08 June 2004
State Department Noon Briefing, June 8
Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, South Korea, Iraq, China/Iraq, Japan/Iraq, Lebanon/Israel, Greece/Cyprus, China/North Korea
State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli briefed reporters June 8.
Following is the transcript of the State Department briefing.
(begin transcript)
U.S. Department of State
Daily Press Briefing Index
Tuesday, June 8, 2004
1:00 p.m. EDT
BRIEFER: Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
SAUDI ARABIA
-- American Citizen Killed in Riyadh Today
-- Latest Travel Warning for Saudi Arabia
IRAN
-- International Atomic Energy Agency Inspections/Draft Resolution Criticizing Iran
-- Bringing Iran into Compliance in its Nuclear Program
CHINA
-- Working Group between China and the United States on Counterterrorism
SOUTH KOREA
-- Talks on Future of the Alliance (FOTA)/Consultations on Global Force Posture
-- Withdrawal of US Troops/Commitment to South Korea's Security
IRAQ
-- Media Coverage of Iraq War
-- Letters from Kurdish Leaders to the White House
-- Support of Broad-based and Fully Representative Iraqi Government
-- Today's Meeting with Iraqi Interim Government President Ghazi al-Yawer
CHINA/IRAQ
-- Secretary Powell's Phone Call Yesterday to Foreign Minister Lee
-- Discussion of Security Council Resolution
JAPAN/IRAQ
-- Japan Joining Multinational Force/Future Peacekeeping Missions
LEBANON/ISRAEL
-- Escalation of Violence in Southern Lebanon
-- Urging All Sides to Exercise Maximum Restraint
GREECE/CYPRUS
-- Deputy Secretary Armitage's Meeting Yesterday with Mayor of Athens
-- Preparations for the Olympic Games in Athens
-- Ambassador Miller's Visit to Washington
-- Presence of UN Peace Corps in Cyprus
CHINA/NORTH KOREA
-- A/S Kelly Meeting with Chinese Special Envoy Ning Fuqui
-- Upcoming Six-Party Talks
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2004
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
1:00 p.m. EDT
MR. ERELI: Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to our briefing today. I don't have any announcements and would be happy to take your questions.
QUESTION: Adam, what can you tell us about the American man who was killed in Saudi Arabia this morning?
MR. ERELI: I can tell you that a private U.S. citizen, employed in Saudi Arabia, was shot and killed in Riyadh today. We are working with the employer of the citizen to ensure notification to the family of the death. It is my understanding that the family was just -- family members were just notified a short while ago. Out of deference to the family during this time of loss, we will not be releasing further details about the US citizen. Obviously, we offer them our sincerest condolences.
QUESTION: I assume you could tell us that he did work for the Vinnell Corporation.
MR. ERELI: As I said, I'm not going to be releasing details about the individual or the company he worked for out of deference to both the family and the company.
QUESTION: Well, a spokesman from the corporation has spoken. Why can't you --
MR. ERELI: I have not seen those reports.
QUESTION: Back in April, the US State Department advised -- strongly urged U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia to leave. There have been a series of attacks since then. Are you thinking of changing your advice to make it even stronger than that?
MR. ERELI: I would, as you suggest, refer you to the latest Travel Warning which dates from April 15th. In that Travel Warning, the Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Saudi Arabia and strongly urges those private American citizens currently in Saudi Arabia to depart.
As we discussed yesterday, these Travel Warnings are reviewed regularly to take into consideration the latest developments in the country. Clearly, we have seen some disturbing attacks over the last couple of weeks. We will be considering those developments, reviewing what we have on the books and deciding whether any update is necessary. But I wouldn't want suggest to you one way or the other what we're going to do. I think it requires some careful reflection and discussion among the Department and other agencies as to what's appropriate.
QUESTION: Do you regard this -- last one on this one for me. Do you regard this as part of a strategy by whomever is killing foreigners in Saudi Arabia as an effort to essentially prompt an exodus of foreigners from Saudi Arabia and possibly to undermine its oil industry as a result?
MR. ERELI: I think it's been clear for some time that there is a concerted effort by terrorist elements to attack Western targets and other targets that they believe are affiliated with the West.
