Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, August 11, 2021

Thanks, Jen.  It’s the 40th birthday of Austin Tice, a journalist who went missing in Syria nine years ago this week.  And his family put out a statement today. I was going to read just a short portion of it for you:

“We are now imploring a third President to communicate to his administration that Austin’s secure release and safe return is a priority.  There are many capable people working in our government who are eager to see Austin walk free; they must have President Biden’s authorization for significant and relevant diplomatic engagement with the Syrian government.” 

What has the President done, publicly or internally, to communicate that this is a priority?  And when will we hear from him directly?

MS. PSAKI:  Well, I would note that, first, this week, as you noted, marks his ninth year in captivity in Syria.  I talked about the detainment of Austin Tice when I was in a prior administration, two administrations ago, and that tells you how long his family has been waiting.

We’d certainly reiterate our call for Syria to help release — on Syria to help release Austin Tice and every U.S. citizen held hostage in Syria.  We are committed to following all avenues and talking to anyone who can help with Austin’s release and return home.

We don’t speak about those publicly because that’s not in the interest of the outcome, but we are committed to working — to doing — using every tool in our disposal to bring Austin and all hostages held in Syria home.

Q    I just want to follow up because it seems as if there’s a feeling that there needs to be an explicit directive from the President, whether it be publicly or privately, and —

MS. PSAKI:  He is directing Syria to release Austin Tice, and we are using — and he has asked his government to use every tool and — tool of engagement available to bring him home.