State Department Briefing, September 28
28 September 2005
Zoellick travels to Guatemala/Nicaragua/Brazil, public diplomacy, Bolton/UN reform, Israel/Palestinians, Iran, Sudan, Uzbekistan, Turkey
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack briefed the press September 28.
Following is the transcript of the State Department briefing:
(begin transcript)
U.S. Department of State
Daily Press Briefing Index
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
12:39 p.m. EDT
Briefer: Sean McCormack, Spokesman
DEPARTMENT
-- Deputy Secretary Zoellick Travel to Guatemala, Nicaragua & Brazil
-- Public Diplomacy Efforts/Starting a Dialogue
-- Testimony by Ambassador Bolton on U.N. Reform
ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS
-- U.S. Position on Situation in Gaza/Responsibilities
-- U.S. Discussions with Both Parties/Phone Calls by Secretary Rice
IRAN
-- Isolation from International Community
-- Opportunity to Return to Negotiations
-- Clear Message from International Community
-- IAEA Report to UN Security Council/EU-3 Proposal
SUDAN
-- Testimony by Deputy Secretary Zoellick on Darfur
UZBEKISTAN
-- Assistant Secretary Fried's Meetings & Discussions
-- U.S. Agreement & Obligations Regarding K-2 Base
-- U.S. Call for International Investigation on Andijan
-- U.S. Aid to Uzbekistan
TURKEY
-- U.S. Support of Democratic Process
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2005
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
12:39 p.m. EDT
MR. MCCORMACK: Good afternoon. I have a brief opening statement, then we'll go into questions.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick will travel to Guatemala, Nicaragua and Brazil over October 3rd through the 7th to discuss bilateral relations, as well as hemispheric priorities of strengthening and expanding democracy, fighting corruption and promoting greater economic growth and prosperity. We'll put this out in paper form after the briefing. We also have in the paper version of this or the electronic version of this some quotes from the Deputy Secretary that you can use in describing what he hopes to achieve during his trip.
QUESTION: Could we encourage him to do a little session before he goes, if he can? Squeeze it in, if he could?
MR. MCCORMACK: We'll take that into consideration, Barry.
Do you have any questions?
QUESTION: Yeah. Let me try Gaza. We've been through this a couple of times, but Israel is getting even a little more aggressive or a little more active, I should say, in Gaza and talking about going even after towns in Gaza. Do you have any new reflections or redundant reflections, if you will, on Israel's actions in Gaza?
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, I like to use the term "reiterate," Barry --
QUESTION: Okay.
MR. MCCORMACK: -- instead of "redundant."
QUESTION: Yeah.
MR. MCCORMACK: But let me reiterate: The U.S. continues to be in close communication with both sides and regional leaders to urge calm and request that they refrain from any steps that might exacerbate the situation. We welcome recent statements by Prime Minister Abbas urging calm and taking actions to reduce any violence that may exist in Gaza. We urge the Palestinians to take steps to bring those responsible for any such attacks as these to justice and to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism. We have always maintained that Israel has a right to defend itself, but we have urged the Israeli Government to be mindful of the consequences of its actions on what all share as the ultimate goal, moving down the road towards two states, living side by side in peace and security.
QUESTION: Has, as far as the statement (inaudible) Israel crossed that line already with things it has done, particularly today, firing missiles at several Gaza targets, knocking out power in Gaza City?
MR. MCCORMACK: Right. Again, what is important here is that the two sides work together to build on what we believe was a successful withdrawal in Gaza. Both sides have responsibilities. We have talked to both sides about the responsibilities that they have. On the Palestinian side, that responsibility is to act to stop any terrorism, to act to dismantle terrorist networks. On the Israeli side, you're familiar with our message to them, and that is that they take steps to ease the daily plight of the Palestinian people as well as to, again, take into account the effect of their actions upon what all share as the ultimate goal of bringing peace and stability to the region.
Yes. Anything else? Saul.
QUESTION: Can we change the subject?
MR. MCCORMACK: Yes.
QUESTION: What's your reaction to the protests in Iran around the British Embassy? This is a reaction to the IAEA vote, I presume, were there to be a U.S. embassy, they would be protesting there.
MR. MCCORMACK: Right. Well, I'll leave it to those on the ground to describe the protests there and who might be organizing those protests.
The position where Iran finds itself right now, I think, is one that is probably a surprise to them after the IAEA Board of Governors vote. And where they find themselves is more isolated from the international community than when they started. And I think you can really trace back the point at which they started to further isolate themselves in the most recent sense to the Iranian President's speech before the General Assembly and their failure to yield any ground whatsoever in the run-up to the Board of Governors' vote.
