SOURCE: U.S. State Department
John Kirby
Spokesperson
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
July 7, 2015
…
QUESTION: John, can we change the subject to Vietnam? The head of the Communist Party is here. Vice President Biden had a lunch with him. Do you know if the – if he raised the issue of the arms embargo, that they (inaudible) fully lifted, during discussions yet?
MR KIRBY: I’d refer you to the Vice President’s office for a readout. I don’t have a readout of the private discussion that was had.
QUESTION: So there —
MR KIRBY: I was at the lunch prior to coming down here – one of the reasons I was a little bit late. In the opening comments, both leaders talked about the importance of moving the relationship forward. We’ve come a long way in 20 years, and I think there’s – it’s in both our interests to continue to improve this relationship and move it forward. But I didn’t get any specific readout on that.
QUESTION: So you did not – he didn’t have any discussions with officials at the State Department?
MR KIRBY: No.
QUESTION: Okay.
MR KIRBY: No. There was no – no. I mean, there were State Department officials present for the meetings —
QUESTION: Yeah.
MR KIRBY: — but I mean, the meeting was with the Vice President before the lunch. And again, I’d point you to the White House to give a readout of that.
Okay? This was easy. Forty minutes. Thanks, everybody.
(The briefing was concluded at 2:38 p.m.)
…
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2015/07/244686.htm
