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U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, 01-02-07U.S. State Department: Daily Press Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Department of State Foreign Affairs Network (DOSFAN) at <http://www.state.gov>DAILY BRIEFING Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC February 7, 2001 INDEX: STATEMENT TRANSCRIPT_: MR. BOUCHER: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. If I can, I think we've given you on paper the joint statement with the South Koreans that we've just issued. If I can just reiterate a few of its points orally for those who want to hear from us that way. Secretary of State Powell and Republic of Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lee Joung-binn today had a long conversation in which they reaffirmed the fundamental importance of the political, economic and security partnership between the United States and South Korea. This partnership has worked to promote democracy and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula for over five decades. The two ministers talked on the basis of the US-South Korean security partnership which remains vital to both of us. They talked about reconciliation and cooperation between South and North Korea. And they talked about our support, the United States support, Secretary Powell's support, for the South Korean Government's policy of reconciliation and cooperation with the North. They talked about close coordination between our two governments as well as with Japan, and each pledged regular consultations at senior levels as we go forward in this together. And then they talked a bit about the prospect of a meeting between President Bush and President Kim at the earliest time, but no dates were set. Q: When you say "at the earliest time," can we add the word "possible"? I mean, I don't understand "earliest." MR. BOUCHER: You can add it if you want. I'll add it if you want, too. At the earliest possible time, at the earliest time it can be scheduled. Whatever. All that's understood. Q: You may consider this a little bit radical, eccentric. Given the long relationship with South Korea, which no one is questioning, doesn't the US have a specific interest of its own, so far as a missile defense program, that calls for face-to-face negotiations or discussions or something with North Korea; that is a US decision to make irrespective of its allies? You seem to be taking the South Korean lead more than the Clinton Administration did. MR. BOUCHER: No, I don't think we're contradicting that in any way with what you say. Obviously South Korea has its interests as it goes forward, things it wants to work on, that may not be the core part of our agenda, like family reunification, economic cooperation, whatever. And as South Korea goes forward with its process, it will consult very closely with us. Similarly, we have certain interests with North Korea that may be shared or may be similar, maybe have a different status with us, including tensions on the Peninsula generally that we're concerned about in dealing with the North. Obviously that's a concern of South Korea as well. Questions of missiles, nuclear developments, also a concern to South Korea, but in some contexts also a broader concern to the United States. So as we each pursue the issues of concern to us, we keep in mind the issues that others have. The Japanese have certain issues that are of concern to them, and they will pursue those. We will keep them in mind. And in most cases -- in all cases, I think -- what you have seen and what you will see is the United States, Korea -- South Korea -- and Japan, as we pursue our agendas, also stressing the importance of reaching agreement with others on the issues of their agenda as well. Because we all know that we need to go forward together, and in particular stress the importance that progress be made between South Korea and North Korea in those talks. The Secretary talked today about the importance of building on what the South Koreans have achieved and done with North Korea and moving forward from there, and that it clearly remains of key importance to us as we look at how to pursue our own issues with North Korea. Q: Did the subject of South Korea's missile program come up? And if it did, could you elaborate? MR. BOUCHER: No, it didn't, it came up only very briefly to the extent of noting that we had recently reached agreement with South Korea on a number of issues, including the issues of their missile program, issues of status of forces, and I forget one or two others. Q: Richard, did the subject come up of Colin Powell continuing on with the Albright initiative with North Korea, and any timing? MR. BOUCHER: No specific timing was discussed. What the Secretary has said in his confirmation hearings was he was very mindful of the work that had been