01 May 2003
Powell Meets with Spanish Foreign Minister Palacio
(Says Spain was right in supporting coalition in Iraq) (5090) Spain was on "the right side of history" when it decided to support the coalition that liberated Iraq and will continue to be as it joins the many other countries coming together "not to fight any longer, but to heal, to rebuild a nation, to help people who are in need," Secretary of State Colin Powell said during a press availability with Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio in Madrid May 1. Spain has made "a generous contribution to the work that is ahead of us to put in place a democratic form of government in Iraq," he said, adding that the United States greatly respects the "very valuable leadership role" that Spain is playing in dealing with the challenges facing the international community. What has transpired in Iraq over the last several weeks "makes it absolutely clear" that Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar was right in supporting the coalition, Powell said. "We have removed a dictator, and with each passing day we can see what that dictatorship had done to the Iraqi people and to the infrastructure of the Iraqi nation," he said. The rule of Saddam Hussein was "a terrible regime. This was a regime that was deserving of the justice that has been meted out to it." The fall of Saddam, said Powell, "fundamentally changes the situation in the region for the better." Palacio said her discussions with Powell covered the future of Iraq, U.S.-Spanish relations, the Middle East peace process, NATO and European defense issues, and democratization in countries such as Equitorial Guinea. Powell will also visit Albania, Syria and Lebanon on this trip. He said he hopes to have a "full and candid" conversation with Syrian President Bashar Assad and Foreign Minister Farouk Shara in Damascus. The new government being formed in Iraq and the new cabinet of the Palestinian Authority under Prime Minister Abu Mazen represent "a new strategic dynamic" in the region that Syrian authorities should consider, Powell said. "And I will encourage them to review these changes, and take a look at some of their past policies, and see whether those policies seem to be relevant in light of a new changed situation." While he expects to speak candidly about recent disagreements with respect to movement across the Syrian-Iraqi border, "I am not looking for a specific result," Powell noted. In his remarks, Powell stressed the importance of taking advantage of political changes in the region to reinvigorate the Middle East peace process. "This is the time to redouble our efforts," he said. "We must move forward. And the appointment of Mr. Abu Mazen, and with Mr. Sharon with his new government in place, and with the issuance of the roadmap, we have the tools we need to get started and we now have the international political will to get started." Asked to comment on the new European defense proposal offered by France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, Powell said he would let the European Union judge its merits. "Anything which enhances capability, I am for. And anything which looks like it takes us down a different track, or does not seem to be enhancing capability or furthering the work of NATO and ESDP [European Security and Defense Policy], I think should be examined very carefully, and I know that's what my European colleagues will be doing. But this is a matter for the European Union to decide." Following is a transcript of the press conference in Madrid: (begin transcript) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman (Madrid, Spain) May 1, 2003 PRESS AVAILABILITY SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN L. POWELL AND SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER ANA PALACIO May 1, 2003 Madrid, Spain (4:15 p.m. Local Time) FOREIGN MINISTER PALACIO (as translated): This trip is of tremendous importance to all of us he's starting this trip with this stop in Spain. Very briefly, I wanted to tell you that as our relationship is very close -- we talk on the phone very often, at length, about all those things that come up everyday -- and therefore today's meeting has been complementary in kind in the sense of supplementing those telephone talks that we hold very often. Because, after all, there are nuances which one needs to be seeing the other person's eyes to communicate. What have we been talking about? I think you know what the agenda is without me telling you. Firstly, we spoke about bilateral relations between Spain and the United States. We have also talked about the cultural phenomenon -- about the only cultural border in the world today -- that is, the Latinos, the Hispanic factor in the United States. This is something that interests Spain a great deal. In addition to that bilateral agenda, we have, of course, also tackled other important issues that are of mutual and of common interest and sometimes concern. In addition to the logical importance of the transatlantic relations, we talked about how important NATO is in defending the values and the principles we share and the role that the EU has to play in that scenario. And we have also talked about relationships with third countries and when I speak of third countries, well, when I speak of the EU, I speak of my home, and my home is very close to the United States. That is the case of 25 current members candidates and the pre-candidates would support. We all are certain of the importance of the role of transatlantic relations and the role that the EU plays and the role that NATO has to continue to play. When I speak about other countries, as I said, our talks have been very fluid, very easy. We've spoken about the peace process. I think that everyone with good faith and good will in the