The EU-3 as well as other members of the Board of Governors urged the Iranians to return to the negotiating table, to cooperate with the IAEA, to answer those outstanding questions that the international community has regarding Iran's nuclear programs and what we say is their pursuit of nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program.
So what we have now is a statement of finding of noncompliance of Iran with their international obligations. Iran now has an opportunity. They have an opportunity in the coming days, weeks and months to return to the negotiations with the EU-3, engage in those negotiations in a constructive manner and also to cooperate with the IAEA. There will be a report from the IAEA to the Security Council and what is in that report, describing Iran's actions and the state of the cooperation with the international community will be up to Iran. We'll see if they decide to cooperate. We'll see if they decide to return to negotiations.
But what the Iranian Government heard was a very clear message from the international community and that message was that the international community does not want Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. That would be a destabilizing action and they also made it very clear they don't think that Iran should have -- because of its past behavior, access to sensitive nuclear fuel cycles. So we'll see. We'll see what the coming days and weeks brings, but it really is up to Iran in terms of their actions and what they do and what is contained in that report to the Security Council.
Yes.
QUESTION: You are not afraid that Iran could radicalize its position and leave or stop cooperating with the IAEA altogether?
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, what we've seen is that the defiant Iranian attitudes towards the international community has gotten to the point where they find themselves now, and that is further isolated than when they began. They were in negotiations with the EU-3. The EU-3 was engaged in those negotiations in good faith, trying to resolve the issue. And that issue concerns Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons, so we'll see what Iran -- what actions Iran does and what attitude that they have.
But I think that what the international community has seen through this speech at the United Nations, as well as in its subsequent actions, is really the true face of this new government and so we'll see. We'll see what Iran does in the coming days and weeks. We urge them to return to the negotiating table and to negotiate with the IAEA and to cooperate with the IAEA.
QUESTION: The situation here is that being cornered may contribute to a situation where they strike out even more radically than they would have otherwise. For instance, they're threatening to proceed with enrichment of uranium. And yesterday a former top State Department official has said that there's some belief within the administration they've actually begun that, buying technology around the world. Aren't you concerned that if cornered, Iran might be even more dangerous? I don't want to draw parallels, you know, too soon, but you know, you've begun to speak soothingly to North Korea and stopped beating on their heads and -- I mean, the State Department -- and maybe it paid dividends, maybe it didn't. I think the suggestion or the question -- (inaudible) the same thought, is isn't there some concern here that Iran is being cornered and isolated? Doesn't that have a bad -- couldn't that have bad results?
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, any isolation that the Iranians may or may not feel is a result of their actions. I think the lesson that the international community is drawing from the Iran experience, as well as the six-party experience, is that if they act in concert through multilateral diplomacy and if they stay together and act on principle, then you can -- you get results.
With the six-party talks, we have a Statement of Principles now. We have said that this is a step forward. There's a lot of hard work left to do, but again, a positive a step forward.
With respect to the IAEA Board of Governors vote, what you have is an increasingly unified international front sending the same message to Iran. And we'll see if, again, what Iran does in the coming weeks and months. They have threatened to resume enrichment. They haven't, as far as we know, they have not resumed enrichment.
QUESTION: Have they taken steps towards that?
MR. MCCORMACK: Again, Barry, I can't, you know, I can't parse this out for you. As far as we know, they have not actually resumed enrichment. If we do come to that pass, we will deal with the facts as they are before us. But as we've seen statements coming out of Tehran, it's actions that really matter and we'll, like I said, we'll see what the future brings us.
Yes.
QUESTION: Are you encouraged by the statements you've heard out of Iran since the Board of Governors vote on Saturday?
MR. MCCORMACK: Again, you know, I think you've seen a variety of different statements coming out of Iran. What matters is their actions, whether or not they return -- again, return to the negotiations with the EU-3. The EU-3 has put together a very attractive proposal for Iran to consider. And in fact, there were signs prior to this new government coming into office that there were serious discussions regarding that proposal. We've seen a change in direction since this new government has come into office and we'll see what they do and see what they -- how they react. And we'll see how they -- what sort of cooperation they have with the IAEA. It's time for them to cooperate. There's a long list of questions that are before them. They need to start answering them.
QUESTION: We've heard it said that the nuclear program in Iran has become a source of national pride and that this might be contributing to the increasing bellicosity on the part of the new regime or the increasing intransigence in the negotiations. Has the United States Government been able to perceive that this is, in fact, a source of national pride in Iran?
MR. MCCORMACK: Again, you know, I don't have an analysis of the Iranian electorate in terms of whether or not they support pursuit of a nuclear weapon vice a peaceful nuclear program. You know, that I don't -- I don't have that sort of analysis for you.
But I think what the world said that it is concerned about is that Iran should not obtain a nuclear weapon and that they not have access, because of their past behaviors, to those sensitive nuclear fuel cycle technologies and know-how that might lead to development of a weapon. So that's where the discussion is right now and we'll see what the Iranians do.
QUESTION: I ask only in the sense that popular sentiment in a foreign country can contribute to the calculus of U.S. policymakers.
MR. MCCORMACK: No, I understand. I understand, James. Again, you know, I don't know that there has been or there is a reliable measure of exactly what the Iranian populace views concerning, you know, peaceful nuclear research vice -- versus pursuit of a nuclear weapon.
QUESTION: Or just support for Ahmadi-Nejad.
MR. MCCORMACK: Again -- well, I mean, he was elected President. But you know, again, we stated our concerns about the election and how it unfolded.
QUESTION: Is it true, though, that, you know, if you go as far back as the Shah of Iran that they were pursuing this program? So it clearly does have the support of almost the whole spectrum of the popular --
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, you have to be --
QUESTION: Doesn't that concern you? I mean, it implicates Pakistan.
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, look, you have to be clear about what program are you talking about. Are you talking about pursuit of nuclear weapons? Well, that is being done in a covert manner and I'm not sure that there's been any free and open debate about that within Iranian society.
Yes.
QUESTION: Sean, in separate testimony today, both Deputy Secretary Zoellick, who's testifying about Darfur, I guess revisited for the tenth or twelfth time, and also Ambassador -- U.S. Ambassador Bolton is testifying at Congress today, and he's been asked about UN reform. What exactly is your roadmap? Where's it going to help to contribute to a smoother running of the UN, if it gets that far? And also, there's problems again in Darfur this morning. The violence is interfering with the food distribution and even the UN says it may pull out its volunteers.
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, on Darfur, you've just heard from Deputy Zoellick up on the Hill. I think he outlined very clearly what we're doing with respect to the security situation, distribution of humanitarian aid and the political process. It's really the political process that is going to form the basis of resolution for all these problems. The humanitarian aid and the security that's remediation, but it's important and we're focused on it. But again, the ultimate solution is through the political process which we are working with all the parties, especially through the Abuja talks to energize and to move it forward.
In terms of UN reform, Ambassador Bolton, again you've heard from him this morning, he's testifying on the Hill. Our program is very, very clear. You have an outcome document that was agreed upon at the recent High Level Event up in New York. What you need now is to implement those principles. You need to put some flesh on the bones of what was agreed to up in New York, concerning the Human Rights Council, regard to the Secretariat management reform, as well as other issues and so that's where our efforts are now.
Saul.
QUESTION: Does the Bush Administration want to change the system of how countries should pay dues? Do you want it to be on a voluntary basis now?
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, I think Ambassador Bolton addressed this issue in his testimony up on the Hill. I don't really have anything to add to what he said.
Yes.
QUESTION: Can we go back to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict?
MR. MCCORMACK: Going back to what?
QUESTION: The Palestinian-Israeli.
MR. MCCORMACK: Sure.
QUESTION: Did you make it clear to the Israelis that what they are taking may be a bit too excessive and how have they responded?
MR. MCCORMACK: Again, we've been in touch with both sides concerning the recent actions surrounding Gaza. We have underlined to both sides their responsibilities and we have emphasized to the Israeli Government that in taking whatever actions that they take to defend themselves, that they consider the effect of those actions upon the -- the moving towards the goals that we know all parties share.
QUESTION: Did they give you an indication that they might be standing down or will stand down or --
MR. MCCORMACK: Again, I think those are questions best addressed to the Israeli Government.
Yes.
QUESTION: Sean, what was the level the discussion? Was the Secretary involved in these contacts or the Embassy --
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, you have contacts at a variety of different levels, both here in Washington as well as on the ground in the region.
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
MR. MCCORMACK: Excuse me?
QUESTION: Was the Israeli Ambassador --
MR. MCCORMACK: Ambassador Ayalon?
QUESTION: No, the -- Israel's Ambassador to Washington. Was he invited in to hear this message here at State?
MR. MCCORMACK: Not in a meeting with the Secretary, as for other -- you know, whether or not he met with others in the Department, I don't have that information for you, Barry.
QUESTION: So while there were communications at the different levels, as you say, was the Secretary involved in any?
MR. MCCORMACK: Over the weekend she did have some phone calls.
QUESTION: She did?
