The State Department held a presser on May 16, 2023 with Principal Dy Spokesperson Vedant Patel fielding a wide range of questions. His Q-A on Pakistan is tweaked to appear up-front

QUESTION: Jahanzaib Ali from ARY News… about the Annual Report on Religious Freedom released recently. As expected, India is out of CPC countries. I now understand that U.S. Government is not bound to implement the suggestions, recommendations of U.S. commission and other groups. Could you please give us any specific reason for keeping out the biggest violator of religious freedom from the CPC countries?

MR PATEL: Look, we carefully monitor the religious freedom situation in every country and we encourage each government to uphold its commitments to protect religious freedom of all – for all and engage officials around the world to regularly take steps that advance this core issue of religious freedom.

QUESTION: Sir, you are the best person in this room, who understands and clearly knows the democratic values of this country. But don’t you think when you take these kinds of decisions, keeping out the biggest violator of religious freedom from CPC countries – sending a wrong message? Because people all over the world, who are the victims of religious freedom, look towards United States because you have the power, you have the authority to make it right. It seems like – I’m sorry to say, it seems like might is right, don’t you think?

MR PATEL: I would reject the premise of that question a little bit. First, let me say clearly that we strongly oppose laws or actions from any country around the world that impede the ability of any individual to choose faith, practice a faith – change their religion, participate in a religion, or tell others about their religious beliefs and practices. We think that countries have an obligation to protect that right of freedom of religion or belief. And again, we carefully monitor the religious freedom situation in every country. And we encourage each government to uphold its commitment to protect religious freedom for all.

QUESTION: Sir, one last question. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan is accusing Pakistani military and its chief of ordering his arrest and crackdown on his party workers, while other political parties are protesting against chief justice of Pakistan for giving alleged undue Favors to Imran Khan. So, what is the position of U.S. of this political circus or blame game going on in Pakistan? Because U.S. is closely engaged with the Pakistani military, so any concerns or just like it doesn’t matter?

MR PATEL: You have heard me say this a number of times now, for the past few weeks, but I will use this opportunity to say again that we do not choose a political party or a particular candidate when it comes to Pakistan or really any country. As it relates to Pakistan, our view is that a strong, stable, prosperous Pakistan is key to a strong and stable U.S.-Pakistan relationship.

MR PATEL:  We strongly condemn the reports of the arrest of Robert Shonov, a former employee of the U.S. mission in Russia. These allegations against Mr. Shonov are wholly without merit. As you saw in the statement we put out at the time of his arrest, his role was largely centered around supporting the press and public affairs operations.

So again, these allegations are just wholly without merit. Mr. Shonov is a Russian national who was employed by the consulate general for more than 25 years, and after Russia forced the termination of our locally employed staff, he was employed by a company that was contracted to provide services to the embassy in Moscow. That was done in strict compliance with Russian laws and regulations.

QUESTION: Okay. Well, did the Russians tell you about this? How do you know about this arrest? Other than public reporting.

MR PATEL: The thing, Matt, as you know, is that he is a Russian citizen, and so we were not notified of his arrest and do not have the ability to visit or communicate with him. I’m not going to get into specifics of how we stayed in touch, but we, of course, were not notified of this arrest.

QUESTION: Okay. And then the second one on – in terms of an actual American citizen, you’ve seen the comments from Prigozhin about an American dying in Bakhmut. Do you have anything to add to what has already been said?

MR PATEL: We are aware of those reports of the death of a U.S. citizen in Bakhmut, and we are continuing to seek additional confirmation. As you know, our ability to verify reports of deaths of U.S. citizens in Ukraine is incredibly limited, but would reiterate our message to U.S. citizens that they should not travel to Ukraine due to these armed conflicts.

Let me just note, Matt, though that, as part of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia – including its Wagner forces – have an obligation under the Geneva Convention to respect the dead, including from disrespectful and degrading acts. So, I’ll just note that.

QUESTION: Is there any action that the U.S. Government can take to compel his release? Obviously, other than this very clear condemnation, is there any action you guys can take here?