done and looked forward to moving forward from there, and that is generally the tenor of our discussions here. But there was no specific discussion at this point, nor announcements that I have to make about how and when and in exactly what format we intend to pursue that work. Certainly the Secretary has talked before and talked again today about the need to move forward to advance our interests with North Korea, to move forward in a step-by-step fashion as North Korea addresses the issues of concern to us, and to move forward but in a realistic way that understands the nature of events and concerns out in the Peninsula. Q: Has there, in fact, been any contact through what you call the New York channel since the new Administration came into office? MR. BOUCHER: There has been regular contact through the New York channel with North Korean diplomats. As I said, no new departures or policy announcements at this point. Q: Is Ambassador Kartman still in place, or what's the status of that? MR. BOUCHER: Yes, he is still in place. He was at the meeting this morning. Q: And he is expected to -- is he one of the people that was asked to stay on for -- until what, March? MR. BOUCHER: I forgot to check on how -- he is still in place, and he is still working on this. I don't have any -- Q: But I mean, he doesn't intend to leave imminently? MR. BOUCHER: I don't have any -- I don't know exactly how long his tour is or how long his future is, but I'll check on that and see if we have anything definitive at this moment. Q: And also along the personnel lines, what about Wendy Sherman's position? MR. BOUCHER: No decisions on exactly how Secretary Powell wants to organize his effort vis-à-vis North Korea, but he is certainly relying on the people who are here, who have great expertise. Q: And perhaps this is one for the Historian's Office, but exactly -- the statement notes this cooperation in promoting democracy over the past 50 years. Was that really a US concern in the 1950s and 1960s? I don't remember Syngman Rhee being exactly the most democratic -- I mean, how much US policy towards -- MR. BOUCHER: Has worked to promote democracy and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula for over five decades. Obviously the promotion of prosperity on the Korean Peninsula is something that goes back for five decades. I think you will find the United States has consistently promoted democracy throughout our relationships there. And I think what is important to note at this point that Korea is indeed a strong partner in terms of democracy around the world, and that has become a more and more important part of our relationship as these years have gone on. Q: The peace treaty issue between the North and South was on the table today? And then what was Mr. Powell's stance on that? And my second question is are there any difference between the United States and South Korea in terms of the principle of reciprocity and the speed of dealing with North Korea? MR. BOUCHER: Again, we've been here for two weeks now in this briefing room, and I've avoided sort of trying to recite every mantra around the world of everything that we've ever supported, so I'm not intending to use today to do that between South and North Korea. The issue of moving towards a peace treaty through the Four Party Talks did come up today. I would say to a very great extent today's meeting was a comprehensive and detailed briefing by Minister Lee on the way they are proceeding with the North, their views on various issues and things that are coming up. This is one of the elements that he touched on. Secretary Powell certainly appreciates the insights and the comprehensive nature of the briefing, but at this point, as I said, in terms of sort of the specific elements of how we want to proceed, I don't have any announcements. Clearly Four Party Talks and proceeding towards a peace treaty has been part of the agenda and will remain part of the agenda. Q: How about my second question? MR. BOUCHER: Repeat your second question. Q: Were there any difference between the United States and -- MR. BOUCHER: That's the kind of thing -- Q: I see. MR. BOUCHER: Obviously there was tremendous agreement today on the elements that they discussed. There was tremendous agreement on the importance of moving forward and on the importance of very, very close consultations as we each move forward. I didn't detect any particular differences today, but in terms of sweeping statements, we're not here to recite that every day. Q: When Mr. Powell met with Mr. -- (inaudible) -- a couple of weeks ago, he stressed that the conventional force issues are very important to reach an agreement with North Korea. He stressed it again? MR. BOUCHER: Again, in Minister Lee's briefing on the situation on the Peninsula, he several times highlighted the importance of the reduction of tensions, the reduction