13 July 2004
State Department Noon Briefing: July 13
Iraq/Saudi Arabia/Philippines, Czech Republic, North Korea, HIV-AIDS, Japan/Indonesia, Cambodia, Cuba, Near East, Sudan
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher briefed reporters July 13.
Following is the transcript of the briefing:
(begin transcript)
U.S. Department of State
Daily Press Briefing Index
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
12:35 p.m. EST
BRIEFER: Richard Boucher, Spokesman
SAUDI ARABIA/IRAQ
-- Saudi Militants Entering Iraq
-- Efforts to Increase to Border Security
PHILIPPINES/IRAQ
-- Timing of Withdrawal of Troops from Iraq
-- U.S. Policy/Views on Negotiating with Terrorists
-- Clarification on Statements by Deputy Foreign Secretary
-- Ambassador's Consultations with Philippine Government
CZECH REPUBLIC
-- Secretary Powell's Meeting with Foreign Minister Svoboda
-- Visa Policy / Visa Waiver Program
NORTH KOREA
-- Energy Assistance
-- U.S.-North Korea Discussions Since Six-Party Talks
-- U.S. Denuclearization Proposals
HIV/AIDS
-- U.S. Efforts to Combat HIV/AIDS / Financial Contributions
-- Expedited Review Process for Anti-Retroviral Drugs
-- Reaction to Comments by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
JAPAN/INDONESIA
-- Status of Charles Jenkins
CAMBODIA
-- Departure of Head of State Chea Sim
CUBA
-- Arrest of Individual Claiming to be Luis Hernando Gomez
NEAR EAST
-- Al Jazeera's Adoption of a Code of Ethics
SUDAN
-- Assessment of Government Actions in Darfur
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2004
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
12:35 p.m. EDT
MR. BOUCHER: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. It's a pleasure to be here with you. I don't have any statements or announcements, so I'd be glad to take your questions.
QUESTION: Well, from Riyadh comes the Saudi Police Minister Nayef, who may be the next king, for all we know, saying that Saudi militants maybe have gone to neighboring Iraq to fight against the U.S.-led occupation forces. Does the U.S. -- do you know anything about that?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't have any numbers details or confirmations of nationalities. But I would say that, as you know, we have fought for a long time with all of the neighbors of Iraq to try to get better control at the borders. We've worked with neighbors of Iraq to try to get the kind of cooperation that we do have with the Saudi Government to control borders from foreign fighters and others trying to get into Iraq.
We've got a tri-part committee with the Iraqis, the Saudis and the coalition forces. The multinational forces are out there that are working together to try to control this border and keep people from using it as a transit point.
QUESTION: Staying on Iraq. As I know you're aware of, last night, there was a statement attributed to a senior Philippine official suggesting that the Philippines was, if not negotiating, giving hints to the captors of their national that they might pull out their forces early from Iraq. Do you have any reason to believe that they may do so? And do you have any opinion on whether they should do so?
MR. BOUCHER: I think, first of all, we certainly know that the remarks -- are disappointed to see remarks like this at a time when Iraq is fighting for stability and peace. He said that the Philippine troop contingent, which I think is about 50 people, would pull out "as soon as possible." We are awaiting clarification on exactly what that announcement might mean in terms of Philippine withdrawal.
Naturally, we have had discussions of this with the Philippine Government overnight, including a personal meeting between our Ambassador and President Arroyo on the subject and those discussions with the Philippine Government will continue.
I do think we have to keep the onus where it belongs and that's on the kidnappers, and that there is no excuse for kidnapping, for murder, for the kind of threats that have been made against this gentleman, and that he should be released immediately.
QUESTION: Isn't this a very slippery -- isn't this a very, very slippery slope, negotiating with terrorists?
MR. BOUCHER: As you know, our policy is not to negotiate or provide benefits to terrorists. We think that sort of -- that can send the wrong signal and that's why we're disappointed to see statements like this.
QUESTION: And are you -- just one more if I may. Are you -- do you still believe that the Philippines will adhere to what was its previous position, that they would keep their forces there until their -- August 20th --
MR. BOUCHER: As I said, we're still awaiting clarification from the Philippine Government as to what the import is of their statement.
QUESTION: You told us yesterday --
QUESTION: Can I get clarification from the meeting with the Ambassador in the Philippines?
MR. BOUCHER: We had a meeting. We're still awaiting further clarification.
Barry.
QUESTION: You told us yesterday that the Secretary had spoken Sunday to the President of the Philippines. You didn't say what the substance of their discussion, except, obviously, it dealt with a hostage-taking in the presence of Filipino forces. Could you elaborate on that a little now?
