US Department of State Daily Briefing #36:
Wednesday, 3/6/91
Boucher
Source: State Department Deputy Spokesman Richard
Boucher
Description: 12:22, Washington, DC
Date: Mar 6, 19913/6/91
Category: Briefings
Region: MidEast/North Africa, East Asia
Country: Israel, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Japan
Subject: Military Affairs, Terrorism, Arms Control,
Human Rights, Regional/Civil Unrest
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
MR. BOUCHER: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I
think I'll start out by updating you on the unrest in Iraq and on the
journalists that are missing -- at least what we've been doing --
and then I'd be glad to take your questions.
[Iraq: Civil Unrest Update]
On the question of civil unrest in Iraq, we continue to receive
numerous reports of civil unrest in Iraq. Over the past 24 hours
the level of unrest appears to have been highest in the cities of
Karbala, Najaf and Hillah in southern Iraq, and Kirkuk, Sulaymaniya
and Ranya in the Kurdish north.
The most serious fighting currently seems to be taking place in
and around the Shi'a holy cities of Karbala and Najaf which
apparently remained largely in the hands of anti-government forces
through yesterday. In these areas, there are large government
forces, including Republic Guard units and regular army units which
are continuing their efforts to restore government control.
That's the situation as we see it. I don't know if we want to
doquestions on that first, and then we'll move on to the journalists
or --
Q Largely in the hands of what forces?
MR. BOUCHER: Anti-government forces in those cities.
Q Mr. Boucher, could you spell out the names of the towns,
please?
MR. BOUCHER: How about we put it up afterwards.
Q When you say "anti-government forces," what kind of forces
do they have? Do you
mean troops or equipment, or have they seized some government
equipment and are using that? Can you be more explicit?
MR. BOUCHER: I think it's a very loose term, "anti-government
elements, groups." We've described it before as spontaneous
activity by groups and people -- returning soldiers in some cases, I
guess -- but those who are opposed to the government.
Q (Inaudible)
MR. BOUCHER: I'm not trying to imply a military
organization to this.
Q O.K. I was going to say there was some confusion
over who was piloting certain tanks and things a couple of days
ago, and I just wondered whether there was any evidence that any
units, large or small, of the military were in fact operating in
the hands of anti-government elements.
MR. BOUCHER: This relates to the question earlier,
"Have there been clashes between different army units, using
heavy equipment?" and we don't have any confirmation of that.
Q Richard, we're trying to get to the U.S. policy on
the Kurds. When you speak of "territorial integrity," it is
basically thought to mean outside forces, like Iran, taking
advantage. But what about the unrest as you've referred to in
the Kurdish regions there? Is the State Department opposed to
any autonomy by the Kurds, especially if it originates within
the boundaries of Iraq?
MR. BOUCHER: Barry, we've made very clear that we
don't think it's for us to decide the internal organization, the
internal government, of Iraq; nor is it for other outside forces
to decide that.
We've also made very clear, in talking about the
territorial integrity of Iraq, that we don't support the
dismemberment of Iraq.
Q Do you see a --
Q Two questions --
MR. BOUCHER: Sorry.
Q After you, John.
Q Do you see a trend in what is going on with the
violence? Does it appear that Saddam Hussein's forces or those
loyal to his government are now extinguishing the various
pockets of unrest? Do you see new pockets coming into view?
MR. BOUCHER: The situation is still fluid. The
government does appear to be establishing control. There's some
degree of control in various cities, particularly in the
southeastern part of the country, but even in those cities the
situation is not resolved.
The numbers of places where this is occurring, I think,
are approximately the same as they were yesterday. But
some level of sporadic violence and unrest continues, as I said,
even as the government forces are reasserting control.
Q Is it too early for an overall assessment? You
know, the State Department yesterday spoke of those cities where
Saddam's forces seem to have been successful, followed, almost
as if it were synchronized, by a Pentagon briefing by the Joint
Chiefs intelligence Admiral, saying also that in several cities
Saddam was succeeding. But he spoke of about a dozen cities
having unrest.
So, I mean, can you tally up at this point and say in
an overall sense is Saddam managing -- is he controlling more
cities than he's losing for instance?
MR. BOUCHER: I can't give you a final assessment,
Barry. At this point the situation is still fluid. As I said,
there are certain places -- the Shi'a holy cities -- where the
level of unrest and the seriousness of the fighting appears to
have grown in the last 24 hours. There are other cities, some
of which we referred to yesterday, largely in the southeastern
part of the country, where the government appears to be
reasserting control. But even in those areas, the situation is
not stable.
Q On that, Richard, are government forces in control
in Basra?
MR. BOUCHER: Again, without trying to assert that this
is a definitive and final status of the situation, Basra would
be among those cities in the southeastern part of Iraq where the
government appears to be reasserting some degree of control but
where sporadic violence and unrest are also continuing.
Q Richard, do you have any update on the missing
journalists or any information?
MR. BOUCHER: Well, let me move on to that.
Q Two questions for that. Can I?
MR. BOUCHER: Yes.
Q Is there any indication that you have so far with
regard to whether the Iraqi forces have used chemical gasses on
residents? This is the first question. The second question is
that anti-Iraqi government organizations have its headquarters
operating in Tehran. If they operate out of Tehran, do you
think these Iranians -- does the State Department consider this
meddling by Iranians in internal Iraqi matters, or does the
State Department consider their operation in Tehran is part of
Iraqi internal problems?
MR. BOUCHER: On the first question of chemical weapons
use, I have not seen any information that that might have
occurred. I assume that our Pentagon people probably might
have, you know, followed this more extensively than I have. You
might want to address your question over there as well.
On the question of the groups from Iran, we know that
these groups, particularly one of them, are allied with Iran.
They also have a long history of opposition to the Ba'ath regime
in Iraq. But I don't really have anything to say to you about
whether there is active support going on from Iran, and I think
our basic point on that was made very clearly by Margaret
yesterday.
Q One more thing on that: Do you have any
indication at all that Saddam Hussein is anything but in complete
control of the Government of Iraq? I mean, is it possible that
Iraq is no longer being run simply by Saddam Hussein?
MR. BOUCHER: As far as we know, Saddam Hussein remains
the head of the government in Iraq, in Baghdad, and in control
of the government actions there.
Q Do you have anything further to say about your
interim conclusion yesterday of Iraqi Radio being off the air?
Has that been repeated? Do you have any more information about
what that might have meant?
MR. BOUCHER: No, I don't.
Q Do you see the strife in Iraq nowadays as
sectarian in character more than political, or how do you read
this?
MR. BOUCHER: I really can't make that kind of
assessment for you. This is, as we've said, to a great extent
spontaneous activity by people opposed to the regime. I think
the Pentagon has described some of it as being from groups and
people and ethnic groups or groups within the society that have
reason to be opposed to Saddam's regime and have had such for a
long time.
It's also based on the fact that there is a government
which has brought nothing but harm and suffering to its people.
Q Richard, in 1988, Saddam took revenge for the
perceived disloyalty of Kurdish citizens in Iraq by gassing
their villages and killing thousands of people.
Would there be international consequences if he were to
take similar action after putting down the present rebellion by
Kurds?
MR. BOUCHER: I'm sure there would be, but I'm not --
at this point I don't have anything that would be more specific
than that.
Q Would you like to issue a warning against using
gas against its citizens?
MR. BOUCHER: I think we have --
Q Since we know that he has a proven track record of
doing so?
MR. BOUCHER: We have many times stated our opposition
to any use of chemical weapons, whether it's in warfare or even
more so against innocent civilians. The international community
has spoken out strongly on this in the past, and I would suspect
that to continue to be the case.
Q But, I mean, at the moment --
Q (Inaudible)
Q This is the last one. At the moment you're
regarding this as an internal Iraqi affair. You're not
intervening. Would the use of gas change that?
MR. BOUCHER: I think we'll have to call that a
hypothetical, and I really can't answer that at this point for
you.
Q In the southern cities, the State Department and
the Pentagon have been quite detailed in the types of things
that they have been seeing in the way of turmoil. In the
northern cities, that has not been the case. Is that because
that whatever strive there has been in the north has been less
visible, less -- on a smaller scale? Can you describe in any
fashion what sorts of things you're seeing in the northern
Kurdish cities that may be different than what you're seeing in
the south?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't think I can, John.
Q Richard, Baghdad Radio is saying that Saddam has
fired his Minister of the Interior and replaced him with this
thug who ran security operations in Kuwait. Does that tell you
anything about his intentions?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't have an instant analysis of it.
We've noted the report. We've also noted that this is the guy
that they put in charge of Kuwait during the period of the
occupation and all the consequent destruction and killing that
was there.
Q Back to the northern cities for a moment: Is the
Iraqi government using military forces in those cities to quell
the unrest?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't think I'm in a position to give
you a precise update on that. I'll check and see if there is
anything I can say.
Q Richard, have you been approached recently by
representatives of Iraqi opposition -- those who may be guiding
the strife against Saddam Hussein inside Iraq?
MR. BOUCHER: Not that I'm aware of.
Q Richard, on the question of forces in the north
again, there were reports that some of Saddam's forces were
being transferred from the north, farther south. Is there any
indication today that any of that movement of military forces
threatens either the border with Kuwait or U.S. forces deployed
or allied forces deployed in the region or the independence of
Kuwait?
MR. BOUCHER: I think that's a question that's much
better addressed to our military people who I believe have
already answered it and said no.
Q Is the United States in a position to do anything
to help friendly forces within Iraq?
MR. BOUCHER: I'm not sure who exactly you're referring
to, but we have -- Margaret stated very clearly our statement
yesterday that we don't think that outside powers should be
interfering in the internal affairs of Iraq, and that these
questions of government and the state of the -- the future of
Saddam Hussein are for the Iraqi people to decide.
Q So that is saying that secret agencies of the U.S.
Government are not involved in stirring up trouble within Iraq.
Is that correct? (Laughter)
MR. BOUCHER: I don't have any comment on secret
agencies of the U.S. Government, John.
Q You do speak for the United States Government --
Q You do speak for the U.S. Government. Yes.
MR. BOUCHER: I will state our policy as we understand
it -- as I understand it here. As we have made clear, we don't
think that outside forces should be interfering in the
Government of Iraq, and that that's a matter for the Iraqi
people to decide.
Q And so by inference, one can assume that at least
the State Department does not think that the CIA, for example,
should be involved in stirring up trouble in any of these
cities?
MR. BOUCHER: I'm not in a position to speak about
intelligence matters, John. I never have been, and I'm not
going to start now.
Q But as a matter of policy, you don't encourage
outside forces, so one could certainly infer that you are
talking about our own outside forces.
MR. BOUCHER: As a matter of policy, I'll restate what
Margaret stated yesterday, and we've said that the United States
respects and believes in the territorial integrity of Iraq, and
we do not believe that other states should involve themselves in
the internal matters of Iraq; and that other states should
refrain from interfering in Iraq's internal affairs.
Q Richard, has there been any discussion with the
Iraqi government on this question, perhaps to pass the sort of
message that you just read, or a communique, message, from them?
MR. BOUCHER: Not that I'm aware of. The discussions
we had with the Iraqi government yesterday were on the subject
of the missing journalists which, if you'll allow me to, I think
I'll move on to right now.
[US Efforts to Locate Missing Journalists]
As far as information on the journalists, I think
you've all seen the press reports and know from your
organizations the information about who is missing and the
circumstances under which they were last seen.
Our Embassy in Kuwait City is sending back information
to us on this, and you know from the military briefings that
CENTCOM is also following this matter very closely.
Last night, Deputy Assistant Secretary David Mack asked
Khalid Shewayish, the senior Iraqi diplomat in Washington, for
any information that the Government of Iraq may have on these
journalists who are reported missing.
He also asked that should Iraq come into possession of
these individuals, that Iraq should facilitate their safe return
to Kuwait or to a third country. This same request was made by
Ambassador Pickering to the Iraqi Ambassador to the United
Nations, Mr. Al-Anbari, and we have also passed the same request
and information through the Government of the Soviet Union.
Q Was Shewayish here?
MR. BOUCHER: Shewayish was here. Yes.
Q (Inaudible)
MR. BOUCHER: He didn't come into the building, John.
It was a phone call, I think.
Q It was a phone call. Oh, that's what I meant.
Q Is there some way the Secretary can redouble the
message on the trip? I don't know who he would give it to
particularly, but you never know about such -- strange networks
of people operate in the Middle East.
MR. BOUCHER: I'm not aware of any specific plans,
Barry. He's not scheduled to meet with any Iraqis where he
would do it directly. These are the channels that we have used
in the past week or two weeks to communicate with Iraqis on
specific matters.
In the past, for example, the Soviets have been
helpful, so slight chance something might come up in Moscow, but
we would certainly hope that these journalists would be safely
back with us before he gets to Moscow.
Q Have you tried the Soviet channel this time?
MR. BOUCHER: Yes. I said we did.
Q Were there any other subjects discussed besides
that one in the conversation?
MR. BOUCHER: No.
Q Richard, has there been any contact with the
Government of Iran in the recent days since the one that
occurred at the end -- upon the cease-fire declaration?
MR. BOUCHER: I'm not aware of any, but I have to admit
to not having checked this morning.
Q Richard, is there any reaction to the declaration
from Damascus this morning about the Arab peacekeeping force for
the Gulf?
MR. BOUCHER: The Secretary has in the past stated very
clearly that we look to the countries of the Gulf, to the GCC
states particularly, to take the lead in the discussions of the
post-war security arrangements. We don't have a full readout on
these meetings at this point. I'm sure this is a topic the
Secretary will be discussing with these Ministers when he goes
out on his trip, and that probably he'll be able to get a
complete readout there of the discussions.
Q Richard, I'm trying to figure out how manicured
that statement is. "To take the lead." Does that mean the
Administration isn't keen on the idea, for instance, of Syrians
being part of a peacekeeping operation?
MR. BOUCHER: Barry, it's a subject that will be
discussed during the course of his trip.
Q I know.
MR. BOUCHER: We look to the GCC states to take the
lead in terms of the discussions, the ideas and the efforts that
will have to be made for their own security in the future. To
the extent that other countries get involved, that will be
something to discuss during the course of the trip.
Q That's not saying that we insist on a small,
exclusive Gulf --
MR. BOUCHER: I can't at this point rule anybody in or
anybody out of those arrangements which will be discussed during
the course of the trip.
[Iraq: Arms Embargo]
Q Can I ask you -- there's a report that Prime
Minister Major was unable to persuade the Soviets, Mr.
Gorbachev, to cease arms shipments to Iraq. I wondered if the
United States had tried to make that pitch, and, if it hasn't,
will the Secretary make it in Moscow?
Presumably, you are in favor of a total arms embargo as
long as Saddam Hussein is in power. There's been a little
uncertainty, but I think that's the last view you took.
MR. BOUCHER: The Secretary has made very clear our
view on that, and that's as long as Saddam Hussein remains in
power we would be in favor of a total arms embargo. I hadn't
seen the report about Prime Minister Major. I think it's up to
the Soviets or the British to comment or confirm it. And again,
the Secretary has made clear that one of the subjects in the
discussion on his trip is the question of arms sale and security
in the future.
Q On that subject, Richard, arms sales in the
region: There's another report that says the United States and
perhaps others are making arrangements to transfer a fair amount
of weaponry on the ground in the Gulf to Egypt and to Syria.
Some of it Soviet equipment to Syria, some of it allied
equipment to Egypt. Is that true?
MR. BOUCHER: I hadn't seen that report, Ralph. I just
don't have anything on it.
Q Do you have anything on the subject of what will
happen to -- how would it fit into the Secretary's statements
about reducing the flow of conventional weapons in the region?
Will the U.S., for example, withdraw all of its equipment from
the region? Will the U.S. urge the Soviet Union to recover
equipment that once belonged to them in Iraq?
MR. BOUCHER: Again, those kinds of questions get into
the details of the topics that the Secretary will be discussing
during the course of his trip -- the questions of post-war
security and attendant issues of arms sales, and such things.
He's expressed his general views in public, but I think we have
to let the details wait for him to go on the trip and talk to
others about it.
Q Could you at least take the question of whether
discussions have been held with Egypt and the Soviet Union and
perhaps Syria on the question of what happens to allied and
Iraqi equipment on the ground?
MR. BOUCHER: I'll look into it and see if there's
anything to say at this point, but I suspect that we will want
to leave those kinds of questions for the trip.
Q Going back to the Damascus thing and Barry's point
about picking up on taking the lead, does this mean that --
O.K., it's going to be discussed by the Secretary, but is this
at least viewed with favor that they've taken the initiative to
do this? I mean, are you just sort of letting it roll, or is
this something that you either approve of or disapprove of?
MR. BOUCHER: Well, we certainly welcome this meeting.
It's the second such meeting that these countries have had.
They are actively discussing and thinking about the issues of
post-war security, and the Secretary will be discussing it
further with them when he gets out there.
Q But is the idea of an Arab peacekeeping force,
which they have apparently come up with, as well an economic
block which they apparently are also proposing, is that
something that the United States favors?
MR. BOUCHER: John, at this point I don't want to imply
a specific endorsement, because we just plain don't have the
full readout of it. The ideas of peacekeeping forces and
post-war security arrangements among the GCC states are things
that the Secretary has discussed in testimony; things that he
has said are part of his agenda on this trip, along with
economic development questions as well.
And so we welcome the fact that they're having these
meetings. We welcome the fact that they are taking the lead in
discussing these ideas, and the Secretary will discuss them
further when he gets out there.
Q Richard, you seem to be focusing on the phrase of
GCC taking the lead. I think the Secretary is ON THE RECORD --
the record will stand by itself as to whether he is or not --
but I think he's ON THE RECORD as having referred to Arab
peacekeeping forces. "We expect the Arabs to take the lead," I
think, is the way he has phrased it in the past. Are you
signaling today a shift a policy; that the U.S. is referring to
the GCC taking the lead as opposed to the Arabs being involved
in a peacekeeping force, or is this simply a reference to the
fact that the meeting in Damascus happened to have been in the
umbrella, if you will, of the GCC?
MR. BOUCHER: What you're hearing from me today is an
imperfect rendition of what the Secretary has said. I'm not
trying to change it, and if I can find in here exactly what he
said I would give you that. But --
Q Well, I guess the --
MR. BOUCHER: -- it's in here somewhere.
Q Well, I guess the point is that the meeting in
Damascus was among the eight members of the coalition, not all
of whom are members of the GCC.
MR. BOUCHER: That's right. We've talked about the
GCC. It was a meeting between the GCC and Egypt and Syria.
We'll be discussing these issues with the GCC and the other
coalition partners who we will be meeting with throughout the
course of this trip.
Barry asked me before about Syria and I said I was not
in a position at this point to try to specifically rule in or
rule anybody out of future postwar security arrangements. Those
will be discussed with all the countries during the course of
the trip.
Q Richard, reporters in Kuwait who know Kuwait best
seem to put a great bit of stock in the possibility that the
Royal Family is carrying out some sort of assassination plot, or
at least some sort of intimidation, against possible opponents.
I know that we viewed that with concern yesterday, but is there
anything more you can view it than concern if, indeed, people
are getting killed since a lot of people just died for this
democracy?
[Kuwait: Civil Unrest]
MR. BOUCHER: I think the first thing to say about
these reports of hit squads and assassination campaigns is that
we have seen absolutely no evidence to substantiate charges like
that at this point.
We and the military briefers who were on the ground
have described the situation as one where there are isolated
incidents occurring but where the government was in the process
of reestablishing its control. Kuwaiti military forces are
undertaking military patrols. They're manning checkpoints.
They're occupying the police stations, taking over the services
of public order. Our Ambassador this morning described the
situation as one where the concern was more of services than it
was of safety.
There are isolated incidents occurring. There were
some shootings in the past few days that have been reported,
discussed by our military people out there, but that we have
seen the Kuwaiti government taking over the question of security
and public safety and that we have had a dialogue with the
Kuwaiti government well before Kuwait was liberated to talk
about things like the treatment of Palestinians and our concerns
about that.
You've seen the Crown Prince come out and make strong
statements against "vigilantism". I'm not sure what it was in
the original language. And this is something that we have had a
dialogue with the Kuwaiti government about where we have
expressed our concerns and where the Kuwaiti government itself
has expressed its intentions.
Q Have we talked to the fellow in the hospital who
was shot when he came to his door and who thinks he was shot by
somebody representing the government?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't know if we have, Saul.
Q Since the reporter went to do it and since we're
interested in evidence of this and since we're interested in
human rights, would it be out of our way to do that -- to find
out from this fellow who shot him?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't think it's inappropriate at all,
but I'm just not sure if we have.
Q What about Kuwait's announced intention to round
up people and ship them out. They said that they have
intentions of getting rid of people that they don't want, of
which a very large number is expected to be Palestinians, and
they quote figures as high as 20,000 people. Do we have
anything to say about that?
MR. BOUCHER: We have seen those reports. I don't
really have any information at this point. We're expecting to
get information on that from our Embassy in Kuwait, so I don't
have a real reaction at this point.
Q Don't you have a policy on deportations? We hear
it all the time when the West Bank is at issue. (Laughter.) We
hear about autonomy all the time when the West Bank is at issue
too, but there aren't Kurds there.
MR. BOUCHER: We have a --
Q Can you say anything about deporting people
without -- or do you want to say anything, or is it different in
Kuwait?
MR. BOUCHER: We have a policy of not making
comparisons, and I'll stick to that one.
Q Well, I thought you had policies on human rights
and I thought you consider the deporting of people a violation
of human rights unless they've been accused of a crime. Have
these Palestinians been accused of some crime? Is there a legal
proceeding in Kuwait before you deported or they're
assassinated?
MR. BOUCHER: Those are all very good questions, Barry,
and I'm sure that we and you will want to see to what extent
these press reports are founded in policy and how they're
proposed to be implemented if such plans, in fact, exist.
Q Tom here thinks that things drop into a deep
abyss. For instance, if I were to remind you that the State
Department said two weeks ago it was looking into reports that
Jordan violated the arms embargo by providing grenades and
grenade launchers to Iraq -- you know, that's before the
Administration decided to make kissy-face with Jordan when the
war was over (laughter) -- but at that point you were looking
into the reports.
Now, looking into reports never seem to produce
anything. Is there a conclusion you can give us now on whether
Jordan violated the embargo?
MR. BOUCHER: Not at this point, Barry; no.
Q You're still looking.
Q Richard, also on --
MR. BOUCHER: "Investigating," I think, was the term --
Q Investigating --
MR. BOUCHER: That's better than looking into reports.
Q And reviewing their aid. Is that review over yet?
MR. BOUCHER: I'm not aware of any results of that.
[Proliferation Controls on Chemical Weapons]
Q On a parallel subject, there's a report that the
Commerce Department has decided to put Israel and Egypt among a
list, I think, of six or eight other countries on a watch-
list so that precursor of chemicals would be especially watched
out for. Do you confirm that there is such a discussion going
on, and can you confirm that the State Department opposes adding
Israel and Egypt to this watch-
list?
MR. BOUCHER: The President in December approved the
imposition of additional controls to deal with proliferation
concerns. This exercise was to produce a list of dual-use
equipment, which can be used to produce chemical and biological
weapons, and should produce controls on the export of this
equipment to sensitive destinations.
We are now finalizing the formal regulations that will
implement those controls and the full content, the list, in
effect, will be made public once that is prepared for
publication in the Federal Register.
Q Is there agreement on which countries will be
included in this list?
MR. BOUCHER: I'm not in a position to go through our
internal deliberations for you, Jim.
Q I'm not asking about that.
MR. BOUCHER: The discussions between departments are
things that are ongoing. I'm told the lists are, if not
completed, near completion; and, therefore, we'll be making the
details available in public when it's prepared for publication.
Q In other words, there is no agreement on a list of
countries to be included?
MR. BOUCHER: I can't really nail down its exact status
at this point other than what I said, that we are finalizing the
formal regulations.
[Libya: US Monitoring Possible CW Production
Activities]
Q On a related topic, there was a report in The
Washington Times that Libya had built a new facility at its gas
plant; and that report also said that that plant was under full
production. Do you have any information?
MR. BOUCHER: These specific allegations involve
sensitive intelligence questions that I'm not in a position to
comment on.
In general, I can say that even as the world's
attention has focused on Iraq, we have continued to be highly
concerned about the threat posed by the Libyan chemical weapons
program. The alleged fire at Rabta last March was in all
likelihood a hoax, and we believe that Rabta is capable of
producing chemical weapons. We also believe that it's vital
that no supplier nation contribute equipment, materials or
expertise to Libya that could be used to manufacture chemical
weapons and we continue to be in touch with a number of
governments on that question. We have urged all concerned
nations not to relax their vigilance on Libya's attempts to
acquire chemical weapons capability.
Q Have they used chemical weapons, to the best of
your knowledge?
MR. BOUCHER: At this point, all I can say is that we
believe that they're capable of producing chemical weapons at
Rabta.
Q Richard, back to the Damascus declaration, if I
may. Don't you believe that it would have been better for the
eight Arab members of the coalition to wait for the mission by
Secretary Baker in order to give such a definitive position on
the whole affair?
MR. BOUCHER: As I said, we welcome these meetings.
They have had two of these meetings so far. They are exploring
and discussing the subjects that the Secretary looks forward to
discussing with them.
Q Aren't you concerned that an Arab peacekeeping
force might someday be mobilized against Israel?
MR. BOUCHER: George, again, I don't think I want to,
at this point, go into the details of the specific ideas. We
don't, at this point, have a full readout from the countries
involved; and the Secretary will presumably get that and be
discussing these ideas with them when he gets out there.
Q Richard --
MR. BOUCHER: Let's go back to John.
Q Richard, on the $650 million supplemental for
Israel, can the State Department explain why the American
taxpayers are being asked to pay for gas masks for everybody in
Israel?
MR. BOUCHER: John, the discussion with the Government
of Israel produced a mutual agreement that we would help them
with $650 million. It would help them with the additional costs
and expenses and the damage that has resulted from the events
that occurred during the war, including things like Scud
attacks. We've reached agreement with Israel on this figure of
$650 million. As you know, we've always had a strong aid
program for Israel.
When this request came in, we said we'd give it full
consideration. I'm not aware that specifics, like gas masks,
are listed. But Israel, among other countries, has received
incoming Scud missiles and has incurred additional expenses and
additional problems because of the war and we felt --
Q My impression --
MR. BOUCHER: -- it was important to help them with
that.
Q It was my impression that the Scud missiles were
launched from Iraq, not from the United States. Why do the
taxpayers of the United States have to foot this bill? Isn't
Israel subject to receiving war reparations from Iraq?
MR. BOUCHER: I think in the past we have said that any
country that suffered damages should have the ability, under the
U.N. resolutions, to present the information that the U.N. has
requested.
The effort to help countries which have suffered
damages because of the effects of the sanctions or the war has
been an ongoing one. It's involved defense, it's involved
helping countries with financial problems that have resulted as
a result of the war, and in this case this $650 million is to
help Israel in that regard.
Q Can we expect to see a supplemental to help Saudi
Arabia then with their Scud damage?
MR. BOUCHER: The financial situations of different
countries vary from place to place, John. We take into account
the country's situation. As you know, the United States has had
a longstanding and abiding interest in Israel's security. We've
provided aid over the course of years. In this case, they've
suffered additional damage and have additional costs and we're
helping them out with it.
Q Because you're citing damage losses, this story
has been cast in some places as a reward for restraint. Is that
inaccurate? It's for real loss? It's not a payoff for holding
fire?
MR. BOUCHER: Again, the request from Israel in
February was for approximately $l billion, which reflected their
assumption of costs directly related to the Persian Gulf
conflict. This $650 million was for Israeli costs associated
with the Persian Gulf conflict.
Q Can I try one quick one on you about the Amir?
There's a report in the morning paper --
Q I'd like to ask one more question on that.
Q O.K., please. Excuse me.
Q (Inaudible) says the Secretary and others have
pointed out money is fungible. Are there some limits as to what
this $650 million can be used for?
MR. BOUCHER: This is an emergency request. I've
described exactly what it's for. It was the result of
discussions between the U.S. Government and the Israeli
government. And, again, it's an emergency request. It's a
payment to help Israel with the costs that it has incurred
associated with the Persian Gulf conflict.
Q I mean it makes money available, you must agree,
in the Israeli treasury to use for other things -- such as the
settlement of Soviet immigrants, for example, in places where we
would rather that they not settle.
MR. BOUCHER: No. Saul, that's not the purpose of
this money, and you have to understand that it's not --
Q It's not the purpose, but money is fungible.
MR. BOUCHER: It's not additional money that's
unrelated to the costs and the expenses and damages that they
have incurred as a result of the conflict; so it has a purpose.
The need is there. We've discussed it with the Israeli
officials, and this is the amount that we've agreed on.
Q Richard, is it the U.S. view that it's time for
the Amir to go back to Kuwait?
I'm sorry, but there's a morning newspaper report.
Evidently, some official anonymously has opined that there's
some distress here that the Amir hasn't moved back in to take
charge. I don't know how you want to deal with that question,
but is it time for him take over his own house?
MR. BOUCHER: Barry, it's not for us to specify when
the Amir should travel. The Government of Kuwait has
established itself back in Kuwait City. The Crown Prince, who
is the Prime Minister and the Military Governor General of
Kuwait, is back there. Most of his -- if not all of his
ministers -- are back there. They have a rebuilding program
under way. They're trying to take care of the security and
communications and public services problems that exist in the
city, and the Amir will decide when he wants to go back.
Q Do you have an update --
Q Do you find any kind of family feud --
MR. BOUCHER: Let's go on to Johanna's.
Q Do you have an update on Iraqi efforts to comply
with the cease-fire terms? For instance, the question of
rescinding the annexation proclamation -- have they now done
that to our satisfaction, or is it still unsatisfactory? And
the other one I'm curious about is the Kuwaiti citizens.
Al-Anbari was quoted this morning as that things like that could
take months.
MR. BOUCHER: I don't have a scorecard for you at this
point. I think you're familiar with the letters that Iraq has
sent to the U.N. stating its willingness to comply. You're
aware of the action of the Revolutionary Command Council to
rescind the annexation, the --
Q Is that acceptable? There was some report
yesterday that the United States felt the rescinding had to be
done by the same parliamentary body that did the original
annexation, which is to say the National Assembly.
MR. BOUCHER: Yes. We're looking at that question. I
would say that this is an official act of the Iraqi government.
Whether it fully rescinds the annexation is a question the legal
experts have to look at. But we would expect it would be an
action that would have to have full legal effect, and that's
something the experts would have to look at. But in
terms of the United Nations resolutions, they are quite specific
in the demands. I'm not aware that any of the Kuwaiti citizens,
for example, have been released at this point. It's something
the ICRC is going to follow up with and the military said they
would continue to follow up with in their meetings.
Q Would all the Kuwaits have to be freed before, in
the United States' view, the terms of the cease-fire had been
met?
MR. BOUCHER: I'd just refer you back to exactly what
the U.N. resolution says on that subject.
Q Richard, are you aware of a report leaked by an
Israeli opposition group that the government plans to double the
number of settlers in the Occupied Territories
MR. BOUCHER: I don't really have any information on
that now.
Q Do you have a readout on the meeting yesterday
between the Secretary and the Kuwaiti Ambassador?
MR. BOUCHER: No, I don't.
Q Could you take the question of whether the issue
of the Kuwaiti contribution to the war effort came up? They, as
I recall, contributed or pledged $l3 and a half billion for the
first quarter. Obviously, the war didn't last as long as he
seemed to think it would. And what is the status of their
contribution? Are they going to commit themselves to the $l3
and a half billion or not?
MR. BOUCHER: I'll see if I can get you a readout of
that meeting or an update on the status of the Kuwaiti
contribution.
Jan?
Q Another area. Do you have anything on Albanians
streaming into Italy?
MR. BOUCHER: On what in Albania?
Q The Albanians who are apparently escaping or
streaming into Italy. Apparently, several thousand Albanians
are on the move.
MR. BOUCHER: It's something I'll have to look into.
Q Just a question on the trip, Richard. It has been
announced publicly the countries to which Baker will be going.
Are you able to announce any other countries today -- such as
Kuwait, for example?
MR. BOUCHER: No, but we can maybe talk afterwards
about some of this (inaudiable) questions.
Q O.K. Will the Secretary visit Kuwait?
MR. BOUCHER: I'll just refer you back to what we said
before. I don't have that sort of detail on his trip at this
point.
Q Do you have anything further to say about the
discussion yesterday on the question of where the Government of
Kuwait is at the moment? You've said again today that the
government is in Kuwait City. Does the U.S. not consider the
Amir to be part of the government, or --
MR. BOUCHER: I didn't exclude the Amir from the
government. At least, that was not my intention in my remarks,
Ralph. The Government of Kuwait remains the same Government of
Kuwait that it was before the invasion. The Amir is the head,
the Crown Prince is the Prime Minister, and there are other
ministers. The exact location of individual people doesn't
change that.
Q Do you detect any family feud among the Sabah?
(Laughter.)
MR. BOUCHER: No.
[Japan: Contributions to Gulf War]
Q Richard, another money question. I believe the
Japanese have freed up that $9 billion they had pledged. One
question on that -- well, just what is your general reaction?
But the second question is: My original understanding was that
that was all for the United States; and then there have been
some reports since then that it isn't all for the United States,
that some of it might go to affected nations and so on.
MR. BOUCHER: Naturally, we're very pleased that the
Japanese Diet has approved on March 6th the bills which provide
Japan's new contribution to Desert Storm. We understand that
the disbursements in cash will be made very shortly, and Japan's
unwavering political support and substantial financial
contributions have been very helpful in the effort to counter
Iraq's aggression.
As for the exact figures, when the yen are translated
into dollars, those exact allocations are, of course, are a
matter of discussion and decision with the Japanese Government.
We do expect, as we said in the past, the lion's share of this
contribution will come to the United States.
Q Thank you.
(The briefing concluded at l:05 p.m.)