FOREIGN MINISTER AL-JAAFARI: (Via interpreter) You visited the library, I think, Mr. Secretary, the last time.
SECRETARY KERRY: Been here before. I visited your library, yes.
FOREIGN MINISTER AL-JAAFARI: Yes.
SECRETARY KERRY: I remember that.
FOREIGN MINISTER AL-JAAFARI: (Via interpreter) And that caused me a problem with Vice President Biden. (Laughter.) And he said that you – “I visited you in 2005 and you didn’t show me that library, that – you showed it to others.” Because John McCain, when he came here, right away, I showed him the library.
SECRETARY KERRY: Showed him the library, good.
INTERPRETER: Are we fine?
SECRETARY KERRY: (Laughter.) Did you give him a book? He gave me a book the first time.
FOREIGN MINISTER AL-JAAFARI: (Via interpreter) I will give you more than a book. (Laughter.) In English – in English, you are – I know that you are a good reader and read a lot.
Before – I did not know you before, of course, as an intellectual. During the presidential – your presidential candidacy at that time, I did not know you very well. But now, as I know you as the Secretary of State, I know how intellectual you are.
SECRETARY KERRY: Well, thank you. I have to hide that with our – no, I’m joking. (Laughter.)
INTERPRETER: It’s good?
SECRETARY KERRY: No, it doesn’t matter. It’s not important. (Laughter.)
But Mr. Minister, I’m happy to visit with you again. This is obviously a very critical time here in Iraq and in the region, and you and I have been working on a lot of different issues for the last few years. So it’s good of you to come and be able to visit.
FOREIGN MINISTER AL-JAAFARI: (Via interpreter) I receive you here in my house a second time. And I have to appreciate your efforts in that (inaudible) because I know you as the Secretary of State and you are definitely energetic. And of course, that (inaudible) conferences that I met you in. I met you in conferences in New York, Paris, and Jeddah. And I’m sure that you are aware of the recent development in the political process here (inaudible).
(Audio ends.)