U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing #28, 99-03-08
From: The Department of State Foreign Affairs Network (DOSFAN) at <http://www.state.gov>
973
U.S. Department of State
Daily Press Briefing
I N D E X
Monday, March 8, 1999
Briefer: James P. Rubin
FRY-SERBIA
1 US condemns sentencing of Serb journalists
FRY -KOSOVO
1,3 Amb. Hill reports that KLA General Staff has approved
Rambouillet agreement.
1 Amb. Holbrooke's travel to region a possibility, though
nothing is definitive yet.
2,3 Amb. Hill is working to get the agreement signed.
4 Several NATO foreign ministers expected to meet with
Milosevic
4 Exact timing of KLA visit to US still not decided.
DAYTON ACCORDS
4 Brcko decision is not open to ratification by parties. They
agreed to binding arbitration.
5 US stands by Westendorp's dismissal of Poplasen.
5 Bosnia is proceeding; NATO forces are there; Dayton
implementation proceeds.
GREECE
6 Mr. Karamanlis will meet Sec. Albright, Vice President
Gore, others.
CHINA
6-7,9 Theater missile defense (TMD) would be a defensive system,
not an offensive threat.
7 Program doesn't yet exist.
10-11 US has extremely strict policy on protecting sensitive
information and technology.
DR. PERRY'S TRAVEL
7-8,9-10 He is in the midst of visiting Japan, South Korea and China
on US North Korea policy.
9 He is on a private visit to Taiwan.
NORTH KOREA
11 Bilateral talks continue today on suspect underground site.
CAMBODIA
11-12 US thinks capture of Ta Mok is a highly productive
development.
12 US believes Ta Mok must be brought to justice before an
international criminal tribunal.
COLOMBIA
12 US expresses deepest sympathy on murder of three Americans.
12-13,15-16 US not surprised at FARC's denial of responsibility, but
does not believe it.
CARICOM
14 US does not accept linkage between banana imports and
anti-narcotics efforts.
CUBA
14-15 US pleased Baltimore Orioles and Cuban national team will
be able to play each other.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY INDYK'S TRAVEL TO MIDDLE EAST
15 He will be discussing issues of regional concern in Turkey,
Jordan and Syria.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
DPB #28
MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1999, 1:00 P.M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
MR. RUBIN: Greetings. Welcome to the State Department briefing. I see
some of the wire services are doubled up here. That makes it easier, not
harder. I've missed you all; it's been a long time.
We have one statement on the sentencing of a Serbian journalist. The bottom
line is the United States condemns in the strongest terms today's five-
month prison sentence of Slavko Curuvija, the editor-in-chief of the
Belgrade daily newspaper, by the Serbian criminal court. The conviction
represents further intensification of the regime's campaign against
independent media outlets throughout the country, which began with the
Serbian information law passed last year.
We'll be posting that statement after the briefing. With that, I will go to
your questions.
QUESTION: Is Ambassador Holbrooke heading for the region shortly? And
could you update us on the state of play on the diplomatic situation vis-a-
vis Kosovo?
MR. RUBIN: Yes. Ambassador Hill has reported to the Secretary as follows.
The KLA - the Kosovar Liberation Army - general staff has asked him to tell
Secretary Albright that they have approved the agreement as negotiated at
Rambouillet and that they have authorized its signature. We will obviously
be awaiting that signature, and Secretary Albright has been informed of
this.
As far as Ambassador Holbrooke is concerned, that is a possibility; but let
me say, what we need to do is get the maximum clarity from the Kosovar
Albanian side so that we are in a position to put the necessary pressure on
the Serb side. I don't have any final decisions to provide you on the front
of Ambassador Holbrooke at this time.
QUESTION: Once you get that priority, Holbrooke probably will go?
MR. RUBIN: Again, that's a possibility but I have nothing definitive for
you.
QUESTION: Isn't Ambassador Hill meeting in the hills of Kosovo somewhere,
as we speak?
MR. RUBIN: Yes, I think he's left now.
QUESTION: He's now left?
MR. RUBIN: I think so.
QUESTION: Was he meeting with the general staff?
MR. RUBIN: The Liberation Army general staff among others, yes.
QUESTION: Okay, is their agreement to sign enough for you to conclude
that the agreement will be signed?
MR. RUBIN: I think I will conclude that the agreement has been signed
when it's been signed.
QUESTION: You have some doubt about -
MR. RUBIN: I didn't say that.
QUESTION: What did you say; what did you mean?
MR. RUBIN: I said -- you asked me a question, when we will believe that
it's signed. I said when we see it signed, it will be signed, by definition.
QUESTION: When do you expect it to be signed? I mean, did they give you a
time or date today?
MR. RUBIN: Ambassador Hill talked to them, and he is working on that
issue. I have nothing more for you on that.
QUESTION: Can you say how they resolved the KLA concerns about Russian
troops and the disarmament issue?
MR. RUBIN: The agreement hasn't been adjusted.
QUESTION: It has not?
MR. RUBIN: Nope.
QUESTION: What do you mean by maximum clarity? If the KLA general staff
has said they will sign it, what else remains?
MR. RUBIN: As I said in response to Sid's question, a signature
remains.
QUESTION: Well, I know but if, there apparently - I thought you were
alluding to some issues before.
MR. RUBIN: No.
QUESTION: No, just the signature?
MR. RUBIN: Right.
QUESTION: Technically, where would they have to sign?
MR. RUBIN: On the piece of paper.
(Laughter.)
QUESTION: Where in this world?
MR. RUBIN: It doesn't matter.
QUESTION: Are you all going to try and secure this signature before Paris
on the 15th?
MR. RUBIN: We would want it signed as soon as possible.
QUESTION: So you're saying there is - right now there are no other plans
for Hill to meet with the KLA?
MR. RUBIN: I don't know Hill's plans, but I would expect him to stay in
contact with the Kosovar Albanians until the agreement is signed. For those
of you who were in France during the talks and understand the make-up of
the Kosovar Albanian delegation, clearly the fact that the KLA general
staff has approved the agreement and authorized its signature and has
indicated and said that to Ambassador Hill and asked him to pass that on to
the Secretary is significant. The point is that until an agreement is
signed, it's not signed.
QUESTION: I still don't understand what you mean when you say we need
maximum clarity. In what respect?
MR. RUBIN: I thought I just answered that.
QUESTION: No, you didn't; you didn't answer it.
MR. RUBIN: I did very clearly. Maximum clarity would be a signature.
QUESTION: That's all you need. You've got the inclination that they will
sign it as drawn up at Rambouillet?
MR. RUBIN: That is what Ambassador Hill reported to the Secretary of
State -- that the KLA general staff told him to tell her that they have
approved the agreement and authorized its signature.
QUESTION: How about the political side of the Kosovars?
MR. RUBIN: That has tended to be less of a problem.
QUESTION: (Inaudible) - was quoted on the wires as accusing some
political leaders of the alliance of undermining NATO's ability to take
military action regarding Kosovo, and that some alliance leaders are giving
Milosevic certain guarantees that they shouldn't be giving him. What is the
US view of that?
MR. RUBIN: I don't know what he's referring to. I'd need a more specific
statement from him as to what he's specifically referring to. We believe
that all the NATO allies approved the January 30 agreement. There's been no
indication that any of them no longer support that decision of NATO. There
are a number of foreign ministers who are expected to be in Belgrade,
making their case to Milosevic for him to agree to the accords as
negotiated, as German Foreign Minister Fischer did today. We believe the
alliance remains unified in its determination to try to bring peace
to this region by the means that have been described.
QUESTION: Are you still expecting the Kosovar Albanian delegation in
Washington this week?
MR. RUBIN: We are expecting to have such a visit. The exact timing, I
have nothing new for you. I don't believe we've ever put out exactly when
they would come, so the exact timing and make-up has not been determined.
QUESTION: Do you have any update on what's happening on the ground in
Brcko, in light of the decision there on Friday and the firing of Poplasen
and the US killing of a Serb?
MR. RUBIN: The Brcko decision is not open to ratification by the parties.
All parties signatory to Dayton agreed to the arbitration process and
accepted Roberts Owen as the arbitrator. All have previously stated their
intent to implement the decision when made. As the Secretary stated on
Friday, we call upon all the leaders to fulfill their commitments to the
arbitrator's decision.
