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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Washington File

15 May 2003

Powell Says U.S. "Going for Lifting" of Iraq Sanctions by U.N.

(Press conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg) (3030)
The situation in the Middle East is "difficult" but the region is "at
a moment of opportunity," Secretary of State Colin Powell said May 15.
Referring specifically to the Palestinians and Israelis, Powell said,
"This is the time for both sides to be prepared to make compromises,
to step forward, to take steps that will move us down the path of
peace."
Powell was speaking to journalists during a press conference in Sofia
with Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg. He said he had come
to Sofia both to participate in a commemoration of the centennial of
diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the United States and to
thank the Government and people of Bulgaria for their "courageous
stand" supporting the campaign against Saddam Hussein's regime.
Characterizing the U.S.-Bulgaria relationship as "very close" and a
"de facto alliance," Powell said: "Bulgaria in spite of its relatively
small size is playing a big role in the transatlantic alliance."
Asked about the negotiations for a new UN Security Council resolution
on Iraq, Powell replied in a fashion wire service news stories later
interpreted as signaling flexibility in the U.S. position: "The idea
of suspending rather than lifting sanctions has been raised by a
number of the Security Council members," he said. "We think it's much
cleaner to lift the sanctions. But as part of the discussions and
negotiations process we will look at the idea of initially suspending
sanctions."
En route to Berlin later on May 15, Powell clarified the U.S.
position: the United States wants the United Nations Security Council
to lift sanctions against Iraq. "We are going for the lifting of
sanctions. We want to get [a] fifteen to zero [vote] like we did with
Resolution 1441. I think the lift is achievable."
The Secretary of State also responded to questions regarding U.S.
military bases in Europe and the war on terrorism.
Noting that the current placement of U.S. military facilities in
Europe dates from the Cold War, Powell said, "We might want to put in
place facilities that give us access to training areas in other
countries, or that facilitate the movement of our forces through
Europe to other parts of the world, as we change the strategy of NATO,
not to deal with the Soviet Union, but to deal with terrorism, to deal
with regional crises in other parts of the world."
He added, however, that no decisions have been made. "And I don't
think anyone should see this in the manner of a huge new military city
going up somewhere. We are much more modest in our thinking and we are
looking for access and modest facilities that would allow us to train
with host nation forces or give us temporary access, as we are moving
through to another part of the world."
Regarding the war on terrorism, Powell said, "Any place that a
terrorist finds a friendly atmosphere, where they don't have to worry
about law enforcement, where they don't have to worry about financial
controls, where there is a lack of transparency in the society, the
terrorist will gravitate into that place, try to find a safe haven.
And so I think it is incumbent on every civilized country in the world
today to be a part of the global war against terrorism."
Following is the State Department transcript of the press conference:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
(Berlin, Germany)
May 15, 2003
PRESS CONFERENCE
Secretary of State Colin L. Powell
And
Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg
Bulgarian Council of Ministers Building
Sofia, Bulgaria
May 15, 2003
PRIME MINISTER: Ladies and Gentlemen, Secretary of State, with these
few introductory words I would like to greet you and welcome you once
again most cordially, and I would like to underline how happy we are,
we, the Bulgarian Government, to be able to host you here today. I
would also like to underline that this visit to Bulgaria is
appreciated by everyone. We appreciate the role that our country has
played in the past few months. As I have already told the Secretary,
we are also commemorating the centennial of diplomatic relations. This
is a wonderful occasion. So I am doubly happy at this coincidence.
Since we are limited in time, I would be very happy if the Secretary
would take the floor and thus allow more time for questions.
SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister. It's a
great pleasure for me to be here today, and it is a wonderful
opportunity for me to celebrate the one hundred years of diplomatic
relations that have existed between Bulgaria and the United States. I
traveled through Bulgaria as an army officer many, many years ago, in
the early 70's, at a time when our relations were not so friendly. And
the changes in Bulgaria since those days are truly outstanding. And so
is the change in our relationship. I want to thank my friends,
President Purvanov, Foreign Minister Passy for inviting me to be here
this morning for this historic occasion. And what a perfect year for
all of this to be happening in. The United States just last week voted
to ratify Bulgaria's candidacy for NATO membership. Bulgaria's NATO
membership will formalize what is already a very close relationship
and, in fact, a de facto alliance with the United States. We will
support Bulgaria's commitment to fight corruption, to reform its legal
system, and to promote economic growth - all key steps for prospective
NATO members. Bulgaria has been a strong right arm in the war against
terrorism and in the effort to disarm Saddam Hussein. Bulgaria has
supported these efforts at the Security Council in New York and on the
ground in Afghanistan. In fact, Bulgaria proved itself willing to send
its sons and daughters to this effort, the most profound commitment
that a country can make. And I know that this hasn't always been easy,
and I want to publicly thank the Government of Bulgaria, and the
people of Bulgaria for their courageous stand. As President Bush told
the Prime Minister in the Oval Office recently, "We don't forget our
friends". We've had some good talks today on Iraq's future, as well as
on Bulgaria's plans for full integration into a Europe that is more
and more 'whole, free and at peace'. And I had the opportunity to say
to the Prime Minister how much we value the friendship that exists
between out two countries, to bring greetings to him and the Bulgarian
people from President Bush and I look forward to the celebration that
we will all be enjoying in a few moments. Thank you very much, Mr.
