Middle East Digest: July 23, 2008Bureau of Public Affairs The Middle East Digest provides text and audio from the Daily Press Briefing. For the full briefings, please visit daily press briefings. From the Daily Press Briefing of July 23, 2008: QUESTION: Well, I hardly have a question, but just to – we’ll try and do something (inaudible) here. You were going to look into the details of the U.S.-Syria delegation meeting earlier – or later this week? Did you --MR. GALLEGOS: Yeah, as a matter of fact, I did. I did get some news on that earlier this morning. Representatives from the State Department will not meet with this group from Syria. Upon review of their program and changes in schedules, ultimately, this did not work out. We understand they will continue with their other activities. Our understanding is this group did not come here to meet with U.S. Government representatives. However, we believe it is still important that international visitors are exposed to Americans and our way of life, and are happy that they will continue with that program. QUESTION: You said, you know, reviewing their – you mentioned two factors, but -- MR. GALLEGOS: Yeah. QUESTION: -- it’s not clear which of those is causal. One was their schedule – their program, and the other was the schedules for the U.S. -- MR. GALLEGOS: Oh, that’s – yeah, we – well, we reviewed the program, we reviewed their requests, we reviewed our schedules, and we decided, ultimately, we weren’t going to be able to meet with them. QUESTION: Why? But why? MR. GALLEGOS: That’s what I have for you today, Arshad. QUESTION: But it’s perplexing because the State Department – I mean, you said yesterday, on the record, there will be a meeting. MR. GALLEGOS: My understanding at that time was that we – they had requested it, that we had looked at the meeting, and we had – we were going to meet with them today. Conditions have changed, and we’re not going to be meeting with them. QUESTION: Well, was there something on their schedule specifically you’d like to refer to to tell us -- MR. GALLEGOS: Not that I can refer to specifically. QUESTION: Well, if not specifically -- MR. GALLEGOS: Kirit -- QUESTION: What was the problem with their program? I mean, what -- MR. GALLEGOS: I don’t – I don’t understand – I don’t see if there – I don’t believe there is a problem with their program. We reviewed their schedule. We’ve taken a look at their program. They are going to be meeting with other groups and individuals here in the United States. And unfortunately, we’re not going to be able to have this meeting with them this week. QUESTION: Well, is there a problem with some of the participants on the delegation? MR. GALLEGOS: I don’t know. I don’t believe so. QUESTION: Is it just a matter of not having the right officials available in this building to meet them? MR. GALLEGOS: I would say that we’ve taken a look at the schedules, we’ve reviewed their request, we looked at the program that they are going to participate in outside of meeting with the U.S. Government representatives. The fact is that they did not come here to specifically meet with a U.S. Government representative. And my understanding is that we’re unable to meet with them now. QUESTION: Just to put it this way, is it that you can’t meet with them because of schedule or you won’t meet with them because of substance? MR. GALLEGOS: I will say I have exhausted my points on this. You can look back to my previous comments. QUESTION: But Gonzo, you said this yesterday that it’s so critical to meet people like these guys who come over here to explain to them the policies of the government and – you know? MR. GALLEGOS: No – and I believe, ultimately, we do believe that, that it is very important that international visitors are exposed to as many degrees of American life as possible. We would hope that that would include U.S. Government representatives at the proper time. We’ve taken a look at the scheduling. We’ve taken a look at their schedule, their program, and we’re not able to do that at this time. However, we do see that they are going to meet with a generous representation of Americans and be exposed to our system of government. Yes, in back. |
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