The statement by the Republika Srpska Assembly that the Brcko decision is a
violation of Dayton is simply off the mark. Brcko could not be resolved at
Dayton. The parties agreed to binding arbitration by an independent
arbitrator, and the parties pledged to implement the arbitration decision
fully. We urge the parties to work with the arbitrator. We believe the
Republika Srpska and the Federation should both work constructively on
implementing the many details of the decision.
We're aware that there have been certain resolutions, certain rumors about
Dodik reconsidering his resignation. Let me simply say on that that it is
clearly a time of turbulence for the leadership of the Republika Srpska. It
would be imprudent to speculate on what his decisions would be. But it is
our view - and it has always been our view - that the most pro-Dayton
government possible would be the best for the people of Bosnia and the RS
and the world.
QUESTION: What is the reaction, Jamie, of the United States Government to
the firing of Poplasen?
MR. RUBIN: We stand by High Representative Westendorp's dismissal of the
president of the RS.
QUESTION: If he refuses to go, do you stand by Westendorp's threat that
NATO will remove him?
MR. RUBIN: I haven't seen that specific threat. I'd have to see what
words were used and what implications might be from my answering that
question in the affirmative.
QUESTION: Okay, as a technicality?
MR. RUBIN: We certainly support Carlos Westendorp's efforts to implement
the Bosnia agreement. I haven't seen that specific statement and wouldn't
want to, therefore, make any comment on it.
QUESTION: Do you know if that would be in their power to do?
MR. RUBIN: I would have to check with the lawyers.
QUESTION: Do the events in Bosnia complicate what you're trying to do in
Kosovo?
MR. RUBIN: Well, the Balkans is complicated enough. Each one of the
situations is complicated without a reference to another. The bottom line
is that Bosnia is proceeding; NATO forces are there; the implementation of
Dayton proceeds. President Milosevic can make whatever calculations he
wants. That's one of the unfortunate disadvantages of being a dictator. If
he wants to agree to the accords, he can agree to them and he can sell them,
and he will do so if he makes that decision. We don't think that the
events in Bosnia change the fact that this is the right agreement
for Serbia.
QUESTION: Anything on the health of President Tudjman -- how he's doing
these days?
MR. RUBIN: When I was in London I heard a rumor that turned out to be
related to another leader, but I have nothing for you on that.
QUESTION: The Greek Prime Minister last Friday in the Parliament made
some very clear statements against terrorism. Do you have a reaction on
these statements?
MR. RUBIN: As a general rule, we welcome condemnations of terrorism as
well as concrete measures to combat terrorist organizations, but I haven't
seen the full text of this statement. So other than that general point, I
wouldn't be able to comment.
QUESTION: Recently yesterday, some Turkish officials raised again the
tone of the rhetoric against Greece and the relationship between Greece and
Turkey. Do you have any reaction to that?
MR. RUBIN: I don't have a specific reaction, no.
QUESTION: The leader of the Greek opposition, Costas Karamanlis, in town.
Tomorrow he's going to meet with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Do
you have any comment on that?
MR. RUBIN: Yes, Mr. Karamanlis, head of the New Democracy Party, is in
Washington for a long scheduled visit. He will be meeting with Vice
President Gore and with Secretary Albright among others. We have a long
tradition of meeting with opposition leaders of democratic allies. They
will discuss from our side the general US-Greek bilateral relations,
including areas where we work together. That's the general topic.
QUESTION: One more question. (Inaudible) -- met the other day with the
Secretary General of the Greek Foreign Ministry. Do you know what it is all
about, this meeting?
MR. RUBIN: I don't have any details on that specific meeting. We don't
normally divulge details of meetings at that level.
QUESTION: China. The Chinese over the weekend have made some rather
strong statements about missile defenses -- that would be the last straw if
the United States provided missile defenses to Taiwan. I wondered how you
saw that.
MR. RUBIN: Secretary Albright was there. She went to great lengths to try
to explain to the Chinese Government what the question of theater missile
defense is and what it is not. Let me reiterate, theater missile defense is
a defensive system, and should not be perceived as a threat to any
country's securities.
