Excerpt from the U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing

Egypt

QUESTION: I have a question on Egypt.

MS. PSAKI: Sure.

QUESTION: We know that the - that Lady Catherine Ashton has met with Morsy. Have you been in touch with her on his condition? What sort of leverage is the U.S. using to try to calm the situation in Egypt at the moment, considering the Brotherhood's also called for more protests and there is ongoing violence?

MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm. Well, I can tell you that the Secretary spoke with High Representative Ashton again this morning. As I mentioned yesterday, we, of course, welcome all meetings that she was able to have with Egyptian authorities and representatives of other parties and groups in Cairo, including her meeting with Mr. Morsy. We'll continue to be in close touch with her and her staff moving forward. Of course, the Secretary fully supports her efforts to help calm tensions, prevent further violence, bridge political divides, and help lay the basis for a peaceful, inclusive political process.

As you know, we've been calling for and continue to call for an inclusive political process leading to a democratically elected civilian government. The Secretary has been in close touch, as you know, throughout the course of the weekend. He was a little busy over the last 24 hours, but I'm certain he will be moving forward with his counterparts in the region, continue to be in touch with High Representative Ashton and her office, and work together on how we can all help ease the tensions and call for calm in Egypt.

QUESTION: Was the Secretary convinced or was he assured that Morsy was in good condition and was being treated fairly?

MS. PSAKI: I just - I don't have any more from their specific conversation to read out for you, but obviously, High Representative Ashton spoke publicly about her views and her findings from a meeting with him last evening, so I would point you to that.

QUESTION: Can I follow up on that?

MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: Did they have any discussion ahead of time so that he knew this was going to take place? Did - was there anything in particular that he wanted her to convey?

MS. PSAKI: Well, you saw his statement this weekend, which is what he's been conveying privately as well to all parties. They have spoken - they spoke a number of times this weekend, so he did know, of course, she was going. They did discuss about their shared concerns about the violence on the ground and their shared belief that we would like to see continued movement towards an inclusive democratic process.

QUESTION: But she - I mean, she's the first person to really get in to see him.

MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: So presumably, this would be an opportunity to send a message --

MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: -- beyond that, such as, "Great, thanks for playing, but you're not coming back," or anything along those lines if he chose to send that kind of message.

MS. PSAKI: I just don't have any more about their private conversations to read out for all of you. Obviously, the Secretary's view is what we've stated from here a number of times, which is that it's up to the Egyptian people to determine Mr. Morsy's future, if he has a political future in Egypt. Beyond that, I just don't have more details for you of their conversation.

QUESTION: Jen, you just said that they spoke - that he and Ashton spoke over the weekend, but yesterday, you told us that he had spoken yesterday with Ashton. Is that - was that not correct?

MS. PSAKI: Well, he did speak with her yesterday. Let me just double-check and make sure.

QUESTION: And the subject of the --

MS. PSAKI: He spoke with her as well on Saturday, so all happens to be correct.

QUESTION: Right. But he spoke with her yesterday, which is more to the point, because she was in Egypt yesterday; right?

MS. PSAKI: Correct, and Anne was asking whether he spoke with her before her visit.

QUESTION: No, I know. I just wanted to make sure that - right. He spoke to her during --

MS. PSAKI: On Saturday.

QUESTION: -- the visit. Oh, okay, but - no, I think she meant his visit - her visit to Morsy. Maybe I'm wrong.

MS. PSAKI: Well, he spoke with her - let me just make sure you all have it --

QUESTION: Right. So the last time he --

MS. PSAKI: -- all of the times: This morning; he spoke with her yesterday, which we talked about yesterday; and he also spoke with her on Saturday.

QUESTION: All right. Well, in his conversation with her yesterday --

MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: -- did he talk - did they talk about her impending or upcoming visit with the deposed president? I think that's the question.

MS. PSAKI: I'm not aware of whether it was planned at that time yet --

QUESTION: Okay.

MS. PSAKI: -- so I just don't have any more specific -

QUESTION: But it was a topic of discussion this morning in their call, her visit -

MS. PSAKI: I don't have more than what I just told you about what they discussed.

QUESTION: Which -

MS. PSAKI: Was very little.

QUESTION: I'm sorry?

MS. PSAKI: Just that they discussed and the Secretary -

QUESTION: They didn't talk -

MS. PSAKI: -- reiterated his support.

QUESTION: The word - the name Morsy didn't come up at all once?

MS. PSAKI: I'm not saying one way or the other. I don't have more for you on their call and the specifics of it. She spoke publicly about her -

QUESTION: Which is why I'm a little surprised that you don't want to say that the Secretary even hazarded a question to her about how the guy was doing.

MS. PSAKI: Well, if I have more to readout on their private conversations, I'm happy to share them. But she'd also spoken publicly about it, so there wasn't a secret.

QUESTION: Is there any indication that - or is there any intent for the U.S. officials to see him as well?

MS. PSAKI: To see him? Not that I'm aware of.

QUESTION: So what is - what fate would you like to see Mr. Morsy meet? I mean, what is your position on his fate and how soon this should be accomplished?

MS. PSAKI: Well, we've said this a couple of times, Said.

