again, engaging with them, working with them we can push them in the right direction. what we want to see in egypt is security and stability that's based on the fundamentals of a sound society such as the kmie and human rights and be as inclusive as possible. i see our assistance as pursuing our interests in egypt. again, i believe that our interests overlap considerably. if confirmed, i will engage with the egyquipgyptian and encourag to go in the direction that's we want them to go to further our interests in the country. >> well, thank you. i appreciate the relationship and conversations that we've had in the past with both of ambassadors and thank you for your willness to serve in this capacity. ms. smith, cutter has played an interesting role in syria because of the lack of policy from our standpoint. i think they became exacerbated andority of wint oent out on th own. there are reports that they are moving back into a more coordinated effort with us. do you have any sense of their efforts on the ground in syria relative to opposition and are they moving more into the mainstream, if you will, relative to the type of support they are giving? >> thanks very much for that question. yes, we do have sense that we are making progress in terms of coordinati coordination. it's all goal to support the modern opposition in syria and to address the humanitarian disaster. cutter has been incredibly genero generous. they've given $1.2 billion in addressing the humanitarian needs in syria. going forward, what our engagement consists of with the cutters is continuing to find ways to coordinate to work together in support of the modern opposition obviously with the ultimate goal of being assad not being in charge anymore. >> in order to give you a chance to say then i think you're authorized to respond to, it's my understanding the committee is developing language that allows title 10 training of the opposition on the ground in syria. do you know if the administration supports that or does not support it? >> it's my understanding that the administration does support the 11 language in the ndaa to authorize training and equipment of the moderate opposition. again i'm not in those policy discussions. >> i understand. i just understood you were authorized to say that they supported -- i wanted that on the record. so with that, i will close and thank you. i do want to say to the other committee members that our staff has been able to go down and read the memorandum agreement that we have between the u.s. and qatar. i wish it was available to all committee members. it's not. it's three pages wrong. my understanding is that it's very remarkable. our staff had no antennas raised in reading it. i thought i would share this again. again, thank you for your service. >> senator kaine. miss smith let me just ask you a question. i was curious about. we had a chance to talk. i forgot to ask you about this. in qatar under the new leadership, have there been any particular changes in direction in the u.s./qatar partnership or relationship that have seemed notable during this time of transformation. is it kind of steady and we're continuing to do -- the relationship is in the same place that it was. have we seen some changes in direction because of that leadership transition? >> if i'm confirmed h i would love to be given more response when i'm actually there and able to make my own assessment. my understanding is that our relationship continues to be as close and cooperative as it was before. the amir has been in power for just about a year. he is not new to the government. he was working for over a decade before under his father's rule. so while i would say we aren't seeing a change, what we are seeing is continued progress on the areas that we have good and close coordination. i have every expectation that if i am confirmed we will be able to deepen and expand those positive areas where we are working together. >> one of the areas where i know there's been some tension had been in who the qatar is referring -- qatar had been supporting in syria. that created some tensions. is that changing? are we more in accord with qatar and the government about, you know, what is the right way to have influence to bring in humanitarian issue and ultimately the civil war to an end. >> this is something we're al d always watching closely. i haven't heard from anyone that we're ready to declare that everything is wonderful and perfect. we do feel that we are making progress in our shared understanding of what groups constitute moderate opposition and who is worthy of our support? >> thank you of that. mr. beecroft, you talked a little bit about the economic issues in egypt. you know, it seems like that would be a real test for the new president is how quickly he can try to demonstrate some economic i inl improvement. you and i had a chance to talk about this the other day. could you talk a little bit about the roll that the u.s. can play in economic transformation and also the roles that the gulf state allies will be able to play. thank you very much. >> as i mentioned earlier in the hearing, egypt does have the fundamentals for a successful economy. it needs to be encouraged to take the steps necessary to build that economy. we have a team that is actively engaged in egyptians and the gulf states to help, again, target assistance to egypt and to encourage the necessary reforms. one of the things that president sisi has called for is investment. investment is key to developing the economy. in order to get an investment, you have to have certain sound fundamentals in place or the investment won't come. among those are, of course, a stable society based on an inclusive democracy that respects and guarantees human rights for all egyptians and provides the security and stability that