USIA - State Department Report, 97-07-30

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From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Home Page at <http://www.usia.gov>

REPORT ON STATE DEPARTMENT NOON BRIEFING, JULY 30, 1997

(Israel/Palestinian Authority, Lebanon, Bosnia/Serbia) (520)

ISRAEL -- Foley said the United States "strongly condemns" the terrorist bombing -- "this barbaric act of terror" -- July 30 in Jerusalem. "Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the families of those killed and wounded, and, indeed to the people of Israel at large."

Asked about the impact of the bombing on the renewed Israel-Palestinian talks, Foley noted that "clearly it would be difficult to not interpret this horrible act as one that was aimed at scuttling the latest progress and the latest hopes" in the peace talks.

PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY -- While he would not comment on the details of a report on corruption in the Palestinian Authority, Foley did stress that "as a general matter, the United States and other members of the international donor community, has consistently impressed on the Palestinian authority "the importance of full accountability and transparency in commercial and financial dealings."

He emphasized that "this accountability is essential to the Palestinian Authority's credibility both at home and abroad."

LEBANON --Secretary Albright announced that she is lifting travel restriction on U.S. travel to Lebanon. At the same time, she warned that "Lebanon is still a dangerous place."

The statement said Albright has determined that the existing restriction on the use of U.S. passports for American citizens wishing to travel to Lebanon should not be extended upon its expiration on July 31, 1997.

"This determination is based on the Secretary's assessment that since the end of the Lebanese civil war in 1990, Lebanon has made significant strides in restoring order and security to most parts of the country," the statement added.

In a new travel advisory, the State Department warned U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Lebanon. "The department recommends that only those Americans with compelling reasons should consider traveling to Lebanon."

Foley had no information on the current U.S. ban on air travel between the United States and Lebanon and restrictions on Middle East airlines.

BOSNIA-SERBIA -- Foley announced that an interagency delegation will visit Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia next week on a mission to discuss U.S. concerns over implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords.

The group will be lead by Robert Gelbard, special representative of the President and the Secretary of State for the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords. He will be accompanied by Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, who lead the negotiations of the accords. Foley said it was Gelbard's initiative to invite Holbrooke to join the delegation.

Foley said the delegation will travel to the region on or about August 6. The U.S. officials plan to meet with key Balkan leaders -- all the parties to the Dayton accords -- "to emphasized that the United States expects to see concrete action on implementing all aspects of the peace agreement," Foley stressed.

The issue of war criminals, Foley said, remains "front-and-center" in the implementation of the Dayton Accords.

From the United States Information Agency (USIA) Home Page at http://www.usia.gov

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