Pool Reports of September 19, 2023

Travel pool report #1 — awaiting departure for the UN

Good morning from a sunny NYC.

The pool is assembled and waiting in the POTUS motorcade for departure to the UN for his speech to the general assembly.

The speech will be streamed live here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVIm3oMmIm0

After the speech, POTUS will meet with UN officials, including Secretary-General António Guterres,
visit the US mission to the UN and then meet with Central Asian leaders. Later in the evening, POTUS and FLOTUS will host the leaders reception at the

Metropolitan Museum of Art.

More tk

Travel Pool Report # 2 — departure for UNGA

POTUS motorcade left the RON at 10:04 am eastern time and we are rolling for the UN

Your pooler did not see POTUS.

Travel Pool Report #3 — UNGA arrival.

POTUS motorcade arrived at the UN at 10:08 am eastern time after a brief but typically bumpy ride. The sidewalks were closed off and filled with people with their phone cameras as the motorcade drove by.

Travel pool report #4 — speech begins

POTUS began his remarks at 10:16 am eastern

The UN chamber is largely filled.

Travel Pool Report #4a — travelers with POTUS

From the WH:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to the United Nations Headquarters:

Secretary Antony Blinken, Department of State
Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Jon Finer, Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy National Security Advisor
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ethan Rosenzweig, Acting Chief of Protocol
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary
John Kirby, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communication
Travis Dredd, Special Assistant to the President & Trip Director
Carlyn Reichel, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Senior Director for Speechwriting & Strategic Initiatives
Charlie Fromstein, Director for Visits and Diplomatic Affairs, National Security Council
Ariana Berengaut, Senior Advisor to the National Security Advisor

Travel Pool Report #5 — speech attendees

From the WH

The President is delivering remarks before the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, New York.

Attendees
T.H. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Representative of the United States to the United Nations
T.H. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State
T.H. Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
T.H. John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
T.H. Michele Sison, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs
T.H. Josh Black, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs, NSC

Speaking Program
Dennis Francis, President of the United Nations General Assembly
The President

Travel Pool Report #6 — speech ends

POTUS speech

The POTUS speech ended at 10:44 am eastern

The one time POTUS got applause during the speech was when he pledged to continue supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia. They also applauded when he concluded.

The speech was carried live, but here are some of the topics that POTUS touched on. As always, check quotes against transcript.

• the future of Pepfar

• security situation in Haiti

• Ai. Working to make sure "technologies are safe before they are released to the public."

• security and the economy in Central Africa

• a pledge to pursue "Responsible managed competition" with china.

• The need to work together to confront climate change.

• debt in the global south.

• Russia is shredding long time arms control conventions.

• Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.

• Ukraine. "If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is any nation secure?"

More tk

Travel Pool Report #7 — meeting with Trinidad and Tobago president

From the WH:

The President is participating in a greet with U.N. General Assembly President Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago.

Travel Pool Report #8 - meeting with secretary general

From the WH:

The President is participating in a greet with United Nations Secretary General António Guterres and is signing the United Nations guest book.

Travel Pool Report #9 — Meeting with Secretary General António Guterres

From the WH:

The President is participating in a meeting with United Nations Secretary General António Guterres.

U.S. Manifest

The President

T.H. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State

T.H. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Representative of the United States to the United Nations

T.H. Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs

T.H. Michele Sison, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs

T.H. Josh Black, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs, NSC

Mr. Jeffrey Prescott, Deputy to the United States Representative to the United Nations

U.N. Manifest

H.E. António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations

Mr. Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet

Ms. Rosemary A. Dicarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA)

Mr. Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Climate Action & Ambition for a Green Transition (CAT)

Ms. Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, Director for the Sustainable Development Unit (EOSG)

Mr. Miguel Graça, Director for the Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG)

Ms. Ciru Mwaura, Director for the Political Unit (EOSG)

Travel Pool Report #10 — Pool spray with Central Asian leaders

At about 2:58 pm Eastern, pool was ushered into a room for a pool spray at the end of the Central Asia 5 + 1 meeting.

POTUS was sitting at a circular table with the other five leaders. The staff from the leaders, including Jake Sullivan, were sitting in rows of chairs along the sides of the room.

POTUS delivered remarks for about a minute, thanking the other leaders for the meeting and saying that he believes the world will be safer and more prosperous if the nations work together. Please check the official transcript for quotes.

POTUS did not respond to a few shouted questions, including whether he would visit a UAW picket line.

The pool has been moved to the motorcade and are awaiting departure back to the RON, where we are scheduled to hold in advance of the evening reception.

See below for info from the WH about the meeting attendees:

The President is participating in a meeting with Central Asia leaders.

