(We've) seen those reports. Obviously, our hostage working group continues to be very much involved in this case, working with the Iraqis, but I can't confirm it for you. |
A particular focus of the discussions was the PKK and its affiliates and how we could all cooperate to eliminate the terrorist threat to Turkey from northern Iraq . |
Allegations of abuse like this have a noxious effect and need to be confronted and contained and redressed quickly and effectively and transparently, |
an inclusive government focused on national reconciliation would be a positive development. |
And as long as we're dealing with one-sided, polemical resolutions that put all of the blame on one side and do not recognize the responsibility of others, particularly these terrorist groups, then it's not a fair, it's not a balanced resolution that we can support. |
And I wouldn't at this point make any specific linkages to what happened in this parliamentary election to any of those issues. |
And it's unfortunate because there's a need that the World Food Program seeks to address and that we support. But we can't do that without North Korean cooperation. If there's not North Korean cooperation, there's not much we can do. |
And obviously this strategic partnership has an important role in that. |
And such remarks, wherever they come from, are insulting and offensive to all of us. |
And that it?s important that they do so as part of an effort to get nuclear fuel. And that frankly, it is all part of a broad and connected process. |
And the next day, an official from the ministry of foreign affairs also contacted Ambassador Dell and conveyed a similar apology. So for our purposes, this incident is closed. |
And the United States, for its part, is going to do everything it can to ensure that the rights of Iraqi citizens are respected. |
And they're going to be consistent with other countries and other international practices. So, that's a good thing. It's one that contributes to transparency, to confidence, and frankly, to a lessening of tensions, not an increasing of tensions that are, frankly, conducive to arms races. |
And we pursue all of these in parallel while at the same time sticking to our principles and not sacrificing expediency for principle. |
Any use of force or violence against peaceful demonstrators will be met with a strong response from the international community. |