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U.S. Department of State

Daily Press Briefing

Briefer: James P. Rubin
QUESTION: Jamie, on another subject, have you seen the report - there's one in The New York Times today, but it's appeared elsewhere - that this grandiose water project in Libya may not, in fact, be primarily a water project, but could have some military purpose?

MR. RUBIN: We study very carefully what happens in Libya because we consider this regime a dangerous regime. We watch very carefully to ensure that projects like this water project are not covers for military projects.

We are confident that we keep a close eye on developments in Libya. As you know, we don't make it a practice of revealing publicly everything we think we know about a particular military or non-military development around the world. We watch developments in Libya very closely.

With respect to the Tarhuna plant, which was mentioned, as well, publicly, we believe the Libyan Government intended to use the Tarhuna plant as a chemical weapons manufacturing facility. We believe construction of that facility has ceased. Nevertheless, we remain deeply concerned about Libya's chemical weapons program. We believe Libya is actively working to increase its stockpile of chemical weapons, as well as delivery systems capable of reaching around the Middle East. That is the reason why we will continue to work closely with our allies to prevent Libya from acquiring the equipment and technology it seeks to produce weapons of mass destruction.

With regard to our specific assessment of this, I would merely note that some of our colleagues in other parts of the government, the Pentagon, as I understand it, has said that it's an irrigation project; at least that is their view.

QUESTION: Given the size of the conduit, could it be something in addition to water? Could it be used for water on Mondays and Tuesdays, but on the rest of the week, for moving troops?

MR. RUBIN: Well, let me say this - we have no illusions about the Libyan regime and the Libyan regime's willingness to mask what it's doing in one area with cover stories. We have never been fooled by that in the past, and we will certainly do what we can to make sure that our efforts are devoted to knowing what goes on in Libya because we consider the regime dangerous.

As far as any specific analysis or assessment of this program, all I can tell you is that we watch it very closely.

QUESTION: Any export violations, for instance, by Caterpillar, as this article points out?

MR. RUBIN: I am not aware of any licenses issued for the export of American heavy equipment to Libya. As far as specific questions about licenses, I would refer you to the Treasury Department.