You have been made aware of the report of the United Nations which documents the participation of Rwandan soldiers in attacks against Congolese soldiers, in the Congo, in support of the M23 rebels in the province of North Kivu.  Rwanda has rejected the conclusions of this report.  Do you, Antony Blinken, confirm the conclusions of this United Nations report? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  I will, above all, be speaking both with the DRC, their leadership, and Rwanda also, to try to help those who want to bring an end to the conflict, to the violence, who want to improve the lives of all those who live in Congo, eastern Congo, and, above all, to support African initiatives and efforts, including efforts, including the efforts of the now-outgoing President Kenyatta of Kenya, as part of a process in Nairobi, to try, precisely, to find a peaceful future in eastern Congo.  I will most likely have more to say after my talks with both presidents, but, above all, for us it’s about how to be useful to avoid not only the continuation of this violence, but also its complete increase. QUESTION:  So, on this same radio station, RFI, the Congolese Foreign Affairs Minister Christophe Lutundula declared that the United States have a role to play, precisely, in the resolution of this conflict.  But he is also calling for sanctions by the international community.  Are you ready, Antony Blinken, for sanctions or, at any rate, to call on the international community for sanctions?  And if not, what is the precise role that the United States can play? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  In an initial phase, it’s above all the role of our diplomacy to try to support, precisely, the efforts that are already underway, including by SADC, including by the Nairobi Initiative, and to try and see how we can support these efforts, to help them and find a diplomatic solution to avoid the continuation of the violence.  As to what happens next, that remains to be seen, but I want to emphasize above all the role of our diplomacy to try, along with the African partners, to try to bring an end to the conflict and in a sustainable manner, because this is a crisis which is repeating itself and I think we need to find a solution which is really durable. QUESTION:  So, during this press conference with the South African minister of international relations, the issue of the lack of consistency of the United States was brought up, capable both of condemning and asking for sanctions during some conflicts and during others, of remaining silent.  Is that the case?  Specifically, does the case of Congo and Rwanda illustrate the double standard of the United States? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  I think that you need to look at each challenge in its specific details.  We are trying to use, according to the challenge, the tools that we deem the most appropriate, the most effective.  Things are never the same in one case or another, but indeed, one should still try to remain faithful to one’s principles, and to remain faithful to the goals that we have.  It’s about trying to reach peace where there is a conflict, avoiding conflict where there is peace. QUESTION:  Antony Blinken, you will be going to Rwanda and to the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Isn’t resolving the conflict between the two countries just simply a matter, precisely, of asking President Paul Kagame directly to stop supporting the M23? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  At any rate, I think that there has to be a cessation of any type of support to the armed groups, whichever they may be.  That’s not a way of advancing peace and security and stability, quite the contrary.  And so, at any rate, we will be talking about it with the president. QUESTION:  In Rwanda, there is a U.S. resident who is being detained.  He was sentenced to 25 years in jail.  This is Paul Rusesabagina.  He is known for having been the inspiration for the movie “Hotel Rwanda” but also for being an opponent of President Paul Kagame.  Will you be asking for his release? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Yes.  In any case, alas, in quite a large number of countries around the world, there are U.S. citizens and U.S. residents who are unjustly detained.  To me, this is a priority, wherever it may be, to try to work for their return back home in the United States. QUESTION:  Your African trip is taking place after that of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.  Does the United States fear a loss of its influence on African continent? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  I am not here because there is competition with anyone else.  This is not a trip, not just a trip or an American engagement in Africa because of another country.  But, on the contrary, because the future of the world will be defined in a very important way in Africa.  Between now and 2050, one citizen of this planet out of four will be African, between now and 2025, 50 percent of the African population will be 25 or under.  So, it’s the future, quite concretely which is being decided in Africa.  And so, what we are doing here, we are establishing partnerships, we are trying to work together on the challenges that have a real impact on the lives of our fellow citizens, be it the challenge of COVID, be it climate, be it the impact of new technologies on the lives of our citizens.  And so, for us, it’s not at all a question of imposing a choice, but rather of offering a choice to countries in Africa.  