U.S.DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
(New York, New York)
September 14, 2000
REMARKS BY SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT AT PRESS
AVAILABILITY
September 14, 2000
New York, New York
Q: Madame Secretary, there are reports coming out of Baghdad and
Moscow today that the Russian and Iraqi Government have reached an
agreement to resume Russian air -- civilian passenger air flights
between Moscow and Russia (sic), possibly as early as October. And,
also, the French Government has recently said that it will not stand
in the way of humanitarian flights by French citizens to Baghdad.
Is this the beginning of an effort to try and chip away at the
sanctions? What is the American view on these decisions, and would the
US use air power to shoot down Russian civilian airplanes that are
flying into Baghdad in violation of the sanctions?
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: I remember you from before.
(Laughter.)
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Let me say this. First of all, I think that what
is very clear is that Resolution 1284 must be abided by. It was
negotiated long and hard in the Security Council, and there is no
question that it has the support. And if you go back in some
statements that Foreign Minister Vedrine has made, he has made clear
that he made clear also to Tariq Aziz that 1284 had to be carried out.
As I have said before, 1284 is the road map for Saddam Hussein to get
out of the box, the sanctions box, if that's what he wants. We
disagree with those who wish to fly into Iraq, and I will make that
clear when I see Foreign Minister Ivanov in a little while. And I
don't think it's a good idea.
I think it's very hard these days to kind of figure out what
"humanitarian" means. As I have said to you before, those people that
are concerned about the poor Iraqis and their lack of ability to have
food and medicine, they are now pumping between $16 and $20 billion
worth of oil this year, and I have just learned -- authoritatively --
that they import 12,000 cases per month of scotch whiskey. Now, at 12
bottles to a case, I'm not sure whether that's food or medicine.
But I think that these comments all the time about how the people are
starving, there is plenty of money for Saddam Hussein to provide for
his people. And I think those people -- well-intentioned though they
may be -- who think that the Iraqi people are suffering because of
United Nations sanctions need to know facts like that and need to know
that there are new palaces and need to know that the elite is living
well -- very well.
So we are abiding by 1284. We expect others to do so also.
...
Q: Madame Secretary, how do you interpret the Iraqi accusations that
Kuwait is stealing its oil, which are reminiscent of what happened in
1990, and also the over-flights of Saudi territory? Do you see a new,
provocative stance by Iraq in this?
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Well, first of all, after almost 10 years of
dealing with this issue, I genuinely have trouble believing one word
out of the mouth of any Iraqi (official), for one. Second, I do think
that there is some question that people have is whether these
over-flights have not been carefully orchestrated in order to create a
confrontational atmosphere during the Millennium Summit and during the
General Assembly. And we have made quite clear any number of times
that our red lines -- which are that if there are attacks or
provocations against the Kurds in the north, if there are threats
against the neighbors and against our forces or a reconstitution of
the weapons of mass destruction -- that we do have a credible force in
the region and are prepared to use it in an appropriate way and a
place of our choosing.
But the bottom line here -- it's very simple -- the rules are laid
out: 1284 is the clearest road map there is. And the way to proceed is
not to threaten anybody or to make up stories, but to -- as I have
said before -- pick up the key. And the key is Dr. Blix and UNMOVIC,
and that is the way for sanctions suspension.
...
Q: I don't know how long we'll see you here in this capacity and this
role, Madame Secretary, I'm glad you remember The Washington Post
correspondent. You've been -- for seven years, you've made a lot of
speeches and statements regarding Iraq, brooches, the whole approach.
I wonder your sense that it appears President Saddam Hussein will be
in office while you may not be, or the Clinton Administration -- one
never knows -- in three months. And also since you were instrumental
in the changeover in secretaries general from Boutrous Boutrous-Ghali
to Kofi Annan, do you think he deserves a term -- a second term?
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: First of all, let me say that I think that the
issue of Saddam Hussein is obviously one of the more troubling ones
that the international community has dealt with. He is a -- we didn't
invent Saddam Hussein. Saddam Hussein crossed an international
boundary, invaded another country, raped and pillaged, and helped to
destroy the way that country operated. He took back prisoners of war.
He took back loot of various kinds. He lied about the fact that he had
weapons of mass destruction. He proceeded to work on reconstituting
them. He prevented United Nations inspectors from going in. He has
systematically tried to undermine the people in the south and the
people in the north. He has refused to abide by the will of the
international community. He is in a box. And I believe that what we
have accomplished in the time is that we have kept him contained. And
I think that it is important to do so.
Later this afternoon I am meeting with representatives of the Iraqi
National Congress. There are people that are Iraqis that know the
truth about what is going on. And whether I am in this office or on
the outside or wherever, this is not an issue that is based on my
tenure. It is one that is American policy, and we have worked very
hard on it.
As far as terms for the Secretary General, I would like to say that I
believe that Kofi Annan has done a magnificent job and I am very proud
of the fact that he did become Secretary General at a time that I was
here. He is a pleasure to work with. I think the innovativeness of
some of the reports that he has given and his most recent setting up
of the Brahimi system and all the work that has come from that, I
think he's an excellent Secretary General.
But, fortunately, I don't have to worry about those things. So thank
you very much.
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