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31 December 2003

State Department Briefing, December 31, 2003

Department, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Israel/Palestinians/Syria, Africa, Libya, Pakistan, Cambodia, Haiti, Sudan

State Department Deputy Spokesman J. Adam Ereli briefed.

Following is a transcript of the briefing:

(begin transcript)

      U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
      DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
      WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2003
      12:15 p.m. EST
      (ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
      BRIEFER: J. Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
      Index
      DEPARTMENT
      Statement Marking 25th Anniversary of Normalized Relations With China
      Efforts to Provide Economic and Trade Support for African Countries
      Designation of Sub-Saharan African Countries for 2004 Tariff Preferences
      Secretary Powell's Telephone Calls and Appearances
      A Happy New Year to All
      TAIWAN
      Referendum and Cross-Strait Dialogue
      Reports of Sending Delegation to Washington on Referendum Issue
      Defense and the "Four Noes"
      Peaceful Dialogue Urged
      CHINA
      Sentencing of Benjamin Lan
      Bilateral Relations in the Context of Human Rights and Rule of Law
      VIETNAM
      Sentencing of "Cyberdissident" Journalist Nguyen Vu Binh
      ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS/SYRIA
      Reports of Intended Settlement Expansion in Golan Heights and Roadmap 
      Reports of Druze Member of Likud Party Seeking Negotiations With Syria
      Policy Toward Israeli Settlement Activity
      LIBYA
      Diversion of Ship and Proliferation Security Initiative
      Comments by Dr. ElBaradei and IAEA Inspections
      PAKISTAN
      Reports of "Rogue" Scientists in Iran
      CAMBODIA
      Khieu Samphan
      HAITI
      Celebration of 200 Years of Independence
      SUDAN
      Prospects for Peace Talks
      MR. ERELI: Let me start off with a brief statement marking the 25th 
      anniversary of diplomatic relations with China. January 1st will be the 
      25th year of having normalized relations with China and over the past 25 
      years, we have worked to transform the relationship from its tentative 
      beginnings to one where today we have a wide-ranging, candid, constructive 
      and cooperative dialogue about issues that are important to the peace, 
      security and prosperity of the world.
      We look forward to continuing and deepening that dialogue and cooperation 
      in the coming years.
      Who would like to have the first question of the last briefing in 2003? 
      Yes, ma'am.
      QUESTION: Yeah, can I just follow your statement on the latest things 
      happening in Taiwan? Taiwan's leader, Chen Shui-bian, just signed a 
      referendum bill and he claimed there will definitely be a referendum in 
      March. I'm just wondering, how the U.S. (inaudible) is concerned the 
      referendum could increase the cross-strait tensions. And the referendum 
      also appears to represent a deepening of Taiwan's democracy.
      MR. ERELI: Clearly, we've said that we opposed any unilateral measures 
      that affect the status, the current status, including this referenda. We 
      believe that cross-strait dialogue is the way to resolve these issues, and 
      we continue to make that position known to both parties.
      QUESTION: And Taiwan authority is going to send a delegation, probably -- 
      to Washington, probably next week, to ensure the U.S. that the upcoming 
      referendum is not meant to change the status quo. What could the 
      delegation tell the U.S. that could possibly lessen the U.S. concern?
      MR. ERELI: I'm not aware of the visit, the planned visit of this 
      delegation, so I really wouldn't want to comment on that. And I think that 
      we have made our, you know, we have made our concerns very well known. I 
      think they're a matter of public record and private discussion, and we 
      would urge the Government of Taiwan to heed them.
      QUESTION: And the other question. Taiwan's leader, Chen Shui-bian, he 
      basically pointed that China's continuing missile buildup has -- as having 
      nullified the four noes pledge, and -- he said during his inauguration in 
      2000. Does the U.S. still hold him accountable for his four noes pledge?
      MR. ERELI: Yes. We still recognize the commitments he made in his 
      inaugural speech and the four noes and believe that they are still 
      operative and still pertain.
      QUESTION: Hey, Adam, going back -- 
      QUESTION: Last question.
      MR. ERELI: One last question.
