Vice Presidential Pool Reports of February 16, 2024

Travel pool #1 Day 2 Munich Summit

Good Afternoon from Munich on a sunny warm day .

Motorcade loaded at 1:50 pm , we are on our way to the venue where the VP will give a keynote speech at 2:30 pm local time .

Your pooler didn't see VP Harris this morning . Trip to the Bayerischer Hof Hotel was uneventful. Streets were empty with police presence at most intersections, closer to the venue there are few groups on onlookers, some took photos, there were a demonstration by anti-Iranian regime activists, most likely were MK group as I saw a flag from a distance.

Here is what the WH sent :

On background from a White House official:
On Friday February 16, in the Vice President's speech at the Munich Security Conference, she will make a forceful case for the Biden-Harris Administration's worldview and continued global leadership. She will outline key features of the Biden-Harris vision that have delivered major results over the past three years, and contrast them with the competing vision that has been advocated by the previous U.S. administration, and others in the U.S.

The Vice President will identify four contrasts that will set the direction of American foreign policy with lasting implications as (1) globally engaged vs. isolationist, (2) international rules and norms vs. chaos (3) democratic values vs. authoritarianism, and (4) collective action vs. unilateralism

The Vice President will recommit to defeat the failed ideologies of isolationism, authoritarianism, and unilateralism, which, she will argue, will would only weaken America. She will denounce these approaches to foreign policy as short-sighted, dangerous, and destabilizing. She will argue that they could lead to a world of disorder—to the detriment of the American people and the world.

The Vice President will note her view that it is in the fundamental interest of the American people for the United States to fulfill its longstanding role of global leadership because it makes America strong and safe, and has direct benefits to the American people. She will also outline her view that America's commitment to build and sustain alliances has allowed America to become the most powerful and prosperous country on Earth, and it would be detrimental to our interests to turn our back on our allies. It's not what Americans do.

The Vice President will express her confidence that given this stark choice, the American people will continue to support the Biden-Harris Administration's approach.

As part of her articulation of the Biden-Harris Administration's approach, she will focus on two key policy areas which demonstrate the effectiveness of our strategy in action over the past three years: supporting Ukraine and ensuring a strong, unified NATO.

• On Ukraine, the Vice President will recount how the world has come together under U.S. leadership to help Ukraine defend itself—and to achieve on the battlefield what many thought was impossible two years ago and the preservation of a free, democratic Ukraine.
• On NATO, the Vice President will reaffirm our ironclad commitment to NATO, arguing that NATO has successfully deterred aggression and kept Americans safe for the past 75 years.
• The Vice President will offer a warning of what would transpire if America abandoned its allies and treaty commitments or cozied up to a dictator like Putin.

Travel Pool #2 VP Harris in Munich

After a long wait and typically chaotic crowded hallways, pool was rushed to the venue around 2:45 pm . Many seats were empty, my guess is that not everyone made it on time to get to the room .

VP Harris walked into the podium almost immediately after we entered . She made a statement about the death of Russian political opposition leader Alexi Navalny's death .

Vice President Harris says the reports about Navalny's death aren't yet confirmed, but if true, "Whatever story they tell, let us be clear that Russia is responsible."

She also acknowledged his wife, Yulia, who is attending Munich security conference.

Vp Harris is outlaying the US strategy towards Europe, mainly Ukraine, she touched on the Middle East calling on the hostages to be released . "Hamas does not control Gaza, and Palestinians can enjoy their rights to security, dignity, freedom and self-determination."

Will send some highlights shortly .

Speech is carried live at : whitehouse.gov

Travel Pool #3 VP Harris Munich Security Conference

VP is now on stage in Q&A session. They only took two questions since time was tight .

First question was on two-state solution and if it is still possible, she said the short answer is yes but there are

Here are the Main points :

On October 7, Hamas committed terrorist act slaughtering 1200 Israelis .

Women were horribly tortured and raped, raped, being used as a tool of war.

Administration has also been clear that far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.

Israel must do better to protect innocent civilians.

We see daily human suffering and the need for humanitarian aid

The president and our administration and I have been very adamant about getting that humanitarian aid .

We've been very clear that we believe that the PA should be the authority on this and reform should take place .

We can't give up on a two-state solution .

She took another question on Africa . Will send more highlights .

VP Harris received clapping on three occasions, when she mentioned a free Kiev, Israel has the right to defend itself and the Palestinians' right to self-determination.

The VP came back after departing the room when the chairman announced a special guest, Yulia Navalny, wife of the deceased Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny .

Mrs. Navalny received a standing ovation. The VP stayed till the end of her statement which she made in Russian.

Among the audience were :
Climate Envoy John Kerry
Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia
Price Turki Al Faisal of KSA
Cindy McCain Head of WFP.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sat few rows from your pooler among the US delegation on the second floor .

Travel Pool #4 VP Harris Day 2 Munich Security Conference

The pool is currently being held at a media center, with spotty Wi-Fi.