The Taiwan authorities are currently assessing their own capabilities and
needs, and therefore it would be premature for me to comment about what
their intentions are. But what we believe is that instead of worrying about
a decision that has not been made to deploy defensive technologies that do
not yet exist, the Chinese should focus on the regional and global
proliferation of missiles. The threat of missile proliferation is an issue
that we can work together with the Chinese on.
We remain firmly committed to fulfilling the security and arms transfers
provision of the Taiwan Relations Act. We will continue to assist Taiwan in
meeting its legitimate defense needs in accordance with the Taiwan
Relations Act and the 1982 joint communique with the PRC. We regularly
consult with Taiwan on its defense requirements. As part of these
consultations we have briefed Taiwan, as we have many other friends, on the
concept of a theater missile defense - the concept. This is a development
program, this is not a deployment program. No decisions regarding
deployments to defend countries, areas or forces other than those of the
United States have been made.
These are the points, in large measure, that we made to the Chinese when
Secretary Albright was there. We sought to clarify any misunderstandings
about what this is all about. For their own reasons, they've chosen to
focus on a program that does not yet exist. We don't really have much
further to say about it.
QUESTION: Well, precisely because the Secretary had just been there and
had these conversations, I just wondered if you read anything particularly
ominous in the fact that they have apparently chosen to disregard that and
just harp on it publicly.
MR. RUBIN: They didn't disregard it. They said the same thing to her as
they've said publicly. So there is nothing - this is a difference of view
about the significance of TMD. They took this position while we were there,
and they're still taking this position. We had a certain position while we
were there and we're still having the same position. So there's no
disregarding; there's no not regarding; there just continues to be
differences, as we said at the time.
QUESTION: Well, for them to use the language, "this would be the last
straw," sounds pretty --
MR. RUBIN: Well, you'll have to ask them what they meant by that phrase;
I don't know.
QUESTION: Can you talk a little bit about former Secretary Perry's stop
in Taipei and the significance of that?
MR. RUBIN: In Taipei? I don't have anything - in Seoul.
QUESTION: I thought he also went to --
MR. RUBIN: I'm not aware of that. He's now in the region consulting --
QUESTION: He went to Taipei, too.
MR. RUBIN: Well, it's not part of this trip, as far as I understand it.
This trip is going to the PRC, ROK and government of Japan. I don't know
what other stops he made; I'll have to check that for you.
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
MR. RUBIN: I did see those reports, I just don't have - yes, he has his
own private business that he might be pursuing through his own position at
Stanford that may have nothing to - what I'm trying to explain to you is
Dr. Perry's itinerary is Dr. Perry's business, except to the extent that
he's performing a mission for the US Government. The mission that he's
performing for the US Government was to go to Japan, South Korea and
the People's Republic of China. If he made other stops pursuant to
his other job - because, again, I know it's hard, but when we use these
special envoys, they also have their own lives and their own work that
we're not asking them to completely stop. So my information has him going
on a trip to those three places. If he stopped somewhere else, you'd have
to check with his secretary about his plans.
QUESTION: But given the sensitivity of US relations with Taiwan and US
relations with China and Taiwan's relations with China as well, at the very
least if this is a separate mission - his own personal work - at the very
least, it certainly leaves confusion by overlapping with a trip that's
associated with an official US mission.
MR. RUBIN: In your minds, not in ours.
QUESTION: Could I follow up, please?
MR. RUBIN: Possibly in your mind, I don't know; but it's not in our minds
that there's confusion. Our position on Taiwan and TMD, I've given you very
clearly. If you'd like to know about Dr. Perry's mission with respect to
North Korea, I'd be happy to provide that information for you. If that's
not of interest to you, then there's no confusion in our opinion.
QUESTION: Jamie, how did the PRC officials - I take it Mr. Tang - how did
they react when asked about the missile build-up on the coastlands across
the Taiwan Straits from Taiwan, number one? Number two, how could they
object to a theater missile defense in Japan or Korea or for Taiwan that
would only be defensive if they didn't have some kind of offensive motives
in their build up of missiles? Thirdly, what about Japan? China is crying
about Japan being involved in a theater missile defense. Is there
any validity to that?
MR. RUBIN: It sounds like you've been reading our talking points.
