State Department Noon Briefing, September 28, 2000
STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR BRIEFING
BRIEFER: PHIL REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN
STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING ROOM, WASHINGTON, D.C.
1:40 P.M. EDT THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2000
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Q: There is talk that some Western official's envoys are suggesting to
President Milosevic that if he decides to give up power and not force
a second round, he may be able to find a graceful exit, implying that
he may somehow escape a war crimes charge. Is there any change in your
view on that? Are you looking to see him leave?
MR. REEKER: Absolutely not. I think we have said it repeatedly. We
have said it in all kinds of fora. Milosevic belongs in The Hague,
where he should stand trial for his crimes. It is the responsibility
of all states where indictees of the UN-mandated international
tribunals are present to hand over those indictees. There is no
discussion of a deal, and I can't be much more categorical than that.
Q: Do you have any reaction to the seeming intent, this test of wills
now, between Milosevic to press ahead with a second round, and what we
saw last night in Belgrade?
MR. REEKER: Well, I think what I can reiterate is what the President
has said earlier, what Secretary Albright has said when she was up on
the Hill earlier this week: The people have spoken in Yugoslavia, and
we have seen the people continue to speak in Belgrade. The opposition
has shown the actual records of this election, and Mr. Kostunica beat
Milosevic. It is time for Milosevic to step aside. Those are the
facts.
There is not an issue of a runoff. There is no basis for that. It is
an issue of who won, and Dr. Kostunica won this election. The
opposition has put forward documentation in a very transparent and
methodical, legal way, giving the current regime every opportunity to
step aside.
Q: On Dr. Kostunica, has there been any contact with US officials
talking with him about his public position that he would not extradite
Milosevic for the war crimes tribunal? MR. REEKER: I am not aware of
any particular conversations directly with Dr. Kostunica at this
point.
Q: Or with anyone in the opposition at this point?
MR. REEKER: Our point is extremely clear. I think I have reiterated
right here again, in terms of where Milosevic belongs, and that is in
the Hague.
Q: And the United States encouraged the Montenegrin leadership not to
boycott the elections. Have you communicated any position to the
opposition now about what they should do on the runoff, or are you
leaving it to European allies and the opposition to decide themselves?
MR. REEKER: Look, there is no basis for a runoff. This question of a
second round is not an issue. The issue was who won. And the
opposition has presented, as I said, documentation in a very
transparent manner, very methodically, very legally, that shows that
Dr. Kostunica has won. The facts show that the people of Yugoslavia,
and of Serbia in particular, have spoken, and that Dr. Kostunica won a
clear majority. And as I said, President Clinton stated yesterday the
federal election commission in Yugoslavia has absolutely no
credibility. I think, in fact, their deputy director has already
resigned, stepped aside, and it is time for Milosevic to step aside as
well.
Q: But the problem is that the runoff is an issue. You can't just say
it's not. It is an issue because Milosevic is making it an issue. So I
realize that you think that it shouldn't be an issue and that there
shouldn't be any question about it, but that is a perfect situation
for you guys and it's not happening that way.
MR. REEKER: The federal election commission, as I said, has absolutely
no credibility. And the opposition, which has presented all of the
evidence of their resounding victory in the first round, has
challenged that commission to put up similar results.
Q: I understood that, but --
MR. REEKER: The hesitation of that, I think, seems to show that the
regime realizes that they have lost.
Q: Right. But if Milosevic goes ahead and there is a second round, a
runoff, would you encourage the opposition not to participate?
MR. REEKER: That is a huge "if" and I am not going to get into the
"if" questions because there is no issue here. There is no need for a
second round.
Q: But we are not talking about it because it doesn't exist; we're
talking about it because it is out there. I mean, it is being made an
issue. I mean, you can't just ignore it; it's not going to go away.
MR. REEKER: Our position is what I have just described: the people of
Serbia have spoken; the opposition has the records; they presented
them with that; Kostunica won this election outright; it is time for
Milosevic to go.
Q: How do you feel about the Russians not supporting the call for
Milosevic to back down?
MR. REEKER: In fact, I think the Russians have earlier been with us in
terms of the Contact Group statement and said that they look forward
to welcoming democratic Serbia back into the international community.
You know, the Russians have always been strong supporters of the
Serbian people, and I think that's the fundamental thing here. They
still are. And we're strong supporters of the Serbian people, and the
Serbian people have spoken. It's time for Milosevic to go. We have
seen the similar calls from the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox
Church; in fact, the entire synod, in calling for him to leave.
Q: So you don't read anything into an Ivanov quote as Russia will not
exert pressure on anyone in Yugoslavia?
MR. REEKER: I think Russia has had a very straightforward position.
They joined in the Contact Group statement, as you'll recall, in
looking forward to welcoming a democratic Yugoslavia. That's what
we're talking about. There has been a democratic process here. There
is transparent and clear evidence of the results of that process, and
it's time for Milosevic to go.
