State Department Daily Briefing, August 10
10 August 2005
Iraq, Iran, Cyprus, Israel/Palestinians, Mauritania, Turkey/Iraq, Colombia
State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli briefed reporters August 10.
Following is the State Department transcript:
(begin transcript)
Daily Press Briefing Index
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Briefer: Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
IRAQ
-- Status of Iraqi Political and Constitutional Process
-- Involvement of Ambassador Khalilzad in Process
IRAN
-- Reaction to Iran Breaking Seals at Uranium Conversion Facility in Isfahan
-- Board of Governors
-- Status of Diplomatic Efforts
-- U.S. Position on Referral to UN Security Council
CYPRUS
-- U.S. Policy on Status of Cyprus and Legality of Travel to Airports in Northern Cyprus
ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS
-- Query on U.S. Support for Gaza Settler Relocation
MAURITANIA
-- Situation Update
-- Necessity for Return to Constitutional Government
-- African Union Mission
-- U.S. Assistance
TURKEY/IRAQ
-- U.S. Policy on the PKK Taking Refuge in Iraq
COLOMBIA
-- U.S. View of Efforts to Demobilize Paramilitary Groups
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2005
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
12:50 p.m. EDT
MR. ERELI: Welcome, everyone. I don't have any announcements, so we can go straight to your questions of which there are, one.
QUESTION: Could I do -- actually, it's probably not the expected one -- Iraq. There seems to be a fair bit of political strife, political chaos on the road to the constitution. Can you talk about any U.S. concerns about, you know, the various things that have been happening this week, a deposed Baghdad mayor, I mean, lots of things happening. In Samallah there have been some issues and not to mention the sand storm. Any concerns about a delay in meeting the deadline on drafting a constitution and what the U.S. role is? What is, specifically Ambassador Khalilzad doing to try to avert a problem? MR. ERELI: The simple answer to your question is that the political process in Iraq is on track. The constitutional committee is hard at work drafting a constitution. It is -- it wants to meet the August 15th deadline. We're doing everything we can to support them, as are the other partners of Iraq, the UN and the international community. There was a -- yesterday a summit of Iraqi leaders to discuss issues related to the constitution. This is obviously an Iraqi process. The Iraqis are writing the constitution. It is a constitution for Iraqis. There are also, obviously, difficult tough questions to address: Issues of federalism, issues of rights, issues of resource sharing. These are all questions that the Iraqis are debating, discussing. I would say that it is our understanding that these discussions have been productive. They're moving forward.
We have always been -- we have always tried to be supportive of the Iraqi efforts and I would say that basically we assist them as -- in ways that they request, that they ask of us, as do Iraq's other partners that are committed to helping to stand up a democratic and sovereign Iraq.
QUESTION: What have they asked for? I mean, Ambassador Khalilzad's been fairly prominent in this process.
MR. ERELI: Well, we meet with -- Ambassador Khalilzad has been very dynamic and energetic in meeting with different stakeholders in the process, as they seek our views, our opinions on things. But not just ours, others as well -- the UN Special Representative is very involved. Other countries are being consulted on their ideas. I think the Iraqis are looking for input, looking for ideas, looking for -- and bouncing ideas off of others as they work to fashion something that is uniquely Iraqi and responsive to Iraq's very -- their unique history and their unique set of circumstances.
This is, in some ways, a consultative process where the Iraqis are consulting with a wide variety of partners. But important to stress, that the final product will be the result of Iraqi deliberations and will be -- and will reflect Iraqi priorities, Iraqi concerns, and Iraqi values.
QUESTION: And my last question on this is -- I know you said that the process is on track but there have been problems this week, you know. Well, not just this week -- in many weeks. But what concerns do you have that they may not meet the deadline because of what's happening right now?
MR. ERELI: We are -- we, the United States, the U.S. Government and the U.S. Embassy are partners in Iraq on the Constitutional Committee, in the Transitional National Assembly, within the government, in the UN. All of those involved in this process are working towards the goal of a draft by August 15th. And it's our hope and our goal to meet that date.
And obviously, there are events like a dust storm that delay meetings. You work around them. You do what you can within the constraints that you have to fulfill the task at hand. That task is a constitution by August 15th. I think everybody's putting their shoulder to the wheel to make that happen.
