U.S. Secretary Of State And Canada Foreign Minister Speak- Readout Does Not Mention Cuba. Is This Plausible? White House and State Department Third Day Of Responses
/The United States Department of State
Washington DC
14 July 2021
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Canadian Foreign Minister Garneau
The below is attributable to State Department Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marc Garneau today to discuss collaboration between the United States and Canada to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and the Foreign Minister’s trip to the Middle East. Noting our shared democratic values, they also discussed efforts to promote democracy and security throughout the Western Hemisphere. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Garneau also reviewed progress towards the goals as outlined in the Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership.
NOTE: At 1:50 pm on 14 July 2021, Global Affairs Canada was requested to provide a readout of Minister Garneau’s discussion with Secretary Blinken. As of 6:50 am on 15 July 2021 there has been no response. This inquiry was delivered prior to the daily press briefing in Washington DC at the United States Department of State.
The United States Department of State
Washington DC
14 July 2021
QUESTION: All right. And then secondly, there was a call this – or a meeting this morning between Jake Sullivan and the French foreign minister. And I don’t expect you to talk about that, but there was also a call that the Secretary had with the Canadian foreign minister today, and the Secretary will be meeting with Foreign Minister Le Drian later today. But in the readouts of both Jake’s meeting and the Secretary’s call with the Canadian, the word “Haiti” is not mentioned at all. And I am just wondering, did they discuss Haiti, at least from the Secretary’s – in the Secretary’s call?
MR PRICE: Matt, if I recall the readout, it did make a reference to the Western Hemisphere and I think specifically a reference to —
QUESTION: It’s a big hemisphere.
MR PRICE: There is a lot going on in the hemisphere, too. But of course, Haiti is top of mind for the Secretary in this hemisphere. There are other countries as well that are top of mind, Cuba and Venezuela among them, that we talked about here yesterday alone. So I can assure you that issues —
QUESTION: So they did talk about Haiti and Cuba?
MR PRICE: I can assure you —
QUESTION: Not just the Western Hemisphere?
MR PRICE: — that issues of —
QUESTION: And the Monroe Doctrine and —
MR PRICE: — democracy and human rights and working together with our closest allies and partners in the world – and France would certainly qualify as one of our closest allies – that issue did come up.
QUESTION: The Department of Homeland Security’s Secretary said today that Haitians and Cubans fleeing political violence and arriving on U.S. shores will not be permitted to enter the United States and instead will be sent to a third country. Given the State Department is responsible for third-country referrals, are you in discussions with third countries? Has a third country agreed to take in Haitians and Cubans who are seeking refuge in that instance?
MR PRICE: Well, what Secretary Mayorkas was illustrating yesterday was our sincere concern with the reality, and that is that anyone who takes to the seas to seek refuge in the United States, be it from Cuba or from Haiti, would put their life at own risk – at their own risk and would not gain entry to the United States. This is a journey that is dangerous and not one that would allow them to secure entry. That was really the humanitarian concern that Secretary Mayorkas was voicing yesterday. I don’t have anything for you on third countries. Obviously, we work very closely with DHS when it comes to issues of asylum, but I wouldn’t want to comment beyond that.
QUESTION: (Inaudible.) This gets to what you were discussing yesterday, but reportedly Cuba, the internet restrictions have been eased slightly. But there – the Cuban foreign minister yesterday accused the United States of orchestrating the protests again through Twitter campaigns, through social media campaigns. Do you have any further comment on the situation there with the internet, and also about the detention of a journalists for the Spanish newspaper ABC, ABC?
MR PRICE: Well, when it comes to the detention of Camila Acosta of ABC, we know that the world is watching as Cuban authorities arrest and beat dozens of their own citizens, and that includes journalists and independent voices. We know that many remain missing. We join their families, Cuban human rights defenders, and people around the world in calling for the immediate release of those detained or missing for merely demanding freedom by exercising what is a universal right to free assembly and free expression. Violence and detentions of Cuban protesters and disappearances of independent activists remind us, constantly remind us that many Cubans pay very dearly for exercising rights that should be universal. And universal means everywhere around the world and anyone.
When it comes to the internet shutdowns, we spoke about this yesterday indeed, but we do condemn the use of partial or complete government-imposed internet shutdowns. We call on Cuba’s leaders to demonstrate restraint and urge respect for the voice of the people by opening all means of communication, both online and offline. The abuse of journalists, of independent voices, the attempted suppression, including through technological means, of the voice of the Cuban people, this is not something that could ever silence or quell the legitimate aspirations of the Cuban people for freedom, for human rights, for what their own government has denied to them for far too long.
