Hearing of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee - Remarks of Sen. Moran, Hearing on Department of State FY-2020 Budget

Hearing

Sen. Moran: "Chairman, thank you. Secretary, welcome, thank you for your service and presence with us today.

"Travel with me, if you would, around the globe. Let me start with the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a home state issue. Michael Sharp was assassinated, he was a UN worker in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he comes from Kansas. That occurred in March of 2017. There is evidence to believe that the assassination was conducted by the security forces by the previous President Joseph Kabila. We have had, as recently as last month, conversations with the UN Secretary -- I and others are dissatisfied with the UN investigation. What, if any role, has the State Department, or will the State Department play in the attempt to provide justice for Mr. Sharp's family?"

Sec. Pompeo: "So, if I may speak without talking about the particular case, but I'll tell you what we do in instances just like this one. I'm happy to give you a briefing on what we did in this particular instance but the State Department is always involved when there's an incident like the one you described. We work with the local law enforcement, as do other elements of the United States Government to try and get the facts. Where there is a UN investigation, as you described here, we work to push the UN to get it right. And to make sure, too, that they have the resources they need in that theater in that space to get it right, too. We work to help them develop relationships, carry out conversations so that we can get answers for the American people, and in this case a Kansan."

Sen. Moran: "Mr. Secretary if you would, if someone would at your bequest, on your behalf, visit with me about this specific case, I'd welcome that conversation. Thank you."

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