MR PATEL: Look, I’m not going to get into the specifics of what our engagements with the Russian Federation can look like, but his targeting under the confidential cooperation statute highlights that the Russian Federation’s blatant use of the increasingly repressive legislation against its own citizens. It’s quite stark and deeply concerning. But I’m just not going to get ahead of this beyond that, as this continues to be an evolving situation.

QUESTION: Just one last question. What’s your message to other Russians, who are now in a position similar to his – working for companies that have been contracted by the U.S. mission in Russia?

MR PATEL: It is our understanding that staff, including former staff, could be subjected to further scrutiny from the Russian Government. And so, we continue to be very careful about our contact and engagement with them. As you know, the Russian staff, who were forced – we were forced to let go received a generous package that included several months of severance pay, allowances, extended medical insurance, and a prorated annual bonus. It, of course, just broadly is incredibly concerning these accusations that the Russian Federation is throwing against Mr. Shonov, as well as their use of the confidential cooperation statute, and so this is something we’re going to continue to be engaged on. I don’t have a specific message or announcement from here at this time.

QUESTION: Then should these Russian still work for these companies that are contracted by the U.S. mission if they could potentially be subject to arrest?

MR PATEL: These are decisions that individuals are going to need to undertake on their own. I don’t have guidance or advice to offer from here. Obviously, the reports of this are incredibly concerning, and we condemn them. I will note, again, that at the time of his arrest Mr. Shonov was simply assisting the public affairs and press division. And so, these allegations are just incredibly concerning. And we condemned this reported arrest.

QUESTION: Is there any specific channel that you’re making your views known to the Russians?

MR PATEL: I’m just not going to get into the specifics of our diplomatic engagements with the Russians. What I will note, though, is that Mr. Shonov is not a Russian[1] citizen. We were not notified of his arrest, and we have no ability to visit or communicate with him. You’ve heard the Secretary say this before, but the other side has a vote here. This is – now, we – as much as we condemn this, the Russians are treating him as a Russian citizen because that is what he is. And so therefore our ability to communicate, visit, ask for information is incredibly impaired and limited.

QUESTION: What’s the current situation in terms of your ability to communicate with the Russians? What channels are you using to try and get them released? And can you give us an update on them?

MR PATEL: I, of course, am not going to get into the specifics of the channels that we are working to secure the release of wrongfully detained American citizens Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan. We have no higher priority than securing their release, and we continue to work this from all angles. It’s something that the President is engaged in, Secretary Blinken, Ambassador Carstens, and others. In both of those cases, we continue to push for consistent and regular consular access that is in line with Russia’s consular conventions. But I don’t have any specifics to get into on our efforts for their release.

QUESTION: Yeah. First on Sudan. Any updates on the mechanism, international mechanism to observe the ceasefire and to move forward with the peace process or the civilian government?

MR PATEL: I don’t have any updates. Ambassador Godfrey and a U.S. delegation remain in Jeddah to support the ongoing talks between the SAF and RSF towards a short-term ceasefire and humanitarian arrangements. As you know, last week they signed a declaration of commitment to protect civilians, and this is something that the U.S. is going to continue to be deeply engaged on. And broadly, as you know, Michel, we are engaging Sudanese civilian leaders, resistance committees, and civil society as it relates to this as well.

QUESTION: On Libya.

MR PATEL: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: Libya’s eastern-based parliament has voted to suspend its appointment or its appointed prime minister, Bashagha, and assign his finance minister to his duties. Do you have any comment on that?

MR PATEL: I’m not aware of those reports, Michel. But I will just note that our goal in Libya is a sovereign, stable, unified, and secure country – one that is in control of its own affairs. And we seek a democratically elected government that protects human rights, that is capable of combatting terrorism within its own borders, and a free and fair election we believe is core to that.

QUESTION: Another one on Libya. Weeks ago, Libya’s eastern authorities banned women under 60 from traveling abroad without a male guardian after alleged cases of women spying. Do you have anything on this?

MR PATEL: What I would say, Michel, is that that is clearly a repressive policy announcement, one that we certainly would take issue with. But I don’t have any new policy to share or anything like that from here.

QUESTION: And just final question on an Israeli official in D.C. this week to discuss expanding Abraham Accords. Do you have anything on this?

