Labrador retriever dogs lying in the couch at home in London, Ontario, Canada - January, 2024

SHOTLIST : PREMIERE WITH PRINCESS DIANA SHE MEETS ROB REINER (DIRECTOR) AND CAST MEG RYAN BILLY CRYSTAL. EXT OF CINEMA. CU POSTER. CHARITY PREMIERE IN AID OF CENTRE POINT. KEYWORDS : PREMIERES DIANA ROYALTY REINER CINEMA RYAN CRYSTAL XINDEX : Diana, Princess of Wales, Entertainment, Personalities - Jonathan Ross, Oliver Reed, Stephen Woolley, Nora Ephron, Bruno Kirby, Denis Quaid DURATION = 10 SOURCE = 1827/89 TAPE = 307 TIMECODE_IN = 02:49:32:00 TIMECODE_OUT = 03:00:08:22

Bruno Kirby

00:00:00:00 Clips movies that feature best supporting actor nominees incl: 'Bugsy' with Warren Beatty, Annette Benning & nominees Harvey Keitel & Ben Kingsley; 'Barton Fink' with John Turturo & nomine e Michael Lerner; 'City Slickers' with Billy Crystal, Helen Slater, Bruno Kirby, Daniel Stern & nominee Jack Palance; 'JFK' with Kevin Costtner, Kevin Bacon & nominee Tommy Lee Jones. (0:00)/

Movie trailer for Almost Summer (1978) starring Didi Conn, Bruno Kirby, and Lee Purcell. EXCERPTS MUST BE CLEARLY USED AS A TRAILER, I.E. WORDS ON THE SCREEN.

TV COMMERCIALS 5

TAPE_NUMBER: EN9950 IN_TIME: 10:16:37 LENGTH: 04:06 SOURCES: APTN/COLUMBIA PICTURES RESTRICTIONS: No re-use/re-sale of film/video clips without clearance, No access Internet FEED: SCRIPT: xfa Story: Stuart Little Location: Los Angeles Date: Recent America's latest big screen icon is a clever, stylish, "can do" guy with attitude. He also happens to be a mouse. Voiced by MICHAEL J. FOX, "STUART LITTLE" is the eponymous hero of E.B. White's classic children's book, which is now a feature film starring GEENA DAVIS and HUGH LAURIE as a New York couple who make the wisecracking rodent one of the family. Together they embark on adventures with a host of furry characters, including Stuart's nemesis, the family cat SNOWBELL (voiced by NATHAN LANE) learning the true meaning of family, loyalty and friendship along the way. Combining live action with eyepopping computer animation, the film is directed by ROB MINKOFF, best known as codirector of "The Lion King". He says the film has updated E.B. White's classic tale, while remaining true to the spirit of the book. Bringing Stuart to life was a painstaking task for the animation team at Sony Imageworks, who first began putting the character together more than two years ago. The breathtaking results were not lost on the cast, who recently had their first chance to see the final product after months of reacting to thin air. Costarring with an imaginary character was especially tough for JONATHAN LIPNICKI, who plays Stuart's adopted brother George. Lipnicki first shot to fame opposite Tom Cruise in "Jerry Maguire". The director also spent hours looking at film of cats to get the interaction right between Stuart and his feline friends. The starstudded cast of celebrity voices includes JENNIFER TILLY, BRUNO KIRBY (City Slickers), CHAZZ PALMINTERI (The Usual Suspects) and STEVE ZAHN (Happy, Texas). For further information contact Columbia TriStar on +1 310 280 7812 SHOTLIST: CLIP TRAILER; SOT ROB MINKOFF, DIRECTOR; SOT HUGH LAURIE; FILM CLIP; SOT GEENA DAVIS; FILM CLIP; SOT NATHAN LANE; FILM CLIP; SOT JONATHAN LIPNICKI; FILM CLIP; SOT STUART LITTLE (VOICED BY MICHAEL J. FOX)?

A young cat trying to sleep while sitting and resting on her big dog friend who is sleeping upside down with paws in the air on a couch.


 --SUPERS--
Friday
Washington

John Kirby
Spokesperson, State Dept. 

 --LEAD IN--
SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY SAYS HE WILL NOT VISIT CUBA TWO WEEKS AHEAD OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA"S PLANNED TRIP.
THE CUBANS GAVE A BIT OF A PUSHBACK OVER KERRY WANTING TO MEET WITH VARIOUS CIVIL GROUPS IN THE COMMUNIST NATION, SO KERRY CANCELED.
 --SOT--
Secretary Kerry spoke by phone with Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez about President Obama"s upcoming trip to Cuba. Both ministers reiterated their commitment to making the visit a success, to ensuring that the path to normalization continues in a positive direction that its already taken. The secretary told the foreign minister that the president is very much looking forward to the trip and to meeting with the wide array of Cuban officials and citizens to include members of civil society. Secretary Kerry expressed his own disappointment of course that scheduling issues prevented him from making a trip ahead, a trip to Cuba ahead of the president but he expects to be accompanying President Obama on this very historic occasion. 
 --TAG--
KERRY LAST VISITED CUBA IN AUGUST OF 2015 FOR THE REOPENING OF THE AMERICAN EMBASSY. 
PRESIDENT OBAMA IS SCHEDULED TO TRAVEL TO CUBA ON AN OVERNIGHT TRIP ON MARCH 21ST. 
OBAMA WILL BE THE FIRST SITTING U-S PRESIDENT IN NEARLY 90 YEARS TO VISIT CUBA.
 -----END-----CNN.SCRIPT-----