      QUESTION: Yeah. The -- Taiwan's leader, Chen Shui-bian, used a term "to 
      wage a holy war against the mainland" in his recent campaign rally. I am 
      wondering how the U.S. perceived this. Do you think it is a provocative 
      move, or just election language?
      MR. ERELI: I think our focus is, and we believe the focus of all parties 
      should be, on peaceful dialogue to settle problems, and that is where 
      efforts should be put.
      Yes, Matt.
      QUESTION: Yeah, I just want to make sure. So you're saying your position 
      on Taiwan hasn't changed in the last 25 years?
      MR. ERELI: That is on the record.
      QUESTION: That's -- okay. Just glad that we've got that straightened up 
      after this question.
      MR. ERELI: Yes, Adi.
      QUESTION: Are you saying there's only one China?
      QUESTION: Can you go -- hold on, wait, wait, wait.
      QUESTION: No, I want to make sure there's only one China.
      QUESTION: I want to go to the mainland for a second. Do you have any 
      reaction to the sentencing of the American citizen there? I think there 
      were two dissidents, someone named Benjamin Lan?
      MR. ERELI: Yes, Mr. Lan.
      QUESTION: Yeah. And how does this fit into your deepening and continuing 
      cooperation with the Chinese that you have had for the past 25 years that 
      you want to continue?
      MR. ERELI: On the specific issue of Mr. Lan, a U.S. citizen named Benjamin 
      Lan was sentenced on December 31st to three and a half years in prison. A 
      U.S. consular official from the Embassy in Beijing attended the 
      sentencing. It is our understanding that Mr. Lan will be deported after 
      completing his sentence, and Mr. Lan's time spent in detention since May 
      2003 will count towards the three-and-a-half-year sentence.
      I would note that he has been detained in jail in China since May 14th. 
      U.S. consular officials have visited him regularly since his detention. He 
      was tried on charges of inciting subversion and conspiracy to commit 
      kidnapping. A U.S. consular official from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing met 
      with him last on December 17th and he was reported in good health.
      On the broader issue of bilateral relations, I think, you know, we've made 
      it clear that we have good, cooperative relations, we have the kind of 
      relationship where we can work together on issues where we see eye to eye 
      and that are in regional interest of peace and stability. On other issues 
      where we have differences, we have the kind of relationship where we can 
      be frank and honest and put our cards on the table and tell them where we 
      think there are problems and address them constructively.
      I think that the issue of human rights and rule of law is certainly one 
      that we raise regularly with the Government of China. On this specific 
      case, I don't have anything particular for you on whether we've gone in 
      from a human rights perspective.
      QUESTION: Well, what did you think of the process? Was it rule of law? Was 
      it fair? Did he get a fair trial?
      MR. ERELI: Let me get you our opinion on that. I don't have -- 
      QUESTION: Well, more than that, are the charges political or are they 
      real? I mean, if you can look into it.
      MR. ERELI: Yeah. I will look into it.
      QUESTION: It's the last time we'll ask about him. Obviously, he's packed 
      off and he's finished; he's been sentenced.
      MR. ERELI: Yeah.
      QUESTION: So, you know, you won't hear anything -- 
      MR. ERELI: Right.
      QUESTION: From the public.
      QUESTION: -- from the press corps anymore. It's just that, you know, 
      having a guy at the sentencing is very -- is not very reassuring. The 
      question is whether he -- 
      MR. ERELI: Well, I mean, I guess I'd put it this way. I am not familiar 
      with the facts of this case.
      QUESTION: Right.
      MR. ERELI: And not, you know -- 
      QUESTION: No, no, it's okay.
      MR. ERELI: I am not in a position to comment on the legal proceedings and 
      the credibility of the charges and how they were conducted.
      QUESTION: Sure.
      MR. ERELI: I can look into that for you.
      QUESTION: Yeah. That's all I was asking.
      MR. ERELI: Matt.
      QUESTION: Another sentencing. I realize your embassy in Hanoi has already 
      said something about this. I wonder if you have any additional comment to 
      make about the cyber dissident who was convicted of translating one of 
      your very own -- whatever you want to call -- handouts on democracy on the 
      Internet.
