Press Release
☷On the Record Press Gaggle by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby
White House ( By Press Release office)
Mar 15,2024
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Hey everyone , thanks for sticking with us this morning . Kirby doesn ' t have any updates , so let ' s jump right into your questions . First up is Aamer from the AP . Aamer asked about President agreeing with Leader Schumer on Netanyahu , the TikTok situation , and the Afghan SIV issue . We ' re focused on supporting Israel ' s defense while minimizing civilian casualties , working towards a ceasefire , and providing support for the SIV program . We don ' t have info on the Mnuchin effort for TikTok , but we ' re working with Congress on the legislative process . We ' ll look into the Mnuchin effort and get back to you . We ' re also pushing for an increase in SIV numbers to address the issue . MR . KIRBY: Thanks , Karen . That ' s a lot to address . We ' re very concerned about the strike on the UNRWA distribution facility that resulted in civilian casualties . We ' re in contact with our Israeli counterparts regarding this incident . We ' re just trying to get more info on what happened and our thoughts are with those affected . We ' ve asked for a quick investigation by Israel and we ' re staying in touch with them for updates . We support Israel ' s right to defend itself , but they need to protect civilians too . We ' re not sure about plans to relocate people in Rafah . As for Iran , we ' re in communication with them about the threats they pose in the region . Sorry , I can ' t comment on specific reports . Q: Did Japan know about the President ' s statement on U . S . Steel? How will tensions be eased with Tokyo , especially with the upcoming state dinner? And does the President want the Nippon Steel purchase of U . S . Steel to be stopped , or does he think it can be changed to meet the conditions in his statement? MODERATOR: Thank you . Next question is from Danny at AFP . So there ' s this thing in Lithuania where someone who supports Navalny got attacked . Lithuania thinks it was the Russians . Do you have any info on that? And then in the Netherlands , that far - right leader , Geert Wilders , says he ' s stepping down as prime minister . Any reaction to that?Yeah , we ' ve been pushing for more aid to get through the 96th Gate , but so far only minimal amounts have made it . There was some slow movement overnight , but nothing actually got in . We ' re hoping the Israelis will improve the flow of assistance , but overall , not enough is getting through . Oh , and I made a mistake earlier about the outposts being sanctioned - they were actually designated due to ownership by sanctioned individuals . Sorry for the confusion . As for the situation in Israel and Hezbollah , we ' re actively working to prevent further escalation and spread of conflict . We ' re also closely monitoring the situation in Haiti , where violence and instability continue to be a concern . So , the Haitian people are the ones who are suffering the most , which is why we were hopeful about the meeting in Jamaica led by Haitian stakeholders to create a transitional presidential council . The meeting was facilitated by CARICOM and supported by international partners like Brazil , Canada , France , Mexico , and the United Nations . It was great to see Haitians leading the meeting and making decisions . Secretary Blinken also announced additional support for the Multinational Security Support Mission and humanitarian assistance . We are working with our partners to move forward with this mission led by Kenya . There is still a lot of work to be done to ensure the safety of the Haitian people . We have made progress diplomatically and economically , but we need to focus on getting the Security Support Mission up and running to assist the Haitian National Police . Thank you . Next question , please . Hey there , it ' s really important right now to make sure we have an ambassador in place and we need to get him confirmed quickly with the help of our partners on Capitol Hill . As for the HNP , we ' re talking to Haitian leaders about their needs and the needs of the HNP . We ' re in discussions with our Haitian counterparts and international partners to support the HNP ' s work . This MSS mission is crucial for supporting the HNP . Senator Schumer gave us a heads - up about his remarks on Prime Minister Netanyahu . Regarding reports of Haitian refugees being processed through Guantanamo , the Department of Homeland Security ' s Task Force Southeast is monitoring migrant flow rates in the Caribbean , particularly maritime migration trends . We adjust — they adjust their assets to deal with the challenges of maritime migration . They ' re always exploring different options to handle the challenges that come with maritime migration . So , our policy is to send back non - citizens who don ' t have a legitimate reason to enter the United States , like fear of persecution or torture . That won ' t change . Those intercepted at sea will be immediately sent back , as per our established policy and procedure . In the past , the Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay has been used as a processing location for maritime migrants . It ' s still an option to consider for such situations , but I don ' t have any concrete plans to share . It ' s important to remember that maritime migration remains a challenge in the Caribbean . We need to monitor it , assess the flow , and follow the proper repatriation processes . Guantanamo Bay has been used in the past for this purpose , so we ' ll keep our options open . However , currently , we ' re not seeing a significant flow of Haitian migrants , whether by sea or any other means . But given the dangerous and unstable situation in Haiti , it would be irresponsible if DHS and the interagency didn ' t consider how to handle a potential dramatic increase in the flow of migrants seeking to flee . Regarding the Israeli Defense Minister ' s statement about going into Rafah , I can ' t comment as I ' m not aware of it . As for building the pier in Gaza , I don ' t have details on Israeli involvement in construction , control , or distribution . World Central Kitchen , an NGO , has been able to provide 750 , 000 meals a day to people in Gaza , while the U . S . government hopes they can provide 2 million meals a day in two months . There may be a disparity there . Finally , I ' m not aware of any leaked tapes or a pro - Israeli group pushing to ban TikTok due to its content featuring Palestinian victims . So , just to clarify , our concerns about TikTok ' s national security are mainly about its ownership by a Chinese company , not about freedom of speech or the content itself . It ' s more about who owns apps like TikTok . Moving on to Rafah , I can ' t speak for the Israeli military ' s plans there , but they ' ve mentioned wanting to target remaining Hamas leaders and units . They have the right to protect their people , but we still have concerns about the safety of the people seeking refuge in Rafah . As for the temporary pier in Gaza , there ' s a lot of work being done to get it up and running for humanitarian assistance . We ' re still figuring out the details with our allies . And sorry , I didn ' t catch your question about meals per month . Can you repeat that for me?KIRBY: I can ' t really say much about the NGO reports . They know their stuff better than I do . We appreciate anyone helping out in Gaza with getting supplies to those in need . I ' ll let them talk about their capabilities , and I ' ll focus on our own efforts .
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