cable satellite corp. 2018] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] unfoldan, where history daily. in 1979 c-span was graded as a public service by america's cable companies. today we bring you unfiltered coverage of congress, the white house, the supreme court, and public policy events in washington, d.c. and around the country. c-span is brought to you by your cable or satellite provider. trump's picked to be u.s. ambassador to south korea, retired admiral harry harris, testified along with other state department nominees, at a confirmation hearing. senator bob corker chairs. it is just under two hours.

mr. corker: the foreign relations committee will come to order. we thank our nominees for coming here, for their willingness to serve our country. we especially thank our distinguished senators who are here. as a courtesy to you, we will not go through you having to unbelievable opening comments that both the and i will offer in a moment. instead, i will let you go directly so you can go to other

meetings. what are you go ahead and make your introductions? we thank you for being with us today. we think both of you for your service and look forward to your comments. hironochairman, senator and i would be delighted to hear the eloquence of the chairman and ranking member, but the fact you would allow us to go ahead, it is a personal -- [laughter] -- it is a personal reason we are here, because we know the nominee. we consider the admirable a distinguished floridian. native lingo say he is a florida boy. having gone to junior high and .igh school in pensacola

i want to thank you for your willingness. nominated to be ambassador of australia. i think the fact the administration decided this critically important post in i think that- indicates not only the confidence people have in the admiral, but it is also him being willing to answer the call of service wherever he is required. as arst answered that call young man 40 years ago at the naval academy. he comes from a long line of great naval aviators and over the course of his military

career, he reached the height of his profession. chief pettyy, officer. his record speaks for itself. this is a nomination that is fitting and timely. now diplomacye the north korea, obviously necessity is of having the most prepared and skilled ambassador to represent the united states in that part of the world. like the other combatant , he is not just what combatantof as a commander, because every one of them are skilled diplomats.

they are warriors, but they are also diplomats. he helped us grow the partnerships with the military and military leaders throughout the pacific region. like any good military leader, he knows just how did -- how important diplomacy is. he is going to make a great ambassador, just like he made a great commander. i thought every day that two senators, neither from the president's party, commend the nominee of the president, but this is a nominee that i look at -- he is not partisan. he is not bipartisan. he is nonpartisan. that is exactly what we need.

the nominee enjoys such broad bipartisan support. movee this committee will his nomination quickly. it is obvious we need our ambassador in that position. to thank the admiral and his family and my wife has gotten to know his wife, for their courtesies extended to us. and we want to thank both of you for your continued public service after 40 years. thank you. mr. corker: thank you, sir. thank you very much. senator hirono? >> thank you very much for your courtesy. the distinguished members of this committee. significants a moment for our engagement in the korean peninsula. the first time, i sitting united states president met with the north korean leader. in singapore president trump and

kim jong-un promised to continue negotiations. these are promises north korea made in the past. we heard the president question of ourg-term commitments long-term presence in north korea and accepted the rationale of ending joint military exercises that have decreased safety and cooperation. we all share the goal of a permanent, verifiable, denuclearization of the korean peninsula, but the hard work lies ahead. tuesday'swork between handshake and agreement between our two countries. it will require months or years of hard negotiations and consultation with our regional allies, particularly south korea and japan. to southambassador korea can play a role in these negotiations. it requires an individual with experience in the region,

understanding of our forces serving on the korean peninsula, and the diplomatic skills and temperament necessary to negotiate with the regime that has repeatedly failed to live up to its commitments. harris fits. harry this bill. i would like to welcome him as our ambassador. after serving in the naval academy, he was a decorated naval flight officer. he held a variety of leadership roles, including secretary of the's military at cachet during the obama administration. i met him in 2013. over the past five years i have gotten to know admiral harris and enjoy the open, supportive and candid relationship we have developed. he and his wife have become part of our [indiscernible]

harris dedicated significant time and effort to strengthening america's regional alliances and partnerships. this, 22 of 36 countries in the indo pacific region, he met with leaders and attended find exercises with our defense allies and partners. his work to include military to military relationships often lead to stronger government throughout the indo pacific region. commander, as a admiral harris gained strong relationships with leaders, including moon jae-in. he received a medal, the highest security citation, and recommendation of his work with of the korean armed forces. admiral harris also worked closely with our congress.

when my colleagues in the house hawaii andvisited requested a briefing i made it a point to attend. admirable harris -- admiral meetings were enlightening about our country's interest. many know him as a leader with high expectations for the men and women under his command, but i also know him as a down-to-earth person. let me tell you a story. the washington post highlighted the story of admiral harris' dedication to others as part of on groups hollywood. he left to his birth mother in japan and she put bruce up for adoption, thinking that would be best for bruce under the circumstances. he was adopted by an american couple, served in texas, and

became an air force colonel. after he nearly died of a heart attack in 2005, he sawed out his birth mother to thank her for leading a wonderful life -- he out his birth mother to thank her for leading a wonderful life. admiral harrisr at an airport and shared his story. when admiral harris told bruce he would help him find his birth mother, he was skeptical. 10 days later bruce received a call while at work at the pentagon. the japanese embassy was on the phone with news they had around at long last his birth mother. thanks to admiral harris'

assistance, bruce got in contact with his birth mother. he is tough-minded and clear eyed with military experience, and someone who is very resourceful and focused on the task at hand. his expertise in the indo pacific and engagement with stakeholders in the region will stand him in good stead as our ambassador. the chief of naval operations richardson described admiral harris as a warrior-diplomat with an insatiable spirit of adventure and an infectious, can-do attitude. jim mattis said earlier this our that diplomacy much be first approach to de-escalating tensions on the korean peninsula. he praised harris' experience.

i joined secretary mattis and others and expressing my confidence admiral harris will serve our country well as the next ambassador to south korea. i think this committee for its consideration. mr. corker: thank you for being here with us in both of you for your comments. you're welcome to go about your day. admiral, i understand why you have that hawaiian lei on. you may wish to take it off before you testify. ms. hirono: i would be really hurt if you did that. [laughter] mr. corker: thank you both again. today we will consider nominations of and the jewels to serve our nation as ambassador to south korea, and assistant of assistant secretary to both near and eastern african affairs. they will represent our

interests, from the syrian civil war our ongoing dialogue with north korea. we welcome all of you and thank you for your willingness to serve, and thank your family the same way. we first have david shanker. he has personal experience in the middle east and speaks fluent arabic. i'm confident he is well-equipped to promote u.s. interests in the middle east. no area has more high-level attention than the middle east, one of our most vital security partners and a source of challenges. reinforcing our regional requires continuous and focused engagement, which is why i am pleased the administration has nominated nker for secretary of

near east affairs. assistant secretary of state for african affairs. want to maintain strong partnerships with african countries and we remain committed to supporting those who choose inclusive and responsive. resources and talent appropriate to our growing expectations of relationships we have there. finally, we have harry harris. i may know more about you than i want to know -- [laughter] the recently retired after a distinguished career in the navy, to serve as ambassador to the republic of korea. the alliance is a important thetionship for peace in indo pacific. during this critical moment on the korean peninsula.

we require an ambassador in alliance will speak of cohesion, including the maximum rusher strategy well negotiations to eliminate north korea's nuclear weapons. i am glad the president and kim jong-un were able to have a meeting this week in singapore. i look forward to having secretary pompeo before our committee soon to share his insights about what of concrete nature has occurred, including the future of cooperation south korea. and the relationship runs deep. i am confident mr. harris recognizes the relationship between washington and seoul and will advocate for strengthening our relationship at this critical ally.