QUESTION: Yeah, just – if I can, just one follow-up on Cuba, your comments about the internet, matter of internet access there. Senator Rubio has called for the U.S. to use satellite-based technology to provide internet access to overcome Cuban Government efforts to cut that. Is that something that the administration is considering?
MR PRICE: We are considering any number of ways and we have considered any number of ways to support the Cuban people – that is, to support them, their humanitarian needs; it is to support them in their broader efforts to secure greater degrees of liberty and freedom and human rights. But I don’t have anything specific to offer at this time.
The White House
Washington DC
14 July 2021
Q And then, secondly, on Cuba: What is the status of the review of the Trump-era policy?
MS. PSAKI: Sure. So, I would say, Steve, that -- and you and others who’ve covered this certainly know that, one, first, I will confirm, of course, we’re still reviewing our Cuba policy with an eye toward its impact on the political and economic wellbeing of the Cuban people. The nature of the kinds of changes that were made by the previous administration, like redesignated -- redesignating Cuba as a state sponsor of terror, carries significant statutory restrictions. We’ve been running a thorough policy process on these and other issues with support for democracy and human rights always at the core of our work.
Now there’s no question that the protests over the weekend and the events of the last several days are significant event -- significant events. And it was the largest protest we’ve seen in Cuba in a long time. That will obviously have an impact on how we proceed. So, we will see how things develop in the days ahead and develop our policy responses accordingly. We don't want to do it as one-offs. We want to look at it, as we have been, with a comprehensive approach in mind.
Q And then just quickly on Cuba: DHS Secretary Mayorkas is warning people there, “If you take to the sea, you will not come to the United States” -- why is that?
MS. PSAKI: Well, first, I think it's important to understand the context of what the Secretary was conveying yesterday, which is just that it is still the case that it is not -- the way to come to the United States is not through -- through processes of trying to come to the border without going through an asylum process or coming by sea without going through an asylum application process.
There are certainly programs that -- through which that some of them have been -- have not been reinstated, I should say, that were in place -- put in place by the Trump administration that are being reviewed, as he said yesterday. That would apply to the individuals and people of Haiti and the people of Cuba as well.
Those have not been reinstated. They're being reviewed. That's what the Secretary said yesterday. What he was reiterating is that this is not the time to travel irregularly. It's dangerous. People can lose their lives, as they have in the past.
Q And as the administration tries to figure out the root causes of migration to the country, don't we know that the reason people want to leave Cuba is because they don't like communism?
MS. PSAKI: We --
Q And so, as you're trying to figure out, like, what the processes are for these people who want to leave Cuba, is --
MS. PSAKI: Well, I’m not sure what your question is.
Q You guys have spent a lot of time --
MS. PSAKI: Why are people leaving Cuba? Or what is the process for them getting here? I can explain either of them, but you tell me.
Q Sure. Yeah. Do you think that people are leaving Cuba because they don't like communism?
MS. PSAKI: I think we've been pretty clear that we think people are leaving Cuba -- or not -- leaving Cuba or protesting in the streets, as well, because they are opposed to the oppression, to the mismanagement of the government in the country. And we certainly support their right to protest. We support their efforts to speak out against their treatment in Cuba.
I will say, separately, an important question is also: What happens when people are seeking protection or what happens when they are attempting to flee? In the past, as I noted, we've had several humanitarian programs, such as Family Reunification Parole Programs for both Haiti and Cuba. Those were policies or pol- -- processes that were in place prior to the Trump administration.
Though have not -- those have not been turned back on, as Secretary Mayorkas said yesterday. He also said we're assessing the status of those parole programs. Haitian and Cuban nationals in the United States with a fear of return for -- for -- to their home countries may be eligible for protection, such as asylum, under U.S. law. Haitian nationals already in the United States may be eligible for Temporary Protected Status.
But migrants interdicted in the Caribbean, who manifested in fear, are referred to USCIS for protection screening. That's what happens. Those who do not manifest in fear or who are not found to have a credible fear following the screening are repatriated to their country of origin. Those found to have a well-founded fear of persecution or torture are not brought to the United States; they are referred to a third country for resettlement.
I'm sharing all of that with you so people understand what the process is when they're trying to make what a treacherous journey is and a challenging journey where people can lose their lives.