The Secretary has spoken with Foreign Minister Ivanov yesterday, the
day before. She is in regular touch with him, and we will continue to
do that.
Q: Well, if Milosevic has - since Milosevic has called the election,
by the opposition not agreeing to kind of take part in the election,
doesn't that give him kind of ammunition to say that he's not, you
know, part of the process - a democratic process? And if the
opposition did win by such a majority, then they'd obviously win again
in a second runoff, so what's the problem with a second?
MR. REEKER: Because there is no issue of a second runoff. The evidence
is clear. Milosevic can say what he wants. This federal election
commission, which has absolutely no credibility at all given the fraud
that took place, has no standing. It's very clear that the opposition
has challenged the federal election commission then to show their
evidence.
Q: But aren't you concerned that by the opposition not taking part in
this runoff that Milosevic has called, that that's going to give him
ammunition to --
MR. REEKER: I think, again, you're assuming a runoff or a second round
that is not an issue because there is no basis for it.
Q: Well, there's an issue because it's going to take place. I mean,
whether they take part in it --
MR. REEKER: You're saying that. So I think what we have to do is look
at what the facts are and - again, look at what the facts are. The
opposition has called upon the federal election commission to show
their evidence, their basis for the statements that they have made,
which certainly lack credibility compared to the transparent,
extremely methodical, evidence that the opposition has put forward.
And that's where we stand.
Q: So what's going to happen then? I mean, you say that there isn't
going to be a second round, so obviously you know what's going to take
place. What is the scenario? How is it going to play out?
MR. REEKER: I have never suggested, Jonathan, that I know what is
going to take place. What I am looking at are the facts. And what I am
telling you, as we see it, is that the opposition has put forward this
documentation. It's very clear that Mr. Kostunica won outright in this
round in a very legal way. They have presented it very methodically,
very clearly. They have challenged the regime authorities to present
any other evidence that they may have to put up similar results, but
the authorities have absolutely no credibility. So it's very much time
for Milosevic to step aside.
Q: Does this mean that the United States Government is in agreement
with Mr. Kostunica that there should not be a second round of
election?
(Laughter.)
MR. REEKER: I think we've gone about as far with this as we can, so
why don't we move on, if someone else has a question that --
Q: I do. Can you tell us what your view is of, then, Foreign Minister
Vedrine's statement already that he is calling for sanctions to be
lifted? Britain has said that it's too soon. What does the United
States think?
MR. REEKER: I think we've been very clear in our position on the
lifting of sanctions; that once a democratic transition has taken
place in Yugoslavia, in Serbia, that then we will take steps to lift
sanctions. As we have discussed, there are steps that have to be
taken. Once a transition has taken place, then we would look into
those steps.
Q: A follow-up, then. What is your specific reaction to Foreign
Minister Vedrine's call for sanctions to be lifted?
MR. REEKER: We have been very supportive of our European allies. We
have been working very closely with them, keeping in regular touch
with them. I think earlier we noted - and, in fact, put out a
statement responding to their discussion and their statements on
sanctions, noting at that time that with a democratic transition we,
too, would take the steps necessary to lift our sanctions.
Q: You'll be pleased to know I don't have any questions about a
runoff. You may not be pleased to know I do have a question about the
deal.
MR. REEKER: The --
Q: A deal. Whether a deal is --
MR. REEKER: No deal.
Q: You say, "No deal." And I want to clarify, are you saying the US is
not - doesn't want to be, won't be - part of a deal to relieve
Milosevic of any responsibility for his crimes? Or are you saying
there are no discussions that the US is aware of by anyone - the
European allies, the Russians, anyone - that there is a deal?
MR. REEKER: I am aware of no discussions of a deal. Our position is
extremely clear and firm on that. We have repeatedly said that Mr.
Milosevic belongs in The Hague. It's time for him to step aside, and
that's where he belongs.
Q: A deal involves getting something for doing something, so you've
convinced us that - me, at least - that as far as the US is concerned,
Milosevic can't get off the indictment as part of a deal. Is the US
aware of efforts - and does it support efforts - for Milosevic to get
out of there and clear the way for a successor, without us necessarily
asking you what does he get for it?
MR. REEKER: I mean, I've said about a dozen times now it's time for
him to step aside. Is that what you were --
Q: No, step aside doesn't mean he leaves the country.
MR. REEKER: We think he belongs in The Hague.
Q: Well, that's true. Good point.
(Laughter.)
Q: But the point is, there is a question whether ways are being
discussed to get him out of Serbia.
MR. REEKER: I'm not aware of any such discussions.
Q: That's what I meant.
Q: You talk about the transition. Can you be a little bit more
specific? At what point does the - or has it been decided yet at what
point you can say that the transition has occurred? Is it Milosevic
out, or is it Kostunica sworn in as --
MR. REEKER: I can't - I'd be happy to see if we have looked beyond -
at that point, again, we're looking at developments. What we've seen
very much is the will of the people having been expressed very clearly
- time for Milosevic to go. We have said when a transition takes
place. We will have follow that --
Q: But wait. Just on the - is it possible that even if - well, even
when, as you seem to think it's going to happen - it's inevitable that
Kostunica is sworn is as president, that Milosevic's cronies will
still have enough control so that you might not be able to make the
decision that a democratic transition has occurred.
