13 March 2000
Transcript: Defense Secretary Cohen Hong Kong Press Briefing
(Military contacts with Vietnam part of overall relationship) (2270) It makes sense for the United States and Vietnam to have a military-to-military relationship, according to Secretary of Defense William Cohen, "provided it's in the context of an overall diplomatic, trade and economic relationship, so that's all part of one package." Cohen, briefing reporters in Hong Kong March 11, emphasized that the United States contributes to stability in the region. "And when there is stability, there's a prospect for prosperity, and that in turn reinforces democratic values and opportunities." Hanoi, stressed Cohen, to the extent that it wants "to interact with countries outside of itself," will only see military-to-military ties with the United States as the overall relationship between the two countries "unfolds." On Beijing's recent threat to use force against Taiwan if the latter doesn't seem to be negotiating seriously about reunification, Cohen stressed the "absolute" need to resolve the issue peacefully. "I think the overall concern was that if it got out of hand and there was some miscalculation, it would be a very negative consequence flowing from it should there be any military action," Cohen told reporters travelling with him on his Asian trip. "That wouldn't be in China's interest, would not be in Taiwan's interest, wouldn't be in anyone's interest," he said. "So, I think they're all concerned that the rhetoric has gotten a bit too heated and they need to back away from it." Following is a transcript of the briefing: (begin transcript) SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM COHEN BRIEFING FOR THE TRAVELING PRESS MARCH 11, 2000 HONG KONG TRANSCRIPT SECRETARY COHEN: Okay, basically a series of meetings this morning with the Chief Executive, also with AmCham representatives and also with Anson Chan, and basically we talked about the transition, the successful transition that has been achieved between Hong Kong and China, that there were serious apprehensions at the time of the transition when it started, but I think everyone seems reasonably satisfied it has unfolded in a way that they had expected, that they are pleased with it, that for the most part China has treated Hong Kong in a way that gives virtually the same autonomy that existed before. And so there was great satisfaction on the part of those that we talked with today in terms of the economy coming back, the level of cooperation between the United States, the ship visits that have been re-instituted, that that's very important certainly to Hong Kong. It's also important to us in the military. That's one of the great port visits that the Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen and others look forward to. But overall a very positive message that we had. Q. Did the American business community here express concern to you over the tension between the U.S. and China in the Taiwan situation? SECRETARY COHEN: Well, the second issue we discussed, and that was, everyone agreed that the absolute need to resolve the situation between Taiwan and China peacefully. There was no disagreement on that on the part of any of the people that I talked with today. As far as AmCham is concerned, they would like to see what I have been advocating, which has been characterized in the local press as calling for the reduction in rhetoric and reduction in tensions, and getting back to negotiating once the elections are over. So, everyone favored that position, and did not want to see this get out of control with the rhetoric getting hotter and leading possibly to miscalculation. Q. Sir, any concern that if the tension continues to build, that it could have a backlash here in Hong Kong in terms of the way it might affect the U.S., the investment climate? SECRETARY COHEN: I think the overall concern was that if it got out of hand and there was some miscalculation, it would be a very negative consequence flowing from it should there be any military action. That wouldn't be in China's interest, would not be in Taiwan's interest, wouldn't be in anyone's interest. So, I think they're all concerned that the rhetoric has gotten a bit too heated and they need to back away from it. Q. Was your trip scheduled purposely to come here just before the Taiwanese election? SECRETARY COHEN: No. I had scheduled it twice before, and they reminded me I had to cancel twice before, but this was the earliest time that I could re-schedule it given everything else that's on the schedule, so it had nothing to do with the Taiwan elections. Q. Can I ask you a question about Vietnam? I know you have addressed this already a couple of times since you left Washington, but since this is the last time we'll see you before you actually go, I'd like to ask you to explain ... why is it in the interest of the United States to have a military relationship with Vietnam beyond the obvious recovery of remains question, and why is it in Vietnam's interest? SECRETARY COHEN: Well, it's the same question that could be asked, why do we have a relationship with most of the ASEAN countries? Because we contribute to stability in the region, and when there is stability, there's a prospect for prosperity, and that in turn reinforces democratic values and opportunities. So, to the extent that now that Vietnam wants to interact with countries outside of itself, that it has become part of ASEAN, that's part of the ASEAN regional forum, then it would make sense for us to have a military-to-military relationship, provided it's in the context of an overall diplomatic, trade and economic relationship, so that's all part of one package. And that's what I will stress to them, that this is not military-to-military, it's not outside the overall relationship that will unfold between the United States and Vietnam. But to the extent that we can contribute to peace and stability in the region, then it's in our interest, and it's certainly in theirs. Q. Can you see a growing interest on their part to expand the relationship? SECRETARY COHEN: I don't know. The fact that I'm coming. The fact that this trip is on, I think, is significant. Again, there's a strong symbol involved, and I don't expect to, I don't want to raise unrealistic expectations out of this particular meeting. I think it is going to take some time, I think they are going to proceed very cautiously. I agree that we should proceed in that fashion. We