Joint Press Briefing by Secretary Hagel and Minister Pinzon in Colombia

MINISTER JUAN CARLOS PINZON: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK HAGEL: Minister Pinzon, thank you. I am grateful for your hospitality, and in particular the partnership and friendship of our two countries.

I very much appreciated the day I've had an opportunity to spend with you and your forces, your leaders. It culminated in a very impressive show this afternoon, focusing on the capabilities of your military. And I want to congratulate all of you, and all of those who participated.

I want to also acknowledge, as you have noted, our visit this morning with President Santos. I appreciated the time that we had, but also the opportunity to go into some detail on the issues that you mentioned, the issues that President Santos discussed with President Obama a couple of days ago, and the continued discussions that our senior officials, Vice President Biden and others, have had with President Santos and you, and senior members of your government.

I want to note, on a personal level, that at the demonstrations this afternoon I was presented with the Faith on Cause Medal by the Colombian people. And I accepted that medal on behalf of the men and women of the American armed forces, and those who have done so much over so many years to strengthen this partnership.

So I was very proud to accept that recognition by the people of Colombia for the American military.

As you noted, Minister, I have been to Colombia a number of times. This is the first time I've been back in Colombia since I have become secretary of Defense.

And I have always appreciated the opportunity to be here, and to see the tremendous friendship and partnership that deepens and strengthens as we have worked through many issues over the years together, and was very privileged to have an opportunity to be in the United States Senate at the time that we supported the Plan Colombia plan, which I think has shown it was an effective plan, but it was effective because of the Colombian people, and Colombia's leadership.

I've been particularly impressed by the courage that it takes of a country, of Colombia, the Colombian people, to work toward a future and invest in the kind of reforms that your government continues to invest in.

It's an effort to assure the people of your country that your government is working toward a better life, a life that is free of fear and violence for the Colombian people. And I think that day is closer than ever, again, thanks to the courage of the Colombian people.

As I told you, Minister, earlier this morning, and you noted it in your remarks, the United States remains absolutely committed to this special strategic partnership with Colombia.

And that includes our strong and continued support for Colombia's ongoing campaign to defeat the FARC. As Colombia moves toward ending half a century of conflict, the United States will continue to be steadfast in our support for the Colombian government in the negotiations to achieve a just and lasting peace.

As President Obama and Vice President Biden have said before, in war and in peace the United States stands with the people of Colombia.

Today, Minister Pinzon and I also discussed Colombia's regional and global leadership. And you referenced some of that, Minister, including Colombia's commitment to sharing its impressive defense capabilities and training with the nations of Latin America and around the world.

And, again, there is representation of that here today, and what I saw on the parade field this afternoon.

Colombia continues to expand its role as a security exporter, having helped train tens of thousands of security personnel for more than 40 nations. As the conflict in Colombia winds down, the international community will benefit from Colombia's even broader global engagement.

Last month at a special United Nations session on peacekeeping, co-chaired by Vice President Biden, Colombia pledged to commit troops to U.N. peacekeeping missions, and to provide additional training and support for intelligence, de-mining, counterinsurgency, and reconstruction.

And as we all know, right here on this base where so much of Colombia's defense capabilities are built, and Colombia's defense cooperation with other nations across Central and South America evolve and strengthen.

And just a few minutes ago, as I noted, I had some opportunities to see that in action.

Minister, as you know, I also had an opportunity to meet with U.S. troops here, serving in Colombia: Special Forces troops and aviation specialists who have worked closely with their Colombian counterparts.

Their work is critical to our partnership. And through initiatives such as our Joint Action Plan on Regional Security Cooperation, Colombia and the United States will continue to work together to build security across this hemisphere and beyond.

Minister Pinzon, I thank you for your continued leadership, for your friendship, and for our nation's partnership. And I thank you for your continued commitment to our nation's strategic partnership.

Thank you.

(UNKNOWN): (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

Q: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

SEC. HAGEL: I'll begin, Minister, with two answers - or two parts of an answer to your question. One is obviously a decision that would be made by the Colombian government on any additional assistance to the United States or any coalition fighting terrorism around the world.

As I noted, and as Minister Pinzon noted, that at the U.N. special meeting in New York last month, chaired by Vice President Biden, we did discuss that, not specific terms but peacekeeping efforts on behalf of all free nations and free people. And I think that's part of the answer.