QUESTION: The Chinese motivations, analysis, reasoning, I'll have to
leave to them. All I can do is explain to you what our view is on the
subject of theater missile defense. We certainly made clear to the Chinese
that the more progress can be made between China and Taiwan, the more the
cross-strait dialogue can be successful; and that the less there is concern
about Chinese missile deployment, that the less likely that this development
program need ever materialize.
Similarly, to the extent that other places like Japan or South Korea
consider theater missile defense in light of the North Korean missile
program, the best way to avoid the problem that they're concerned about is
for them to work with us to stop the North Korean program from expanding
and growing. Those are the points we made to the Chinese.
QUESTION: Does the US fear that Chinese missiles deployed -- now shorter-
range missiles deployed that could reach Taiwan -- does the US fear that
those missiles need to be countered by a theater missile defense; is that
what it's about?
MR. RUBIN: I think we've spoken to those missiles before. Remember, it's
not new that China has missiles. They've had missiles for a long time;
there's nothing new about that. With respect to Taiwan deciding that it
wants theater missile defense, as I indicated to you, there is nothing new
here either. We have briefed them, and they've asked informational
questions, and that's where things stand.
QUESTION: I just have to follow up again. If, in fact, Secretary Perry
planned these two trips to happen at the same time but for different bosses,
are you concerned that he did go to Taiwan on our nickel, or at least in
conjunction with a trip that was a US mission? Does it bother you? Are you
concerned the way it will affect the Chinese?
MR. RUBIN: No, not at all.
QUESTION: Did the Secretary explain to the Chinese -- (inaudible)?
MR. RUBIN: No, in fact, they never raised it; nobody raised it. As far as
I can tell, only journalists have raised it.
QUESTION: We'll see what happens in the next couple of days.
MR. RUBIN: Yes. I think he's not there anymore. So if they were concerned
about it, you probably would have heard it in the comments that were asked
about with respect to TMD. But if you want to pass on your concerns, I'm
sure they'll take them.
(Laughter.)
QUESTION: Secretary Perry - well, with regard to him - some congressmen
recently -
MR. RUBIN: Oh, I have some new data. Perry is on a private trip to Taiwan,
sponsored by the National Committee for US-China Relations. He is there for
so-called track two discussions on matters, including cross-Strait issues.
He is not traveling on behalf of the Administration or carrying any message
for the Administration. Looks like I got that one right.
QUESTION: Several congressmen apparently have sent a letter to former
Secretary Perry, asking him to urge the Administration to take a tougher
policy line toward North Korea. Do you have anything about that?
MR. RUBIN: Dr. Perry is now in the region consulting with our friends and
allies as he conducts his policy review. He has met with key congressional
figures and will do so again as he proceeds to gather as many views as
possible for his consideration. I cannot speculate on the outcome of the
review, still a work in progress; but I am certain it will carefully
evaluate the views expressed in Congressman Gilman's letter.
The purpose of Dr. Perry's travel is to exchange views on North Korea and
US Government policy with key government officials. I'm sure that in the
course of his review following this trip, he will take into account the
views expressed and evaluate them carefully.
QUESTION: A follow-up on China, as well. Just over the last few days,
there have been reports of espionage by the Chinese, thefts of nuclear
weapons secrets. Do you anticipate that this is going to put an extra
strain on a relationship with the PRC any time soon?
MR. RUBIN: Let me say on that subject that we have no illusions about
China. China, like many other countries, seeks to acquire sensitive
information and technology for military uses by many means. That is why we
established strong measures to protect classified information and prevent
acquisition of sensitive technology and we prosecute those who violate our
laws.
In the case of China, we have extremely strict policies. We do not
authorize any arms sales to China or exports of dual use technology for
military uses. We also limit the export of dual use technology to China for
civilian uses to minimize the risk of military diversion.
The Chinese will make certain statements, as they did, but we will go about
our business of protecting our information and technology; and that's what
we have to do.
QUESTION: Do the Chinese or anybody else appear to have stolen miniaturization
technology?
MR. RUBIN: I believe that's a matter under investigation and has been
stated so by the White House.
QUESTION: So you don't know?
MR. RUBIN: No, I didn't say that. I said it's a matter under investigation.
QUESTION: Could these allegations affect the consideration of future
satellite sales to China?