Yes.
QUESTION: Can we switch to Iran? I think some of your colleagues have responded to this already, but the Iranians did break the seals at the Isfahan plant, taking another step. Your response.
MR. ERELI: The IAEA has informed member states that Iran removed all the seals at its uranium conversion facility in Isfahan. We view this as yet another negative step taken by Iran in breach of the November 2004 Paris agreement. It shows that Iran is just isolating itself further, digging itself deeper into a hole. We are -- we continue to work closely with the EU-3 and other members of the IAEA Board of Governors. We want to send Iran a strong message that it is critically important to re-establish the suspension on uranium conversion activities and to cooperate fully with the IAEA in resolving all the unanswered questions about its nuclear program.
As you know, there was a formal meeting of the Board of Governors yesterday. Consultations continue among members of the Board today. There was no formal meeting of the Board of Governors today. We expect the Board to reconvene later in the week to discuss next steps, including a resolution on this issue.
QUESTION: Is it not urgent enough that they -- you would have preferred to Board to continue meeting today and --
MR. ERELI: What's important, I think, is to coordinate and reach a consensus, consultations, discussions with the different members, a very important part of that process and so that's, in our view, a productive use of everybody's time.
QUESTION: So what kind of responses are you getting? I know you're always hesitant to characterize those, but does it appear that the concern you said was shared by the international community yesterday is building into a consensus on a strong resolution?
MR. ERELI: That's what we're working toward. Obviously, we've seen a continued series of provocative actions: refusing the European proposal; rejecting the European proposal; starting conversion -- uranium conversion activity; breaking the seals. And this sends a pretty clear message to the international community that has been received that Iran is moving away from cooperation and is moving away from working with international institutions. And I think that that's a message that's being heard loud and clear by the members of the Board.
QUESTION: But my question was, is that enough to make the international community ready to support a strongly worded resolution?
MR. ERELI: That's what we're working toward. The process isn't over yet, so you're asking me to tell you how it's going to end.
QUESTION: No, I'm not asking you to tell me how it's going.
MR. ERELI: I think that what we're hearing among -- from members of the Board, I think, in what they've said in their public statements as well, is that Iran's actions are regrettable and they are a matter of concern and we are in discussions about what steps should be taken in response.
Yes.
QUESTION: The breaking of the seals was, according to you last week, the reason you would use to go to the Security Council and now you don't speak anymore about it.
MR. ERELI: Well, and we -- that's not exactly true. I think our position on the referral to the UN Security Council is well known, it hasn't changed and that's a matter of -- frankly, a matter of public record. What we're trying to do, frankly, is to give Iran a chance to do the right thing. The President said yesterday that the UN remains a potential consequence to what Iran is doing. And he also said, and I think this is an important point here, is that we're all knitted up on the same goal. What we want to see is action that prevents Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. That's what the EU-3 wants to see, that's what we want to see, that's what other members of the Board of Governors want to see and that's what our diplomacy is geared toward. And I guess that's the way I'd explain our approach to this.
QUESTION: And what kind of support do you get from the non-aligned movement?
MR. ERELI: I'd say we are working to achieve the broadest consensus possible and the strongest resolution possible.
QUESTION: What does it mean that you want to give Iran a chance to do the right thing? Haven't they had --
MR. ERELI: What we want to see is Iran re-establish suspension and take actions consistent with the Paris agreement. That is still --
QUESTION: But is there a pause? Is there a pause in your efforts to give them a chance to do the right thing? I just -- what's the reference.
MR. ERELI: No, this is what the diplomacy is geared toward -- getting Iran to resume its suspension, do the right thing, walk back from, as I said earlier, walk out of the hole they've dug themselves into and take steps that reassure a worried international community.
QUESTION: Do they have until the end of the year to re-establish their suspension?
MR. ERELI: I don't have a timeframe to share with you. I think that this is something that's probably under discussion in Vienna of looking at a timeframe within which to review Iranian actions.
QUESTION: So they're looking to put a deadline out there for --
MR. ERELI: I think it's not open ended.
Yes, sir.
