US Department of State Daily Briefing #7:
Monday, 1/13/92
Tutwiler
Source: State Department Spokesman Margaret Tutwiler
Description: Washington, DC
Date: Jan, 13 19921/13/92
Category: Briefings
Region: Eurasia, Caribbean, North America,
MidEast/North Africa, South Asia
Country: USSR (former), El Salvador, Nicaragua, Mexico,
Kazakhstan, Israel, Algeria, Pakistan, Cuba
Subject: POW/MIA Issues, Mideast Peace Process,
North America Free Trade, Immigration, Terrorism,
Human Rights, Democratization, Arms Control,
Nuclear Nonproliferation
12:27 P.M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
MS. TUTWILER: I have several things I'd like to go through.
The first is a housekeeping matter.
[Announcement: Press Credentials for Aid Coordinating
Conference for the Former Soviet Union]
We will be issuing credentials for members of the press who
wish to cover the upcoming Coordinating Conference on Assistance
to the new independent states. That is, as you know, will be
held here at the State Department on January 22-23. Application
forms will be available this afternoon in the State Department
Press Office, at the Foreign Press Center in Washington, and at
U.S. Embassies overseas.
The deadline for submission of applications is close of
business, 5:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Thursday, January 16.
A notice will be posted after the briefing with details on
application procedures and the credentials pickup schedule.
[Announcement: Secretary to Represent US at El Salvador
Peace Accord Signing/Visit to El Salvador and Nicaragua]
I would like to announce a trip of Secretary Baker's.
Secretary of State Baker will represent President Bush at the
official signing of the peace accords ending El Salvador's civil
war January 16 in Mexico City.
Secretary Baker will also travel to El Salvador where he
will meet with President Cristiani and other political and civic
leaders and address leaders of the El Salvadoran National
Assembly on January 17.
The Secretary, in addition, will travel to Managua,
Nicaragua, where he will consult with President Chamorro,
members of her Cabinet, and with the leaders and members of the
Nicaraguan National Assembly.
The Salvadoran peace accords, which end a 12-year-long civil
conflict, call for major reforms in El Salvador's judicial and
electoral system, establishment of new human rights safeguards,
and reform and reduction of its armed forces and police. These
accords, following the successful elections in Nicaragua in 1990
and the end of conflict there, represent a major step forward in
realizing the goals of the 1987 Esquipulas accords of a Central
America wholly democratic and at peace.
The Secretary's visit to El Salvador will reaffirm the
United States' support for full implementation of the peace
accords and signal the will of the United States to join with
other interested nations in support of national reconstruction.
The Secretary's trip to Nicaragua will offer an opportunity for
the Secretary to review firsthand with President Chamorro and
leaders of the National Assembly progress towards consolidation
of democracy and economic recovery.
While in Mexico City, the Secretary will hold a series
of bilateral meetings with President Salinas of Mexico and a
number of foreign leaders who will be in attendance as well as
with the new Secretary General of the United Nations.
The Secretary's current plans are to return to
Washington, D.C., very late on the evening of Friday, January
17. The sign-up sheet for this trip will go up at the end of
this briefing and we will take it down today at 5:00 p.m.
Where is the overnight?
Q That much --
[Former Soviet Union: US Diplomats Investigate
Possible US POWs in Kazakhstan]
MS. TUTWILER: Can I get into that later, if you don't
mind.
One other thing. Frank, this is something that I know
you've had an interest in, as have a number of you all,
concerning the situation on the alleged POWs that were in
Kazakhstan.
Two officials from Embassy Moscow travelled to Alma-Ata
on January 8 through 11 to pursue these allegations that an
American POW was taken to Saryshagansk from Vietnam.
Our officials received full cooperation from the Kazakh
authorities. As you know -- I think I've mentioned before --
this is something that Secretary of State Baker brought up
directly while in Kazakhstan on this last trip with the
President, and President Nazarbayev assured us that there would
be no problems and explained what the problems had been in the
past concerning this.
While they were there, our two officials met with
senior Kazakh political, security, and military officials in
Alma-Ata, as well as local residents and officials -- including
KGB and military officials. None of these persons could provide
any information to support these recent allegations concerning
American POWs in the region, and all denied any knowledge of any
Americans having lived or been detained in this area.
Q Do you consider this case now closed, more or
less?