before i turned to senator menendez, we have two votes at 10:30. we will continue on. if you could timeout when you leave, knowing when you're coming up, that would be great so we can continue without having a vacuum appear. i will turn to ranking member, my friend bob menendez. mr. menendez: we have high-level nominees. i congratulate you and your families on the nominations. i am a bit dismayed these nomination hearings have become one of the few opportunities the committee has to really engage on what the administration costs policies are. i hope we can have more topics with administration witnesses said the committee can exercise its oversight role. these nominees will be taking on pressing community challenges when goodwill toward our country is on steep decline.

slashing non-military resources and those recent summits and canada in singapore. i want to welcome all the nominees today. experiencecords of and expertise in your field. admiral harris, i almost think you should skip your opening statement, because after that i will rest my case. nominationcepted his at a time when our allies and adversaries are seriously questioning american commitment to asia. more than ever before, agile and adept at plumas he is needed. ism of the view it imperative we improve our engagement across the region, especially with allies like the republic of korea, economically and strategically. the president care little -- carelessly conceded to kim jong-un something north korea

has long wanted -- the cessation of u.s.-south korean joint military exercises, in exchange for, oh, apparently nothing. thoughts of on your strengthening this alliance going forward? you are well aware of our challenges. we thank you for your service. as we consider the outcome of meeting, we must start with our allies and partners and lead to the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of midcareer -- of north korea's denuclearization. the trump administration strategy is something i am still trying to deduce. if confirmed as assistant secretary of state, you will have the responsibility to craft and execute policy in diplomatic drive

implementation in cooperation with our partners and allies. when it comes to iran, i share the goal of stopping all of iran's nuclear and nonnuclear threats. president'sthe unilateral actions have degraded the very partnerships we need to maintain unity of effort. regarding israel, i share the goal of ensuring israel has resources to defend yourself, but i worry the president's desire to with the joint u.s. forces from syria while freezing our stabilization assistance programs and closing doors to refugees are tactics without strategies. taken together, amount to an abdication of u.s. leadership. over the past year bashar al-assad the scylla of violent extremists next israel.

lebanon's hezbollah is preparing for war. russia has not tried to curb iran's actions in syria. i hope you share secretary pompeo's commitment to sustain programs that address conditions that give rise to transnational terrorist groups, including poor governance, lack of economic it to the, and human rights abuses. nominee for the african bureau has an impressive record of service to this country. for decades, both republicans and democratic presidents have undertaken impressive initiatives, including the african growth and opportunity act, mcc compacts, and power africa. the administration has given us little encouragement. the president's unseemly comments about africa and steep budget cuts send an alarming signal. while the administration's

national security policy makes lots of promises about its engagement with africa, the budget would in no way facilitate that strategy or secure our interests and encountering crisis or al qaeda facility -- militants. they do not appear to have a --le of government approach defense, diplomacy and development. is facing increasing security threats on three fronts. ot -- ofanked 187 out 188. we are trying to help the government fight terrorism. .e are building an airfield however, we do not have a mission in the country that could help support sustainable governance and economic growth. theve written administration about the need andpolicies and mali,

raised questions with secretary pompeo about our policy in south sudan, sudan, and the horn of africa. have a proper response. i look forward to hearing about your priorities, your plans, is confirmed. mr. corker: as a relates to having witnesses and, -- in, we are pushing to have secretary pompeo in so we can understand what happened in singapore. as you know, we have not had a lot of officials to testify. this meeting is hopefully going to fill some of the slots. i thank you for your comments. order,would move in starting with admiral harris. if you can keep your comments to five minutes i would appreciate it. if you want to introduce your families, feel free to do so.

usually tempers folks on this side of the dais. keep your comments to five minutes. if you have written documents, we are glad to accept them. admiral? >> thank you, distinguished members of the committee. i am honored to be with you today, on flag day, to serve as ambassador to the republic of korea. i am humbled the president has offered me this opportunity to work with the white house and dedicated offers -- officers. leading engagement with such an important ally. are fortunate enough to testify before their own senators. i am privileged to be before you, senator corker and senator rubio. i am also grateful senators took the timeono to introduce me. let me express my love and gratitude to my wife. herself a 25 year veteran --

navy veteran. women of the indo pacific command, it is been a privilege enjoyed the service you these past three years. finally, i am honored to be on this panel with such luminaries as david schenker and tibor nagy . hisident trump and administration have made clear our alliance with the north korea is one of our top priorities. the president hosted president moon just last month. he also visited korea last november. beenwing this there have other senior-level visits underscoring the strengthened importance of our bilateral relationship. secretary pompeo is an seoul today meeting with president moon. mission korea has dedicated men and women working to advance u.s. interests in the indo pacific.

if confirmed, i'm excited to work with this team. they enjoy strong bipartisan support. staffommittee and your play an active in vital role in guiding the relationship. i would like to underscore my deep relate -- appreciation. i have experienced this relationship firsthand through my experiences with korea over and almost 40 year career in uniform. including the military side of the u.s.-korea alliance. these connections began before i was born. my father was a sailor who fought in world war ii and the korean war and taught sailors. it inspired me to a career in the navy. her first tour of duty she accompanied her boss to seoul on several occasions. these afforded us lasting friendships and a deeper appreciation of korean culture and history, with their profound

states. to the united i saw firsthand the dedication and hard work of men and women committed to making our nation and world better place. i was reminded of the tremendous diversity of our great country. if confirmed, i will carry those voices and a commitment. korea is our sixth largest trading partner. the four director of investment is the second-largest asian source of investment in the united states. korea has shown its willingness to work with the u.s. to ensure free, fair, and reciprocal trade. our countries enjoyed $154 billion trading relationship.

deep.s. and korea shared people to people ties and as good as their economic relationship is, we can do better. i support u.s. efforts to tap export opportunities and what i see as opportunities in the information sectors. i would support an access for u.s. firms and the korean market and more korean direct investment into the u.s. i strive to deepen our cultural exchanges and cooperation on global issues. i fully appreciate that i will have to come up to speed quickly. i've spent my life in uniform and that's where my expertise lies. i promise i will work hard to learn the line which of diplomacy. i have a lot to learn but i understand diplomacy as national power.

committee to this do my utmost to give them safe and carry out there official duties and commit to keeping the american community and south korea of anything that could security.impart their the state department is as important as a defense department. robust of honestly increases our chances of -- endeavor to deepen our partnership and alliance with the republic of korea. i'm honored to be considered an grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our great nation. i look forward to your questions. >> thank you very much. see if you are able to forswear what you said.