encourages people to invest. again, as i mentioned earlier, egypt does benefit from certain advantages that should help it get through these crucial times if it chooses to make the right reforms. among those are an infrastructure that's relatively well welled. as i mentioned telecommunication road and ports. access to markets in asia and in africa. natural resources. particularly natural gas. my understanding is egypt has the third largest reserves of natural gas in africa and -- egypt on making the necessary changes to that investors see the safe and security envie environment and people are making the right economic decisions to attract that investment. we can do that by working with the gulf state that's are particularly engaged in egypt and stay with egyptegyptians, o course. >> i know there was a question when i walked into the loom room. i know i was most troubled with the situation with journalists. it was the day there was a very prominent set of journalists going on trial. the u.s. embassy in egypt asked if i would do a come one, come all press conference just to show an example of an elected official does have to be afraid to answer questions from hostile press. i got some tough questions because i was used to it because of politics in the united states. have you seen any signs since the presidential election. is there any early evidence but the direction that this government will take with respect to press freedoms or is it too safe to say. >> well, president sisi inaugural address did say that he wanted to be the president for all egyptians and enjoy all fundamental rights and freedoms. i think what we want to do to the extend that we can take him up on that and encourage him to follow through. obviously we believe in the strongest possible freedom of press. the broadest possible freedoms for the press. it's very, very disturbing and unfortunate that journalists have been detained and charged with crimes in egypt. society cannot function effectively without a democratic without freedom of the press. we need to encourage it and show that having freedom of the press is in the interest of the country and the government and the people. >> thank you ambassador joness. thank you for your service. i was very impressed when i visited last july. i don't have much time so let me get right to it. what do you think of t. i'd like your current assessment of that. >> thanks. thanks also, senator for your visit to jordan. it was very helpful and positive experience. i think that especially as the government faces this terrorist challenge with with isil, there is a strong incentive and political will to try to unfie t unify the groups. just recently the president has issued a statement encouraging national unit and encouraging participation in unifying the groups against isil. i think there is political will. even before the most recent crisis, the prime minister has reached out to sunni groups. he has brought 6,000 tribal member into the iraqi security forces. he is aiming for an even larger number. i think there is movement on this. i think the united states should continue to play a roll. >> first mr. chairman. my first question out of the box -- we've been debating here for a second. what is the definitive pronunciation is it qatar. >> in ahei arabic is qatar. >> great. so let me ask you about qatar. have you been briefed on the memorandum of understanding. >> yes, i have. >> will that be provided to congress? >> i believe it's been made available to the chair and the ranking member. >> do you know it f that will be made available to other members as well? >> i don't. i'm sorry. i'm not in those conversations . what can you tell us about how much of the supervision of these individuals will the united states have the ability to participate in? >> thank you for griving me the opportunity to address this. i know this is very much on people's minds not only in this room. if i am confirmed, this goes to the very top of my list of priorities. we will be working very closely with the qatarie sers. we will be verifying the restrictions that they have put on these individuals an the information that they will be collecting on these individuals but also verifying from our own standpoint. we will be assessing continuously everyday, every morning when i wake up. every night when i go to sleep to reassess whether these people pose any threat whatsoever to our national security. so i can guarantee you that i will be leading a country team representative of our government who will be working on this tirelessly if i am confirmed. >> can you share with us in a setting what exactly are the expectations of the u.s.'s participation in that effort in terms of providing capabilities. is that something you can share with us in terms of your understanding. >> i think what i can share is that we have a very good and close and productive sharing relationship with qatar. obviously as secretary kerry said, qatar will not only be the one was with eyes on these individuals. i think it's probably best to leave it at that. >> can you give us your investigation or feelings about the capabilities of the cqatar government to carry out this obligation that they've committed to. >> it's my understanding that they have the capacity to do this. that we have a high degree of confidence in their capacity. we also have assessed that they have the will. their amir called and gave the president personally his assurances and commitment to upholding this agreement. so we are cautiously optimistic that there is the ability to do this. i don't think it would be an effective way to enter into it with blind faith. that is why we will be working hard to constantly verify. >> what is your opinions on the aftermath of the swap and risks that it poses for americans for capturing americans for the purposes of carrying out an exchange similar to this one. >> i'm sorry. that's something i'm not qualified to address. >> are we concerned in the aftermath that americans serving our country whether it's in the embassy or as part of any of our efforts in qatar are now at a increased risk given the aftermath of this. >> as dip diplomats we are always concerned of our national security both of the people working on our teams or in the countries where we are representing america whether there or back at home. absolutely, safety and security of americans is the number one thing that we care about. >> in that light obviously we are all aware of what happened in benghazi. we understand is that when we send men and women to represent us in the diplomatic core around the world particularly in areas that are more froen terrorist groups, that places particular dangers upon those who serve our country in that realm. give us april assessment of how you view our security in the embassy there and obviously you've talked about what a priority that would be if you could share with us just a little bit about -- to the extent that you can. the process by which that becomes a priority and how do we ensure the safety of those who will be working underneath you in that facility. >> sure. this is something that every chief admission is concerned about and particularly focused on in light of the events in benghazi. chris stevens was a close friend of mine. it's something that i'm very mindful of. so as we have moved through -- since the events, every embassy has been looked at and looked at again. it is important to look at the security team that you lead as well as any threat that's are posed day in and day out and how that threat level might be changing. it's a constant give and take. it's a constant conversation. i think it's probably best to leave it at that. >> thank you. mr. beecroft quickly about egypt. what would the administration consider to be sufficient measure business egypt in order to meet the conditions for full resumption of u.s. mill military aid. >> i'm full with the 2013 appropriations act. i'm not a party to those discussions yet. what i look forward to is going to egypt and contributing to those discussions and considerations. i know this is something the administration is looking at very closely on a daily basis. i'm not that position to answer that question. >> there's been recent reports about sexual assaults during celebrations this week. particularly a video of showing a mob assault a woman and to hear a policeman struggle to save her has been circulating the internet. how would you ensure the egyptian government to ensue the prosecution of sexual assault. how would you work with them to show them that this is a priority in this government. >> the act that you are referring to and others like it are extremely disturbing. we are extremely concerned about those types of incidents. women should have the ability to go anywhere they want in the country just like a man and they should be full participants in egypt's democratic and social pros e processes. we need to engage with the egyptian government and claim that they are unacceptable. i know that president sisi has made statements that they are unacceptable and he has called on security forces that they need to do everything they need to do to enforce the law. >> thank you. let me -- for the record. i'm just verifying this right now but my understanding is that the memorandum of understanding of qatar is available to leadership as well as members and appropriately clear professional staff members of several committees, including the senate foreign relations committee which would mean that any member and those professional staff that have been cleared for intelligence briefings would have access to the memos. so all members would be able to read it. >> mr. chairman. i want to thank you you and your willingness to serve. when did you review the memorandum of understanding. >> earlier this week, senator. >> on monday. >> i believe it was monday. >> is your security clearance higher than that of united states senator. >> i can't answer that kwext i don't know what your security clearance is. i think the point of my question is a nominee to be ambassador, i think you should certainly be able to review that but we weren't until apparently late last night. >> i would like to make this commitment to you mr. senator. if i am concerned, i would be delighted to consult with you and any member of the staff as closely and regularly as you like. >> in your testimony you said we have confident that the security membe members, did you buy any chance see the video of the celebration as those five detainees were welcomed at qatar? >> i didn't see the video. i saw reports about it. >> you should review that. it doesn't look like particularly restrictive environment to me. >> if i'm confirmed we're going to be focused on our national security and we will be looking at not only the directly threatening types of things they could be doing but things that constitute propaganda and that constitute that type of thing. >> because i was not able to take a look at the memorandum of understanding. i will go down and look at it. there were restrictions in terms of public displays for propaganda purposes within that memorandum of understanding? in other words has qatar already violated that based on your understanding. >> i think the best thing that i can say here is that there will be restrictions on some of the activities of those individuals. i'd be delighted to consult with you again in a different setting. >> okay. ambassador beecroft, how would you assess -- or how would you describe the result that's occurring in iraq now after we have withdrawn all of our combat forces. how is that going? >> well, iraq is facing