USIA - State Department Report, 96-10-02

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From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Gopher at <gopher://gopher.usia.gov>

STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1996

(EU/WTO, Africa, Burma, Haiti, Slovakia) (600)

EU/WTO -- The United States is "disappointed" that the European Union (EU) has apparently decided to request a dispute settlement panel in the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the Helms-Burton law that penalizes companies dealing with property in Cuba that has been deemed "confiscated" from American citizens by the Castro regime. "The point of the Helms-Burton law is to promote change in Cuba," Davies said, "which remains one of the world's most serious violators of human rights. Our position on their (the EU) action is that we're going to continue to try to implement the Helms- Burton Act in a manner which maximizes pressure on the Cuban government and minimizes friction with our allies."

AFRICA -- Secretary of State Warren Christopher will be leaving as planned for his first official trip to Africa, according to Davies. Christopher will visit Mali, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Angola, and South Africa October 7-15. When asked if Christopher will be interviewing potential U.N. Secretary General candidates, Davies replied: "It's an issue that's actively on the agenda whenever he has discussions with foreign governments." Davies added that he was not aware of anyone on the Secretary's schedule for Africa that has been considered a candidate for the post. "Our position is that we remain very open to suggestions from others for the job," Davies said.

BURMA -- Davies noted that the Burmese government has made allegations that the work by Marilyn Meyers, the U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Rangoon, amounted to interference in Burmese internal affairs. "Those allegations are groundless," Davies said. "It's ridiculous to characterize her contacts with Burmese government officials or with others in this way. She's been carrying out her diplomatic role on instructions from Washington. She's shared information with the Burmese government about the status of legislations pending in Washington that could affect our relationship. She has not been declared persona non grata, which is apparently a report that is circulating in Rangoon." Meyers, however, is retiring as planned months ago and will leave Burma this week, Davies said. Kent M. Wiedemann, deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, will replace her.

HAITI -- The United States is in the process of recruiting about 25 American police officers to participate in the U.N. civilian police component of the U.N. support mission in Haiti, Davies said. The American police officers will join the other 275 to 300 U.N. civilian police officers in their mission to train, mentor, and advise Haitian national police officers. "We want to insure that the Haitian national police are able to deal with the security issues that are facing them in a manner consistent with full respect for human rights, and we have fully informed the Congress of this program," Davies said.

SLOVAKIA -- Slovak Foreign Minister Pavol Hamzik met October 1 with Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott and with Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs John Kornblum. Discussions included the Slovakia's efforts to prepare for NATO membership, Davies said. Talbott acknowledged the "substantial progress that Slovakia has made towards entering Western political, security and economic structures over the last three years," according to Davies. "We would like to see Slovakia qualify for membership in NATO, in the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) and the EU. The primary tests for membership," Davies said, "is their commitment to democracy.... That will be the measure that is applied first and foremost." He added that "There are no decisions that have been made yet on NATO enlargement."

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