MR PATEL: I don’t have any meetings to preview – let me rephrase it that way – from within the department. But I’m happy to check and see if there’s anything planned.

Said, go ahead.

QUESTION: Yes. One question on the Palestinian issue.

MR PATEL: Yeah.

QUESTION: On Thursday, thousands of young Israelis – mostly Religious Zionists and so on – are expected to flood the neighbourhood, the Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. I mean, the last time this happened a war broke out. Do you have any position on the flag march, the supposed flag march?

MR PATEL: Said, we continue to urge the parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric and activities that would inflame tensions.

QUESTION: Yeah, but I mean, are you asking Israel to stop such a march? Is that what you’re doing? Are you urging the Israeli prime minister? Because he has the authority to stop it. Are you asking him to stop it?

MR PATEL: Said, of course we believe in the right of – for individuals to express themselves and to do so peacefully. And what I will reiterate is that we are urging all parties to maintain calm, to exercise restraint, and to refrain from actions and rhetoric and activities that would escalate tensions.

QUESTION: Yeah, and just to follow up on Michel’s question, there was a news story yesterday in Axios that Secretary Blinken is considering appointing an envoy to the Abraham Accord. I know I asked you about this yesterday. Is there – anything has panned out since then? I mean —

MR PATEL: I don’t have any personnel announcements to announce from here.

QUESTION: Is that likely to happen? Is that something that —

MR PATEL: I’m not going to speculate or hypothesize on any personnel announcements, we may or may not make. I just have none to offer today.

QUESTION: And last, is envoy – Hady Amr in town or where is he?

MR PATEL: I believe he is in D.C., but I will check if we have any specific update for him.

 QUESTION: Yeah. (Inaudible.) So South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said today that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy both agreed to receive a mission of leaders of African nations with a peace initiative for – on the Ukrainian conflict. Does the Department of State see any possibilities that the African leaders’ engagement could evolve into any meaningful break-throughs to obtain peace?  And as a follow-up, does the U.S. administration keep constant contacts with either Zambia, Senegal, Congo, Uganda, Egypt, or South Africa in this case regarding this particular initiative of African leaders? Thank you.

MR PATEL: Let me take your second question first. Without getting into a specific list for you, we of course remain deeply engaged with our partners on the African continent on a variety of issues, including, of course, the very troublesome and brutal Russian invasion into Ukraine.

On the subject of peace, really this is a question for the Russian Federation, which has yet to demonstrate any meaningful interest in ending this war. Let’s not forget as we talk about peace plans coming from various corners of the world that President Zelenskyy has put forth a peace plan, and the Russians continue to not engage in good faith and instead send drones and missiles into Ukraine, hitting apartment buildings; hitting hospitals; targeting civilians; targeting civilian infrastructure. So, let’s not lose sight of that.

QUESTION: Hi. Willy Lowry with The National. I know Secretary Blinken met with Hans Grundberg yesterday. Is there anything you can add, offer from that meeting? And what does the U.S. see its role in the conflict in Yemen, and are we closer than we’ve ever been to seeing a resolution to —

MR PATEL: I will refer to the readout that we put out of that meeting. If it hasn’t gone out yet, it should be going shortly. But broadly, in the conflict in Yemen we of course remain committed to taking whatever steps possible to expand and extend the UN-mediated truce and take whatever steps possible to get us to a durable peace. And we will continue to work this effort with our partners in the region, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and others.

But of course, Iran’s malign influence in the region, their backing of rebel forces continues to be of concern to us. But I don’t have any specific assessments to offer beyond that.

QUESTION: Going back on the international religious freedom Iraq section, you mentioned that from Iraqi security, including the federal police and also PMF-sponsored Iraqi Government group, they are still using verbal harassment, and also physical abuse on the minority groups like Yezidis and Christians. Then the question is that – what tools do you have to use against these groups and also governments that are still violating the minority groups, like Yezidis and Christians, in some areas in Iraq like Nineveh Plain?

MR PATEL: You have seen us over the course of this entire administration – when abuses against human rights have taken place, whether they are related to religious freedoms or not, but when the – when human rights have been compromised, you have seen this administration take action. And I would not point you any further than the series of steps that this administration has taken in response to Iran’s crackdown on human rights that began in the fall of last year. We have not hesitated to take action. I’m certainly not going to preview them from here, but we have a number of our tools in our tool belt additionally to hold violators accountable.

