Press Releases: Africa Working Group of the U.S.-Morocco Strategic Dialogue


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC
February 6, 2019


The United States and Morocco convened a working group of the U.S.-Morocco Strategic Dialogue in order to strengthen cooperation on our common interests in Africa. Delegations from the United States and Morocco agreed to build on ongoing initiatives to address political, economic, and security issues facing the continent. The delegations discussed new opportunities for possible trilateral cooperation on the continent, including in development finance, trade, and youth empowerment; countering terrorism; building the capacity of security services in the region; and strengthening governance.






Press Releases: Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting With the Lima Group


Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC
February 4, 2019


The below is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino:

At the invitation of the Lima Group, Secretary Michael R. Pompeo participated via videoconference today in the Lima Group foreign ministers meeting, which Canada hosted. The Lima Group was represented by foreign ministers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Saint Lucia.

Secretary Pompeo and these regional partners affirmed their support for Interim Venezuelan President Juan Guaido and for democratic transition in Venezuela through free and fair elections. He urged continued international focus on humanitarian needs in Venezuela. Participants also discussed the need for enhanced cooperation with representatives of the interim government.






Press Releases: Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting With Panamanian Vice President and Foreign Minister de Saint Malo


Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC
February 4, 2019


The below is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino:‎

Secretary Michael R. Pompeo met with Panamanian Vice President and Foreign Minister Isabel de Saint Malo today in Washington, D.C., to discuss the ongoing crises in Venezuela and Nicaragua. Secretary Pompeo expressed appreciation for Panama’s regional leadership role in maintaining international attention on those crises within the Organization of American States and the Lima Group. The two leaders also discussed the United States and Panama’s strong security partnership, the importance of Panama’s support in countering malign actors, and the upcoming May elections in Panama. The Secretary and Vice President de Saint Malo discussed China and agreed on the importance of transparency, human rights, and rule of law.

Secretary Pompeo applauds the Presidential decree issued today by President Varela, which allows for the immediate de-flagging of ships using Panama’s flag to support terrorism. Today’s action is an important step in helping prevent terrorist groups or states that sponsor terrorism from threatening global stability and commerce. Panama continues to be a strong ally and partner of the United States in the fight against terrorism and terrorist financing.






Press Releases: Special Representative Biegun Travel to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea


Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC
February 4, 2019


U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun will travel to Pyongyang on February 6 for meetings with his DPRK counterpart Kim Hyok Chol to prepare for the President’s second summit with Chairman Kim and advance further progress on the commitments the President and Chairman Kim made in Singapore: complete denuclearization, transforming U.S.-DPRK relations, and building a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.






Press Releases: Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting With Iranian Women’s Rights Activist Masih Alinejad


Press Statement

Robert Palladino

Deputy Spokesperson

Washington, DC
February 4, 2019


Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Iranian women’s rights activist, journalist, and author, Masih Alinejad. Ms. Alinejad is the founder of the My Stealthy Freedom campaign, which initiated the White Wednesdays campaign, both of which work to promote freedom of expression and counter the compulsory hijab laws in Iran, with more than three million followers on social media.

In February 2018, the Iranian regime forcefully cracked down on brave Iranian women and men protesting the country’s mandatory hijab law. At least 29 women were arrested, some suffering physical harm and injury at the hands of Iran’s brutal intelligence and law enforcement officials. Many women were forced to flee the country, while others were imprisoned and sentenced for up to 20 years.

In the meeting today, the Secretary thanked Ms. Alinejad for her bravery and continued dedication to speaking out on these issues and defending human rights in Iran. The Secretary underscored the United States’ commitment to help amplify the voices of the Iranian people and to condemn the Iranian regime for its ongoing human rights abuses. The United States calls upon the international community to join us in condemning the Iranian regime for suppressing its own people.