Video: Secretary Clinton with New Zeland Foreign Minister Murray McCully

Remarks With the Foreign Minister of New Zealand Murray McCully After Their Meeting

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

May 24, 2012

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SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon, everyone. It’s a pleasure once again to welcome New Zealand’s foreign minister, someone who I have had the great delight of working with now over the course of several years, and I also am pleased that our two ambassadors are here – Ambassador Mike Moore and our own Ambassador to Wellington, David Huebner. I think it’s indicative of the long friendship that stretches back nearly 175 years.
And with the constantly growing economic and strategic importance of the Asia Pacific, it is even more pressing that we strengthen those historic ties and deepen our cooperation to meet the challenges of the future. The Wellington Declaration, which we signed during my visit to New Zealand, ensures that our governments are in regular contact on a wide range of shared concerns, and we addressed a number of those today.
Before I begin to talk about our bilateral meeting, I’d like to say a few words about the Baghdad round of E3+3 talks which have just concluded. We set forth a detailed proposal focused on all aspects of 20 percent enrichment based on concrete step-by-step reciprocal measures. We had intensive discussions with the Iranians on our proposal. They put forth their own ideas. As Lady Ashton said, significant differences remain. We will seek to address those differences at a further round of talks which will take place in Moscow on June 18^th and 19^th.
As we lay the groundwork for these talks, we will keep up the pressure as part of our dual-track approach. All of our sanctions will remain in place and continue to move forward during this period. Iran now has the choice to make – will it meet its international obligations and give the world confidence about its intentions or not?
I’d also like to mention Egypt’s historic first round of presidential elections, which is just wrapping up as we speak. This is obviously an important milestone in Egypt’s transition to democratic government. And the world is watching as the Egyptian people embark on their journey toward a freer, more democratic future debating and deciding among themselves about the best way to take these first steps. And we will continue to support them.
Lastly, on the conviction of Dr. Shakil Afridi in Pakistan, as I’ve said before, the United States does not believe there is any basis for holding Dr. Afridi. We regret both the fact that he was convicted and the severity of his sentence. His help, after all, was instrumental in taking down one of the world’s most notorious murderers. That was clearly in Pakistan’s interests as well as ours and the rest of the world. This action by Dr. Afridi to help bring about the end of the reign of terror designed and executed by bin Ladin was not in any way a betrayal of Pakistan. And we have made that very well known and we will continue to press it with the Government of Pakistan.
Now the foreign minister and I covered a great deal about our bilateral relationship as well as regional and global issues. I want to thank the foreign minister and the Government of New Zealand for the excellent role they played and the contributions they made to the success of the NATO Summit over the weekend in Chicago. We saluted New Zealand’s leadership in Bamyan Province and the orderly plans it has set in place for an effective transition to Afghan leadership. New Zealand’s commitment to this critical effort has been exemplary, and we are enormously grateful for the service and sacrifice of the people of your country.
Next, on Burma, as you know, the United States is in the process of easing certain restrictions and sanctions on that country. And we believe and have encouraged our New Zealand friends as well to work with the international community to move forward the reforms, both political and economic, as well as taking actions to improve human rights, speed democratization, and foster national reconciliation.
I also expressed our appreciation to New Zealand for their strong support of the people of Syria, and by the actions that they have taken to help support Kofi Annan’s mission. By supplying personnel, New Zealand has helped the UN’s supervision mission ramp up operations quickly, and we also are grateful for New Zealand’s generous support for the UN refugee program for Syrians fleeing into Turkey. Together, we must increase our pressure on the Assad regime, and we must continue to work toward the day when there will be a political transition that will give the Syrian people the chance to chart their own future.
And finally, I thanked the foreign minister for New Zealand’s leadership as chair of the Pacific Islands Forum this year. New Zealand’s efforts have brought a needed focus on development coordination and curbing climate change. The United States will continue to work with the Pacific Island nations, especially when it comes to responding to disasters, as we saw with flooding and landslides in Papua New Guinea and Fiji earlier this year.
So once again, Murray, it’s always a pleasure for me to have a chance to sit down across the table from you, and to continue this important dialogue between our countries.
FOREIGN MINISTER MCCULLY: Thank you, Hillary. Ladies and gentlemen, today we’ve had the opportunity for excellent talks, and I thank the Secretary of State for her time and for those excellent discussions. They’re part of a pattern of regular engagement that we now have following the signing of the Wellington Declaration about 18 months ago.
Reflecting on the relationship and its development, I was very pleased to be able to tell Secretary Clinton that we are in two weeks time going to receive a delegation of Marines, 50 in number, plus a 50-person Marine band that will be involved in a series of events in New Zealand over about three weeks to commemorate the landing in New Zealand 70 years ago of U.S. forces which provided security and protection for the New Zealand people at a time when we were not in a position to afford that security and protection to ourselves. So this will be a chance for that deed of honor to be recognized. Also there’ll be a chance for New Zealanders to see the Marines exercising with some of our own people, and so this is going to be a symbolic time looking backwards but also looking at the contemporary relationship. Those exercises are part of a pattern of regular exercises that now take place between military personnel from both of our countries. We now have a process of cooperation and exercising that is normal and which we strongly welcome.
The talks we’ve had today have been an opportunity to update ourselves on a range of areas, as Secretary Clinton has said: Afghanistan, where we’ve both just come back from the meeting in Chicago; the Asia Pacific region, where New Zealand strongly welcomes the rebalancing of U.S. resourcing which has seen the Asia Pacific region become a stronger area for focus on your part. We welcome in particular the engagement with the East Asia Summit and the suite of meetings that give us both a chance to work cooperatively promoting the joint interest in security and stability in the region.
We had a chance to review developments in the Middle East briefly, Syria, and of course, as Secretary Clinton has mentioned, Burma. I’ve had the opportunity to visit quite recently, and we’re looking to reinforce the work that is being done under U.S. leadership and some of the work that has been done by the EU in Burma to promote improvements in that country.
Turning briefly to the Pacific, I updated Secretary Clinton on the work we’re leading as forum chair. Our hopes for continuing improvement in the situation in Fiji as we move closer to elections that have been scheduled for 2014. We discussed briefly the challenging situation that’s emerged in Papua New Guinea in recent months. We in New Zealand and Australia are closely engaged, and I thank Secretary Clinton in particular for the USAID engagement in the region, where we now have a USAID office in Port Moresby and our first joint project on Tarawa is underway.
So while we’ve still got plenty of work ahead of us, it’s probably appropriate for me to look back over the last three years or so in this relationship as a time of quite remarkable progress. And I want to acknowledge the positive and effective leadership that Secretary Clinton has brought to that process, and I also want to acknowledge the deep goodwill and friendship that she has brought to New Zealand as well.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you, my friend.
MODERATOR: (Inaudible) today. We will start with Reuters, Arshad Mohammed.
QUESTION: Secretary Clinton, on the Baghdad talks, it’s hardly surprising that differences would remain after only two rounds. Would you say that you made any substantive progress whatsoever in today’s talks?
And on the case of Dr. Afridi, beyond expressing regret and restating your view that there was no basis for his incarceration and sentencing, are you actively seeking to negotiate some kind of a solution that might reduce his sentence or free him inside Pakistan or get him out of the country?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Arshad, on the first question regarding the talks in Baghdad, as you know, the talks just concluded and I haven’t had time to get a full debrief from our team yet. But I will say that they were serious. They were an opportunity for the E3+3 to engage on substantive matters with the Iranians. But there are clearly gaps in what each side sees as possible, and we think that the choice is now Iran’s to work to close the gaps. We anticipate there will be ongoing work between now and the next meeting in Moscow. But it’s very clear that there’s a lot of work still to do. Yet at the same time, I have to say this is the second of two serious meetings after a gap of at least 15 months where there was no contact and no discussion about any of these matters. So we will continue to engage seriously with our partners.
And the final point I would make is that the entire E3+3 group is united. And I think if you had asked three and a half years ago, certainly when I started this job, could we have unity around some very difficult issues with Iran and have everybody onboard speaking literally off the same page with the same voice, there would have been a certain level of skepticism. So I will leave it at that. But Cathy Ashton summarized for the press where she saw matters, and we will be consulting deeply with my own team and then with the other countries involved.
With respect to Dr. Afridi, we are in the midst of a series of discussions with the Pakistani Government on a range of issues that are important to the United States and the international community. We certainly consider the treatment of Dr. Afridi to be among those important issues. We are raising it and we will continue to do so because we think that his treatment is unjust and unwarranted.
MS. NULAND: Last question from Daniel Ranchez* (inaudible).
QUESTION: Hi. Thanks for taking the question. I’d like to ask the foreign minister first if he made a pitch for membership of the UN Security Council – a seat on it. And if he did, what are the main points? And Secretary Clinton, will you endorse New Zealand having a seat on the Security Council? (Laughter.)
FOREIGN MINISTER MCCULLY: Can I answer, I think for the Secretary as well, by saying that New Zealand well understands that, as a permanent member of the Security Council, the United States doesn’t make commitments on those matters in advance, and we deeply respect that. But I did take the opportunity of burnishing New Zealand’s credentials briefly – (laughter) – in the course of our discussion.
As part of our ongoing campaign, we are engaged in a touch fight to become a member of the Security Council in 2015 and 16. We think it is very important that smaller countries are able to achieve the opportunity to be represented on the council, and we’re very proud of the way in which we’ve conducted ourselves as a member of the Security Council in the past – probably about 20 years ago – and most recently when we’ve, I believe, dealt with difficult issues well. And I hope that our credentials there will stand any scrutiny.
SECRETARY CLINTON: I would only add that we certainly welcome New Zealand’s candidacy for a nonpermanent seat and are quite admiring of the campaign that is being run. (Laughter.) Thank you.
MS. NULAND: Thank you very much.

