Secretary Remarks

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Cabinet Exit Memo Washington, DC January 5, 2017     Introduction When President Obama took office in 2009, the United States was engaged in two costly wars, faced the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and had a diminished standing with many of our allies and partners around the world. The starting point for this Presidency was one of the toughest I have ever seen in my decades of public service. Over the past eight years, President Ob...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, Argentina, Canada , Chad , Chile, China, Cuba , France , India , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Italy , Korea, North , Libya , Nigeria , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Somalia , Sudan , Syria , Thailand , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , Western Hemisphere, Yemen

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State The George Hotel Christchurch, New Zealand November 10, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Can I just say before we sit down, I want to say what a pleasure it is for me to be in New Zealand, back in New Zealand for me, the first trip as Secretary but I’ve been here before and love it. And I really – I want to express the appreciation of President Obama and the American people for the tremendous cooperation with New Zealand on so many issues. First of all, New Zealand...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Antarctica, China, New Zealand , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Rosa Kempinski Hotel Nairobi, Kenya August 22, 2016 FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMED: I am delighted to welcome Secretary John Kerry back to Nairobi, and for a second visit in the last, I think, one year. The last time you were here was in May. SECRETARY KERRY: Yes. FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMED: Yes, so thank you very, very much for coming back. I think it’s a pure reflection of where our relationship is, and which is growing and growing very, very, I think, in a very hea...

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Regions: Iran , Kenya , Russia , Somalia , Sudan , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Luxembourg City, Luxembourg July 16, 2016 FOREIGN MINISTER ASSELBORN: So, good afternoon. It’s a real pleasure for me to welcome here John Kerry. He is Secretary of State of the United States of America, who is very, very appreciated in the European Union. All my colleagues in the European Union, they know about his experience, his competence, and also his energy. Personally, I always had a good – a very good relation and I wa...

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Regions: France , Luxembourg , Syria , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Embassy Moscow Moscow, Russia March 23, 2016 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, welcome to Moscow. It’s very good to have you here. Last period – I think the last, like, a year – your third time here. What does it mean? Are we getting back to normal now, though? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, we’d like to get back to it. We’re making progress. I think that Foreign Minister Lavrov – Sergey Lavrov and I have had a very productive relationship ...

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Regions: Russia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Madrid, Spain October 19, 2015 FOREIGN MINISTER GARCIA-MARGALLO: (Inaudible.) Good morning, and I’m very grateful (inaudible). I’m delighted to meet with you. Last time we had a meeting was in Washington (inaudible) in September (inaudible), just a month ago. Now we meet again (inaudible). Now I will speak (inaudible). (In Spanish.) SECRETARY KERRY: Well, thank you very much, Jose. Buenos Dias. (In Spanish.) Thank you for the privilege of being here. And...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Iraq , Israel , Jordan , Libya , Russia , Spain , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Benjamin Franklin Room Washington, DC December 10, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: It’s my pleasure to welcome Foreign Minister Idrisov of Kazakhstan. You okay? Sorry. I’m really delighted to welcome the foreign minister here and I want to congratulate him and Kazakhstan on the near 23rd anniversary of their independence. It’s on December 16th. And we have enjoyed a growing security partnership, economic partnership, on any number of issues. We are working o...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Iran , Kazakhstan , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Paris, France October 14, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good evening, everybody. Thanks for your patience. This has been a very productive couple of days, and I’m glad to have an opportunity to be able to catch up on the discussions that we’ve had, both with Foreign Minister Fabius as well as Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. First, I want to say a special thank you to my friend, Laurent Fabius, not only for hosting us but for the very important partnership ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, France , Iran , Italy , Russia , Syria , Turkey , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Countering Terrorism, Energy, Global Health

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Jeddah, Saudi Arabia September 11, 2014 QUESTION: We’ve seen the Free Syrian Army is not up to fighting ISIS, and U.S. airstrikes require, at the very least, special forces on the ground. What makes you think we can degrade and destroy ISIS? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, I think there are a lot of reasons why, and I’m not going to lay them all out so that they have a chance to take actions to address those deficiencies. But the fact is that I think we have an...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Iran , Iraq , Saudi Arabia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Global Health

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Jeddah, Saudi Arabia September 11, 2014 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thank you for making time. There are many countries in this coalition that you’re building against ISIS who are basically weak links. The U.S. has said they’re allowing funding; they’re allowing fighters to flow into Syria and Iraq. How do you trust them to do what’s needed? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, that’s going to tighten up, and it has to tighten up, and we’re goin...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Iran , Kuwait , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States , Yemen