MR. RUBIN: Again, this is a matter under investigation and I wouldn't
want to speculate on the outcome of an investigation.
QUESTION: Do you think the Administration can resist the pressure from
Congress as a result of this series of damaging allegations? Do you think
you can resist their push to pull back from your partnership, I guess, with
China?
MR. RUBIN: I don't think we have a partnership. We said we're seeking to
develop a strategic partnership. We do engage with the Chinese through a
variety of channels and a variety of means, and will continue to do so. We
are as concerned as Congress about any potential violations. That is why we
work so hard on the subject. We took a number of steps to try to make sure
that these - that we intensified investigation of possible espionage
cases and strengthen security at the labs. We have no illusions about China,
and will continue to operate with the expectation that China, like many
other countries, will seek to acquire sensitive information and technology
for military uses.
As far as how this impacts on the congressional debate, all I can tell you
is what we will pursue, which is a policy that we believe is in our
national security interest. That is one in which we try to work with China
to prevent the development of dangerous occurrences around the world -
whether that's in the India-Pakistan front on non-proliferation; whether
it's ballistic missile sales or technology sales; whether it's stopping the
North Korean nuclear program. Those are things that affect the national
security interest of the American people. We believe the best way to
achieve those objectives vis-a-vis China is to work with them on it
and not to isolate China and not work with them on it.
In the meanwhile, we have no illusions that China, like many other
countries, seeks to acquire sensitive information and technology for
military uses by many different means. We'll act on that front vigorously.
QUESTION: (Inaudible)-relationship?
MR. RUBIN: We're going to do what we think is best for the national
security of the United States. And what we think is best for the national
security of the United States is to work with them to solve national
security problems that affect the United States.
QUESTION: I just wondered if you have anything on the North Korea talks
in New York.
MR. RUBIN: What I have on that is as follows. They are continuing today
the bilateral talks on the suspect underground site. We are seeking steps
by North Korea to remove fully our suspicions about the site, including by
providing access to it. We have repeatedly stated we are not prepared to
pay North Korea to ensure compliance with its obligations. That discussion
in ongoing and we will continue it until we receive satisfaction
or until we decide it's no longer worthwhile to discuss it.
QUESTION: Do you know if there was intervention of the American side to
Ankara in the last 24-hours in order to ease tensions in the Aegean?
MR. RUBIN: I don't have any information on that angle.
QUESTION: It's looking increasingly unlikely that Cambodians are going to
agree to an international tribunal, especially with what they've just said
about the latest Khmer Rouge leader, Ta Mok, will be tried in Cambodia. Is
the United States opposed to a domestic trial?
MR. RUBIN: I don't think one precludes the other; one can do both. That
has always been a possibility.
Let me say that we think the capture of Ta Mok and the prospect of his
being brought to justice is a highly positive development for which the
Cambodian Government deserves much credit. We have been in close contact on
this subject. The Secretary obviously had an extensive discussion with Thai
leaders on this subject. We recognize the need to follow Cambodian legal
procedures to establish legal custody of Ta Mok and to properly investigate
him. Ta Mok must be brought to justice, and we were pleased with the
Cambodian Government's clear intention to accomplish this.
The United States strongly believes that the trial of Ta Mok and other
senior Khmer Rouge leaders before an international criminal tribunal
established by the Security Council would serve important interests of
Cambodia and of the international community and would offer an opportunity
for both justice and reconciliation. We intend to continue a close contact
with the government of Cambodia in order to discuss all options and
possibility for accomplishing these mutually held goals.
QUESTION: The Cambodian Foreign Minister is on his way to New York to
talk to Kofi Annan. Do you know if anybody from this Administration will be
seeing him?
MR. RUBIN: I don't have any information on that, but I can check that for
you after the briefing.
QUESTION: On Colombia, last Friday you said that FARC had not only
kidnapped but killed the three Americans citizens in the country. Can you
share with us the evidence you have to think so; and are you still thinking
the same way?
MR. RUBIN: Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the family and
friends of the three American hostages who were kidnapped February 25 in
Colombia and whose bodies were found in Venezuela on March 4. We have no
additional information on the murder of Terence Freitas, Ingrid Washinawatok
and Laheenae Gay of Hawaii, who were affiliated with American NGO
environmental and indigenous rights organizations working on education
progress projects with the Indians there.