Video: Secretary Clinton's Remarks With New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray Stuart McCully

Remarks With New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray Stuart McCully

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

May 17, 2011

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SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon, everyone. It’s a real pleasure for me to welcome Foreign Minister McCully to the State Department and to return, in some small measure, the wonderful hospitality that I and my team enjoyed when we visited New Zealand late last year. And I know that President Obama is looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Key to the Oval Office later this summer.

Today our two nations are united by shared history, common values, and strong bonds of mutual interest and respect. We’ve made remarkable progress in a short period of time in strengthening our relationship, one that I think it’s fair to say was frozen for about 25 years – (laughter) – and we’ve moved beyond the old challenges and are looking to work together on the many issues that unite us. So I always look forward to meeting with Murray to go over where we are and where we are headed together.

There are so many important areas where we are cooperating. We’re both deeply committed to building a more peaceful and prosperous future for the Asia Pacific. We covered a wide range of matters today in the spirit of cooperation and of the Wellington Declaration that we signed. And I just glanced over there, and I think we are signing it there.

We reviewed where we are in Afghanistan. New Zealand has done an exemplary job in leading the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamiyan and has also contributed so much elsewhere in Afghanistan. And we greatly appreciate the service and sacrifice of our Kiwi friends. This is going to be especially important since Bamiyan will be one of the first provinces to undergo transition. And we’re going to look to New Zealand to give us a lot of insight as to how that is proceeding.

We discussed developments in the Middle East. The courage of people in Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere to stand up for their universal rights has inspired Americans and Kiwis alike. And we’re working together to support these emerging democracies. And I welcome New Zealand’s decision to contribute to the International Federation of the Red Cross to respond to the humanitarian needs of the Libyan people.

We looked ahead to the East Asia summit where President Obama will participate for the first time, and the United States will send our largest, most senior delegation ever to the Pacific Island Forum in New Zealand later this year. We talked about developments in Fiji, and both New Zealand and the United States agree that the military junta must take steps to return Fiji to democracy. And we agree on the importance of pursuing negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which will provide a free trade agreement for nine countries across the region, including both of ours. We’re making steady progress on this. We hope to be able to have the negotiations complete by the time we all meet in Hawaii for APEC toward the end of this year.

So on these and so many other fronts, from curbing climate change to combating nuclear proliferation, we are really joined in common goals and their pursuit. We feel a deep kinship and a very strong friendship.

And that is why we responded in solidarity when New Zealand faced the devastation of the Christchurch earthquake this last February. I saw firsthand the beauty of Christchurch when I was there in November during my visit, and it was heartbreaking to see the pictures of destruction. We also had a team there led by Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell and distinguished Americans who were in the middle of a meeting to really deepen and broaden our cooperation with our friends. The United States sent a search and rescue team. They worked side by side. I think there is a photo up there with their Kiwi counterparts in very difficult conditions. And the American public has responded very generously.

The American Friends of Christchurch, some of whom are here today, organized a relief effort to assist with earthquake recovery. We have representatives from the United States business community, the foreign policy community, as well as many private citizens. This is chaired by Dr. Peter Watson and Senator Evan Bayh, along with Assistant Secretary Campbell and our ambassador to New Zealand, David Huebner. We have many people across our country who love New Zealand, who have personal experience with your country, Minister, and want to stand side by side in solidarity with you as you do what is necessary to recover that beautiful city and make sure that the people there know that they are not alone. So thank you very much for being here and being such a wonderful colleague in our work together.

FOREIGN MINISTER MCCULLY: Well, Secretary Clinton, can I say thank you, first of all, for your warm welcome and for the very positive talks that we have had this afternoon. First, can I say that our thoughts go out to the families that have suffered loss recently in Alabama in the tornado and with those who currently confront the prospect of being flooded to save that situation happening to others. New Zealanders have been watching this on their television screens, and their hearts go out to them.

I take this opportunity to pass on record our grateful thanks – thanks of the New Zealand Government and the New Zealand people for the outpouring of sympathy, solidarity, and generosity from the American people in the wake of the tragic earthquake in Christchurch. In particular, I want to thank Secretary Clinton and Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell for their leadership for the American Friends of Christchurch Initiative, which has been by far the most substantial international donor to the fundraising effort that has been taking place to support those who are in serious need in Christchurch today. I also want to place on record our great appreciation of the urban search and rescue team and the other expert advice that was so freely given at a time when we desperately needed it.

In the course of Secretary Clinton’s highly successful visit to New Zealand last November, we signed the Wellington Declaration, which provides a framework for the sort of cooperative relationship we want our two countries to have going forward. The fact that our societies are based on common values – the rule of law, democracy, respect for human rights – means that we bring similar perspectives to many of the world’s problems.

Today, Secretary Clinton has updated me on U.S. perspectives on recent events and current challenges in the Middle East and North Africa. New Zealand has been a vocal supporter of the work that’s being done to achieve the United Nations Security Council resolution on Libya and to foster regional leadership through both the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League in dealing with the evolving situation in that part of the world. We both share some frustration. I think that the inseparable challenges of the Middle East peace process and the issues around Iran continue to resist resolution.

I’ve taken the opportunity today to update Secretary Clinton on our perspective on Afghanistan, where as she said, Bamiyan Province, in which we lead the provincial reconstruction team, is one of the areas about to commence formal transition in July. We’re very conscious that as the – one of the first provinces to undergo this transition, progress in Bamiyan is going to be watched very closely, indeed. I was there myself a few weeks ago and took the opportunity to brief Secretary Clinton on our plans for transition involving major development initiatives in relation to agriculture, electricity supply and transport, and I want to thank her for the excellent cooperation which I saw between our people on the ground in that province.

I also took the opportunity to pass – brief in passing the Secretary on my meetings with President Karzai, General Petraeus, Transition Leader Ashraf Ghani, and other senior players in Kabul. We are obviously closely interested in their work and keen to work off the same page as the U.S. Administration approaching this important phase in Afghanistan.

The second part of the Wellington Declaration was about enhancing the already strong partnership we have in relation to the Asia Pacific region. We have strongly supported the U.S. decision to join the East Asia Summit. We see this body as a natural forum in which we can deal with political, security, and economic issues within the region, and over the coming months, we’re going to be working together to give good shape to U.S. participation in this body. So it’s been very helpful for us today to be updated on U.S. perspectives on the U.S. engagement in the EAS process.

I told Secretary Clinton that we are very much looking forward to our participation in the APEC meeting which will take place in Honolulu later this year. Of course, this is the target date by which we are hoping our officials will have been able to agree on fundamental elements for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the agreement that we see as being critical to economic integration within our region. These discussions will obviously have significant implications for all of those countries currently at the table and, of course, some that are not currently there.

I previously welcomed the decision of the U.S. Administration to commit more attention to the Pacific, a large expanse of ocean containing many smaller states with more than their share of challenges. Our country, of course, is deeply immersed in the affairs of the Pacific region. We’ve had the opportunity today to bring Secretary Clinton and her colleagues up to do date with our current thinking and outlined some of the current challenges we confront. In September of this year, we’ll be hosting the annual meeting of the Pacific Islands Heads of Government. This will be the 40^th anniversary of the forum. And while it will be possible to look back on a significant contribution to regional unity and purpose over 40 years, I hope we will also squarely face up to the fact that there are still very substantial challenges within the region, particularly in relation to economic and environmental sustainability.

So we look forward to welcoming the U.S. delegation to New Zealand and we welcome the strong sense of partnership that’s emerging between our two countries in a region that is our immediate neighborhood. Thank you very much.

MR. TONER: We have time for just two questions. First goes to Kirit Radia of ABC News.

QUESTION: Hi, Madam Secretary and Mr. Minister. Madam Secretary, I’d like to get your assessment on the state of relations with Pakistan, especially following Senator Kerry’s trip. He spoke about a reset in relations with Islamabad. Have we turned the corner in that relationship since the bin Ladin raid? Senator Kerry spoke about a number of steps that he said that Pakistan has pledged to make before you make a trip there. Can you enlighten us into what those are? Just today we’ve seen good and bad steps taken. They’ve pledged to return the helicopter tail, they’ve arrested this al-Qaida leader in Karachi, but at the same time there was this exchange of gunfire on the border. To what extent are those events indicative of the state of relations, and what can you tell us about them?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first, I’ve been in close touch with Senator Kerry before his trip, during his trip, throughout the entire period, and I appreciate very much his delivering to the Pakistanis, in his capacity as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, a clear perspective on the concerns of the United States Congress. We are working very hard to have an understanding with our counterparts in Pakistan about the best way forward. Just in the past few days, I have spoken to senior Pakistani leaders, including President Zardari, Prime Minister Gillani, Army Chief of Staff General Kayani. Special Representative Marc Grossman will be in Pakistan later to continue more detailed consultations. And obviously, there are important concerns and many questions that have to be addressed and worked through.

