U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing #153, 97-10-24
From: The Department of State Foreign Affairs Network (DOSFAN) at <http://www.state.gov>
608
U.S. Department of State
Daily Press Briefing
I N D E X
Friday, October 24, 1997
Briefer: Lee Mcclenny
STATEMENTS
1 Sierra Leone: Peace agreement
Department: Condolences for a colleague
CHINA
1 Einhorn trip to Beijing
GREECE/TURKEY
2 Vessel collision
JAPAN
2 Port talks with US; Eizenstat's participation; possible
breakthrough
IRAQ
3-4 UN Security Council Resolution vote on sanctions
6-8 Reported Breakdown of Kurdish cease-fire between KDP and
PUK; Turkey's role; Alleged Turkish air strikes; alleged
security zone; supposed illegal occupation of Lebanon; US
view of Iraq unity; possibility of Kurdish request for
Iran or Iraq help
ISRAEL
4 Palestinian challenge to Israel's UN's credentials
4-5 Future trilateral talks in Washington
5 Reports of a hold on US aid in response to Israel
withholding aid to Jordan
COLOMBIA
5-6 Kidnapping of two OAS election observers; US response,
participation
RUSSIA/IRAN
6 Discussion in Congress on possible sanctions on Russian
firms cooperating with Iran
DRoCONGO
8 Kinshasa: Amb Richardson's trip; message; itinerary;
meeting with Kabila
CYPRUS
9-10 Possible Denktash meeting with Secretary; Holbrooke,
Miller, other senior officials
CZECH REPUBLIC
10 Resignation of Foreign Minister re current Senate
discussions on NATO expansion
CUBA
10 JFK Jr. visit; State's view
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
OFF-CAMERA PRESS BRIEFING
DPB #153
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1997, 12:55 P.M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
MR. MCCLENNY: How does it look?
QUESTION: It doesn't matter; there's no camera.
(Laughter.)
MR. MCCLENNY: Actually, I think there is a camera someplace. We're taping
here for posterity. You can get a copy, by the way, on your way out --
$29.95.
(Laughter.)
I hope you'll be easy on me today. I have a couple of things for you. One,
to let you know we just posted a statement on Sierra Leone - the signing of
a peace agreement. It will be in the press office after the briefing.
I would also like to say something else, on a somber note. I'd like to
extend, on behalf of all of us in the Press Office, condolences to our
colleague Mark Matthews. As you know, he's a State Department correspondent
for The Baltimore Sun. His wife, Ann, passed away yesterday, I believe. In
a time of great difficulty, our thoughts and prayers go out to Mark and his
family.
On that note, I open it to questions. George.
QUESTION: I understand Einhorn is back from Beijing.
MR. MCCLENNY: I believe he is back, but I don't have a read-out on what
came out of his meetings there.
In general on China-related matters, we had a couple of background
briefings earlier this week - two at the White House. I believe that the
President will be speaking later today on the subject of China. If, after
all of that, there are still questions, early next week I think we can make
some people available - Monday, Tuesday, something like that, to give you
more information if you like. But I think most questions on China I'll let
sit today, if I possibly can.
QUESTION: Including Einhorn?
MR. MCCLENNY: Including Einhorn. I don't have a read-out on Einhorn's
trip; nothing at all.
QUESTION: Greek and Turkish ships bumped into each other in the Aegean.
It seems like the temperature is rising. What's the State Department have
on it?
MR. MCCLENNY: Well, it is our understanding that Greek and Turkish
Governments both agree that there was a collision involving a Greek mine
sweeper and a Turkish patrol vessel. They disagree, however, on which
vessel was at fault.
The governments in Greece and Turkey, in our view, should ensure that their
military forces act in a restrained and responsible manner. Recent events
in that region point up the urgency and importance of the NATO Secretary
General Solana's initiative to develop procedures to reduce tension and
miscommunication between Greek and Turkish forces. We strongly encourage
Athens and Ankara to engage now with the NATO Secretary General to bring
this initiative to fruition.