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Admiralty House Sydney, Australia August 12, 2014 FOREIGN MINISTER BISHOP: Ladies and gentlemen, today we have welcomed to Sydney and to AUSMIN Secretaries John Kerry and Chuck Hagel, and this is the second AUSMIN meeting that the four principals here have participated in. The United States alliance is the most important security relationship for Australia, and AUSMIN is an annual opportunity for us to take stock of this relationship. And today’s discussion wa...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Australia , Canada , China, Indonesia , Iran , Iraq , Japan , Korea, North , Malaysia , Russia , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Treasury Secretary Jack Lew Beijing, China July 10, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: Good evening, everybody. Thank you for being patient. We’re delighted to be here. Let me begin by thanking our Chinese hosts for their very warm welcome and for the depth and breadth of the discussions that we had in this year’s Strategic and Economic Dialogue. During our meetings with President Xi and Prime Minister Li, Secretary Lew and I discussed a number of importan...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Israel , Korea, North , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Riyadh Air Base Riyadh, Saudi Arabia November 4, 2013 FOREIGN MINISTER SAUD: (Via interpreter) In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. It’s my pleasure to welcome Secretary John Kerry and his delegation in Saudi Arabia. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques received Secretary Kerry this afternoon. In the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and the developments in the region. I’d like to take this opportunity to address the recent media ...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Egypt , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Kuwait , Pakistan , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia October 10, 2013 The video is also available with closed captioning on YouTube. SECRETARY KERRY: Well, I know that President Obama was very disappointed to cancel his visit, especially given his personal connection and commitment to the region. But I also know that he believes very deeply in the importance of the relationship between the United States and Malaysia and also in the potential for a relationship in the years to come. To...

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Regions: Brazil , Brunei , France , Iran , Italy , Malaysia , South Africa , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Islamabad, Pakistan August 1, 2013 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, a pleasure and honor to have you in Pakistan. SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Glad to be here. QUESTION: Let me start by asking you: How have your interactions been today in Pakistan. Were they fruitful? SECRETARY KERRY: Very positive, very constructive conversations. Very grateful for a very generous welcome. QUESTION: Well, like I said, it’s always a pleasure to host somebody like you and Pakistanis s...

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Regions: Afghanistan, India , Pakistan , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Myanmar Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei July 1, 2013 The video is available with closed captioning on YouTube FOREIGN MINISTER WUNNA MAUNG LWIN: Your Royal Highness, Mr. Co-chair, excellencies, a very good morning. With the permission of Mr. Co-chair, I wish to announce that the ASEAN-U.S. Ministerial Meeting commenced. At the outset, I wish to exchange on behalf of my ASEAN colleagues, our warmest welcome to Secretary of State John K...

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Regions: Brunei , China, Philippines , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC May 31, 2013 The video is also available with closed captioning on YouTube. SECRETARY KERRY: Good morning, everybody. It’s a tremendous pleasure for me to welcome Guido Westerwelle here to Washington and particularly to be able to thank him again for his wonderful welcome of me in Berlin on my first trip as Secretary of State. I remember it well. I had a great visit and I am very grateful to him, to Chancellor Merkel, to the governme...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Germany , Iran , Israel , Lebanon , Russia , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Treaties and International Agreements

Testimony John Kerry Secretary of State Opening Remarks Before the House Foreign Affairs Committee Washington, DC April 17, 2013 The video below is available with closed captioning on YouTube . Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I ask you just to remember what goes around comes around. (Laughter.) Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Congressman Engel, Ranking Member. Thank you for your comments about Boston. It’s impossible for me to express my sadness and my anger, frankly, over those terrible even...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Iraq , Israel , Korea, North , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Testimony Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State Opening Remarks Before the House Foreign Affairs Committee Washington, DC January 23, 2013 This video is available on YouTube with closed captions . Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and I thank you and the Ranking Member and members of the committee, both of longstanding tenure and brand new members, and I appreciate your patience for me to be able to come to fulfill my commitment to you, actually to the former chairwoman, that I would be here to dis...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Algeria , India , Mali , Saudi Arabia , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy

Testimony Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State Opening Remarks Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Washington, DC January 23, 2013 This video is also available with closed captioning on YouTube . Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, members of the committee, both older and new. I’m very grateful for this opportunity and I thank you very much for your patience to give me the chance to come and address these issues with you. As both the Chairman and the Ranking Member ha...

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Regions: Algeria , Mali , Saudi Arabia , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Energy

Remarks Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State State Reception Center Perth, Australia November 14, 2012 The video below is available with closed captioning on YouTube FOREIGN MINISTER CARR: Ladies and gentlemen, it was Dr. Johnson who said, “Keep your friendships in good repair.” And in that spirit, AUSMIN concluded in its meeting today, very much in the spirit of business as usual, steady as she goes, no new strategic content or announcements but a matter of consolidation. If I draw you...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Australia , China, France , India , Iran , Korea, North , Mexico , Syria , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Washington, DC October 12, 2012 SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you all. Thank you very much. And a special word of thanks to a friend and someone whom I admire greatly, General Scowcroft. His many years of distinguished service to our country is a great tribute in every respect. Thanks also to Jon Alterman and CSIS for hosting this conference on “The Maghreb in Transition: Seeki...

