Today, Secretary Pompeo reported to the appropriate Congressional committees his determination that an additional suspension for 30 days through April 17, 2019, of the right to bring an action under Title III of the 1996 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act is necessary to the national interests of the United States and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba, with the below exception. Beginning March 19, suspension shall not apply to:

• The right to bring an action against a Cuban entity or sub-entity identified by name on the State Department’s List of Restricted Entities and Sub-entities Associated with Cuba (known as the Cuba Restricted List), as may be updated from time to time.

We will continue to study the impact of this suspension on the human rights situation in Cuba. The Cuba Restricted List identifies entities and sub-entities under the control of Cuban military, intelligence, or security services. These security services are directly responsible for the repression of the Cuban people. We encourage any person doing business in Cuba to reconsider whether they are trafficking in confiscated property and abetting the Cuban dictatorship.

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On March 4, 2019, U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem will merge into U.S. Embassy Jerusalem to form a single diplomatic mission. This step follows Secretary Pompeo’s October 18, 2018 announcement that the two missions and teams would be combined.

There will be complete continuity of U.S. diplomatic activity and consular services during and after the merger. We will continue to conduct all of the diplomatic and consular functions previously performed by U.S. Embassy Jerusalem. We will also engage in a wide range of reporting, outreach, and programming in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as with Palestinians in Jerusalem, through a U.S. Embassy Palestinian Affairs Unit (PAU), which will operate from our historic Agron Road location in Jerusalem. Our State Department and interagency teams on the ground do exceptional work every day in representing the United States to diverse audiences, reflecting their views back to Washington, and assisting American citizens. That critical work will be enhanced and will continue uninterrupted as we form a larger team.

This decision was driven by our global efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our diplomatic engagements and operations. It does not signal a change of U.S. policy on Jerusalem, the West Bank, or the Gaza Strip. As the President has stated, the United States continues to take no position on final status issues, including boundaries or borders. The specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem are subject to final status negotiations between the parties. The Administration remains fully committed to efforts to achieve a lasting and comprehensive peace that offers a brighter future to Israel and the Palestinians.

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Secretary Pompeo will travel to Houston, Texas on March 12 to deliver keynote remarks at CERA Energy Week’s “Reshaping the Energy Future” conference. The speech will address how America’s energy revolution strengthens national security in an age of renewed great power competition.

The Secretary also will participate in a roundtable with international energy firms on advancing the Asia EDGE “Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy” initiative and the energy pillar of the Middle East Strategic Alliance. These initiatives seek to promote a strong, growing, integrated, diversified, and resilient global energy market; catalyze private sector trade and investment; advance energy security for the United States, its allies, and partners; and promote regional cooperation and good governance in the extractives sector.

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The following is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino:

Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke with Foreign Minister Kono of Japan on March 1 to discuss President Trump and Chairman Kim’s meetings during the U.S.-DPRK summit in Hanoi. Secretary Pompeo described next steps on DPRK engagement, and the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the denuclearization of the DPRK. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kono said that they looked forward to the U.S-Japan Security Consultative Committee (“2+2”) meeting later this year to strengthen bilateral security and defense cooperation.

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
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The following is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino:

Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Foreign Minister Kang of the Republic of Korea. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang discussed the U.S.-DPRK summit in Hanoi. The two sides agreed to continue to closely coordinate on the denuclearization of the DPRK.

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