should take it step by step. We should look at areas that we could cooperate on a military-to-military basis such as the de-mining issue that I mentioned, such as medical issues that they have some experience in dealing with, military type of medical issues, various exotic types of diseases they may have to treat in their environment. And also, just find ways in which we can just proceed in this fashion of civil engineering, flood control, those kinds of things step by step, and then we see how the situation unfolds and then you combine that with, are they going to sign and ratify the trade agreement? Will they have greater contacts at the diplomatic level? All of that will be important to see how the relationship unfolds. Q. The Vietnamese have been saying that President Clinton has expressed an interest in visiting perhaps later this year, December, is that something you may raise with them or they may raise with you? SECRETARY COHEN: I don't know that to be the case. I have not had that discussion with the President. Q. Is this an awkward moment to be visiting Vietnam, given the fact that they're in the midst of preparations for celebrations of what was a major defeat for the United States? SECRETARY COHEN: Well, I think both nations were scarred by the conflict and the war. There's no perfect time for this, this was, a couple of visits had been postponed in the past, they wanted to proceed with Secretary Albright at the diplomatic level before my visit, and that was fine with me. So I don't think there's any specific time frame to give this any greater symbolism than it would have had a year ago. Q. You don't feel at all uncomfortable being there at the time when they are celebrating the end of the war? SECRETARY COHEN: As I said, I think both nations were scarred by this. They have their own scars from this, from the war, and I think that we certainly have ours. But in terms of the timing of it, I think the fact that I have been invited and I have accepted, I think that's a positive sign. Q. Have they given indications so far of interest in these projects like flood control, de-mining, etc.? SECRETARY COHEN: These are the issues that I would propose to them, and we'll see what their reaction is. I think they are going to be very cautious on this. Again, we are going to have to try to have some mutual confidence-building measures, we'll have to have great transparency so that no one can misconstrue exactly or miscalculate what this relationship entails. And I think that's the way it should proceed. Q. Sir, at every opportunity the Vietnamese bring up about the problems with Agent Orange. Do you expect to propose joint research or aid for people? The country has just offered aid to people who have problems with Agent Orange. It amounts to like $4 a month or something. SECRETARY COHEN: Well, it's something we could explore in terms of research into the subject, but I'll have to take that up at the time when we sit down to discuss it. Q. How are you going to discuss the war with the Vietnamese? Is there going to be any sense of an apology? SECRETARY COHEN: No. Q: Or a sense that we're moving forward? SECRETARY COHEN: Moving forward. Q. How are you actually going to deal with that issue? SECRETARY COHEN: I'm going to discuss areas that we can cooperate in the future. I'm not going to go back and review the past. We will go out, once again, I will point out that we place at the very highest priority recovery of the remains of the missing in action. That's the purpose of my going out to one of the sites -- to symbolize to all concerned that this search is not going to be discontinued, and that we place the highest priority upon that. I also know that we have the support, and Griffiths has written me saying how important this is to the families, and that's something that we will convey, but I don't intend to go into any apologies, certainly, for the war itself. Q. Are you anticipating that there is going to be any turnover of remains or any new information provided that ...received... SECRETARY COHEN: I don't have any expectations in this. I think what we will show is the degree of difficulty involved, the kind of painstaking measures that we are going through, the level of cooperation on the part of the Vietnamese and again, recognizing what an importance we place upon this. Q. If I could take you a little further off message, there have been some indications that the North Korean military is looking a bit stronger these days than it has and than some people expected, and some, as you know, are inferring from this that the American aid, that Allied aid, may be going directly to the military. Is there anything more the U.S. should do to try to put limits on the use of that aid? SECRETARY COHEN: I'm not sure of the mechanics of how one can accomplish that. I think that even restricting it, food as such, to only civilians to the extent that that restriction is imposed, then whatever they are able to acquire elsewhere or grow on their own can go to feed their military, so, I'm not sure about what more we can do in terms of restricting the flow. That's the intent of providing the food, was to restrict it to civilians, but I'm sure to the extent that that is the case today, then whatever other sources they have for food will go to their military. They are not going to allow their military to go without, that's clear, but I'm not sure what additional mechanisms we could put in place than we already have. Q. There have been some reports suggesting that the Secret Service is concerned about the security of President Clinton during his visit to Pakistan. And some suggestion that perhaps there might be a threat from Osama Bin Laden. Are you aware of any information that would indicate a possible threat from Osama Bin Laden? SECRETARY COHEN: Well, I can't comment on threats to the President. I know that the Secret Service analyzes all situations. Wherever they feel that it is important to cancel or alter a presidential trip, they do so, but that's something up to the Secret Service. Q. Is the U.S. military providing any additional security on the ground for the President's visit? SECRETARY COHEN: We provide transportation logistics support. Q. Are there any U.S. Special Forces involved in that? SECRETARY COHEN: I'm not aware of that, Jaime. Q. Okay, thank you. (end transcript) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State)
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