of military tensions on the Peninsula. Clearly that is something of great interest to us. The Secretary, too, has talked about it in his confirmation hearing. So when we say we want to proceed step by step, look at addressing our concerns and proceed in a realistic fashion, understanding what's going on on the Peninsula, that is the kind of thing we're talking about, the status of the conventional forces as well as other threats on the Peninsula. So clearly an area that will become an area of focus and cooperation. Q: Is it a kind of precondition? MR. BOUCHER: Again, I'm not laying out any particular preconditions. I'm talking about the way we intend to proceed, which is the way I've described it. Q: Can I ask about Japan? MR. BOUCHER: Sure. Q: The Okinawa government has today demanded that the Marine general be replaced because of his comments. I am wondering if this incident has yet risen to the level of a diplomatic -- something that the State Department is handling, or are you still wanting to have nothing to do with it and leave it all to the Pentagon? MR. BOUCHER: Well, I think the Pentagon, I think the general involved has explained, has talked about his statements and what he meant. Clearly the admonition to his forces and his troops to respond to discipline, to respect the discipline that he expects of his forces, is an important part of what he needs to say. I believe our Embassy has had discussions with the Japanese Government about it, but I think I'll leave it to them to handle. Q: Were there any discussions today in the meeting regarding North Korean officials visiting the United States, like earlier this year? Was there any talk like that? MR. BOUCHER: No, that didn't come up. Q: According to Athens News Agency on the Simitis government, Ambassador Nicholas Burns met the other day with the Foreign Prime Minister Konstantin Mitsiotakis, and they discussed the upcoming visit to the Island of Crete of the former President George Bush as a guest of Mr. Mitsiotakis. I am wondering, Mr. Boucher, Mr. Burns has been instructed accordingly by the Department of State? MR. BOUCHER: I don't know. I'll have to check. Q: It's a news item by the Athens News Agency. It's the official -- MR. BOUCHER: Well, I mean, okay, our Ambassador obviously wants to facilitate visits by former United States Presidents. I know when President Carter stopped in Cyprus we did a lot to help him out and help him through, so I'm certain that our Ambassador in Greece will do the same. Whether he has actually received any kind of heads up or instruction telegram from us, I don't know. But in the normal course of business, even without a telegram, our Ambassadors would certainly help former Presidents in their travels. Q: Do you know if it is true, at least? MR. BOUCHER: No. Q: No. A story appeared yesterday in The Los Angeles Times by once again upon the time employee of your Embassy in Athens, Wayne Merry, against the Olympic Games to take place in Greece of 2004 in the name of the terrorist organization November 17. Any comment? MR. BOUCHER: I don't know about that story. I'll have to check on it. [See Taken Questions at end of transcript.] Q: It was a big story yesterday in -- MR. BOUCHER: I'm sorry. I didn't read that section of The Los Angeles Times yesterday. (Laughter.) Q: But you do read The L.A. Times every day? MR. BOUCHER: I read The L.A. Times every day, but sometimes I don't read every story. Q: Only if Robin -- MR. BOUCHER: Only ones written by people I know. Q: According to reports, the State Department instructed Ambassador Burns not to allow US officials from now on to go into Greece to meet the speaker of the Greek parliament, Mr. Apostolos Kaklamanis. Do you have anything on that? MR. BOUCHER: No, I don't have anything on that. I think on the overall situation and the remarks made by Mr. Kaklamanis, we discussed that last week. Q: I forgot my question. Can I ask about NMD? British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook this morning was talking at some length about how Britain would like to see a full dialogue with Russia before the United States takes a final decision on this, and I understand that Secretary Powell assured him of that yesterday. Could you give us any details at all about how you intend to proceed with this dialogue, given the particular prominence it had with Strobe Talbott and the last administration? MR. BOUCHER: I don't think there is a formal mechanism decided yet. Clearly, as we work through these issues, as we work through any issues, we are working first and foremost with our allies, discussing them with friends and other interested countries. And I think the Secretary was quite clear in his discussion of this issue yesterday with you that we would be talking to the Chinese and the Russians as we went forward in developing our plans and developing the ideas of strategic stability that involved, obviously, questions of offensive weapons, of proliferation, of information, but as well, issues of defense. So those will be subjects of discussion. The exact format, personnel or timing of those, I don't think we have anything new to say on that at that point. Obviously when the Secretary meets with the Russian Foreign Minister, which they expect to do in the near future -- in the coming months, let's put it that way -- then that would be a subject of discussion. Q: Can I follow up on that? President Bush said before he was elected that he would proceed with NMD whether Russia agreed to amend ABM or not, and yet we have heard talk in the last couple of days that would tend to suggest that ABM -- that the United States would not pull out of ABM. Can you clarify that for us? MR. BOUCHER: I don't think we have said anything new on the ABM Treaty since the Secretary's confirmation hearings. I would refer you back to what he said then. Q: Can I follow that, too? I was at the same session, and Mr. Cook, a self-admitted polite person, had nothing rash to say about National Missile Defense. Do you think now that the visit is over -- he's going to come back, because Mr. Blair will be here in two weeks -- even if you use the phrase "anchored in NATO," which I think I have heard a few hundred times in the last two days, can you please tell us if indeed there is any disagreement, any substantive disagreement, with the European allies on a National Missile Defense? I can't figure out if what Mr. Rumsfeld said prevails, or what Mr. Cook said prevails, or what the Secretary's statement -- I'm still a little confused. There is a lot of politeness going on. MR. BOUCHER: Okay, hold it. The phrase "anchored in NATO" is used in connection with European Security and Defense Identity. Q: Oh, excuse me. MR. BOUCHER: So you want to find out if I'm as polite on European Security and Defense Identity as he is on National Missile Defense? Q: I can't think of the cliché for -- MR. BOUCHER: And the answer to the fundamental question is yes, we are as polite on European Security and Defense as he is on National Missile Defense. These are both issues on our security agenda, both issues that we expect to work in conjunction with our friends and allies, and in particular in conjunction with our British friends and allies. And the fact that they had extensive consultations on these subjects yesterday, that they were able to discuss how to proceed, and to work together, in fact -- not just to think together, but to work together and to act together-- with the British as we proceed with these items. So as the Secretary said yesterday, "anchored in NATO" is the phrase that we look for in terms of how the European Security and Defense Identity needs to be pursued. We welcome it; we welcome any increase in European capabilities; we welcome the Europeans having the ability to carry out actions where we might not be implicated, involved, or might not decide to get involved. And we will work with the British and other allies to make sure that this is done in a manner that adds to capabilities, doesn't duplicate them, and is anchored in NATO. That is clearly what we are doing with the British, and we will continue to do that. Q: Does the US have a national missile -- you haven't said anything yet about -- just now whether there is a general agreement with the US program - - acceptance of it. MR. BOUCHER: No, I am not going to characterize other views. I think he characterized his own views to you this morning. Q: Okay, I'll try it this way. Is the United States standing alone in its pursuit of an ambitious, a multi-trillion dollar, so far unprovable, missile defense program? (Laughter.) MR. BOUCHER: No. Q: When you say that both ministers decided how they were going to proceed with National Missile Defense and with ESDI, can you elaborate on that? MR. BOUCHER: I'm not quite sure I said it that way. I said that both ministers decided they would proceed together on these issues, that we will work together as we proceed on these issues. Q: New subject. Has Secretary Powell yet begun to make phone calls to the Middle East following the election? MR. BOUCHER: What makes you think he would? Q: No idea. I just wondered. And any update on trips? MR. BOUCHER: Nothing new to say about travel. I think the Secretary talked to you yesterday and mentioned the fact that we would be traveling towards the end of the month, and that we would go to Europe, the Middle East, and the Persian Gulf, to take them in alphabetical order and not imply anything about destinations or timing. On the subject of phone calls, clearly you have seen the White House statement, you have seen the base fundamental approach of the United States as we get a new government in Israel. The Secretary has been making phone calls. He talked to Prime Minister-Elect