These events also point to the value of direct communications between
Greece and Turkey to reduce misunderstandings and head off problems before
they arise. That's basically all I have.
QUESTION: Do you have anything to report on the talks, between the US and
the Japanese on the ports, that Eizenstat has been participating in?
There's still no agreement. It seems like we were hearing about a
breakthrough last Friday. And I think the other day when Jamie briefed that
it was hoped to have an announcement that afternoon. Do you know what the
hold-up is?
MR. MCCLENNY: I don't know what the hold-up is. I'm not on the inside of
the briefings. It certainly wouldn't be appropriate for me to talk about
what's going on behind closed doors. I don't think it would advance the
negotiations.
I know that they continue to meet. I know that the issues are complex,
difficult ones, and of the very greatest importance to all the nations
involved. We're watching carefully, ourselves, to see if there will be a
breakthrough sometime soon; you know, what will come of it. But I don't
have anything to report for you - nothing new, nothing different.
QUESTION: Are there talks going on today?
MR. MCCLENNY: I believe there are talks going on today. I'm not
absolutely certain, but I believe that's the case.
QUESTION: -- level or Eizenstat level?
MR. MCCLENNY: I'm trying to remember. I don't recall. I know that Under
Secretary Eizenstat is in town, and it's likely that is in fact what he's
working on.
QUESTION: Lee, I don't know if we've had a chance to ask you what you
think about the UN Security Council resolution on Iraq, and those who
abstained.
MR. MCCLENNY: You haven't had a chance to ask me yet. You want to
know?
QUESTION: Yes, I'd like to know.
MR. MCCLENNY: My personal view. Several comments, I guess. The Security
Council yesterday gave a clear negative answer to Saddam Hussein's desire
to have sanctions lifted while he continues a program of creation of
weapons of mass destruction.
In yesterday's action, the UN Security Council reaffirmed the Council's
dissatisfaction with Iraq's failure to comply fully with UN resolutions;
clearly repeated the Council's support for UNSCOM's mandate and its freedom
of operation inside Iraq. It suspended sanction reviews on Iraq for another
six months, and began the process of identifying Iraqis who are responsible
for obstructing UNSCOM inspections, for potential future restrictions
of their travel.
This is, in our view, a clear setback to Saddam Hussein's efforts to have
sanctions lifted. He should understand the message -- the basic message --
which is that the Security Council strongly supports UNSCOM's mandate.
Saddam Hussein should not misunderstand. He should see clearly that if he
continues to challenge that mandate, the Council intends to take further
action. Those words are in the letter that's been sent. We feel that's the
situation.
With regard to abstentions and voting, I'd reflect back on something Jamie
said the other day - that we want to be careful not to confuse or to
mistake the necessarily messy negotiating process that goes on in the
Security Council with disagreement in any way about the situation in Iraq.
At no time in the Council's deliberations did any member suggest that it
was time to lift sanctions, nor did any member ever question the appropriateness,
indeed the necessity of extending the suspension of the Council's regular
reviews. We're in basic agreement about Iraq.
There were abstentions, yes. The resolution was passed by the Council, and
now carries the full weight of international law. All UN Security Council
members have made a commitment to ensure that Iraq meets its serious
obligations. This is not the first time that there has been a Council
resolution on Iraq passed without unanimity. I haven't been able to find
the dates of the earlier ones, but there have been other cases in the
past.
We do regret the decision by France, Russia, China, Egypt and Kenya to
abstain on this resolution. Each nation has its own motivation, and I leave
it to them to explain those motivations to you.
The nine co-sponsors, however, made a vigorous effort to obtain the support
of all Council members. The bottom line is, the resolution passed.
QUESTION: You said it sends a strong message. Do you think that message
would have been stronger without those abstentions?
MR. MCCLENNY: Stronger, weaker, I don't think that's important; the
message is strong.
QUESTION: On another matter, apparently according to one newspaper, the
Palestinians are going to make another push to have Israel no longer speak
for the territories it occupies; that they're not under its sovereignty. Do
you have anything to say about that?
