Pool Reports of April 15, 2024

In-town pool report #1 — gathered for Oval

The in-town pool has gathered for the Oval Office spray with President Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shyaa Al-Sudani. We are waiting outside the Oval. More TK.

In-town pool report #2 - Biden on Iran attack

"Together with our partners, we defeated that attack."

"The United States is committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading…than it already has."

"The United States if committed" to Israel's security.

He called the US-Iraqi relationship critical for the region and the world.

Pool entered the Oval around 12:18. POTUS began speaking about a minute later.

More TK.

In-town pool report #3 - no Q&A

President Biden did not respond to a number of questions. The pool exited at 12:30p. More TK.

In-town pool report #4 - Kirby at briefing/bilat details

Two notes:

First, John Kirby, national security communications adviser, will join press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at today's briefing, which is still slated for 1:30 p.m. (as of now, at least).

Second, the White House passes along the below:

The President is hosting a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Shyaa Al-Sudani of the Republic of Iraq.

U.S.
T.H. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State
T.H. Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
T.H. Alina Romanowski, Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Iraq
T.H. Brett McGurk, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, National Security Council
T.H. Amos Hochstein, Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the President for Energy and Investment, National Security Council
T.H. Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
T.H. Terry Wolff, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa, National Security Council
Ms. Emily Barnes, Director for Iraq and Syria, National Security Council

Iraq
H.E. Mohammed Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning
H.E. Hayan Alsawad, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil
H.E. Nazar Al Khirullah, Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the United States
H.E. Safeen Dizayee, Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government
Mr. Abdulkareem Aal-Faysal, Advisor to the Prime Minister
Mr. Kadhim Al-Hasani, Advisor to the Prime Minister
Mr. Krikor Der-Hagopian, Advisor to the Prime Minister
Mr. Farhad Alaaldin, Advisor to the Prime Minister

in-town pool report #5 - cleaned up/other Biden quotes

POTUS quotes from Oval:

"The United States is committed to Israel's security."

"We're committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and [inaudible] spreading than it already has."

"We're also committed to the security of our personnel and our allies, including Iraq."

"Our relationship between Iraq and the United States is critical."

"...Over the last decade as our troops have fought side-by-side in the fight to defeat ISIS."

In-town pool report #6 - Al-Sudani on Middle East

Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Sudani in the Oval on Middle East:

"...That does not mean that we forget about our humanitarian responsibility about what's happening in the region."

"Under the spirit of partnership, our views might be divergent about what's happening in the region."

"But we are certain of international law, international humanitarian law, and the responsibility to protect under the law of war and we reject any aggression against civilians, especially women and children."

"And we encourage the [inaudible] about … respecting international norms."

"As humanity, we need a system that respects these laws. And if we get silent about what's happening, that we will establish a precedent that will be followed…"

Al-Sudani said the Iraqi government is "very eager about stopping this war which claimed the lives of thousands of civilians, including women and children." He called for a "stopping of the expansion of the area of conflict."

(Please note that Al-Sudani spoke through an interpreter. Please check all quotes from both leaders against video and/or transcript.)

in-town pool report #8a - two minutes to briefing

[APP Note: No additional text was included in this report.]

In-town pool report #9 - gathering again

The in-town pool has again gathered for the Oval Office pool spray with President Biden and Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala, with some of our drenched Czech colleagues who braved the rain for Fiala's arrival. More TK.

In-town pool report #10 - Biden head shake/Trump question

Pool entered the Oval Office at 3:35 p.m., and the two leaders shook hands while seated in the usual beige-colored chairs.

POTUS did not verbally take shouted questions, and there were plenty, at the conclusion of the spray. Your pooler was told by colleagues Biden shook his head when asked if he would watch any of former President Trump's criminal trial in NYC.

Biden touted the Czech government for buying US-made weapons, including F-35 fighters and helicopters, and for being a vocal ally of Ukraine. "Congress has to pass continued funding" for Ukraine — "and they have to do it now," Biden said.

"Russia will not stop in Ukraine and the impact on NATO would be significant," Biden said.

Fiala said he saw Russian tanks on the streets of his hometown as a boy, and doesn't not want to see that again. US-Czech cooperation is key to global stability, Fiala said.

They shook hands again and Biden called him a "great ally."

More TK.

in-town pool report #11 - Biden remarks

President Biden spoke for almost a minute-and-a-half. Below is a partial transcript. Please check against video and/or transcript.

"I can't tell you how much we appreciate your out-spokenness and the support of the people of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic with defending the people of Ukraine… Continue to just speak out."

"I want to thank you for helping, Mr. Prime Minister, helping us secure nearly 1 million rounds of ammunition for Ukraine. We're committed to doing our part. But Congress has to pass [inaudible] our bipartisan national security bill. And they have to do it now. Now. There's overwhelming support in the House and Senate."

[inaudible]

"Because as the Czech Republic remembers, Russia won't stop at Ukraine. Russia will not stop at Ukraine, and the impact on NATO would be significant. If Putin's going to keep going [inaudible] the entire world at risk if we don't stop him in Ukraine."

in-town pool report #12 - lid

The White House called a travel/photo lid at 6:14 p.m. Have a nice evening, folks.

Foreign pool report // 1 - Arrival of Iraqi PM Al-Sudani

Prime Minister Mr. Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani arrived at the White House at 12:00 PM ET.

This is the first visit of Iraqi Prime Minister, Mr. Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani to the White House and his first meeting with President Biden.

Next event is an Oval office spray where he is set to discuss the Strategic Framework Agreement, and their strategies to ensure the sustained defeat of ISIS and financial reforms in Iraq and advance towards energy self-sufficiency and modernization

He met yesterday with Mr. Amos Hockstein, Advisor to the US President for Affairs.

The Iraqi delegation consists of:
1. Mr. Muhammad Tamim / Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning
2. Mr. Hayan Abdul Ghani / Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil
3. Mr. Nizar Al-Khairallah / Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Washington
4. Mr. Safin Dizay / Official of the Foreign Relations Office - Kurdistan Regional Government
5. Mr. Abdul Karim Al-Faisal / Chairman of the Board of Advisors
6. Mr. Kazem Al-Hassani / Advisor to the Prime Minister
7. Mr. Krikor Bakram / Advisor to the Prime Minister

Earlier, He met with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, and later He will be meeting with Secretary of Defense Austin.

He will also be meeting with the Deputy Secretary of the US Treasury, Mr. Wally Adeyemo.

The Iraqi PM will also see Secretary of Homeland Security Mr. Alejandro Mayorkas.

On Tuesday, he will meet with National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, White House Coordinator for Middle East Affairs, Mr. Brett McGurk and Ambassador of the United States of America in Baghdad Mrs. Elena Romanski.

He is also expected to meet with the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee in the US House of Representatives Republican Michael McCall.

During his visit, the Iraqi PM will do a round of media appearances both with CNN and the Washington Post.

On Wednesday, the PM will be democrat Senator Tim Kaine and Mrs. Evelier Haynes, Director of US National Intelligence.

He will also be meeting with the Chairman of JP Morgan Bank (Morgan JB) and the President of Lockheed Martin Military Aircraft Manufacturer.

On Thursday and Friday, the Iraqi PM will be meeting with American energy companies in Houston, organized by the Chamber of Commerce, American Arab and the Baker Institute.

Prior to his departure on Friday, He will go to Michigan and meet with the Arab Iraqi community and religious leaders.

Foreign pool report // 2 - Oval office spray with Iraqi PM Al-Sudani

Pool ushered to the oval office at 12:22 PM.

Both POTUS and the PM were already seated, Iraqi PM Al-Sudani spoke in Arabic via a translator.

Here are the highlights of what he said:

- He called for creating a new system to respect international law, international humanitarian law and called on the protection of civilians.

- The relationship between the U.S and Iraq is at important juncture, and We are looking for a comprehensive long term partnership.

- We are looking to move the relationship from a security and military one to an economical, educational and environmental relationship.

- The war against ISIS is the base of our relationship, We fought together and achieved victory together against them.

- We are committed to the outcome of the HMC (Higher Military Commission) discussions.

- There are so many benefits to the Strategic Framework Agreement.

- We have full commitment to what's happening in the region and in the spirit of the partnership, We disagree on issues of what's happening in the region especially the respect of international law and the responsibility of protecting Palestinian civilians.

- We reject any attacks on women and children.

- We are eager to stop the war that killed thousands of Palestinian civilians and We encourage all efforts towards that.

- We call for restraints and de-escalation.

- We support international norms regarding diplomatic missions.

Press shouted questions at POTUS but he didn't take any.

The two leaders participated a wider meeting with respective delegation.

The Iraqi delegation who will be taking part of the discussion are:

1. Mr. Muhammad Tamim / Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning
2. Mr. Hayan Abdul Ghani / Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil
3. Mr. Nizar Al-Khairallah / Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Washington
4. Mr. Safin Dizay / Official of the Foreign Relations Office - Kurdistan Regional Government
5. Mr. Abdul Karim Al-Faisal / Chairman of the Board of Advisors
6. Mr. Kazem Al-Hassani / Advisor to the Prime Minister
7. Mr. Krikor Bakram / Advisor to the Prime Minister

Foreign pool report #1 - Background on Fiala's visit

Good afternoon,

I will be your foreign pooler for President Biden's bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala. The meeting at The Oval Office, scheduled for 3:00 PM, will be covered by the in-house pool. Before leaving the White House, the PM will come to the sticks to speak to Czech reporters.