As to the specific question on ISIL, the threat of ISIL, we did talk about that threat today, as the minister mentioned. We talked about many threats. Threats today in the world know no boundaries, as we know, whether they come from climate change, or terrorism, or trans-national criminal networks that help fund many of these groups.

So we are all together in our efforts to fight terrorism. How we do that, the specifics of that, are up to each country and relationship. So that's the way I would answer my part of the question.

MIN. PINZON: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

(UNKNOWN): (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

Q: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

SEC. HAGEL: I'll take my part of your question.

As to the peace process, as I noted in my comments, we support that effort. We support the Colombian government in that effort. It's not the United States's role to get involved in the specifics of the negotiating terms.

That is really the Colombian government that has that responsibility. As I said, clearly, and I think President Obama has made this clear, as has Vice President Biden and others, it is important, we believe, in the interests of everyone, that peace process continue. And we support the process and we support the Colombian government.

MIN. PINZON: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

Q: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

MIN. PINZON: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

(UNKNOWN): (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

Q: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

And, Mr. Secretary, how does getting Colombia to participate in U.N. international missions advance the national interests of the United States?

And on Iraq, is Anbar province falling to ISIS? And what is the U.S. doing about it?

MIN. PINZON: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

SEC. HAGEL: I didn't get any English translation to the second part of your question. I got Spanish translation.

Q: OK. So the first part was on how getting Colombia to participate in U.N. missions advance the national interests of the U.S.

The second was on Anbar province (off mic)?

SEC. HAGEL: The first part of your question was, how does -- say that again.

Q: How does getting Colombia to send troops on UN peace missions advance the national interests (off mic)?

SEC. HAGEL: That's the question?

Well, first, the United States has always supported peacekeeping efforts of international bodies, in particular the United Nations. As I said in my answer to the previous question, threats today in the world are not indigenous to countries or borders or regions.

The more stable the world, the more secure the world, the more prosperous the world, the better we all are for trade and commerce and possibilities. When there is unrest and instability and insecurity in the world, that reflects probably as much on the United States as it does anyone.

We're engaged all over the world, working with partners, involved in institutions and relationships. To have countries like Colombia stepping up and showing the kind of leadership that Colombia has shown, with the kind of capacity, capability, training that they have is a huge asset to the world, to the United Nations, and would be very important American interests around the world.

Q: (off mic)

SEC. HAGEL: Your question was?

Q: (off mic)

SEC. HAGEL: Is it falling? Well, I think you know the details on where it is specifically today. Anbar province is in trouble. We know that. The United States and coalition partners are helping and assisting the Iraqi security forces, Peshmerga, the Kurds.

As I have said, the president has said, all of our senior officials have said, this is a difficult effort. It is going to take time. It won't be easy. So, yes, there is a lot of uncertainty in Anbar right now.

Thanks.

(UNKNOWN): (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

Q: Thank you.

Mr. Secretary, you said yesterday that you wanted to see Turkey do a train and equip mission. It appears now that they are going to do something like that. Can you say what you think they're going to do or how this might look, or if the details aren't worked out yet, what is it you'd like to see them do?

How would you like to see them participate in this way? And do you think you'll get equal success on your request for (off mic) basing?

SEC. HAGEL: As you may know, CENTCOM and EUCOM will jointly be sending a group to Turkey next week to work with the Turks on what the Turks are willing to do, can do, what we would like them to do, certainly train and assist, the specifics that go with train and assist, locations, contributions. Trainers will be part of that conversation.

As I said yesterday, basing rights will be helpful and important. And I'm sure there will be a wide scope and range of discussions with the Turks during those meetings following on General Allen's meetings over there yesterday about different ways the Turks can contribute and will contribute to the coalition's efforts to degrade ISIL and stop ISIL.

Q: You said locations, do you mean where they will train...

(CROSSTALK)

SEC. HAGEL: Training...

Q: ...in Turkey?

SEC. HAGEL: Well, you asked me different possibilities. And what I said was part of those discussions will include how far Turkey is willing to go with commitments. Certainly one of those questions will be, would they be willing to provide training locations?

As you know, Saudi Arabia has already committed. And we have other countries that have offered sites as well.

(UNKNOWN): (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

MIN. PINZON: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)

Mr. Secretary, thanks a lot.

SEC. HAGEL: Thanks. (Applause.)