QUESTION: Have you took any actions against the PMF and also the other groups that used this violation against Christians and Yezidis in Iraq?

MR PATEL: I would have to check if there is a specific action to share with you, but I – again, we have not hesitated to take actions.

Go ahead, Alex.

QUESTION: Georgians are out on the street as we speak protesting restoration of flights with Russia despite U.S. warnings.

MR PATEL: Yeah.

QUESTION: I’m just wondering how do you see this process, the fact that Georgian Government – Georgian Dream Government, I should say – moved forward with this plan? Are they risking the U.S.-Georgia relationship?

MR PATEL: Alex, I think I spoke a little bit about this either last week or earlier this week. If direct flights take place between Russia and Georgia, that would be of increasing concern – not just to the United States and other Western countries but as well as companies that may be operating out of Georgian airports, if they service aircrafts that are subject to import and exports and other matters. The entire Western community has distanced itself from the Russian Federation, and we believe that now is not the time to increase engagement with Russia.

QUESTION: I’ve heard you said that before, but now they have moved forward. There are direct flights taking place – five times in a week as of next – as of day after tomorrow. Do you regret that they moved (inaudible) your warning? And when should we expect sanctions?

MR PATEL: This isn’t about regret or not, Alex. We have been very clear about our concerns about this, and we’ve been very clear about the fact that we also have taken steps to prohibit Russian aircraft from entering our airspace, as have many Western countries. So we will continue to monitor the situation closely and we’ll take additional steps, as needed. But I don’t have anything to preview from here.

Michail, go ahead.

QUESTION: Yeah, thank you very much. Yesterday at the White House, Mr. Kirby said that there will be an announcement this week of further pressure on Iran over relations with Russia, and also, I see a report in The Wall Street Journal saying how sanctioned Western goods are still flowing into Russia. My question is this: I wanted to ask if the United States is investigating a NATO Ally country which through Iran is helping Russia, is sending goods – even American technology – to Putin.

MR PATEL: I’m not aware of any such investigation. And as a follow-on to Mr. Kirby’s comments, we of course – I’m not going to get into a habit of previewing sanctions and designations from here. The news we shared yesterday about the increasingly concerning close defence partnership between Russia and Iran is incredibly concerning and worrisome, dangerous not just to the immediate region but dangerous for the international community. And we will, of course, take appropriate actions as needed.

QUESTION: South African foreign minister – Minister of International Affairs Pandor has called for the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against leaders of, quote, “apartheid Israel,” responsible for, quote, “the massacre of the Palestinian people.” Will the State Department finally support International Criminal Court mechanisms and international law regarding Israel? If not, why not?

MR PATEL: We, of course, remain engaged with the ICC, through a number of mechanisms. We believe that there are a number of avenues for holding those accountable for atrocities, especially in the context of Russia and Ukraine. But I don’t have – I’ve not seen these comments, so I don’t have anything additional to offer on that.

QUESTION: But the State Department continues to not want the ICC to be implemented regarding Israel?

MR PATEL: On the matter of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, you saw me speak quite clearly to Said’s question about our desire that both sides not take steps that are going to incite tensions and take us further away from a negotiated two-state solution. We’ve been quite clear about that consistently.

 QUESTION: This is Leah Griffith with Asahi Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper. So, on Taiwan, today the CCP’s defence ministry spokesperson was asked about President Biden’s plan to approve an arms sale of $500 million to Taiwan and sending 100 military personnel as well. And he said they will resolutely smash any form of Taiwanese independence succession along with attempts of outside interference. Do you have any comments on that?

MR PATEL: I don’t. I’ve not seen those comments. But what I will say broadly is that our approach to the PRC has not changed, and we seek competition, not conflict. In terms of any forthcoming announcements, I don’t have anything to preview. But we will always do what we think is in our interests, not just as it relates to the region but the international community broadly, and we’ll do so in close coordination with our allies and partners as well.

All right. Thanks, everyone.

(The briefing was concluded at 1:48 p.m.)