USIA - State Dept. Noon Briefing Report (96-07-05)

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From: HR-Net News Distribution Manager <dist@hri.org>

STATE DEPT. NOON BRIEFING REPORT, JULY 5, 1996

(Argentina, Czech Republic, Liberia, China, Burma, Russia, Sri Lanka, Israel, Burundi) (780)

ARGENTINA -- Davies announced that beginning July 9, Argentina will join 23 countries who are currently participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Pilot Program. The program, initiated as a "cost-cutting measure" enables citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a U.S. visa.

CZECH REPUBLIC -- The United States notes the swearing-in July 4 of a new cabinet, Davies said. "This step marks the successful culmination of the democratic process begun on May 31, when the Czech people went to the polls in their third national elections since the end of the communist rule." He said "the manner in which the elections and subsequent negotiations to form a new government were carried out is a reflection both of the maturity of the political process in the Czech Republic and a testament to that country's deep-seated democratic traditions." Davies congratulated Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, leaders of the political parties, as well as the Czech people on their democratic achievements.

LIBERIA -- Davies said the negotiated ceasefire "is holding" in Monrovia. He said there has been no fighting reported in the capital for six weeks, but there "has been some fighting elsewhere." He mentioned "a skirmish" in one of Monrovia's suburbs last week, and reports of some fighting in the northwest and southeast sections of the country leading to some refugee movements, according to second hand reports the embassy is getting.

CHINA -- Massive flooding in east China resulted from heavy rains over the past three weeks, Davies said. The areas hurt the most are the provinces of Zhejiangi and Anhui, according to diplomatic reports, Davies said. China has not asked the United States for assistance, but were it to do so "we would give any such request priority consideration" and we would also encourage private organizations to offer appropriate assistance to the people of China, in coordination with the Chinese efforts underway, he said.

BURMA -- There was a small explosion July 3 in Rangoon in the park across the street from the U.S. Embassy, he said. The explosion caused a lot of noise but did not appear to create a lot of damage, he said. There are a variety of theories, he said, but no credible evidence yet, as to who did it.

RUSSIAN ELECTIONS -- Davies noted that President Clinton had a phone conversation with Boris Yeltsin congratulating him on his victory. Clinton said the Russian President sounded well, Davies noted.

SRI LANKA -- The United States condemns the suicide bomb attack in Jaffna July 4 that killed more than 25 people, including a top army commander, and wounded over 50 others. The U.S. sends its condolences to the family of the commander killed and all others killed in the blast, and urges terrorist separatist organizations to cease all acts of terrorism, Davies said.

ISRAEL -- Davies was asked to comment on an article in the July 5 Washington Post that says Israel's new Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu won't stall on the peace process. "We welcome those comments," Davies said. "We obviously had a good exchange of views when the Secretary was out there just recently. We hope very much that the government of Israel, once it gets its affairs in order, and has its cabinet in place, will be able to turn to questions involving the peace process, and we stand ready to play a constructive role in the peace process."

BURUNDI -- The situation "remains fluid and fragile," Davies said, responding to a question about fighting there. Davies said two U.S. officials, Richard Bogosian and Howard Wolpe, were sent to Burundi last week by the U.S. government to assess the situation, exchange views with the leaders of Burundi, and come back with ideas of ways to work with the international community to try to bring an end to the bloodshed. Bogosian and Wolpe had "a productive meeting" with the President of Burundi, Prime Minister, Defense Minister and other Burundi leaders, Davies said. The U.S. officials emphasized the importance of putting an end to the violence that plagues the country, and to negotiate seriously for national reconciliation, Davies said. Bogosian returned to Washington July 4 but Wolpe went on to Dar Es-Salaam, and will go from there to the Organization of African Unity Summit in Luanda that takes place July 8-10.

There is no transcript available.

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