True to form, the FARC continues to deny responsibility for its action.
When the FARC has killed or kidnapped other American citizens, they also
denied responsibility for their actions. In the case of the kidnapping of
the three American New Tribes missionaries, we have concrete information
that the FARC was responsible, contrary to their denials. In another case,
we also have concrete proof that the FARC killed two American citizens. So
we're not surprised that they have denied responsibility.
QUESTION: They come in three days and tell us a different story from that
because they are investigated by their own selves. Does the United States
have enough evidence to still think that they were the ones who committed
those assassinations?
MR. RUBIN: We strongly condemn the FARC for these brutal murders and
demand that they immediately turn over those responsible to the Colombian
Government. We call upon the government of Colombia to arrest and extradite
to the United States those responsible for this cowardly act of international
terrorism.
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
MR. RUBIN: Let me say that we met with the FARC at the suggestion of the
Colombian Government, and we've made it very clear to them our position on
a number of matters. We decided a meeting with serve our interests by
providing a strong message to end the practice of kidnapping citizens,
fully accounting for the missing. In light of the recent events, is hard to
imagine another meeting unless they do bring those responsible to
justice.
QUESTION: There are reports that the Colombian Government intercepted, I
believe, radio messages between those who had captured these Americans and
commanders and that the order was given to kill them. Do you take these
reports as being credible?
MR. RUBIN: I have no information on radio intercepts.
QUESTION: But does the US Government or does Colombia -- has Colombia
presented evidence that would constitute a smoking gun in the linking of
FARC leadership to these killings, this massacre?
MR. RUBIN: We strongly condemn the FARC for these brutal murders and
demand that they immediately turn over those responsible to the Colombian
Government.
I'm not sure I'm going to have much more to assist you, but I'm happy to
take your questions.
QUESTION: On what grounds are you asking for the extradition of those
people? As far as I know, it is a crime committed in Colombia by Colombians.
So I don't see extradition for -
MR. RUBIN: We're calling on the government of Colombia to arrest and
extradite to the United States those responsible. If they arrested them,
they can make the decision to extradite them.
QUESTION: On the statement last Friday, it was mentioned just the FARC.
An interview with relatives or friends of Mr. Freitas on Saturday in New
York, they tell us personally that he had received threats from the
paramilitary groups in California. Do you have any comments on this?
MR. RUBIN: I don't have any information on that. I'll have to check it
for you.
QUESTION: (Inaudible) -- international extradition laws, would it make a
difference if they were killed in Venezuela or Colombia? Apparently, news
reports are saying -
MR. RUBIN: I'd have to ask our lawyers.
QUESTION: The Caribbean countries have just decided to stop the
cooperation with the United States in narco-trafficking because -
MR. RUBIN: Who has?
QUESTION: The Caribbean countries.
MR. RUBIN: Have decided?
QUESTION: Yes, because the problem with the bananas. They say until the
United States resolve the banana problem with the European Union, they're
going to stop all the cooperation with the United States on narco-
trafficking.
MR. RUBIN: You, I think, have overstated what they've said. Let me say
that - I have something on this, when I can find it.
Cooperating in the international fight against drug trafficking and abuse
has manifestly in the interest of the members of CARICOM. We think that
CARICOM leaders know that.
Others in the Caribbean that try to excuse drug production by claiming
economic necessity are merely attempting to justify an illegal activity.
Cannabis has been cultivated in Caribbean states since long before the
United States brought its case on bananas to the World Trade Organization.
Pressure against drug producers, however, has increased recently with the
growing recognition of the problems of marijuana use and the corrupting and
corrosive effect of economic dependency on the illegal trade, provoking
cannabis growers to rationalize their illegal activity.
For example, the Caribbean nation of St. Lucia relies heavily on banana
exports, yet has an excellent close collaborative and cooperative anti-
drug/anti-crime working relationship with the United States. At the same
time, the government of St. Lucia is working diligently to diversify its
economy. So there may be some who want to create this linkage. We don't
think it's justified.
