U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman’s Remarks at the Aspen Ministers Forum 12/10/2022 Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman’s Remarks at the Aspen Ministers Forum 12/10/2022 07:01 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson Prague, Czech Republic As Prepared Good evening, and thank you, Foreign Minister Avila, for that kind introduction. What a privilege to speak before so many titans of foreign affairs—keepers of the flame of diplomacy and democracy in so many parts of our planet. All of you know how decisions are forged, because you’ve made them. All of you understand how deals are negotiated, because you’ve had a seat at the table. All of you appreciate the stakes of our present moment, because you’ve faced similar challenges before. So I join you with deep humility, honored to be able to share a few thoughts with you on the state of democracy and the legacy of one of its greatest champions—a friend, mentor, role model, business partner, and colleague to everyone here: Madeleine Albright. It is fitting that we meet in the city of Madeleine’s birth—and that we gather as part of the Aspen Ministers Forum, a group she affectionately called “Madeleine and her exes.” I truly believe she would love nothing more than to be sitting by our sides today, discussing how to make real the promise of democracy—how to be what she forever was: a preeminent defender of freedom. Last month, on election night in the United States, I was in Mexico City for an official visit. I stayed up in my hotel room until about 1am watching the results, then woke up a few hours later to start a 14-hour workday, as one does when one is traveling as Deputy Secretary of State. But honestly, that was probably the best preparation I could have for the next day. Because everyone, from Mexican officials to the press, wanted to know what I thought of the initial results. They sought insights into what divided government might mean for America’s global leadership, what could change if the House or Senate changed hands, and what it said about the future of American democracy. People were curious and concerned, exasperated and excited, interested and intrigued. What I told them—and what I’ll echo here—had little to do with individual races or congressional majorities or the ins and outs of different polls. Because in that moment, what mattered most wasn’t who won or lost. What mattered was that democracy won. Democracy proved itself a little more resilient and secure than the day before. More than any candidate, democracy was the victor. It was a tremendous relief to see, given what transpired in the aftermath of the 2020 campaign, that election denialism was a losing cause in race after race, in state after state. Instead, we found solace in the strength of our system—a sense of stability in the proper functioning of an election. We saw further proof of the resilience of democratic movements worldwide, coming on the heels of peaceful and fair elections in Kenya and Zambia, in Honduras and the Philippines, all of which might have turned out otherwise. And while we should never bear any illusions about the very real threats to democracy, we should celebrate when that system works as intended: when the votes of the people are cast and counted; when the voices of the people are heard and heeded; when the will of the people prevails. This was the cause of Madeleine’s life and career, up to the very end. I mean that literally: her final article in Foreign Affairs focused squarely on how democracies can counter the rise of authoritarianism worldwide, a theme which features prominently in the Biden Administration’s National Security Strategy. Madeleine was always realistic about the vast challenges to our way of life, but eternally optimistic about our prospects for success. Why else would she title that piece “The Coming Democratic Revival”? That faith, that belief in our collective ability to extend the reach of freedom, was founded in a journey that started here in Prague; that saw her mother rebuild her family’s lives time and again in strange lands; that saw her father’s dreams of a democratic Czechoslovakia dashed not once, but twice. That saw her arrive in America as a refugee, chart her course as a journalist and academic, enter the universe of foreign policy and make it to the tallest heights of public service – all while raising three extraordinary daughters and mentoring and inspiring so many. Her voice was vital, and we have ample reason to miss her diplomatic mind, her insights into authoritarianism, her unwavering dedication to the advance of freedom. Now, her cause remains our own. It is incumbent upon us to keep carrying the flame she ignited. To keep fighting against the gathering storm clouds of polarization and disinformation. To keep reinforcing the bedrocks of democracy: promotion of fair and open elections; protection of a free and independent press; preservation of free expression and assembly; adherence to the rule of law—all tied together by a robust civil society and governments that are transparent in their actions and accountable to all their citizens, including women and girls, LGBTQI+ persons, and marginalized