Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James Mattis hosted Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland and Canadian Minister of Defense Harjit Sajjan for policy discussions at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. on December 14. The four reviewed joint security initiatives in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world. They discussed mutual concerns about the detention of Canadian nationals in China. The Secretaries and Ministers also discussed a number of global issues on which the United States and Canada cooperate, including DPRK, Ukraine, NATO, Syria, and Iraq. They also discussed ways to promote our shared economic prosperity and security.

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Today, the United States imposed sanctions on three individuals for their roles in the conflict in South Sudan. Israel Ziv and Obac William Olawo were designated by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) for being leaders of entities whose actions expanded or extend the conflict in South Sudan. Gregory Vasili was designated by OFAC for actions that have undermined peace, stability, and security in South Sudan. OFAC further designated a total of six entities owned and/or controlled by Ziv and Olawo. The United States is sending a message that the behavior of these persons is unacceptable and contrary to the ongoing and significant U.S. efforts to assist the people of South Sudan and establish a lasting peaceful resolution to the current conflict.

As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of those designated by OFAC, that is in the United States or the possession or control of a U.S. person, must be blocked and reported to OFAC. In addition, U.S. persons and persons in the United States are generally prohibited from any dealings with the designated persons, including entities 50 percent or more owned and/or controlled by such persons.

Today’s action underscores the United States’ steadfast support for the South Sudanese people. The United States will take forceful action against those who undermine the peace, stability, or security of South Sudan, obstruct the peace process, or are responsible for human rights abuses or other atrocities in South Sudan. The United States recognizes the progress already made on the peace process, and further urges South Sudan’s leaders to honor their commitment to immediately stop the violence and to fully implement the latest peace agreement.

The United States will use all available mechanisms to promote a permanent end to the brutal conflict in South Sudan, where millions of civilians have suffered at the hands of military forces, in order to bring peace, freedom, and prosperity to the South Sudanese people.

For further information, please see the Department of the Treasury’s press release available here.

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The United States and Canada held the fourth round of negotiations to modernize the Columbia River Treaty regime December 12-13 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Building on information shared during previous rounds, the U.S. and Canadian negotiators discussed U.S. priorities including continued careful flood risk management; reliable and economical power supply maintenance; and ecosystem benefit improvement. Negotiators continued to take into account the views of the people who live and work in the Columbia River Basin.

Jill Smail is the U.S. Chief Negotiator for the Columbia River Treaty. The U.S. negotiating team is comprised of representatives from the Bonneville Power Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division; the Department of the Interior; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The next round of negotiations will take place February 27-28 in Washington, DC.

The U.S. negotiating team will hold regular town hall meetings throughout the Columbia River Basin to hear from the U.S. public on the modernization of the Columbia River Treaty regime. The last town hall took place September 6 in Portland, Oregon and the next one is planned for early 2019.

For more information on the Treaty and upcoming Town Halls, please visit: https://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ca/topics/c78892.htm.

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The Nicaraguan regime’s recent actions to strip legal status from non-governmental organizations, including groups monitoring human rights, reveal President Ortega’s and Vice President Murillo’s continued contempt for human rights in their own country. Their efforts to harass, threaten, and repress independent media will not succeed in hiding the systematic oppression of the Nicaraguan people.

Ortega and Murillo continue to degrade their country’s institutions in a desperate bid to hold on to power. Arbitrary and anti-democratic measures further discredit the Ortega regime in the eyes of Nicaraguans and the world. The United States continues to stand with the people of Nicaragua in their quest to restore democracy through early, free and fair elections.

Pursuant to the Executive Order signed by President Trump on November 27, the United States will hold accountable those responsible for the abuses taking place in Nicaragua, including any individuals complicit with the regime. We urge the international community to join us condemning these actions and take concrete measures to impose additional costs for the regime’s anti-democratic behavior.

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The below is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino:‎

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Greek Acting Foreign Minister George Katrougalos launched the inaugural U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue today at the State Department. The two reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation in key areas for the mutual benefit of both countries. The Secretary underscored Greece’s importance as a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and Balkans and commended Greece’s contributions as a NATO Ally. The Secretary reiterated the strong support of the United States for Greece’s leadership in reaching the historic Prespa Agreement. The Secretary also congratulated Greece on its exit from the bailout memorandums and offered continued support for Greece’s economic recovery. The two agreed to continue working closely together to promote stability and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean and Balkans.

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