MS. TUTWILER: As far as we're concerned, unless
someone brings forth something else. As you will recall, the
author of the original article that this all started from,
himself, put out a clarification of his own concerning the
English translation of the document that started us down this
road.
[Middle East Peace Process: Update]
Can I bring you up to speed on what's going on here
today on the Middle East Talks?
We are very pleased that bilateral meetings between the
parties resumed this morning. The heads of the Israeli and
joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegations arrived at the State
Department at 9:00 a.m. and went straight into a meeting.
At 10:00 a.m., the Israeli-Jordanian and Palestinian
heads of delegation asked that their full delegations come to
the State Department. The delegations are currently in their
delegation offices caucusing. During the course of the morning,
there has been at least one that I know of -- there could have
been more -- of other meetings of the heads of this particular
delegation.
The Israeli and Syrian delegations arrived at 10:00
a.m. and have resumed their talks. The Israeli and Lebanese
delegations also met at 10:00 a.m. this morning but without the
head of the Lebanese delegation, who has been ill over the
weekend and has requested 24 hours. So they will not continue
their talks today. They have tentatively, depending on his
health, said they will meet tomorrow at 10:00.
Q Margaret?
MS. TUTWILER: Yes, Barry.
Q Margaret, actually these two delegations -- and I
assume you mean only two -- an Israeli and joint
Palestinian-Jordanian delegation. The fact that these two
delegation are caucusing among themselves, does that mean that
they have not -- the three chief negotiators -- have not
resolved the procedural issue? Because, otherwise, I assume
they would all be in one room.
MS. TUTWILER: They've resolved something this morning.
Because, as you know -- and I use their term, not ours -- "they
are off the couch." They met at 9:00 a.m. this morning. I know
of one other time the heads have gotten back together -- in a
room, which is the significance this morning. So they met.
It is absolutely correct, as of four minutes ago -- or
the last time I checked -- the two delegations are here in the
building -- unless they've left right now, and I don't know
about it -- but they have not yet met all together as a group.
That's the lay of the land as I understand it.
Q May I also ask you, is the State Department now
satisfied with Israel's procedure for considering the expulsion
of 12 Palestinians accused of inciting terrorism by the fact
that the appeals will be heard in public by order of Israeli
courts. Does that mean that Israel is now having the kind of
procedure that meets U.S. standards?
MS. TUTWILER: To be honest with you, Barry, I saw one
wire story this morning concerning a report that, as you state,
they are going to, if "allow" is the correct word, public
observance of these, and family members. But I do not know that
that changes United States policy concerning deportations. I
would like to reserve and look into that for you.
Q On the deportation question? Beyond the U.S.
support for the U.N. Security Council vote strongly condemning
the action, is any other -- beyond the clarification on Barry's
last question -- is anything else planned by the U.S. in terms
of responding to or doing something to overturn the Israeli
decision to expel these 12?
MS. TUTWILER: Not that I am aware of. As you know,
when we first learned of this incident, we raised this at the
highest levels in the Israeli Government. This is prior to the
United Nations vote. We made our views known then, but I'm not
aware of any future actions the United States is or is not
anticipating.
Q Why did you change your policy -- the policy of --
MS. TUTWILER: Excuse me?
Q Why did you change the policy of this podium --
previously announced that you are not going to announce anything
related to the Middle East talks from here because you are not
going to be a spokesman for the talks?
MS. TUTWILER: That is my policy, and I will continue
and be consistent today. I have everyday while they have been
in this building, I have, as nothing more than a courtesy, said
who is meeting where, what time they came in the building. I
have simply declined -- and I will today -- to say anything that
rightfully should be said by their spokesmen.
It is my understanding that at 1:30 today, the
Palestinians have said that they are having a press conference
at the Grand Hotel. It is my understanding at 2:00 p.m. that
the Jordanians have said they're having a press conference at
the Grand Hotel. And at 3:00 p.m., it's my understanding the
Israelis are having a press conference at the Madison Hotel.
Q Margaret, back to the business of deportations.
Does the United States have a position on the term, the legal
term, of the word "deportation?" Because it's generally
understood that a country can only deport an alien and has to
expel a national.
Therefore, if the United States believes that these
people are being deported, does it mean the United States
position is that the Palestinians living in the occupied
territories are aliens and not nationals of that area?