But certainly, we have said many times -- and I will reiterate here -- that we support not -- not just the -- the role of peace -- of protest and peaceful protest. We stand with the Cuban people in their call for pre- -- freedom from both the pandemic and from decades of oppression and economic suffering to which they have been subjected by Cuba's authoritarian regime.
Q Just to return to Cuba, will we hear from the President this week? He said the other day that he would speak out on that. And secondly, is it -- is his position still that he feels that the Trump policies were a failure, didn’t effect change? Is that still his policy?
MS. PSAKI: Well, again, I would say: One, in terms of whether you’ll hear from him, he says that often, as you know. And what he means is he speaks out publicly nearly every day at events; sometimes you all ask questions. If there's an update to provide on what we're doing, on what our policies are, certainly he’ll provide that. Is there a planned speech or trip? Not at this time.
In terms of our policies: Again, I would say, Alex, that we are continuing to review our policies. It's been an ongoing process to review the policies that were put in place by the prior administration.
We also recognize that this was a significant event over the last couple of days, the largest protest in a long time that we saw in Cuba -- people speaking out -- Cuban people speaking out, calling for freedom from both the pandemic and from decades of repression. That's significant. And, of course, that will play a role as we consider and factor in what our policies will be moving forward.
I would also note, though, that we will do that through the prism of what will help the people of Cuba, not what will help pad the pockets of the regime. And that is challenging circumstance, given the control of the of the regime currently on the people.
Q Thanks, Jen. So, as we speak, outside, right now, there's solidarity protests with the Cuban people right outside the fences of the White House. We've been seeing this all across the country, here. And Democratic lawmakers in South Florida have actually called on Biden to come down to Miami to give a speech. You all are reviewing your policies, but is there a way that you believe -- either to answer these calls -- that you can more forcefully show support for the Cuban people in that way? Or is there anything in the works?
MS. PSAKI: Through a speech?
Q Yeah. It -- it’s been asked. So --
MS. PSAKI: Well, certainly I understand that, but I would say that I think what is most important to the Cuban people is understanding that the United States stands with them and their call for freedom from both the pandemic and from the decades of repression and economic suffering to which they have been subjected -- subjected by Cuba's authoritarian regime.
And also, I would just note that, again, it is a policy process that has been under review. There were a number of policies that were put in place by the prior administration. We want to do that in a comprehensive and not a one-off manner. We want to do it through the prism of what is going to help the Cuban people directly and help incentivize a change in behavior, if that is possible.
And certainly, the events, the protests, the reaction, the continued oppression of the Cuban people weighs in on our decision-making process. But I don't have any speech or visit to preview for you.
Q And then -- so then, on policy changes: On the campaign trail, Biden promised that he would reinstate the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program. Is that -- can you give us a readout, maybe, on where that process has gone so far in these comprehensive reviews or --
MS. PSAKI: There is, again, an ongoing review. Of course, the events and the protests and the reaction and the continued oppression of the Cuban people will weigh in on our -- will be a factor in the -- our decision-making process. But I don't have anything to preview for you.
Q A question on Cuba, and then a question on COVID after that.
MS. PSAKI: Sure.
Q Given the lack of Internet access in Cuba, how is the administration monitoring the situation, the crackdown on protesters? And if the administration determines that there is violence against protesters, what options are at the President's disposal?
MS. PSAKI: Well, first, I would say we continue to call for the swift release of pe- -- those peaceful protesters who have been unjustly detained. Again, we stand with the Cuban people and their call for freedom from both the pandemic and from decades of repression.
The protests in Cuba, as you all know, have largely stopped because of the regime’s violent crackdown and retaliatory measures against Cubans exercising their fundamental and universal rights. This is unacceptable.
Of course, we will continue to call for a change in approach, and we will continue to review our own policies about what is possible and work with our partners around the world in a coordinated fashion as well.
Q -- for just a moment. I know that President Biden has previously said that his administration is going to work to address illegal immigration in Central America by addressing root causes of it, including corruption. And I'm wondering, with what we're seeing right now in Cuba and Haiti -- I think that was just that that can be a very long and tricky process that can lead to very dangerous situations. Do you think that that throws any sort of wrench into the administration’s, kind of, plan to address illegal immigration in Central America in that way?
MS. PSAKI: I don't think so. But tell me more about your question.
Q I mean, really, I'm just asking, you know, given what we're seeing in Cuba and Haiti, it's clear that trying to address these issues -- while I think everyone would agree that's important -- leads to potentially, you know, a lot of unrest. Do -- does that give anybody pause in the Biden administration for addressing illegal immigration in Central America in that way?
MS. PSAKI: No.