And this may be putting this question impolitely and I don't mean to. But why doesn't the Secretary get back on the telephone since then with this -- or can the Ambassador handle it? You know, I don't mean to be impolite, but you would think he might have been alarmed by this turn. There seems to be a turn of policy position by Manila.
MR. BOUCHER: First, if it's a turn of policy by Manila, you have to get clarification from Manila. That's what we are doing.
QUESTION: Right.
MR. BOUCHER: That's what we are pursuing through our Ambassador, who is our representative there, who is our senior representative there, who has been in, directly, to sit down with President Arroyo and start talking this through, and those discussions with members of the Philippine government will continue.
Yes, the Secretary talked, himself, with President Arroyo on Sunday about the situation, about their common concern for the fate of this hostage, Mr. De La Cruz, and our hopes that he would be released, our condemnation, I think, from the United States as well as the Philippines of the hostage-taking, of the kidnapping, and the kind of threats that are being made.
At the same time, the Secretary has welcomed Philippine cooperation against terrorism generally and the Philippine deployment to Iraq. That's why these statements last night do raise some questions. We had the opportunity overnight, because of the time change, for our ambassador to sit down and talk to the Philippine president and will remain in touch with the Philippine Government as we think is appropriate.
QUESTION: Well, do these statements diverge from -- I should have asked you, put it this way -- do the statements diverge from what the President told the Secretary?
MR. BOUCHER: We're still awaiting clarification from the Philippine Government as to exactly what these statements mean, so I can't answer that question for you now.
QUESTION: Okay.
MR. BOUCHER: Sir.
QUESTION: Richard, the fact that the Ambassador met the President of the Philippines, who is the highest official in the land, I'm sure he would be able to get the clarification from the President himself.
MR. BOUCHER: As I said, we've talked to the Philippine President and we're still awaiting clarification from the Philippine Government.
QUESTION: I hate to beat it to death.
MR. BOUCHER: Well, let somebody else beat it to death for a moment.
QUESTION: Well, I know what clarification means. I mean, I'm -- to follow-up this last question, are they not clear, or by clarification, is that a diplomatic way of saying you hope they change what they have just recently said?
MR. BOUCHER: Barry, you guys started this out by saying the Philippine Government said as soon as possible. What date is that?
QUESTION: August, whatever, isn't far away.
MR. BOUCHER: August, whatever, isn't far away.
QUESTION: Yeah, their pullout date is not that far away.
MR. BOUCHER: You can't clarify it, I can't clarify it. We don't know. We're waiting for clarification.
QUESTION: Oh, I thought you meant their policy.
QUESTION: Do you think statements like this encourage more kidnappings in Iraq?
MR. BOUCHER: As I said, we're disappointed to see statements like this. You know our general policy has always been against offering any sorts of concessions to terrorists because we do think it sends the wrong signal.
Sir.
QUESTION: Can we go back to the issue of border security in Iraq for just a second?
MR. BOUCHER: Yeah.
QUESTION: This has obviously been an issue that's been talked about for a while, people coming from other countries to, you know, act as insurgents in Iraq. Can you explain to me what the U.S. is trying to do in helping the new Iraqi Government get a handle on this issue -- you mentioned the tripartite group. But can you get into some details as to what you're trying to do?
MR. BOUCHER: Well, there have been a number of actions on our part and on the part of the Iraqi government. Some have been represented by the kind of efforts that the foreign minister and the foreign ministry are making to establish visa controls and visa regimes. Some of them represented by the very long efforts that we've had already to train up Iraqi border guards, border troops, who can take control of ports of entry as well as patrol Iraq's borders. Some efforts by the U.S. military directly to operate in areas near the borders, to intercept foreign fighters that might be coming in or other people who might be coming through. And then there are intelligence efforts, there are law enforcement efforts, there are diplomatic efforts. There are cooperative efforts with nations such as Saudi Arabia and there are diplomatic efforts with countries such as Syria and even Iran to make clear their responsibility as well.
So I think border security, Iraq's fundamentally being able to take control of its borders, depends on the efforts of the Iraqi government, the efforts of the people who help with security and the efforts on the neighbors. And that's been an effort that we've had going on for some time in these many aspects.
Sir, we'll go back.
QUESTION: The Czech Republic Foreign Minister spoke outside and said that after he spoke with the Secretary he was left with the impression that the Secretary would speak with the President today and that he hoped -- no, he believed -- there would be some positive move about the status of the Czech Republic regarding the visa waiver status. Is there anything planned?
MR. BOUCHER: Visa policy was one of the issues that was discussed today in our meetings with the Czech interim Foreign Minister. They did talk quite a bit about the war on terrorism, about the European Union membership and what it means for Czech Republic and also about things like the situation in the Middle East. Certainly, we've expressed our strong support and gratitude for Czech policy in the global war on terrorism, in the global war on terror.