 --KEYWORD TAGS--
COMMUNIST CUBA WASHINGTON STATE GOVERNMENT



WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING WITH JOSH EARNEST - STIX KIRBY: Alright, starting on time today. Hey, everybody. Happy Friday to you. Got a couple of things at the top, and then we'll get on going, there. First, a call readout. This morning, Secretary Kerry spoke by phone with the Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez about President Obama's upcoming trip to -- to Cuba. Most ministers reiterate -- reiterated their commitment to making the visit a success and to ensuring that the path to normalization continues in the positive direction that it's already taken. The secretary told the foreign minister that the president is very much looking forward to the trip and to meeting with a wide array of Cuban officials and citizens, to include members of civil society. Secretary Kerry expressed his own disappointment, of course, that scheduling issues prevented him from making a trip ahead -- a trip to Cuba ahead of the president, but that he expects to be accompanying President Obama on this very historic occasion. Also, to day, the U.N. Security -- I'm sorry. Let me try that again. Today, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon released a disturbing report detailing instances of sexual exploitation and abuse in the U.N. system, including by U.N. peacekeepers. While we welcome the secretary's -- the secretary general's attention to this very serious problem, our first read (ph), and I would iterate that this is just a first reeve (ph), we've only just started going through this report, would reveal two clear realities. First, these outrageous incidents are persistent and widespread and they demand immediate and effective action. Secondly, although the secretary general has taken several important steps towards transparency and accountability for these crimes, and we applaud that effort, much more needs to be done by the leadership at all levels of the United Nations as well as by troop and police contributing countries. To state it simply and bluntly, exploiting of abusing the very vulnerable people that the U.N. is supposed to be actually protecting and helping is absolutely inexcusable. It also undermines the credibility of peacekeepers and the utility of the peacekeeping missions that they're performing themselves. As we study this important report, and as I said we're still working our way through it, we're going to be following up with the secretary general and the U.N., as well as troop and police contributing nations about next steps to better address this problem. With that, we'll start. Pam? QUESTION: Can we go back to Cuba? When the secretary was on the Hill last month meeting with lawmakers and he referenced a -- the possibly -- the trip ahead of Obama possibly to meet with Cuban officials, saying that human rights issues would be a focal point, is -- is there a dispute between the U.S. on (ph) Cuba on how to address human rights issues? And if so, is -- did that play a role in the secretary not being able to make a trip prior to Obama's visit? KIRBY: Well, the secretary said he expects to go to Cuba in the very near future, and he is going to do that. He's going to -- you know, he's chosen to -- to go with President Obama. So he's still going to Cuba, but the's going with President Obama. There were a number of factors that -- that precluded him from being able to go any sooner, scheduling issues. Not the least of which was the heavy demand that -- that the visit would have taken on the embassy staff down there. To do two high-level visits in a given month, you know, that was a lot to ask them. KIRBY: On human rights, there is no question that we continue to have concerns about the human rights issue in Cuba and we've been very candid and frank about that. Publicly and privately. There still remains concerns that we have about it. And as I think you heard my colleagues talk about it a little earlier, the president has every expectation to meet with dissidents down there in Cuba and dissidents that they themselves have -- will and choose to meet with. So, we're still going to highlight it as an issue of concern. We're still going to talk about it, we're still going to raise our concerns with the Cuban officials about it going forward because that is what you do when your are working towards the form (ph) normalization of diplomatic relations in a country like Cuba. QUESTION: Can I follow-up on the nation (ph) and the rights. I just want the understanding. Human rights on Cuba. You said these are human rights. Is there any particular area of human rights or is it just the dissidents? Or prisoners? (AUDIOGAP) KIRBY: I think there's a full scope of issues. It's the -- you know, it's the way in which political dissent is not tolerated and the speed with which and the groundless nature with which, you know, people are arrested and detained in Cuba. I mean, there's a whole range of issues there. And again Saed (ph), we've been very open and honest about our concerns and I think you can go on our website and read our human rights report and see it right there in black and white what our concerns are and those concerns remain valid. But it doesn't mean that we're not going to continue to work towards normalization or that we're not going to try, as I said in my opening statement, to keep that process on the positive path that it's already begun to take. There are issues where we don't see eye to eye and I suspect that some of those issues will remain for awhile going forward. But we continue to believe that opening up the relationship with Cuba, that normalizing a relationship through, you know, appropriate foreign relations, is a better way to have a discussion with everybody in Cuban society. And you know, if you want to make a difference, we believe the way to make that difference is through dialogue and talking and conversation and interaction. And that's what we're going to continue to pursue. QUESTION: Thank you. QUESTION: John? KIRBY: Yes. QUESTION: Syria? KIRBY: Yes. QUESTION: President Putin has said today that April vote in Syria does not interfere with peace process. Do you share President Putin's view? KIRBY: He said that April vote? QUESTION: President Assad has called for elections in April and the Russian president has said that this school does not interfere or this election does not interfere with the peace process. KIRBY: I haven't seen the call for an April vote by President Assad. But let me just say, very clearly, there -- we are trying to get to a political process in Syria. A political solution to this conflict that leads to elections in about 18 months' time. You know, because we've already kind of started the, you know, although the didn't get completed, there was a start to the political talks between the regime and the opposition and the idea is get to elections. A constitution is drafted and an election is in 18 months' time. EARNEST: And that's the electoral process we're driving to. That's the one that will -- if we are successful, make the difference that we want to see made in Syria, in terms of putting a government in place that is responsible to the desperate needs of the Syrian people. And that's what we're driving at. QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) said that whether Assad stays or goes is a Syrian decision, should be left to the Syrian people. Do you agree with that? KIRBY: We've been clear on what our position is on Assad. And I'll just restate it again. We continue to believe that Assad cannot be part of the future of Syria. And that we need a government in place in Syria that does not have Bashar al-Assad at its head. We've also said that whatever that government looks like and how it should -- how it's formed has got to be -- those have to be decisions made by the Syrian people, which is why we think it's so important to get the opposition together with the regime. We want to see these talks resume. And I understand that Mr. de Mistura, you know, continues to try to pin down a better date for that. We think that's really important. But so, yes, there has to be a Syrian voice in this, of course. That's the -- if you look at the two communiques -- the three communiques, actually, it lays it right out there. But for the United States, our position is that future cannot include Bashar al-Assad. QUESTION: You know it was just a suggestion in the envoy's statement is that if the Syrian people choose Assad, so be it, he can be part of that future. (CROSSTALK) QUESTION: ... that you have, you know, a transparent electoral