And we have a very positive agenda for this future.  I had an opportunity here in South Africa, to speak a bit more about our strategy for Africa and I will talk about it more during my subsequent trips in the future. QUESTION:  This is a trip during which the war in Ukraine has been very much discussed.  You are in a country which precisely refuses to talk about an invasion.  Have you had this frank discussion with Naledi Pandor, the South African minister of international relations?  Have you tried to get the lines to move? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  We talk about it often.  This is not the first time, but I think that we are together on the most important principles.  What is happening in Ukraine is not only an aggression against the Ukrainian people, it’s an aggression against the principles which are at the basis of the international system, which are the basis of the Charter of the United Nations, which is very important for South Africa as well as countries throughout Africa.  The idea that a country does not have the right to change the borders of another country through the use of force, the idea that a country does not have the right to seize the territory of another country, that is something that resonates in Africa, given the history of Africa.   This imperialistic aggression by Vladimir Putin in Ukraine, this is something that has connections with the histories of many countries in Africa.  Moreover, there are consequences in Africa and throughout the world, especially around food, where there already was a worldwide crisis, because of climate, and after COVID, and now with the conflict.  Given the fact the Russian aggression in Ukraine has exacerbated the food crisis, it is being felt here in Africa.  In my view, it’s up to us to show precisely all that we are doing to confront the crisis along with the African countries, namely very large amounts of humanitarian aid since the Russian aggression, in the amount of $6 billion almost since February, but above all, an investment in the agricultural future of Africa, to ensure self-sufficiency of production so that, if in the future Africa has to deal with another crisis, it will overcome it more easily. QUESTION:  Antony Blinken, the issue has come up of a bill that was voted in the House of Representatives in the United States, which will compel or would compel, maybe I am mistaken, your department to present a strategy to, I quote, “counter the … activities of in Africa.”  This bill was strongly criticized by Naledi Pandor, who said it was offensive and insulting.  What would this law look like if it were really to be adopted?  How would it be enforced? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  I don’t want to enter into a hypothetical discussion about a bill that may or not be updated.  But, as far as we are concerned, as I just said, our engagement in Africa isn’t because another country is engaging here; it’s because it’s in our deep interest to have a partnership with Africa for the future, because Africa represents the future.  And, for us, there is no challenge that has an impact on the lives of our citizens, be it COVID, be it climate, be it new technologies, which does not require cooperation between countries.  We cannot deal with these challenges just by ourselves.  There is a greater need than ever to come up with means and models of cooperation.  That is true throughout the world, that is true in Africa.  So, for us, it’s not a question about competition with another country in Africa, it’s a question about a common future to be built, which will have benefits for the American people and I think for African people as well. QUESTION:  It had been seven years since relations with South Africa had not been renewed in such a way, that is what the minister of international relations said.  Did the African policy of the previous administration, did the insulting statements by Donald Trump, really cause harm to you, to your administration, in your attempts to reforge ties on the African continent? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  I am focused on the present, on the future.  The past is of no importance.  What is important is what we are doing today, what we will be doing together tomorrow.  Today, in South Africa, we had the restart of the Strategic Dialogue, very important, because focused on the subjects that will have a real impact on the lives of the South Africans and Americans as well.  Questions around health care, climate, investments in infrastructure, overall investments.  So, for us, it’s today, it’s tomorrow; yesterday is past. QUESTION:  One last word, Antony Blinken.  The Kenyan people will be voting to elect a new president.  Is this an election that the United States is following particularly? SECRETARY BLINKEN:  We are following it closely, like everyone throughout Africa and throughout the world.  Up until now, I think that things are looking quite positive.  We will have a free election, with a large turnout.  That’s what the world is expecting, that is what Africa is expecting from this election.  We will see, and we will watch things closely. QUESTION:  Antony Blinken, thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you, it was a pleasure speaking with you. Promoting Accountability on the Second Anniversary of the Fraudulent Election in Belarus 08/09/2022 Promoting Accountability on the Second Anniversary of the Fraudulent Election in Belarus 08/09/2022 08:37 AM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State On the second anniversary of the presidential election in Belarus, we commend the Belarusian people who showed up in record numbers to cast their ballots, exercise their rights, and determine their own future.  