(24 Apr 2017) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY
POOL - AP CLIENTS ONLY
Kabul - 24 April 2017
1. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Gen. John Nicholson walk to podium.
2. SOUNDBITE (English): US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis:
"The Russians seem to be choosing to be strategic competitors in a number of areas. The level of granularity and the level of success they're achieving I think the jury is out on that. I'll let the general talk about any of the specific weapons and all, but the broader, strategic framework that you're driving toward I would say that we will engage with Russia diplomatically. We'll do so where we can, but we're going to have to confront Russia where what they're doing is contrary to international law or denying the sovereignty of other countries, for example, any weapons being funneled here from a foreign country would be a violation of international law unless they're coming through the government of Afghanistan for the Afghan forces and that would have to be dealt with as a violation of international law."
++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK++
3. SOUNDBITE (English): Gen. John Nicholson, Commander Resolute Support:
"I will say we were sending a very clear message to ISIS, not only to ISIS here in Afghanistan, but also to ISIS main, if they come here to Afghanistan, they will be destroyed, in keeping with the secretary's intent, they will be annihilated. And so this continuing pressure we're putting on ISIS is achieving that effect and we're going to keep it up."
4. Mattis and Nicholson depart podium
STORYLINE:
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has arrived unannounced in Afghanistan.
During a brief news conference, he was asked about an influx of Russian weapons making their way to Taliban fighters.
Mattis said, if true, that would be a violation of international law.
Meanwhile, NATO Gen. John Nicholson called the recent use of the GBU-43/B bomb, or "Mother of All Bombs," was a "very clear message to ISIS."
"If they come here to Afghanistan, they will be destroyed," added Nicholson
For Mattis, Kabul is the final stop on a six-nation, weeklong tour by the Pentagon chief intended to bolster relations with allies and partners and to get an update on the stalemated conflict in Afghanistan.
Mattis is the first member of President Donald Trump's Cabinet to visit Afghanistan. The top American commander in Kabul, Gen. John Nicholson, recently told Congress that he needs a few thousand more troops.
===========================================================
Clients are reminded:
(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com
(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service
(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