a very severe challenge from terrorist groups, particularly the islamic state of iraq and the lebont. it has suffered setbacks. if there's a silver lining in this it's that we're seeing iraqis start to pull together in ways they haven't before. overcome sectarian divided. we've seen the kurds in baghdad start to talk to each other and cooperate on the battlefield. we've seen iraq putting together a conference for sunnis to reconcile with as many sunni groups as possible and engage them in the fight. it's an uphill battle. it's a struggle. we're doing what question to help provide assistance for military equipment and weapons. acommunition and providing training and sharing as much intelligence as we can with them to fight with this battle. >> but just a couple of word assessment of the result. a success. >> on the battlefield. it cannot be considered a success. it's a huge challenge. >> ambassador jones what do you think of pulling out our troops in iraq. >> thank senator. the government of iraq concerns to face a severe threat from slil which has now penetrated as a result of the syrian civil war. the isil poses a significant threat not only to iraq but to iraq's neighbors. i think the united states has a commitment to support iraq and its security and we will continue to work through the measures that ambassador beecroft just outlined to try to support the iraqi security forces in this challenge that they face. >> now that we've seen fallujia, fall to elements of al qaeda. now that we've seen the iraqi security forces shred their uniforms and go door to door so that they can melt into the population. do you see any silver linings. >> i think what ambassador beecroft was that the escalation of the threat posed by isil is having an impact in baghdad of throwing the political factions more closely together. i think in the last 72 hours we've seen a series of meetings where the various political elements are coming together and drawing up plans and looking for ways to cooperate for the national security. >> do you expect the iraqi security forces to be able to turn the tide and recapture fallujia. >> you're obvious gloii going t iraq. you said there are 5,300 u.s. personnel in iraq. are they going to be safe. >> that's a good question senator. thank you for your kind words. the compound -- as mentioned earlier, i was the deputy chief of mission in dbaghdad 2010 to 2011. we've taken extraordinary measures to ensure the safety and protection of our personnel. we will have to be vigilant to maintain those. we can't stay behind the walls. we have to be out. i know ambassador beecroft is out frequently to meet with iraqi contacts in baghdad and other parts the country. we will have to do the best we can to reduce the risks and ensure that we can both do our jobs and stay safe. >> can you tell me of the 5300 personnel are really military forces. are those military personnel? are those state department. >> it's a complicated question. i would love to go into the details in another setting. suffice to say we have a significant number that are state department offersers. we have the marine security guards. we also have contract guards that are assigned to protect the perimeter. it's a significant number. >> i appreciate that. again, i wish you god's speed and safety and best of luck. i hope the security of yourself and those serving with you in iraq is your top priority. >> thank you. i appreciate that. >> my questions have been largely asked and answered. i won't pursue them. i would just instruct the nominees that will will be -- the record will be open for -- until -- for the next 48 hours. to the extent that questions are submitted to any of you, i'd urge you to respond to them expeditiously so that we can move your nominations before a business committee meeting of the relation -- foreign relations committee. with the gratitude for your willingness to serve this panel, is excused. i would call upon our second panel today. james nelond, nominated to be the ambassador to honduras. if we could have everyone who is not staying for the rest of the hearing please leave the room and -- all right as we have everyone every exit. let me for the sake of time, our second panel today is james nelond nominated to be the ambassador to honduras. it comes at a time when honduras is facing a challenge by the humanitarian crisis. the government of honduras is struggling to maintanintain the economic well being of the people. we are addressing how we will handle people coming across the border on their own. just last week president obama called it an urgent hum apranian situation many crosses over from honduras. also on our panel is jentriy smith. he san expert in am bassy security issues. he is a career member of the foreign services, serving as deputy secretary and is aft isn't director for counter measures at the state department. the u.s. embassy. he served a security officer during two separate tours in cairo. we overwhelm cowelcome both you committee. we appreciate their willingness to join in their service. your full statements will be included in the record without objection but i ask you to summarize your openings in about five minutes or so so that we can enter into a dialogue with you. with that mr. nelond. you're recognized first, thank you very much mr. chairman. it is an honor to appear before you. the president's nominee as ambassador to honduras. i am deeply grateful to the president and secretary of state in their trust and confidence. after 30 years in the foreign service, i appreciate the privilege and responsibility that it is to be considered to be confirmation as ambassador. i deeply respect the role of the senate in ensuing that the u.s. has a foreign policy that reflects our nation's values, i would like to recognize my wife kristen who is here