MR. MCCORMACK: To the Palestinians as well as to the Israelis.
Yes.
QUESTION: Sean, can we revisit Assistant Secretary Fried's meetings in Uzbekistan yesterday?
MR. MCCORMACK: Sure.
QUESTION: Obviously, there's some serious problems in the relationship. I wonder if he was able to make any headway as far as you can tell?
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, he did have -- he did have, today he's in Kyrgyzstan, the Kyrgyz Republic. He was yesterday in Uzbekistan. He had a three-hour meeting with President Karimov in Tashkent. I think that reports back from Assistant Secretary Fried's trip was that the discussion was intense, serious, as well as open. Assistant Secretary Fried stressed our hope that the U.S. and Uzbekistan can still work together to improve relations on all elements of a broad agenda. That's including democracy, human rights, political reform as well as security cooperation based on our joint declaration of 2002. I think the message we heard back from Uzbekistan was that it was important to continue a dialogue and we will, again, be open to discussions with Uzbekistan. But Assistant Secretary Fried also underscored the fact that we view our strategic interests as well as our interests in promoting democracy and human rights in the region as one and the same in the case of Uzbekistan.
QUESTION: There was a -- when it was said that Mr. Fried was going to discuss the base, there was an implication that maybe he was making some kind of a last pitch for the United States to stay there. And I'm just wondering --
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, the purpose of his visit was not to discuss the so-called K-2 base. It came up, I believe, briefly in their conversations and Assistant Secretary Fried reiterated the fact that we understood the Uzbek Government position and that we would comply with our agreement and obligations. And that would be to --
Yes.
QUESTION: The idea of an international inquiry into Andijan, is that still part of the --
MR. MCCORMACK: It is, again -- Mr. Fried also underscored that we continue to call for an international investigation as what happened around Andijan and we continue to have those conversations with the OSCE and NATO in urging Uzbekistan to allow that international inquiry to move forward.
QUESTION: One more. There's been no change in the issue of the, essentially, impounded U.S. aid for Uzbekistan?
MR. MCCORMACK: Excuse me?
QUESTION: We have withheld some aid from Uzbekistan, I believe.
MR. MCCORMACK: There's no change in that.
QUESTION: Okay. Okay.
MR. MCCORMACK: Yes.
QUESTION: Mr. McCormack. The Greek Minister of Development, Mr. Demetris Sioufas, is at the State Department today for various meetings. Do you have anything on that?
MR. MCCORMACK: I don't have anything for you.
QUESTION: And also, when are you planning to release the Annual Religious Freedom Report?
MR. MCCORMACK: We'll keep you to up to date on that -- up to date. Yeah, I don't have a date for you at this point.
Yes.
QUESTION: Sean, there are two aspects I would term "social concerns" -- one in Afghanistan. An article in The Boston Globe, which they're saying that with the U.S. trying to bring down the amounts of poppy and drug dealings there -- poppy crops -- that farmers are in debt and are selling off their daughters.
And also on Saudi Arabia, Ambassador -- Under Secretary Karen Hughes has brought up the fact that Saudi women aren't permitted to drive automobiles. Now, should we be voicing those social concerns at a government level? Or is this more of a just a generic level that should be voiced to various citizens' groups? She was addressing those comments in --
MR. MCCORMACK: Right. Well, it's certainly an important part of -- you know, our public diplomacy efforts is contact not only be government to government but, you know, among civil society groups as well as the government talking to civil society groups. The Secretary has done that on her trips to the region. Most recently, I can remember she spoke to civil society NGO representatives while she was in Egypt. Under Secretary Hughes is doing the same on her trip. We believe that's an important element of our public diplomacy efforts.
QUESTION: But that seems to be drawing fire in that a lot of people and comments saying that's out of place.
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, part of our efforts at public diplomacy is to start a dialogue with the rest of the world. Part of that is listening, being respectful of people when they air their point of view and we ask the same of others as well. So we hope that in this process that we can open minds on both sides of this dialogue so that we encourage greater understanding of one another while we are able to maintain our principle and our policies in explaining those to foreign publics.
QUESTION: Yesterday, Washington Times wrote a very unusual article against the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan, calling him an Islamic fascist terrorist favoring always the military establishment. It was a big article, three columns. I'm wondering do you support the democratic process in Turkey (inaudible)?
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, you know, any comments you may have for The Washington Times and what they print in their newspaper, I would address them to The Washington Times. Certainly, Turkey is a good friend, a strong ally and we're fully supportive of Turkey and its democratic process.
Okay. Thank you.
(The briefing was concluded at 1:03 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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