Prime Minister.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, as you get near the end of your trip, can you
give us your assessment of the situation in the Middle East. Some
people might look at the violence and at the rhetoric and say that not
much has changed. So it's really two questions. What assessment are
you taking to President Bush, and what is your reaction to Prime
Minister Sharon's comment that the question of settlements is not on
the horizon?
SECRETARY POWELL: What I will report to President Bush, and I've
already sent President Bush several reports, is that we continue to
have a difficult situation in the Middle East. And that the
conversations that will be taking place, I hope, later this week
between Prime Minister Abaas and Prime Minister Sharon will be
important and the conversation that Prime Minister Sharon will be
having with President Bush next Tuesday will be important. We're at a
moment of opportunity. We have a new Prime Minister in the Palestinian
authority, Prime Minister Abaas, and this is what we have been working
for, and what we asked the Palestinian people to do. The Palestinian
legislature did that. And this is the time for both sides to be
prepared to make compromises, to step forward, to take steps that will
move us down the path of peace. The President and the United States is
committed to a road map that we have presented, a road map that will
lead to the vision that President Bush laid out in his speech on 24
June. And I hope that in the upcoming conversations that I just made
reference to, people will be able to clarify their positions, they
will find a way to go forward. We can't just stay where we are. We
can't miss this moment of opportunity. And so that is my report to
President Bush, and I am confident that President Bush is looking
forward to discussing these issues with Prime Minister Sharon next
Tuesday.
QUESTION: Bulgarian National TV. Mr. Secretary, what is your
assessment of the role that Bulgaria has played in modern-day
transatlantic relations?
SECRETARY POWELL: In my perspective, Bulgaria has played a very, very
important role. I have valued very much the dialogue that I have been
able to maintain on a regular basis with your distinguished Foreign
Minister and your Ambassador in Washington. That was a source of great
support to me at the Security Council as we debated the various Iraqi
resolutions to have Bulgaria on our side as co-sponsor of resolutions
as well as a strong advocate for taking the necessary steps in the
face of such intransigence on the part of the Iraqi regime. It would
have been easy for a small country such as Bulgaria to just lean back,
step aside and say, "We will not get involved, we'll just watch this."
But Bulgaria knew what the right thing to do was and it stood strong
and stalwart. And we will never forget that. So, I believe that
Bulgaria despite of its relatively small size is playing a big role in
the transatlantic alliance, and I think that is recognized by the
unanimous vote that came out of the United States Senate for the
accession protocol that will move Bulgaria closer to full NATO
membership. And it is for that reason that I am especially pleased to
be here, not only for the centennial celebration, but to recognize
Bulgaria's contribution to the transatlantic alliance and especially
to helping the United States at a time when we needed the assistance
and help from friends, even small friends.
QUESTION: If I can ask you both about the resolution that is under
consideration at the Security Council. Mr. Secretary, as you go
through the current negotiations and modifications of the text, are
you willing to consider suspending the sanctions for a period of time
before ending them, or for example, of an expanded role for the UN
Coordinator with enough financial responsibilities? Mr. Prime
Minister, did you share any views on the draft resolution with the
Secretary?
SECRETARY POWELL: We did discuss the draft Resolution briefly. The
idea of suspending rather than lifting sanctions has been raised by a
number of the Security Council members. We think it's much cleaner to
lift the sanctions. But as part of the discussions and negotiations
process we will look at the idea of initially suspending sanctions.
The important thing is to be able to begin moving oil out of Iraq in
due course in order to generate revenue for the Iraqi people to
benefit them solely, and also to make sure that the refineries keep
running so that gasoline, propane and other oil products that are
needed by the people can be produced by the refineries. So we're
anxious to be able to move the oil in order to generate revenue and
lifting sanctions we believe is the best way to do that. But we will
see what the argument is for suspending sanctions and see if that
makes any sense. But our preference is to lift and that is why we put
it in the resolution that way.