Sharon yesterday evening -- evening or afternoon -- late afternoon, early evening our time -- after the declarations and concessions and things like that. Today he has talked to King Abdallah of Jordan, he has talked to Crown Prince Abdallah of Saudi Arabia. He has talked to Foreign Minister Shara of Syria. He has talked to Foreign Minister Moussa of Egypt. And we would expect him to make additional calls during the course of the day. Q: That's an interesting itinerary. That could make an interesting itinerary. MR. BOUCHER: No, that's not an itinerary. This is merely a list of phone calls. Q: And what was his message? MR. BOUCHER: The message is basically the one that he said to you, that he said in public, that we are at a delicate time, that the Prime Minister- Elect will need to form a government, and that during this period we should avoid provocations, we should avoid counter-provocations. Everyone should be exercising restraint and moderation. And we need to work together and talk to our friends and allies in the region and talk to the new government once it is formed about how we can proceed towards the search for peace. Q: Arafat? Did he talk to Arafat? MR. BOUCHER: We'll get you names of other people as they proceed. Q: If he talks to Arafat, that would especially be interesting to us. MR. BOUCHER: Okay. Q: Did he talk to any of these four about the Iran sanctions situation? MR. BOUCHER: The Iran? The Iraq sanctions situation? Q: Iraq sanctions. MR. BOUCHER: The principal subject of the phone call was Middle East peace, was the situation in the region at this current moment. I don't know whether Iraq came up in any of the calls. I know that it didn't come up in one or two that I heard. So that was not intended to be a conversation on that subject at this point. Q: Can you explain your objections to the expression, "Middle East peace process"? MR. BOUCHER: I don't object to "Middle East peace process." I'm sure we'll say a lot of different things at different times to characterize the situation. But certainly the search is for peace, not for a process. Q: Can I ask you also, a couple of appointments at State, high-level jobs, were announced today. I don't know if that's the end of the line. MR. BOUCHER: Were there more announced today? Q: Yeah, Grossman and -- MR. BOUCHER: That was yesterday. Q: Okay, yesterday. But is it -- does the -- MR. BOUCHER: No, that's not the end of the line. (Laughter.) Q: But is it the end of the line so far as the special mediator? Is that issue still up in the air? MR. BOUCHER: No news on that point about how exactly and who in terms of organizing the search for peace in the Middle East. Q: If I could go back somewhat to the issue of proliferation. And another thing that Robin Cook mentioned today was that US and British officials were going to get together to try and hammer out a new approach to controlling proliferation. And one of the ideas he suggested was an international treaty along the lines of NPT Europe, the missile export control regime, because there was nothing that applied specifically to missiles. Could you tell us anything about what Secretary Powell's views are on this since they discussed it yesterday? MR. BOUCHER: That idea was discussed at yesterday's meeting. It was one of several ideas on the importance of proliferation and how we needed to proceed. I am sure we will have people get together on this subject but, no, we don't have a particular view at this point to express. Q: Change of subject? MR. BOUCHER: Please. Q: Just two very quick ones on the Balkans. One is, is anything clear about the incident yesterday involving the convoy that Ambassador Montgomery was in? And second, involving another Ambassador over there, have the concerns that you raised yesterday about the comments made by the chairman of the Bosnian presidency been now allayed? Are you convinced that Ambassador Miller is not at risk of being thrown out of the country? MR. BOUCHER: I'm not sure if we've heard anything further on the situation with Ambassador Miller. As you know, there was some comments made by Zivko Radisic, the Serb Co-President of Bosnia-Herzegovina. We see these as part of the internal political maneuvering in the run-up to tomorrow's -- today's, now -- vote in their house of representatives on the new central government. Obviously the United States has full confidence in Ambassador Miller. He and we will continue to work with the rest of the international community on the economic and political development of Bosnia-Herzegovina. I don't think there is anything more I can say at this point. It would be up to them to decide if they want to pursue this issue or not. Q: And on the -- MR. BOUCHER: And what was the other one? The shooting incident. I think the simple answer to, "Is there anything clear," I think the answer is no, it's not clear. We know a few