today and our four children, mory, katie, and leom. we've been in this from the very beginning. this is their day as much as mine. i have my brother law and many friends. so i thank all of them. i see my son arrived from california. i'm glad to see you. m mr. chairman, the headline don't always tell a positive story. this is a country that faces tremendous challenges. many of them associated with the affects of narcotics trafficking and organized crime. it is a challenge to attack impunity and krupg corruption. i share with many members of congress a concern about the n consequences of slow economic growth, imimpunity, weak institutions and extreme violence in honduras. i share the view that everything is related. impunity and lack of accountability and transparency remote a weak rule of law culture. they discourage investment and they encourage illegal migration to the united states. we are partners with you in seeking to influence this trajectory in a positive direction. i believe u.s. intervention does and that is in our interest to stay engaged. a honduras with greater transparency and accountability will be more likely to protect human rights. a honduras with a bribae anvibr middle class means viewer migrants trying to cross our borders. a honduras with a stronger interdiction capacity means less drugs arriving in our community. a honduras with strong human rights protections means enhanced security in our region. the united states is committed to partnering with the government of honduras to promote prosperity, governorance and security. in order to do so, we need willing partners in honduras who have the political will to transform their society. the capacity to seize drugs and the commitment to arrest, prosecute and sentence criminals. they also need to guarantee the human rights of their own citizens. mr. chairman honduras is at at cross roads. we've seen some early signs that they are ready to improve the lives of its citizens. in may for the first time, they extradited a notorious drug trafficker to the united states. an important step toward impunity. the new government has dedicated new resources to better combat, and they have invited the un to set up an office. there is no doubt the government of honduras still has a very big job ahead. i am fully aware of the serious doubts expressed, including in the u.s. congress, regarding the willingness and abilityhonduras needed steps to improve the human rights situation. if confirmed, i commit to work tirelessly in this area. i've opinion a dep hit chief, i'm currently the deputy civilian commander. i spent the last 30 years in nine foreign postings working to promost democracy and human rightsment enhanced law enforcement. mr. chairman, thank you again for the honor of appearing before this committee today. if confirmed, i pledge to work with you and your colleagues to advance the vital interests in honduras. thank you very much. i look forward to answering your questions today and at any time in the future. >> thank you mr. neland. we didn't give you the appropriate introduction. you have 30 years of experience joining the service in 1984. most recently been the chief of mission in peru and also been located in spain, hungary, philippines and chile. a tremendous background in this respect. mr. smith. >> chairman mendend h enen enee he's, i honored to appear before you as obama's nominee for ofm. my entire professional life has been dedicated to public service. beginning with my first career as a police officer in raleigh, north carolina. to my assignments in tokyo, cairo. to my current role, i have strived to improve the conditions in which our colleagues live and work. i believe my dedication and commitment in this regard will serve me well if given the opportunity to lead this office. regulating the activities of foreign missions in the united states to protect our foreign policy and national security interests. protecting the u.s. public from abuses and privileges by members of the foreign missions and the provision of service and assistance to the foreign mission community and the united states on a res ip rick ol basis. as you are aware it was et established in 1982. in passing the act, congress made it clear that it is a proper subject for the sker eyes of federal jurisdiction. for more than 30 years, the act has guided the department's management, extension to the foreign missions and privileges, benefits, and immunity as associated with the acquisition and use of real property, motor vehicles, driving services, exemptions. in my estimation. it is a landmark piece of legislation which has positively conditioned the environment in which we operate abroad. this committee is well aware of the department's ongoing efforts to ensure our personnel abroad work in facilities that are safe, security, and functional. i can authoritiatively arrest that the the relocation of an american embassy is a complex task. to accomplish this task, the u.s. government and in many countries have the support of that host country. in countries where that support is lacking, the office of foreign mission plays a critical roll in assisting the resolution of these impasses we sometimes face with these governments in our attempt to acquire real property. when a country has been interest in and improving its own mission in the united states, they use their act as leverage to achieve their property needs in that country. without ofm and the authorities it has under the foreign missions act, we may not have been able to build a new embassy in beijing, china or a gnaw nn n that same location. this was achieved because of the foreign missions act. in closing, i am honored to address you and esteemed members of the committee e. if confirmed, i will do all that i can to affirm all of these objectives that congress