And you've seen over the last months and years, quite frankly, not just Westerners attacked, but innocent nationals of the countries where these attacks are taking place, whether it be in Turkey, whether it be in Saudi Arabia, whether it be in Morocco, whether it be Indonesia. There is clearly a campaign underway to attack those who do not share the ideologies or the agendas of the terrorists.
Westerners are in their sights, but I think the Saudis understand that they, too, as a system, are in the sights of terrorists who want to overthrow the order there. And this, as we've made clear, is not a campaign that's limited solely to Westerners or solely to Saudi Arabia or solely to commercial targets, but is a worldwide campaign that we all have to work together on to stop.
QUESTION: Do you have anything to suggest that this particular incident was a terrorist attack, or is it still possible that this was a murder?
MR. ERELI: I would reserve judgment on the circumstances behind this murder. I don't have evidence to confirm that it is a terrorist attack or versus some other kind of criminal activity.
Teri.
QUESTION: Change subject. On Iran. Britain, France and Germany are now circulating at the IAEA a draft resolution criticizing Iran for being less than cooperative with the IAEA inspections. Did you -- is the U.S. in favor of this? You wanted very harsh language, and the resolution language, I believe, does say that Iran has been somewhat cooperative, just not enough.
What does the U.S. want to see happen?
MR. ERELI: As you know, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency will be meeting next week, as part of their regular scheduled meetings. There is a draft -- my understanding is there is a draft resolution being circulated. Since it's still in draft, I don't have a comment on it for you, other than to say we are studying it.
We, as a matter of course, are working closely with our partners in the EU-3, as well as the other members of the Board of Governors, on what we believe is a shared goal, and that goal is to bring Iran into compliance in its nuclear program, to find out the full scope of that program, consistent with Board of -- previous Board of Governors resolutions, and to effectively regulate that program consistent with IAEA and international regulations.
QUESTION: Why can't you talk about it, just because it's a draft? We've had numerous, very lengthy conversations about your draft at the UN.
MR. ERELI: We have.
QUESTION: Yes, so let's --
MR. ERELI: And I'd prefer to -- we would prefer to look at the draft, consider it, talk to our friends, and work out our position before making public comments. I think it's just a little premature for that.
Yes.
QUESTION: Can I ask you about the -- yesterday, the working group between China and the States on anti-terrorism, if you have anything -- counterterrorism or something?
MR. ERELI: I don't have anything for you now. Let me see if we might not have something later.
QUESTION: Can I follow up?
MR. ERELI: Sure.
QUESTION: The Chinese President is going to chair a meeting for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Does the United States view that as a -- an element in the whole war on terror, or China is running its own separate show over there?
MR. ERELI: I'm not familiar with the meeting that you're describing, so I really wouldn't want to comment on it until having a few more -- a little bit more background and a few more facts.
MR. ERELI: Yes, ma'am.
QUESTION: Talk to you about South Korea. It is reported U.S. and South Korea Mutual Defense Treaty is to be changed and/or modified. What is your comment on that?
MR. ERELI: We have been in discussions with the Republic of Korea for some time on the future of the alliance, and this covers a wide range, a wide variety of aspects, to the alliance. Those discussions have been conducted with the Department of Defense and their South Korean counterpart, so I'd refer you to the Department of Defense for details on the discussions.
However, in general terms, I think what's important to point out here is that in South Korea as well as a number of other countries around the world, we have been consulting with friends and allies about our global force posture, about where our troops and defense assets are, and where they should be in the future in order to respond to global threats.
We've made no final decisions as a result of these consultations, and very importantly, we are committed to maintaining, as far as the Korean Peninsula is concerned, our deterrent capability and our strong alliance with the Republic of Korea.
QUESTION: Can I follow up?
MR. ERELI: Yes.
QUESTION: Well, the Korean media and some American media, actually, recently write a lot about the correlation between the withdrawal of the U.S. troops from Korea and anti-American sentiment among young Korean people, and like, they quote some people in Washington, saying that actually they -- this anti-American sentiment is affecting America's decision to withdraw troops from Korea. And does the U.S. Depart -- the State Department sees this anti-American sentiment as serious in Korea, and does it really affect the decision to withdraw the troops?