Czech Prime minister arrived in Washington Sunday night. After his visit to the White House Fiala will meet with his compatriots living in the United States, per Czech government's office. In a 2020 census, 1.4 million Americans identified themselves as having Czech heritage.

On Tuesday Petr Fiala will speak at the Hudson Institute and will visit the U.S. Congress to meet with Speaker of the House Johnson and other members of congress. Fiala will also honor the legacy of Václav Havel at the House of Representatives (where Havel's bust was placed in 2014) and will pay tribute to Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the founding President of Czechoslovakia during a ceremony at Masaryk statue.

Meeting at the CIA
Fiala began his visit to Washington with an unannounced earlier meeting with the Director of the CIA William Burns. "At the beginning of my working visit, I am heading for a meeting with the director of the CIA," Fiala himself revealed on X. The heads of the Czech intelligence services, including the head of the Czech civilian counterintelligence service, the Security Information Service (BIS) Michal Koudelka and Military Intelligence Service commander Jan Beroun accompany Fiala in Washington.

Last month Petr Fiala announced that BIS discovered Kremlin-financed network that spread Russian propaganda and wielded influence across Europe, including in the European Parliament. At the center of the network was Voice of Europe news site based in Prague, which tried to discourage Europeans from sending more aid to Ukraine. Some European politicians cooperating with the news site were apparently paid by Russian.

Previous meetings with Biden:
Prime Minister Petr Fiala met President Biden in Warsaw in February 2023 at the B9 Summit, and in March 2022 at the NATO summit and European Council meeting in Brussels. This will be their first bilateral meeting.

Notable visits of Czech leaders to the White House:

February 1990 - newly-elected president of Czechoslovakia, Vaclav Havel was welcomed to the White House by George Bush.

January 1994 - Vaclav Havel visited the Oval Office at the invitation of Bill Clinton,

September 1998 – Vaclav Havel and Mrs. Havlova attended a State Dinner at the Clinton's White House. Following the dinner, guests were entertained by Havel's good friend Lou Reed.

March 2019 – Prime Minister Andrej Babis and his wife Monika Babisova visited the White House at the invitation of Donald Trump. During the meeting in the Oval Office a populist billionaire Babis told Trump that he wanted "to make the Czech Republic great again."

Agenda:
Before his departure from Prague on Sunday Petr Fiala told reporters that during his visit to the U.S. he will focus on security cooperation, the Middle East, and aid to Ukraine. Fiala said he would address the issue of further support for Ukraine in any talks he has with US officials. "I will try to convince our American friends that this help and support is absolutely necessary," Fiala said. Other topics will include economic relations and nuclear energy. Although the American Westinghouse has dropped out of the bid for the completion of the Dukovany power plant, the Czech Republic would still like to cooperate with the U.S. on the supply of nuclear fuel for Czech power plants, and development of small modular reactors.

Announcing Fiala's travel to the U.S., the Czech Government Office pointed to a symbolic significance of his visit, as the Czech Republic commemorates the 25th anniversary of its accession to NATO.

Czech Republic in NATO
Czech Republic formally joined NATO during Clinton administration on March 12, 1999, along with Poland and Hungary. Prague sent troops to Afghanistan to support NATO's mission in this country. More than 9,000 Czech troops served as combat forces, patrol units, anti-biological and chemical weapons teams and in hospitals, per Radio Prague International.

Czech defense spending in 2023 was at 1.5% of GDP. Fiala's government committed to increase military budget to 2% of GDP in 2024, but it's unclear if the country will be able achieve this

In January 2024 the Czech government signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to buy 24 Lockheed Martin F-35 Fighter Jets from the United States.

The U.S. doesn't have military presence in the Czech Republic. But in 2023 both countries signed Defense Cooperation Agreement, setting a legal framework for joint military exercises and possible deployment of U.S. troops at a time of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Czech munition initiative for Ukraine:
The Czech Republic is one of Ukraine's most committed supporters. The government in Prague promises to stand by Ukraine and provide all necessary assistance for „as long as Ukraine needs it".

As the U.S. military assistance to Ukraine got stalled in Congress, in February 2024 Czech President Petr Pavel announced ammunition initiative for Ukraine. The goal was to acquire 800,000 artillery shells to be delivered in batches by the end of the year. Prague had identified 500,000 155mm artillery shells and 300,000 122mm rounds outside the European Union that could be bought and sent to Ukraine. Over a dozen countries joined the initiative, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars. Czechia's initiative to supply artillery shells for Ukraine may deliver as many as 1.5 million rounds, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told Bloomberg on March 26.