MR. MCCLENNY: We have regularly opposed such a challenge in the past, and
we will do so again should a formal challenge be presented.
The Secretary of State has made clear that all sides need to focus on
actions which build, rather than erode, confidence and trust. In this
regard, we feel strongly that any challenge to Israel's UN credentials
would be unhelpful to the Middle East peace process - particularly at this
sensitive juncture. We have made our views known to all relevant parties,
including the Palestinians.
QUESTION: Has a date been set for talks in this town with the Palestinians
and the Israelis and the US?
MR. MCCLENNY: I think we were looking at something towards the end of the
month, but I don't have any update for you.
QUESTION: Are you confirming that's what the --
MR. MCCLENNY: No, there has been discussion about such a possibility, but
I can't confirm that meetings have been scheduled, no.
QUESTION: Okay, but there has been discussion. It has been raised in a
formal way at --
MR. MCCLENNY: In a formal way, I'm not sure. But there has been
discussion. We've had discussion in this room about it.
QUESTION: And can you say who's raising it?
MR. MCCLENNY: No. It's not an area that I think is useful to get into at
this point. I don't have an announcement or anything new to say about
it.
QUESTION: To follow on Betsy's question, next Friday is the last day of
the month. Is it possible that it's not going to happen at the end of next
week, and that it might happen the following week?
MR. MCCLENNY: I can't get pinned down on it. I don't honestly know what
the exact status of it is, one way or the other. Let's look for something a
little later on, I think.
QUESTION: Back on Israel, there's a story out of the Middle East, I think,
being reported by the Israeli media that the United States is holding back
$75 million of the US aid which will go forward at the end of this month,
because Israel has stepped back from its earlier agreement to supply Jordan
with $50 million in economic aid.
MR. MCCLENNY: I haven't seen those reports; don't know what that's in
reference to. I know there were moves earlier in the US Congress -
suggestions that aid money might be withheld -- but I don't know the status
of that situation.
QUESTION: Could you look into that?
MR. MCCLENNY: I'd be happy to look into it. I won't necessarily take the
question, but let me look into it and see what there is.
QUESTION: A two-part look - one, has the deal to supply Jordan with $50
million in aid fallen through? And two, is the United States taking any
corrective action as a result?
MR. MCCLENNY: All right, let me look into it and see what I can get for
you.
QUESTION: Thank you.
MR. MCCLENNY: Anybody else? I think we have tons more stuff, George. What
are you doing? Nice try, George.
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
MR. MCCLENNY: You don't get the 20 bucks now, sorry.
QUESTION: What is your government's reaction to the kidnapping yesterday
in Colombia of two OAS observers to the upcoming elections on Sunday?
MR. MCCLENNY: We condemn this attack on democracy. It's a clear violation
of the immunities enjoyed by these international observers, and it's an
affront to the mission of solidarity, which this observer team embodies.
We deplore the continuing violence against all Colombians - those who wish
to run for office, and those who simply wish to vote in Colombia's October
26 municipal elections. I could probably go on, if you like.
We strongly believe in the legitimacy of the October 26 elections in the
face of death threats, kidnappings and other murders by the guerrillas and
paramilitaries. We abhor this attempt to subvert free, peaceful and
democratic elections, and believe that the vast majority of municipal
elections in Colombia will proceed in a normal fashion.
QUESTION: And is the US doing anything to help Colombia or the OAS for
the release of the --
MR. MCCLENNY: I understand the Colombian Government is working directly
with the OAS, both to ensure the safety of their observers - those who are
on the ground, those who have been kidnapped. At present, the OAS has no
plans, I'm told, to withdraw any of their observers.
QUESTION: (Inaudible) - initiative from Washington or --
MR. MCCLENNY: Not that I'm aware of. Through the OAS, I'm sure we're
participating, but I'm not aware of a bilateral initiative.
QUESTION: In Congress, there's discussion about measures to impose
sanctions on Russian firms that cooperate with Iran and apparently Einhorn
and Frank Wisner were up there. Do you have anything on that?
