US to respond to troubling behavior & actions of Russia; says Tillerson

Rex Tillerson was unaware of his dismissal as being secretary of state and he only came to know about it after President Trump tweeted about sacking him.

Mr Tillerson at a press briefing said, “I received a call today from the President of the United States a little after noontime from Air Force One, and I’ve also spoken to White House Chief of Staff Kelly to ensure we have clarity as to the days ahead.”

He said that he was going to delegate his responsibilities to Deputy Secretary of State Sullivan. “My commission as Secretary of State will terminate at midnight, March the 31st. Between now and then, I will address a few administrative matters related to my departure and work towards a smooth and orderly transition for Secretary of State-Designate Mike Pompeo.”

President Trump had earlier mentioned about his relations with the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and brushed aside the rumors about his dismissal in December last.

The media has been speculating that I fired Rex Tillerson or that he would be leaving soon - FAKE NEWS! He’s not leaving and while we disagree on certain subjects, (I call the final shots) we work well together and America is highly respected again!https://t.co/FrqiPLFJ1E

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2017

President Trump while talking to journalists on Tuesday mentioned about his disagreement on certain issues with Mr Tillerson.

Looking trembled Mr Tillerson thanked all of the staff in the state department and American people, but he did not thank president Trump.

Without elaborating disagreement on certain issues with president Trump, he told reporters about the policies he had been implementing during 14 months in office. "I want to give recognition to the State Department and our partners for a few of their accomplishments under this administration."

Pointing out south Asia, he said, “The adoption of the South Asia strategy with a conditions-based military plan is the tool to compel the Taliban to reconciliation and peace talks with the Afghan Government. Finally equipped are military planners with a strategy which they can execute as opposed to a succession of 16 one-year strategies. This clear military commitment attracted the support of allies broadly and equipped our diplomats with a whole new level of certainty around how to prepare for the peace talks and achieve the final objectives.”

He spoke about Syria saying, "we did achieve important ceasefires and stabilizations, which we know has saved thousands of lives. There’s more to be done in Syria, particularly with respect to achieving the peace, as well as stabilizing Iraq and seeing a healthy government installed, and more broadly in the entire global campaign to defeat ISIS. Nothing is possible without allies and partners, though."

About China, Mr Tillerson said, "Much work remains to establish a clear view of the nature of our future relationship with China. How shall we deal with one another over the next 50 years and ensure a period of prosperity for all of our peoples, free of conflict between two very powerful nations?"

Talking about Russia, he said, "And much work remains to respond to the troubling behavior and actions on the part of the Russian Government. Russia must assess carefully as to how its actions are in the best interest of the Russian people and of the world more broadly. Continuing on their current trajectory is likely to lead to greater isolation on their part, a situation which is not in anyone’s interest."

A US journalist who remained posted in Moscow for her professional responsibilities tweeted about Russian commentators reaction to Tillerson dismissal.

Predicatable: Some #Russian commentators now happily making link between #Tillerson being fired just after he blamed #Russia for spy poisoning.

— Jill Dougherty (@jillrussia) March 13, 2018