Petr Fiala's bio:
59 years-old Petr Fiala is the Czech Republic's Prime Minister since November 2021, leading a coalition government composed of five center-right political parties. Fiala is the leader of the Civic Democratic Party, the liberal conservative party advocating freedom of individual, low taxes, free market, and small government. Fiala previously served as the Minister of Education. Prior to entering politics, he was a professor of political science and the rector of Masaryk University - one of the Czech Republic's best universities. Fiala is a staunch supporter of Israel. Speaking to reporters on Sunday he said that Israel has the "absolute right to defend itself and use all means to do so in order to guarantee its survival."

Petr Fiala was raised in a conservative Catholic family in Brno. He married to biologist Jana Fialová. They have three children.

Foreign pool report #2 - Fiala's arrival delayed

Prime Minister Fiala's arrival has been pushed back to 3:30PM, per Czech delegation.

Foreign pool report #3 - Fiala's arrival

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala arrived at 3:27PM in a black SUV with U.S. and Czech flags. It was raining at the WH at the time of the arrival.

Fiala waved to reporters and walked inside followed by the government delegation.

Fiala will meet Biden at the Oval Office. This engagement will be followed by a meeting of Czech and U.S. delegations. To following officials will join PM Fiala at the meeting with POTUS:

- Adviser on security and foreign affairs Tomáš Pojar,
- Ambassador to the U.S. Miloslav Stašek,
- Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Jiří Kozák
- Chief adviser to the PM Jakub Kajzler - Head of Communication Department Václav Smolka.

The in-house pool and Czech reporters are gathering now in the Brady Briefing Room fot the Oval Office spray.

Gifts for Biden
Before PM Fiala's visit to the United States Czech media reported that Fiala would not arrive in the White House empty-handed. He will present Biden with a framed photograph of the first Czech President Václav Havel with former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who has Czech roots. The photograph was taken by Havel's photographer Oldřich Škácha during Albrights visit to Prague in October 2003.

The Czech PM will also present the US President with a glass stoup for Holy Water, created by Czech student Anna Martinková. "This piece of art is intended to recall the beauty and dignity of Baroque Gothic buildings and to pay tribute to the genius of Santini, a Czech Baroque architect of Italian origin", Czech newspaper Blesk reported.

Foreign pool report #4 - Oval Office

When the pool entered the Oval Office at 3:35 PM POTUS and the Czech PM were already seated. They shook hands.

After initial Biden's remarks, Fiala spoke in English. He thanked Biden for the invitation and for Biden's support for Czech Republic's administration to NATO. Fiala thanked POTUS for his his leadership on Ukraine and recalled Russian tanks in Czechoslovakia in 1968. „We don't want to see it again" - he said.

Biden didn't answer questions from the pool. He only appeared to shook his head when asked if he watched Trump''s trial, and smiled when your pooler asked if he trusts Netanyahu.

I will send more quested soon.

Foreign pool report #5 - Fiala's remarks

Highlights from Petr Fiala's remarks at the Oval Office:

The relations between our countries are now very strong and they have also a long tradition.

- we are not only partners in NATO, but what is most important that we share the same values, human rights, freedom

- in 1968 I saw Russian tanks on the streets of my town and I don't want to see this again.

- we must continue to support Ukraine as long as possible.

- That is the reason why we initiated munition initiative for Ukraine and we will provide Ukraine be with hundreds of 1000s of artillery shells very soon,

- We agreed on the Defense Cooperation Agreement. We decided to get a 35 fighter jets for Czech army.

- Our business relations are developing very well. Our trade exchange is bigger every year.

- I believe my visit will make our nation stronger and will bring more benefits for our countries.

After Petr Fiala's remarks both leaders shook hand again and Biden called the Czech Republic a great ally.

The pool was ushered out of the Oval Office at 3:44PM.

Foreign pool report #6 - Fiala coming to the sticks

The meeting is ending as of 4:48 PM.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala is coming to the sticks.

Foreign pool report #7 - Fiala spoke after meeting with Biden

The Czech PM came to the sticks at 4:51 PM. He answered three questions from Czech media, and one in English.

Your pooler asked Fiala what he heard from Biden on the aid to Ukraine, and if he invited the U.S. to join ammunition for Ukraine initiative.

The PM did not answer those questions directly but emphasized the need for assisting Ukraine and said he will talk about it in Congress tomorrow.

He added that Biden appreciated Czech's initiative. Fiala's advisor told me later thar ammunitions initiative is not designed for the U.S.to join, but rather support Ukraine as the American assistance is frozen.

Answering questions from the Cech media Petr Fiala talked about great atmosphere of the meeting with Biden. He spoke about economic cooperation, and said one of the topics was increase in Europe's import of LNG gas from the U.S. as Europe ends its dependance on Russian energy. Fiala also said yhat Czech-U.S. relations have never been as close as today. The Czech PM said he hopes that the House of Representatives will finally pass aid to Ukraine.

The PM Fiala's SUV departed the White House grounds at 5:01 PM.

That's all from me.
Thank you.