U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson holds a press briefing in Saudi Arabia at the conclusion of President Trump’s speech at the Arab Islamic American Summit:
More than any other Arab leader Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has led the way in confronting Islamic terrorism.
It was President al-Sisi who exiled the Muslim Brotherhood and formed a coalition of Arab nations to confront the extremist elements promoting violence.
President al-Sisi’s call to confront extremism was joined by King Abdullah III (Jordan) in 2014; and that eventually led to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States uniting and forming an anti-extremism Arab coalition. [Backstory Here]
President al-Sisi delivered a 2015 New Year speech to the the most influential Islamic scholars and faith leaders calling upon internal reform to confront the radical elements within the Muslim faith. Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz honored President al-Sisi for his efforts at creating a stable coalition for peace just prior to his death a few weeks later in late January 2015.
After taking power in 2015 Saudi King Salman took up the cause for al-Sisi’s peace coalition, and that was the beginning of a series of events that culminated in this 2017 Arab Islamic American Summit. If regional peace is achieved, history will show how significant Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was in that result.
[TRANSCRIPT] I want to thank King Salman for his extraordinary words, and the magnificent Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting today’s summit. I am honored to be received by such gracious hosts. I have always heard about the splendor of your country and the kindness of your citizens, but words do not do justice to the grandeur of this remarkable place and the incredible hospitality you have shown us from the moment we arrived.
You also hosted me in the treasured home of King Abdulaziz, the founder of the Kingdom who united your great people. Working alongside another beloved leader – American President Franklin Roosevelt – King Abdulaziz began the enduring partnership between our two countries. King Salman: your father would be so proud to see that you are continuing his legacy – and just as he opened the first chapter in our partnership, today we begin a new chapter that will bring lasting benefits to our citizens.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was interviewed by Fox News Chris Wallace via satellite from Saudi Arabia:
President Trump is scheduled to deliver a historic speech in Saudi Arabia during the Arab Islamic American Summit. The venue is The King Abdulaziz Conference Center and the scheduled time is approximately 9:15am EDT / 4:45pm local.
Update Video Added:
Schedule Sunday starts 2:00 am EDT – There is a 7 Hour time difference between the U.S. (EDT) and Saudi Arabia. President Trump’s schedule for Sunday, 5/21/17 – (all times are local /eastern):
♦ 9:00 am / 2:00am EDT – The president participates in a bilateral meeting with the King of Bahrain – The Ritz-Carlton
♦ 9:20am / 2:20am EDT – The president participates in a bilateral meeting with the Amir of Qatar – The Ritz-Carlton
♦ 9:50am / 2:50am EDT – The president participates in a bilateral meeting with the President of Egypt – The Ritz-Carlton
♦ 11:10am / 4:10am EDT – The president participates in a United States Gulf Cooperation Council Meeting – The King Abdulaziz Conference Center
♦ 12:45pm / 5:45am EDT – The president participates in a bilateral meeting with the Amir of Kuwait – The Ritz-Carlton
♦ 1:05pm / 6:05am EDT – The president participates in a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Oman – The Ritz-Carlton
♦ 2:25pm / 7:25am EDT – The president participates in a reception with Heads of State – The King Abdulaziz Conference Center
♦ 3:00pm / 8:00am EDT – The president participates in the Arab Islamic American Summit Luncheon – The King Abdulaziz Conference Center
♦ 4:15pm / 9:15am EDT – The president participates in the Arab Islamic American Summit – President Trump Speech – The King Abdulaziz Conference Center
♦ 7:50pm / 12:50pm EDT – The president participates in the Inauguration of Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology – Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology
♦ 8:25pm / 1:25pm EDT – The President participates in remarks at Tweeps 2017
– The Ritz-Carlton
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No back-channel discussions kept hidden from allies out of a concern for their political opinion of impact. No mysterious hidden transactions kept shrouded from the American electorate. No nuanced details tucked away only to be discovered later. No secret transfers of pallets of cash handled through third-parties to avoid fingerprints. No need for the construction of plausible deniability or mysterious parseltongue terminology.
Open and frank discussion of benefits and costs. Openly transparent details of every deal and every participant in the structure therein. Direct, plain-spoken language outlining the value and purpose of the agreement. Every moment and consequential encounter conducted in the disinfecting sunlight of transparent publicity. No need for phrases carefully conducted for domestic consumption. Every member of the team tasked with explaining the purpose and intention. While deliberate, we know what we get and we know why we are getting it.
Everything right out in the open for evaluation, praise, critique and criticism.
It’s amazing what can be achieved when there’s no political agenda.
Pretty darned refreshing.
It took a non-politician to deliver true transactional transparency.
Thank you to those who voted for President Donald Trump.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †
