US Department of State Daily Briefing #31:
Friday, 2/28/92
Snyder
Source: State Department Acting Deputy Spokesman Joseph
Snyder
Description: Washington, DC
Date: Feb, 28 19922/28/92
Category: Briefings
Region: Southeast Asia, Pacific, MidEast/North Africa,
Eurasia, East Asia
Country: Israel, Iraq, Cambodia, Australia, Haiti, Burma, Libya,
USSR (former), Russia, North Korea, South Korea
Subject: Mideast Peace Process, United Nations,
State Department, Democratization,
Nuclear Nonproliferation, Refugees, Immigration,
Human Rights, Terrorism
12:41 P. M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
MR. SNYDER: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I
don't have any announcements. I'd be happy to take your
questions.
Q Joe, the Mideast talks are now in recess for three
days. There's been four days of talks. Does the State
Department have any sort of assessment of how the two sides --
or the five sides, whatever, are doing?
MR. SNYDER: Barry, other than to express our
satisfaction that the talks are continuing and the parties
remain, I don't have any further evaluation. They've spoken at
great length themselves, and I refer you to what the parties
themselves have said.
Q Assistant Secretary Djerejian has now met, I
think, with all the parties for sort of a status report. Would
you expect that either he or the Secretary would meet with him
again before they depart Washington next week?
MR. SNYDER: There are no plans for any such meetings
scheduled right now. We'll have to see what happens. The
Secretary returns over the weekend.
Q Joe, do you have any announcements on future
meetings of the multilateral working groups?
MR. SNYDER: No announcements. I do have a little
something to say.
It was agreed in Moscow that the working groups would
meet in late April or early May. Final dates for these two
groups have been proposed. The co-sponsors and hosts are in the
process of consultations to nail the dates down. That's where
it stands at the moment.
Q The Israeli side has announced a couple of dates
for the economic group and the refugee group. Can you confirm
those dates?
MR. SNYDER: We are still in the process of
consultations. I can't confirm the dates.
Q Is late April/May still accurate?
MR. SNYDER: Yes.
Q Joe, on the Middle East talks here again, one of
the Arab parties said yesterday that in the letter of invitation
that was sent to them for this round of talks, it was said that
the United States would intervene only if both sides were to
request it. Is that in fact the case?
MR. SNYDER: We've addressed this at great length from
here in previous rounds in the talks. I don't have the exact
formulation. Certainly, we are prepared to go into the room at
the invitation of both sides. However, we have in the past
talked about bridging proposals, and so forth. I'm not sure
that that necessarily requires both sides, but I don't have
anything specifically on that.
Q Could you look into that specific language?
MR. SNYDER: I'll be happy to.
Q Mr. Snyder, the loan guarantees -- whether they're
linked or not -- why is the United States considering -- even
considering them at this moment when conditions are so bad here
within the United States?
MR. SNYDER: The Secretary of State was on Capitol Hill
on Monday and Tuesday for several hours in each place discussing
loan guarantees at great length. He left town after that. I
have not been in touch with him to discuss this subject, and I'm
going to leave the subject of loan guarantees where the
Secretary left it earlier this week.
Q You don't have any language on the possibility of
a compromise in the Senate?
MR. SNYDER: Nothing at all.
Q A number of Israeli officials had very harsh words
to say about the U.S. policy as expressed by the Secretary on
Capitol Hill. Do you have any comment on that?
MR. SNYDER: No.
Q Do you think the old relationship between Israel
and the United States is breaking down?
MR. SNYDER: Not at all. I think the relationship
between Israel and the United States remains a strong one.
Q The U.S. Ambassador to Israel is quoted in an
Israeli newspaper as having complained about the Israeli
Government's failure to give the U.S. adequate information about
settlements under development, settlements under construction,
and the financing of them.
What's the purpose of him making that statement at this
time?
MR. SNYDER: Ralph, I just saw that in a wire just
before I came in. I really have got nothing to say about it.
Q Joe, on the settlements, on the Hill this week the
Secretary said that there had to be some mechanical means to
guard against the fungibility factor. In other words, money
going into the Israeli treasury and then losing its identity,
and then coming out perhaps to help build those settlements.
And that apparently is part of his plan for the loan guarantees.
Does the United States have any protection against the
fungibility of other U.S. funds going into the Israeli treasury,
the $1.2 billion in economic assistance, for example?
MR. SNYDER: That is a question that basically gets to
the whole question of loan guarantees and settlements, and I'm
really not going to get into that.
Q No, it's not about the loan guarantees. It's
about the standing $3 billion plus annually in U.S. financial
and military assistance, and it has nothing to do directly with
the loan guarantees. It has to do with that continuing, ongoing
program. What I'm asking is, is there any check on whether any
of that money then releases other funds for use to expand
settlement activity in the occupied territories?
MR. SNYDER: Jim, it really does get into the same
issue from another direction, and I'm not going to get into it.
I'm sorry.
Q Thank you.
Q Wait a minute.
Q The Iraqi Government's efforts -- you can go,
Barry. We'll call a filing break.
Q No. I'll sit in the back.
Q We'll call a filing break.
Q Any comment on the Iraqi Government's decision not
to comply at least so far with U.N. efforts to destroy a Scud
missile factory?
MR. SNYDER: Yes, Ralph. The Security Council met
yesterday in informal session to hear a report from Special
Commission Chairman Ekeus on his recent visit to Baghdad. The
members of the Council authorized this month's Council
President, who is Ambassador Pickering, to express to the Iraqi
Charge to the U.N. the Council's deep concern over Iraq's
continuing refusal to comply with the mandatory conditions of
relevant U.N. resolutions. Pickering did this last night. The
Council will meet this afternoon to consider further steps on
the matter.
I should point out, we understand the Iraqi Government
has failed to allow the U.N. to begin the destruction of
missile-related equipment and facilities identified by the
Special Commission according to the relevant U.N. resolutions.
Ambassador Ekeus has given the Iraqis until this
afternoon, New York time, to meet this obligation. The Council
will meet this afternoon, as I said, to consider further steps
on the matter.
Q What is the Chairman's or the President's
inclination to do at this afternoon's session?
MR. SNYDER: That's going to depend on the behavior of
the Iraqi Government. The deadline ends this afternoon. The
meeting will be about the time that the deadline ends, and we
will see if the U.N. has been allowed to begin the destruction
of this equipment.
Q Has the President of the Security Council
circulated a proposed series of actions for discussion prior to
the meeting this afternoon?
MR. SNYDER: Not as far as I know.
Q Joe, what is the exact time of the deadline?
MR. SNYDER: It's 10:00 o'clock Baghdad time, and I
didn't -- 10:00 p.m. Baghdad time -- and I'm not sure what the
time difference is. Is it 4:00 this afternoon?*
Q What exactly have the Iraqis done or not done?
Have they physically prevented U.N. people from doing something?
MR. SNYDER: That's my understanding, yes. There's a
U.N. team there which is there to supervise the destruction of
this equipment, and it has not been given access.
Q Is there sort of a stand-off situation again or --
*Note: The deadline is 2 p.m. (EST)
MR. SNYDER: As I understand the situation, the Iraqis
requested an extension of the deadline, I believe twice, and it
was granted, and it ends this afternoon.
Q Well, is there a proposal for action to be taken
this afternoon if the Iraqis do not comply?
MR. SNYDER: I'm not aware of any proposal. I do know
that we don't expect a new resolution today, but I don't know
what action is going to be taken. As I say, it depends on the
response of the Iraqi Government.
Q What exactly are we talking about? Are we talking
about Scud missiles as well or --
MR. SNYDER: What I have is missile-related equipment
and facilities. I don't know specifically. I'll try to get
more detail.
Q And this was identified by the U.N. team. They
discovered it. The Iraqis said, "Wait a minute. We'll need
some time to dispose of this," twice?
MR. SNYDER: For more information, I think you really
ought to go to the U.N. Special Commission. I mean, they're the
ones that have the details of exactly what happened.
Q You've said that the Security Council has granted
an extension twice. Is there any inclination on the part of the
U.S. president of the Security Council to offer another
extension of time?
MR. SNYDER: This was a question for Ambassador Ekeus
who was on the ground earlier in the week, and I do not know
what the Security Council itself is going to do. I don't know
what their plans are. As I say, they're planning to meet this
afternoon to consider further steps, and that will depend on
what happens.
Q On another area, can I ask whether the U.S. has
any comment on the announcement about a Cambodia peacekeeping
force of some, I think, almost 16,000 troops? Will the U.S.
participate in any way in that peacekeeping force, either
logistically or with personnel?
MR. SNYDER: The President's Fiscal Year 1993 budget
requests an additional $350 million for Fiscal Year '92 and $350
million for Fiscal '93 for new and anticipated peacekeeping
requirements. A substantial portion of that would be for
Cambodia.
We're working closely with the U.N. Secretariat and
other members of this. We do expect to participate.
Q Participate financially.
MR. SNYDER: Financially and as well with logistics,
and, I believe, with personnel.
Q Have you had a chance to look into what the United
States Government is doing about the case of this Australian
investors syndicate and the Virginia lottery? (Laughter).
MR. SNYDER: Yes. I'm sorry we weren't able to post
this yesterday. It was a question of finding someone who knew
something about it, and the answer is: No, there have been no
discussions through State Department channels.
Q That's an answer to a question, but I'm not sure
it's mine. No, we have not consulted with the Australians, but
-- well, my question was, what is the U.S. Government doing to
look into it?
MR. SNYDER: That's a criminal matter. It's not the
State Department's concern. I'd suggest you check with the
Justice Department.
Q Whoa. Why is it a criminal matter?
MR. SNYDER: I'm sorry. I did misspeak. It's
certainly not a diplomatic matter. It's basically a domestic
problem. The domestic agencies would be the ones responsible.
I'm sorry. It is not a criminal matter.
Q So the U.S. and Australia have not consulted on
it. Australia has not requested any assistance from the United
States, or the U.S. has not requested any assistance from
Australia in the investigation?
MR. SNYDER: Not as far as I know.
Q But as of now you do not view it as a matter of
criminal misconduct or --
MR. SNYDER: The State Department really doesn't have a
view on whether it's criminal or not.
Q O.K. But I think you just flatly said this is not
a criminal matter.
MR. SNYDER: I said I misspoke when I said it was a
criminal matter.
Q Is it fair to say you don't know what your
position is, Joe? [Laughter]
MR. SNYDER: It's fair to say that the State Department
doesn't have a position on this issue. [Laughter].
[Haiti: Update]
Q Is there anything on Haiti today? Any news about
Haiti today?
MR. SNYDER: I've got something on refugee numbers and
a little bit on the political process.
First of all, on the numbers: 1,021 Haitians were
repatriated on Wednesday and Thursday to Haiti from Guantanamo,
510 on Wednesday and 511 yesterday. A further 510 will be
repatriated today. This brings the total of Haitians
repatriated since the coup to 7,514. We understand that a
further repatriation may take place tomorrow.
As for pickups, 72 Haitians were picked up on
Wednesday; 355 Haitians were picked up yesterday. This brings
the total picked up since the coup to 16,253.
Q Has the U.S. -- I'm sorry. Were you finished?
MR. SNYDER: I've got a couple more numbers just to get
the set complete.
A further 148 of those Haitians found to have a
plausible claim to asylum were flown from Guantanamo to Miami on
Wednesday. This brings the total of those who have been flown
to the States to pursue their claim to asylum to 1,975. So
those are the new numbers.
