QUESTION: But despite repeated calls by you, by the EU – by Lady Ashton, and so on, despite seeing him and saying that he’s actually in good health and so on, there’s really no movement on the process of having him released. Do you concur with that? There has been no movement on that front? MS. PSAKI: There has – obviously, if he were released, I’m sure we would all know. But that doesn’t mean we won’t continue to press on it. QUESTION: No, I guess if I were to rephrase what I said, is there – are you aware of any process to have him released like we are maybe at step one or step two or step five in this process? MS. PSAKI: I wouldn’t be the appropriate person to read out any specifics even if they did exist for you, Said. QUESTION: So you just mentioned that in this you have to – there’s a need to take into account his personal safety and the volatile political situation? MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm. QUESTION: Does the United States have concerns that if Mr. Morsy was released something bad might happen to him? Do you have any – MS. PSAKI: Well, certainly we think his safety should be taken into account. QUESTION: Yeah. MS. PSAKI: And that is a factor – QUESTION: And so you think – MS. PSAKI: -- if he were to be released. So as that’s – QUESTION: So you think he should be held then? He should continue to be held and be protected – MS. PSAKI: We think that should be a factor – QUESTION: -- by his great – MS. PSAKI: -- considered, Matt, as – in a process that’s developed for his release. QUESTION: Do you have any reason to believe, other than what the Egyptian military has told you, that Mr. Morsy would be in danger if he was released? MS. PSAKI: Well, I think it’s clear to anyone watching what’s happening in Egypt that the situation is very volatile on the ground, and clearly, his safety should be a factor that’s considered as we push for a process for his release. QUESTION: Well, as far as I know, people in senior leadership positions of political parties haven’t been assassinated or anything like that. The worst thing that’s happened to them is they’ve been picked up by the army, which is – or the security forces, and Mr. Morsy already has been picked up and detained. So I’m just curious – MS. PSAKI: Matt, all I said is that it should be a factor in his release. QUESTION: Well, I know, but it seems – MS. PSAKI: I’m not suggesting it should prevent – QUESTION: -- to me that you’re – MS. PSAKI: I’m not suggesting anything other than to say it should be a factor considered in a process developed for his release. QUESTION: Okay. But the fact that you mention it at all – MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm. QUESTION: -- as being a factor would suggest that you think that there is some threat to him if he was let out of custody by the Egyptians and that you think that’s a real threat. So that’s why I’m – that’s why I’m pressing the point. MS. PSAKI: I understand. QUESTION: So do you think that there is a threat to his life or safety? MS. PSAKI: If there wasn’t a concern about his safety, we wouldn’t mention it. QUESTION: All right. QUESTION: Do you believe that the military’s grip on power in Egypt or on control is eroding and that actually the volatility on the street may be reflected among the ranks of the army at the present time? Do you have any reason to believe that? MS. PSAKI: That the power of the military is eroding? QUESTION: That the – yeah. The ability of the military to control the situation in Egypt is eroding and that what is happening there, the schisms on the ground, may be reflected in the army itself? MS. PSAKI: I don’t have any evaluation of that for you, Said. Obviously, the situation on the ground – QUESTION: I mean, considering that – MS. PSAKI: -- is very volatile on all sides, and our focus is in working with the interim government and all parties to encourage them to move forward in a productive manner. QUESTION: But considering that the Egyptian military is very close to the U.S. military – they coordinate all things very closely together and so on – you have no reading of the situation of the military on the ground and its ability to maintain control? MS. PSAKI: Well, as you know, Secretary Hagel and also Secretary Kerry have been in touch with the military on the ground, and we are in touch with all sides and all parties. But I don’t have any evaluation or readout for you of more than I’ve said about the situation on the ground. QUESTION: You did say that Morsy’s political future should be decided by the Egyptian people? MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm. QUESTION: Are you talking about the – which Egyptian people are you talking about? Is it the people that are running the country now, the military, the new president, or an election? MS. PSAKI: I’m not talking about one party. I’m talking about the millions of people in Egypt. It’s not for the U.S. to determine whether he has a place in Egypt in the political world there moving forward. It’s up to the Egyptian people to determine. QUESTION: Are you saying that there should be another election to decide whether he should be – should have a political future? MS. PSAKI: Well, again, as we know, we’re working towards another election. That’s the end goal of this process the interim government is – has underway right now. And again, it’s up to the Egyptian people to determine what his role, if any, in the political spectrum will be in the future. QUESTION: Jen, didn’t the Egyptian people already decide what his political future should be? MS. PSAKI: They certainly did, Matt, but we still leave it up to them to decide moving forward. QUESTION: So you – (laughter) – really? MS. PSAKI: Yes. QUESTION: But he wasn’t – his term hadn’t expired. MS. PSAKI: Correct. But they – obviously, we’ve been through this a number of times before. QUESTION: But if you say it’s up to the Egyptian people and the Egyptian people voted, a majority of them voted to elect him, they have already decided his political future. MS. PSAKI: Well, Matt, and millions – QUESTION: The fact that he – MS. PSAKI: -- of people, as we’ve talked about – QUESTION: Yes, but not – MS. PSAKI: -- quite a few times – QUESTION: But not a majority. MS. PSAKI: Millions of people came out and expressed their concerns about how he was ruling. QUESTION: Okay. Well, so – MS. PSAKI: We’re talking about elections moving forward. QUESTION: So if Morsy was to be free, if he was to run again, if he was to win again, then that would be okay with you? I realize those are all hypotheticals, but – MS. PSAKI: Those are all hypotheticals -- QUESTION: -- I want to set the stage for – MS. PSAKI: -- I’m not going to touch. QUESTION: If the majority of Egyptians vote for him again, would you be okay with another coup? MS. PSAKI: Matt. (Laughter.)
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:02:50 +0000
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