On the subject of visas, the question was what we can do for Czech and other travelers coming to the United States, and I have to point out the Visa Waiver Program itself is a -- has a series of statutory standards that a nation would have to meet. Membership in the European Union, for example, doesn't qualify one automatically for participation. There has to be a refusal rate of less than 3 percent, a machine-readable passport, safeguards against fraudulent use of passports -- a whole number of criteria that have to be met and then various decisions and notifications have to be made.
So that is much more of a, I would say, almost a mathematical qualification than people might like, but that's the way it is, and that's the way the countries in the program have gotten into the program.
But the Secretary did mention that he and other colleagues of the Administration had been looking at various ways to speed up, make more efficient, our visa program, while maintaining all the essential safeguards that we've put in place since September 11th. As you know, since September 11th, we've gone to higher rates of interviews, better databases, better checking, more thorough vetting of certain kinds of candidates and things like that.
But we're looking at how we can maintain those kind of safeguards, and yet make the process easier for some applicants, for many applicants. And we think that we've taken a number of steps; we're looking at further steps we might take in that regard.
QUESTION: So would I be right in thinking that generally the United States is looking to improve the overall situation, but isn't looking to do anything specific for the Czech Republic?
MR. BOUCHER: To the extent that some of these things can be applied and made effective in the Czech Republic, we'll be glad to do so and we'll look at ways to do so. But there need to be some overall decisions as well on how to make the processing more efficient and more considerate, even as it maintains all the essential safeguards.
Yeah. Ma'am.
QUESTION: United States has offered immediate energy assistance and return security assurance if North Korea give up nuclear program. And yesterday --
MR. BOUCHER: I don't think the United States has offered immediate energy assistance. I think some of our friends have, in the process of denuclearization, made clear that they would provide such assistance.
QUESTION: Yes. However, last week, Dr. Rice visited South Korea, talked with South Korean Foreign Minister, talked to him about either energy assistance or, you know, security assurances. So, however, yesterday, Deputy Ambassador Han Song-ryol, North Korean Mission to UN said North Korea does not have any interest in the United States proposal at all. What is your opinion?
MR. BOUCHER: I did not see that statement. I think I'd refer you back to what we've said before and the discussions we've had, both in Beijing, as well as in direct discussions the Secretary had with the North Korean Foreign Minister about the six-party talks and the proposal that we've put on the table.
It's important to remember this is a thorough and comprehensive proposal. It's a way of achieving the goal of denuclearization. And we still think it's very important for the North Koreans to study it seriously.
QUESTION: Have you got any response, kind of definitive response from North Korea of U.S. -- of proposal, since the Secretary --
MR. BOUCHER: We've had comments and questions, such as the ones that the Secretary discussed with the Foreign Minister or when we had discussions in Beijing. I would not describe anything we've seen as a definitive response, and we're looking for them to study it carefully, take advantage of the opportunity that we're offering to move forward towards the goal.
Yeah. Jill.
QUESTION: President Chirac has been very critical, talking about bilateral trade deals and the impact -- ones that involve making it difficult for developing countries to develop cheaper anti-AIDS drugs. He called it tantamount to blackmail. Do you have any response on that?
MR. BOUCHER: I think -- I haven't seen the full statement yet -- but I think it's important to remember a number of facts about the United States and AIDS prevention. The United States is the world's largest contributor to efforts, international efforts against AIDS. This year, we're going to be spending $2.4 billion on the effort against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. We're also the world's largest contributor to the Global Fund. We've contributed 36 percent of all pledges to date. That's $547 million this year, and another $200 million on -- requested for future years.
So the effort that the United States have made -- has made and is making far surpasses that of any other nation. In addition, on the issue of use of drugs, anti-retrovirals -- I'm sure you'll all remember the announcements that we made on May 16th, where we identified an expedited review process so that we could get FDA approval to make sure that drug -- and combination drugs, especially, were safe, and then they could be put -- made available for purchase. And the United States has vowed to buy safe and effective drugs from the cheapest source where they are available.
So, in fact, the United States has moved forward very significantly in the past few months to make it possible to acquire and distribute anti-retrovirals and other drugs from the safest and cheapest sources that are available.
Sir.
QUESTION: Is that a denial of what the French are saying?
MR. BOUCHER: I'm just pointing out a few facts which people should probably have in mind as they read whatever it is that other nations might have said about us.
QUESTION: Richard, if I can go back to North Korea first, that U.S. deserter now in Jakarta, the Japanese Government is saying that they want to take him back to Japan for medical examinations. How is that going to effect your -- or should I say the United States Government's efforts to make him face justice in a court martial?