has set out in the foreign missions act. i look forward to working with with you to achieve this information abroad. i respectfully request that my entire statement be entered into the record and i will be happy to answer any of your statements, mr. nelon, let me start off for me the first pressing issue of the day as it relates to honduras which is in the headlines and minds of all of us who care about the issues of human rights and hiuman dignity. it's the thousands of young people and increasely younger people who seem forced to leave their families and head for the u.s. border because of the inability of the honduras government and other central american governments to deal with crime and violence in a region that is home to the highest murder rate in the world. i'm personally appalled by the st staggering numbers of minors sometimes as young as five or six years old who are left by their personal circumstances with no other choice than to try to cross the desert by themselves. as you approach this post, i would like to get a sense from you as to what discussions you have had with the administration, with the state department. what's our strategy to try to address both the present challenge as well as the understanding causes that parent the challenge that gives us this humanitarian tragedy. >> thank you very much. i very much concern these concerns about children who are leaving honduras and making a dangerous trip in an attempt to cross our borders. if confirmed my piece within an effort in honduras owe try to get them to try to see their future in their own country and not try to make this dangerous trip. we all know what the push fac r factors there. they are the threat of violence and a lack of economic opportunity. senator, we currently have programs in honduras that designed to address these issues. some of these are really good programs. we have to ask ourselves if it's enough? we have programs, such as the great program which address at risk youth and try to wean them away from the threat of joining games. we have programs that offer economic opportunity. we support outreach centers which try to create a culture where kids stay out of gangs, where they try to get job skills so they can enter the labor force of the it's extremely difficult as you said, senator. it is one of the poorest countries in the hemisphere and perhaps the most violent so the challenge is staggering. >> well, let me just say that here is part of our challenge. i hope that if confirmed, you will make this case within the administration. last week, the white house informed the congress that it would need $2.2 billion to address the issue of unaccompanied minors crossing to the united states. now, in 2015, the request's to congress was only $130 million. for its five country central american writhal security initiative which is a decrease of $30 million over 2014. so given that we need to spend $2.2 billion to address the consequences of the crisis here in the united states, it would seem that 130 million is absolutely insufficient to address the root causes of the problems. this is one of the things that boggles my mind. so we're going to spend $2.28 billion almost $2.3 billion if we honor the president's request to deal with young people crossing the border instead of using that type of money to make sure they stay in their country and have the aspirations what you so aptly talked about. i know that is babove your pay grade but since you will be going to this job for confirmation but i hope you make the case that $2.2 billion to respond to the problem, it just doesn't make sense. this is our problem as someone who was the western hemisphere before i became the full committee chair, getting the focus of this administration and congress on the western hemisphere is a challenge. it is the front yard. it is our own national interest. we seem to have problems understanding it. we spend more on the crisis than meeting the challenge in the first place. can i get you to be an advocate for this proposition. >> senator you can absolutely have me as an advocate if this is affirmed. i am not in a position to address how much money is needed to address this problem. i know we are assessing those programs that we do have. i look forward to seeing results of those assesslets to see how much money we might need. >> mr. smith, let me ask you. what do you consider ofm's highest priorities? how do you perceive your role in achieving them? this is the mandate that has evolved and expanded since the creation of the office in 1982. i want to get the nominee here what's your highest priorities awould be and your roll in pursuing them. >> thank you for that question. as we know the office of foreign missions as it came into existence from the foreign missions act of 1982 gives the secretary broad responsibilities for ensuing that four mission here act on a matter that's appropriate. my highest priority will be making sure that our citizens who work abroad are treated fairly and also ensuring that the activity of foreign ent enterentientereities do not conflict and also there's no abuse by personnel that are here. >> i'd like to hear from you. what role of the office of director of foreign missions play in interacting with respect to our embassies abroad. >> the relationship has existed for a long time. from the time before the office of foreign missions was officially an office within the bureau of diplomatic security until the point where it is now where it's a separate entity. the diplomatic security has always played a supporting role in helping the office of foreign missions carry out some of the responsibilities. we help to try owe protect the diplomats who are here throughout the united states. we have relationships with police organizations and police throughout country. we