MS. TUTWILER: What I would prefer to do for you, Jan,
is to have the lawyers write you what the United States legal
definition is. I'll be happy to get the lawyers to do that for
you at the end of the briefing.
Q Margaret, was there any involvement of any State
Department officials in the negotiations right now on the first
floor? And, number two, were there any State Department
officials mediating between the Israelis and the Syrians and the
Israelis and the Lebanese to confirm the time of their meeting
today?
MS. TUTWILER: United States officials have been
involved throughout. They have been involved in phone
conversations. I am not aware of any meetings that Ambassador
Djerejian or Ambassador Ross or Mr. Kurtzer or anyone had this
weekend.
I am aware of any number of phone conversations
across-the-board with people who are here in town. That is no
different than how the United States has been conducting itself
and will continue to conduct itself. Except, as you know, in
the terms of reference, there is one clause that says, "If both
parties request the parties to come into the room, then such a
mechanism would kick in. That has not happened. We have not
been asked. But, yes, "Have we been in contact with all of
them?" You bet we have.
Q Margaret, on the Lebanese delegation head's
illness, is there any suspicion that might be diplomatic form of
illness to the bombing that took place in southern Lebanon by
the Israeli planes? I think it was on Friday.
MS. TUTWILER: Not that I'm aware of, Jim. My
understanding -- and Ambassador Djerejian talked with the
gentleman this morning, or either it was late yesterday
afternoon -- he has some type of flu, it's my understanding.
Q Have you had any -- I haven't heard it from here,
but do you have any reaction to the bombing itself?
MS. TUTWILER: To be honest with you, that is something
that I'll have to get for you. I don't remember the incident on
Friday. I'm sure that I should. It's just something that I
don't know anything about today. Sorry.
Q While we're on the subject of illness, when you
said at the outside that the Secretary will represent the
President in Mexico City, was that just boilerplate diplomatic
announcement, or is the Secretary stepping in because the
President has a medical problem?
MS. TUTWILER: It was very creatively crafted --
beautiful diplomatese. No, the President does not have a
medical problem. As you will recall, the Secretary of State
represented the United States -- the President -- at the Angolan
signing ceremony in Portugal. There are any number of examples
I could give for you.
This is something that the President and the Secretary
of State decided -- that this would be appropriate for the
Secretary to represent the President. The President, it's my
understanding, is in Kansas, I believe, this morning. He has
already spoken to your colleagues there. As far as I know,
since the incident in Tokyo, the President has been at a full
pace, full schedule.
Q I just wondered if this were an indication the
Secretary will be taking some of the trips that the President
might normally take?
MS. TUTWILER: No. This is an indication --
unfortunately, that 1992 might turn out to be like the past
three years when we've been here. The Secretary of State's job,
after all, is to represent our country and the President around
the world at various fora. This is one that, obviously, we
think is important, and the Secretary of State will be there.
Q Margaret, do you anticipate this week some time,
before the Secretary leaves, that he and the President might
discuss and/or make a decision on Israel's request for loan
guarantee money?
MS. TUTWILER: I would't want to prejudge what he might
or might not be discussing with the President this week. As you
know, whether he's in town or out of town, or vice versa for
either gentleman, they stay in very close contact and discuss
all manner of subjects. But whether they specifically will be
discussing this this week, I don't know.
Q Well, last week you said "soon." So I just
wondered --
MS. TUTWILER: The same phraseology is for today. I
believe that question, though, was, "When will the
Administration make a decision?" The answer still remains
"soon."
[Algeria: US View of Situation]
Q Margaret, what's the United States assessment of
what's happening in Algeria?
MS. TUTWILER: In Algeria? We view the situation there
with concern, the interruption of the electoral process. We
commend the fact that Algeria has made impressive strides toward
democracy in recent years, and we hope a way can be found to
resume progress as soon as possible.
In the meantime, we urge all parties to remain calm and
to find a peaceful resolution in accordance with the Algerian
constitution.
As you know, under the Algerian constitution right now,
the Prime Minister and the Cabinet remain in place and will
handle day-to-day running of the government.
The Algerian Constitution provides for the High
Security Council to deal with all questions relating to public
order and justice. That Council consists of the President, top
army and security officials, the Prime Minister, and Defense and
Justice Ministers.