      MR. ERELI: Right. What we're referring to -- 
      QUESTION: I knew there was a reason Ken was sitting here.
      MR. ERELI: What we were referring to is the sentencing of Nguyen Vu Binh, 
      a Vietnamese citizen, who expressed his views on the Internet and 
      attempted to form a political party. Mr. Binh is a journalist. He was 
      arrested in Hanoi in September 2002 after posting on the Internet several 
      essays promoting democracy and human rights. On December 30th, he was 
      sentenced to seven years in prison, followed by two years administrative 
      detention for spying.
      We strongly condemn this harsh sentence. We are especially concerned that 
      the Vietnamese Government may have targeted Mr. Binh because in 2002, he 
      submitted written testimony to the U.S. Congressional Human Rights Caucus 
      and the Congressional Caucus on Vietnam. It is our belief that no 
      individual should be imprisoned for their peaceful expression of their 
      views, and the sentencing of Mr. Binh clearly violates international 
      standards for the protection of human rights including freedom of 
      expression.
      We remain concerned, in general, about Vietnam's treatment of dissent. 
      This is, I would note, the third case that we are aware of this year that 
      has involved an individual who posted his views on the Internet. The 
      United States urges the Government of Vietnam to immediately release Mr. 
      Binh and all of those imprisoned for peacefully expressing their views, 
      and we strongly urge the Government of Vietnam to put an end to its 
      ongoing repression of peaceful dissent.
      QUESTION: That complete statement makes me wonder why there isn't 
      something comparable about what's going on in China -- 
      QUESTION: Exactly.
      QUESTION: An American citizen.
      QUESTION: -- unless it's a criminal case and you know it is.
      MR. ERELI: Yeah. Right.
      QUESTION: And, I mean, human rights is an old -- it's just, you know, kind 
      of a throw away line. You're dealing with a regime there that isn't 
      democratic. And if Americans get thrown in prison, just attending their 
      sentencing doesn't seem to cover it.
      MR. ERELI: Right. Barry, as I said, I endeavor to look into the facts of 
      the case in China before commenting on whether justice was served or not.
      QUESTION: Well, can we presume that if it was the 25th anniversary of 
      U.S.-Vietnamese relations that the last -- that your little diatribe there 
      wouldn't have been in the (inaudible)? No?
      MR. ERELI: No, I don't think you would make -- I would not make that 
      presumption.
      QUESTION: (Inaudible) was in the statement.
      Okay, now it's time to beat on Israel. Are they going to expand -- I mean, 
      evenhandedly, of course -- are they going to -- I don't know if the word 
      is thicken, expand -- new homes for Israeli Jews on the Golan Heights? Is 
      that an awful thing for the State Department?
      MR. ERELI: We've seen the press reports about expanded settlement 
      activity, Israeli settlement activity in the Golan. I don't know how 
      accurate those reports are, frankly, and I would refer you to the Israeli 
      Government for clarification.
      As a general matter, whether in the Golan or the West Bank or Gaza, we 
      oppose all settlement activity.
      QUESTION: On what basis?
      MR. ERELI: I'm sorry. We have said clearly and consistently Israel should 
      freeze settlement construction and dismantle unauthorized outposts.
      QUESTION: That's the West Bank.
      MR. ERELI: And the same applies -- 
      QUESTION: There are no unauthorized outposts in the Golan Heights. There 
      are plain old settlements.
      MR. ERELI: They should freeze settlement activity.
      QUESTION: Okay. They're not violating the roadmap there, are they? There 
      is no roadmap.
      MR. ERELI: Well, the roadmap applies to the Palestinians but -- 
      QUESTION: Right.
      MR. ERELI: -- at the same time, we believe, and it's been our longstanding 
      policy, that there should not be settlement activity in land that is the 
      subject -- the final status of which has not been determined through 
      negotiation.
      QUESTION: And there's another -- a parallel report. A Druz member of Likud 
      -- it wouldn't be the first, but he's going up to Damascus to try to see 
      if there's any real interest in negotiations being resumed. Does the State 
      Department have a view of that?
      MR. ERELI: The State Department supports direct negotiations between the 
      Israelis and Syrians to resolve the issue of the Golan.