help to protect the diplomats that reside here and also protect diplomats who come here to visit the country on short periods of time through our protective details. in every location where there is an office of foreign mission, there is also a filled office for diplomatic security. one final question. >> this office is often referred to as the office of hit for tat, meaning that for one of our main goals is to ensure reciprocity. a report suggested there was an array of reciprocity of inequities negatively affecting personnel. in particular regarding the importation, exportation, sales and transfer procedures relevant to private and government owned vehicles in house old affects i'm under the understanding that the office sent a note to the embassy drawing attention to the situation but at the time of the inspector general's report there was no response received. that's one of the examples the one of the important rolls that you play so that our people can have a accident standing of living. tell me a little bit about the reciprocity issue in general. do you know about this argentina issue specifically, thank you very much. reciprocity is one of the tool we can use to ensure that our missions are treated fairly. i have heard -- during my briefings for preparations that there has been an issue in argentina. as a matter of fact, i know as you ra, it was raised in the 2013 report. i know the office of foreign missions has asked are for from our mission in buenes ares. yes, we have been in contact with the mission here but tlar di but there are additional details that are needed. >> something is wrong when 16 months later we're looking for mission versus action. so if confirmed, will you commit to me that you will make this one of your highest priorities. >> i will, indeed. senator. we very much would like to information because you're absolutely right. we're looking and willing to engage on this issue to ensure that our personnel oversees are treated in the fairest matter possible. >> senator rubio. thank you, i appreciate that. thank you both for your service to our country. i have two quick questions. i appreciate the ranking members indulgence on this. the first has to do wan issue. i'm sure you're aware of. that's a u.s. crew that was arrested in honduras during a river job. this is the privilege company uk with a request international. we have a contract to dredge the river and raise valuable money. a very valuable contract mutual all amute yielly benefit to both. it is standard procedure to have firearms on board to defend from pirates and drug traffickers in the region. they declared their weapons to the honduras navy inspection post. they agreed to let them continue to the port. when they arrived there, they were arrested for weapons charges. they remain in the custody of the honduras government. i was hoping to get your commitment that hopefully by the time you get there this will be cleared up if not. you will make it among your highest priorities to address this outrage that occurred there. these men should not be in jail. they did nothing wrong. they followed maritime law. i want your commitment publically that this will be cleared up hopefully by the time you get there. >> thank you very much. i am are very much aware of this. you do have my word that if confirmed to ambassador, the safety and well fair of american citizens will be my highest priority. i do hope that this situation will be cleared up by the time i get there if confirmed. i want to know that if i am confirmed you will be able to call me personally and hold me personally accountable for the action. >> i want to talk about a broader issue that is emerging in the press. the facts are pretty staggering. about five years ago about were 968 unaccompanied children that crossed the southern border from honduras. this year alone there's been more than 13,000 unaccompanied minor that's have come across the border from honduras. this is almost twice as much as last year e the entire year. we understand that violence and poverty are a driver of this. it is important to understand the desperation that a parent must have to put their happened on the hands of these groups that are going to move them across the border. >> some of these unaccompanied minors are very young children, six, seven, nine years of age. this is a very serious human theary an crisis that we're all struggling to figure out what to do with it. i do want to ask you what insight do you have -- beyond the motivation for doing it, why is this happening? in essence, we've heard reports -- i have certainly in south florida among members -- some in the connedure is community that. >> reporter: rumors that if children are able to get here, they can stay. if those rumors are circulating. i don't know how much of it is quantified to that but what can we do working with the honduras government to make sure to parents that despite the desperation they face, it is not something they should be doing. they should not -- they are putting their children in grave danger when they are crossing through mexico into the united states. they become prime targeted for traffickers and transnational criminal organizations. the laws of the united states do not allow them to stay if they arrived illegal. it is not accurate. i think this is the question to ask of our posts in el salvador. what can we to do make it clear that this is something that they should do. it isn't wise and it puts their children in grave danger. >> senator thank you very much. as i said to chairman menendez. i share your question deep concern for this situation. i'm not sure that i have any wisdom to what i already is he too the chairman accept that i can say that the honduras government is running public service adds to counter the kind of rumors that you