In addition to the information, I previously provided on Gaza, the Vice President reiterated the U.S. position that Gaza shouldn't be reoccupied, and the geographical territories should be preserved.

Regarding Africa:

- We need to reconsider the relationship between the United States and the continent of Africa.

- Excitement about ongoing developments on the continent was reinforced during her trip, emphasizing partnership.

- During her time in Ghana, she engaged with business leaders to discuss the clean energy economy.

- The median age's direct impact on Africa is highlighted, projecting that by 2050, one in four people on Earth will reside in Africa.

- Future collaboration should focus on innovation, shifting from aid to partnership with African leaders.

- African culture significantly influences the world, particularly in the realm of the arts.

- Her trip aimed at fostering partnership and acknowledging the interconnected history between the U.S. and the continent, without being geared towards limiting China's influence.

- A commitment to African nations is emphasized.

Travel Pool #5 VP Harris Day 2 Munich Security Conference

On background from a WH official:

On margins of the Munich Security Conference, Vice President Harris met with Yulia Navalnaya, Alexey Navalny's wife. The Vice President expressed her sorrow and outrage over reports of his death and the Vice President said her prayers are with Yulia and the entire family.

Also wanted to mention that as Yulia Navalnaya exited the stage, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi reached out to her and exchanged kisses and offered her condolences.

Also spotted next to Pelosi were Senator Chris Murphy and Senator Chris Coons.

Travel Pool #6 Day 2 VP Harris Munich Security Confernce

VP Harris met this afternoon with a number of world leaders. The meetings were all closed press events. She met with the Israeli President, Iraq Prime Minister, Prime Minister of Slovenia, she also added unscheduled meeting with the wife of deceased Russian opposition leader, Mrs Yulia Navalnaya.

The VP office sent the readouts as you see below.

The ride back in the motorcade went through Munich crowded old town where people were enjoying the unusual warm weather in cafes and restaurants, few people took photos as we drove across.

We were back at the hotel around 6:45 pm.

We have a lid for tonight. My colleague Peter Baker of NYT will be your pooler tomorrow.

Guten Abend

Nadia

Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with President Herzog of Israel

Vice President Kamala Harris met today with President Isaac Herzog of Israel in Munich Germany. The Vice President reiterated her steadfast support for Israel and its right to defend itself in the face of threats from Hamas, and she again condemned Hamas as a barbaric terrorist organization that perpetrated a horrific massacre on October 7. The Vice President and President discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas and achieve a prolonged pause in fighting. The Vice President also emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, increasing humanitarian assistance, and ensuring proper deconfliction mechanisms to ensure that aid can reach those in need inside Gaza. The Vice President reaffirmed the Biden-Harris Administration's position that a military operation in Rafah should not proceed without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of and support for the more than one million people sheltering there. The leaders also discussed ongoing planning for post-conflict Gaza and progress made on that front, and the Vice President reiterated U.S. positions, including that Israel must be secure, there must be no forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, and the Palestinians must enjoy their right to freedom, dignity, security, and self-determination.

Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with Prime Minister Robert Golob of Slovenia

Vice President Kamala Harris met today with Prime Minister Robert Golob of Slovenia in Munich, Germany. The Vice President welcomed Slovenia's election to and membership on the United Nations (UN) Security Council for 2024-25, and the leaders expressed their commitment to coordination there on the basis of our shared democratic values and commitment to the principles of the UN Charter. The Vice President thanked Slovenia for its contributions to humanitarian and security assistance in Ukraine and for welcoming and protecting Ukrainian refugees. The Vice President and Prime Minister discussed the importance of a strong NATO and NATO-EU cooperation and continued Allied support and cooperation to defend Ukraine's sovereignty and democracy. The Vice President and Prime Minister further committed to continue strengthening and deepening our countries' bilateral relationship and to work together through multilateral institutions to confront the range of challenges affecting Transatlantic security. They also discussed opportunities for closer cooperation to advance European energy security.

Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with Prime Minister Al-Sudani of Iraq

Vice President Kamala Harris met with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani of Iraq today in Munich, Germany. The Vice President and Prime Minister Sudani reaffirmed their mutual interest in a strong and enduring partnership as envisioned in the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement. The Vice President emphasized the commitment of the United States to supporting Iraq in achieving a secure and stable future for its people, which is critical to ensuring a prosperous and interconnected Middle East. The Vice President urged the Iraqi government to prevent attacks against U.S. personnel and expressed appreciation for the Prime Minister's efforts to date. She stated that the United States has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and will act, as needed, in self-defense. The leaders also discussed the importance of continuing the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission, which will enable the transition to an enduring bilateral security partnership between the United States and Iraq and is the natural next step to build on the very successful collaboration of the past 10 years between Iraq and the Defeat ISIS coalition. The two leaders also discussed the importance of continuing U.S.-Iraq economic and energy cooperation through the High Coordinating Committee and continuing to economically integrate Iraq into the broader region. The Vice President reiterated President Biden's invitation to Prime Minister Sudani to visit the White House