MR. ERELI: The United States views South Korea as a strong and steadfast ally, one with whom we have shared a long history of struggle and sacrifice and cooperation. We are committed to South Korea's security. We are committed to our alliance and partnership with South Korea. And whether there are x-number of troops on the Korean Peninsula or y-number of troops on the Korean Peninsula does not reflect on the strength of that alliance or the commitment of the United States to its partnership with South Korea.
QUESTION: Are you aware of this existence of the anti-American sentiment among young Korean people? And does it really actually affect the policy-making process toward Korean Peninsula?
MR. ERELI: I think the considerations that go into our defense posture in South Korea, for that I would really refer you to the Defense Department. We believe, obviously, there is a public opinion in South Korea, as there is a public opinion in every country. We believe that support for the bilateral partnership between the United States and Korea among both the American people and the Korean people is strong and that we have shared values that underpins that relationship that, I think, makes it what it is. You can't have the kind of -- you can't have the kind of long history of closeness between the United States -- between two countries without having those -- that depth of understanding and shared values. So that is how I would respond to that question.
Yes, ma'am.
QUESTION: Secretary Powell has made a statement about the credibility of Al Jazeera's report last month, but what about the American media, though? So what do you think how the US media have been covering the Iraq war?
MR. ERELI: I'll let you be the judge of that. I think everybody is doing their best to present the information as clearly and as fairly and as accurately as they can.
Yes, Teri.
QUESTION: On Iraq. How concerned around you about the Iraqi Kurds saying that they need to be mentioned, they need the interim constitution mentioned in the resolution? It's not in there right now, and I'm wondering, it doesn't look like you guys are going to be doing any more revisions.
MR. ERELI: We're aware of the concerns, as they were expressed in a letter from the Kurdish leaders to the White House. I would point out that in the preambular paragraphs of the resolution, there is mention of the commitment of the interim government to work towards a federal, democratic, pluralistic and unified Iraq.
We fully support this effort. We have always supported an Iraqi government that is both broad-based and fully representative, and we believe that the interim Iraqi government meets this test. Foreign Minister Zebari's participation in the Security Council deliberations is a good example of that.
I would also stress that, as Iraq moves forward into the, I guess, era of full-fledged democracy, there will be a need for compromise, as is characteristic of all democracies, compromise among various factions for the common good. And that's a lesson that we, in the United States, have learned in our long history and one that the Iraqi people have been exercising and learning in the short time that they've been at it, since the departure of the Saddam Hussein.
QUESTION: But they're threatening to pull their members out of government. And is your message to them just, basically, tough luck, it's not going to be in the resolution, any more explicitly than you just mentioned?
MR. ERELI: No, our message to them is, and as reflected in the UN Security Council resolution, is that we in the international community will work with you to make this democracy a success, to ensure that the rights of all Iraqis are honored and respected, and that Iraq can take its place as a proud member of the international community.
QUESTION: Do you have anything about today's meeting among Secretary of State Colin Powell, Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage and the President of the Iraqi interim government at the Madison Hotel this morning?
MR. ERELI: Yes. Secretary Powell met with the President of the interim Iraqi government, Sheik Ghazi al-Yawer today. He was accompanied by Deputy Secretary of State Armitage and Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Bill Burns. They had a good meeting. It lasted about half an hour.
They discussed Sheik Ghazi and the interim government's plans for the next six months. Sheik Ghazi told us about, you know, he is assuming office. They are conducting outreach throughout the country to establish connections with the people. We discussed the UN Security Council resolution and the important message of support that that sent to the world about the international community's endorsement of the interim government and, very importantly, the transfer of sovereignty to Iraq and the empowerment of the government to fully exercise that sovereignty when the handover takes place on June 30th.
QUESTION: Did the Abu Ghraib matter come up in that conversation?
MR. ERELI: Not that I'm aware of.
QUESTION: I understand Secretary Powell, either he called the Chinese Foreign Minister or the other way around. Did he get a "yes" on the UN vote?
MR. ERELI: Secretary Powell talked to Chinese Foreign Minister Lee yesterday. They did discuss the resolution. And without previewing what the vote is going to be, I think it is safe to say that we are noting widespread support by Security Council members for the resolution and we look forward to a vote later today on that resolution.
