Taking Decisive Action to Destroy and Demolish ISIS

On January 28, the President signed an executive memorandum directing the Secretary of Defense to work with other cabinet members, including the Secretary of State, to develop a plan to defeat ISIS. In March, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the U.S. Department of State hosted the first full Meeting of the Ministers of the Global Coalition on the Defeat of ISIS since 2014. The 68-member Global Coalition, the largest international coalition in history, is joined together in common cause to reduce the threat that ISIS poses to international security through civilian and military efforts. The international partners gathered in Washington, DC to accelerate international efforts to defeat ISIS in the areas it holds in Iraq and Syria and maximize pressure on its branches, affiliates, and networks.

In his remarks before Coalition partners, Secretary Tillerson outlined how the Coalition’s military campaign in coordination with civilian stabilization and normalization efforts in Iraq and Syria will lead to the destruction of ISIS.  Secretary Tillerson said, “President Trump, in his recent address to the joint session of Congress, made clear that it is the policy of the United States to demolish and destroy this barbaric terrorist organization. That is what we are going to do.”

Responding Swiftly to Syria’s Use of Chemical Weapons

The United States mounted a military and diplomatic response two days after the Syrian government’s April 4 chemical weapons attack in Idlib province, which killed and injured hundreds of innocent Syrian people, including women and children,. The actions of the Assad regime were met with condemnation from numerous U.S. officials, including President Trump, Secretary Tillerson, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who spoke at an emergency session of the UN Security Council.

On April 7, President Trump ordered the launch of 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles aimed at Captain Airfield in Homs from which the assault was launched. Following the airstrike, Secretary Tillerson delivered remarks alongside National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, stating, “…[it is] important that some action be taken on behalf of the international community to make clear that the use of chemical weapons continues to be a violation of international norms.”

Demonstrating Strong Leadership at the United Nations

The Trump administration has taken a new approach to the United Nations (UN), standing strong with allies and calling out those who oppose the interests of the United States and international community in global peace and security.  The United States has demonstrated active leadership at the UN, where we have a condemned Iran for its ballistic missile launch, and called for the international community to respond to the actions of North Korea.

On April 12, the United States and its allies put forward UN Security Council Resolution condemning the April 4 use of chemical weapons in Syria. The UNSC failed to adopt the draft resolution following a veto by the Russian Federation. However, in a diplomatic win, Beijing broke ranks with Moscow and sided with the United States by not objecting to a resolution condemning the chemical attack in Syria, leaving Russia isolated on the world stage in its support for Syria’s regime. In her remarks following the vote, Ambassador Haley urged “Russia to join forces with the overwhelming number of countries that are pushing for a political solution” in Syria.

Putting Iran “On Notice” For Provocative Action in Violation of Its International Obligations

The United States has taken a strong stance against continued provocative actions by Iran as it relates to nonproliferation and counterterrorism. .On March 21, the United States imposed sanctions on 30 foreign entities and individuals in 10 countries pursuant to the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA). These sanctions exemplify the U.S. government’s continued commitment to nonproliferation and the promotion of global stability and security.

On April 18, Secretary Tillerson announced the Trump administration’s plans to conduct a review of U.S. Iran policy across the entire government. During a press availabilitythe next day, Secretary Tillerson asserted, “Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and is responsible for intensifying multiple conflicts and undermining U.S. interests in countries such as Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon, and continuing to support attacks against Israel.”

Ending Era of Strategic Patience with North Korea

Past efforts have failed to halt North Korea’s unlawful weapons programs and nuclear and ballistic missile tests. With each provocation, North Korea jeopardizes stability in Northeast Asia and poses a growing threat to our Allies and the U.S. homeland.  North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is an urgent national security threat and top foreign policy priority. Upon assuming office, President Trump ordered a thorough review of U.S. policy pertaining to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (D.P.R.K.).

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson chairs a UN Security Council Meeting on Denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the United Nations in New York City on April 28, 2017.

On April 26, Secretary of State Tillerson, Secretary of Defense Mattis, Director of National Intelligence Coats, along with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dunford, briefed Members of Congress on the review. The President’s approach aims to pressure North Korea into dismantling its nuclear, ballistic missile, and proliferation programs by tightening economic sanctions and pursuing diplomatic measures with our Allies and regional partners.  We are engaging responsible members of the international community to increase pressure on the D.P.R.K. in order to convince the regime to de-escalate and return to the path of dialogue. We will maintain our close coordination and cooperation with our Allies, especially the Republic of Korea and Japan, as we work together to preserve stability and prosperity in the region.

Over these first 100 days, President Trump has engaged directly with dozens of foreign leaders and enlisted top U.S. officials, including Secretary Tillerson, in this direct effort to maintain meaningful engagement with the world. Whether reassuring our allies in the Asia-Pacific, engaging in frank dialogue with Russian leaders in Moscow, or taking a stand at the United Nations against actions taken by Syria, the United States under President Trump has demonstrated strong leadership within the international community and that we will continue to take the lead on the global stage.

According to UN Security Council Resolution 2321, a stated objective of this council is North Korea’s abandonment of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

For the past 20 years, well-intentioned diplomatic efforts to halt these programs have failed. It is only by first dismantling them that there can be peace, stability, and economic prosperity for all of Northeast Asia.

