PyattBedingfieldEmail12 6 2015
PyattBedingfieldEmail12 6 2015
Thx
-----Original Message-----
From: Pyatt, Geoffrey R [http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=mailto: ]
Sent: Sunday, December 6, 2015 11:13 AM
To: Bedingfield, Kate J. EOP/OVP >; Carpenter, Michael R. EOP/OVP
>; Kahl, Colin H. EOP/OVP >; Hochstein, Amos J
>; Nuland, Victoria J >
Subject: Re: Podrobnosti.biz : The Ukrainian scam of the Biden family (information on the website included)
I'd adjust the last sentence to change our desired end state. Something like "...begin rooting out the cancer of
corruption that has done so much over the years to hold back economic growth and sap the confidence of Ukrainians
in those who govern them."
I assume all have the DoJ background on Zlochevsky. The short unclas version (in non lawyer language) is that US
and UK were cooperating on a case to seize his corrupt assets overseas (which had passed through the US). The case
fell apart when individuals in the PGO acted to thwart the UK case.
Proposed TPs for the VP if he gets asked after the stories break in the next few days. Especially interested in your
feedback on how to answer the third Q if he gets asked. He is not currently slated to take any questions from
reporters on the record on the trip, but he will talk to our traveling press at length off the record and will need to be
prepared to answer these kinds of questions.
TALKING POINTS
· My son is a private citizen and I'm not going to get into discussing his personal business, it has no impact on
my work.
· What I will say, though, is that no one has been tougher in pushing Ukranian leaders to root out corruption than
I have. It has been a primary focus of my discussions, both publicly and privately, for years. And I think you can
see from the substance of this trip it remains a major priority for me and for the US government.
· Important strides have been made – the appointment of a Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor and the
establishment of an independent Inspector General to prosecute corrupt prosecutors are two good ones. But much
more needs to be done and we will continue to encourage everyone involved to commit to meaningful reforms.
Q: Have you asked Hunter to step down from the board? Has he discussed that with you?
A: I'm not going to discuss private conversations with my family. Hunter is a private citizen and does independent
work.
Q: Do the optics of this situation undermine your credibility when you're pushing the Ukranians to clean up their
own house?
A: No. I have long pushed and will continue to push for the Ukranian government to root out corrupt practices. My
record on this speaks for itself. I have called on Ukranian leadership to root out corruption, encouraged civil society
reformers to remain focused on this and push the government themselves, and I welcome the news that the
government will appoint a Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor. Important steps have been taken, but there is so
much left to be done. Corrupt officials must be brought to justice and reformers must work together to ensure this
happens
A: I'm not going to get into naming names or accusing individuals. We have been working consistently to push the
Ukranian leadership to make meaningful changes in the Prosecutor General's office and across the government to
help ensure that the Ukranian people are represented fairly and fully.
-----Original Message-----
From: Carpenter, Michael
[>http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=mailto:
<
Sent: Sunday, December 6, 2015 6:23 AM
To: 'PyattGR '< >; Kahl, Colin H. EOP/OVP < >;
Bedingfield, Kate J. EOP/OVP < >
Subject: Re: Podrobnosti.biz : The Ukrainian scam of the Biden family (information on the website included)