process through which Assad is somehow, you know, probably through the most hideous circumstance is elected, you will accept that, right? KIRBY: Let's go back a little bit, Said (ph). First of all, I mean, I saw press reporting today polling that the majority of Syrians still want Assad gone. And if you look at the Vienna communiques you will see that it very clearly states that in the electoral process that we are setting up through the Vienna process that the diaspora must be able to cast a vote. And I think everybody realizes that if all of Syrians, diaspora as well to vote, there's very little chance that Mr. Assad is going to be able to stay in power. OK? QUESTION: The future of Syria and the Syrian (OFF-MIKE) have recently repeatedly said that they want federalism for Syria. That's their option or their suggestion for Syria. Does the United States support that notion, that federalism? KIRBY: We've been... (CROSSTALK) KIRBY: I've said it quite a few times, I'll say it again today. And it's all written in the communiques that the United States, as a member of the ISSG signed up to, which is we believe in a whole, whole unified non-sectarian Syria. And that continues to be our position today. QUESTION: Federalism, like, as a system of government... (CROSSTALK) KIRBY: If you're asking me, do we support some sort of semi- autonomous areas for the Kurds, the answer is no. We support a whole unified non-sectarian Syria. It's right there in black and white. QUESTION: So you wouldn't support a (OFF-MIKE) federalism... (CROSSTALK) KIRBY: I think I've answered the question. I've answered the question. Arshad (ph)? QUESTION: Did you see the statements by (OFF-MIKE) Islam saying that from their point of view, the cessation of hostilities is not occurring, and that they continue to be fighting with Syrian government forces? KIRBY: I haven't seen those exact remarks, Arshad (ph), but certainly have seen similar statements some other opposition groups. I don't think that really is a surprise to anyone, I mean, that they continue to see what they believe are violations. As I've said from the podium the last few days, that we continue to get, you know, reports of cessation violations. And we want them all looked into. So I'm not at all surprised that some groups would still be doing it. Frankly -- I mean, quite honestly, though we want to see the number of proposed or potential violations down to zero, of course, it's actually not unhelpful that groups are able and willing to come forward, whether it's through the various reporting mechanisms or in public statements and say what they're seeing. I mean, that's actually healthy, because it may help get us to where we need to go, which is that -- you know, to have the cease-fire be completely and uniformly applied. So, again, today we think it is still largely holding and the violence is absolutely down again for another straight day in Syria. And, you know, we continue to see reports of, again, markets being open, people being out and about even in places like Aleppo. So, I mean, all of that is encouraging. But we're not, again, taking anything for granted and not at all surprised by some groups coming out and saying quite honestly and baldly their concerns about potential violations. QUESTION: One other thing, you said that Staffan de Mistura is continuing to try to find a better date for the Syria (OFF-MIKE) peace talks. Does that mean that, as you understand it, he has given up or you guys have given up on March 9th? KIRBY: No, I didn't say that. I understand he is still working to pin it down, as far as I know. I haven't seen any other date proposed. That doesn't mean that there isn't one in his head. But, I mean, it's the fourth, and so we still have, you know, a little less than a week to go. And I know that he still working to work through the technical logistical issues, you know, to pin all this down. So we continue to support his efforts to do that. We obviously think it's important for them to resume these talks, like to see that obviously sooner than later, but we want respect, you know, the very real logistical challenges that he's facing in getting there. (CROSSTALK) QUESTION: Turkey, may I? KIRBY: Yes, I'll come back to you. Go ahead. QUESTION: Dealing with the March 9th date, Riad Hajib had a news conference in Paris today and voiced concern about what he saw as a continuation of the Syrian attacks against the opposition. And he said the current conditions may not allow for the resumption of political talks on the ninth. Now first, what's your response? And then secondly, has anyone on the U.S. side spoken to the opposition leader about these concerns? KIRBY: We're constant contact with Dr. Hajib and opposition leaders. So there is certainly a form of communication there we remain in contact with them. I did see those comments. And, again, I would let Mr. Hajib speak for his own views. We continue to believe, for our part, that it's important to get these talks back under way again. We want respect Special Envoy de Mistura's ability to do that. (OFF-MIKE) he seems or he deems most appropriate and most fitting. He has talked about logistical and technical issues that still need to be worked. And we've made it clear that we're standing by and willing to help him in anyway that we can. Nobody, you know, said even when these first started that this was going to be and that it was going to be linear, you know, if I can use a mathematic term, that, you know, it's point A, point B, and you're just going to go straight at it. That there were going to be difficulties, there were going to be challenges, there were going to be setbacks, and that it was going to be hard. And it has -- the process has lived up to those expectations. It has been difficult. But it also has kept moving forward. And that's not insignificant. There was a meeting in Geneva. Yes, they didn't think they didn't get to finish it. It got truncated. But there was one. And people said that would never happen. You would never get the opposition and the regime to even come together to have even through a proxy like Mr. de Mistura, to have a conversation. Well, they did. And for the first time in now five years, I think next week is the fifth year anniversary of the civil war, for the first time the violence is actually going down and the cessation of hostilities is, for all practical purposes, holding. And people thought that that would never happen. And now, again, for the first time in almost as many years, many communities and towns and villages that had gotten no relief are starting to get relief. And I think we've seen some more humanitarian supplies get through this week. There is going to be, we hope, in the coming days another convoy or two to get to some besieged areas. So that's happening. Is it fast enough? Of course not. I mean, obviously we would like to see all the violence stop. We would like to no Daesh in Syria. We would like to see a government that can actually take care of its people and look after its sovereignty rather than one that continues to -- you know, to victimize the Syrian citizens. We would like to see the refugees have homes to go back to and jobs and opportunities for them and their kids. So is it moving as fast as we would like? No, of course, it's not. But it is moving, Pam, and that's not insignificant. And I think sometimes in the discussions and in the coverage that were seeing on this, I think that is getting lost. (CROSSTALK) KIRBY: I promised her I would go to her, and then we'll... QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) he also said there should be no role for Assad in the transitional period. Do you agree with that? KIRBY: Said (ph), we talked about this... (CROSSTALK) QUESTION: This is contrary to what you guys... (CROSSTALK) KIRBY: I'm not going to get into tit-for-tat for every public comment that is made. Our position has not changed. Assad cannot be of the future of Syria. And the how and the when in terms of his departure has got to be worked out through this political process which we are still trying to get up and running. QUESTION: Would that include the transitional period? KIRBY: Yes, we've said all along that during transition process there's going to have to be decisions made about Assad and his role in the transition process. And those questions haven't been answered yet. Yes, go ahead. QUESTION: Can you condemn the Turkish court decision to replace the entire management and editorial board of Feza Media Group, of one its main publications Zaman Daily has been is critical of the... (CROSSTALK) QUESTION: Yes, excuse me, you had another one (OFF-MIKE)? QUESTION: Before we go to Turkey? KIRBY: Is that OK with you? QUESTION: Yes. KIRBY: OK. She's yielding to you. QUESTION: Thank you. KIRBY: I thought that's very nice. QUESTION: On Dr. Hejad (ph), he added too that the U.S. is offering a lot of concessions to the Russians in Syria. Do you share his view, too? KIRBY: I haven't seen what exactly he's referring to, there. I -- I would not couch (ph) it that way at all. This isn't about yielding concessions, it's about working with the Russians to get at what we all want to see, which is a peaceful Syria and a political process to resolve this civil war. And I've been extremely honest and open about this, as has the secretary. We don't see eye-to-eye with Russia on everything, and I'm not even talking about outside Syria. Even inside -- what's going in Syria, there -- there have been and there will probably continue to be disagreements with Russia over various factors here as we move forward. But Russia has taken a leadership role inside the ISSG and they been helpful and they have been cooperative. And they have participated in the cessation of hostilities. We can -- we -- we have seen reports of potential violations and that concerns us, obviously. But -- but we believe that all members of the ISSG can play a constructive role, here. And Russia, in (inaudible) in some ways has been helpful and cooperative. And again, in other ways, we still continue to have issues with them, but to -- to characterize the American approach as one of just simply yielding concessions I think is -- is inaccurate and I absolutely would not associate myself with those comments. QUESTION: On more. Russian defense ministry has said today that (inaudible) of trucks (ph) carrying cargo and weapons for militants in Syria cross into the country from Turkey on a daily basis. Do you have any confirmation on this? And do you have any comment? KIRBY: I haven't seen the comments. I don't -- I don't have anything specific on that. And I -- as I said, I try to avoid getting into operational discussions here from this podium. Obviously, there remains concerns about the borders with Syria. It's one of the reasons why we want to get the civil resolved through a political process, you know, so we can have a whole unified Syria that's -- whose sovereignty can be ensured by a responsible government that the Syrian people put in -- in -- in place in Damascus. It's why, as we work through the transitional process and the secretary has talked about this, we want to preserve some institutions of government to include aspects of the security forces so that border issues can be dealt with. But if you're asking me have I got specific comments about this, I don't. But in general, yes. We continue to see issues with the border with respect to the ability for groups like Daesh to continue to -- to sustain itself across the -- the borders, and that remains a concern. QUESTION: Thank you. KIRBY: Go ahead. You've been patient. QUESTION: Can you condemn the Turkish court decision to replace the entire management and editorial board of Feza (ph) Media Group. One of its main publications, Zaman (ph) Daily, has been sharply critical of the Erdogan government and they're now accused of helping terrorists. Can you condemn that decision? KIRBY: We've seen the reports that an Istanbul court has placed a Zaman (ph) newspaper in particular, I think that's what you're asking about, into trusteeship. And we see this as the latest in a series of troubling judicial and law enforcement actions taken by the Turkish government, targeting media outlets and others critical of it. KIRBY: In the wake of moves earlier this week by government- appointed trustees to shutter (ph) media outlets owned by the Cosa (ph) IPEC holding company, and the filing of insult charges against journalists representing out there outlets. We call on the Turkish government to ensure full respect for due process and equal treatment under the law, court-ordered supervision of a media company's finances and operations should not prompt changes to the newsroom or editorial policy. And Turkey's friend and NATO ally, and we do count ourselves as a friend of Turkey, and we certainly are a NATO ally, we urge Turkish authorities to ensure their actions uphold the universal democratic values enshrined in their own constitution, including freedom of speech and especially freedom of the press. Any democratic society, as I've said many, many times, critical opinions should be encouraged, not silenced. (CROSSTALK) QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) freedoms, do they answer back? I mean, what are they saying? KIRBY: You would have to talk to Turkish authorities about what... (CROSSTALK) KIRBY: Let me be clear, I'm standing up here at a podium in a very public way telling you what we believe about this particular court and freedom of the press in general. And I can assure you that we have the same conversations with Turkish leaders privately as well. And as for how they're reacting, I mean, I think you would have to talk to them, but certainly actions in this case speak louder than words, right? So but it doesn't mean we're going to stop, you know, talking about this. Earlier in the press conference we were talking about Cuba and how -- and I said we were very open and honest about our concerns about human rights. Well, we're open and honest about it in places like Turkey too, which is a close friend and a NATO ally. We're not afraid to have these conversations. And they're important ones to have. QUESTION: Different topic... (CROSSTALK) KIRBY: OK, let's stay on this for a while and then we'll move around. Go ahead. QUESTION: Thank you. John, you said that Turkish administration should not do that. It has already been done right now. It has taken over. So it's a past tense. This has been going on, as you talk about -- is there anything you can still say (OFF-MIKE) democracy in Turkey after this taking over, over and over again, this not one single... (CROSSTALK) KIRBY: We don't think -- as I said earlier, we don't think that these sorts of actions are in keeping with the healthy democratic values that are enshrined, again, in Turkey's own constitution. We don't think that they are in keeping with that. And, as I've said many times, Turkish democracy, Turkey matters to us. (inaudible) matters to us. And that's why we speak out about these kinds of issues. QUESTION: You get this message across in Ankara, is the most (OFF-MIKE) question I received, what else do you think the U.S. government can do (OFF-MIKE) that this (OFF-MIKE) is not the road supposed to be taken by a democratic government? KIRBY: Well, I'm not going to speculate about actions the United States might or might not take on issues like this, these specific ones in Turkey, except to say that (AUDIO GAP) as we have done before, we will continue to press our concerns, again, privately and publicly, and to continue as we must stand up for these universal democratic values, freedom of speech and freedom of the press and freedom of dissent. And because, as I said at the end of my last answer, we really do believe that a democracy is strengthened when there is a free exchange of opinion. And that the task of governing is actually improved when you're welcoming a wide set of views, even if they different with the policies of this or that administration. I mean, that's a core democratic principle. And, again, it's not just a core American democratic principle, it's a principle that is enshrined in Turkey's own constitution. We want to see Turkey succeed. They are a friend and an ally. We want to see that nation and the Turkish people succeed. And we want to see them be able to enjoy the very fruits of the constitution that they've put in place for their own government. And so that's why this matters to us and that's why we're being honest about it. QUESTION: And final one is that many argue that because the U.S. needs Turkey for many reasons, including anti-Daesh operations and coalition because of engine mcphase (ph) and other bases. U.S. simply does not want to take this human right issues to damage it in it's own interest. Do you see this? KIRBY: Oh, I completely disagree with that assessment, I don't know who's making it but again, I'd point you to our human rights report, we've been honest about every country out there. You can go on our website and read it. And we don't pull any punches on it. And we don't just put a report out on the web and then forget about. We talk about it. We talk about it here in this room. The secretary talks