Q But, specifically, does the United States believe
the elections that have now been cancelled should go forward?
MS. TUTWILER: We definitely believe that it is
important that a peaceful resolution be found in this in a calm
manner in accordance with the Algerian Constitution.
That's why I made the point of saying that the current
system that is in place falls within the Algerian Constitution.
I cannot predict for you, for instance, the Presidential
elections. We just don't have a definitive answer today on
whether those, indeed, will or will not go forward. We don't
know.
Q Excuse me, Margaret. The events of the weekend --
the departure of the President from office and the cancelling of
the follow-up elections -- are in accord with the Algerian
Constitution?
MS. TUTWILER: I didn't say that. I said that we do
not have a definitive word on the election of a President. It
is my understanding -- and check the record -- that the
President of Algeria said on the record and stated the reasons
of why he resigned. Basically, it was for the unity of his
people and for his country. So that is something that he has
addressed himself to.
Q Excuse me, Barry. But what about the follow-up
legislative elections? Is the cancellation of those in accord
with the Algerian Constitution?
MS. TUTWILER: My instincts would be, Mark, that they
are not. I have said that the United States Government views
this with concern -- the interruption of the electoral process.
Q In other words, it's the cancellation that you
mean when you say "interruption?" The United States does not
like the cancelling of the election? Is that what you're
saying?
MS. TUTWILER: The United States has been consistent
and very supportive of the moves down a democratic road in
Algeria. That process appears to have been interrupted.
What I am saying is that, at the same time, under their
constitution, to date, as I stand here, the mechanisms that have
kicked in are the ones that were set up in their constitution.
And concerning future elections, I just cannot answer for you
today definitively, yes or no, they're not going to go forward
or are.
Q Margaret, when you said these mechanisms are set
up in their constitution, what exactly are you referring to?
That anytime the military doesn't like the results of a free and
fair election, they're able to do this?
MS. TUTWILER: I'm stating, Mary, that their
constitution calls for the creation of exactly what is my
understanding is existing there on the ground today.
It is, one, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet dealing
with the day-to-day operations of the government, and the
creation of something that is called the High Security Council.
So all I can tell you, I've given you our reaction; I can tell
you what our understanding is of what is going on on the ground.
I can point you to what falls under the Algerian Constitution,
as I have.
I'm not in a position, for lack of -- I don't think you
would be able to ascertain it yourself today -- the information
on what is going to happen in the future. I just can't do that.
Q Could we just ask you from the reverse, Margaret,
having viewed this sort of situation in other countries in the
past, is the United States calling for the military to withdraw
its influence on the process and to allow the parliamentary
elections scheduled for this week to go forward as scheduled?
MS. TUTWILER: I'm not aware, John, if we have publicly
or privately called for the military. Again, I just listed who
all comprises the High Security Council under their
constitution. It is the top army and security officials in
addition to others. So I'm not aware of that. If that's
something we've done either publicly or privately, I'm just not
aware of that.
Q But in effect, the military has stepped in and
prevented a free election going forward this week. The United
States' only reaction to this is to say that we are concerned;
is that correct?
MS. TUTWILER: That's correct.
[Discussion: Islamic Fundamentalism]
Q Does the United States Government have a defined
position vis-a-vis the rising tide of Islamic fundamentalism in
the area?
MS. TUTWILER: Concerning Islamic fundamentalism, let
me make three points. First, it is important not to generalize
about such a complicated subject. The term "Islamic
fundamentalism" is used in different ways by different people.
It embraces a wide variety of religious, political and
social concepts. This is not a single, coordinated
international movement.
Secondly: For many years the United States has had
productive and excellent relations with a number of Islamic or
deeply observant governments and parties. We look forward to
continuing doing so.
The United States believes strongly in the principles
of peaceful relations between neighbors, democracy, and human
rights. We want to continue to work with all parties to promote
those principles.
Thirdly: At the same time, we, and the rest of the
international community, will continue to resist the efforts of
extemists, of whatever stripe, to undermine those principles.
Q Are you saying that fundamentalism can be
consistent with democratic values -- your second point?
MS. TUTWILER: My second point, Barry, I think, stands
for itself. I think it's also further amplified by my third
point, where we point out extremists. That does not come as any
surprise to anyone.
We have very healthy, long-standing relations with many
nations around the world that are deeply observant governments
of Islam. It seems pretty clear to me.
Q Margaret, could you name some of the governments
with which we have --
MS. TUTWILER: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, to
name three.
Q Are any of those, or any other examples democratic
governments?
MS. TUTWILER: I don't believe I said "democratic." I
said, for many years the United States Government has had
productive and excellent relations with a number of Islamic or
deeply observant governments and parties. We look forward to
continuing to do so.
Q That's your third point.
MS. TUTWILER: That's my second point.
Q We weren't asking about -- at least I wasn't. I
was asking if fundamentalism, in the U.S. view, is consistent
with democracy? Your answer is, the U.S. has good relations
with some fundamentalist governments.
MS. TUTWILER: My answer is that your definition of
"fundamentalism" --
Q I have no definition. I'm working on yours. The
U.S. Government's is what I'm asking about.
MS. TUTWILER: What I started by saying is that this is
an enormously complicated subject. There are various -- which
we would acknowledge -- I grant you don't have an opinion, but
many, many people do of what is fundamentalism, and it would be
irresponsible of me -- I have stated clearly, I think, and
distinctly what the United States' views are concerning Islamic
fundamentalism, and I have knowledge that that term is used very
differently by different people and interpreted differently by
different groups.
Q But the United States interprets Islamic
fundamentalism to encompass those governments which are
currently in existence in Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and
Pakistan, is that right?
MS. TUTWILER: I did not say that they were "Islamic
fundamentalists." I said they were Islamic, and that many
countries that we have done business with for a long time are
deeply observant countries of Islam. I did not say "Islamic
fundamentalism."
Q Margaret, could we get an interpretation on your
third point? Is the Islamic front that won the first round of
the elections an extremist group?
MS. TUTWILER: I'll be happy to look into it for you,
Norm.
[Pakistan: Reported Statement by Senator Pressler on
Nuclear Arms Development]
Q Speaking of Pakistan, Senator Pressler said today
in Islamabad that the United States Government -- this
Administration -- is convinced that Pakistan has developed a
nuclear weapon.
MS. TUTWILER: As you know, and I cannot remember,
Bill, what month it was last year, the United States Government,
this Administration -- I believe the correct phraseology is
"terminated" or "suspended" our program. There has been no
change in that policy since then. I haven't seen what Senator
Pressler said today. It is the Pressler amendment, as I recall,
that we, indeed, followed what that amendment says, and based on
our information terminated our aid.
Q What he seems to be saying is that it has gone
beyond gathering capability to build a weapon to the actual
possession of such a weapon.
MS. TUTWILER: I don't want to, obviously, refute a
United States Senator. Let me look into it for you.
Q Margaret, you have good relations with other
governments and --
MS. TUTWILER: Excuse me. Just so there's no
misunderstanding on the record, I'm not aware of what the
Senator said. I'm saying I'm going to look into the general
subject for you. I had said earlier I'm unaware of any change
in our policy since we suspended our aid last year under the
Pressler amendment.
Q Then the question is whether Pakistan, according
to --
MS. TUTWILER: Something's changed since then.
Q -- the Administration now possesses a weapon.
MS. TUTWILER: Let me look into it.
Q I believe the Ambassador from Pakistan is coming
in this afternoon to meet with the Deputy Secretary. Do you
have -- what is the agenda? Was she being called in, or was it
her request?
MS. TUTWILER: You know something that I don't know.
Larry [Eagleburger] is seeing this person this afternoon?
Q It's on the public schedule.
MS. TUTWILER: I'm sorry. I haven't read the public
schedule this morning. I've been doing other things.
Q Do you know if she's really coming?
MS. TUTWILER: I have no idea. I will be happy -- in
fact, Deputy Secretary Eagleburger, as many of you know, was out
ill last week. I did not see the Deputy this morning. He was
not at the senior staff meeting. So I was unaware that he was
back in good health. So I will be more than glad to call his
office and ask. I just don't know.
Q Margaret, you are in good relations with other
governments in the area that are at least expressing their
worries of [an] Islamic fundamentalist tide. Are you in
coordination with those governments like, say, Tunisia, Egypt,
Morocco?
MS. TUTWILER: Coordinating our policy?
Q Somehow.
MS. TUTWILER: I think that our policy -- I've just
restated it and pulled it as best we could altogether for you.
I'm unaware that it is either in sync or out of sync with other
governments in the area. I'll be happy to see if somebody will
take a look at that for you.
Q Have you said whether you had any concern about
the possibility of the impending victory of the Islamic front in
all three?
MS. TUTWILER: All I've expressed is the concern about
the interruption of the electoral process.
Q I know, and there's something similar here to the
concern expressed by the interruption of the electoral process
in Georgia as well, and I'm just trying to find out if there
isn't any similarity between the concern that you expressed, but
no more than concern that you expressed, for the interruption of
these two electoral processes. It's just a coincidence that
both --
MS. TUTWILER: We try to stay very consistent, because,
if we say something different, then you know where we go. I
don't do comparisons.
Q But it seems to me that you are consistent, that
the --
MS. TUTWILER: Believe me, I looked at this with the
very eye toward what you were addressing this morning, because I
knew full well --
Q You do comparisons. [Laughter]
MS. TUTWILER: Secretly. -- that I would be asked.
And this is a different situation, and that's why we do refrain
from doing comparisons. And each situation has its unique set
of parts to it, and so none of them are exactly alike.
Q It's just that --
MS. TUTWILER: This is where we are today on Algeria.
Q Except that -- it's probably obvious, but in both
cases it seems to me the United States sort of had some concerns
about the people who would win or had won.
MS. TUTWILER: That's just something I'm not going to
get into with you, is I'm going to continue to state the
policies as we have. We have not, other than I can remember,
since I've had this job, discussed personalities, other than
that I can recall Saddam Hussein. Now maybe there's been
another glaring omission that I'm not thinking of, but I'm
simply not going to do this. This is our reaction today of what
has transpired in the last 48 or 70 hours in Algeria.
Q Margaret, could you tell us --
MS. TUTWILER: We've expressed our concern.
Q Margaret, does the State Department -- is it the
State Department's assessment that the reports coming from
reporters on the ground, describing this as the military putting
an abrupt end to Algeria's experiment with democracy, that those
reports -- and also reporting that the Algerian President
resigned due to pressure from the military to resign, because
the military is alarmed by the fundamentalists having won this
election.
Is it the State Department's assessment that those are
overblown reports; that it's not accurate to say that the
military has, in effect, put an end to the democratic experiment
in Algeria?
MS. TUTWILER: I haven't seen all the reports that
you're referring to. I have seen some. I would again, as I did
with Mark, refer you to President Benjedid's own statement. I
don't think it's for me to sit here and say whether he was or
wasn't forced to make that statement. I would refer you to the
Algerian Government.
Concerning what has transpired there, now I have
explained under their constitution to date, the mechanisms that
have been put into effect are those that are in their
constitution. I have said that we -- the United States -- are
concerned about this interruption to the electoral process and
that we would like very much to see democracy continue to take
hold in Algeria, to progress on in Algeria.
I have acknowledged I do not have a crystal ball to
tell you whether, indeed, the presidential elections will or
will not go forward. I don't know.
Q Margaret, you would like to see the process to
continue --
MS. TUTWILER: Of course.
Q -- the democratic process, even though the likely
result would be that at the end, those who win be against
democracy.
MS. TUTWILER: That's getting me into doing
predictions. I don't do predictions. We are very interested in
democracy proceeding on in a peaceful, calm, obviously
non-violent manner in Algeria.
Q And the democracy equals election?
MS. TUTWILER: I'm sorry. What?
Q Democracy equals election in your concept of it?
MS. TUTWILER: There are other parts of democracy. As
you know, our longstanding beliefs in human rights, freedom of
religion; the entire pillars of our country falls, in my mind,
under democracy.
Q Margaret, the Israeli delegation plans to go home
Wednesday night. Today you said you were pleased, I believe,
that there's been a start here today.
MS. TUTWILER: That's right.
Q But does the U.S. Government have a view as to
whether Israel should keep going past Wednesday night?
MS. TUTWILER: That's for Israel to decide. I have
read reports that the Israeli delegation has said to members of
the press that they would be leaving on Wednesday. I noted they
have announced that they are having a press conference this
afternoon. It would be best for them to answer those types of
questions.
We're interested, obviously, in these talks getting to
the substance, as we have said throughout December. I have
given you an update this morning on where they are at the time I
came to this briefing and have characterized it as that we were
very pleased.
Q Margaret, one other thing just quickly for the
record --
MS. TUTWILER: Sure.
Q -- because rumors keep flying. Moscow is still on
for the multilaterals?
MS. TUTWILER: Yes. I saw a wire report right before I
came down here that said that someone had said that they
weren't. I have no knowledge of that nor does anyone in this
building. And the other thing -- someone had asked me the other
day if the Russians were, indeed, going to be present as our
staff level people are here in the building, and the answer is
yes. Their representatives are here.
Q Margaret, back on the Middle East, you said that
the United States is very much interested at talks getting to
substance.
MS. TUTWILER: Well, sure.
Q It appears that the Israelis may not get into
substance until the talks are switched in to the region, and I'm
asking you, is it time now for the United States to say, "Yes,
we'd like these talks be continued in the region in the near
future"?
MS. TUTWILER: Our view on that hasn't changed today.
As you know, we have said publicly that we believe at the
appropriate time that it makes sense and would be practical for
these talks to move to the region. We have never defined what
is "at the appropriate time."
Q Margaret, the families of the three men convicted
to death in Cuba are appealing to the U.S. Government for help.
Is there any help or any aid you can offer them?
MS. TUTWILER: Not a lot, Bill, to be honest with you.
We did not have access to the details of the investigation or
the trial, but it does seem to be, in our opinion, a verdict
reached in haste, and a sentence disproportionate to the alleged
crime.
We have made our concerns known to the Cuban Government
on the basis of basic human rights and judicial process. As you
all, I believe, know by now, none of these three individuals are
Americans. One was a permanent resident, and the other two had
immigration parole status.
Last Friday, officials at our Interests Section did
have an opportunity to discuss our interest with officials in
Havana.
Q The Cubans are saying that these three men --
MS. TUTWILER: Excuse me. I forgot to tell you one
other thing. As you know, under our laws, if these had been
American citizens -- which they are not -- the FBI has
jurisdiction over this. Even though these are not American
citizens, it is my understanding that as of last week -- or we
noted last week that the FBI would be the organization agency
that would look into it.
Q The Cubans are saying that they all have CIA
connections.
MS. TUTWILER: I haven't heard that.
Q Can you --
MS. TUTWILER: I really haven't. I'll be happy to take
your questions, but I haven't heard that.
Q Are you in a position to --
Q They said they had been trained in south Florida
with specific knowledge of U.S. officials. The State Department
doesn't have any response to that?
MS. TUTWILER: I haven't seen that. I'll be happy to
look into it. I've seen a number of reports, some of which have
proved to be wild, and I will be happy -- that particular one, I
honestly don't have any knowledge of. I'll see what the experts
know.
Q Margaret, are you in a position as a
representative of the United States Government to call on Cuba
and ask them for mercy? That is, not to carry out the sentence.
MS. TUTWILER: I have said -- as you know, we have an
Interests Section in Havana. I have said that we had a meeting,
our officials with their officials, last Friday, and that we
will continue to make our concerns known.
Let me please state again these are not three United
States citizens.
Q Last week, Richard [Boucher] denied there was any
U.S. connection with these three. You haven't repeated that. I
assume you still stand by what Richard said, I believe on
Friday?
MS. TUTWILER: U.S. Government connection? To my
knowledge, there's not. If there is, I don't know anything
about it. I mean, that's similar to the CIA allegation that
some reports are saying these people were working for the CIA.
Q Margaret, I --
MS. TUTWILER: I believe -- excuse me -- that Assistant
Secretary Aronson or someone else in this building certainly
would have given me such a heads-up. That is normally how this
works. It's very much a team effort here. I will be happy to
ask if there's any truth to any of these rumors.
Q Margaret, I have two questions: Last week you
gave some comments on disagreements on the Black Sea fleet
between Russia and Ukraine. Do you have anything on, I think,
the apparent agreement that the less[er] part will go to Ukraine
and strategic capability will remain under Russian control?
MS. TUTWILER: I don't have a lot for you. The United
States is pleased that the sides have reached preliminary
agreement over the status of the fleet. As we have said before,
a conflict over these issues is in no one's interest and will
only detract from the real need to push forward with necessary
economic and political reform.
Q And one more: I believe Minister Kozyrev
announced that he would expect a summit between President Bush
and President Yeltsin to be in Washington. Can you announce any
plans for a ministerial meeting before that?
MS. TUTWILER: I would refer you to the White House
concerning any future meetings concerning President Bush.
Q But the question was on a ministerial --
MS. TUTWILER: Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you said Bush.
Q -- a ministerial in advance of that.
MS. TUTWILER: A ministerial in advance of what?
Q Of a meeting between Bush and Yeltsin.
MS. TUTWILER: Secretary of State Baker, as you all
know -- we've already announced it -- will be in Russia on -- I
think it's -- we arrive Sunday night, January 26. I believe
when I announced the trip, I said on that Monday, the 27th, the
day before the multilaterals, that he would be meeting with his
counterpart the Foreign Minister.
Now, I don't know if you want to call that a
ministerial or not. Will they have a meeting on that Monday?
Absolutely.
Q Margaret, have you put out a list --
Q [Inaudible]
MS. TUTWILER: What? Have I what, Johanna?
Q You have not announced that trip formally, have
you?
MS. TUTWILER: The multilaterals?
Q Secretary Baker's departure, and so forth?
Q 28-29.
MS. TUTWILER: Well, I've told you all, I mean.
Q But, I mean, there's no sign-up sheet.
MS. TUTWILER: There's no big secret. After all, we're
co-hosting it.
Q Is there a sign-up sheet?
MS. TUTWILER: So, I mean, we're going to be there. I
don't know, Johanna. I'll make sure there's a sign-up sheet
after this briefing.
Q Margaret, have you put out a list of those invited
to and those that have accepted the conference on Russia and the
other former Soviet republics next week?
MS. TUTWILER: For the coordinating conference?
Q Coordinating conference.
MS. TUTWILER: No. And I'm not going to until the day
of the conference.
Q Margaret, when you put that list out, will it
include any that may have declined the invitation or only those
who accepted?
MS. TUTWILER: To date, I know of no one who's been
invited who's declined. But I will make sure, if there is such
a case, that we put that on there for you.
Q Similarly, Margaret, is there a list yet of the
nations planning to attend the multilateral talks?
MS. TUTWILER: No. Those official invitations -- even
though the whole world knows about it; we announced the date at
the end of '91 -- those official invitations should be, to be
honest with you, going out today. And I would assume that we
would handle it the same way. We will not put out a list of
those who will be attending that until we actually get there at
the conference.
Q Margaret, are you inviting India? India's
reported this morning to have said that she wishes to attend.
MS. TUTWILER: To which? We have two here, one a week.
Q The Moscow talks.
MS. TUTWILER: Just as I have not responded on
individual countries, I want to decline, saying who has or
hadn't been invited, why they aren't being invited, until we can
put out the total list, and then I will try to answer those
questions of those people who weren't invited.
Q Margaret, there was a report last week that the
multilateral conference was being scaled back, though; that you
were not going to invite nearly as many people as had originally
been envisaged. Is there any truth in that?
MS. TUTWILER: I saw that report on Friday, and, since
we've never defined who all would be invited, I can't come to
the conclusion that it has somehow been scaled back. It is true
that the Secretary had said that it should be inclusive rather
than exclusive, and we have laid down -- or he had -- a number
of criteria of how we thought people -- or why people -- should
be invited to it.
So it would be a little difficult for me to say it was
scaled back when there had been no final determinations on who's
invited. And the invitations are supposed to be officially
issued through capitals today.
Q Margaret, back on the subject of the Cubans, you
said that the Administration can do not much on behalf of them
to commute the sentence or in some way lessen the death sentence
against them.
Is there another forum or nation to which the relatives
of these Cubans should or could appeal on their behalf?
MS. TUTWILER: I don't know. I'll be happy to ask the
State Department here if they have a recommendation. I do know,
when I said "not much," I believe I'm being honest. We have an
Interests Section there. You know what our relationship is with
Cuba. You know what President Bush has said it would take to
improve that relationship, and these people are not three
American citizens. It doesn't mean that we haven't -- and we
did Friday -- raise our humanitarian -- human rights concerns.
We did. And that we will continue to make those concerns known.
Q Another question on this: Do you see any timing
connection between this episode and the conference or symposium
on the missile crisis being held in Havana?
MS. TUTWILER: No.
Q Thank you.
(The briefing concluded at 1:07 p.m.)