US believe Palestine does not qualifies to be “Sovereign State”, will continue to stand by Israel

F.P Report

WASHINGTON: On Tuesday, US State Department Spokesperson commented on the burst of glacier in India, stating that our thoughts are with our Indian friends and partners during this challenging time.

He also mentioned that, US extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, and we hope for a successful rescue effort and a speedy and full recovery for the injured.

Furthermore, the spokesperson also commented on U.S. decision to re-engage with the Human Rights Council, stating that this morning the Secretary announced the immediate U.S. re-engagement with the UN Human Rights Council.

He further added that process is already underway in Geneva, where the U.S. mission today participated in a regular organizational meeting of the council.

For now, that engagement will be as an observer, which will allow us to speak in the council, participate in negotiations, and work with partners, Price commented.

While mentioning Secretary of State Blinken, spokesperson commented that as the Secretary noted in his statement, we recognize the council’s flaws, but we do believe that the best way to improve it is to work from within.

Referring to individuals basic rights, he mentioned that the council can be a powerful tool to promote fundamental freedoms, protect the rights of women, girls, LGBTQI+ individuals, and other marginalized communities – while promoting accountability for human rights violators around the world.

In addition to this, spokesperson remarked that the United States congratulates the people of Ecuador for exercising their democratic right to vote for their leaders.

He further added that, “we also congratulate the many officials, public servants, and volunteers whose dedication made the vote possible under the challenging conditions presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic”.

Spokesperson Price commented that we urge people to remain calm and TO exercise patience while Ecuador’s institutions finish tallying the votes and work to resolve conflicts in a peaceful and transparent manner in accordance with Ecuador’s constitution and established norms and processes.

Highlighting the US African policy, spokesperson remarked that, Africa is a priority for the Biden Administration.

He also added that, US will reinvigorate and restore our relationships with the continent – building substantive, reciprocal partnerships with African governments, institutions, and people based on mutual interests and mutual respect.

While commenting on designation of Ansarallah Price mentioned that Secretary of State prioritized to move upon expeditiously, given the profound humanitarian implications of this designation.

He mentioned that, we notified the Hill of the Secretary’s intent to revoke the foreign terrorist organization and specially designated global terrorist designations of Ansarallah.

Moreover, Price commented that this intent to revoke that designation has nothing to do with our view of the Houthis and their reprehensible conduct, including, as you mentioned, attacks against civilians and the kidnapping of American citizens, among other moves.

He added that US is committed to helping Saudi Arabia defend its territory against further such attacks.

He also mentioned that, we can ensure that we do not add to the suffering of Yemeni civilians – Yemen now home to what is believed to be the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophe – while continuing to stand with Saudi Arabia in the face of these attacks from the Houthis.

Spokesperson also commented on Houthis and its Iranian links he stated that Iran may be providing to the Houthis. He also added that US has spoken of its support for proxies, for terrorist groups, its support for the Houthis as well.

Moreover, while answering the questions of journalists, State Department spokesperson also commented on the situation of Burma stating that we stand with the duly elected representatives of the people of Burma in their efforts to speak for the people of the country.

He also mentioned that United States provides nearly $135 million in bilateral assistance to Burma.

Spokesperson commented that beyond that, in FY 2020 we provided more than $469 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Burma, bringing the U.S. total contribution since August of 2017 to nearly $1.2 billion.

Price added that after the designation of the events of February 1st as a coup, we’re very – we’re looking very closely at additional sanctions that we might be able to enact on the – on those responsible for this coup.

He emphasized that, “we join them in demanding the immediate and full restoration of the democratically elected government. We stand with the people of Burma, support their right to assemble peacefully, including to protest peacefully in support of the democratically elected government, and the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, to receive, to impart information both online and offline.”

Price reaffirmed that US strongly supports the right of all individuals  in Burma and around the world  to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, including for the purposes of peaceful protests.

Referring to China, he remarked that, “We have been encouraging China, both privately and in public, to condemn this action, to join the international community, to join the United States and those other countries, a large swath of the world that has spoken out in no uncertain terms, to condemn this anti-democratic action”.

Price remarked that we continue to believe that the Chinese need to further condemn what has taken place in Burma in recent days.

Highlighting on resolution of Yemen conflict, Secretary of State mentioned that  US has made very clear that it is going to be focused intensely on a diplomatic solution, working through the UN-led process and channels to restore the long-dormant peace talks.

We’ll work closely with the UN Envoy Martin Griffiths, and you heard the President himself name Tim Lenderking as our special envoy to the conflict, Price mentioned.

Reiterating US decision on the matter, Price commented that we’re ending all American support for offensive operations in Yemen, including those relevant arms sales.

He also mentioned that this does not apply to our operations against AQAP, but it does include both materiel and restricting our intelligence-sharing relationships with Saudi Arabia in the Saudi-led coalition, in accordance with the President’s guidance.

Referring to Saudi Arabia’s security concerns he commented that we do understand in the midst of all of this Saudi Arabia faces genuine security threats from Yemen, which we again saw over the weekend.

He added that, we will look for ways to improve support for Saudi Arabia’s ability to defend itself and its territory against threats.

While commenting on Houthis, Price also mentioned that the way in which they have afflicted  the manner in which they have inflicted suffering on the people of Yemen, the people they purport to govern, their neighbors, the threat they pose to our interest in Yemen several years back, that is why we can and will continue to keep up the pressure on the Ansarallah, on the Houthi leadership.

State Department spokesperson commented that, “the Swiss are our protecting power within Iran. We coordinate very closely with them”.

He added that, they represent those interests for us when it comes to American citizens who are being held in Iran.”

While mentioning 2015 Iran deal, Price stated that Iran has distanced itself from that agreement in any number of ways. The 2015 deal limits enriched uranium stockpile, it puts a cap on enrichment levels at 3.67 percent, it limits the centrifuges that Iran is allowed to have, it limits its R&D, and it limits its heavy water stockpile.

He added that it is importance that Iran resumes that full compliance with the nuclear deal. That’s why it’s been the predicate of our diplomatic path that we have put forward. Iran resumes that full compliance; the United States will do the same.

Moreover, he also shed light over ICC ruling stating that as we made clear when the Palestinians purported to join the Rome Statute in 2015, that “we don’t believe the Palestinians qualify as a sovereign state”, and therefore are not qualified to obtain membership as a state or to participate as a state in international organizations, entities, or conferences, including the ICC.

He stressed that, “We’ll continue to uphold President Biden’s strong commitment to Israel and its security, including opposing actions that seek to target Israel unfairly”.

Moving forward, State Department spokesperson commented on US policy towards Venezuela stating that, our strategy to help the people of Venezuela achieve their legitimate aspirations for democracy will be a coordinated approach.