MR. MCCLENNY: On the Hill?
QUESTION: Yes, to try to persuade them not to.
MR. MCCLENNY: No, I'm sorry, I don't. I know Mr. Einhorn's back from his
trip to China, but I haven't had any communication with him or his
staff.
QUESTION: On whether or not Congress would go ahead with this measure -
do you have anything on that?
MR. MCCLENNY: I don't, actually, no. I'll look into it, if you like, but
I don't have anything for you right now.
QUESTION: Okay.
QUESTION: Do you have anything on the breakdown in the Kurdish cease-
fire?
MR. MCCLENNY: Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. Thank you for asking. We do
understand from parties that there is some limited fighting occurring in
Northern Iraq. However, I should emphasize that neither party has informed
us that it will no longer observe the cease-fire.
We're actively working with both the KDP and the PUK to stop any fighting
that's going on and to solidify the cease-fire. We're urging both parties
to refrain from fighting and to observe the cease-fire without conditions.
We think that renewed fighting serves neither of the Kurdish parties
involved, nor does it serve the Kurdish people. That's basically it.
QUESTION: Could you talk a little bit about Turkey's role in this?
MR. MCCLENNY: Probably not. I don't know much about Turkey's role. What
are you interested in?
QUESTION: Well, according to PUK spokesmen, they pulled out of the cease-
fire because Turkey is carrying out air strikes against their positions,
saying it's against the PKK. Apparently it was the Turkish action that
triggered the breakdown of the cease-fire. Do you have anything to say
about Turkey's role in this? They're supposed to be a sponsor of the cease-
fire, and apparently they're not abiding by it. It seems a little
confusing.
MR. MCCLENNY: Well, the Turkish Government says that their air strikes
targeted the PKK, not the PUK. That's their position; I don't have any
independent confirmation one way or the other. I think you should talk to
the Turks, frankly, if you're interested more about that.
QUESTION: You mean carrying out air strikes that are ambiguous, at least
to one side?
MR. MCCLENNY: We've had a long-standing policy, repeated here many times,
that we support Turkey's right to protect itself from terrorism. The PKK is
a terrorist organization, and their actions against the PKK are consistent
with that policy. At the same time, we support the territorial integrity
and unity of Iraq.
QUESTION: A little further to the West, there's quite a problem about a
security zone and some would say illegal occupation of another country
called Lebanon. In one case you condemn it, you're against it. In this case
you appear to be in favor of it.
MR. MCCLENNY: We've discussed the alleged security zone with the Turkish
Government; we have. We understand the Turkish Government announcement did
not establish, in fact, a security zone, but pointed out that the area in
Northern Iraq immediately adjacent to the Turkish border is secure, and
that there is no PKK presence there.
We have no information that indicates Turkish troops are establishing a
permanent presence in Iraq. With regard to Turkish military operations in
Northern Iraq, it's a long-standing US position, as I've already stated,
that we respect Turkish right to protect itself against PKK terrorism. At
the same time, we have stressed to the Turkish Government that its
operations into Northern Iraq should be limited both in scope and duration,
and should respect the rights of civilians. We made these points at the
outset of the current operation.
It's also important for me to mention at this point that we want to
reiterate that the US fully respects and supports Iraq's unity and
territorial integrity.
QUESTION: In the past, one or the other Kurdish group has turned to
either Iran or Iraq in a similar situation.
MR. MCCLENNY: We certainly hope that won't be the case this time.
QUESTION: Have you told them that?
MR. MCCLENNY: Have we told whom that?
QUESTION: The Kurdish groups - not to invite --
MR. MCCLENNY: I don't know if we've specifically sent that message to
them in our contacts with them. We do have contact with them. We are urging
them all to cease fighting. That's clear from the beginning of what I
said.
QUESTION: On Cyprus, Lee --
MR. MCCLENNY: How about back here first?
QUESTION: Ambassador Richardson is now in Kinshasa.
MR. MCCLENNY: He is indeed in Kinshasa.