about it with his counter parts all over the world, including his Turkish counterparts. And were not going to shy away from having those conversations. But as I've also said many times, we just talked about this with Russia, so I'll say it again with Turkey. And then, Turkey is a NATO ally. I mean, and we do have security commitments with them. And yet, we're still able to have conversations and discussions about things we don't agree and things that we don't see eye-to-eye on. And this is clearly one of them. And that is -- while we're -- I don't want to take -- I don't want to diminish anything about what I just said. We're very concerned about this particular case and the issue of press freedom in Turkey writ large. That's not going to change. But it is a sign, we believe, of a mature relationship, a bilateral relationship when you can have these kinds of frank discussions and have disagreements over the issues like this and yet still find ways to cooperate and coordinate on other issues, such as the fight against Daesh in Syria and in other security issues there in the region. So look, we're going to continue to work our way through all the issues with Turkey. Now, not all by the way, our allies. I mean, we work together with Turkey on a wide range of things and that's going to continue. And on the areas where we don't see eye-to-eye, well, we're going to keep working at that too, because that's what you do when you are a friend and a partner. QUESTION: Different topic. (CROSSTALK) KIRBY: It's the same topic. Go ahead. QUESTION: Your position is clear that you are concerned about freedom and present Turkey. Six months ago, Turkish government took on this role of the One Media Group, 20 TV channels, 20 newspapers and today, Zamon (ph). And do you think that Turkish government takes your concerns seriously? KIRBY: I think you'd have to ask Turkish officials, as I said, their views. What matters is, we take these issues seriously. And we're not afraid to do so. We're not afraid to do so in a very public, transparent, open way. And we want to see Turkish authorities do the same thing in return with respect to a press reading. KIRBY: I can (ph) only speak for the United States government and for Secretary Kerry, and I can tell you we take it very, very seriously. If we didn't, I wouldn't be up here having this conversation as -- sadly, I've had to do on numerous occasions with respect to Turkey. QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) KIRBY: Go ahead. QUESTION: I wrote (ph) about... KIRBY: We'll be fine. Just relax, everybody. Just -- it's OK. We're going to get there. QUESTION: Are you worried about Turkey losing its democratic character? KIRBY: Democratic character? QUESTION: Yes. KIRBY: Well, I think that's the same question I just got. I mean, we certainly don't want to see that happen because, as I said, Turkey's democracy matters to us. More critically, it matters to the Turkish people, and it certainly matters in the region. And they've got these democratic principles enshrined in their constitution. We want to see them live up to -- we want to see Turkey succeed. So that's absolutely not what we want to see. If you're asking me to predict one way or the other, I wouldn't do that. But I can tell you what our hope and our expectation is -- that -- that Turkey will -- will live up to, again, the democratic principles that they've enshrined in their very own constitution. OK? Go ahead. QUESTION: This is a question on Mexico. The Guardian newspaper just published today a report about Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who, as you know, until recently was the most sought-after criminal in the world. The Guardian's report says that "El Chapo" Guzman was able to visit the U.S. late in 2015 to visit his family here in the Los Angeles area. Are you aware of any fraudulent use of a visa by Mr. Guzman? And what do you think in general of this? A second question on the same subject is Mr. Guzman is asking for expedited extradition from the -- Mexico to the U.S. Has the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City or -- or U.S. State Department -- has had any contact with Guzman representatives regarding this? KIRBY: I'm gonna have -- you're gonna have to let me take your first question. I've seen this press report, so I'm not in a position to comment one way or the other. I'm not -- I'm not aware of the -- of the claims that are presented in this news article, so we'll have to take them. QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) by his daughter, and then he traveled twice after his... (CROSSTALK) KIRBY: I just don't have any information on that, and I wouldn't... QUESTION: I e-mailed the question. No one is answering it. KIRBY: OK. I appreciate that. Thanks for -- thanks for letting us know. We'll get back -- hang on a second. Hang on, hang on. We'll get back to you on that. On the second one, we don't talk about the specifics of extradition, and that's -- and that's -- that's really a matter for law enforcement to speak to, not the Department of State. Go ahead. Go ahead. Yeah. QUESTION: OK. A topic about Futenma? Japan's prime... KIRBY: About what? QUESTION: ... Futenma. Relocation plans -- yeah. KIRBY: Futenma. Futenma -- yeah, yeah. QUESTION: And Japan's Prime Minister Abe accepted a court- mediated settlement plan, and also decided to suspend work on the -- moving the United States Marine Corps base in Okinawa. Also, he will begin a new round of talk with the Okinawa governor. How -- the -- how do you think the -- this decision -- also this -- you -- respect to the Japanese prime minister decision? KIRBY: So let me say a couple of things. We're in communication with the government of Japan about this settlement. We understand the Japanese government made its decision after careful consideration. We look forward to have further discussions with them about this soon. We're gonna refrain from commenting further on the legal process of another country. I think you can understand that. But let me just say this -- and this -- we've said this before. United States and Japan remain committed to the plan to construct the Futenma replacement facility, and you might've seen -- President Abe (ph) said so himself earlier today -- to -- to construct this facility at the Camp Schwab Henoko area and adjacent waters. It is the only solution that addresses operational, political, financial and strategic concerns, that permits the operational readiness of our forward-positioned marine forces, and avoids the continued use of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. So nothing's changed about our commitment to that, and that's about as far as I can take it today. QUESTION: At -- are -- what level is the State Department communicating with Japan on this? KIRBY: We don't (ph) talk about the details of diplomatic discussions. But I can tell you that, at various levels here at the State Department, we're in communication with the government of Japan, and that'll -- that'll continue going forward. QUESTION: How far in advance were you notified about this decision... (CROSSTALK) KIRBY: I don't have additional details to speak to with respect to this. This is a legal settlement date. You really need to speak to the government of Japan about it. QUESTION: Do you have any concern that this is going to further delay the completion of the FRS, given that it's already been delayed for so long, or even if -- even to the extent that it might prevent work on it all together? KIRBY: We're going to have discussions, as I said, soon. We look forward to having discussion with the Japanese government about this settlement and I don't want to get ahead of those discussions or what (AUDIOGAP) might arise as a result of this settlement that they made. QUESTION: I have a question on Massachusetts. Do you happen to know... KIRBY: A question about Massachusetts. I don't get many of those. QUESTION: Do you happen to know if there is any testing going on tied with the National Institute of Health with air quality in Massachusetts and has the secretary made any visits to Massachusetts recently or frequently within the year? KIRBY: I'm not aware of -- I'm afraid I wasn't prepared in this binder for air quality and questions on Massachusetts and I don't have any information on that. You'd have to talk to NIH about whatever testing they're doing. The secretary, as you know, has a residence in Boston and frequently goes home to Boston when he can. So, I -- if you really need to know the numbers of times that he's been back to Boston, we can pull that for you over a certain