groups. Solidifying these values is essential, because democratically governed nations are best equipped to realize the vision of a secure, stable, healthy, and prosperous world. Democracies are more likely to maintain peace, expand economic opportunity, uphold human rights, respond to humanitarian crises, defend the environment and public health, among other imperatives. Democratic governments are also more apt to remain united in the face of the most immediate issues of our time – thwarting Russia’s aggression; supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty; confronting the People’s Republic of China’s attempts to reshape the international order in its repressive image; addressing political corruption; fortifying the Transatlantic alliance; advancing freedom in the Indo-Pacific, in the Americas, everywhere. Democratic governments, in short, are central to answering the critical questions before us. But none of it will matter unless we heed another of Madeleine’s favorite mottoes: “Democracy has to deliver.” She understood, from her own experiences, research, and engagements from the Soviet Union to the Balkans to our own country, that elections, the rule of law, and the tools of democracies only matter if they yield tangible improvements in our citizens’ circumstances. People want to make their voices heard, but they also want to live a life. As Madeleine put it, “people not only want to vote, but they want to eat.” That means democracy has to prove itself beyond the ballot box. Its adherents and officials have to help families put money in their pocketbooks, put food on the table, and put a roof over their heads. We have to maintain safe streets and strong schools. We have to ensure access to medical care, clean air, and clean water. We must draw contrasts with authoritarian competitors, a task that is sadly all too easy at the moment—from Russia’s human rights abuses in Ukraine, to the PRC’s saber rattling around Taiwan, to Iran’s violent suppression of peaceful, women-led protests, to the DPRK’s destabilizing missile launches. None of that will produce the kind of economic or physical security families need and deserve. We must demonstrate the opposite – that openness, good governance, and accountability translate into broadly-shared prosperity and a better quality of life. This is vital for a simple reason: conducting a first election is important. But if democracy doesn’t deliver, we may never get to the second election. Citizens may prefer the predictability of what was over the uncertainty of what might be. So we have work to do, and in the United States, we are putting our best foot forward. Building on Madeleine’s work through the Community of Democracies, the National Democratic Institute, and this forum, the Biden Administration has placed the promotion of democratic values at the heart of our diplomacy. We released the first-ever U.S. Strategy on Countering Corruption, because corruption saps confidence in democracy, undermines faith in accountable government, erodes governance, and leaves too little room for hope. At the Summit for Democracy, we rallied world leaders, civil society, and the private sector around an affirmative agenda and collective action, as more than 100 governments produced over 750 commitments to advance women’s equality, whistleblower protection, and press freedom. We continue to strengthen alliances and work through multilateral institutions to hold governments accountable for human rights abuses. Looking ahead, we remain focused on broadening the chorus of democratic champions by shoring up our existing alliances, embracing emerging partners, and working with non-governmental actors. We remain determined to defend civic space, combat corruption, counter authoritarianism, and demonstrate how open systems lead to prosperous societies. None of this will be easy. Ensuring an enduring democratic movement will not happen overnight, nor will it be possible to achieve unless passionate leaders, effective advocates, and courageous citizens are ready to fight for it. The way Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom. The way Iranian women are demonstrating for their dignity. The way activists are calling for the release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah in Egypt. The way citizens of the PRC are marching for their basic rights. This is going to require the individuals in this room and our successors to take their cue—to always step forward and to remain persistent even when progress is slow and winding. It’s going to demand our unyielding optimism, the kind that defined Madeleine’s life. As usual, her words can carry us through. As she wrote in her final essay: “After too many years of handwringing, the time is right for democratic forces to regain the initiative. Democracy is fragile, but it is also resilient. In every region, the generation coming of age is smart, outspoken, and fearless. Worldwide, people are demanding more, while authoritarian leaders are tiring and running out of answers… Although tattered and torn, freedom’s flag is ready to rise.” Let us be the ones who help raise that flag again. Let us deliver a democracy that delivers for our people. Let us make certain that the next generation, and those to follow, know democracy’s victory, its blessings, its possibilities – and see it as a source of hope. Let us carry forward this call as Madeleine would have wanted – together. Thank you. Ambassador at Large Fick Travels to the OECD Digital Economy Ministerial in Spain 12/13/2022 gital Economy Ministerial in Spain 12/13/2022 05:44 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson U.S. Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP) Nathaniel Fick will lead a U.S. delegation to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Digital Economy Ministerial 2022 held in Gran Canaria, Spain, December 14-15. This Ministerial, the first in this format since 2016, will convene to discuss how to build a trusted, sustainable, and inclusive future, enabled by digital technologies and that leverages the benefits of an open, interoperable, secure and reliable Internet. Led by Ambassador Fick, the U.S. delegation will advocate for strong partnerships with OECD members to promote cyber and digital policies aligned with democratic values. Among other outcomes, OECD countries will adopt a Declaration on Government Access to Personal Data held by Private Sector Entities. Learn more about the OECD Digital Economy Ministerial 2022 here . Follow the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy on Twitter @StateCDP. Furthering the United States’ Effort to Hold Russia to Account for its War Against Ukraine 12/15/2022 Furthering the United States’ Effort to Hold Russia to Account for its War Against Ukraine 12/15/2022 10:36 AM EST Office of the Spokesperson The United States is committed to working alongside our allies and partners to further impose severe consequences on President Putin and his enablers for Russia’s unconscionable war against Ukraine. The Department of State is designating the individuals listed below, as well as an entity owned by one of them, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, which authorizes sanctions with respect to specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation. OLIGARCH POTANIN AND HIS NETWORKVLADIMIR OLEGOVICH POTANIN (Potanin), one of the wealthiest oligarchs in Russia, formerly served as a Deputy Prime Minister for the Russian Federation, and has direct ties to Vladimir Putin. Potanin is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(iii)(C) of E.O. 14024 for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of Interros, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024. Similar actions against Potanin and his network have been taken by the United Kingdom and Canada. KHOLDINGOVAYA KOMPANIYA INTERROS OOO (Interros) is Potanin’s company with business across nearly all sectors of Russia’s economy. It is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) of E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy Potanin’s wife, EKATERINA VIKTOROVNA POTANINA, and adult children IVAN VLADIMIROVICH POTANIN and ANASTASIA VLADIMIROVNA POTANINA, are being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(v) of E.O. 14024 for being a spouse or adult child of Vladimir Olegovich Potanin, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to section 1(a)(ii) or 1(a)(iii) of E.O. 14024. The superyacht NIRVANA, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, is being identified as blocked property in which Vladimir Potanin, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024, has an interest. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF RUSSIAN RAILWAYSIn February 2022, the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control, in consultation with the Department of State, determined Russian Railways to be owned or controlled by, or have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation, and on that basis imposed the prohibitions of Directive 3 under E.O. 14024. The Department of State is designating five members of the Board of Directors of Russian Railways, a major Russian State-owned enterprise, pursuant to section 1(a)(iii)(A) of E.O. 14024 for being or having been leaders, officials, senior executive officers, or members of the board of directors of the Government of the Russian Federation:ANDREY REMOVICH BELOUSOV, who also serves as a First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation DMITRIY NIKOLAEVICH CHERNYSHENKO, who also serves as a Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation SERGEY OTTOVICH FRANK OLEG VALENTINOVICH BELOZYOROV ALEKSEY VALEREVICH SAZANOV MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, CERTAIN FAMILY MEMBERS, AND A RELATED ENTITY Governors oversee and enforce the conscription of citizens in response to Russia’s recent mobilization order. The Department of State is designating each of the following individuals pursuant to section 1(a)(iii)(A) of E.O. 14024 for being a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of the Government of the Russian Federation or as otherwise denoted:ANDREY YURYEVICH VOROBYEV has served as the Governor of the Moscow region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2013. Andrey Yuryevich Vorobyev is additionally being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(v) of E.O. 