Feed: Briefing Skipper: Hu, Tunisia, Sudan, Baby Doc, Exiled in Kuwait? - AggScore: 12.5

Briefing Skipper: Hu, Tunisia, Sudan, Baby Doc, Exiled in Kuwait?

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divdivdiv styletextalign centerimg srchttpthecable.foreignpolicy.comfilesobamahu22.jpg alt divIn which we scour the transcript of the State Departments daily presser so you dont have to. These are the highlights of Tuesdays briefing by spokesman strongP.J. CrowleystrongulliPresident strongHu Jintaostrong arrived at Andrews Air Force Base Tuesday afternoon and was greeted by Vice President strongJoseph Bidenstrong, Dr. strongJill Bidenstrong, and chief of protocol strongCapricia Marshallstrong. Tuesday evening, strongPresident Obamastrong hosted a private dinner for Hu that was attended by Secretary of State strongHillary Clintonstrong and National Security Advisor strongTom Donilonstrong. Wednesday begins the formal festivities, including the arrival ceremony, bilateral meetings, a meeting with U.S. and Chinese business leaders and CEOs and a joint press conference. Biden and Clinton will host the lunch at the State Department.liliUndersecretary for Management strongPat Kennedystrong has approved the authorized departure of dependents from Tunisia. The first plane left Tunis for Rabat Tuesday and included 70 American official and private passengers. Crowley said the situation on the ground was improving but still fragile. This is a period of significant transition for Tunisia, Crowley said. We hope the interim government takes this opportunity to chart a course for their country that provides for inclusion of all peaceful and democratic forces in the political process, through open and fair elections and by investigating the abuses of the past.liliCrowley then went on to spell out what the U.S. wants that new government to do. We see this as a moment in time and an important opportunity for the government to meet the aspirations and demands of the Tunisian people, he said. This includes experiencing an end to violence by security forces against nonviolent civilians, truly free and fair elections, respect for basic human rights, including freedom of expression and assembly, and an accountable, transparent, just government.liliCrowley congratulated Sudan on behalf of the United States for completing their referendum on splitting the country and said the voting was peaceful and orderly and turnout was high. Though the official results probably will not be known until sometime in February, independent observers have stated they believe that the referendums result will be credible and will reflect the will of the people, he said. Both northern and southern leaders have stated that they will respect the outcome of the referendum and have demonstrated that they take seriously their responsibilities under the 2005 peace accord.liliThe U.S. is not taking a positing on what should happen to Haitis former dictator strongJeanClaude Baby Doc Duvalierstrong, a hrefhttpblog.foreignpolicy.composts20110118babydochasbeenarrestedbutwillhebetriedforallhiscrimeswho is back in Haitia all of the sudden. But Crowley said the State Department views his return as a distraction. If I look at the list of challenges that Haiti faces today, having a former dictator return to Haiti just adds to Haitis ongoing burden. But as to his status in the country and what happens, this is a matter for the government of Haiti and the people of Haiti. The U.S. was not involved in his return and heard about it from the French, Crowley said.liliThe State Department still doesnt think that a U.N. resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity or one recognizing Palestinian independence is a good idea, even though the Palestinians continue to push for one. Crowley said the State Department did allow the Palestinian representative office in Washington to raise a flag at their DC headquarters, but said that didnt change their diplomatic status in any way.liliAssistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs strongPhil Gordonstrong will travel this week to Nicosia, Cyprus to meet with President strongDimitris strongstrongChristofiasstrong and Turkish Cypriot leader strongDervis Eroglustrong and their advisers. He will also meet with the U.N. secretarygenerals special adviser on Cyprus strongAlexander Downerstrong.liliCrowley refused to answer repeated questions about strongGulet Mohamedstrong, the 19 year old Virginia resident a hrefhttpwww2.newsvirginian.comnewswnvnews2011jan183vateendetainedkuwaitsuesusovernoflylistar782226 targetblankwho was refused entrya back to the U.S. from Kuwait and now alleges that he was beaten and tortured while in Kuwaiti custody. Crowley wouldnt comment on whether he was on the no fly list, or whether he was interrogated by FBI agents in Kuwait, or anything. Well, all I can really tell you because we do not have a Privacy Act waiver is that we are providing him consular access. Our last access was, you know, late last year, Crowley said. If youve got those kinds of questions, I would direct them to other agencies besides this one.liuldivdiv