period of time, but it's going to take us a little while to do that math. I mean it's -- and he goes fairly frequently because he lives there. So, you know, yes, he has certainly visited Boston in the very recent past as you might imagine. Again, if you have to -- if you really need the numbers on that, we can see if we can pull that for you. QUESTION: OK. Thank you. KIRBY: OK. QUESTION: Can I get one on North Korea? KIRBY: Yes. QUESTION: Very quickly, today the White House announced that Vice President Biden will be going to Israel and the West Bank meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian authority president, Mudar Beth (ph). But they also said that there's no breakthrough. I mean of course he's the Vice President and maybe you will tell me or direct me to ask them. But is there anything, you know, maybe beside the scene? A reluctancy, the process that you know, reenergized again? Or is this is something that the Vice President is coordinating with the Secretary of State on? KIRBY: Well, I think it's safe to assume that the secretary continues to speak with all the members of the interagency, including the Vice President of issues of priority to him and things that he's working on. He certainly kept the Vice President informed of his recent travels to the region and the conversations that he has with leaders there, including Prime Minister Netanyahu. I won't speak for the Vice President. I am going to refer you to the White House for details about his travels and his objectives. I wouldn't get ahead of that. But let me just say, more broadly speaking, that the United States government remains committed to trying to see a path forward here to getting -- to get to a two-state solution. Nothing's changed about that. We still want to see that outcome. And this notion that, you know, that it's moribund (ph), we've given it up, you know, that it's something that needs to be kickstarted would be -- you know, conveys this idea that we've just thrown up our hands that we did at some point. KIRBY: And that's just not the way the secretary looks at this. This is an issue that has remained important to him. And he still believes that it's the worth the effort This is an issue that has remained important to him, and he still believes that it's worth the effort to continue to have discussions to try to get at that two-state solution. We were just out there a week and a half ago, to continue to have these kinds of conversations. You know the secretary better than I do. I think you could fully expect that we'll be heading out that way again in the future. There's no question about that. QUESTION: Does (inaudible) as well as you do? But let me just remind you, the last time Vice President Biden went there, in 2010, right while he was there the Israelis announced the expansion of settlements by 1,600 houses and so on. Would you counsel the Israelis not to do that? That would be considered... KIRBY: I think you know. I'm not going to talk about the details of the private discussions that we have, the diplomatic discussions we have with leaders anywhere in the world. Our position on settlements has not changed. Our view of the demolitions have not changed. We've been very clear and consistent on that, and we've done that publicly, so I think you can imagine what our position has been in private settings as well. QUESTION: One last question. The Israelis are planning to tear down a Bedouin village, in fact, a number of Bedouin villages, and to replace them with Israeli Jewish villages. These are Israeli settlements. Do you have any contact with the Israelis on this issue? Are you raising this issue with them? It's in the Negev, the Negev desert. KIRBY: Yes, well, look, I mean, we're closely following, as I said, demolitions and interdictions that are undertaken by Israeli authorities, leaving many Palestinians homeless. And as we said before, these actions are indicative of the damaging trend of demolition, displacement and land confiscation, and alongside settlement-related activity work against the possibility of a two- state solution, and call into question the Israeli government's commitment to that two-state solution. So again, I would say the same thing we've said before about this. QUESTION: Those are Israeli settlements. I mean, that's coming down to ethnic cleansing because they are being moved because they are Bedouins and Muslim and so on. They are being replaced by other settlers from Israel. Would you consider that to be some sort of an ethnic cleansing? KIRBY: I'm not going to characterize it any more than I already have. Our position on the demolitions and continued construction in the settlements has been very clear and consistent and that's not going to change. QUESTION: (inaudible) Prime Minister Netanyahu (inaudible) in the region? KIRBY: I don't have anything specific to read out with respect to other meetings. I think, you know, we talked about what he was doing out there. QUESTION: Some people talked about a meeting between the two in Jordan on his last trip... KIRBY: Yes. I don't have any additional details, other than... QUESTION: How about... KIRBY: ... what we talked about on the trip. QUESTION: Those reports? KIRBY: I don't have anything more to add. QUESTION: Do you have any reaction to Kim Jong-eun's statement that North Korea's nuclear warheads need to be ready for use at any time? KIRBY: I've seen those comments. Again, you know, indicative of the kind of provocative rhetoric that is clearly unhelpful, and disrespectful to any idea of trying to foster stability on the peninsula. What the North needs to do is focus less on this reckless pursuit of nuclear capabilities and more on the needs of the North Korean people, which are great. I have time for maybe one more and then I'm going to have to go. Looks like it might be... QUESTION: Can I ask you a question about that? (Cross-talk) QUESTION: I've been meaning to ask this for two days now. A couple of days ago there was a serious fight between Jordanian law enforcement authorities and (inaudible). Are you aware of that? Are you coordinating with them? In the second largest city in Jordan, which is Irbid. KIRBY: I'm not aware of that. I've not seen those reports saying that -- I mean, this is a group that remains -- you know, still remains a threat. And I think Jordanian authorities are well aware of that, since they share a border, with Syria in particular. I can't speak to that specific thing, but Jordan is a member of this coalition and, you know, we're going to continue to work with them to try to improve the efforts, all the efforts, of the coalition to degrade and defeat this group. One thing I would add, though, about DAESH, and I think it sometimes gets lost out there. And I say it all the time, but I'm going to say it again today in hopes that maybe one of you will pick up on it. This group is not behaving, and not resourcing itself, not conducting operations anywhere near the way it was a year and a half ago, when they were -- as we talked about, when they had sort of quasi military capabilities. Riding around in convoys and stolen vehicles and, you know, doing doughnuts in track vehicles, soaking up all kinds of territory. What you're starting to see now is a group that is falling back on what -- the kinds of behavior and attacks that a terrorist organization at its core would fall back on. Isolated, VBID and suicide attacks. And the recruitment of increasing numbers of child soldiers to do their bidding. Small skirmishes here and there. They're not taking over vast swaths of territory. They're not riding around in convoys any more because they know that they're vulnerable that way, and so they have now resorted to -- and you don't have to take it from me. You can look at your own press reporting. They resorted to more common -- no less dangerous but more common -- terrorist-type activity. And the quasi military nature that they once boasted of is long since gone. They've lost territory in Iraq and Syria. They continue to lose territory in Iraq and Syria. Their resourcing is getting hit and dried up. And while they are still able to recruit through their poisonous ideology of theirs, it ain't like it used to be. And again, as I said (AUDIO GAP) on child soldiers. We're also seeing, you know, increased numbers of defectors, and fighters that are giving up. They're not getting paid. This jihad that they were inspired to go on is turning out to be something quite different. That isn't getting noticed enough, and I think it's important to state every now and then. Thanks everybody. Have a great weekend.