      QUESTION: Why is it that you're shedding doubt on the reports that they 
      are planning to increase settlement -- 
      MR. ERELI: I'm not shedding doubt. I just can't confirm the accuracy of 
      the reports.
      QUESTION: So you guys have not been in touch with anybody over there to 
      find out whether -- 
      MR. ERELI: I guess our indications are that there might be some -- there 
      might be some reason to seek clarification of the reports.
      Yes, Matt.
      QUESTION: So are you intending to cancel out what you said when you said, 
      as a general matter, we oppose all settlement activity?
      MR. ERELI: Yes, yes, I was intending to cancel that out.
      QUESTION: That is no longer operative?
      MR. ERELI: Retract that from the record.
      QUESTION: So -- 
      MR. ERELI: I would say that we continue -- our policy continues to be that 
      Israel should freeze settlement construction.
      QUESTION: Okay. All right. So you weren't intending to make that new 
      policy?
      MR. ERELI: I was not. Thank you for giving me that.
      Yes, Adi.
      QUESTION: There has been a great deal of attention these past couple of 
      months on debt relief in reference to Iraq, and rightfully so, but there 
      hasn't been too much emphasis, it appears, on debt relief towards the 
      whole continent of Africa. And the reason why I bring this up is because 
      the Secretary, in an interview with, I think, Michael Reagan, the radio 
      show, the other day said that in the coming year AIDS, HIV/AIDS, is an 
      issue that he will spend more time on, he will devote more of his 
      resources to tackling this very difficult issue in the coming new year.
      But how can you tackle this incredibly difficult issue without dealing 
      with debt relief in Africa, given the fact that some of these countries 
      spend more money on servicing their loans than they do on combating that 
      horrific epidemic?
      MR. ERELI: Yeah. No, clearly, there are a number of needs in Africa and we 
      are going to be focusing on those needs intently in the coming year. I 
      would note a couple of things already this year that are important to 
      remark: the Millennium Challenge Account, the AIDS initiative and the 
      amount of resources being devoted to that.
      And finally, I would note that yesterday President Bush approved the 
      designation of 37 Sub-Saharan African countries as eligible for tariff 
      preferences in 2004 under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and we 
      see this as a recognition that there are a number of countries in Africa 
      that are making continued progress toward market-based economies, the rule 
      of law, free trade, economic policies that are aimed at reducing poverty 
      and protecting workers' rights, and we are going to continue to encourage 
      that by seeking to develop the kind of economic relationship between us 
      and them that allows that kind of progress to continue.
      Debt burden is an issue, and I think, you know, it's something that we all 
      need to keep in mind.
      QUESTION: Can I have a follow-up? These 37 countries, is this something 
      that they already enjoy and that this is merely an extension, or is this 
      something new?
      MR. ERELI: Most of these countries received tariff preferences last year. 
      Angola was included this year because it made progress in 2003 on various 
      eligibility criteria. I would note that two countries that were on the 
      list last year were taken off this year, and those are Central African 
      Republic and Eritrea.
      QUESTION: Why?
      MR. ERELI: Central African Republic, because of a military coup there, and 
      Eritrea because of deterioration in human rights.
      QUESTION: That would be your embassy staff who are still locked up or 
what?
      MR. ERELI: Specific issues -- I don't have that for you, Matt. Oh, 
      actually, I do. I take it back. They have closed the independent press, 
      arrested journalists and editors, and continue to detain political 
      dissidents without due process.
      QUESTION: That wasn't -- 
      QUESTION: That's Eritrea, right?
      MR. ERELI: That's Eritrea.
      QUESTION: Those two guys who work for the embassy that (inaudible), right?
      MR. ERELI: Oh, the local employees?
      QUESTION: Yeah.
      MR. ERELI: That does not include them, but obviously that's an issue of 
      concern.
      Yes, Teri.
      QUESTION: Change subject.
      QUESTION: Wait. Are you saying there were 38 countries, until like today, 
      and the loss of two, and the addition of one means a net loss of one?
      MR. ERELI: This year, the President added Angola and took off Eritrea and 
      Central African Republic.
