Press Releases: Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302


Press Statement

Robert Palladino

Deputy Spokesperson

Washington, DC
March 10, 2019


The U.S. Department of State extends our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the tragic crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302. We can confirm that at least eight U.S. citizens were among the victims. Our embassies in Addis Ababa and Nairobi, in coordination with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, are working with the Government of Ethiopia and Ethiopian Airlines to offer all possible assistance. Our teams in Addis Ababa, Nairobi, and Washington, DC are working tirelessly to provide all appropriate consular assistance to families of the victims at this difficult time.






Press Releases: Morocco’s Repatriation of Foreign Terrorist Fighters From Syria


Press Statement

Robert Palladino

Deputy Spokesperson

Washington, DC
March 10, 2019


The United States commends the Kingdom of Morocco for repatriating eight Moroccan foreign terrorist fighters from Syria. Morocco is a highly capable partner in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and we appreciate its commitment to countering terrorism. Morocco’s actions should encourage other nations to repatriate and prosecute their citizens who have traveled to fight for ISIS. Repatriating foreign terrorist fighters to their countries of origin is the best solution to prevent them from returning to the battlefield.






Press Releases: Deputy Secretary John J. Sullivan and USAID Administrator Mark Green On-Camera Briefing on the President’s FY 2020 Budget Request


Notice to the Press

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC
March 8, 2019


There will be an On-Camera, On-the-Record Press Briefing with Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan and USAID Administrator Mark Green on the President’s FY 2020 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of State and USAID on Monday, March 11 at 2:00 p.m. in the Press Briefing Room at the Department of State.

They will be joined by Douglas Pitkin, Director, Bureau of Budget and Planning, Department of State; Eric Ueland, Director, Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance, Department of State; and Tricia Schmitt, Director, Office of Budget and Resource Management, USAID.

This event is open press coverage. Journalists who plan to cover this event in person must be seated in the Press Briefing Room by 1:45 p.m.

Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued photo media credential (e.g., Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), or (2) an official photo identification card issued by their news organization, or (3) a letter from their employer on official letterhead verifying their current employment as a journalist. Additionally, they must present an official government photo identification card (i.e., U.S. driver’s license or passport).

Instructions for embargoed access to the FY2020 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Congressional Budget Justification (CBJ) will be sent to members of the press only, on Monday, March 11, in the morning. The CBJ is EMBARGOED until 12:00 p.m.

The event will be streamed live on www.state.gov.

For further information, please contact the Office of Press Relations at (202) 647-2492 or PAPressDuty@state.gov.






Press Releases: Assistant Secretary Fannon Travel to Houston, Texas


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC
March 8, 2019


Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Francis R. Fannon will travel to Houston, Texas March 10-14 and will accompany Secretary Pompeo when he delivers keynote remarks at CERA Energy Week’s “Reshaping the Energy Future” conference.

During his trip, Assistant Secretary Fannon will also meet with government officials and private sector representatives to discuss energy security and regional energy cooperation. He will speak about how American energy abundance is advancing U.S. foreign policy interests, highlighting the Department’s work to advance regional energy cooperation under the Middle East Strategic Alliance and discuss our efforts in the Indo-Pacific with our Asia EDGE “Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy” initiative. 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.

Assistant Secretary Fannon will also deliver remarks at the “Global Hot Spots and Policy Challenges” event.

For further information, contact Vincent Campos, Spokesperson for the Bureau of Energy Resources, at CamposVM@state.gov or visit www.state.gov/e/enr. Additional information is available on Twitter at @EnergyAtState.






Press Releases: Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting With U.K. National Security Advisor Mark Sedwill


Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC
March 8, 2019


The below is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino: ‎

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with U.K. National Security Advisor Mark Sedwill today to discuss key global priorities, including support for reducing tension between India and Pakistan, securing progress in Syria, and countering Iran’s malign influence. The two reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the U.S.‑U.K. special relationship and cooperation in the face of major global challenges.