>> i'm honored to be before you as president trump's nominee. i look forward to working with congress, especially this committee, to promote america's interest in africa. my nearly half central association with africa began in to theen i was assigned city i've never heard of on a continent i knew little about to the most junior positions at the u.s. embassy. that gave me a tremendous appreciation for africa and its people and i completed eight tours in africa including to as ambassador in some of the most challenging environments possible. after retiring, i joined academia and and africa related work like teaching about it,

writing about it, and making multiple trips to the continent to promote ties. in toy 16 i was called back to take charge -- in 2016, i was called back to take charge of the embassy. appeared,last time i nearly 20 years ago, africa has changed come up mostly for the better. did a points include improvement in double element, education -- development, education, and well-being. they have been matched by declines in poverty, hiv, corruption, and instability. generouses to the american public. at the same time, some of africa's problems remain unchanged or worsened. terrorism and extremism have

increased in scope and intensity. some leaders are perpetuating their rule through manipulation and oppression. the most tragic case is south sudan. they descended into ethnic warfare due to uncaring leaders. then there is china, adversary, competitive, partner, or all three. one certainty is that the u.s. will have to monitor their activities because the country is offering themselves as an africa appropriate model. africa is at an historic crossroads and the direction will impact his future and security and well-being of the rest of the world. by 2050, africa's population will double to 2.5 billion people with 70% under 30. nigeria will surpassed the u.s. with 350 million people and most of this will take place in nigeria's north, the most

impoverished region. young africans will have similar life ambitions to young people everywhere. if their dreams are frustrated by conflict, or lack of opportunities, the results will be catastrophic. if they encounter positive prospects and good governance, africa's youth will be a dynamic force for global progress and prosperity. the u.s. is well-placed to benefit from the second scenario. although governed, stable africa providing u.s. businesses in partners of development is achievable. i saw this first hand with some participants in the leaders initiative and i worked with another group last summer at texas tech university. they were some of the brightest and most impressive young people i've met anywhere and disposed to our country and its principles. they are the future of africa, not the corrupt dinosaurs that

want to stay presidents for life. if confirmed, i look forward to working with the committee to promote the types of u.s. policies which could help bring that about. it's my pleasure and honor to introduce my dear wife of 47 years and partner in diplomacy, jane, sitting right behind me. >> thank you for being with us and thanks for that testimony. honored torman, i'm appear before you as the nominee to become assistant secretary of state. the numberspreciate of the committee making time to meet with me and exchange of views. it would be my intention to engage in consultation with congress routinely. i'd like to thank the president of the united states and secretary of state pompeo from a nomination. it would be an honor to serve

the country. i'm grateful some of my family members can join me. , even and children dylan, are here. so is my mother and stepfather, lyndon and abraham davis, and my aunt and uncle. my father and stepmother could not be here today but are no doubt watching on the web. let me thank my former bosses, mentors, and colleagues. the portfolio of the assistant secretary of state is expensive. i've been preparing for this job for the past three decades. my academic background and the entirety of my professional career has been focused on the middle east. i spent four years living in the region and i worked for a usaid contractor for the better part of two decades. i've written about the region as

a fellow, a leading nonpartisan think tank. i served as a director in the office of the secretary of defense, advising senior policymakers at the pentagon about palestinian affairs. over these decades i've had the privilege of knowing and working with many of the outstanding diplomats who have served with such distinction. i worked with current acting assistant secretary during the bush administration. i traveled to syria in 2004 with william byrne. i know and patterson. this is an illustrious cohort of diplomats who handled an incredibly difficult job with dedication. i would be humbled to be counted among this group. the responsibilities of the assistant secretary of state stretch from morocco, iran, the yemen. if aces in a must challenges,

including failed states, terrorism, he monetary and crises, and efforts to destabilize the region. given our alliances, the region's national resources, and the enormous potential of its population, it's also a reason for strategic imports to the united states. confronting these challenges and taking advantage of the opportunity are the men and women of the bureau. the foreign service officers and civil servants are dedicated and courageous. they make great sacrifices for our country. it'sthe past two decades, -- as a policy official, i worked closely with nea and have great respect for the professionalism and expertise. they were alongside their colleagues in the military and other departments. i hold them in the highest esteem and according as closely

as possible. it would be a great privilege to serve alongside these american patriots, helping to advance and security u.s. interest in the middle east. there's a need to strengthen alliances to defeat isis and other terrorist organizations, to roll back pernicious iranian behavior, and build a more peaceful and secure region. the u.s. faces a series of challenges in the middle east which require the application of all tools to mitigate. now, especially diplomacy. what happens in the middle east doesn't stay in the middle east. washington's alliance are a force multiplier and safeguarding u.s. interest home and abroad, they need to be nurtured through diplomatic engagement ring i look forward -- engagement. i look forward to working with this committee on the challenges facing our country. i'm grateful for your consideration and i look forward to your questions. >> we thank all three of you.

going to reserve our time and turned to senator menendez. i'm going to go vote and come back. thank you. >> thank you, mr. chairman. thank you all for your testimony. admiral harris, as pat, commander, you are outspoken about the nature and extent of north korea's nuclear threat. that threat israel, right? >> -- is real, right? >> it israel. do you think we no longer need to worry about it? , i think we must continue to worry about the nuclear threat. >> i appreciate that because i know the president said after singapore we can sleep well because we don't have to worry about north korea's nuclear threat. i didn't sleep much better. i understand there is still nuclear warheads. there are so intercontinental

listing missiles. -- intercontinental ballistic missiles. until that is dismantled, i don't think we can rest comfortably at the end of the day. let me ask you this, also from your experience. do you think that it is important to have military exercises between the united states and south korea as our 28,000,re there, about as they ultimately prepare themselves for any defenses eventuality? >> in my previous capacity, i spoke very strongly about the need to continue military expert. -- military exercises. but we were in a different place in 2017. north korea was exploding nuclear weapons, launching ballistic missiles willy-nilly

and if war was an eminent, it was certainly possible. having today, following the president's summit with kim jong-un in singapore, i think we are in a dramatically different place. i think the whole landscape has shifted and i believe that we should give exercises, major exercises, a pause to see if kim jong-un in fact is serious about his part of the negotiations. you have spoken in the past about the need to bring kim jong-un to his senses, not to his knees, and i think the president's efforts in singapore did just that. >> do you think these are wargames? >> i think the president -- >> would you call it wargames in your present role? >> i would call it major exercises. >> do you think they are provocative? >> i think that they are

certainly of concern to north korea and to china, but we do them in order to exercise our ability to work and operate with our south korean allies. as our you go ambassador, you will have to be dealing with the south koreans, will have to be concerned that they didn't know about it, that the japanese didn't know about it, and that there is a real challenge when these countries are split apart about us coming to the end goal that we all desire and want to see. so i think it will be critically important about how you speak about those issues when you get there. >> i agree, senator. >> let me turn to mr. schenker. in the counting americans through adversaries sanctions act that congress signed into law by the president, require the administration to deliver a conference of iran chatterjee by

january of -- iran strategy by january of 2018. it is now june and we have yet to receive a conference of strategy. if you are confirmed and this is not completed at that time, we you commit to the committee he will work with the secretary to produce a copper offensive strategy on iran that has to be -- comprehensive strategy on iran that has to be presented to congress? > >> yes, sir. >> what do you think are the elements of such a strategy? >> thank you, senator. there are several elements. one would be the diplomatic strategy, which is to work with our european partners to get them on board. while we have some disagreements, we can all agree the nuclear development that the proliferation of missiles and iranian descent glaciation --

destabilizing regional activities -- >> the sanctions -- the sanctions and the presence in syria, which presents -- prevents the establishment of a land bridge to the mediterranean, working with the u.s. military, among other things, to prevent the shipment of missile components. governmenth the in iraq to establish a government that is inclined to work with the good relations of washington, not to ron, etc. >> i also hope we will figure out how our gulf partners play in a strategic realm also. i asked you in our private meeting and i warned you about the possibility of this question so i'm not when setting you.