      QUESTION: So what did he do yesterday?
      MR. ERELI: He approved the designation of the following 37 -- of 37, which 
      included what -- the countries they were last year, except for two, and 
      added one.
      QUESTION: Okay.
      QUESTION: Libya.
      MR. ERELI: Yes, Libya.
      QUESTION: The story of the PSI interdiction. Can you confirm the 
      interdiction of a, I guess, U.S.-led, we would even say, interdiction of a 
      shipment of nuclear parts to Libya?
      MR. ERELI: What I would say is a ship was diverted, based on intelligence, 
      that it was carrying centrifuge parts in early October.
      QUESTION: That's what you would say, totally?
      MR. ERELI: Yeah.
      QUESTION: A ship was diverted that was known to be traveling to deliver 
      them in Libya?
      MR. ERELI: Yeah. I'm not going to get into more, more than that. I mean, 
      you've seen the press reports. I would simply say that, you know, I think 
      what this incident shows is that the PSI is -- Proliferation Security 
      Initiative -- is robust, producing results, fulfilling the mission for 
      which it was intended, which is to detect and interdict shipments of 
      components as well as block activities that are used by countries to evade 
      their international obligations and develop weapons of mass destructions, 
      programs and capabilities.
      QUESTION: But you wouldn't confirm that Libya was trying to do that with 
      this shipment?
      MR. ERELI: I'm -- you know, I'm not going to get into the details of this 
      report, other than to say that, you know, what you've read is basically 
      accurate.
      QUESTION: And what impact would you say this had on convincing Libya to 
      conclude these negotiations that had been going on for about six months at 
      that point?
      MR. ERELI: You know, I think it's difficult to -- it's difficult to come 
      to conclusive -- it's difficult to come to conclusions about what 
      motivates one country to do something without sort of hearing directly 
      from that country. I think what can be said is that this was a significant 
      and important development. It showed -- 
      QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
      MR. ERELI: Well -- 
      QUESTION: The (inaudible) you're referring to? Okay.
      MR. ERELI: -- period. It was a significant and important development, 
      period. What impact it had on Libya agreeing to have inspectors come or 
      have teams come to Libya to look at its programs, I think you should ask 
      the Libyans.
      I would note that, you know, these negotiations were underway for a long 
      time, that this was something that we were working together hand-in-hand 
      with the British on for many months, and that there was a process well 
      underway when this took place.
      I would also note, as others have, that after this diversion, there were 
      certain actions that took place. Was there a causality? I think one could 
      argue that. But can you come to a definitive conclusion about it? It's 
      hard.
      I think the best way to look at it is we are pushing on all fronts to 
      counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destructions, and those 
      efforts are producing results. They're bringing countries that have 
      weapons programs to the table. They're detecting and seizing shipments. 
      They're doing this in a way that is coordinated with like-minded countries 
      around the world. And it's something we should recognize and I think be 
      proud of.
      Yes, Mike -- Mark.
      QUESTION: Adam, do you think this casts any doubt on ElBaradei's comment 
      in the past couple of days that Libya's nuclear program was at an early 
      stage?
      MR. ERELI: We spoke to this yesterday and what we said yesterday was, 
      let's not rush to conclusions about the extent of -- the exact extent of 
      Libya's weapons programs. It's going to take awhile to come to a full 
      understanding of exactly what they have, and how close they were. And the 
      IAEA is going to be going back to Libya. There will be other teams going 
      back to Libya.
      We are going to work together with them to help come to a good 
      understanding of what Libya's capabilities and intentions were, and we're 
      going to work with Libya to help it fulfill the commitments that it said 
      it wants to, wants to fulfill. So I just, you know, I think what's clear 
      is that there were efforts underway. The full scope and extent of those 
      efforts are yet to be determined.
      Yes, Matt.
      QUESTION: Yeah. A new subject?
      QUESTION: Can I ask one, another one on proliferation?
      MR. ERELI: Mm-hmm.
      QUESTION: Do you have anything on the degree to which rogue scientists in 
      Pakistan were responsible for helping Iran in its efforts to develop a 
      nuclear weapons capability?