14024 for being the adult child of Yuriy Leonidovich Vorobyev, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Section 1(a)(iii)(A) of E.O.14024. ·The brother of the Andrey Vorobyev, MAXIM YURYEVICH VOROBYEV, is being designated pursuant to Section 1(a)(iii)(A) of E.O. 14024 for being an adult child of Yuriy Leonidovich Vorobyev, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to section 1(a)(ii) or 1(a)(iii) of E.O. 14024. Maxim Vorobyev’s company, AMEREUS GROUP PTE LTD, is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(vii) of E.O. 14024 for being owned or controlled by, or acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Maxim Yuryevich Vorobyev, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024. ALEXANDER VIKTOROVICH GUSEV has served as the Governor of the Voronezh region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2018. ALEXEY VLADIMIROVICH OSTROVSKIY has served as either the Acting Governor or the Governor of the Smolensk region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, at various times since 2012. VYACHESLAV VLADIMIROVICH GLADKOV has served as the Governor of the Belgorod region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, at various times since 2021. ·ROMAN VLADIMIROVICH STAROVOYT has served as the Governor of the Kursk region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2022. VASILIY YURYEVICH GOLUBEV has served as either the Acting Governor or the Governor of the Rostov region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2010. ALEKSANDR ALEKSANDROVICH AVDEYEV has served as the Acting Governor of the Vladimir region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2021. ANDREY IVANOVICH BOCHAROV has served as the Governor of the Volgograd region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2014. ALEKSANDR YURYEVICH DROZDENKO has served as the Governor of the Leningrad region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2015. OLEG ALEKSANDROVICH KUVSHINNIKOV has served as the Governor of the Vologda region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2014. ANDREY SERGEYEVICH NIKITIN has served as the Governor of the Novgorod region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2017. ANDREY ALEKSANDROVICH TRAVNIKOV has served as the Governor of the Novosibirsk region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2018. DENIS VLADIMIROVICH PASLER has served as the Governor of the Orenburg region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2019. MAXIM BORISOVICH EGOROV has served as the Governor of the Tambov region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2021. ANTON ANDREYEVICH ALIKHANOV has served as the Governor of the Kaliningrad region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2017. DMITRIY IGOREVICH AZAROV has served as the Governor of the Samara region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2018. EVGENIY VLADIMIROVICH KUYVASHEV has served as the Governor of the Sverdlovsk region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2012. IGOR GEORGIYEVICH ARTAMONOV has served as the Governor of the Lipetsk region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2019. ALEXANDER VIKTOROVICH USS has served as the Governor of the Krasnoyarsk region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2018. The son of Alexander Viktorovich Uss, ARTEM ALEXANDROVICH USS, is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(iii)(A) of E.O. 14024 for being an adult child of a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to section 1(a)(ii) or 1(a)(iii) of E.O. 14024. ALEKSANDR VIKTOROVICH MOOR has served as either the Acting Governor or the Governor of the Tyumen region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2018. ALEKSEY LEONIDOVICH TEKSLER has served as either the Acting Governor or the Governor of the Chelyabinsk region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2019. VIKTOR PETROVICH TOMENKO has served as either the Acting Governor or the Governor of the Altai territory, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2018. VLADIMIR VLADIMIROVICH VLADIMIROV has served as either the Acting Governor or the Governor of the Stavropol territory, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2013. RADIY FARITOVICH KHABIROV has served as either the Acting Head or the Head of the Bashkortostan Republic, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2018. VLADIMIR VIKTOROVICH UYBA has served as either the Acting Head or the Head of the Komi Republic, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2020. AYSEN SERGEYEVICH NIKOLAYEV has served as either the Acting Head or the Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2018. OLEG ALEKSEYEVICH NIKOLAYEV has served as the Head of the Chuvash Republic, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2020. DMITRIY ANDREEVICH ARTYUKHOV has served as either the Acting Governor or the Governor of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2018. ALEKSANDR VASILYEVICH BOGOMAZ has served as either the Acting Governor or the Governor of the Bryansk region, a constituent entity of Russia’s federal system, since 2022. RUSSIA-APPOINTED PROXY AUTHORITIES IN UKRAINE The Department of State is