DoD News Briefing
Tuesday, June 23, 1998 - 1:30 p.m.
Mr. Kenneth H. Bacon, ASD (PA)
...............
Q: It seems that the U.S. Government has been running stings, not only drug stings in Mexico, but missile stings in Russia. And according to reports, Mr. Berger has told the Russian authorities that there are still missile components going from Russia into Iran 18 months after Yeltsin said it was stopped. Have you any comment on...
A: First of all, I don't have any evidence that we've been conducting sting operations. It's very clear that we have been working very hard with the Russians to convince them to stop exporting missile, nuclear, and other dangerous technology to Iran and that work will continue.
Q: Does the Defense Department agree with Mr. Berger that after 18 months, if Yeltsin said it would stop, there are still missile components going to Iran from Russia, is that correct?
A: We agree that we still have to continue working with the Russians to stop components from going to Iran and other countries, and we are doing that. It's a complex issue. It does not appear that there is always central control over what's being shipped. We've been working very aggressively with the Russians, and we'll continue to do that.
Q: But you couldn't go so far as to say these things are still happening, that Mr. Berger has pointed out to the Russians?
A: I think by virtue of the fact that we keep sending officials over to Moscow to discuss exports of equipment, we're concerned about the problem.
Q: That confirms... Moscow confirms that there's a problem, still?
A: Bill, I'd like to move on to another topic.
Q: Okay.
Press: Thank you.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