world is undergoing times of great expectations after a long period of skepticism and all kinds of doubts concerning the peace process. Now is a time of hope. I think we all have a responsibility here. Both the United States and the European Union within the Quartet have to develop this responsibility together supporting the process. We've obviously talked about Iraq but we've also talked about the democratization and the institution building process of countries such as Equatorial Guinea. We've spoken about the Secretary's trip, which you are already aware of. We've also tackled Spain's relations with countries such as Syria. So, it has been a lengthy, relaxed conversation. Before giving the floor to the Secretary of State, I have to say that our teams, our people that work very closely and made good use of this opportunity of sitting down together around a table in order to talk together to supplement and share, and talk with further precision, about everything we've been talking about on the phone. SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you very much, Madame Minister, Ana. And it's a great pleasure for me and my delegation to be back in Madrid and to have the opportunity to have direct discussions with Minister Palacio and, later this evening, with President Aznar. The Minister is not exaggerating when she says that we speak to each other on a very regular basis. Frankly, it is almost daily. There is seldom a day that goes by when I do not hear from Ana, and as I'm going home in the evening, I always ask my staff, "Has Ana called yet?" (Laughter.) But it also reflects not only the closeness of our personal relationship, but the closeness of the relationship between our two countries and especially between our two presidents. President Aznar and President Bush have remained in very, very close touch since the very beginning of the Bush Administration, and the President values the advice and counsel and the sharing of experience that transpires between he and President Aznar. And nowhere was that more in evidence than during the recent crisis in Iraq. We understand perfectly that this was a difficult issue for the Spanish Government and for the Spanish people. Should they be part of a coalition that was going to take military action to impose the will of the international community against a regime that was illegitimately acting, that was in violation of so many UN resolutions? And President Aznar and his government decided that this was the right thing to do. And I think what we have seen over the last several weeks makes it absolutely clear that President Aznar was right. We have removed a dictator, and with each passing day we can see what that dictatorship had done to the Iraqi people and to the infrastructure of the Iraqi nation. Graves are being opened and victims are now being exhumed and remains returned to their family -- the evidence of the terror that Saddam Hussein practiced on his own people; the deprivation that was imposed upon, especially, the southern populations of Iraq, the Shia population. This was a terrible regime. This was a regime that was deserving of the justice that has been meted out to it. And I hope that the Spanish people understand that their government and their leader was on the right side of history in this matter. And Spain will continue to be on the right side of history, not only with the United States, but with many, many other nations throughout the world as we all come together now, not to fight any longer, but to heal, to rebuild a nation, to help people who are in need -- in need not as a result of this conflict, but in need as a result of the 20-plus years of dictatorship. And we look forward to working with Spain and other nations in Europe and throughout the world as we bring to Iraq peacekeeping forces, forces that will help rebuild the infrastructure to the country, as we make contributions, and Spain has made a generous contribution to the work that is ahead of us to put in place a democratic form of government in Iraq to help them create their own government. We are already seeing that start to happen now -- a government that will lead a country that is no longer pursuing weapons of mass destruction, that is no longer terrorizing its own people, that is no longer using these horrible weapons against its own people or against its neighbors, a government that will not -- as the Saddam Hussein regime had done -- invade its neighbors. This fundamentally changes the situation in the region for the better. And now with the addition of the elevation of Mr. Abu Mazen to Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority and our ability to put before the parties the roadmap, there is now a new dynamic in that part of the world, and we'll be working very closely with Spain as we pursue these two new dynamics: one, the Middle East peace process, which one could even say got its start here in Spain back in 1991 in Madrid after the first Gulf war, and was jump-started again here in Madrid last April when we created the Quartet that will now be deeply involved in the roadmap process. Spain, therefore, has been performing, I think, a very valuable leadership role to deal with the challenges facing the international community, and we greatly respect the role that Spain is playing. As the Minister mentioned, we talked about a number of issues, whether it had to do with the expansion of NATO, Equatorial Guinea, a variety of other regional issues. But I need not belabor all of those since she has already touched on them. Let me just close by saying that the bilateral relationship between the United States and Spain has been strong and will remain strong and will thrive into the future, and we look forward to working with Spain in all of the regional and international issues that