designating the following persons pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(F) of E.O. 14024 for being responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, activities that undermine the peace, security, political stability, or territorial integrity of the United States, its allies, or its partners for or on the behalf of, or for the benefit of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation.ANDREY ANATOLEVICH ALEKSEENKO was the Russia-appointed Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the military-civilian administration in the Kharkiv Region of Ukraine and recently appointed as the new so-called “head” of the Russia-appointed authorities in the Kherson region. GENNADIY OLEKSANDROVYCH GARKUSHA acted as the Russia-appointed commander of the Berkut police battalion in the Kherson region of Ukraine. The Berkut battalion was previously disbanded after its violent repression of protestors in Ukraine’s 2014 Maidan protests. Russia-installed authorities recreated the Berkut battalion as part of the police force in then-Russia-controlled Kherson city. The Berkut battalion is alleged to have been tasked with repressing resistance to Russia’s forces and intimidating residents of Russia-controlled regions in southern Ukraine. VOLODYMYR VITALYOVYCH LIPANDIN acted as the Russia-appointed chief of police of the city of Kherson while it was still under Russia’s control. OLEKSII OLEKSANDROVYCH DYKIY acted as the so-called “Minister of Internal Affairs” of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. Within his role, Dykiy holds oversight over filtration camps located in the Donetsk region of Ukraine at multiple sites and facilities associated with the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic Ministry of Internal Affairs.” Dykiy also leads a reconnaissance battalion known as the “Operational Combat Tactical Formation,” or OBTF, which took part in the destruction of Mariupol. VOLODYMYR MYKHAILOVYCH BOBRYSHEV acted as the Russia-appointed Head of the Human Resources Department of the so-called Kherson Region Ministry of Internal Affairs during Russia’s control of the city of Kherson. KATERYNA YURIIVNA GUBAREVA acted as a Russia-appointed deputy head and chief of staff for Russia’s military-civilian administration in the Kherson region of Ukraine. MINISTRY OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS OF THE SO-CALLED DONETSK PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC is an entity of the formerly self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. Personnel of this entity were directly involved in the forced filtration of civilians at multiple sites in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Continuing to Hold Russia to Account for its War against Ukraine 12/15/2022 Continuing to Hold Russia to Account for its War against Ukraine 12/15/2022 10:57 AM EST Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State The United States continues to impose costs on Russia for its war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia’s attacks have devastated Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and caused extraordinary death and destruction. Today, we are announcing additional sanctions measures on the Russian Federation and its enablers. Pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, the Departments of State and the Treasury are taking actions against major actors in Russia’s financial sector, senior government officials connected to mobilization efforts, and proxy authorities installed in Ukraine. Specifically, the Department of State is imposing sanctions on Vladimir Potanin, one of Russia’s wealthiest oligarchs and a close associate of President Putin, as well as three members of his immediate family and his company, Interros. We are also identifying his yacht, Nirvana, as blocked property. The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating Public Joint Stock Company Rosbank, a bank acquired by Potanin earlier this year, for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy. Similar actions have been taken by the United Kingdom and Canada. The Department of State is also designating officials helping to advance Russia’s invasion and control of Ukrainian territory, including 29 Russian heads of regions and governors, two of their family members, and an entity owned by one of the family members. These governors oversee and enforce the conscription of citizens in response to Russia’s recent mobilization order. We also are designating six proxy authorities and an entity operating on behalf of the Kremlin in Ukraine. This includes the former “Minister of Internal Affairs” of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, who led a battalion that fought in Mariupol and oversees the operations of filtration camps that facilitate the forced relocation of Ukraine’s citizens to Russia. The State Department is further holding accountable the corporate leadership of Russian state-owned companies by designating five individuals serving on the Board of Directors of Russian Railways, including two Deputy Prime Ministers of Russia, Andrey Removich Belousov and Dmitriy Nikolaevich Chernyshenko. In coordination with these