MR. BOUCHER: This is a subject that we have discussed and continue to discuss with Japanese Government. I think they understand our position that Sgt. Jenkins does face potentially serious charges, if he is in a place where he is subject to U.S. jurisdiction. So, that's a matter we'll keep in touch with the Japanese Government on, but as far as what they do or what he decides to do, those are the facts that have to be taken into account.
QUESTION: If I can just follow up on that, would you still follow that pursuit if he was really sick? I mean, if he is going to Japan for medical treatment?
MR. BOUCHER: Any further decisions about how to pursue those charges would have to be made at the Pentagon. You'd have to ask over there.
QUESTION: Thank you.
MR. BOUCHER: Okay.
Sir.
QUESTION: There was a report this morning that Cambodia's acting Head of State Chea Sim had been forced out of the country, escorted by the military. Do you have any comments on this development?
MR. BOUCHER: We've seen the reports. And I think our understanding is he did depart Cambodia on the morning of July 13th, and in his absence, the acting Head of State signed a constitutional addendum known as the Package Vote, which enables the National Assembly to elect officers of the assembly and the cabinet in one vote. We've been following the situation, but at this point, that's what we know and really, we'll follow it and see if there's any further information.
Kendra.
QUESTION: Richard, do you have anything on -- there's a drug kingpin by the name of Hernando Gomez Bustamante, who's being held right now in Cuba, whether or not the U.S. has made any effort to get him extradited here to the United States?
MR. BOUCHER: The Cuban Government has informed us, via our Interests Section in Havana, that they've arrested an individual who claims to be Luis Hernandez -- Hernando Gomez. At this point, we're looking at it as a law enforcement matter and our law enforcement agencies are studying the situation. But I think any further comment would have to come from the Department of Justice.
QUESTION: Has -- oh, okay, so you can't say whether or not you've made any kind of effort to get him extradited?
MR. BOUCHER: We -- no, we can't, we normally don't, and the people who don't comment on it are over at the Department of Justice.
QUESTION: Going back to the AIDS issue, the Secretary General Annan has called on the United States to show the same commitment against AIDS as it does in the battle against terrorism. What do you say to that?
MR. BOUCHER: I think the United States has shown a very similar commitment. The Secretary of State has made clear, from the beginning of this Administration, that we viewed AIDS as one of the greatest threats to mankind, from his very first travels to those actions and proposals of the President, the $15 billion fund to be spent over --
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
MR. BOUCHER: No, $15 billion over three years or five years?
QUESTION: Five years.
MR. BOUCHER: Where is my number? Fifteen billion dollar fund to be spent over five years is an enormous and significant amount of money and a significant increase over anything that's been spent before. So, this government has -- this Administration has taken the AIDS crisis very seriously. We do consider it the greatest threat of mass destruction on the face of the planet these -- in the present age -- and we are continuing our efforts to lead the efforts internationally with funding, with science, with diplomacy, and with the energy of the United States Government behind it to try to address this crisis.
QUESTION: In light of the criticisms you've had in the past, have you seen and do you have any reaction to Al Jazeera's adoption of a code of ethics for its media coverage?
MR. BOUCHER: We've seen the press reports about it, haven't read the whole thing, but as you know, we've always felt it was important for high standards of journalism to be put in place. And so, we welcome the action and we look forward to reading the actual guidelines.
Sir.
QUESTION: Can you update us about Sudan?
MR. BOUCHER: The situation in Sudan remains similar to what I described yesterday. We're following the situation closely. I describe the picture overall as mixed. We've noted some specific actions by the government, including expediting visas, improving cooperation with the African Union and increasing the Sudanese police presence in Darfur.
However, we do continue to receive reports of violence and note that there still exist unnecessary obstacles for some humanitarian workers. So the situation, the picture, is mixed. We have tracked it very closely and continue to raise it frequently with the Government of Sudan to make clear that their obligation to take real steps on the ground is being -- you know, is being tracked and that we will measure -- ultimately, the only test of all these measures is whether the violence stops and the people who need help to get it.
QUESTION: There are broadcast reports that a suspected al-Qaida leader has surrendered in Saudi. Can you tell us anything about that?
MR. BOUCHER: I haven't seen those, don't know.
QUESTION: It was reported on Al Jazeera and on Spy-TV in London, as well as on the wires.
MR. BOUCHER: Sorry, I was watching another network this morning. I haven't seen it.
QUESTION: They're reporting it as well.
MR. BOUCHER: They're reporting it as well. What can I say?
QUESTION: Well, maybe could you take --
MR. BOUCHER: If we have something later, we'll see. But if somebody's been arrested by the Saudis, I think one should probably expect the Saudis to be the first ones to comment.
QUESTION: Thank you.
MR. BOUCHER: Okay.
(The briefing ended at 1:10 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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