QUESTION: One more. Japan has expressed that they are going to join the multinational force after July 1st. Do you have any comment? Does this pave the way for Japan to send forces overseas in peacekeeping missions in the future or other nations?
MR. ERELI: I won't predict what Japan may or may not do in the future. We have noted on many occasions Japan's important contribution to the -- to security and stability in Iraq, not just with the provision of troops but materially in terms of financial assistance and diplomatically in terms of support to the coalition as well.
Michel*.
QUESTION: How do you see the situation in Lebanon?
MR. ERELI: We are concerned by the recent escalation of violence in southern Lebanon. We have delivered messages to both Damascus and Beirut and have been in touch with the Government of Israel regarding these incidents. We are urging all sides to
exercise maximum restraint and making the point that it is in the interest of all parties to maintain calm along the Israel-Lebanese border.
Mr. Lambros.
QUESTION: Yes, on Greece. The over-qualified Mayor of Athens, Dora Bakoyianni, yesterday had a meeting here at the State Department with the Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage. May we have a readout on the record for this meeting (inaudible) for the Olympic Games in Greece? She's in charge is the (inaudible) of the city.
MR. ERELI: Deputy Secretary Armitage did meet yesterday with the Mayor of Athens. They discussed a number of bilateral issues, including preparations for the Olympic Games in Athens. We expressed our support for the efforts that Greece is undertaking and reiterated our offer to provide whatever assistance or other kinds of support that might be helpful to Greece in its efforts as host of the Olympic Games. I think they had a good meeting and, as you know, the Mayor made some remarks upon leaving the building.
QUESTION: So you said you feel it was a good meeting. Then Mayor -- Madame Mayor Dora Bakoyianni, daughter former Prime Minister of Greece, Constantine Mitsotakis, is doing a splendid job for the Olympics Games, as I understand; correct?
MR. ERELI: Those are your words, Mr. Lambros.
QUESTION: According to your statement, you said it was a good meeting. It seems to me you have qualified, et cetera*. That's why --
MR. ERELI: I'll just leave it at what I said and refer you to the statement.
QUESTION: Ambassador to Greece Tom Miller is coming -- is in Washington, D.C., again less than a month. May we know the reason for those frequent visits back and forth to the American capital from Athens?
MR. ERELI: I don't know the reason for his latest visit. As you know, ambassadors travel frequently to and from capitals, depending on what events are going on, what the presence may be required for. I wouldn't read anything into the visit.
QUESTION: And today, consultations started at the UN on the Annan report about the presence of the UN peace corps in Cyprus, but in yesterday's consultation on a technical level, the U.S. and British delegations were pushing behind the scenes that this UN force should be terminated within three months. And I was wondering why.
MR. ERELI: I'm sorry. I have not heard that.
QUESTION: You have not, sir. But can you take this question because it's very --
MR. ERELI: I'll take the question.
QUESTION: One more question please.
MR. ERELI: Yes.
QUESTION: International media and some media specialists has reported that U.S. Government have some influence on the U.S. media coverage of the war. So what's your comment on that?
MR. ERELI: Which -- no, I think we've addressed that issue, the -- and what I said before, I'll just say again. I'll leave it to you, the media, to report on the media. I'll prefer not to do that from here.
Yes, in the back.
QUESTION: Wu Jinbi, China Radio International. About yesterday's meeting, Chinese Envoy Ning Fukui (change per EAP)** meeting with Assistant Secretary Kelly, do you have anything more to share with us, besides what you said yesterday?
MR. ERELI: I really don't. As I said yesterday, they had good meetings. They discussed our joint efforts to achieve the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear program. They reviewed the latest developments concerning efforts to convene working group and plenary six-party talks. And those efforts will continue, but I don't have anything more detailed to share with you about it.
QUESTION: Another question. Today's New York Times editorial criticized the Administration for seeking more funds in its proposed defense budget for research on low yield and more usable nuclear weapons. This sends the wrong proliferation message. Will this be an issue at the upcoming six-party talks?
MR. ERELI: No, I don't believe it will be.
Thank you.
(The briefing was concluded at 1:30 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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