with the purchase of the as/400 system constitute a significant transaction with the russian defense sector, which there are reports saudi arabia and qatar have been discussing purchasing the as/400. they even have proceed with the acquisition. with this trigger sanctions -- 231?o at a 31? >> i would make clear with our allies and friends in the region that these sanctions are to in fact cost on russia for human rights violations, for its behavior in ukraine, for meddling in u.s. elections. and i would work with our allies to dissuade them or encourage

purchasesoid military that would be potentially sanctionable. in other words, i would tell saudi arabia not to do it. >> i appreciate that answer and i appreciate your diplomacy and how you are trying to answer my question. i will leave it at this. that, also egypt looking to purchase 50 fighter jets from russia, these entities who are our allies, must understand that under u.s. law, the purchase of such systems ultimately are sanctionable. and we will press very hard on the question of pursuing those sanctions should they choose to do so. i hope you will communicate that in your role. >> absolutely, senator. if confirmed, i will implement the law. >> my time is expired but i will come back. i don't want you to think left out of my questions. senator isaacs? >> i agree with your comments

about the admiral. he's ary qualified and great nominee and i appreciate you all being here today. thank you for accepting a tremendous challenge. do you happen to know one of your predecessors johnny carson? >> yes, senator. he's a good friend of mine. >> of all the people i've got to know in my travels i've done in africa, johnny is the most knowledgeable, insightful, and most well-received american on the continent of africa. so if you'd had an known him, i want to make sure you do. take advantage of him because he's a terrific asset. >> when i was ambassador in ethiopia, he was ambassador in kenya. >> you focus on the sudan and parts of your testimony. you mentioned the sudan. that is a horrible problem

that's getting worse by the day. we tried a special envoy, cover has a these agreement to get a referendum for independence, which we finally got but it never did anything because the violence, the murder, the assassination, and the economic stealing of one another's asset destroy the environment there. what would you try to move us to in south sudan to go from a caretaker of chaos, which i think is what we are right now, to a caretaker of a route to peace and security? >> thank you for that question. south sudan as one of the greatest tragedies in the role right now. it should never have happened, especially given the positive role the united states played in creating south sudan. if confirmed, i promise i will look for every pressure point possible, including the ones that have not yet been pushed, to make sure that those who are

implicit in these tragedies -- complicit in these tragedies have to pay for that so they don't have places they can park their money or enjoy their vacations and go shopping while their people are dying, women are being raped, people are going hungry and chased from their homes. i truly believe i would put that at the top of my inbox if confirmed. >> it's going to take our leadership to do that. al bashir in the north is not going to be a help to us. but the south sudanese are doing a pretty good job of messing up by themselves and we need to move it forward as much as we can. last week, a former intern of mine, who is a refugee to clarkson, georgia 15 years ago, is one of the lost boys of sudan. he came to my office to share some of his experiences in the sudan since he's gone back to bring back that country. he said the biggest need they have on the ground is a

recognition by the public of the people of sudan that he did united states is engaged, that the government is engaged with them, and we will be part of the sudan moving forward. -- i said, are we visible now? he said not as visible as we should be. i think that is one of the things you would need to focus on. they are willing to take a partnership with us to do that. can promise you, if confirmed, the south sudanese will realize how involved the united states is. being one of the few ambassadors that sent -- spent time in a refugee camp, i'm passionate about refugee issues. >> you're going to do a good job and i'm certain of it. the population explosion, as you referred to, in nigeria, which would be bigger than the united

states, it's importantly have them as friends, but it's important that we help them grow economically. here, andnz, who was i two years ago, use that as a lever to get the south africans to open south africa to domestic poultry, which is the biggest export of georgia and delaware. the point is, they want to do business with america and we need to use that trade agreement to open more doors of opportunity for africans and for americans, to. >> absolutely, senator. i agree with you totally. >> the last point i have time to talk about, i want to go to south korea. the questions of what the president offered when he postponeo suspend to the second round of exercises in south korea this year pending the north korea's beginning to do what they need to do, and the agreement they made with america

in singapore. as one who served in the military, and when i was in the air force,, we had or eyes all the time and a phone call would go to the exercise as if we were at war. some call it a war game, others call it an exercise, whatever. does putting off or postponing what would have been a regularly scheduled exercise anyway damage our readiness in that part of the world? >> senator, for short periods of time, no, but i believe that the president was referring to major exercises. the vice president stated since then that regular readiness and training evolutions will continue, so i view that in terms of they are all right that you mentioned. and exercises like that will continue. but i don't know that for a fact

and that would be up to the department of defense to determine what is allowable under the new construct. but i'm convinced, and i know the administration has underscored our alliance commitments to south korea remain ironclad and have not changed. >> i agree with you and i'm not good on acronyms either. i'm an old soldier so it could it'snew name by now, but on the title of exercise they were referring to in the agreement of singapore. but there's no place in the world we are better prepared with manpower and investment in infrastructure than in south korea to carry through on any commitment to the south korean people or the people of japan or that part of the pacific rim. would you agree with that? >> i would, sir. >> and idle think suspending a temporary exercise diminishes what we intend to do with our partners in those countries to

enjoy the peace and security and freedom in that part of the world. >> i agree. we do need to create breathing space for the negotiations to assess whether kim jong-un is serious on his part of the deal or not, and i think this gives us the opportunity. >> when i was in world war ii, lew, captain who fe said if you have a tough job to do, give it to the navy. >> thank you senator isaac and senator shane. >> thank you to each of you for your nominations and for your willingness to serve, and thank you to your families also for being willing to make it kind of commitment. admiral harris, i want to follow-up on senator isakson's question about the military exercises, not in terms of what that might do to readiness, but what the message is that that

sends to not necessarily our allies in the region, but also to our adversaries. there have been news reports at ourhina's pleasure announcing this kind of concession. do you agree that this is a benefit to china? >> i think it's too early to tell, senator, if it's a benefit to china or not. i do know the chinese foreign minister wang said that this was creating a new history, but president moon talk about the talks being the talks of the century. korea i think that south is looking at this in a positive way, this being the summit. and i believe that we are, in fact, in under landscape with north korea for the first time, certainly in my career, we're at

a place where peace is a possibility and i think we should be encouraged by that. i've said before that we can be hopeful, even optimistic, as long as we are realistic also. and i'm convinced that the industry should has that realism at heart as we move forward in his new place that we're in. >> and if we are able to successfully move forward towards denuclearization, will south korea still face a conventional military threat from north korea and a cyber threat? do you think those issues should be part of negotiations around denuclearization? all those ultimately, things should be on the table. right now we are focused, and rightfully so, on the nuclear aspects of the north korean capability. but ultimately, we seek peace on the peninsula. no one has a greater stake on peace in the peninsula than

south korea. ones that went to war and are still technically at war with the north. i think that encompasses all types of capabilities that the north has. but we start with a nuclear peace. that's the one that threatens the region as well as parts of the night dates, -- the united states, potentially all of the united states. we start there and then we work for peace on the peninsula at large. >> thank you. mr. schenker, i'm sure you are aware that yemen to offense to the port city. aboutare dramatic reports what this assault will mean for people in yemen, the number of people who will be killed. the u.n. has pulled out all of their humanitarian personnel there and have suggested that

the u.n. envoy has adjusted that this is a major impediment to efforts to bring parties to the table to have a peaceful resolution in yemen. should the united states be doing more to urge the saudi led coalition to stop that invasion and to come to the table? >> thank you, senator. it's my understanding that the mited states had advised the roddy and saudi forces not to go to the data. the secretary made a statement a few days ago on this, recognizing not only the security concerns of the saudi's and m roddy's -- emirates, but also holding the emirates and the saudi's to their mediterranean commitments. i am very concerned about the impact on the move on the data. million indians