are on our agenda. Madame Minister, I again thank you for your hospitality. QUESTION: Secretary Powell, I'd like to know to what extent, where the US government is ready to go to verify the circumstances of the attack under which a Spanish citizen died, Jose Couso. Does the US government consider that it was a mistake to attack a hotel that was full of civilians, that everyone knew accommodated the special envoys to Baghdad. Is the US government going to apologize and compensate Jose Couso's family, and for the Spanish Minister, what is the Spanish government ready to do, where is it ready to get to in demanding an explanation for this? SECRETARY POWELL: We are continuing to investigate this incident. The Minister and I have spoken about it many times. I have been in touch with our military authorities. I have spoken about it with Secretary Rumsfeld and with the commanders in Iraq, our military commanders. And General Franks has people who are continuing to get all additional facts that might be available. It was a tragic accident of war. We regret that it happened. And as I said to Minister Palacio in my letter to her, and through her to the Spanish people, and to the family of the gentleman, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family. Any loss of life is a tragedy for the family. But we believe, truly, it was an accident of war. We knew about the hotel. We knew that it was a hotel where journalists were located, and others, and it is for that reason it was not attacked during any phase of the aerial campaign. But what we had on that day was a ground battle. We had young American soldiers who were trying to liberate that section of Baghdad, and they came under fire. They came under serious fire and their lives were at risk. And as they tried to engage the enemy, as best we understand what happened, as they returned fire in order to protect themselves, which is their responsibility to do, and they must do, regrettably, in the heat of battle, they fired in a way that hit the hotel in the place where Mr. Couso was located, and he was killed. But there was no fault, we believe, on the part of our soldiers. They were acting in self-defense and they used appropriate force. And we regret that it happened. It was a battle zone and we had tried to caution all noncombatants that they should avoid and clear out of these battle zones, and fire was being received from the vicinity of the hotel, and we believe the troops acted properly. Having said that, I once again extend my condolences to the family and to the Spanish people, and we will continue to see if we can gather any more information with respect to the matter through our investigation to see if there was anything that was done that was improper or inappropriate. But at the moment, it appears to be one of those tragic incidents of battle. FOREIGN MINISTER PALACIO: There's not much I can add to what the Secretary of State has just said. It is a tragedy, especially for us. The loss of any human life is tragic, but in this case it affects us Spaniards more. In addition, it's the loss of a life in a very symbolic action of our media society, someone who was there covering one of the roles, one of the functions that legitimize our democracies, information, because we are truly most legitimized by perceptions and perceptions are built with this right to information. So it's a tragedy to us. Most especially, it symbolizes what the right to information means in our societies. But in addition to that, I can't add anything to what the Secretary of State has said. On the one hand, you have to recall that the US forces are known for being very scrupulous in their control of this kind of situation. And I would like to refer to what the Secretary of State's letter already says, and he sent it to me through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and we made it public to the Spanish public opinion and that we would be notified of any further information. QUESTION: (Inaudible) discuss (inaudible) specifically the possibility of (inaudible) policing forces in Iraq? And Minister, what role is Spain prepared to play? SECRETARY POWELL: We did discuss this, both in terms of an actual contribution of personnel as well as a financial contribution. And it was, I think, a very positive response that I received from the Minister, but I'll let her tell you what the response is. FOREIGN MINISTER PALACIO: Well, we are willing to participate. We have already -- the Spanish Government has already appointed a high-level commission that is coordinating all these issues. We are sending right now four high-level civil servants that will integrate in different fields, from humanitarian aid to peacekeeping in the teams that are already working in Iraq, and we are willing to consider whatever our help can be in the benefit of the Iraqi people, which is that, in the end, what moves us (inaudible). QUESTION: What about the police function and (inaudible)? FOREIGN MINISTER PALACIO: Well, of course, this is one of the issues that is being discussed. We have addressed this issue and I hope that we will have more details in the very near future. QUESTION: Marisa Cruz of El Mundo. Secretary Powell, what do you think of Madrid being -- of hosting another conference? And would you consider Spain a better choice than France? I'm sorry, but the microphone is not working very well. SECRETARY POWELL: I heard it. (Laughter.) It's very premature to start talking about a conference, and certainly, therefore, the site of the conference. We just put the roadmap before the parties tomorrow and I think a lot of work now has to take place. We need to see progress on the roadmap. We need to see both sides entering into discussions with each other. We need to see the end of terror and violence, and actions on the part