Pool Reports by Astead Herndon, The New York Times
| Sent: | Reports: |
| February 17, 2023 12:54 CET |
VP Pool Report #1 -- motorcade leaves for MSC Good afternoon from an overcast Munich. Pool was swept at 11a local time and loaded into a motorcade at ~1130 in advance of today's conference. The motorcade held for about 20 minutes before taking off. The security conference is being held at the BAYERISCHER HOF. VP Harris will give extended remarks at the security conference tomorrow. The remarks will be followed by a Q/A. Here's a reminder of today's schedule. At 4:15 PM CET,the Vice President will attend a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany. This meeting at Hotel Bayerischer Hof will have a pool spray at the top. At 5:00 PM CET, the Vice President will meet with President Emmanuel Macron of France. This meeting at Hotel Bayerischer Hof will have a pool spray at the top. At 6:05 PM CET, the Vice President will host a reception with members of the U.S. Congressional Delegations and Secretary of State Blinken at the Commerzbank. This reception will be closed press. |
| February 17, 2023 16:31 CET |
VP Pool Report #2 -- MSC Spray with Chancellor Scholz No news Pool held for about 3 hours in a basement room at the Commerce Bank across the street from MSC venue, and watched the conference from a livestream. Early speeches included remarks from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (remote) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. At 330, we were brought across the street to MSC venue, BAYERISCHER HOF. After extensive security, we held for another 20 minutes before being brought to a small room on the first floor of the hotel. VP Harris arrived at 4:12 p.m. She posed for a handshake with Chancellor Scholz. The two smiled in front as they shook hands in front of 3 flags: American, German, and the European Union. The two ignored a couple shouted questions and left by 4:14 p.m. Press was escorted out soon after. Relevant background, attributed to a White House official In the Vice President’s meetings, she will consult with allies on the path forward on Ukraine. Throughout the Vice President’s engagements today, you can expect she will: Recognize the courage and resilience shown by the people of Ukraine; Reaffirm the support of American people for Ukraine; Commend the international community on the historic actions taken since February 2022; Celebrate Transatlantic unity and clarity of purpose; Reaffirm our security commitments to our European allies; And condemn Russia’s continued illegal and brutal actions while calling for accountability and justice. The Vice President will discuss other global and regional topics in the meetings, including relations with China and actions to address the climate crisis. This afternoon Vice President Harris will meet with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. U.S. Delegation: - The Vice President - Lorraine Voles, Chief of Staff to the Vice President - Phil Gordon, National Security Advisor to the Vice President - Amy Gutmann, United States Ambassador to Germany - Rebecca Lissner, Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President - Amanda Sloat, Senior Director for Europe, NSC - Alton Buland, Special Advisor for Europe - Dean Lieberman, Special Advisor for National Security German Delegation: - Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany - Wolfgang Schmidt, Head of the Federal Chancellery - Steffen Hebestreit, Spokesperson State Secretary - Jörg Kukies, State Secretary for International and EU Affairs - Emily Haber, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United States - Jens Ploetner, Foreign and Security Policy Adviser - Alexander Schiemann, Deputy Head of the Chancellor’s Office - Alexander Eberl, Head of Division, Federal Chancellery Later today, The Vice President will also meet with President Emmanuel Macron of France at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. U.S. Delegation: - The Vice President - Lorraine Voles, Chief of Staff to the Vice President - Phil Gordon, National Security Advisor to the Vice President - Amanda Sloat, Senior Director for Europe, NSC French Delegation: - President Emmanuel Macron, France - Catherine Colonna, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs - Sebastien Lecornu, Minister of the Armed Forces of France - Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor |
| February 17, 2023 17:53 CET |
Pool Report #3 -- Spray with French President Emmanuel Macron After holding, press was brought to small room just before 5p local time for a pool spray with French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron was a featured speaker earlier today at MSC. The room had two chairs, a small table, a couple bookshelves. The French and US flags were in the background. VP Harris arrived to the room at 5:08 p.m. She waited for three minutes as President Macron was slightly delayed. During this time, she asked the press how they were enjoying Munich and requested the heat to be turned down. Macron arrived at 5:11 p.m. The two exchanged pleasantries and Harris stated that this meeting was another step in the long history of allyship between the two countries. "A testament to our friendship and partnership over many generations," Harris said. "It's good to see you again." Macron then thanked Harris and the US for its "commitment to the security of this continent." Some of what he said was inaudible for your print pooler -- who was near the back of the room. The interaction lasted about 1 - 2 min total before press was asked to leave. While walking out -- Macron acknowledged one of the shouted questions by reporters. Harris did not acknowledge any. Asked about the Inflation Reduction Act, which included subsidies that the French president has previously criticized, Macron said: "We'll be discussing that. We are working hard." Press was escorted out shortly after. Later today, VP Harris will attend a reception for the US Congressional delegation. That event is closed press. The spray w/ Macron was VP Harris last open press event of the day. Relevant background, from a White House official (also included in last pool report):
|
Kamala Harris, Vice Presidential Pool Reports of February 17, 2023 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/359747