U.S. Manifest
The President
T.H. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States

T.H. Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
T.H. Jon Finer, Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy National Security Advisor
T.H. Samantha Power, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development
T.H. Amos Hochstein, Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the President for Energy and Investment
T.H. Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs
T.H. Geoffrey Pyatt, Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources
T.H. Nicholas Berliner, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russia, National Security Council
Ms. Brianne Todd, Director for Central Asia Affairs, National Security Council
Ms. Sara Minkara, U.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights

Kazakhstan Manifest
H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Mr. Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Mr. Erzhan Kazykhan, Assistant to the President for International Affairs
Mr. Asset Irgaliyev, Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs
Mr. Kanat Bozumbayev, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Mr. Yerzhan Ashikbayev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States
Mr. Kairat Umarov, First Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Kyrgyz Republic Manifest
H.E. Mr. Sadyr Zhaparov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic
H.E. Mr. Zheenbek Kulubaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic
H.E. Mr. Muratbek Azymbakiev, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Administration of President of the Kyrgyz Republic
H.E. Mr. Baktybek Amanbaev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States of America and Canada
Mr. Erbol Sultanbaev, Press Secretary of President of the Kyrgyz Republic
Mr. Azamat Kadyraliev, Assistant of President of the Kyrgyz Republic
Mr. Bakyt Dzhusupov, Head of the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Tajikistan Manifest
H.E. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan
H.E. Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan
Mr. Azamsho Sharifi, Assistant of the President on Foreign Relations
H.E. Mr. Farrukh Hamralizoda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to the United States
H.E. Mr. Jonibek Hikmat, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tajikistan to the United Nations
Mr. Shermuhammad Rajabzoda, Chief of Protocol
H.E. Mr. Jamoliddin Abdulozzoda, Minister of Health

Turkmenistan Manifest
H.E. Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan
H.E. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and Minister of Foreign Affairs
H.E. Hojamyrat Geldimyradov, Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan
H.E. Aksoltan Atayeva, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations
H.E. Meret Orazov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the United States
H.E. Batyr Amanov, Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan
Mr. Yazgeldi Kakaliyev, Advisor to the President

Uzbekistan Manifest
H.E. Shavkay Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
T.H. Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan
T.H. Bakhtiyor Saidov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan
T.H. Abdulaziz Kamilov, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan & Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Foreign Policy Issues
Mr. Aziz Magrupov, Assistant of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Mr. Alisher Paygamov, Head of Department of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
H.E. Furkat Sidikov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United States of America

REAL Travel Pool Report #11 — arrival at RON

For real this time …

POTUS Motorcade departed UNGA at 3:19 pm and arrived at the RON at 3:23 pm eastern time.

The next movement is scheduled for later this evening when POTUS hosts the leaders reception.

More tk

travel Pool Report #12 — remarks now expected

The WH informs us that the pool will now be allowed to hear POTUS opening remarks at the Leader reception at the Met this evening. Approximate time is 7:15 pm eastern. We are told the remarks should be about 6 minutes in length.

Your pooler will seek to quickly transcribe highlights of the remarks asap.

More tk

Travel Pool Report #13 — departure for Met

POTUS motorcade departed the RON at 7:04 pm eastern, heading for the Met and the Leader Reception.

Your pooler has not seen POTUS since the pool spray earlier today.

More tk

Travel Pool Report #14 — Met arrival

POTUS motorcade arrived at the Met at 7:18 pm eastern after a brief drive through the city. We are heading to the remarks.

More tk.

Travel Pool Report #15 — Leaders reception remarks.

The pool was led into the Charles Engelhard Court at the Met. The reception was underway, with music playing and people gathered around a golden archer in the center of the room.

Shortly after we arrived, at 7:29, hail to the chief played and POTUS and FLOTUS were announced.

POTUS singled out Gov. Hochul for recognition.

Said the whole world is looking at the US to lead. He said "we face a moment of great upheaval."

He talked about the "brazen attack" against Ukraine by Russia.

POTUS talked about his speech to the UN, saying "we must" confront the challenges around the world

"Tonight, my message is simple. Thank you thank you thank you. And keep it up."

Mentioned a series of issues like climate change and others.

Said the Met has copies of poets like Seamus Heaney, his favorite poet.

Quoted from him. And then said:

" This is an age where we can once more make hope and history rhyme."

A couple of people spotted in the crowd:

Chef Jose Andres

Bill Gates

Check quotes against the transcript.

From the WH:

The President and the First Lady are hosting the United Nations General Assembly Leader's Reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, New York.

Greeting the President and the First Lady upon arrival at the Metropolitan Museum of Art:

Max Hollein, CEO and Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Nina Hollein, Spouse of Max Hollein

Travel Pool Report #15a — a bit more

From the WH.

Participating in a photo line with the President and First Lady:

Heads of Delegation in New York for the UN General Assembly and their Spouses

Travel Pool Report #16 — a bit more color

Thanks to my co-pooler Tracy Wilkinson

A room full of marble statues including a mid-19th century piece called Hiawatha and meant to represent "Native Perspectives". By Augustus saint-Gaudens.
And another by George Grey Barnard called Struggle of the Two Natures of Man late 19th century.

Travel Pool Report #17 — departure from the Met

POTUS motorcade departed the Met at 8:56 pm eastern. Your pooler did not see POTUS.

We are heading to the RON.

more tk

Travel Pool Report #18 — arrival at RON / lid

POTUS motorcade arrived at the RON at 9:09 pm eastern

We have a lid.

Thanks to Tracy Wilkinson and the rest of my colleagues in the pool.

Have a good night everyone.