of the Israeli side as well. And so it's premature to start talking about a conference or a location for a conference. And it wouldn't be simply a decision for the United States anyway; it would be a decision for the Quartet and the other parties to decide where such a conference should be held. But we have already seen what success can be achieved when one holds a conference in Madrid, so I would hope that all of the parties would view Madrid as a candidate that should be high on the priority list. FOREIGN MINISTER PALACIO: Well, as far as I am concerned, there is no competition here (inaudible) for there to be many countries, many governments, who are willing to host such a conference. And therefore, I don't think there's any rivalry. I don't feel it. The Government of Spain doesn't feel it. Our government is of the same (inaudible) color. It's a friendly government with whom we share the European construction project. However, the greater the interest in propitiating, going from words to facts -- well, and the symbolic element of that is the conference (inaudible) of advancing from statements on the peace process from -- as things begin to be delivered (inaudible). QUESTION: Nicholas Kralev of The Washington Times. Mr. Secretary, can you tell us of any views you shared with your counterpart about the Security Council process leading up to the next resolution about lifting sanctions or subsequent resolutions? Madame Minister, do you have any reservations at all about the American approach to that process? SECRETARY POWELL: I did share with the Minister our thinking at the moment, with respect to the Security Council action. We took note of the fact that Resolution 1472 allowed the Oil-for-Food program to continue through the 3rd of June, and that we have just now fixed it so -- I'm sorry -- 1472 up until the 13th of May. And now with the technical resolution that just was passed, that will now be extended to the 3rd of June, so it coincides with the scheduled end for the Oil-for-Food program. And that's an example of cooperation. We were able to do both of those with a 15 - With respect to the more substantive resolutions, I discussed with the Minister the kinds of things we would be looking for, and how to reach a point where in the Security Council we would feel comfortable in lifting the sanctions that are currently imposed upon Iraq, and what the role should be of a representative of the Secretary General, and what role the United Nations should play beyond the humanitarian role that they are currently playing. I told her a lot of ideas and options are on the table. We will be discussing them more fully with our colleagues, both in capitals (inaudible) at the Security Council, among our permanent representatives in the near future. FOREIGN MINISTER PALACIO: Well, allow me to just add that we are basing ourselves on a principle that I think that we share -- not only Spain and the United States, but, in general, all the Security Council members, and that is to overcome a situation and reach a consensus. And with this spirit, ideas are being proposed and debates held, and all I have to say is that the Government of Spain shares the principles, and that's what counts in the end, the principles and the aims of the United States. SECRETARY POWELL: I think the Minister and I certainly agree that the whole focus of work in the Security Council now should be directed toward the future of the Iraqi people, and not to fight out some of the old battles of the past. And I am very pleased that, I might say, all of my colleagues in the UN -- our colleagues in the UN -- now are seeing it in that light, and they are talking about let's be pragmatic, let's not be dogmatic or theologic about this. FOREIGN MINISTER PALACIO: Well, if you look at the statements by all the different members of the Security Council, the word that comes up the most is "future," "the benefit of the Iraqi people," and "pragmatism." And on those principles, we can make good progress and we share, I believe, a good impression without prejudice to the fact that, of course, were in a debate and maturity period that has to be concluded as of yet. QUESTION: Secretary Powell, yesterday, Secretary Rumsfeld said in Qatar that Iraqis would have the government they chose. My question is: Will the United States accept an Iraqi government with an Islamic predominance? And, secondly, do you think that it's prudent for U.S. soldiers to shoot, to fire during demonstrations in Iraq, as happened yesterday? SECRETARY POWELL: Iraq is an Islamic nation and it will decide how it will be governed. That's what we all believe. Secretary Rumsfeld has said it, I have said it; above all, the President has made it clear, and all of our coalition partners, President Aznar and others, have made it clear that we didn't fight this conflict for the purpose of telling the Iraqi people what kind of government they should have. We believe that the Iraqi people, freed of this dictatorship and seeing what the possibilities are for the future, will embrace a democratic form of government. And that's what we are encouraging them to do and working with them to do -- democratic being small "d." It doesn't mean it cannot also be (inaudible) country. It is an Islamic country, just as Turkey is a Muslim country with a democratic system. And we hope that's the direction in which they will move, and we see no inconsistency between their faith and the values of democracy that we all hold dear. Obviously, we do not like to see any situation where force has to be used to deal with demonstrations or disorder or riots. But, occasionally, things get out of control, and it is not just a crowd that is coming at you, but you are being fired at or grenades are being tossed your way, in which case, our soldiers, anyone's