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SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY BILATERAL PRESS AVAILABILITY WITH CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER BRUNO RODRIGUEZ. FOREIGN MINISTER RODRIGUEZ: (In Spanish) I had the pleasure to welcome Secretary of State John Kerry at the headquarters of our foreign ministry on the occasion of his visit to Cuba to attend the official ceremony for the reopening on the U.S. Embassy in Havana today in the morning. Once again, we have met in a respectful and constructive climate, and we addressed bilateral issues of interest, including the steps that both countries should take to move forward in the process towards the normalization of relations. Both sides agreed on the importance of opening new areas of dialogue, consolidating the already-existing mechanisms of a bilateral cooperation and expanding them to include new ones, such as environmental protections, health care, science, and law enforcement, among others. As part of this stage that begins with the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States, we have agreed on the creation of a steering committee to define the issues that should be addressed, including those which have remained pending for the last five decades. In the coming weeks, representatives of both governments should (inaudible) changes in order to define the agenda of this committee. I have reiterated to the Secretary of State that a total lifting of the blockade - or "embargo," as you say - as well as the return of the territory occupied illegally by the Guantanamo Naval Base, and the compensation to our people for human and economic damages, and the full respect to the sovereignty of Cuba are essential to be able to develop normal relations with the U.S. Regarding the blockade or embargo, we hope President Obama, who has said to be in favor of the abrogation of this policy, to continue adopting executive measures to modify its implementation and contribute to its dismantling. I also reiterated to Secretary Kerry that our government is willing to normalize relations with the United States on the basis of respect and equality without any prejudice to the independence and sovereignty of Cuba, and without any interference in our internal affairs. We strongly believe that despite the differences that exist between the governments of Cuba and the United States, which will not disappear, it is possible to build civilized and respectful and productive relations different in nature from those which have existed in the past that could be nurtured by the historical, cultural, and human bonds that exist between our two peoples. Special emphasis should be placed on my view on cooperation in multiple areas of mutual interest and benefit. For that, we count on the support of our peoples and the countries of the region based on the principles contained in the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, as well as of the rest of the international community. Cuba has always been open to contacts and exchanges with the entire world. It is in that spirit that we welcome the U.S. citizens who wish to know about the Cuban reality and get in touch with our people; let them to enjoy these marvelous resorts, like this historical Cuban hotel, and the beautiful site of the Havana's Malecon, and the beautiful blue sea in the common seas in the Strait of Florida. Let us have further contacts between U.S. companies and Cuban enterprises interested in the opportunities that our country can offer. My apologies for being so late. Mr. Secretary. SECRETARY KERRY: Well, thank you very much, Bruno. Thank you, Mr. Foreign Minister. Good afternoon to everybody. I think I was listening to not just the foreign minister, but the minister of commerce, trade, and tourism just now. (Laughter.) I am, obviously, very delighted to be in Havana. And I apologize that we were a little bit late. But this is an historic hotel, and I was taking a moment to look at the extraordinary murals in the other room, which have the pictures or likenesses of an extraordinary number of public leaders and celebrities, people in the arts and film who have come here through the many decades. And it's a great history in itself. As everybody knows, this is an historic moment. Today is an historic day here in Havana, where, finally, after more than 54 years, the United States and Cuba have re-established diplomatic relations. And as I mentioned earlier today, I'm also privileged to be the first Secretary of State to come here since 1945. I think the meeting that we just had - the foreign minister and I - underscored this historic moment because it was extremely cooperative, constructive, and both of us operated in a spirit of building on the possibilities that come out of this day. The re-establishment of diplomatic relations and the reopening of our embassies are critical steps in the long process of fully normalizing our bilateral relations. And you heard the foreign minister just now talking to you at some - with some detail about the ways in which we hope to capitalize on today in order to move towards that full normalization. The foreign minister made it clear that that normalization is dependent, of course, on the lifting of the embargo and other items, and we - this Administration, President Obama and his administration - already advocate for and support the lifting of the embargo. We believe that that is important. When we moved to normalization with Vietnam, one of the first steps was the lifting of the embargo, which President George H.W. Bush engaged in as a first step before President Clinton moved to the next. So it's our hope that over the next days we will be able to lay out a roadmap whereby steps are taken that make it possible for us to move to the next level. And I am convinced that the steps that we talked about today will advance this relationship in significant ways. First of all, the resumption of our embassy activities is going to permit the United States to engage the Cuban Government much more easily on a regular basis. And in fact, today we already agreed on those next steps. Bruno just announced to you the creation of the steering committee, this mechanism that we will use in order to harness the diplomatic track that we - that brought us to this point. And what we intend to do is begin to meet almost immediately. In the first or second week of September, a delegation will come and we will begin this process of working through a number of different issues. I am confident also that today is going to be the beginning of an opportunity for Cuban diplomats in Washington, D.C. and American diplomats in Havana to be able to engage more openly with the people who make up both of our countries, and that both diplomats - Cuban and American - will be free to share views, to meet with citizens of all walks of life in the nations to which they are accredited. And this only makes sense, because no one who has faith in the validity of his or her own ideas ought to fear the ideas of other people. I want to be clear - and I think I said this earlier today - that the normalization of relations is not a favor that we do one nation to the other. It's something that we do together because both of our citizens, we have determined, have the ability to be able to benefit from the relationship. As people-to-people contacts increase, we believe that normalization will contribute to an empowering of all of our peoples, helping the Cuban population to be able to plug into the global economy, to be able to trade more, to be able to move and travel and enjoy the fruits of their labor, to be able to raise the standards of living, and therefore improve their lives. It'll also help citizens from the United States - including students and the private sector - to be able to learn more about this country, to be able to establish friendships and connections that will last, hopefully, for a lifetime. The United States and Cuba today in our meeting both agreed that we are determined to look ahead and that the same shared resolve that brought us to the diplomatic agreement to be able to open our embassies is the shared resolve that we will now apply to the process of normalization. Now, the foreign minister and I - I'll just repeat a couple of things he said - touched on the issues of mutual concern, including human rights, which he talked about at some length; the environment; counter-narcotics; maritime safety; and we agreed to establish this bilateral mechanism so we can meet regularly in order to do more than simply talk about the relationship but to actually take the steps necessary to be able to watch it mature. We will review our common agenda; we will address a number of issues beyond those I've listed, such as civil aviation, claims - there are obviously issues of claims on both sides, by the way, and those need to be worked through. There needs to be a process established for working them through. And the path to full normalization is not always going to be easy. We both understand that. But we're confident that the establishment of our embassies is going to make it easier for our diplomats to work at these difficult issues, and there's no question in my mind it's going to enhance mutual understanding. Normalization between the United States and Cuba will also remove a source of irritation and division within the hemisphere. When we were in Panama last year I can't tell you how many countries came up to us after the President's announcement and said how happy they are that finally the United States and Cuba are going to move to renew that relationship, because all of them were supportive of and encouraging us to take that kind of step. So this matters to us hemispherically, because countries from Chile to Canada will all be better able to advance a common agenda for our citizens. And that is an agenda that is aimed at lifting people out of poverty, safeguarding health, fighting crime, creating sustainable energy security, advancing human rights, and equipping our young people with the knowledge and the skills that they need in the modern world to be able to succeed and thrive and help build community in their own nations. Today, with the ceremonial flag-raising at the embassy, we are taking an historic and I might add long overdue step in the right direction. And we are determined to go forward with faith in the people of both of our countries as we begin what we hope will be a very new and a very exciting era for all of us. So thank you very much, Bruno, for your generous welcome today. It's a pleasure for me to be back in Havana, and having driven around and seen the beauty of this city and knowing it previously but having rekindled that, I can tell you this is going to be one of the great sought-after travel spots of the world. And in my judgment, the sooner we can get to our normalization the better. Thank you. FOREIGN MINISTER RODRIGUEZ: Congratulations on your reopening. SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, sir. MR KIRBY: The first question today will come from Reuters. Lesley. QUESTION: (Off-mike.) SECRETARY KERRY: You do, right behind you there. QUESTION: Thank you very much. Lesley Wroughton from Reuters. Mr. Secretary, are you - is this Administration considering any further steps, administrative steps, to loosen restrictions on Cuba? And number two, do you have any concerns that if you can't move quickly and capture this momentum that you're talking about to move to normalization, that the next president of the United States could undo everything that you've done? And is there concern from Cuba that the longer this takes, that this process could unravel as the U.S. moves into a political atmosphere next year and beyond? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, let me answer first of all we agreed today, we talked through some the potential steps that might be able to be taken, and we are certainly going to evaluate all possibilities within the framework of a reciprocal, mutual process. As I said in my comments at the embassy flag-raising today, even the embargo is a sort of two-way street. It requires both of us to do things. But I was encouraged in the course of the conversation we had today that we will be able to make progress with respect to a number of issues, from human trafficking and law enforcement - law enforcement exchanges and fugitive issues - to the claims issues, to health, to civil aviation, to maritime security. There are a host of issues where just a path of common sense lays out a number of choices that we will be able to work on. And if we do that and do it effectively, I can't imagine another president - Republican or Democrat - just throwing it all out the window. I just don't see that. I think that people understand that over 54 years, we had a policy that was isolating us, not changing the world. And I think that what we need to do is recognize that reality. As President Obama said when he made the announcement, when you realize you're digging yourself into a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging, and then you take the measures to get out of the hole. That's what we're doing. And I think it's an important step and I'm confident that we will be able to make progress. We're not trying to over-define that progress; we're not trying to oversell what could be done. We all understand there will be hiccups. There will be differences because there are differences. But we nevertheless have learned through many decades dealing with people with whom we have differences that there are ways to find a path forward that find benefits for both countries' citizens. And I'm confident that we'll be able to do that here. MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) The second question for Andrea Rodriguez from AP. QUESTION: (Via interpreter) Good afternoon, minister. Andrea Rodriguez from AP. In these days, we have had two beautiful ceremonies, and also we have heard the claims from both sides. Secretary Kerry today mentioned that he hope to see in Cuba a genuine democracy. I would like to know your comments on this. And in this same direction, would these be part of those committees? And which are the expectations in the future for these committee mentioned by you both? Thank you. FOREIGN MINISTER RODRIGUEZ: (Via interpreter) I feel that we should work very actively in order to build confidence, mutual confidence, and to develop contacts in the areas where we have a very close approach or those areas where our ideas could come closer, and to be able to discuss in a respectful way about our respective differences. In some areas, it is true that differences are profound. However, I can say that some of these issues have been subject to an intensive international debate. For example, some electoral political models of industrialized countries that seem to be a unique model have gone into a very serious crisis, even in Europe. States have seen the need to develop their relations according to international law with peoples which have decided in the exercise of their self-determination to choose their own national destiny according to their culture and level of development. I feel very comfortable with the Cuban democracy, and at the same time there are things that could be further perfected. Today we are working actively as part of the processes related to the updating of our economic and social, socialist model. I can say that we are ready to speak on those issues on the basis of reciprocity, on sovereign equality. We have also a lot to say, we have concerns to share. There are attempts to increase international cooperation to solve problems related to civil and political liberties, which, in our opinion, should be guaranteed, such as the right to food, the right to gender equality, the right to life, the right to education, and healthcare. So I feel that on these issues we are very much willing to talk. In fact, we have already developed a dialogue on these matters which I hope will continue in the future. MR KIRBY: Next question is from Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald. QUESTION: Secretary Kerry, the State Department has said it is not contemplating any change in the Cuban Adjustment Act. It also says that it supports safe, secure, and orderly migration from Cuba. How do you reconcile that with dangerous sea crossings and the "wet foot, dry foot" policy that encourages this? And Minister Rodriguez, do you think the Cuban Adjustment Act and the "wet foot, dry foot" act should be topics in future migration talks with the United States? And secondly, Minister Rodriguez, does Cuba support the concept of compensation for expropriated U.S. properties? FOREIGN MINISTER RODRIGUEZ: Would you like to? SECRETARY KERRY: Sure. Well, let me just - I'll say very quickly that the United States policy is to support safe, legal, and orderly migration from Cuba to the United States, and we do support that. And we support full implementation of the existing migration accords with Cuba, and we currently have no plans whatsoever to alter the current migration policy, including the Cuban Adjustment Act, and we have no plans to change the "wet foot, dry foot" policy at the same time. That's where we are. Now, we're willing to sit with our counterparts and use this committee, as you've described, to examine anything. We will listen carefully and we'll work on those things that we think work best to advance the relationship and the well-being of both of our citizens. FOREIGN MINISTER RODRIGUEZ: (Via interpreter) The migration issue is very complex. Under the present circumstances, the dramatic situation of migration waves of people escaping from poverty and military conflicts are too well-known. Fortunately, this does not happen in the Latin American and Caribbean region. We do not have serious situations from the point of view of conflicts between states or internal conflicts. But even in our region, we have serious concerns about the migration processes from countries of the Central American region, for example, affecting hundreds of small children, or other countries neighboring the United States. The migration relations between the U.S. and Cuba, which date back to as early as the 19th century and even before, should not be politicized. They should be totally normal. We agree on encouraging safe and orderly migration between both countries. We also agree on the risks, the dangers, and the need to establish an international and bilateral cooperation against trafficking in persons, human smuggling, and other events related to organized international crime. We believe that the migration accords in force between the U.S. and Cuba should be strictly respected and that any policy or any practical action which does not - is not in accordance with the spirit and the letter of the accords should be abolished. I can reiterate the willingness of our government to continue to hold migration talks, and in general with regards to the movement of people, which we believe is a human right. We believe that migrants should be treated with respect for their human rights in a humanitarian way, in a cultured way. And we believe that Cuban citizens who are freely to travel will be more than pleased to receive in our country the tourists and travelers from the U.S. so that the contacts and the links between both peoples could be further intensified. We believe that the freedom of travel is also a fundamental human right. MODERATOR: (Via interpreter) I will give the floor for one last question from a journalist from Granma newspaper. QUESTION: (Via interpreter) My first question is for Secretary Kerry. You talked about a roadmap to be defined by both countries, but I would like to know if the Obama Administration is willing to continue to move forward with regard to substantial issues such as the return of the Guantanamo Naval Base, the end of the illegal TV and radio broadcast, the end of the funding of the programs aimed at regime change here in Cuba. And although we know it is a power of Congress, will the - will President Obama will continue to try to empty the contact of that policy? And Minister Bruno, Latin America is living through a fundamental moment. You mentioned the proclamation of peace. How does this process between the U.S. and Cuba fit in that process? How could this contribute to the Latin American and Caribbean aspirations today? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, as we have said - both of us - there will continue to be issues on which we disagree or where they may not yet be ripe for transition or discussion or transformation. We're biting off a lot right now. This is a big agenda. Moving to be able to normalize - and I think Bruno made it clear that there are certain expectations that Cuba will have as to what that means - requires dealing with some big issues. They're not going to be dealt with overnight and they're certainly not going to be dealt with in the next month or two as we begin to build confidence and take on some of the things that are less complicated, less provocative, and frankly, more achievable. So we are very clear in our roadmap that we're going to begin to do the things where we think we can make the greatest progress and where we can make a difference. That doesn't mean that these other issues at some point in time won't be discussed. Now, at the moment, there is no current discussion or plan to change the arrangement with respect to Guantanamo, but I can't tell you what will happen over the years in the future. But now there is no plan to do that. But as we go down the road here and as this relationship changes, who knows what issues will over a period of time be put on the table? I can't tell you that. Right now that's not on the table, but President Obama is clearly moving to try to get the embargo out of the way. And that would be an enormous transformation and it's hugely, I think, in Cuba's interest and in its - it's one of the things that Cuba would obviously like to see happen. So we have a world of possibilities here that we can deal with without putting the most complicated and difficult ahead of the - don't put the cart ahead of the horse at this moment in time. And I think we're going to move in a very thoughtful and strategic way, build confidence, achieve things, see how the transformation is working, and hopefully, lay the groundwork for people to be able to see that it makes sense to lift the embargo. That, I think, is one of the objectives we both share, and getting there is going to require us to both succeed in producing - producing progress on the roadmap itself. FOREIGN MINISTER RODRIGUEZ: (Via interpreter) The Cuban laws have foreseen the compensation to owners whose properties were nationalized in the 1960s. And all the owners were compensated in due time with exception of American citizens due to the circumstances that came about back then in the bilateral relations. I can reiterate that the Cuban laws include the possibility to pay compensations which will necessarily be part of a mutual process of negotiations - taking into account the compensations ruled by Cuban courts regarding the enormous human and economic damages resulting from the same reasons that prevented us from paying compensations back then. I believe that for Latin America and the Caribbean, any progress in the bilateral relations between the U.S. and Cuba will be beneficial for mutual interests, both for America as well as for the national interests, the interests of U.S. citizens. This process will no doubt be beneficial. I think that this will open up opportunities even for the development of better and much more profound relations and cooperation links - greater links in every sphere between the U.S. and Latin America and the Caribbean. This will contribute to solve one of the biggest problems in the Western Hemisphere, and this will create the proper conditions to enhance hemispheric cooperation in areas so important, such as the prevention of communicable diseases and others in which we already had some incipient experiences. I believe that Latin America and the Caribbean believes that Cuba's return to the Summit of the Americas is a regional vindication as well as the changes announced by President Obama in the U.S.-Cuba policy. And I remember, just as Secretary Kerry, those statements made in our region during the last Summit of the Americas held in Panama in recognition of these expressing recognition to the governments of Cuba and the U.S. for the steps taken so far. And there is a big hope that the real substantial issues could be solved so that we are able to move towards the normalization of relations between both states. I would like to convey my gratitude to the presence of Mr. Secretary of State. I would like to reiterate to him our welcome to Havana and our satisfaction, because both embassies have been reopened and conditions have been created to deal with the fundamental issues for the well-being of both peoples and countries, And to you all, thank you very much for your presence in Cuba and your presence in this room. Thank you. SECRETARY KERRY: Muchas gracias. Appreciate it.

Bruno Kirby at the 'Basketball Diaries' Premiere on April 19, 1995. (Footage by WireImage Video/Getty Images)

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