QUESTION: Before departure he said that this is the last chance, and that
he is very pessimistic. So what would be the message, or what will be the
next step? Economic sanctions - UN economic sanctions?
MR. MCCLENNY: That's a hypothetical question. Look, Ambassador Richardson
is a very capable diplomat. He's out there in Congo right now. I believe
he'll be meeting with various people later today. We spoke with his party
briefly on the telephone a little earlier. There's nothing to add. I think
let's wait and see what Ambassador Richardson's able to obtain both in
Congo and the other countries he'll be visiting later.
QUESTION: He just arrived this morning?
MR. MCCLENNY: He just arrived this morning, yes.
QUESTION: He'll be meeting with Kabila today?
MR. MCCLENNY: He intends to meet with Mr. Kabila today.
QUESTION: Do you know what time?
MR. MCCLENNY: No. I know that it hasn't occurred yet, because I just
spoke with some of his people ten minutes before coming out here.
QUESTION: Lee, does the Secretary of State have any intention of seeing
Mr. Denktash while he's in town?
MR. MCCLENNY: I do have something on that. Let me refresh my memory,
which I can tell you is severely taxed by the breadth of material I have in
front of me.
Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash is in Washington October 23 through
30 for a week of meetings with US officials, members of Congress,
journalists and others. He will meet with Ambassador Holbrooke and with
Special Cyprus Coordinator Miller. After departing Washington, I understand
he's scheduled to travel to New York, where he'll meet, I believe, with UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan. I don't have any information about any
possible further or different meetings with US officials, however.
QUESTION: Not with the Secretary of State?
MR. MCCLENNY: I don't have anything scheduled at this time.
QUESTION: Will the Holbrooke meeting be in Washington or New York?
MR. MCCLENNY: I believe that it'll be here in Washington.
QUESTION: Do you have anything to say about Mr. Holbrooke's comments on
the spokesman's comments regarding military over-flight situation?
MR. MCCLENNY: Of course not.
QUESTION: He was quite critical.
MR. MCCLENNY: No, I wouldn't. Why would I have any comment about
that?
QUESTION: Well, which of the two speaks for this government, in this case
- Dick Holbrooke or Jamie Rubin?
MR. MCCLENNY: I think we've clarified the matter, frankly.
QUESTION: It's not clarified.
MR. MCCLENNY: Then I'd refer you to the transcript of --
QUESTION: I mean, the issue is still --
MR. MCCLENNY: -- today is Friday. I'd refer you to the transcript of
Wednesday, I think.
QUESTION: Well, the issue, yes, you've clarified the issue. But there's
some confusion out there, outside of the Beltway, who's running the show -
the State Department or Richard Holbrooke? Who speaks for the Administration
on this issue - on the Cyprus issue?
MR. MCCLENNY: Richard Holbrooke is one of our special envoys. He's a
respected diplomat; he's a respected member of the business community. He's
working for us - for the President and for the Secretary on this matter.
We're in close coordination with him. I don't see any rift; I don't see any
space; I don't see any light between his views, his position and those of
the Administration on critical matters.
QUESTION: Do you have any comments on the resignation of Czech Foreign
Minister Zieleniec, that comes in the middle of Senate discussions about
the expansion of NATO?
MR. MCCLENNY: I have seen the press reports, but I'm sorry, I don't have
any particular comment at this time. I'll ask and see if there's some
interest in saying something.
QUESTION: John F. Kennedy Jr. arrived yesterday in Havana, apparently to
interview Fidel Castro for his George magazine. Does that bother you?
MR. MCCLENNY: Does it bother us?
QUESTION: To the government?
MR. MCCLENNY: No, in fact we've encouraged for a long time the visit of
journalists to Cuba. We have special provisions in US law that permit
journalists to travel to Cuba. We think the closer exchange and better
reporting on Cuba is important to democratization on the island. I hope
he'll raise human rights and democracy issues while he's there.
Thank you all very much.
(The briefing concluded at 1:15 P.M.)
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