soldiers, Spanish soldiers, must have an inherent right to defend themselves. And so you try not to take those kinds of actions unless you believe your life is in danger and it is necessary to respond. We are looking into what has been happening in Fallujah for the purpose of making sure we have the right amount of force there to deal with these kinds of demonstrations. But, at the same time, we cannot allow situations to continue where people have weapons and are shooting at us without getting the weapons away from them or responding to those who are shooting. But, of course, we regret any loss of innocent life in any kind of circumstances. QUESTION: This is Jonathan Wright from Reuters. Secretary Powell, Israeli forces went into Gaza this morning, and (inaudible) Palestinians (inaudible). I wonder if you could comment on this, especially in the light of the timing with the release of the roadmap yesterday. SECRETARY POWELL: I don't have any details about the incident. I am aware that it did happen. And we have got to get beyond this period of suicide bombings and retaliatory actions or other defensive actions that are taken to end the violence, and to protect one society. We can't let these sorts of incidents immediately contaminate the roadmap or contaminate the process that we are now involved in. This is the time for Abu Mazen and Prime Minister Sharon to keep driving on, with the help of the United States and other members of the international community, with the help of Spain, to find the peaceful way forward, even when faced with these kinds of tragic scenes that we have seen in recent days. This is the time to redouble our efforts and not say let's not do anything. We can no longer do nothing. We must move forward. And the appointment of Mr. Abu Mazen, and with Mr. Sharon with his new government in place, and with the issuance of the roadmap, we have the tools we need to get started and we now have the international political will to get started. QUESTION: (Inaudible) from the ABC newspaper. For the Secretary of State, I would like to know whether you think that the mini-summit held between four European countries on defense widens the difference on these matters with the United States? SECRETARY POWELL: I haven't had a chance to study it fully, and I will leave it to my European Union colleagues to make a judgment as to whether this idea has merit or not. It reflects the view of 4 of the 15, and you can say 25 if you also consider those who will be joining the European Union. And it will be discussed tomorrow, and Minister Palacio will be there at a meeting of the foreign ministers. I must say that when I read the results of the meeting, I had some questions in my own mind as to whether there was a need for additional headquarters and how does this affect NATO and NATO's relationship now to the ESDP process. And I want to make sure that we don't lose our focus within the transatlantic community on the need to enhance capability. And anything which enhances capability, I am for. And anything which looks like it takes us down a different track, or does not seem to be enhancing capability or furthering the work of NATO and ESDP, I think should be examined very carefully, and I know that's what my European colleagues will be doing. But this is a matter for the European Union to decide. MR. BOUCHER: Last question, here. QUESTION: Yes, Glenn Kessler with The Washington Post. Mr. Secretary, looking ahead to your trip to Syria, the United States has long pressed Syria on a number of issues, such as ending its military support for Hezbollah, closing the offices for terrorist organizations in Damascus. What issues are you planning to raise when you go to Damascus later this week, and what leads you to think that you'll get a better response than the US has gotten in the past on those issues? SECRETARY POWELL: I hope to have a rather full and candid conversation with Foreign Minister Shara and President Bashar Assad and other leaders in Syria. We will certainly touch on the issues you just mentioned, Glenn, and others as well. I will also spend time discussing with them what I believe is the changed strategic situation in the region brought about by the end of the regime of Saddam Hussein. They are going to have a new and different kind of neighbor than the neighbor they had for the last 20-odd years. And I will also suggest to them that with the tabling of the roadmap and with Abu Mazen taking a leadership position as Prime Minister in the Palestinian Authority, that is a new strategic dynamic that they should consider. And I will encourage them to review these changes, and take a look at some of their past policies, and see whether those policies seem to be relevant in light of a new changed situation. We will speak candidly about some of the disagreements we had with Syria in recent weeks, as the war was being conducted and concluded, with respect to movement across the border in both directions. I am not looking for a specific result. This will be the first time I have had a chance to talk to Syrian leaders since the end of the current -- let me say -- since the beginning of this current situation with Iraq, and the first time that we have had a senior interchange with the Syrians since the hostilities started to come to -- not an end -- (inaudible). And it's an opportunity to review where we are. I am sure they will have things they wish to say to me. This will be a candid and straightforward discussion, and I am looking forward to it, but I am not looking for any particular deliverable. And I will leave it at that. FOREIGN MINISTER PALACIO: Thank you very much to everyone and have a very nice weekend. Goodbye. (end transcript) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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