-- yemen's are insecure. that would be very serious to the yemeni people. if confirmed, i would make every effort to get all the parties to the table with the envoy immediately. that would be a top priority, yes. >> and are there other tools that we have, incentives that we should be using that we are not currently using? >> i don't know. i haven't been privy to deliberations with the saudi's and the emirates. i think there is more that can be done in terms of incentives. thes say, to control colleagues that the dod, if confirmed. but yes, i think there are ways to encourage them. >> as i'm sure you are aware, this committee has weighed in on

the human a conflict in a way that suggests we should put more pressure on the saudi led coalition, so i certainly appreciate your commitment to do that, if confirmed. are you aware that the state department is withholding $200 million in stabilization funding for syria and areas that are previously controlled by isis? >> yes, senator. >> can you explain what the reasoning is behind that? >> my understanding is that the administration is conducting an assessment to determine what of this is appropriate and perhaps inappropriate. it's my general view that groups such as the white helmets are doing outstanding and important work. and other recipients of u.s. funding, local councils etc., who have been receiving money, were doing important work to create conditions in local

communities that would prevent the reemergence of isis 2.0, for example. but i don't have any visibility into the ongoing frustration review, but if confirmed i would be happy to come talk to you about it. >> i appreciate that. can you also, beyond illuminating isis, can you discuss you believe is the united states policy can syria? and what our long-term strategy is? >> i can take a shot at it. syriar, we have troops in right now that are working with our allies there, doing defeat theork to reigning pockets of isis out in the east. they also are helping to train local security forces, doing ordinance disposal and the mining and generally working to create the conditions, whereby isis 2.0, al qaeda, don't return.

all this is very important work. while the u.s. forces are there, there is another benefit which strengthens the u.s. hand in moscow over the future disposition of syria. long-term, the president has said we intend to depart. my understanding, there are deliberations within one that will occur. the illustration appears to still be committed to the end of the assad himself. >> thank you, mr. chairman. >> sen. corker. >> thank you for your willingness to serve. i enjoyed our meetings over the years, including the briefings you've given us as pacon commander. you've come in a critical time and you are going to be part of the new team, the pompeo team.

you have a lot of background experience in the military side, which will be very helpful. i do think we have a real opportunity here and there is an opening. we need to be clear eyed, as we discussed, about what the challenges are. we cannot be trusting of what north korea says in terms of their commitments because they've made commitments in the past that they have an honored. but it is an opportunity and i believe we ought to give the president and the demonstration this space to be able to negotiate and be in historic agreement with regard to the korean peninsula and the denuclearization. i want to follow up on china just for a second. china perhaps has a different view than we do about what the future to look like, particularly about not just the nuclear presence on the peninsula, because we do provide that umbrella, but also our

troops and also exercises. are you concerned that china will push for the north koreans to demand the total withdrawal of u.s. troops in korea or redeployment of difference -- defense missiles as a crisis? if so, how would you deal with that? >> i don't know how china will react with regard to pressuring north korea as a negotiating partner of the united states. i do know based on my previous happyat china is very with the placement of the fat missile system, the area in south korea. but that was an alliance decision taken up by both the republic of korea and the united states together. and i think it's important that the decisions as we go forward here in the new place we are in,

the decisions we make in regard to troop levels, with regard to exercises, and with regard to everything else that affects a alliance, that those decisions be taken together with our south korean allies. these must be alliance decisions and not unilateral decisions. i think one of the jobs i'll have, if confirmed as the ambassador, is to implement policy that comes from washington, that comes from the secretary of state and the president, and also to stay synchronized with our south korean ally, and that will be a good work of diplomacy, i believe. >> the interoperability between the euro forces and u.k. performances -- forces are a concern there. and president moon's support for early transfer of forces from the united states to south

korea, taking away operational control from the u.s., is that a good idea? are they ready? >> at some point, they'll be ready. >> are they ready now? >> they're not ready today. the transfer of operations of have a for transfer, we great with south korea that there must be conditions based and when those conditions are met rather than time-based, then they will be ready to do that. it's ongoing right now between u.s. forces, korea, pacific command, and dod to work with our counterparts in korea to determine conditions and when those conditions will be met. >> putting on your new state department had, i'm confident you will be confirmed, what do you think our posture should be in regards to human rights abuses in north korea?

i come from ohio, very involved with the release of our warm --otto were beer, subject to human rights abuses. should that be part of any agreement with north korea? >> i think human rights should be a part of discussions. the president did raise them and as a nation, and certainly as a department, we are concerned with the gross human rights violations evidenced by the north korean regime. >> thank you again, admiral harris, and we wish you the best of luck. you would be a article part of negotiations going forward. mr. schenker, i have to run to a vote, but what do you think the prospects are for iran to implement the jcpoa, the iran agreement america has just

withdrawn from? would it be the administration's intent that we continue to work with our european allies to come up with a new agreement? what would be your view on that? >> thank you for the question. i don't know what the administration is at on that exactly. it seems to me that the europeans can make their own decisions on whether to pull out or not, but that the secretary sanctions that will be imposed on companies that are doing business may eventually make the iranians leave. i don't know how this is going to play out, but it seems that the main priority of the administration and if confirmed one of my main priorities would be incorporating all the elements, weather running nuclear destabilizing behavior. >> disabling behavior is the

part we missed and look what happened in syria in particular, also as we see in yemen and elsewhere. i need to go run and vote and my time has expired. i have questions for you, but i want to follow-up in writing with legislation we are working on to get your input on that. thank you all for your willingness to serve. >> thank you, sir. >> thank you, mr. chairman, and all three of our nominees. you have all had distinguishing careers. you have all served in positions critically important at this time on foreign policy and national security issues, and we thank your families for your willingness. of my to start -- some colleagues have talked about the dimensions of human rights and making sure that's a top priority in your responsibilities, weather it's one country in south korea, or

regions of africa and the middle east. i want to start ambassador nation, i told you outside you may get off the lovely start with you if i might. aboutmments you made leaders in africa wanting to hold onto power rather than let their countries to develop i thought was a very poignant point. i couldn't agree more with that assessment. so let me talk about the country where they have a new leader, which is ethiopia. you're familiar with that country. i had the opportunity to meet the dissidents that was in town this week, who has been arrested and has had some serious issues. he's a pretty great person. there is some reason for optimism, that maybe there is going to be some change, but we

haven't seen it demonstrated yet as far as safety of the activists in the country. could you give me your assessment of how the nine states could play a constructive role -- the united states could play a constructive role? >> i'm extremely optimistic about ethiopia. i've seen it deal get at its tour, and thatst i saw it somewhat better when i was an ambassador, looking at ethiopia as an evolutionary manner. he may be the first generation that will actually be willing to allow itself to be voted out of office, which i think is a huge step going forward. i've also been encouraged by recent steps he's taken, most especially the agreement to implement the peace treaty, which is going to be quite

difficult given internal ethiopian pressures. so overall, ethiopia had major human rights problems in the past. i'm encouraged that each year, it will get better and better, and if confirmed, i will certainly engage very strongly with ethiopia given my own country -- history with that country, to make sure it goes forward. >> i hope to be very tough on this. we seen other countries like burma, without they were on a path, and they made an abrupt change. i would hope that you would continue to do that. talk andchance to raise the port issues in regard to yemen. yemen is a major humanitarian crisis now and it's complicated as to how we can get help to the people. there's clearly outside forces trying to prevent that from happening.

but we don't have the sensitivity that we believe is necessary from the saudi's or the uae. obviously they have security concerns. we understand that. how much more aggressive can we be to make sure the people of human get the help they need? >> thanks, senator. i think more can be done, certainly. i think the team has provided some assurance that saudi's and the uae and contraband weapons are not arriving from the eastport. be we can can pressure parties there to bring , and that may -- the situation. but it's a very complex and difficult situation.