But I would just remind us all that in recent years our cooperation between our governments, our militaries, our law enforcement agencies, has increased pressure on al-Qaida and the Taliban, and we want that progress to continue. Going forward, the United States is committed to supporting the people and the Government of Pakistan as they defend their own democracy from the constant attacks by violent extremists.

I’m not going to comment on any specific issue that Senator Kerry referred to in any of his public remarks, but we’re going to be working very hard in the days and weeks ahead to ensure that we have a path forward that continues the progress and answers a lot of the concerns that both sides have at this point.

MR. TONER: Second question goes to Tim Wilson of TV New Zealand.

QUESTION: Moving to the South Pacific, the – and this is for both of you – the tension between Fiji and Tonga -- how concerned are you and what do you make of the possibility that New Zealand may admit the disputed fugitive?

FOREIGN MINISTER MCCULLY: Well – (laughter) – can I say that the developments in the last week have been significant from a number of points of view. To see what was effectively the number three man for the Commodore desert and go to Tonga under those circumstances shows that there are forces at work inside Fiji that we need to understand. Certainly, it’s a sign that the grip on power of the Commodore has weakened somewhat. Colonel Mara is after all the brother-in-law of the president, the son of the first prime minister, and has other connections that are significant. The fact that Tonga has engaged in the way that it has also creates the opportunity for some tension to occur within the region.

We are not getting involved in that process at the moment. We regard this as a bilateral dispute. We are heartened by the fact that there are legal processes currently in play rather than anything less constructive. The fact that there’s an arrest warrant for extradition proceedings and a legal process underway I think has this dispute in this most constructive space that we could expect at the moment. We’ll keep a close watching brief. I was in Tonga myself a few days ago. We’re keeping very close to developments. But it’s just another sign that there are real tensions in play within the regions, real tensions in play inside Fiji.

As to the last part of your question, I think our prime minister yesterday simply signaled that in relation to Colonel Mara, we had not made any decisions about any possibility that he might be given access to New Zealand. We simply think that with a dynamic situation of this sort to rule in or out any options at this stage would be unwise, but it doesn’t indicate that there’s anything in particular on the table.

QUESTION: Madam Secretary?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I couldn’t say it better myself. (Laughter.) And I would only underscore the point that we both made in our discussions: We want to see Fiji return to democracy. There’s been so much progress in the Pacific, and New Zealand’s played a major role in that. New Zealand has provided all kinds of support and assistance over the last years, and we really applaud that. And in fact, we want to work even more closely with New Zealand in order to demonstrate our shared commitment to the kind of opportunities we think should be available to Pacific Islanders.

Thank you all very much.

Hillary Clinton, New Zealand, and The Wellington Declaration **Updated w/ Video**

This ends 25 years of contention between our two countries. Duncan Garner of 3news.co.nz reports remarks of John Key and Hillary Clinton thus:

Mr. Key: "The Declaration formalises our relationship with America after a 26-year stand-off.

In1984, New Zealand banned American nuclear powered warships from entering our harbours – we were kicked out of ANZUS; the formal alliance with America.

But relations have been warming since 2001 and today that was put on paper."

“This will give us the framework to work together to solves issues practically,” Ms Clinton said.

Read the article>>>> >>>>

Here is the State Department press release on the declaration. Now, every time I see Hillary signing something I wonder if it requires ratification in Congress. She has, over the past 21 months done a powerful amount of signing!

Wellington Declaration on a New Strategic Partnership Between New Zealand and the United States

Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

November 4, 2010

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Minister of Foreign Affairs for New Zealand Murray McCully and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton of the United States met today to reaffirm the close ties between their two nations and to establish the framework of a new United States-New Zealand strategic partnership to shape future practical cooperation and political dialogue.

New Zealand and the United States are both Pacific nations. Our governments and peoples share a deep and abiding interest in maintaining peace, prosperity, and stability in the region, expanding the benefits of freer and more open trade, and promoting and protecting freedom, democracy and human rights worldwide. We recall the long history of shared United States and New Zealand sacrifice in battle and we honor those, past and present, who have borne that sacrifice.

As we look to the challenges of the 21^st century, our shared democratic values and common interests will continue to guide our collective efforts.
The United States-New Zealand strategic partnership is to have two fundamental elements: a new focus on practical cooperation in the Pacific region; and enhanced political and subject-matter expert dialogue – including regular Foreign Ministers’ meetings and political-military discussions.
We resolve to further our two nations’ joint cooperation in addressing broader regional and global challenges, such as climate change, nuclear proliferation, and extremism.

We resolve also to develop new joint initiatives that confront the challenges faced by the Pacific. Particular areas of focus are to include renewable energy and disaster response management. We recognize that climate change adaptation in the Pacific is also a priority for both countries and is an issue to which the United States and New Zealand are committed. We intend also to work closely to enhance dialogue on regional security issues.

We endeavor to develop deeper and broader people-to-people ties between the United States and New Zealand, encouraging innovation, and expanding our commercial and trade relations, building on the creativity and rich diversity of our societies.

To ensure the broadest participation of our citizens in strengthening the relationship between our two nations, we should focus efforts across our societies, including women, youth, minorities and future leaders.

We are dedicated to working together to address trade, security and development issues through APEC, the East Asia Summit, the United Nations, and other regional and multilateral institutions.

Our goal is a partnership for the 21^st Century that is flexible, dynamic, and reflects our fundamental beliefs and aspirations.