QUESTION: On Cyprus, Mr. Ereli. Since you told us in the recent days many times that the Airport of Tymdou is legal, therefore do you consider the entire Turkish occupied area of Cyprus legal, too, or just only the airport area?
MR. ERELI: Yeah. Mr. Lambros, you won't be surprised to hear that our policy on Cyprus and on the status of that island has not changed. And you also may not be surprised to hear that our view on the legality of traveling to airports in the north of Cyprus hasn't changed either. So there's really nothing new I have to add to what we've already said on that subject.
QUESTION: Follow up. Why you are using the Turkish name Ercan and not the right Greek one Tymdou?
MR. ERELI: Got me.
QUESTION: Got you. A follow up? (Laughter.) If the airport of Tymdou and the occupation of Northern Cyprus is not illegal, then why did your government impose an arms embargo for three years, 1975-1978 on Turkey for its invasion and occupation of the Republic of Cyprus.
MR. ERELI: You know, I don't think they're related issues. Thank you.
Anything else? Yeah.
QUESTION: Can you talk a little bit about U.S. support for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, specifically USAID efforts to buy some of the settlers' assets in Gaza as a means of turning them over to the Palestinians?
MR. ERELI: I'm not aware of any such provisions. Obviously, we are working to support -- USAID is working to support the Palestinian Authority and projects that are aimed at improving interests, infrastructure, generating jobs and generating revenues and we've got some quick disbursing projects in that area. We also have, obviously, an assistance program to Israel, but as far as programs that are designed to support the settler relocation, I'm not aware of any.
QUESTION: One, I'm thinking specifically of negotiations to buy some of the settlers' assets, such as their greenhouses and then negotiating to turn them over to the Palestinian Authority.
MR. ERELI: Yeah. Those are, frankly, questions -- I think issues that are being talked about through Quartet Special Envoy Wolfensohn. I don't have an update or sort of a status report to provide for you on those.
QUESTION: Thank you.
MR. ERELI: You just came. Do you have a question?
QUESTION: (Laughter). Thank you.
MR. ERELI: Do you have --
QUESTION: Do you have anything, any update on your Mauritania stance from yesterday?
MR. ERELI: (Laughter.) I think our Mauritania stance remains very much today what it was yesterday. We condemn the events in Mauritania. We reject the overthrow of -- the way the government was overthrown. We want to see a return of constitutional government in Mauritania. I would note that we've suspended assistance to the Government of Mauritania with the exception of humanitarian aid.
QUESTION: As of when?
MR. ERELI: Since those -- as of the events taking place.
QUESTION: Okay.
MR. ERELI: The African Union, as I mentioned yesterday, has made clear the necessity for a return to constitutional government. We certainly share that view. Also, as we indicated yesterday, an African Union special mission is in Mauritania to endeavor to facilitate a return to constitutional government. We look forward to seeing their recommendations and findings.
QUESTION: You know they named a new civilian government today. Would you like to welcome them?
MR. ERELI: What I will tell you is that our reaction to events today is along the lines of what -- the way that we've reacted to events up till now, which is that what we want to see is actions taken that lead to and that support a return to constitutional rule.
QUESTION: They do that, you said you wanted to see actions leading up to that, is that --
MR. ERELI: I don't have a comment on that specific action. I don't know enough of the details of it. But I think what will be -- what is critical in all this is that the authorities in Mauritania express or demonstrate in an unequivocal way their commitment to a return of constitutional rule and lay out a good program for getting there. That's -- I think what we all want to see, that's what the AU is going to try to facilitate. And those are frankly the expectations in the international community that a recognition that transfers of power as they happen in Mauritania, you know, aren't acceptable in the world that we live in. And that when they happen we're all going to work together to ensure that the right thing is done. And the right thing is constitutional government reflective of and responsive to the will of the people.
QUESTION: Mauritania?
MR. ERELI: Yeah.
QUESTION: Can you be specific about the assistance that the U.S. has suspended?
MR. ERELI: I will endeavor to get for you what our specific assistance to Mauritania is and what's been suspended.
QUESTION: Can I have a follow up on that?
MR. ERELI: Yeah.