shutdown, they a have to leave so leave, which is north of their. done andore can be allies. on our allies. they have made commitments to humanitarian goods getting into the country. >> i think you can play a very critical role here because there's a lot of activity by the uae and the kingdom in washington. there's a lot of engagement. i think it's important that they get a very clear message as to the importance of being as strong as possible in regards to humanitarian aid. i appreciate your statements on that. >> thank you, senator. >> i want to talk about north korea. most of the experts we've had before this committee, we've had

outside experts that were in the in mis-direction. we haven't had yet the administration's people. they said the very first thing you need to do if there is going to be confidence north korea will give up nuclear weapons, you have to have a declaration. you've got to know what going on in north korea. you got to know the venues, you've got to have inspectors in to verify what the starting point is, and then you need, not just a statement that you are going to end the nuclear program, but you need a game plan that is realistic for the dismantling of the new their program from beginning to end, including the delivery systems. that's what the experts that have testified before this committee said is the first step. the first step, not the final but the first step in achieving our objective. we have not heard anything about

that from the singapore summit. but do you agree with that assessment that we are going to , we needo have success to know where we are starting from? >> sure, senator. but i believe the first step has to be a meeting, right? we had that meeting. >> we had meetings before. not directly -- >> not meetings of this level. >> that's correct, but we've had high-level meetings in the past and commitments in the past, and we've never really had our eyes on exactly what they have and an understanding on how you dismantle that. >> i agree with you completely and the what you've formulated that. i think that after the meeting, the president said the meeting, the summit in singapore, was in design to solve all issues -- wasn't designed to solve all issues all at once, but to be a

starting point. for serious negotiations that's the next step. complete verifiable denuclearization means. that's the work of the negotiating teams and the denuclearization, which we have many in the united states, scientific experts that have done this in the past. and we need to rely on them to help us get to that point where we can be satisfied that north korea has denuclearize. also come uphas and said they are ready to help should it come to that. >> thank you. >> thank you, chairman corker, for holding this important hearing and for your families. we are blessed to have meant of

your strength and character to continue serving our country and i'm grateful for the opportunities to meet with you before. thank you so much for our conversation yesterday. i look forward to supporting your nomination. if confirmed, you will confront some of the greatest challenges thing young states faces around of the world, strengthening and sustaining our vital partners, embracing the opportunity of the continent of africa while also confronting terrorism and he monetary crises. very real challenges and risks of iran, syria. you have a full plate. the trump administration has given high priority to addressing competition with china and africa. senator corker and i have worked on a bipartisan bill that would create a new development finance institution that will be marked here next week. this new dfi would shape u.s. efforts to counterbalance

china's growing economic influence on the continent. i'm encouraged the white house expressed strong support for it. if it passes in the law, how could you use this tool to promote international development in africa? >> thank you very much, senator. if it passes into law, it would be a tremendous asset for us to use, especially regarding when he mentioned china. because in talking about china's activities in africa, we can make a list of all the negative impacts, but the big so what question is, what do we displace it with? had to get more american businesses involved in getting into africa? i know large businesses have no problems, multinationals. but when i was in west texas, so my companies and to me and said we are investing in africa. how can we do it?

we are afraid to do it because it's not a level playing field. if we get into a dispute, we would lose. perfect tould be continent that side of warning about china's activities and extraction and indebtedness and everything. >> thank you. we hope to deliver that tool for you and partner with usaid to advance development and security. let me move to a country where we have an opportunity to advance democracy in a real way and that is watching very closely what is said and done here, zimbabwe. setters like an senator booker were also with me where we visited zimbabwe, both of which have been literally new presidents -- relatively new presidents. there will be an election in zimbabwe. prospects for democracy are uncertain. in our lengthy one-on-one meeting, the president said all

the right things and he is saying and doing good things, but there are significant errors to the restoration -- barriers to the restoration of their community. we introduce an amendment to the recovery act. do you agree the united states should not release sanctions on zimbabwe until the government takes concrete actions to demonstrate its respect for human rights, commitment to free and fair elections, and pursuing anticorruption measures and a rules-based economy? >> absolutely, senator. actions speak louder than words. >> one of the core actions we could take sending an american ambassador. you were once recalled from retirement to serve as our ambassador in nigeria. we have a nominee now from the industry should we might be able to get through this committee to the floor in a month, thus would arrive a week before a

significant collection. would you recommend -- significant election. would you recommend they look for a former ambassador to send as well as moving forward as best as we can to confirm a new ambassador? >> if confirmed, once i can look at all the details, i promise you if i believe that that would be a solution, i would move as quickly as possible for that. in my own case, it really did help to spend some time there. >> having someone with the length of service you have is going to be a terrific opportunity for us, but i'm concerned about the press for time in a country that has a once in a generation chance to get this right. i wanted to commend you both for your long service and your wife's long service in the united states navy, and to welcome you and thank you for your willingness to take on this job. would you insure talks in north korea don't destabilize the

korean peninsula at the expense of extending chinese influence? my concern is there is a prospect of making a strategic mistake of canceling exercises, withdrawing american troops without having complete verifiable path to denuclearization. i will go something senator court meant asked you earlier. i met with human rights activists and folks who defected after many years. should the government of south korea play a role in advocating for human rights in north korea and to that the central part of our advocacy? i'll do allmed, those things that you said. ith regard to human rights, believe that the government of the republic of korea, south korea, has a big role to play in the issue of human rights and the gross violations about the

north. also, there are the issues of inductions of japanese -- abductions of japanese citizens. the president raised those in his discussions, so i think that's a positive, as well. >> let me close to saying to mr. schenker, we sent a letter to the president urged that he not withdraw forces from korea. arguing the vacuum would put at risk or harm our allies worked with us, our partners in combat against isis, and the vacuum would simply he filled by iranian proxies. is it your view that our departure from the ground in syria would create a significant vacuum and we would be at the risk of having iranian proxies fill that vacuum? >> center, thank you. i am concerned.

i think we have to make a decision based on conditions on the ground and in conjunction with combatant commanders say is important. >> i appreciate your previous comments that white helmets do terrific work. i hope you will also be able to make progress in releasing those vital humanitarian funds that support a number of ngos and metalwork in syria. thank you all for your testimony. i look forward to working with you. >>, i'm going to go vote, then we will have senator rubio -- senator kaine to follow you. >> perfect. i can go as long as i want now. but thank you all for being here. thank you for your willingness to serve. i wanted to begin with admiral harris. you had a great amount of service in the end of pacific region. just on your experience in the region, you would agree that

perhaps one of the leading reasons why what we saw earlier this week was even possible. kim jong-un looking for a meeting and so forth is because there was serious doubts about whether they could attach a warhead to a missile before the economy collapsed? they were on a race between being able to having that capability and a loss to the regime. they had doubts the collapse would come before they could and there were trying to stop that from occurring. >> thanks, senator. i'm not sure what is going on in conjunctions mind -- kim jong-un's mind, but i do believe the maximum pressure plan that was led by the state department and and enforcement of you and sanctions, pretty harsh

sanctions by many countries including china, i think the force of those sanctions and the maximum campaign pressure campaign is what brought conjunction to the negotiating table in singapore. >> i only raise that in to the negotiating table in singapore. >> i only raise that because of going on, all the flags, these are all relevant to ome extent but ultimately at the core, the single most important thing that got them to he table and will keep them at the table is the sanctions, pressure, and as long as the onesure is there that's the thing they desperately need to out.re >> i agree with you. 'm concerned that china is starting to relax sanctions, and they want further relaxation of all the parties. i think it's important that we