MR. REEKER: That's an awfully complex hypothetical, and I just can't
address that. I think we've seen an overwhelming opposition victory in
the first round of the elections that were held on Sunday, and they
have presented that factually. Everyone knows it. The people of
Belgrade and the rest of Serbia and Yugoslavia have spoken. It's time
for Milosevic and his cronies to step aside, for the regime to change,
so that the Serbian people can rejoin Europe where they belong, once
again become a normal European country and work on returning
themselves to the status they once enjoyed within the international
community.
Q: Just a follow-up to that. Can you define exactly "democratic
transition" in terms of the US position on sanctions?
MR. REEKER: Oh, goodness. Why don't we get you another one of our
special briefings to go through that. I mean, I think I really laid
out exactly what we have to say today, so I just don't think rehashing
it over and over - I don't really have a lot more to say because it's
fairly clear where we stand now. Let's see if we can move on.
Q: You did speak about coordination with Europeans and agreeing with
them and everything, but it does seem that there is a gap here, a
coordination gap, between you and the Europeans on the sanctions.
MR. REEKER: Are you trying to bridge those gaps?
Q: Well, I mean, has the Secretary spoken to any of the European
foreign ministers today?
MR. REEKER: I don't have a readout on the Secretary's phone calls
today or yesterday specifically. I knew she spoke to Foreign Minister
Ivanov.
Q: Can you explain this gap given the level of coordination that one
would expect?
MR. REEKER: I wouldn't particularly describe a gap. I think that makes
a lovely headline for your story, but in fact we've been working very
closely with the Europeans on this. I mean, we had a Contact Group
statement just a couple of weeks ago that set out very clearly how
united we were in our position and our support for the opposition
there. And now we have seen that the Serbian people have spoken and
they have expressed their will to return to Europe, to have a
democratic change that's been long in coming. And that's what we look
forward to.
Q: Still on this. So what I hear is that you're just saying, you know,
the people have spoken and - are you just saying that it's a matter of
time before Kostunica is sworn in, or have you had any contingency
plans for the very real possibility that Milosevic is not going to
step aside, he's not going to - even if the opposition were to take
part in a runoff, that he's just not gong to step aside? So what is
the US prepared to do if the will of the people does not come through?
MR. REEKER: Look, we've said Milosevic is the problem of the people of
Serbia, of Yugoslavia, and they have spoken, and it's very clear that
he needs to go. And the opposition has made very clear that they are
taking steps in a very factual, transparent way to give every
opportunity for the regime to simply step aside, as they should do,
and that's what we're waiting for. So these what-ifs, one could come
up with a thousand of them and we could spend all afternoon doing
that. I'll let you do your what-if analyses. Our position is simply
very clear: It's time for him to go.
Q: Yeah, but it seems more like a what-if he were step aside. That
doesn't really seem like a real possibility at this point.
MR. REEKER: I think it seems like a very real possibility because we
have seen the people of Serbia speak.
Q: But 13 years of rule has shown that he really doesn't care --
MR. REEKER: And that just highlights that his time is well due and
he'll move on. You know, you can write your what-ifs and do your
analysis. That's what journalists are paid for. We'll leave that to
you. You have asked me what the United States position is on this. I
think we have made it very clear.
Q: I asked what the US was prepared to do should he not step aside.
MR. REEKER: I think that's just such a hypothetical question. We've
made very clear what we're doing. Our position on Milosevic has been
very clear. Our position in supporting the opposition has also been
very clear.
Q: (Inaudible) - support the opposition and they have expressed - the
will of the people has been expressed. Would you continue to support
these sort of rallies that we've seen? Would you encourage the Serbian
people to turn out the way they have?
MR. REEKER: Well, I think, again, these are questions for the Serbian
people. These are questions that need to take place with the Serbian
people. The opposition has once again presented very factually the
evidence that shows an overwhelming victory for them. The Serbian
people expressed that will. They have been expressing it, certainly in
Belgrade and in their views. And so it's very clear. All the evidence
shows that this was a sweeping victory for the opposition. And the
opposition has also been very careful in setting up methodical and
legal steps towards a peaceful transition, and we certainly are in
support of that. And they are giving the regime every opportunity to
step aside.
Q: This extensive coordination on your part, I mean, you're not --
Q: You're saying -- (inaudible) --
MR. REEKER: I don't know where else we're going to go on this. Is
there anything else on this?
Q: One more. You knocked down these talks about a deal. There are also
rumors swirling around for the last few days, including this morning
which you're aware of, that Milosevic in fact has left.
MR. REEKER: Right. I'm not aware of any information on that. I've seen
the same rumors that you have. In fact, you guys were kind enough to
apprise me of those rumors, so I appreciate that.
(The briefing was concluded at 2:40 P.M.)
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