described. >> where do these rumors come from? where does the perception come from that they can stay if they arrive -- where does that come from. >> iep n'm not in a position to answer that question. i simply do not know. i can say that this would be at the very top of priorities of what to address. i really would look forward to working with you. i know you have deep roots in the community in florida. i would really look forward to work with you to see if we could come up with some ideas to address the situation mr. kaine. i will start, first congratulations. this is a country of many, many wonderful people. i think being embass dor to honduras though a very challenging one will give you a superb opportunity to continue an amazing career in foreign service. i congratulate you there. i lived in honduras in 1980 and 1981. i worked with jesuite there. i kind of hate to say this. every time i say it -- i kind of feel bad saying it. when i was there, it was a military dictate yearship. it was a brutal place including many of the people that i worked with. many of whom were targeting during that time and afterwards because of their activity and advoca advocacy. it's worse now than that. they are less safe now than that. it is not a military dictatorship. my friends who are there, its not that they want to go back, but they are less safe than they were. a country that has been a superb ally of the united states. they can't even have peace core volunteers because of the level of violence. one element of the tragedy in particular that i'm talking with is as you might imagine is the people that i worked with. there is a radio station in el progre progre progresso that was run when i atalked there. a very prominent man who worked for the station was just murder on the eleventh of april. carlos arinodo murdered in his home. the speculation was that he was murdered because he was a journalist that called attention to human rights problems. there has been no attention to solving that case. he has been more than 34 media representatives that have been killed in 2010. s that he are peopling good work and they are questions that have been to be asked. yet they are being targeted as other journalists as well. what can you do in your position as ambassador to command the accountability of the deaths of journalists and hold up the virtues that we proclaim here about the importance of a free press and the protections that they are entitled to. >> thank you very much, sthaetor. i am very aware of your obsession and your work as a missionary there back in the 1980 says. if confirmed i would be delighted to welcome you back and introduce me to your old friend friends. you raise ed a number of very important ish use. the most important being the issue of impunity. impunity is a long-standing human rights issue in honduras. by some estimate as much as 95% of crimes go unsolved not just members of certain community buzz crimes against the population in general. this is something that we simply have to address. i will say senator -- if i am confirmed and we get a chance to work together on this,ly believe we've seen some early signs of positive steps that this government is willing to make important steps to begin to address these issues. with your patience, i will claim a couple of them. first of all last month, honduras extradited -- >> good news. >> carlos lobo, a notorious n c narco trafficker. they had to change the constitution in order to do it. i think this is a very positive step. they have fired scores of corrupt police officers. they have indicted the entire board of tdirectors. 16 people. the president has requested that the un open up an office. i understand that our congress has appropriated a 1 dollars toward that. i think we are seeing early signs of positive steps but i completely agree with you that the issue of impunity is something that we need owe get out. >> i want to association myself with comments that the chairman made about the importance of investments. trying to help the hondure ans deal with the violence challenging is not because we're good people. it's not just because if we do it, it may slow down unaccompanied minors coming to our borders. the violence is largely driven by drug trade that is fueled by american's demand for drugs. the drugs that are transiting are not transiting through honduras because of their appetite for illegal substances. it has become a convenient stop over place for drugs coming into the united states and canada. so it is -- it's hard to look yourself in the miror and kind of point the finger of what they need to do to their justice system. it's driven by a drug trade that's largely fueled by u.s. dollars and the demand for drugs. we have a need just to do something that help a partner. we have an obligation here because the violence that folks are suffering under and honduras is something that's directed connected to activities here in the united states. it is my hope that oh, there is unaccompanied minors. now twoef do something about it because we have coming to our border. the country has one of the highest murder rates in the world because of a drug trade that's ending up in the united states. that ought to call us to do some things to. the chairman said we ought to be proactive but not wait until the problem gets to our door. i thank the witnesses and wish you the best. and i wish visit you. i will. >> i look forward to that sth t senator. thank you. thank you kaine for your insights. i know he has a real passionate interest in honduras as such with the whole central american region. i have one final question. i was arguing earlier that we need to invest more so we don't spend so much more as it comes to facing the problem versus meeting the core elements of why we have situations like young people crossing the