maintain sanctions until we can we to the point where believe that kim jung-un is negotiations the nd the ultimate aim of the talks, which is to have complete denuclearization. >> if confirmed, i think one of that you ental tasks will play will be very critical. one of the dangers in all of an attempt on the part of the chinese and the north koreans to split the south korea. and as we know there is an inflated south expectation in korea about what this deal could mean. and here's my concern. is that we reach a point, that they are able to into his thing out extended and protracted talks. at some point an offer is being south korea is saying, these ideas are fine by us, but not good for the united states, and that that split

between the u.s. and south korea the undermine international sanctions. the international community, the u.n. would say, if south korea this, north korea is okay with this, and china is the united is, then states is being unreasonable and that that could undernine nternational sanctions so i think that will be an enormous part of your responsibility is to prevent that split from happening. in particular i'm concerned about a push that would say a deal g like, we have but in order for us to do some oncessions short of denuclearization we want it to be step by step. do o something, you something. in that negotiation, step by step, two of those steps along towards a final deal would be, number one, we want you to have a significant troops.on in and the other is we want you to remove the missile defense system from south korea and each steps would be met by some reciprocal concessions but show progress and the south korean government given

this expectation could come forward and say we're in that and the world would say to the united states, they are all in agreement with it. you guys are being unreasonable not agreeing with it so i hink there is a real danger of protracted process. the removal would deeply benefit even russia nkly but it would be against our interests but it might be south koreans would look favorably on in a step by step process and we're in the role of the bad guys. we're standing in the way of a consummated.e i truly believe one of the most important functions that you ensure that split does not happen, that as part of the negotiation, that they reate a gap between us and south korea, as part of a negotiating tactic and i believe you will e challenge face is an incredible amount of xpectation within south korea and the amount of political

capital that the president of deal korea has put on this being successful and i was curious whether you shared that your s a risk and what views would be about ensuring that that split doesn't happen. i do believe that it s important that we stay synchronized and aligned with our ally in south korea. decisions that we troop garding, you know, levels of the air defense system and any other thing that could ome out of the negotiations, that the decisions that we make that we undertake are alliance decisions. that are made with our south korean ally, and not unilaterally. and they need to make their decisions based on the alliance as well. just like the decision to put south korea was an alliance decision, i believe i think portant, and that's one of the roles that i'll have, as you said, if

is to stay synchronized and aligned with leaders in south korea. >> can i ask your background there, in that command. the existence of a missile defense system in south korea, separate, even if north korea have long range missiles and nuclear capability, would it still be in the national security interest of the united have a missile defense presence in south korea and in indo-pacific region beyond north korea? >> based on my previous job we thad ballistic missile in south korea with south korea, because of the from north korea. it is not there for anything anywherea or russia or else. it's based solely on the missile threat from north korea >> so there would be no there cation for it if were no north korean --

>> i don't think a justification issue. there would be no need for it. it is there. very tactical system designed for ballistic missiles coming from north korea. the main line of the united states? >> no, thad is there for muscles coming to south korea. it's there for the defense of south korea, our allies, and the people there. >> okay. senator kaine. thank you and congratulations to the nominees. very k this is a impressive panel of nominees. harris, mysay admiral worry as a member of the armed services committee, to commit paycon is i never have an opportunity to torment you across the witness table. i'm glad to see those opportunities are not coming to an end. nash, i have to bassador

say of any resume i have ever you of anybody i'm giving the best resume. born in hungary and a member of as a ist youth pioneers youngster, and tell your father, sentence and you guys left the country. you've been involved in three political campaigns for goldwater, mitt romney and barack obama. that's an unusual hat trick. a lot who would say that. and some others. service in mendous africa, your multiple language fluency. most interesting man in the world w. [laughter] >> but i'll tell you the thing about the resume i like the those of you out in the audience maybe didn't gate chance to read this, he failed foreign service exam the first time he took it but passed it in 1977. in their resume? very confident person, who is attributing success to the most important element which is persistence. an at the career of being ambassador twice and now being

nominated. you put that front and center. credit.ery much to your my questions are going to be for mr. -- thank you for the to visit in the office. i'm the ranking member on the subcommittee that your area of responsibility. in your professional expertise, 'm not asking about administration policy, i'm talking about your professional xpertise working in this area, do you think a peace deal between israel and palestine, two states for two people living peace, is still a possibility, or have facts, you violence from gaza against israel or israeli settlements in have facts ks, eclipsed the possibility of a two-state peace deal? >> thank you, senator. meeting with you as well. no, i think it's still a possibility. think it depends on the wills of the party. ultimately, any solution to the solution of the palestinian

conflict will be determined by the parties. the united states has a role in facilitating those negotiations, ut both parties have to be ready to make the sacrifices necessary. >> let me ask you this. should still be u.s. policy, now, to promote circumstances, as you point out, it's the will of the parties, but to promote ideal, which has been u.s. policy since the u.n. first recognized the state of israel? you think that should be our policy? >> i do. what do you think israel must o to make that possibility a reality? in your professional opinion, not state department? i don't want to prejudge the negotiations, and i haven't been at all to any of the deliberations, what jerry kushner and green blat -- not asking you about the administration, you're an

expert. you lived there, studied there, in the languages, you worked in a think tank organizations who have worked on this for years. i hope to do in my remaining 3:30 is just get your based on al expertise the life of working in the area dot do you think israel must what you think the palestinians must do what you think the united states should do, what neighbors srael's should do. so again, i'm not talking about just, in iation, but your expertise in the area, i hope you can educate us. well, thank you. i think broad outlines, land for peace, there is a west bank for parties to determine the lines. for the parties to determine the lines. territorial swaps. recognition. > that's on the palestinian side? >> right. right. here are difficult decisions that will have to be made

potentially about -- between the parties about where the capital ltimately may be of the palestinian state, for the it's inians, once again, recognition of their right to deputies, that's what the sraelis are demanding right now. > that was the terms of the original u.n. decision? >> and for israel to live within secure borders, and that's for the parties to determine, of course, but hether this future palestinian state is largely demilitarized. of theink those are some key issues on that front. surmountable. are >> if each side is willing to do the things that you the outline? >> right. israel and palestinians have some things that they have to do if this esirable reality will be accomplished. i'm not going to ask you what the u.s. should do because the stateht, there is department and jared kushner are

working that. what about the neighbors of palestinians, what do you think they need to do to help make the desirable reality? >> i think this is the key. he key element here, which is, that for israel, presumably, to make some very difficult in return, there would be recognition from across to region and other parties is, acceptance t and opening ties with gulf ongoing now, y be very quiet., are >> sort of sub -- that we would be supporting publicly but opening up true nation-to-nation relations in sunlight with israel. >> that would be the hope obviously. likewise, i think some funding support for the palestinians to develop their economy in a very big way, which will

e, i think, important to both stabilize and strengthen and counterviolent extremism in these areas. hope that we remain very committed to this. from my first visit in israel in 2000 till play most like thesits, it seems prospects have gotten further always her apart, but i describe having ancestors from a part of the world where the looked zero for hundreds of years in ireland, and then in our lifetime, after friday accords, there was an accord and general races of kids born in ireland today know what it was like, that there was centuries of troubles. o we need to remain committed to it and watch for those opportunities and i appreciate our long work in this area and encourage you to keep that front of mind in your capacity. you, all of you, and thank you, mr. chair. markey, you, senator, for a full seven minutes. you.hank

>> we hope that our agreement is negotiating rump's still with president kim. -- skill with with respect to kim. >> by the way, senator kaine, i that's an you, incredible resume for most interesting man in the world. amazing. -- it's but i was talking to admiral -- sink his going to nomination if you keep saying he's the most interesting man in the world. the president is the most in the world.n >> this is true. true.s his t admiral harris, father in the navy, meets his mother in japan, you know, after married, ii, they get move to tennessee, you know, and florida, and he returns of our pacific command.