When it was clear the election had been stolen by the Lukashenka regime, the Belarusian people bravely took to the streets, with reports of hundreds of thousands of people amassing to peacefully demand free and fair elections and a democratic transition.  The Belarusian people have demonstrated remarkable resilience in sustaining the pro-democracy movement for two years at great personal sacrifice.  These calls for democracy are voiced by Belarusians exiled abroad, over 1,200 political prisoners unjustly detained inside the country, and countless ordinary Belarusian citizens. Their peaceful calls for democracy have been met with unprecedented brute force and a consolidated crackdown by the Lukashenka regime.  In response to the regime’s abuses and in support of the Belarusian people, we have taken numerous steps in the past two years, including expanding sanctions authorities and deploying significant sanctions actions against the Belarusian regime for its undemocratic and destabilizing behavior and human rights abuses, among other things. Today we are announcing steps to impose visa restrictions on 100 regime officials and their affiliates for their involvement in undermining or injuring democratic institutions or impeding the transition to democracy in Belarus, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 8015.  These individuals include those holding high-ranking positions in the Administration of the President, Ministry of Interior, State Security Committee (KGB), the Central Election Commission, the Prosecutor General’s Office, Central Office of the Investigative Committee, Ministry of Transport and Communication,  Main Directorate for Combatting Organized Crime and Corruption (GUBOPiK), the National State TV and Radio Company “Belteleradio,” the Second National Television Station, and the Air Force and Air Defense Forces.  They also include members of Parliament, district judges, security officials, members of executive committees, and state university administrators.  Individuals subject to the proclamation have been implicated in torture; violent arrests of peaceful protesters; raids of homes and offices of journalists, members of the opposition, and activists; coerced confessions; electoral fraud; politically motivated sentences of political prisoners; expulsion of students for participation in peaceful protests; passage of legislation impacting the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms; and acts of transnational repression. Since the fraudulent 2020 election, the State Department has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on a total of 297 individuals under PP8015 for undermining democracy in Belarus. In addition, the State Department is announcing the designations pursuant to Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2022, of Mikalai Karpiankou, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Commander of the Internal Troops, and Dzmitriy Balaba, Commander of the Special Task Police Force (OMON) of the Minsk City Executive Committee of Internal Affairs, for involvement in gross violations of human rights, namely the arbitrary detention of peaceful protesters. Balaba and Karpiankou played a significant role in the repression surrounding the fraudulent August 9, 2020 presidential election, in which thousands were violently detained and subjected to abuses for exercising human rights and fundamental freedoms, including through peacefully protesting. Today’s action expands existing restrictions on Karpiankou and Balaba to include visa restrictions against their immediate family members, including Karpiankou’s wife Irina and adult son Igor, and Balaba’s wife Tatyana and adult sons Artem and Maksim, making them ineligible for entry into the United States. The United States stands with the people of Belarus as they pursue a democratic, sovereign, and prosperous future.  We will continue to promote accountability for the Lukashenka regime’s human rights abuses and support international efforts to document abuses and hold perpetrators to account. $89 Million in New U.S. Humanitarian Demining Assistance for Ukraine 08/09/2022 $89 Million in New U.S. Humanitarian Demining Assistance for Ukraine 08/09/2022 02:58 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson On August 9 the Department announced its intention to provide $89 million of FY 2022 funding to help the Government of Ukraine address the urgent humanitarian challenges posed by explosive remnants of war created by Russia’s brutal war of aggression. Russia’s unlawful and unprovoked further invasion of Ukraine has littered massive swaths of the country with landmines, unexploded ordnance, and improvised explosive devices.  The grotesque use of improvised explosive devices in the manner that we are seeing in Ukraine by Russian actors was previously only associated with ISIS in Syria.  These explosive hazards block access to fertile farmland, delay reconstruction efforts, prevent displaced communities from returning to their homes, and continue to kill and maim innocent Ukrainian civilians.  