U.S. Department of State
Daily Press Briefing
INDEX
WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1999
Briefer: James P. Rubin
| 9 |
US has no reason to believe that nuclear forces were affected by the electric power cut-off. |
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
DPB # 94
WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1999 12:40 P.M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
.................
QUESTION: There are reports of electricity being shut off to Russian nuclear facilities. The last time that this occurred -- electricity was shut off to a nuclear plant because of failure to pay electricity bills -- they said there was the risk of a meltdown similar to what happened at Chernobyl. Do you have any comment on the situation?
MR. RUBIN: There apparently was a cut-off of electrical power to Russian military units in the Far East because the military is in arrears in its payment to the local utility company. Radar serving the air defense forces and air traffic control were shut down and many utility functions were inoperable during the blackout.
According to the Russian press, air defense rocket troops had some services cut which were not related to combat readiness. We have no reason to believe that nuclear forces were affected by the blackout. The Russian Government continues to assure us that it maintains complete command and control of its nuclear forces, and we have no reason to doubt those assurances.
QUESTION: Are you able to verify or dispute reports that Syrian President Assad -- or the Vice President acting on his behalf, actually -- has told Palestinian terrorist groups to cool it for a while at least?
MR. RUBIN: No, we have not been able to do so.
QUESTION: Do you think the reports are false?
MR. RUBIN: We've all seen the reports. If they're true, they're welcome. If I were in a position to answer your second question, it would mean I would be in a position to answer the first question --
QUESTION: If I mention it's a Reuters' report, is that all right?
(Laughter.)
I'm not going to beat you on this one. (Laughter.)
.................
(The briefing concluded at 1:10 P.M.)
[end of document]
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