**UPDATED W/ VIDEO**

Secretary Clinton's Remarks at Reception Hosted by New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray Stuart McCully

Remarks at Reception Hosted by New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray Stuart McCully

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Parliament Complex

Wellington, New Zealand

November 4, 2010

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SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I am delighted to be here. This is both a great opportunity on behalf of my country and also a great personal pleasure, because when my husband and daughter came, had a memorable visit 10 years ago, I was running in the Senate and I could not leave my campaign. So I am delighted finally for myself to experience this wonderful, warm welcome. And I am honored to participate in a potpourri this afternoon. I’ve never seen anything quite like it and I am delighted to have survived it. (Laughter.)

I also want to thank the foreign minister. He and I have been working together in many different settings, both in his trips to Washington and our visits at the United Nations, and it’s gratifying to see how much has been accomplished in a short period of time. I know that here in this audience are former prime ministers, current and former cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, and many guests. And I thank you for everything you are doing to strengthen the relationship between the United States and New Zealand.

As Murray said, I am in the homestretch of a long trip to Asia because I believe strongly that the United States must have a presence in Asia, that our friends and our partners around the region must know that we’re ready to work with them on everything from climate change and security to disaster preparedness and response. Now, naturally, like any friends, we do not always see eye-to-eye on every issue. But our relationship today is stronger and more productive than it has been in 25 years. And I believe that we have an opportunity to broaden, deepen, and strengthen it even more.

When I look at everything we already are working on, from the magic of moviemaking to the high science of the Antarctica, we’re interacting at every level. Kiwi and American students are studying abroad on Fulbright scholarships and on other programs – exchanging ideas, learning about each other, strengthening personal and national ties. And I know there are students and alumni in some of these programs here tonight, and I am delighted to greet you. Kiwi and American soldiers are serving side-by-side in Afghanistan, helping the people of that country rebuild and defend itself after years of conflict.

Kiwi and American aid workers are teaming up to deliver support to the victims of natural disasters like the tsunami that devastated Samoa and American Samoa last year in very difficult circumstances. Indonesia is a growing case. Kiwi and American scientists are hard at work in the (inaudible) projects, studying samples of sediment and ice to understand how greenhouse gases may have effected glaciers in the past and giving us a glimpse of how climate change could affect us in the future.

Kiwi and American businesses exchange more than $5 billion a year in goods and services, from meat and wine and dairy to farm equipment and airplane parts, as well as, of course, of kiwi fruit. So the lessons of our relationship are very clear to me, and that is we need to do more together, particularly in this region. I think that there are opportunities for the United States and New Zealand to partner in working with many of our friends around the Pacific Island nations. We’re working, for example, to help empower women in places like Papua New Guinea, where I was last night. We are also committed to dealing with the real-life problems that plague too many people, from the lack of clean water and the lack of appropriate waste disposal to child and maternal mortality.

I am someone who believes strongly that if we do not empower half the population in some of these countries, that they cannot develop in a sustainable way. And I met yesterday night with a group of women from PNG, and because of that recognition and the awareness of it as well by the New Zealand Government, I’m very proud to announce that there will be a women’s empowerment initiative in the Pacific Region, which is a commitment in collaboration among New Zealand, the World Bank Group and the United States. Because we want to help people help themselves, and in order to do that, you’re going to have to work and divide into two roles and helping to change the mindsets that will create that kind of atmosphere.

We’re going to be identifying best principles. For example, New Zealand is doing good work bringing more women into the political process and want to (inaudible). There’s so much that I think we can do to fill in the blanks of the Wellington Declaration. It’s really a framework as to how we can take our relationship to the next level. I’m very excited about it. I appreciate the support that we have received for working hard on our relationship, on a process – political spectrum here in New Zealand as well as the civil society and the private sector.

I guess on a personal note, I was very struck by how warm and friendly people were on a windy Wellington morning when I ventured out and took a long walk. I mean, I don't know if I saw one – I probably saw 25 signs welcoming me to the best little capital in the world. (Laughter.) And certainly, you have made a believer out of me. Tomorrow, I’m going to Christchurch where we will be doing some work on our mutual efforts in Antarctica and on disaster response, and in particular, with respect to the recent earthquake there.

So although this is my first visit, I’m hoping it will not be my last visit. I can’t find too many excuses to come too often or I’m afraid that Congress might get a little bit suspicious and “Why are you spending more time in New Zealand than in Afghanistan?” (Laughter.) But I leave tonight with very warm feelings about all that is possible in this relationship and a very personal commitment to pursue it in every way that I can.

So again, thank you all very much. (Applause.)

Secretary Clinton's Remarks With New Zealand Prime Minister John Phillip Key and New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray Stuart McCully

Remarks With New Zealand Prime Minister John Phillip Key and New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray Stuart McCully

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Parliament Theatrette

Wellington, New Zealand

November 4, 2010

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PRIME MINISTER KEY: Okay. So firstly, can I start by saying I’m delighted to welcome you, Secretary Clinton, and your team to New Zealand. We’re very pleased you’ve taken the time in your extensive travel schedule to come to Wellington. The people of both Canterbury and New Zealand will deeply appreciate your display of solidarity in visiting Christchurch tomorrow, and we thank you very much for that.

I understand you’ve already braved Wellington’s wind during a walk around the waterfront this morning, so you’ll have a firsthand appreciation of why the local rugby team is called the Hurricanes, and you’ll see what that’s like.

The relationship between our two countries is in great shape. It’s the best it’s been for 25 years. I want to thank you personally, Secretary Clinton, and of course, President Obama, for your personal commitment to New Zealand and to this relationship. Ours is a relationship built on shared values and principles where we have a great deal in common, and where we understand and respect one another.

Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Murray McCully will shortly sign the Wellington Declaration, but let me first add we have appreciated the opportunity to canvas a wide range of issues in our discussions today. These have included our shared interests in the Pacific, security interests including Afghanistan, the trade agenda, and U.S. engagement in the region. We talked about playing our respective parts in delivering a safer and more secure global environment. I’ve also welcomed the U.S. participation in both the Trans Pacific Partnership, and of course, its move to join the East Asian Summit held here a few days ago.

So once again, Secretary Clinton, thank you very much for visiting us in New Zealand. I’m now going to invite you and Minister McCully to sign the Wellington Declaration and then for the Minister, and of course, yourself to make any remarks you may wish.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you, Prime Minister.