With each successive detonation and missile test, North Korea pushes Northeast Asia and the world closer to instability and broader conflict.

The threat of a North Korean nuclear attack on Seoul, or Tokyo, is real.

And it is likely only a matter of time before North Korea develops the capability to strike the U.S. mainland.

Indeed, the D.P.R.K. has repeatedly claimed it plans to conduct such a strike. Given that rhetoric, the United States cannot idly stand by. Nor can other members of this council who are within striking distance of North Korean missiles.

Having for years displayed a pattern of behavior that defies multiple UN Security Council resolutions, including 2321 and 2270, and erodes global progress on nuclear nonproliferation, there is no reason to think that North Korea will change its behavior under the current multilateral sanctions framework.

For too long, the international community has been reactive in addressing North Korea. Those days must come to an end.

Failing to act now on the most pressing security issue in the world may bring catastrophic consequences.

We have said this before and it bears repeating: the policy of strategic patience is over. Additional patience will only mean acceptance of a nuclear North Korea.

The more we bide our time, the sooner we will run out of it.

In light of the growing threat, the time has come for all of us to put new pressure on North Korea to abandon its dangerous path.

I urge this council to act before North Korea does.

We must work together to adopt a new approach and impose increased diplomatic and economic pressures on the North Korean regime.

The new campaign the United States is embarking on is driven by our own national security considerations, and it is welcomed by many nations who are concerned for their own security and question why North Korea clings to nuclear capabilities for which it has no need.

Our goal is not regime change. Nor do we desire to threaten the North Korean people or destabilize the Asia Pacific region. Over the years, we have withdrawn our own nuclear weapons from South Korea and offered aid to North Korea as proof of our intent to de-escalate the situation and normalize relations. Since 1995, the United States has provided over $1.3 billion dollars in aid to North Korea, and we look forward to resuming our contributions once the D.P.R.K. begins to dismantle its nuclear weapons and missile technology programs.

The D.P.R.K., for its own sake, must dismantle its nuclear and missile programs if it wants to achieve the security, economic development, and international recognition that it seeks. North Korea must understand that respect will never follow recklessness. North Korea must take concrete steps to reduce the threat that its illegal weapons programs pose to the United States and our allies before we can even consider talks.

I propose all nations take these three actions beginning today:

First, we call on UN member-states to fully implement the commitments they have made regarding North Korea. This includes all measures required in Resolutions 2321 and 2270.

Those nations which have not fully enforced these resolutions fully discredit this body.

Second, we call on countries to suspend or downgrade diplomatic relations with North Korea. North Korea exploits its diplomatic privileges to fund its illicit nuclear and missile technology programs, and constraining its diplomatic activity will cut off a flow of needed resources. In light of North Korea’s recent actions, normal relations with the D.P.R.K. are simply not acceptable.

Third, we must increase North Korea’s financial isolation. We must levy new sanctions on D.P.R.K. entities and individuals supporting its weapons and missile programs, and tighten those that are already in place. The United States also would much prefer countries and people in question to own up to their lapses and correct their behavior themselves, but we will not hesitate to sanction third-country entities and individuals supporting the D.P.R.K.’s illegal activities.

We must bring maximum economic pressure by severing trade relationships that directly fund the D.P.R.K.’s nuclear and missile program. I call on the international community to suspend the flow of North Korean guest workers and to impose bans on North Korean imports, especially coal.

We must all do our share, but China accounting for 90 percent of North Korean trade, China alone has economic leverage over Pyongyang that is unique, and its role is therefore particularly important. The U.S. and China have held very productive exchanges on this issue, and we look forward to further actions that build on what China has already done.

Lastly, as we have said before, all options for responding to future provocation must remain on the table. Diplomatic and financial levers of power will be backed up by a willingness to counteract North Korean aggression with military action if necessary. We much prefer a negotiated solution to this problem. But we are committed to defending ourselves and our allies against North Korean aggression.

This new pressure campaign will be swiftly implemented and painful to North Korean interest.

I realize some nations for which a relationship with North Korea has been in some ways a net positive may be disinclined to implement the measures of pressure on North Korea.

But the catastrophic effects of a North Korean nuclear strike outweigh any economic benefits. We must be willing to face the hard truths and make hard choices right now to prevent disastrous outcomes in the future.

Business as usual is not an option.

There is also a moral dimension to this problem. Countries must know by now that helping the North Korean regime means enabling cruelty and suffering.

North Korea feeds billions of dollars into a nuclear program it does not need while its own people starve.

The regime’s pursuit of nuclear weapons does not serve its own national security or the well-being of a people trapped in tyranny.

I ask the community of nations to help us preserve security and protect human dignity.

In one of my first trips as America’s Secretary of State, I looked across the DMZ at the haunted land of North Korea. Beyond the border is a nation of sorrow, frozen in time. While the world sees the gleaming buildings of Pyongyang, the blight of oppression and starvation has swept this land for over 60 years.

But even though the present condition of that country is bleak, the United States believes in a future for North Korea. These first steps toward a more hopeful future will happen most quickly if other stakeholders in this – in the region and the global security join us.

For years, North Korea has been dictating the terms of its dangerous course of action.

It is time for us to retake control of the situation.

We ask the members of this council and all other partners to implement a new strategy to denuclearize North Korea.

Thank you.

I resume my function now as president of the council. I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan.