US Department of State Daily Briefing #6:
Thursday, 1/10/91
Boucher
Source: State Department Deputy Spokesman Richard
Boucher
Description: Washington, DC
Date: Jan 10, 19911/10/91
Category: Briefings
Region: Eurasia, MidEast/North Africa, Caribbean,
Central America, Europe, East Asia
Country: Iraq, Kuwait, USSR (former), Israel, Lebanon,
Philippines, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania,
Yemen, Haiti, El Salvador
Subject: Terrorism, Arms Control, State Department,
Travel, United Nations,
Security Assistance and Sales, Military Affairs,
Democratization
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
MR. BOUCHER: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I
don't have any statements to make today, and so I'd be glad to
take your questions.
Q Richard, there's been increasing activity in
Lithuania. And apparently Gorbachev, today, is threatening
direct rule if the Lithuanians don't go along with his attempts
to bring that republic back under Moscow's direct control.
What's your reaction?
[Current Situation in the Baltics]
A Let me give you a rundown of what we know, at
least, about the situation in the Baltic republics and give our
general policy.
We do have reports that the Estonian Prime Minister has
reached an agreement with U.S.S.R. Defense Minister Yazov
yesterday to form a joint commission to examine military
problems in Estonia. Yazov reportedly said that Moscow would
not send additional troops to Estonia as a result. Of course,
these things are for the participants themselves to actually
confirm.
In Latvia, 5,000 people demonstrated against the
republic government this morning but there was no violence.
Latvian Premier Godmanis is travelling to Moscow to meet with
Yazov to discuss the situation.
In Lithuania, the Parliament is meeting today to
consider a successor to the Prunskiene government. We are, of
course, monitoring the situation very closely.
I'd like to remind you of what the Secretary said in
Milan on Tuesday, that the situation with regard to Soviet
troops being sent to the republics does concern us, especially
in the Baltics. We're troubled by it. We hope very much that
this does not mean that there will be a departure from the
philosophy, an attitude that we have seen in the Soviet Union
over the past 18 months to 2 years.
Q But in threatening direct rule of Lithuania,
Gorbachev seems to be going a step further. And given U.S.
policy towards the Baltics, how would you do that?
A Well, Carol, I'd have to say that at this point
it's a hypothetical question, and I'm not going to speculate on
what our response might be.
Your first question said that he apparently had said
that he might do something. That is the same kind of report
that I have gotten. The Soviets have announced certain steps
with regard to sending troops to the republics, and I think
we've expressed our thoughts very clearly on what our view is of
that.
Q There was a report in the Soviet paper yesterday
that the Soviets are acknowledging that they played fairly loose
with the CFE Treaty requirements. I was wondering how you
viewed that admission?
A You know our view. I didn't see the Soviet
report. You know our view. It's that there are some serious
discrepancies and inconsistencies in the data that we were
presented with and that we've been pursuing those with the
Soviets. Those discussions are continuing. I think we have
until February 17 to -- or they have -- until February 17 to
answer the questions and to rectify errors in the data.
Q But I was just wondering how you saw the fact that
there was a public acknowledgment of this. Whether you saw that
as a good move and an effort by the Soviets to try to clear the
air and move forward, or was this evidence that the military
has, in fact, grown bolder and may be creating more trouble?
A I'm afraid I haven't seen the specific report. If
it does prove true that they've acknowledged the
inconsistencies, obviously, we would welcome that and we look
forward to receiving corrected data.
Q Do you have any indication at this point that you
are going to get newer or different data? Have they responded
at all to the concerns?
A We've had some discussions with them. These
discussions will continue as we proceed forward. I guess
there's not much more to say than that, and I'd refer you back
to, I think, what Shevardnadze said in Houston -- at least, the
Secretary said about Shevardnadze in Houston; that they would
look into it and get back to us with information. We expect
them to be doing that. We don't have a new corrected set of
data at this point.
Q Richard, the Secretary announced the closure of
the Embassy in Baghdad on the 12th. Could you tell us a bit
more about how that's going to happen? Whatever plans you can
possibly share with us. And, also, whether the Embassy is being
closed or if it is remaining open but unstaffed?
[Iraq: Assisting Departing Americans]
A OK. To tell you how we're going to get our people
out, I first have to tell you what we're doing about private
citizens, because I want to make clear that we are equally
concerned about private citizens, and our Embassy in Baghdad is
contacting the approximately 180 American citizens who we
believe may still be in Iraq to determine if any of these people
want to depart the country.
The canvas is being conducted by telephone and it will
continue through tomorrow. So far, with the exception of one
family, all the Americans we've contacted have indicated that
they do not choose to depart, although in many cases they have
gotten exit permits to do so. The one family which consists of
an American child and three foreign-born relatives has decided
to leave.
We are chartering a flight to depart Baghdad this
Saturday with our Embassy staff. And, of course, seats, as
available, will be allocated to the private American citizens
with exit permits who wish to depart the country.
Q How many seats?
A I don't know the final numbers. But since we only
have a hand-full of staff, there should be quite an abundance of
seats, and we also, as I said, only have a very -- so far an
indication there are only 4 other people who might want to
depart at this time.
Q And how many Americans are still in Iraq?
A We put the number now at approximately 180.
Q Can you tell us about how many of those are
journalists?
A No, I don't know.
Q Does this number include the journalists?
A I'm assuming it does, but let me try to see if I
can confirm that.
Q Where is this plane going -- to Amman?
A I don't have the details of the flight yet. I
think we have to make all the arrangements first.
Q What's the issue about whether the Embassy remains
open without staff?
A Oh, that's right. The Embassy will be open but
unstaffed. We're not breaking diplomatic relations with Iraq.
We will continue the employment of our Foreign Service Nationals
and arrangements will be made for the maintenance of the
building, but we haven't finalized those arrangements yet.
Q Can you explain how this will affect the drawdown
of the Iraqi diplomats in the United States?
A At this point, on the drawdown of Iraqi diplomats,
we have not formally notified the Iraqi government yet. I can't
tell you when that will happen, but I can tell you that I won't
have anything specific to say on that until we do.
Q But you're not asking for reciprocity, right, that
they also have all of their people out?
A The Secretary made that clear yesterday in Geneva.
Q Richard, the U.N. deadline -- I'm sure you've
addressed this question before -- is that midnight the 14th or
midnight the 15th? What do you have?
A The Secretary said last night in Geneva that it
was midnight the 15th.
Q Baghdad time?
A He didn't specify, and I'm not in a position to
either. Really, the point is that Iraq has to withdraw from
Kuwait immediately and the deadline for us to consider using all
necessary means is after the 15th.
Q Richard, do you have anything on a report out of
Rome quoting the Italian Foreign Minister as saying that Perez
de Cuellar will propose a U.N. force involving troops not from
the coalition countries?
A No. I just saw that report before I came in here.
I believe Marlin has already briefed on the President's phone
calls with Perez de Cuellar. I think he said it didn't come up
there but you'll have to check with him. I'm not aware of any
specific plans like that at this point. Clearly, we're in touch
with the United Nations and our Ambassador in New York is in
touch with Perez de Cuellar and his people as well as the
President has been talking to him.
I'd just point out that the mandate that Perez de
Cuellar is operating under is the 12 U.N. Security Council
resolutions and the question before us at present, based on
those resolutions, is Iraq's withdrawal from Kuwait before the
deadline.
Q Would the United States have any problem with this
kind of arrangement that's being suggested?
A At this point, it's not a question that I'm in a
position to address in any detail.
Q Israeli radio is reporting that Acting Secretary
of State Lawrence Eagleburger is going to go to Israel within
the next few days. Do you have anything on that?
A No, I don't have anything for you.
Q Do you know -- are preparations being made for
such a trip?
A I just don't have anything for you.
Q Richard, are you aware of any new travel
restrictions or procedures being placed on Iraqis that are in
the United States?
A Let me try to check on that and see if there is
anything. I hadn't heard about anything, but I'll check.
Q As a result -- related to that question -- there's
a report of a plan that all Iraqis having arrived in the United
States since August are to be mug-shot and fingerprinted by the
INS?
A I'd suggest you ask INS what their plans might be.
We don't take care of people once they enter the United States.
Q Another area?
A Sure.
Q El Salvador: What can you tell us about the
President and the flow of money to El Salvador -- the $42.5
million?
A I can tell you that it's a decision for the
President to make and that we don't have any announcements for
you.
Q Do you have any time when the decision might be
made?
A I'd suggest you ask the President or Marlin
Fitzwater on that.
Q Did you have anything on the resignation of the
the two prosecuting attorneys?
A Yes. We have known for some time that two junior
prosecutors in the Jesuit case had planned to resign in order to
enter private practice. We've talked to them about this in the
past. We do plan to meet with them again to ask them about
their reported disagreement with the conduct of the prosecution.
Q That's to say that these prosecutors had never
informed the Embassy about their dissatisfaction with the case?
A These are people we knew, and we talked to them in
the past. And, as I said, in the past they talked about plans
to resign in order to enter private practice. That was the way
they put it.
Q So you were surprised.
A Now we see reports that say that they're
dissatisfied, and, of course, we're very interested in that, and
we'll be looking forward to talking to them again.
Q Are you surprised by that? Could you characterize
your reaction as surprise?
A No. Because, as I said, we've known for some time
that they had plans to resign. It's just a matter of talking to
them once again about their reasons and their views on the case.
Q And what about the situation with the FMLN's
announcement that they had arrested the unit involved?
A Well, first of all, we have no information that
would confirm that the suspects were in fact detained, and we
note that they haven't been named by the FMLN. I'd point out
that the FMLN's first reaction was to cover up the killings and
to lie about the facts. Only after the investigation revealed
clear evidence that the two U.S. servicemen were murdered did
the FMLN finally admit its responsibility.
The Salvadoran government has appointed a judge to
investigate these killings. If the FMLN is truly interested in
bringing those responsible to justice, it should turn them over
to the Salvadoran judicial system and cooperate fully with the
judge in a thorough investigation of everyone responsible for
these brutal murders.
Q Do you have confidence that the Salvadoran
judicial system is capable of investigating and prosecuting this
in light of recent evidence? And, if you have that confidence,
on what specifically is it based?
A The answer is yes, and it's based on our appraisal
of the Salvadoran judicial system. Clearly, we have made clear
our views in the past about the prosecution of some cases,
including the Jesuits' case.
There are certainly areas where we can work with them
to improve the judicial system, and President Cristiani has said
that he would. But the way for these people to be investigated
and prosecuted is through that judicial system.
Q Just one more on this: Under the Geneva
Convention and international law, the primary responsibility for
trying a situation like this would rest with the command of the
guerrilla force.
Are you saying that in this case international law and
the Geneva Convention should not be observed?
A I'm not ever sure that we said that it applied.
Q The Geneva Convention doesn't apply in this case?
A I can't say absolutely that.
Q O.K.
A I haven't checked with the lawyers.
Q Richard, the Belgian government has confirmed that
it made a deal to get its hostages out. Do you have a reaction
to that?
A I hadn't seen a Belgian government confirmation.
All I had seen was a statement by Abu Nidal that a swap
involving Nasser Said and the "Silco" hostages could take place.
When I came in here, my people told me we didn't have
independent confirmation that there is in fact such a swap. But
in any case, I'd just state once again that we have a very firm
policy against deals for hostages, and we have a very firm
policy that terrorists should be punished to the full extent of
the law.
Q Richard, now that the Secretary has skipped over
going to Turkey, are there any plans for him to go there on his
way back?
A I'm not sure what they've announced about his
travel plans from the party. But I understand that they were
looking into the possibility of scheduling it.
Q Do you have anything on Aristides comments in
Haiti and if he still plans to come here?
A I believe it was a White House visit, and I saw
something out of Haiti saying he wasn't going to come, but you'd
have to check with the White House and check on that.
We believe that all Haitians have a responsibility to
denounce violence and to refrain from taking law into their own
hands. We hope that the President-elect will speak out clearly
against vigilante action and speak in defense of the rule of
law.
We put up a statement yesterday afternoon or evening
about the situation down there.
Q Would the United States encourage the Haitian army
to be more active in combatting this violence?
A That sounds like a pretty open-ended suggestion.
I guess what I would say is that we have praised the Haitian
army for the action that they took in respect to the
constitution, and we would hope that they would continue to
ensure constitutional order in Haiti.
Q Richard, I saw this morning that there were yet
more travel advisories posted for Tunisia and Algeria, and such
and such.
Any plan to post such an advisory or any warnings or
advice to Americans who may be in Israel, considering the Iraqis
have said it's the number one target. It is the only -- seems
to be at least the only place in the region that you haven't as
yet told people they can leave voluntarily from or advised them
to go.
A Well, I can assure you it's not the only place in
the region. We have also done a new advisory on Yemen where we
had ordered departure, but we're further reducing our staff, and
we put out a somewhat stronger advisory, advising people to
defer all travel to Yemen.
As for the question of Israel at this point, I don't
have anything for you. I'd just point out in general that we
are keeping the security situation for Americans in the region
under constant review, and, when we feel it's appropriate to put
something out, we will.
Q Well, the Israelis have issued gas masks to many
of their population. Has the Embassy and/or the Consulate done
the same for American staff?
A I'd have to look into that. I don't know.
Q Have you any reaction to the French Defense
Minister's comment that the U.S. could do more to avert war, and
he wants to see "a little gesture" from the U.S.? He said that
today.
A I'm not really familiar with those comments or
what he was talking about, so I don't have anything specific to
say. I think I'd just have to leave it with the views that the
Secretary expressed in Geneva yesterday about our many efforts
to find a peaceful and political solution.
Q Do you have any response to the Human Rights Watch
charge that the Administration has cozied up to one tyrant after
another in its single-minded pursuit of an anti-Iraq coalition?
A You're trying to get me excited, huh?
Q It has called this a ruinous blow for U.S. human
rights policy.
A I just think that the facts, you know, don't
support that view. The facts support the view that we have
certainly made strong efforts to build an important
international coalition with the -- in opposition to the Iraqi
aggression in the Gulf and in opposition to the devastation of
human rights violations occurring day by day in Kuwait.
At the same time, we've made clear our views on other
human rights developments around the world. We'll be shortly
releasing a human rights report -- I guess it's due out next
month -- and our interests in human rights continues.
Q Richard, the government in Argentina or some
officials there seem to be upset that the U.S. Ambassador has
suggested they're soliciting bribes from U.S. companies, and I
was wondering if the Department has any clarification on what's
going on there?
A No, I don't. I'll have to look for it.
[Berlin Embassy Official Charged with Espionage]
Q Richard, what about this U.S. gentleman spying in
Germany?
A I'll give you the basic rundown on that, but,
obviously, because it's a court case in Germany, there's not a
lot that I can say.
The German authorities have notified the U.S. Embassy
office in Berlin that a German national employed by the Embassy,
Mr. Stephen Laufer, is being detained.
According to the German Federal Prosecutor's office, he
is suspected of carrying out espionage activities. The Laufer
investigation was carried out independently by the German
government.
Laufer worked for the United States Information Service
since January 1988. It was then at the U.S. Mission located in
West Berlin. He worked as a press assistant. In that capacity,
he assisted an American officer in working with the local press.
He had no access to classified information. He did not
function as a spokesman for the U.S. Government, as has, I
think, been stated in some media reports.
Really, for further information on that, though, I have
to leave it to the German government who are in charge of the
case.
Q Are U.S.-Filipino relations in as dire -- in as
much under threat as Mr. Armitage indicated?
A Let me just tell you that the fourth round of
Philippine-American cooperation talks began January 9 in Manila.
Discussions at this time are focused on technical issues
pertaining to the bases. Negotiating sessions are expected to
continue through the end of the week.
The talks have been frank, as they have been in the
past. Some progress has been made and differences on some
issues appear to have been worked out. Both sides now have a
much clearer understanding of each other's positions.
Q Affirmative response. Right? O.K. (Laughter)
A That's a response that says that the talks are
going on, and we'll let our negotiators conduct the talks. I
wouldn't draw any broader conclusions for U.S.-Philippine
relations at this point.
Q Thanks.
(The briefing concluded at 1:09 p.m.)