The Government of Ukraine estimates that 160,000 square kilometers of its land may be contaminated – this is roughly the size of Virginia, Maryland, and Connecticut combined. U.S. funding will deploy approximately 100 demining teams and will support a large-scale train and equip project to strengthen the Government of Ukraine’s demining and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capacity. Since 1993, the United States has invested more than $4.2 billion for the safe clearance of landmines and explosive weapons of war (ERW) as well as the securing and safe disposal of excess small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) and munitions in more than 100 countries and territories.  The United States is the world’s single largest financial supporter of conventional weapons destruction. For more information, please consult the PM website, or contact the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, at pm-cpa@state.gov, and follow us on Twitter @StateDeptPM. Signing of U.S. Instruments of Ratification of Finland and Sweden’s NATO Accession Protocols 08/09/2022 Signing of U.S. Instruments of Ratification of Finland and Sweden’s NATO Accession Protocols 08/09/2022 03:16 PM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Today President Biden signed the United States Instruments of Ratification of the Accession Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty for the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden, which the U.S. Senate approved on August 3. We celebrate this historic moment, which underscores the U.S. commitment to our shared Transatlantic security. We are pleased with the swift progress toward Finland and Sweden becoming NATO Allies. There is strong Allied and bipartisan support for the membership applications of Finland and Sweden, and we look forward to quickly bringing them into the strongest defensive Alliance in history. We appreciate the swift action of all of the Allies who have already ratified the accession protocols and encourage all to complete the process soon so that Finland and Sweden can accede to the North Atlantic Treaty and join the NATO Alliance. It bears repeating at this historic moment that the U.S. commitment to our NATO Allies and Article 5 of the Washington Treaty is ironclad. Allies are united in their shared mission to defend the Euro-Atlantic community, deter aggression, project stability, and uphold NATO’s values of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. We also remain firmly committed to NATO’s Open Door policy and to further strengthening our bilateral defense and security cooperation. G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement in Support of the IAEA’s Efforts to Promote Nuclear Safety and Security at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine 08/10/2022 G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement in Support of the IAEA’s Efforts to Promote Nuclear Safety and Security at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine 08/10/2022 02:37 PM EDT Office of the Spokesperson The text of the following statement was released by the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union. Begin Text: We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, reiterate our strongest condemnation of the ongoing unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The Russian Federation must immediately withdraw its troops from within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and respect Ukraine’s territory and sovereignty. In that context, we demand that Russia immediately hand back full control to its rightful sovereign owner, Ukraine, of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant as well as of all nuclear facilities within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders to ensure their safe and secure operations. Ukrainian staff operating the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant must be able to carry out their duties without threats or pressure. It is Russia’s continued control of the plant that endangers the region. We remain profoundly concerned by the serious threat that the seizure of Ukrainian nuclear facilities and other actions by Russian armed forces pose to the safety and security of these facilities, significantly raising the risk of a nuclear accident or incident and endangering the population of Ukraine, neighboring states, and the international community. It also undermines the IAEA’s ability to monitor Ukraine’s peaceful nuclear activities for safeguarding purposes. We welcome and support IAEA Director General Grossi’s efforts to strengthen nuclear safety and security in Ukraine and we thank the Director General and the IAEA staff for their steadfast commitment in this regard. Against this background, we underline the importance of facilitating a mission of IAEA experts to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant to address nuclear safety, security, and safeguard concerns, in a manner that respects full Ukrainian sovereignty over its territory and infrastructure. We strongly endorse the importance of the Seven Pillars of Nuclear Safety and Security as outlined by Director General Grossi. We reiterate our full and continued support for the IAEA. IAEA staff must be able to access all nuclear facilities in Ukraine safely and without impediment, and engage directly, and without interference, with the Ukrainian personnel responsible for the operation of these facilities. The safety of all individuals implementing these efforts must be addressed to strengthen nuclear safety, security, and safeguards in Ukraine. We encourage all countries to support the IAEA’s efforts. End Text