QUESTION: Still on the Caribbean, there is a lot of position in Miami -
the game that is going to be played in Cuba between the Orioles and the
national team of Cuba. Do you have any response? How are you dealing with
Cuban leadership in Miami to support this kind of -
MR. RUBIN: We have regular dialogue with them. I don't have any
particular details. We do understand that major league baseball and the
owners of the Baltimore Orioles have reached an agreement with the Cuban
Sports Institute on the modalities of two exhibition games between the
Orioles and the Cuban national team. The first game will take place in
Havana on March 28; the second will take place in Baltimore this season at
a date to be determined as soon as possible.
The two sides will meet again shortly to sort out logistics. We are pleased
that the games will take place and that the people of Cuba will have the
opportunity to watch US baseball in action. The games will bring the
American and Cuban people together in a sport loved in both countries.
There will be minimal or no net proceeds from the games. The proceeds will
be used mainly to support baseball and other sports related activities,
like exchanges, consistent with US law, policy and regulations.
This is an agreement between the two baseball organizations, and that's
where it stands.
QUESTION: They are saying that Fidel Castro is planning to attend the
game in Havana. Do you have any concerns for that?
MR. RUBIN: I don't know whether he is or not.
QUESTION: The Antigua elections are tomorrow, Tuesday, I believe. There
are reports that there are American warnings that say that Antigua is under
threat by individuals who have infiltrated government bodies. Why is there
such a warning; can you explain what that's about?
MR. RUBIN: I'll have to get you some information on that; I don't have
that available to me here.
QUESTION: Martin Indyk's trip to the Middle East, Syria, Lebanon - is
there anything on that?
MR. RUBIN: Yes, Martin Indyk is traveling. He is going to Turkey, Jordan
and Syria. The purpose of Assistant Secretary Indyk's travel is to discuss
regional issues of mutual concern, including Iraq and the peace process. I
think it is not realistic to resume negotiations on the Syria track before
the Israeli elections. However, we, in our discussions in the region, do
discuss the peace process and I expect him to discuss it with the Syrian
leadership. But it would be highly unrealistic to suggest that one could
resume negotiations, as I've seen in some reporting already.
QUESTION: Is this mostly an Iraq trip, since I believe all three are
neighbors of Iraq?
MR. RUBIN: I would say, if I had to lean peace process/Iraq, I'd probably
lean that way, yes.
QUESTION: He will be in Ankara tomorrow. Do you think he will handle some
Incerlik base and the Northern Iraq/Kurdish issues also?
MR. RUBIN: I'm sure he will discuss Iraq and all its component parts in
Turkey, yes.
QUESTION: Do you still believe that your government is supporting the
peace process in Colombia, even though this has happened with the FARC and
the American citizens?
MR. RUBIN: We've been assisting in the process pursuant to requests from
the Colombian Government and doing what they've asked us to do to try to
help. I expect us to continue to do that.
QUESTION: What about the meeting with the FARC in Costa Rica? You said
that maybe the FARC wasn't killing the American people. So what about the
meeting in Costa Rica?
MR. RUBIN: I think I answered the question about the meeting. I'd be
happy to answer --
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
MR. RUBIN: The next step is for them to turn over those responsible for
the killing of these Americans.
QUESTION: There have been allegations that the United States assisted the
Guatemalan Government while it was known to be committing acts of genocide.
What is the Administration's reaction to that?
MR. RUBIN: I've got some material I'll provide you after the briefing.
QUESTION: Anything on Pinochet?
MR. RUBIN: I have nothing new on that.
QUESTION: There's a story floating around in a British paper relating to
the declassification of some of the cables from the Spanish judge about the
meeting between Henry Kissinger and Pinochet and so on and so forth. Anyway,
what is the status of the declassification?
MR. RUBIN: I will have to check that for you.
QUESTION: Back to Guatemala for a moment.
MR. RUBIN: I don't have any information on Guatemala; I'll have to get it
for you after the briefing.
QUESTION: Today the Turkish police captured the same bomb attacker who
attacked the governor of a southern state in Turkey. They admitted they
trained in Greece at a camp named Alani (PH). Do you have anything on the
subject?
MR. RUBIN: No, I don't.
QUESTION: Thank you.
(The briefing concluded at 1:50 P.M.)
|