QUESTION: Right. I understand, but -

MS. PSAKI: But we still feel the same way that we believe that it is important that there be a process to work towards his release. And clearly you need to take into account his personal safety and the volatile political situation in Egypt, and - but that is what we're conveying publicly and privately.

QUESTION: But despite repeated calls by you, by the EU -

MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: -- 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.)

QUESTION: Is the Administration concerned that if Morsy is released he could incite greater levels of violence? Is that a concern of yours?

MS. PSAKI: Well, I think we've been concerned about any incidents of violence out there obviously, and that's why that's been a major part of our message publicly and privately.

QUESTION: But specific to President Morsy's release.

MS. PSAKI: That is not something that I've heard from our team. We're obviously working towards and encouraging a process for his release. The security piece is the piece that we are -

QUESTION: Jen, I just want to ask you about - are you aware of any deal or discussion underway that would secure his safe exit if he renounced his claim to the presidency? Because this was - this has been under discussion, and a lot of people feel that Lady Ashton actually went there to discuss this. Are you aware of any kind of deal underway or discussion underway that would lead to his release and a more calm situation in Egypt?

MS. PSAKI: I don't have any more details than I've provided to all of you.

QUESTION: Yes, please.

MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: Regarding Ashton and discussion today about the - with Secretary Kerry with Ashton, and without going into the details of readout or --

MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: It was the (inaudible) idea. Do you believe in - still believe in that she can play a mediation role to find so-called the national reconciliation?

MS. PSAKI: Well, I would point you, of course, to Lady Ashton and her staff to ask the question of what role she plans to play moving forward. But we're certainly supportive of her efforts to date and certainly would be supportive of them moving forward. And the Secretary and many of his counterparts in the region have all been in close contact and closely coordinating on our shared concerns and our shared effort to instill calm and stability.

QUESTION: There is another question. Today, sharing with the podium with Ashton was the Vice President Baradei -

MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm.

MS. PSAKI: -- and he said in - he dismissed groups calling Morsy a political prisoner, saying there are charges against him. What your comment about what he said?

MS. PSAKI: Well, we saw his comments. Our view remains the same that it's up to the Egyptian people to decide their leadership. I think we've been pretty clear on how we believe there's a process that should be in place for his release. And beyond that, I don't have much more for you on it.

QUESTION: Can I have a follow-up on the Mideast announcement today?

MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: Wait, wait, just one more. I just - you want to reiterate that it's up to the Egyptian people to choose their own leadership, except when you don't like the guy; is that correct?

MS. PSAKI: Matt, I think we're talking about a couple different things here, and we've spoken at length -

QUESTION: I don't know. Yeah, I know. I know.

MS. PSAKI: -- in here about the events of July 3rd.

QUESTION: All right.

Zimbabwe

QUESTION: Can I change the topic? Can I go to Zimbabwe, just to --

MS. PSAKI: Sure.

QUESTION: -- just to change continent a bit. There's presidential and parliamentary elections tomorrow in Zimbabwe --

MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: -- and there's already a lot of fears being expressed by the opposition that the vote is going to be rigged. I wondered if the United States had a comment on that.

MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm. Well, we believe - first, let me say that the elections are, of course, a critical moment for the people of Zimbabwe. The United States, the SADC, and other - our international partners continue to call for elections that are peaceful, transparent, and credible. We do remain concerned about the lack of transparency in electoral preparations by continued partisan behavior, by state security institutions, and by the technical and logistical issues hampering the administration of a credible and transparent election.

We are also concerned about longstanding government restrictions on civil society organizations, independent media, political parties, and regular citizens that impede their right to operate free of harassment, detention, and intimidation.

QUESTION: Was the United States actually allowed to send any observers in?

MS. PSAKI: Well, along with other members of the international community, we have sought ways to support SADC's role in Zimbabwe's electoral process in a number of ways, including through limited funding to an independent SADC observers to monitor Zimbabwe's elections.

QUESTION: But you haven't sent any of your own observers? You've provided funding.

MS. PSAKI: Well, we support independent election observation missions, so that's how we've -

QUESTION: But unlike in Mali where you had 58 observers, there are no U.S. observers on the ground in Zimbabwe?

MS. PSAKI: I'm only aware of the - our funding for the independent election observers. I'm happy to double back with our team and see if there's more, but I believe that's where our assistance has been focused.

Tunisia

QUESTION: -- to Tunisia? Right next door to Egypt was - there's just as much turmoil going on, assassinations and calls for the government to quit. I was wondering what the involvement of the U.S. is in monitoring this, or have they spoken to anyone in Tunisia? What is - what are the developments? Are you concerned about them?

MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm. Well, of course, we're closely monitoring. I don't have any new updates in terms of contacts or what we've had on the - what contacts we've had on the ground. We continue to - but I can venture to get those for you, of course.

We continue to encourage Tunisians to continue to express themselves peacefully despite the heightened tensions in the wake of the assassination last week. We condemn the use of violence in all of its forms, and as we've said, violence has no role in Tunisia's democratic transition.

In terms of our specific role on the ground, I'm happy to venture to get you any update from the last couple of days.