State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki was asked again why the Benghazi suspects have not been placed in the State Department's "Reward for Justice" program.
Despite finding the program "very effective" it seems the State Department doesn’t believe that it’s worth using to track down the terrorists responsible for the death of four Americans.
Below is a transcript of the exchange:
Q: Jen, moving over to Libya, as you know, yesterday a letter was sent from 83 -- a letter to Secretary Kerry signed by 83 members of Congress asking Secretary Kerry why these suspects involved in the Benghazi attacks have not been added to your Reward for Justice program. And they quote from your website saying that one of -- its -- the Reward for Justice program is one of the most valuable assets the U.S. government has in the fight against international terrorism. And I think that question still remains. If that is the case, if it is the most valuable tool -- one of the most valuable tools you have, why aren't you using it?
MS. PSAKI: Well, you are right. It's a valuable tool. We use it for -- we have a range of individuals on that list and it's been very effective. I don't have any update for you. I think you said that letter was just sent. I'm not aware if we've received it or not yet. I'm happy to check on that. And as you know, we typically respond to letters that we receive from Congress.
Q: And earlier this afternoon Jay Carney, your colleague, said that it was a priority of this administration to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice. And again, if that is the case, wouldn't it make sense to use one of your most valuable tools?
MS. PSAKI: Well, it's not our only tool. We're obviously pursuing this aggressively. The president's talked about it. The secretary of state has talked about it. There's no question we want to bring them to justice. And so we work to do that every day.
Q: OK -- sorry -- have you -- since we first brought this -- had this discussion a week ago, considered adding these suspects --
MS. PSAKI: There's no update since yesterday.
Q: Can you take that question, if you have considered?
MS. PSAKI: I will look into whether there's more to share with you. I'm happy to do that.
Q: It's just a yes-or-no question.
I mean, have you considered adding the suspects to your Reward(s) for Justice program?
MS. PSAKI: I will see if there's more to share. I think it's unlikely.
Did you have a question on this too, Josh?
Q: Sure.
Q: Or you think what's unlikely, that they would consider it or that you would --
MS. PSAKI: That we would have more to share on this topic at this point.
Q: Well, why -- I mean, I notice you're smiling a little bit, but I mean, this is clearly -- I mean, it's a serious attack. An ambassador and three Americans were killed.
MS. PSAKI: Lukas (sp), I'm not questioning that in any way, shape or form. I think of all people -- you know, of all buildings, this building was impacted personally and deeply, and it's a day where four people died, but also it shook many, many people who were in the foreign service and civil service and have served this building. And were -- we've undertaken efforts since then, which the secretary -- Secretary Kerry has continued after Secretary Clinton, to better fortify, better strengthen our embassies around the world. But, you know, there's been some (games ?) that have been played around this, and we think the focus should be on that and nothing else.
Q: Now, those are very defensive measures, but with a country where a third of the people live at or below the national poverty line, wouldn't it make sense to offer a little bit of reward for information that could lead not just to these -- the capture of those responsible for the attacks, but prevent possibly future attacks?
MS. PSAKI: There are a range of tools in our toolbox. I don't have anything new to add to you today.