◼ A press conference got a little testy when AP reporter Matt Lee questioned the State Department spokeswoman over pending legislation which would rename a street in Washington. - IJ Review
The street in question is significant, as it will change the address of the Chinese embassy in the capital from “International Place” to “Lu Xiaobo Plaza” in honor of the jailed Chinese dissident and Nobel laureate.
Beijing has not reacted well to this new name, and Lee’s question asked whether the State Department felt that the provocative new name was a good decision or whether the Administration was just trying to annoy the Chinese.
When Harf said that they had a position but she would just not share it, Lee slammed the Obama’s “transparent” Administration for its frosty reception with the press. Reported by the Washington Free Beacon:
“But it’s a — but it’s a secret — it’s a secret position — from the most transparent administration in history.”◼ AP Reporter Spars with State Dept, Ridicules Their Lack of Transparency, Vows To Ask The Same Question Every Day Until State Dept Answers
When Harf declined to comment on it directly, Lee prodded, “It has a direct foreign policy element to it. It’s certainly intended to send a message. Do you think that renaming streets in this kind of way, that are designed to be — designed to be provocative in general, is a good idea?”
Harf replied that she had no comment, but added that that does not mean the State Department has no position.
“Oh, so you do have a position,” Lee responded.