PRIME MINISTER: Just as the Secretary of State has said, we need to
make up for time lost, and we have to clarify and streamline some
technical and administrative details or divergence of opinion. So, the
necessary fuel has to be produced which will make it possible to
provide financing that would be used to improve the well being of
Iraqi society.
QUESTION: Bulgarian National Radio. I would like to ask the Secretary
of State whether the United States sees Bulgaria as a good place for
the deployment of American military bases and if yes, when are we
going to see the first decisions to that effect?
SECRETARY POWELL: Over the past ten years the United States has
significantly reduced the size of our forces in Europe. At the same
time that the area of the North Atlantic Alliance has increased with
the addition of new members. So it is quite appropriate to review how
our forces are distributed throughout Europe and see whether or not
there is a more logical distribution of our forces. Not for the
purpose of creating a new boundary or a new line across Europe, but
just for the purpose of making smart decisions with respect to the
distribution of our forces. We might want to put in place facilities
that give us access to training areas in other countries, or that
facilitate the movement of our forces through Europe to other parts of
the world, as we change the strategy of NATO, not to deal with the
Soviet Union, but to deal with terrorism, to deal with regional crises
in other parts of the world. Members of the Military Command in Europe
have made some assessment visits here in Bulgaria and in other nations
in the region but no decisions have been made. And I don't think any
decisions will be made for some time yet, as our analysis is being
conducted and, of course, no decisions will be made until there has
been the fullest consultations and agreement with our Bulgarian
friends. And I don't think anyone should see this in the manner of a
huge new military city going up somewhere. We are much more modest in
our thinking and we are looking for access and modest facilities that
would allow us to train with host nation forces or give us temporary
access, as we are moving through to another part of the world. But all
of these matters are under consideration by my colleagues at the
Pentagon and our military commanders in Europe.
QUESTION: Michael (inaudible), Agence France Presse Agency. Just to
follow up on that question. Even if it there's not going to be any
major bases set up, would that represent a kind of sea change in the
way that Europe is aligned, in the way that, perhaps, the United
States sees Europe, in terms of a new Europe and an old Europe.
SECRETARY POWELL: No, I would not see it that way at all. It is not a
way of dividing Europe into an old Europe and a new Europe. It really
is to make military sense out of our deployment. I was saying to the
Prime Minister earlier that when I was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff some 10 or 12 years ago, I saw the Cold War come to an end and
the Iron Curtain come down. And in a period of two and a half years
working with the then Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, we brought
back home to the United States some 200,000 troops. And we emptied out
all those bases, turned them over to the host countries. And the
troops that were left were essentially living in a base structure that
hasn't been fundamentally realigned. A base structure that was founded
on the Cold War strategy and to some extent also left over from the
end of World War II. And so it is quite appropriate for us now to
examine all of the new NATO area to see how we can best distribute our
troops. Not for the purpose of creating a division or somehow
formalizing a division between old Europe, new Europe, East Europe,
West Europe. It is all one Europe, one NATO, one Alliance, one Europe
whole, free and at peace. That is our commitment and our obligation.
QUESTION: My question is addressed to the Secretary. Obviously, the
fight against terrorism is a determining factor in United States
foreign policy. What role can Bulgaria play in the anti-terrorist
strategy of the USA and how will that affect financial assistance to
Bulgaria?
SECRETARY POWELL: Bulgaria is playing a role in our global war against
terrorism and there is more that all nations can do. We can do more
with respect to intelligence sharing, with respect to information
sharing, with respect to cooperative law-enforcement activities, with
respect to being vigilant in terms of who is traveling through our
countries. There is no country that can stand aside and say, "We have
nothing to do with the global war against terrorism." Any place that a
terrorist finds a friendly atmosphere, where they don't have to worry
about law enforcement, where they don't have to worry about financial
controls, where there is a lack of transparency in the society, the
terrorist will gravitate into that place, try to find a safe haven.
And so I think it is incumbent on every civilized country in the world
today to be a part of the global war against terrorism. Because none
of us are safe, none of us can be free of the threat of terrorism
unless we are part of the coalition. And none of us want to allow our
country, whether it is Bulgaria, the United States, Afghanistan,
anywhere, anymore to be a haven for terrorists to plan their evil
deeds and from their country set out on attacks that kill innocent
people for criminal reasons. So I think Bulgaria is playing an
important role and can do even more. And we're prepared to assist
Bulgaria financially and in other ways to be a contributing member in
the global war against terrorism.
(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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