designations, OFAC is also designating 17 subsidiaries of VTB Bank, which was designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 on February 24, 2022. Our actions today are a clear message that the United States will not hesitate to continue to use the tools at our disposal to promote an end to, and accountability for, President Putin’s unconscionable war. For more information on today’s action, please see the Department of State’s fact sheet and the Department of the Treasury’s press release. Turkey’s Conviction and Sentencing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu 12/15/2022 Turkey’s Conviction and Sentencing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu 12/15/2022 01:21 PM EST Ned Price, Department Spokesperson The United States is deeply troubled and disappointed by a Turkish court’s verdict against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, sentencing him to two years and seven months in prison and banning him from political activity. His conviction is inconsistent with respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. We remain gravely concerned by the continued judicial harassment of civil society, media, political and business leaders in Turkey, including through prolonged pretrial detention, overly broad claims of support for terrorism, and criminal insult cases. The people of Turkey deserve the ability to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms without fear of retribution. The right to exercise the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association is enshrined in Turkey’s constitution, its international law obligations, and its OSCE commitments. We urge the government to cease prosecutions under criminal “insult” laws, and to respect the rights and freedoms of all Turkish citizens, including by ensuring an open environment for public debate. Follow-Up to Terezin Declaration Conference on Holocaust Era Issues  12/15/2022 Follow-Up to Terezin Declaration Conference on Holocaust Era Issues  12/15/2022 08:35 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The United States extends its gratitude to the Czech Republic for hosting the Terezin Declaration Conference November 2 – 4, 2022 as part of its EU presidency.  We fully support the “Chair’s Statement ” as a follow-up to the conference and countries’ subsequent pledges to assist Holocaust survivors and their heirs and to preserve the memory of the Holocaust.  The United States was represented at the conference by the Special Advisor to the Secretary on Holocaust Issues Stuart Eizenstat, and Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues Ellen Germain. The conference provided participants and countries the opportunity to take stock of the work that has been done since 47 states endorsed the 2009 Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era Assets and Related Issues and committed to action on remembrance, education, and restitution or compensation issues.  As the Chair noted, “There is no doubt that much restitution and compensation work remains to be done in some countries and, with sufficient political will, will get done.”  Croatia, Hungary, and Poland are among the countries that still have the greatest work ahead. At the event, Secretary Blinken delivered a video message urging countries to provide a measure of justice to survivors and their families. Secretary Blinken’s Call with Bulgarian President Radev 12/16/2022 Secretary Blinken’s Call with Bulgarian President Radev 12/16/2022 01:56 PM EST Office of the Spokesperson The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. The two discussed the latest developments in Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine, and the Secretary welcomed the Bulgarian parliament’s decision to provide military assistance to Ukraine in support of Ukraine’s self-defense. Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of energy diversification and rule of law reforms in Bulgaria to promote prosperity for the Bulgarian people and solidarity within the EU. Verdict in the Trial of Salih Mustafa at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers 12/16/2022 Verdict in the Trial of Salih Mustafa at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers 12/16/2022 07:36 PM EST Ned Price, Department Spokesperson The United States welcomes the verdict in the case against Salih Mustafa, the first case at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers involving war crimes charges. Mustafa, a former commander in the BIA Guerrilla unit of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), was convicted of the war crimes of arbitrary detention, torture, and murder committed at a BIA detention and interrogation site in 1999 and sentenced to 26 years. As the Trial Panel noted, the decision is not a judgment against the KLA or Kosovo but relates only to the defendant’s individual criminal responsibility. This verdict is a strong step towards helping Kosovo uphold the rule of law and ensure justice for victims. We also commend the bravery of the individual victims and witnesses who came forward and condemn the threats and intimidation that they have faced. Without these courageous individuals, justice would not be possible.