things. There were shots that were heard in the vicinity of a convoy yesterday near the Presevo Valley area. Let me make sure I know where they were. Well, let's go through the people. The people in the convoy were our Ambassador to Yugoslavia Bill Montgomery, Balkans Coordinator Ambassador James Pardew. They were heading to a meeting in Lucane with Serb officials. The motorcade also included Serb foreign ministry officials and other Embassy officers. Yugoslav army vehicles were in the area and traveling in the same direction as the motorcade. As the motorcade was nearing the location of its planned meeting, a security officer heard two gunshots. Neither shot hit any of the cars in the motorcade. There is no indication that the convoy was a target. No one was hurt in the incident. As a precaution, the motorcade immediately turned around and returned to Belgrade. We have no information at this point on who might have fired the shots or what the target may have been, and we're not going to speculate. So I think the only thing you can say is that US diplomats, once again, are out doing the nation's business in areas of shots being fired and obvious danger. Q: The meeting that they were going to was with Serb -- MR. BOUCHER: With Serb officials in this town called Lucane. Q: Was that to talk about the Conic plan? MR. BOUCHER: You're thinking of the Covic plan. Obviously that's -- for any discussions of the situation in the area, that's one of the matters that would be discussed. We, in fact, have noted that the Covic plan was approved Tuesday by the Serbian parliament. We understand it's now before the Yugoslav parliament. As we said before, we welcome the development of this plan. We think it's a positive step towards building confidence among the parties in southern Serbia. We would also note the meeting between Albanian leaders, where they are preparing a platform for possible negotiations with the Serbian Government concerning a political settlement of differences in the Presevo region. So we once again continue to urge people to stop the violence, but also to get together on these bases, and to get together and talk about how they can work together to stop violence and institute necessary changes and reforms. Q: And one more thing. Has this meeting been rescheduled, or is this shooting incident the kind of thing that would keep -- for security reasons- - keep a US official away for an indefinite time? MR. BOUCHER: I suppose there's a constant evaluation of security, but these kinds of meetings with officials, maybe they'll have it somewhere else, maybe they'll have it some other day. I would expect we would continue to meet with Serb officials in this region and that where exactly they have a meeting will depend on the security people. Q: Yesterday a group of nine democratic senators sent a letter to President Bush in which they raised concern about the sale of 12 F-16 Group 50 plus to Chile, and the potentially destabilize in the South Cone. Instead of, they proposed the sale of secondhand F-16s. Does the State Department have the same concerns about arms race in the South Cone? MR. BOUCHER: I think we have talked about this issue before. I haven't seen this particular letter or statement, so I will have to check on that. But certainly we have talked about the sale of F-16s before, and I think we have -- well, we have said what we have said, and we don't have any change to it, let's put it that way. Q: But the State Department has a concern about the sale of high technology weapons to the South Cone, South America? MR. BOUCHER: Well, once again, I don't want to repeat the entire briefing, but obviously stability and not destabilizing any particular region, including this one, with our sales is of concern to us. We sell weapons to countries so they can meet their defensive needs. But if you look back at what we said in this particular sale, there were some elements of the package that we weren't going to deliver precisely for that reason, to make sure that we didn't destabilize things. Q: Is it a possibility to sell them secondhand F-16s in the -- MR. BOUCHER: I don't know that that has come up here. That is the issue I said I will check and see if we have received a letter and have any view. Q: On the last question, do these have some link with the Free Trade Agreement that the US are going to sign with Chile? MR. BOUCHER: No. Q: Can you update us perhaps on the negotiations which the INC leaders are having here at the State Department on the package, the money? And is that money completely cleared now? Are they all -- I believe it's now reached $33 million, or $31 million we're talking about. MR. BOUCHER: The meetings and consultations that we are having with the Iraqi opposition -- we have had meetings yesterday. The Iraqi National Congress met with officials of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. They