(The declaration was signed.) (Applause.)

FOREIGN MININSTER MCCULLY: Well, thank you, Prime Minister and can I just take this opportunity of extending my formal words of welcome to Secretary Clinton in saying how much we appreciate this visit and the fantastic support that you’ve given this relationship in the time that you’ve held this office.

Can I also take the opportunity of greeting your delegation, and in particular, mention Dr. Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for this region, who has been an enthusiastic advocate for this relationship, and publicly express my appreciation of his great support. Can I say how much the New Zealand Government appreciates the commitment of your government to stepping up the level of engagement in the Asia Pacific region. It’s reflected in the decision to join the East Asia Summit and to reestablish the USAID office as a partner in the Pacific. It’s also reflected in the intensity of your own activity in the region. I think this is your sixth visit as Secretary of State to the Asia Pacific region. I think you’ve got eight stops on this visit alone.

Secretary Clinton and I have both, on previous occasions, commented very positively on the state of the relationship between our two countries. But today, we have decided we want to be more ambitious for the U.S.-New Zealand relationship. The Wellington Declaration, which we have just signed, has asserted a determination to do more and achieve more together. It starts from a base of shared history, shared values and interests, and commits us to what the document itself describes as the framework of a new United States-New Zealand strategic partnership.

That partnership will focus on two areas. First, it will focus on practical cooperation in the Pacific region, a neighborhood that has more than its share of challenges, and one in which our two countries can, along with our good friends, make a serious difference. The partnership will also see us working together in critical areas like meeting the challenges of climate change, the pursuit of renewable energy initiatives, and disaster recovery initiatives within the region.

The second feature of the new strategic partnership will focus on the framework for greater dialogue between ministers, officials, and experts in the many areas in which our two countries share interests. To some extent, this formalizes a process of greater engagement that’s already been occurring in recent times, but we welcome the formal agreement to regular contact and a wider range of exchanges.

We have enjoyed very constructive discussions today across a range of important topics. In my view, we have turned a very important page in the history of U.S.-New Zealand relations. I want to thank you very much indeed for your personal contribution to that process, to the very positive approach you have brought to the relationship, culminating in this signing today. And it’s my great pleasure to invite you to make some comments to our media.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, thank you so very much, Foreign Minister, and thank you for the work that you and I have done together over these past months. And Prime Minister, thank you for your leadership and your commitment to this relationship. We are very grateful for that. And thanks also for giving me the chance to experience (inaudible) and all that it means. I am very grateful. And the prime minister is right; I landed this morning and shortly thereafter, took a walk around the coolest little capital in the world – (laughter) – and enjoyed it immensely.

And I am grateful as well for the very strong ties that we have between our people, and this Wellington Declaration will give us the framework, as the foreign minister said, to really put our governments together, to work in practical ways to solve problems that we both are facing. My visit is part of a committed, concerted effort to restore America’s rightful place as an engaged Pacific nation. In this, as in so many other endeavors, we have a strong partner in New Zealand.

This is, for us, a very important relationship and it is probably, as the prime minister and the foreign minister have said, at its strongest and most productive in 25 years. Now, why is that so important? It’s because together, we can address issues in this region and beyond that have very real impacts on both of our peoples. So we are moving ahead. For example, earlier this year, the U.S. National Science Foundation partnered with New Zealand to install wind turbines in Antarctica to provide clean energy to our bases there. America and New Zealand teamed up to provide aid to Samoa and American Samoa in the wake of the devastating tsunami so that we weren’t duplicating, but amplifying what each of us was doing. Now, we are both rushing to deliver emergency aid to Mentawai, Indonesia.

I want to express my appreciation for the excellent conversations that I’ve had with both the foreign minister and the prime minister. And the signing of this declaration gives us a chance to explore greater cooperation on everything from promoting sustainable economic development and strong democratic institutions across the region to working on security issues, clean energy, responding to natural disasters. And it emphasizes the need to seek ideas from women, minorities, and young leaders.

We are also working together, through the East Asia Summit where we were just a few days ago in Hanoi. And we are particularly grateful for New Zealand’s important leadership on nonproliferation. The prime minister was at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington earlier this year, where he participated in a series of discussions about effectively limiting the spread of nuclear weapons, which is in line with President Obama’s vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.

New Zealand contributes to global security through its proud tradition of global peacekeeping. Kiwi soldiers and police officers have deployed to nearly every corner of the globe, from the Solomon Islands to the Sinai, where it’s a New Zealand commander who is responsible for that mission.

I also want to thank New Zealand for the work we are doing together in Afghanistan. I expressed my condolence for the loss of the young soldier just recently. A few of us know that there is no way to express adequately to any family or loved ones about such a loss. But the sacrifice and service that our soldiers are doing side-by-side in the PRT and in the important mission inside Afghanistan is extremely important to our security in not only Afghanistan and the immediate region, but far, far beyond, as far as America’s shores and New Zealand’s.

We have found that even when our interest converge – and make no mistake, they overwhelmingly do – partnerships between countries do not build themselves. It takes sustained effort and coordinated action and leaders ready to breathe life into a shared commitment.

So thank you very much, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. In a world where solving problems takes more partners than ever before, New Zealand punches way above its weight in every sector of challenge in the world today. And it is, for me personally, a great pleasure to help build and deepen and broaden and strengthen this important partnership. I’m hopeful that the Wellington Declaration is a sign of even closer cooperation in the years ahead. Thank you very much.

FOREIGN MINISTER MCCULLY: So I understand there will be a few questions, Paul, and I ask you --

MODERATOR: First question from the United States media is from Lachlan Carmichael of AFP.

QUESTION: No microphone?

MODERATOR: Fire away.

QUESTION: Okay, fire away. (Laughter.)