QUESTION: Have you laid out specific and clear ground rules or what you're looking to see for a resumption of U.S. aid --
MR. ERELI: No. I would put it this way, the ambassador has meet with the authorities in Mauritania. He has stated very clearly our views of the events that brought them to power and what we want to see as a future course of action. And secondly, the AU mission is there. We are supportive of that. They are, I think in a unique position to move this process forward, to help Mauritania and help them the Mauritanians have a government that is truly representative of them and follows internationally accepted norms and that's, frankly right now where the focus of diplomacy is.
Yes.
QUESTION: When we decided to suspend the aid, was that done in coordination with the AU, with other allies as a kind of an international effort to pressure them?
MR. ERELI: Overall, what we're doing is obviously in coordination with the AU and others. The decision to suspend aid is consistent with that approach but is a bilateral decision.
QUESTION: Okay. Was it taken immediately that the coup happened the same day or --
MR. ERELI: They -- in a timely way, after the events. I can't give you an hour-by-hour description.
QUESTION: Okay. And when did the coup leaders find out that aid had been suspended? Seeing as you only -- as far as we know, making it public today.
MR. ERELI: Yeah. I'll see when the decision was made and when they were informed.
QUESTION: Thanks.
QUESTION: Just, Adam, also you're aware that the African Union mission there has basically endorsed the military council saying they're reassured that democracy is on the way.
MR. ERELI: I'm not aware of that.
QUESTION: Okay. Well there is -- that statement's out there, so if we can get some reaction to that at some point.
MR. ERELI: I, you know -- I can't give you an immediate reaction to something I haven't seen and it's just been out there and, moreover, that is a press report -- not having seen the full statement. So I think it's important to (a) read what the AU actually said and (b) give it some thought before responding right away.
QUESTION: Okay.
MR. ERELI: Yeah.
QUESTION: Mr. Ereli, did you get the chance to read the story of Vanity Fair magazine and how do you respond to the allegation that Turkish spies penetrated to the Department of State?
MR. ERELI: No, nothing new to say on that. I didn't -- I haven't had a chance to read the full article and I'm not aware that there is any penetration as discussed in it.
QUESTION: But how do you respond to a Turkish report that question to Tulin Daloglu appeared yesterday in Washington Times, "Turkey refused to allow the U.S. to invade Iraq via its land. So why should U.S. troops take action against the PKK terrorists hiding in Iraq? They have done nothing against America and American troops."
MR. ERELI: You know, it's not my desire to get into a debate with -- back and forth with quotes from different journalists or different sources. What I will tell you is what U.S. policy is and U.S. policy -- we reiterated very clearly on Monday, following our trilateral meetings with the Turks and Iraqis on actions to prevent the PKK from launching attacks against Turkey from Iraq and that is part of a consistent and ongoing effort on our part to work with Turkey and to work with Iraq in pursuit of a shared interest in countering terror and providing for security for Turkey.
QUESTION: And also, according to your statement before yesterday regarding ethnic Kurds in southwestern Iran, "Several Kurds have been killed," but according to a highly reliable Kurdish source in New York City, this is not true, but only provocative riots have been taking place in the recent days in that area. I'm wondering where did you find this information about killing these Kurds by the Iranians in the recent days?
MR. ERELI: Yeah. We have actually some official response to that question. I'll get it for you after the briefing.
QUESTION: Thank you.
MR. ERELI: Yes.
QUESTION: Colombia. Does the U.S. Government support efforts by the government there to disband right wing paramilitary groups?
MR. ERELI: The United States supports the rule of law in Colombia, supports efforts by the government to promote peaceful political reconciliation and peaceful participation in the political process. And that's what we worked for in Colombia as well as other areas where there are groups using violence and extralegal means to pursue their objectives.
Yes.
QUESTION: Does the government want any U.S. money to be used to help the Colombian Government with this disarming process?
MR. ERELI: I'll have to check.
Yes, ma'am.
QUESTION: Former Brazilian President Sarney alleged that during the military dictatorships in Brazil, they were building an atom bomb. Do you have any word about that and whether it's --
MR. ERELI: It's news to me.
QUESTION: That was in Washington Post yesterday.
MR. ERELI: The suggestion or the possibility that they were doing that is news to me.
QUESTION: Thank you.
MR. ERELI: Thank you.
(The briefing was concluded at 1:15 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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