State Department Deputy Spokesman Robert A. Wood Holds State Department Regular News Briefing

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State Department Deputy Spokesman Robert A. Wood Holds State Department Regular News Briefing

STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR NEWS BRIEFING

AUGUST 10, 2009

SPEAKER: STATE DEPARTMENT DEPUTY SPOKESMAN ROBERT A. WOOD

[*] WOOD: Happy Monday, everyone. Welcome to the briefing. Sorry we were a little late this afternoon, but I wanted to make sure the president finished his press conference.

I've got a couple of items. The first, we'd like to extend our condolences to the Italian government, as well as to the families and friends of victims of this recent helicopter and plane collision in New York City. Our thoughts are with the people of Italy at this very difficult time.

Item number two. I'd like to run down the secretary's schedule. As you know, earlier today, Secretary Clinton was in Luanda, Angola, where she participated in the signing of the PEPFAR partnership framework with Angolan Foreign Minister dos Anjos. She also met with Angolan President dos Santos.

The secretary then flew to Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where she visited the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center. The secretary is also scheduled to participate in a town hall discussion with former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo at St. Joseph's College.

She will later today participate in a meeting and -- and state dinner hosted by Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito.

And with that, I'm ready to take your questions.

QUESTION: I've got nothing.

WOOD: Nothing? Wow.

QUESTION: Do you have any updates for us on the -- the three Americans in Iran? I heard General Jones yesterday...

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