Remarks With Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom, Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Chawahir Mohamed, And Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa After Their Meeting

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Remarks

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

May 1, 2014

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, folks. We just had a very positive meeting, laid out a strong agenda which we all agreed on which we’ll talk about later in the day when we have a little more time. But I think it’s clear that everybody is in agreement the killing must stop; that humanitarian access needs to be delivered; most importantly, a legitimate force that has an ability to help make peace needs to get on the ground as rapidly as possible. And we agreed on both the terms and timing and manner and size, and we need to go to work to make sure that happens. I think that’s a quick summary.

FOREIGN Minister TEDROS: Thank you.

SECRETARY KERRY: Anybody else?

FOREIGN Minister TEDROS: Thank you. I think I agree with him. One thing that we have stressed is the deployment – as Secretary Kerry said, the deployment of the force as soon as possible. And I think with that, many of the other interests can be addressed. And I would like to use this opportunity, actually, on behalf of my colleagues and myself to thank Secretary Kerry, who is here today with us. But since the crisis started, he has been in contact regularly, frequent phone calls and good support, and we hope that support will continue, especially from him and the U.S. Government, and we really appreciate the support.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER TEDROS: But there is an agreement now that we have to really be as aggressive as possible in order to have an impact on the ground in South Sudan, in order to (inaudible). Thank you.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, Tedros.

FOREIGN MINISTER TEDROS: Merci.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER TEDROS: Thank you. Thank you.

SECRETARY KERRY: Sam, thank you.