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Regions: Algeria , Egypt , Jordan , Libya , Mali , Morocco , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance

Remarks Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jakarta, Indonesia September 3, 2012 FOREIGN MINISTER NATALEGAWA: (In Indonesian.) I will say a few words in Bahasa, and for those who are not proficient in Bahasa (inaudible.) (Via interpreter.) I am pleased to be able to have welcomed Secretary of State Madam Hillary Clinton to Indonesia today. Our meeting today constitutes a continuation of the series of consultations and conversations we have had over the recent past, incl...

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Regions: Cambodia , China, Indonesia , Iran , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs

Remarks Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State Islamabad, Pakistan October 21, 2011 MODERATOR: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. As-salaam alaikum. We have the honor here today to have Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar with us. They have had their meetings. They will now be speaking to you. Over to Madam Khar first. FOREIGN MINISTER KHAR: Thank you. (Inaudible.) A very good morning and as-salaam alaikum to everyone. I’m just (inaudible). Madam Se...

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Regions: Afghanistan, India , Pakistan , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy

Remarks Hillary Rodham Clinton    Secretary of State Anne-Marie Slaughter    Director Patrick F. Kennedy    Under Secretary for Management  Rajiv Shah    USAID Administrator Dean Acheson Auditorium Washington, DC December 15, 2010 UNDER SECRETARY KENNEDY: Good morning, everyone. Before beginning this Secretary of State town hall meeting on the QDDR, I would like to ask all of you to rise for a moment in a moment of silence and memory of Ambassador R...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Haiti , India , Iraq , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Remarks Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC December 7, 2009 SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon, and I’ve just completed a very useful and constructive conversation with the foreign minister from Algeria, a country with whom we are cooperating closely on a number of issues, particularly counterterrorism, and a country with whom we intend to broaden and deepen our relationship going forward.   FOREIGN MINISTER MEDELCI: (Via interpreter) I would like to thank the...

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Regions: Korea, North

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Countering Terrorism, Treaties and International Agreements

Remarks Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State George Washington University Washington, DC October 5, 2009 MODERATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the chairman of the George Washington University Board of Trustees, Russ Ramsey. (Applause.) MR. RAMSEY: Good evening, everyone. It is my honor and pleasure, on behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, to welcome all of you this evening. Tonight’s event highlights all that is right with our country: dynamic leaders; bright, engaged students; a...

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Regions: Afghanistan, Costa Rica , Honduras , Iran , Iraq , Pakistan , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Climate and Environment, Combating Drugs and Crime, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Speech Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State Washington, DC July 15, 2009 Thank you very much, Richard, and I am delighted to be here in these new headquarters. I have been often to, I guess, the mother ship in New York City, but it’s good to have an outpost of the Council right here down the street from the State Department. We get a lot of advice from the Council, so this will mean I won’t have as far to go to be told what we should be doing and how we should think about the future. Ri...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Haiti , India , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Italy , Japan , Korea, North , Libya , Pakistan , Philippines , Russia , United Kingdom , United States

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Climate and Environment, Combating Drugs and Crime, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy, Science, Technology, and Innovation, The Ocean and Polar Affairs, Treaties and International Agreements

Interview With The Washington Post Editorial Board Secretary Condoleezza Rice Washington, DC January 12, 2009 QUESTION: We’re on the record? MR. MCCORMACK: Yep. QUESTION: Well, I’ll take the privilege of starting with our favorite subject. What do you think – what have we learned from the latest pipelines discussion between Russia and Ukraine and Europe? And is this one different from the last one, and do you see the Russians learning anything different? SECRETARY RICE: Well, I think w...

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Regions: Afghanistan, China, Egypt , Germany , India , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Japan , Jordan , Kenya , Korea, North , Korea, South , Kuwait , Lebanon , Libya , Russia , Sudan , Syria , Ukraine , United Kingdom , United States , West Bank

Topics: Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Countering Terrorism, Economic Prosperity and Trade Policy, Energy, Human Rights and Democracy, Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Press Briefing on Board Plane Secretary Colin L. Powell En Route Bogota December 3, 2002 SECRETARY POWELL: Everybody here, OK? Good. Thank you for joining me on this relatively short trip, by usual standards, to Colombia. As you know, this is my third try at this trip. Some of you will vividly remember 9/11 when we were in Lima, Peru, and I was supposed to be heading to Colombia that afternoon. Then there was another occasion since when I had a crisis interrupt my plans to visit Colombia. But, I wanted ...

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Regions: Brazil , Colombia , Iraq , Peru , United Kingdom , United States , Venezuela

Topics: Combating Drugs and Crime, Countering Terrorism, Global Health, Human Rights and Democracy