>> that's a state with no income tax. he's a smart man. to be here as our ambassador to korea, just amazing.y each of these stories is just an dream come true, in each instance. embodying all r way, i , and, by the support whole heartily each one nominations for confirmation. you for your of service. i would like, if i could, with harris, just to move over to the sanctions which is in place, and, of the commentary coming coming out of china, here might be an interest in

relaxation of that sanctions we see full in liance by president kim, the denuclearization of north korea. could you talk about that, your terms of what the sequencing should be in the removal of any of those sanctions. >> sure. senator, as i understand it, sanctions remain in effect, full sanctions remain in effect until concrete a makes teps, demonstrates concrete steps toward denuclearization. the four range of the united ations sanctions is what i'm talking about, and i believe sanctions that brought north korea to this point in the first place. to singapore. so i think we need to maintain until there are

of concrete demonstrations -- de nuclear a de nuclear rised north korea. > are you concerned that they might begin to turn a blind eye to increase in trade, that will bolster the regime? >> i am concerned. united a member of the nations and the united nations has determined that north korea because of nctioned their nuclear weapons development program, and they -- united nations has not relaxed those sanctions, so member of the united nations, in my opinion, is follow those rules. last august, rea with senator van holland and while military maneuvers were being conducted in south korea.

could you talk a little bit relationship with south korea, the concern which on day one, that notified of been the change, in terms of those what youexercises, and think is necessary going forward, in terms of maintaining working partnership with south korea? believe that president moon -- said it right, after the singapore. he described them as talks of the century. i think that he's optimistic and negotiationate that space so that north korea has an to demonstrate the seriousness with which it's a ling to undergo denuclearization. so i think the first step we to do is create the space, the negotiating space and then

from there. definition of complete zation the removal of all nuclear equipment before there is any relaxation sanctions? >> not necessarily to the extent that you just described. denuclearization means complete denuclearization of equipment, research, existing stockpiles, and all of that, including the means to deliver them. that's what denuclearization means. frankly, ow, quite where along that timeline toward denuclearization that we should start to relax sanctions. i think that's part of the and it's certainly part of the deliberations that

ill happen back here in washington. korea. seoul with south >> so how concerned are you that working from ill family playbook, which in the 1990s and now in the century, just continues to the t in them pocketing rewards of negotiation while delaying the concessions? and then accepting those rewards having - without ever seen any benefits to flow to the united states, south korea, or the west? sir.es, we saw with his predecessors 1994, in 2005, and 2012. but i believe the president is spot on when he says he's not long. to wait that he'll know within a year, maybe

less, and we'll know within a the or maybe less, seriousness about which kim jung-un approaches his part of deal, and we'll be able to make that decision then. >> thank you. we thank you, admiral. of you for your service to our country and we ook forward to trying to help you to do your jobs in the years ahead. thank you, thank you, mr. chairman. >> senator menendez? just ask you, do you view the three d's, defense, iplomacy and development, as all important to our work in africa? >> absolutely, senator. f you get rid of the terrorists, you have to fill the space with something. of the get rid terrorists, if the same conditions remain with poor governance, abuse of human a couple of years later another terrorist group will come as we saw in somalia over last several decades, so

absolutely yes. >> do you think we have the of this moment? >> senator, i can promise you that if i'm confirmed, i will be s aggressive as i can be in trying to obtain the resources that i believe are necessary. course, at the end of the day i will support any budget that the president puts out but in my to deal with d lean budgets. i've had to deal with better and i promise you i will optimize the resources in i can.t way that >> my goal is to not have you dispute the administration's thatt, no one could defend but my question is, will you if you are advocate, ultimately approved, confirmed, creating the right balance among these three critical elements? >> absolutely. effect of having such a significant military in niger but no aid?

know niger has resources from u.s. id. they have a limited mission formal mission, and they are also supported from offices.ional it is one of those cases where niger is threatened from several different directions. probably one of the most vulnerable countries in the sahara. the question will be rightly, when the terrorists are gone, what happens next, and i can if confirmed, i will do my best to fight for hose resources, to replace the vacuum that's left behind. >> let me ask you this. given the concerns that some voiced about radicalization occurring due to abuses by forces, how should we be weighing in, whether and when arms to countries in africa whose military have engaged in well-documented human abuses even in the face of sit terrorist threats? senator, abuse by security forces is a significant problem.

in my experience, in africa, i positive role that u.s. military exchange can play, in actually improving the systematic ces from to a point where it's only rogue elements or rogue individuals. ased on my own experience, senator, i'm very much in favor, with engage. possible -- >> i'm talking about selling arms. senator, i totally support u.s. law and i promise confirmed, i will examine very closely the human rights situations in each of those cases. know, committee, the chairman and have i jurisdiction ver arms sales in an informal way, and i would be interested in having an understanding of calibration ght here so your insight would be helpful. finally, what's your position on utility of investments in the democracy and governance

sectors as it relates to an continent?erican >> thank you for that question in. ance and governor that holdss the glue it altogether. if the citizens in the country after the power is there, don't or don't their gust believe that people are paying or their bills, the infrastructure will be destructive. so from my experience, i'm to governance ed and human rights and democracy. > as a follow-up, i'm thrilled to hear your answer, as a follow-up, i hope you will be of the statenfines department and administration, an advocate for funding in that we're sorely lacking in this. lastly, i would like commitment confirmed, you will return in a relatively to brief us on the status of the development of a diplomatic approach

and the -- part sahara part of the continent. >> thank you. >> i can tell you in recent we've not had a committee hearing like this where all of broadly ees are so supported on both sides of the speaks to think it who you are as people and also your professionalism. we thank you for that we thank families for joining you in your service and we'll keep the ecord of open until the close of business tomorrow, so there will be some written questions. i know all three of you are very this.iar with if you could respond to those quickly it will help to speed along your nomination. one brief comment. you suggested that your children aren't angels, they have behaved extraordinarily well. i mean, i don't think there are as well o could behave audience. [applause] >> do you want to respond to

that? say?hat can you >> no comment. [laughter] >> thank you so much. that, the meeting is adjourned. thank you. >> thank you very much. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2018] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org]

announcer: reporter: the department of justice inspector general has released a report on the use of hillary clinton's emails. a long-awaited report by the justice department's watchdog found no indication that political bias affected decisions in the fbi's investigation into hillary clinton's email server. but the review criticized agent in excess fbi director james comey for violating norms during the probe. you can read more at politico.com. up next on c-span, the current fbi director talks about the inspector general's findings. then we will hear from congressional democrats.

later, state department nominees testify. c-span's "washington journal," live every day with news and policy issues that impact you. friday morning, minnesota republican congressman and deputy chair for the national republican campaign community -- committee talks about 2018. --er, paul tonko rever discusses the opioid crisis. shoretel watch c-span's -- be sure to watch c-span's "washington journal." join the discussion. announcer: this weekend on c-span saturday at 10:00, eastern, justice in homeland security officials testify on interference in u.s. elections. sunday at 10:30 a.m., highlights from the summit with president

trump and north korean leader kim jong-il and. newt gingrich talks about his book "trumps america." francesco ramsey shares her experience in becoming a social justice activist in her book "that escalated quickly." and on c-span3, saturday at 8:00 p.m. eastern, duke university edwardsr laura examining westward expansion and the law's role in taking over native american lands. and sunday at 4:00 p.m. eastern on reel america, the 1944 film "the memphis bell," which documents one of the first b-17 bombers to complete 25 missions in europe without being shot down.