asked to meet with Assistant Secretary Walker, and that will be scheduled probably later this week. Obviously we are looking at our options with regard to Iraq policy. We have not taken a decision on many of these issues that have been raised. Q: (Inaudible) -- the package yourself? Is that money -- you didn't answer the question of whether the money is being -- MR. BOUCHER: The money, the package, the proposals, are all sort of together. Many of these things have not been decided. Q: So do you expect to take a decision while they are here, or is that -- MR. BOUCHER: I don't know. I'm not sure there is any particular deadline on some of these issues. Q: The opposition folks have been described in various reports from out there, not -- I don't mean this current report -- but as you have tried this policy in the previous administration, as kind of disorganized, at odds with each other, and not very effective. What is the assessment of -- I know the program is rolling now. Do you think you have a group that can pull together and try to unsettle Saddam Hussein, or are they sort of jockeying among themselves? MR. BOUCHER: I don't think I am in a position to really characterize the group in the terms you want me to. I would say this is a group of people that we work with, that we have worked with over time, on a variety of programs. We have made public announcements about some of those programs last September and before, and it's a group of people we continue to meet with to discuss issues and work with. So I am not going to try to give them any different characterization than we have in the past. Q: Are most of them expatriates, by the way? Are any of them operating in Iraq? MR. BOUCHER: I don't know the exact details. Obviously we are going to talk to them. We are going to talk about the issues with them and continue to cooperate and work with them. Q: Richard, to say that "they are a group that we have worked with over time" is hardly a ringing endorsement. I mean, can you not say anything a bit more sort of friendly towards them? I mean, you could say that about the FARC, for example, as a group you've worked with over time. MR. BOUCHER: No, I couldn't, because they are not a group that we have worked over time. Yes, I will say many things friendly towards these people. I don't want to criticize them through lack of enthusiasm. Let it be considered that I have said many friendly things. Obviously our cooperation with them has been important to us. We are confident that we can continue to work with them, that they will continue to advance the overall program that we laid out in September, and that they remain important players for us in terms of how we advance the overall policy. Q: Can I change the subject? Q: Can I just follow up on this? The support for the INC is one of these subjects that we read about that there is a division in the Administration on, specifically between the Secretary and the Vice President. I understand that the Vice President was here for lunch with the Secretary today. Can you say anything about whether this subject came up? MR. BOUCHER: They are still having lunch as we speak. Let me -- Q: But can you say anything about the purpose of the lunch? I mean, is this going to be a regular -- MR. BOUCHER: We can make a list of questions; I'll answer them all at the end. I will do it however you guys want. Q: No, no. MR. BOUCHER: Okay. Let's start with the issue -- I mean, first of all, on the question of the Iraqi National Congress, as I said, this is an ongoing cooperation with the United States Government. It has been something we have done in the past, something we continue to be --they remain important players and continue to be part of our national policy. I think there has been no differences in the way various Administration officials have addressed this. The Vice President is indeed here for lunch today with the Secretary. The Secretary has weekly lunches with the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Advisor. Secretary Powell is hosting this here today in the building, and they are joined today by Vice President Cheney, who has been with them from time to time. So this is one of the means that they use to coordinate policy, to discuss things, and to work things out together on how they want to proceed as an Administration. Whether this specific topic will come up today or not, I don't know. Q: Do you have an idea what the Secretary wanted to -- did he want to discuss everything, or is there just a limited -- MR. BOUCHER: They usually discuss everything, and I would expect them to do that again today. Q: Okay. Can I change the subject? Unless I have been misinformed, which is always possible, I understand that the Secretary is tomorrow going to meet with some of the Lockerbie families -- or maybe Friday? MR. BOUCHER: Yes, tomorrow afternoon. Q: What is he planning to tell them, or does he just plan to listen to what they -- MR. BOUCHER: I think it is both. I think we told you the day of the decision the Secretary looked forward to meeting with the Lockerbie families, so he will take the opportunity to meet with them tomorrow. The meeting has been arranged. We are getting replies of people who are coming. He also -- I can't remember the exact day, a day or two after the Lockerbie decision -- wrote a letter to the families. It has been posted on their website that they all have access to. It is not a public website; it is the one just for the families. So he has written them a letter, even to those who might not be able to come tomorrow, explaining the situation, explaining our views in terms, I am sure that would be familiar to you as well, in terms of how we approach these issues. Tomorrow he will look forward to discussing with the families, hearing from them, hearing their views on the verdict and the situation now, and expressing to them again our respect for what they have done over time to bring these people to justice, to pursue justice and make sure that we were able in the end to get a verdict. He will express to them our continuing commitment to asking Libya to live up to the UN resolutions, and talk to them, I am sure, about how -- get their ideas and talk to them about how we might go forward. Q: Does he still want to know their position on the law suit, the civil suit? MR. BOUCHER: That is not something for the United States, as a government, to take party to. Obviously the people are allowed to proceed -- have rights in court to proceed-- with the civil suits, and we would not want to do anything that would abridge that right. Q: Have you heard anything from Qadhafi to evaluate? MR. BOUCHER: Nothing new, no. Q: Richard, some of these families are going to say, "What are you going to do to follow the trail up the chain of command and get somebody else?" What will the Secretary say to them when they make this remark? MR. BOUCHER: Maybe we could have a conversation, and then they wouldn't have to meet. No, the point, I think, is to let them meet. What we have said in the past on that is that we will follow the evidence wherever it leads, and that that remains our position. That is the position that he has said to them in his letter that we had posted on their website. So I am sure that they will be free to discuss this tomorrow. Q: Well, where does the evidence lead, in your view? MR. BOUCHER: Well, at this point, I have just said that we will follow it wherever it leads. I don't think there are any further indictments at this point. Q: I assume the meeting is going to be closed tomorrow. There won't be any -- MR. BOUCHER: No press coverage. No, closed press. Q: Richard, at the beginning you mentioned there was a communiqué between Minister Lee and Secretary Powell. How can I get a copy of that communiqué? MR. BOUCHER: It was passed out a half hour ago, and we will give you five copies if you want them. Q: Thank you. Q: Thank you. MR. BOUCHER: Thank you. (The briefing was concluded at 1:05 P.M.) Taken Questions U.S. EMBASSY CONTACTS WITH SPEAKER KAKLAMANIS Q: Has Ambassador Burns been instructed not to allow Embassy staff to be in contact with Greek Parliament Speaker Kaklamanis? NO. AMBASSADOR BURNS AND EMBASSY STAFF WILL OF COURSE CONTINUE TO BE IN TOUCH WITH MR. KAKLAMANIS AND OTHER GREEK PARLIAMENTARIANS ON ALL ISSUES CONCERNING U.S.-GREECE RELATIONS. THE 2004 ATHENS OLYMPICS AND TERRORISM Q: Please comment on Greece's bid to host the Olympics in 2004 and also on the terrorist group 17 November's alleged attempt to foil that bid. AS WE HAVE SAID REPEATEDLY, THE U.S. SUPPORTS A SAFE AND SECURE OLYMPICS IN ATHENS IN 2004. AS IN ALL SUCH EVENTS, THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT TERRORISTS WILL ATTEMPT TO USE THE VENUE TO ADVANCE THEIR DEPRAVED AGENDA, BUT AT THIS TIME WE HAVE NO SPECIFIC INFORMATION INDICATING A THREAT TO THE GAMES. THE U.S., ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER COUNTRIES, HAS FORMED AN OLYMPICS SECURITY ADVISORY GROUP FOR THE 2004 OLYMPICS. THE GROUP TRAVELED TO ATHENS TO MEET WITH GREEK OFFICIALS LATE LAST YEAR, AND WILL RETURN THIS SPRING FOR FURTHER CONSULTATIONS. AS WE HAVE ALSO SAID MANY TIMES, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE GREEK GOVERNMENT CONTINUE TO TAKE CONCRETE STEPS TOWARD THE ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF TERRORISTS. VISIT BY FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH TO CRETE Q: Has Ambassador Burns been instructed to help host a visit by former President Bush to the island of Crete? I WOULD REFER YOU TO FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH'S OFFICE IN HOUSTON FOR INFORMATION ON HIS ACTIVITIES. [end] Released on February 7, 2001
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