Freeing (some of) our hostages: Iranian “humanitarians” Anne Bayefsky with Daniel Henninger
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Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, January 19, 2016:
MR. EARNEST: “…the release of five Americans who are being unjustly detained inside of Iran…What we saw was that essentially was a humanitarian gesture that was offered up by the Iranians. We made a reciprocal humanitarian gesture by releasing seven individuals…”
“QUESTION: …the Department of State announced this payment of $1.7 billion to the government of Iran just before the plane carrying the freed Americans landed in Geneva. You’re really telling me that this is an absolute coincidence?…
MR. EARNEST: I think we’ve made pretty clear that this is not a coincidence. The fact is, these kinds of diplomatic opportunities…
QUESTION: …Paul Ryan has suggested this was a ransom payment…
MR. EARNEST: What I’m suggesting is that the successful resolution of our concerns about Iran’s nuclear program created a series of diplomatic opportunities…”
UN Secretary-General’s Remarks (January 15, 2016) at General Assembly Presentation of the Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism (January 7, 2016):
“Definitions of “terrorism” and “violent extremism” are the prerogative of Member States…”
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