1. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arriving at announcement
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rex Tillerson, US Secretary of State:
"The Executive Order, signed by the President earlier today, protecting the nation from foreign terrorist entry into the United States is a vital measure for strengthening our national security. It is the president's solemn duty to protect the American people and with this order President Trump is exercising his rightful authority to keep our people safe."
3. Wide of announcement
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rex Tillerson, US Secretary of State:
"While no system can be made completely infallible, the American people can have high confidence we are identifying ways to improve the vetting process and thus keep terrorists from entering our country. To our allies and partners around the world, please understand this order is part of our ongoing efforts to eliminate vulnerabilities that radical Islamist terrorists can and will exploit for destructive ends."
5. Wide of announcement
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rex Tillerson, US Secretary of State:
"Upon the President's initial executive order issued on January 27th, the State Department's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Offices immediately undertook a review in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security to identify additional measures that would strengthen our vetting of those seeking entry to the United States from seven named countries. These early efforts were concentrated on Iraq. Iraq is an important ally in the fight to defeat ISIS. With their brave soldiers fighting in close coordination with America's men and women in uniform. This intense review over the past month identified multiple security measures that the State Department and the government of Iraq will be implementing to achieve our shared objective of preventing those with criminal or terrorist intent from reaching the United States. I want to express my appreciation to Prime Minister Al-Abadi of Iraq for his positive engagement and support for implementing those actions."
President Donald Trump on Monday signed a new version of his controversial travel ban, aiming to withstand court challenges while still barring new visas for citizens from six Muslim-majority countries and shutting down the US refugee program.
The revised travel order leaves Iraq off the list of banned countries but still affects would-be visitors from Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and Libya.
Trump privately signed the new order Monday while Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Attorney General Jeff Sessions formally unveiled the new edict.
The low-key rollout was a contrast to the first version of the order, signed in a high-profile ceremony at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes as Secretary of Defense James Mattis stood by Trump's side.