FOREIGN MINISTER MCCULLY: Not literally. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: Madam Secretary, this question is more loosely to do with the common nuclear agenda you have with New Zealand. Are you concerned about the fate of the New START Treaty in both the legislatures of Russia and the United States? I mean, the Russian parliamentary committee just withdrew its recommendation that it pass the (inaudible). And back in the United States, do you think you will be able to get the treaty passed through this current lame-duck legislation?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Lachlan, let me start by saying that this treaty is not only very important to the United States and Russia, but it’s important to the goal that certainly we share with New Zealand of moving toward a world without nuclear weapons. The continuing efforts by the United States and Russia to reduce their stockpiles is essential toward any progress toward that goal.

So we take this treaty very seriously, and I know that the Russian Government does as well. We are working hard to pass the treaty. As you know, it was reported out of our Senate Foreign Relations Committee by an overwhelming vote. We believe we have enough votes to pass it in the Senate. It’s just a question of when it will be brought to the vote. It may be brought – and it would certainly be my preference that it be brought in any lame-duck session in the next several weeks. And that is what I’m working toward seeing happen. But we’ll have to wait and work with the Senate and the leadership when they come back for that session.

So both Russia and the United States are committed to ratifying it.

MODERATOR: Okay. Next question, New Zealand media, is Tracy Watkins of Fairfax.

QUESTION: Yes, Secretary. You referred in the declaration to (inaudible) political (inaudible) talks. I’m just wondering if you can explain in practical terms what that will mean. And I’m just wondering, is that going to be at the level of (inaudible) and how will that play out? What sort of change will that mean and (inaudible)?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first, let me commend the government here for the recent defense white paper which has just been issued. It says clearly that the United States and New Zealand will continue to be close security partners – and I’m quoting – over the next 25 years.

This Wellington Declaration makes it clear that we want to cooperate across the board in every aspect of our civilian efforts and our military as well. The United States and New Zealand have a procedure for handling military-to-military cooperation on a case-by-case basis. If possible, we want to do more. We’re exploring that as an opportunity for our respective militaries to consult over – for example, more joint training and exchanges among our officers, opportunities where we can do joint exercises together. But that I will leave to my colleague, the Defense Secretary, who will certainly be consulting with his counterpart here.

Perhaps, Prime Minister, would you want to add anything?

PRIME MINISTER KEY: Well, only that New Zealand very highly values our ability to work alongside and train with the United States, and in a practical sense because we find ourselves operating together in countries like Afghanistan that’s clearly of both importance and significance that we can extend our training exercises. And from the government’s perspective, we’ve made it clear through our defense white paper that we intend to beef up our front line and deployable capability. And obviously, engaging with our very good friends in the United States is an important part of it, and that’s what we’ll be doing.

MODERATOR: Okay. Back to USB* and we have Nicole Gaouette from Bloomberg.

QUESTION: Hi. Madam Secretary, I just want to shift regions to the Middle East. The Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu will be visiting the States next week. Will you be seeing him? And with the Arab League deadline for peace talks (inaudible) next week as well, I believe, do you think you will be able to continue the talks or (inaudible)?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Nicole, I do intend to see Prime Minister Netanyahu when he’s in the United States next week. We are in the process of firming up a time for us to meet. Our schedules are obviously very, very busy, and I don’t get back from this trip until late on Monday night.

But I want to reiterate that we are working on a nonstop basis with our Israeli and Palestinian friends to design a way forward in the negotiations. I am convinced that both leaders – President Abbas are Prime Minister Netanyahu – are committed to pursuing the two-state solution. And it is clear that that can only be achieved through negotiations. So I am very involved in finding the way forward, and I think that we will be able to do so.

MODERATOR: And the final question is New Zealand media. It’s Barry (inaudible) with (inaudible).

QUESTION: Secretary Clinton, this time last year, President Obama gave a commitment to the Trans Pacific Partnership and negotiation thereof. I’m just wondering what the timeframe of that has been? Will it ever preclude a bilateral negotiation for New Zealand and miracles* (inaudible)?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, let me say that we discussed at some length, both the foreign minister and I and then the prime minister and I, the way forward on trade. We are very committed to the Trans Pacific Partnership, and New Zealand, again, is playing a leading role. And we want to expedite the negotiations as much as possible. So we are exploring ways that we can try to drive this agenda. I am absolutely convinced that opening up markets in Asia amongst all of us and doing so in a way that creates win-win situations so that people feel that trade is in their interests.

And certainly, no country demonstrates that more or better than New Zealand. The emphasis that the prime minister has placed on exports is one that President Obama has actually ordered that we do similarly. He want – President Obama wants to see the United States double our exports over the next several years.

So we are very committed to TPP. As with any trade deal, it’s day by day negotiating over all kinds of issues to the satisfaction of the parties. And this is a complex negotiation. We’re not ruling out, we’re not ruling in any bilateral agreements with anybody else in the region, including New Zealand. But our priority is to really focus on the TTP and see how fast we can move that towards completion, and I think that’s very much in both New Zealand’s and the United States’s interests.

PRIME MININSTER KEY: I think the only other comment I would make about TPP is that you can see the significance that other countries are placing on TPP by their actions that they want to join the original eight countries. We’re now seeing Malaysia coming to the negotiating table. Canada and Japan have also indicated their strong interest to potentially join. And from New Zealand’s point of view, our only real condition is – *player it is* at the table is that we want a comprehensive and high-quality agreement. Anyone that wants to join in those negotiations that can meet those criteria would be welcome participants, but from New Zealand’s point of view, we share the ambitions that President Obama has, and we think it’s very important for the New Zealand economy. And we, in a purely bilateral basis, have concerns about the fact that Australia has an FTA. They’re a very important part of our market in New Zealand, so we see Trans Pacific Partnership as a very important item to be completed if at all possible.

So, President Clinton – I’m sorry. (Laughter.) (Applause.) Secretary Clinton – great. I thank you for your time here in New Zealand and I look forward to seeing President Obama when he is here in Japan next week.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes.

PRIME MINISTER KEY: That will be great. And I know it’s your first visit, but we hope it won’t be your last.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.

PRIME MINISTER KEY: Thank you so much.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so very much, Prime Minister. I really appreciate that.

Hillary Clinton's Bilaterals Today

Remarks With United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan Before Their Meeting

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

April 7, 2009

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SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon. I’m delighted to welcome His Excellency here today. The United Arab Emirates is a country with whom we have a very close and constructive relationship that encompasses a broad array of important issues. I’m looking forward to deepening and strengthening that partnership.
FOREIGN MINISTER ABDULLAH: I’m delighted to be here in Washington, D.C., but – with you, Madame Secretary, I certainly wish you all the very best in your great job, but I am here as well to show you how the UAE will continue to be a very strong friend and an ally to your great country.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.

Remarks With Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana Before Their Meeting

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

April 7, 2009

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SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, it’s wonderful to have the foreign minister from Argentina here today. I was telling him that this is the third time we’ve gotten together in –
FOREIGN MINISTER TAIANA: The third time in less than a week.
SECRETARY CLINTON: -- in less than a week, in London and then yesterday at the Antarctica Consultative Meeting. And now we have a chance to discuss all of our bilateral issues and issues of regional and global concern.
Thank you.
FOREIGN MINISTER TAIANA: No, thank you, Madame, for inviting me here.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Oh, it is my pleasure. Thank you. Thank you so much.
# # #

Remarks With New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Signing Ceremony for the U.S.-New Zealand Arrangement For Cooperation on Nonproliferation Assistance

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

April 7, 2009

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SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, good morning, and welcome to the Treaty Room. It’s a great pleasure for us to have this opportunity to meet with Foreign Minister McCully and his delegation. The United States and New Zealand have a long history of partnership, and today we had the opportunity to discuss a broad range of issues.
Five months ago, just as we were electing a new president, our friends in New Zealand elected a new government led by Prime Minister John Key. And we’re off to a great start together. The U.S.-New Zealand relationship is the best it has been in 25 years, and we look forward to building on the progress we have already made.
New Zealand is such a valued partner. It is a country whose values and interests coincide very often with ours. In Afghanistan, its elite Special Air Services troops distinguished themselves early on, and New Zealand’s leadership of the Bamiyan Provincial Reconstruction Team has been a model for other nations.
In the Pacific region, New Zealand is a leading member of the Pacific Islands Forum, and Mr. McCully has noted that Prime Minister Key’s government will be intensifying their activities and commitments in the region.
If his travel during the last few months is any indication, the minister is certainly a man of his word. I understand he’s already visited six Pacific island nations.
Like New Zealand, the United States is a Pacific nation, and we look forward to collaborating with New Zealand in regional initiatives to protect the environment, promote democracy, ensure regional security, preserve human rights, encourage good governance, further economic development, and promote renewable energy.
We join New Zealand in encouraging Fiji’s interim government to abide by the Pacific Islands Forum’s benchmarks and timetable to restore democracy to that country. We share a common determination that democracy must not be extinguished there.
As original signatories of the Antarctic Treaty, the United States and New Zealand have enjoyed close cooperation in the Antarctica for half a century. Yesterday, along with other treaty members, Minister McCully and I participated in a ministerial meeting to mark the 50^th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty. And I just thanked the minister for one of their government energy companies supplying wind energy to our facility, so we’ll have renewable energy way down at the South Pole. That’s pretty exciting, Minister McCully.
Now, in addition to these many areas of collaboration, today the minister and I will be signing an arrangement to combat nuclear smuggling. And I want to thank the minister and his government for their commitment to address this global threat. This is a prime example of how our two countries share a vision and work collaboratively on issues of common concern.
So again, I am pleased to welcome Minister McCully here in Washington. This makes his seventh Pacific nation that he has visited. And I hope sometime during my time as Secretary of State I will have the opportunity to visit your beautiful country. Thank you, sir.
FOREIGN MINISTER MCCULLY: Thank you, Madame Secretary. As the Secretary of State has indicated, it was approximately five months ago that new administrations took office in both the United States and in New Zealand. The relationship has seen significant improvements over recent years, and as a party in opposition, my party was pleased to work with the then-government to try and advance the New Zealand relationship with the United States. Now, having assumed office, we have the opportunity to try and move that relationship forward, and I’ve been greatly encouraged by the approach that Secretary of State Clinton has taken in our discussions today.
As she has noted, we work together in so many different areas of importance. The initial purpose of this visit was the Antarctic discussions yesterday, an area where we have had a partnership for now 50 years, one which has been a remarkable success in every possible way. We are close partners in the work that is being done in Afghanistan, and we had the opportunity to review those matters today. Of course, those are areas where there has been a good deal of discussion, not just in the United States but in The Hague, where Secretary Clinton and I were both last week.
We work together in so many different aspects, but I want to mention in particular the reengagement of this country in the multilateral fora, which we have greatly encouraged, and we are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with the Administration here in that respect.
Finally, with regard to the Pacific, a large expanse of ocean, some small nations that are highly vulnerable in every possible way – economically, the first to feel the effects of climate change – we have discussed today some opportunities for us to work more closely together providing leadership in that region. It’s an area with which New Zealand is closely familiar. We have a large Pacifica population in our country. We have close family links, close links of every possible sort – a unique opportunity to render assistance to the smaller nations of the Pacific and therefore a particular responsibility. And today, we have looked at some of the ways in which we can cooperate in that respect, particularly in terms of renewable energy.
So I’ve had a very important first meeting with Secretary of State Clinton today. The two new administrations have the opportunity to bring new energy and new eyes to a relationship which has already seen significant improvement. And we will be working closely in the months ahead to get that relationship moving in that direction.
Thank you very much.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you, Minister. Now we’re going to sign the agreement.
MODERATOR: The Secretary and Foreign Minister are now signing the Arrangement between the Department of Energy of the United States of America and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand for Cooperation on Nonproliferation Assistance.
(The agreement was signed.)
(Applause.)
QUESTION: Speaking of nonproliferation, it’s been more than 72 hours since the North Korean rocket launch. The UN Security Council has yet to give even the mildest kind of condemnation for it. Why shouldn’t Kim Jong-il conclude that his regime can act with impunity in conducting these kinds of launches?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Let’s wait and see the results of the ongoing negotiations at the United Nations. Seventy-two hours is a long time in a news cycle. It’s not a long time in relations between nations or in the affairs of the Security Council. I think we’ll have more to say later.
QUESTION: Thank you.