      MR. ERELI: I don't -- no, I don't have anything on that. I mean, it's a 
      subject of speculation and reporting, but I don't have anything official 
      to say about it.
      Yes.
      QUESTION: Do you have any thoughts on the admission yesterday, or the day 
      before, of Khieu Samphan that there, in fact, was a genocide in Cambodia 
      in the '70s under the Khmer Rouge?
      MR. ERELI: I had not seen that admission.
      QUESTION: Really? That's unfortunate.
      Okay. And tomorrow, I presume, it's a holiday so you're not going to be 
      here, so I'm wondering what good wishes, if any, you have for the leaders 
      and people of Haiti, who are celebrating their 200th anniversary of 
      independence.
      MR. ERELI: Bon anniversaire.
      QUESTION: Yeah? Can you do that in Creole?
      MR. ERELI: Can you?
      QUESTION: No. But can you -- do you have anything on it?
      MR. ERELI: No.
      QUESTION: Do you know who is leading the U.S. delegation to the -- ?
      MR. ERELI: Actually, we had something on that last week, so I can get it 
      for you.
      QUESTION: Has the U.S. abandoned hope for the Sudanese peace deal by the 
      agreed upon deadline, just a few hours from now? Or, actually, it's over. 
      In Sudan -- when does it turn midnight in Sudan?
      QUESTION: They're eight hours ahead of us.
      MR. ERELI: I think we are -- we remain hopeful that the parties can reach 
      an agreement. I would note that they are the ones that said, you know, 
      they thought they could get it done by the end of the year. That deadline 
      may slip, probably will slip, but the important point I think to make is 
      that they are very close. There are really just some small issues dividing 
      them. We think that there is a historic opportunity here, that the moment 
      should be seized. We are working with both of them to resolve these few 
      remaining issues that are outstanding.
      They have said they are going to make every effort to close the gaps that 
      remain. So this is something that we are going to push very hard on, or 
      work very hard on, to help them realize.
      QUESTION: Adam, you say that you are still hopeful that they'll reach an 
      agreement. I mean, you've got like three hours.
      QUESTION: Two hours.
      QUESTION: Two hours.
      MR. ERELI: I'm not saying by the end of 2003, but I would say soon. Soon. 
      We are still hopeful that an agreement is possible soon.
      QUESTION: Soon, but not today?
      MR. ERELI: It may not happen today.
      QUESTION: Did the phone calls go through to Garang and Taha yesterday?
      MR. ERELI: Yes, the Secretary spoke with President Bashir, Dr. Garang and 
      Vice President Taha yesterday.
      QUESTION: Has he been telephoning (inaudible)?
      MR. ERELI: He has. He has spoken to -- today he has spoken with -- 
      actually, I don't have the latest for you on that. Do we have anything? 
      Yeah, I don't have anything for you today, no.
      MR. CASEY: I'll get it for you.
      QUESTION: Do you have any embassies closing for threats, New Year's Eve 
      threats?
      MR. ERELI: No.
      QUESTION: Oh. Good deal.
      QUESTION: What about the Secretary's -- is the building open Friday?
      MR. ERELI: Yes.
      QUESTION: Oh, okay.
      QUESTION: Can we come?
      QUESTION: I was going to ask -- 
      MR. ERELI: The Secretary was in today.
      QUESTION: Yeah, that's the second day, yes, since -- his second day in a 
      row.
      MR. ERELI: His second day.
      QUESTION: Well, I was going to ask you about, you know, appearances he 
      might be making, but if you're open Friday we can ask you Friday.
      MR. ERELI: Yeah, we'll do a Week Ahead Friday.
      MR. CASEY: I won't be here, but -- 
      MR. ERELI: We'll do a Week Ahead Friday.
      QUESTION: I won't be here either, but I can -- 
      QUESTION: Are you going to brief on Friday?
      MR. CASEY: I tell you what, I'll find out and e-mail you.
      MR. ERELI: If there is popular demand, I will try to be as responsive as 
      possible.
      QUESTION: All right. We thank you, and Prospero Año Felicidad.
      (The briefing was concluded at 12:40 p.m.)
      (end transcript)
      (Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. 
      Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)



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