Q Are those people going to Miami -- are they being
incarcerated or released and paroled --
MR. SNYDER: I refer you to the INS and the Justice
Department. They're in their hands.
Q Are Haitians found to have the AIDS virus being
excluded -- even though they may have political reasons -- being
excluded from being brought to the United States?
MR. SNYDER: INS is also concerning itself with the HIV
question.
Q Well, is there an answer from them?
MR. SNYDER: I don't know; I suggest you check with
INS. We just haven't been concerned with it.
Q Has the U.S. Ambassador had any contacts yet with
the Haitian regime and, if so, can you tell us about them?
MR. SNYDER: I don't know specifically, I didn't ask.
But we'll be happy to check.
Q What is your assessment of the movement towards
implementing their new accord?
MR. SNYDER: We think that the agreements signed last
week are an important step toward a solution to Haiti's
political crisis, and we urge that they be carried out as soon
as possible.
We're working with the OAS. We've provided a million
dollars for their civilian mission to strengthen democratic
institutions, monitor human rights and professionalize the army
and police in Haiti. We're prepared to give more support, and
we hope the international community will do the same.
I don't have a specific day-by-day assessment of how
it's going, however. The agreements were just signed a few days
ago.
Q What about the prospects for lifting sanctions if
they do make some more progress?
MR. SNYDER: The agreements explicitly include
reference to sanctions being lifted if there is a political
settlement.
Q Joe, back on the U.N. for a minute. Did you see
the interview in The Washington Post this morning with Ron
Spiers, in which he said the United States is using U.N. posts
-- administrative posts as a dumping ground for political hacks?
MR. SNYDER: Yes, I did see the article. And what I've
got to say on that specific aspect is that the United States
believes the best men and women available should be assigned to
United Nations positions. We're proud that we have many
Americans throughout the U.N. system who have been among the
most outstanding international civil servants, and we disagree
with his characterization.
Q Well, Joe, I want to ask you about Burma. Are we
sending an Ambassador to Burma?
MR. SNYDER: The President nominated Parker Borg as our
Ambassador to Burma, and I'm not quite sure where that stands in
the confirmation process.
Q Regarding the Rohingyas -- the Muslims that are
being driven into Bangladesh -- there have been reports that
this may accelerate a great deal in the coming months. Is the
United States concerned about this at all and able to do
anything about it?
MR. SNYDER: We are concerned, of course, with that
situation. Are we able to do anything about it? I think that's
difficult to say. We certainly have made our views known to the
Burmese Government.
Q Do you have any comment on the talks held by
President Mubarak of Egypt in Paris which seems to have touched
upon the Libyan involvement in Lockerbie/Pan Am?
MR. SNYDER: No, not specifically on President Mubarak.
We, of course, are working very hard with the French and
British and with others to encourage the Libyans to comply with
our requests which were reinforced by the U.N. Security Council.
Q Do you have any comment in general about the part
played by President Mubarak trying to soothe the Western
attitude towards Libya?
MR. SNYDER: Not specifically about President Mubarak's
role. I think our position is quite clear that we want to see
Libya comply with those demands and turn over the two suspects
for trial, and so forth.
Q You don't see any positive results out of his
movement or --
MR. SNYDER: We haven't seen the demands complied with
yet, no.
Q Joe, in the week-long negotiations, was Secretary
Baker in touch with any of the individuals in the various
groups? Did he speak to anybody about the situation? I know
Djerejian did, of course.
MR. SNYDER: Djerejian did, yes. I don't know, Barry.
I'm not aware that he was.
Q Speaking of contacts, has the U.S. Government
maintained contacts with former Soviet President Mikhail
Gorbachev since his deposition from power?
MR. SNYDER: Ralph, I have not seen specific reports
that I can recall. I'm sure we have, though. I'm sure our
Embassy in Moscow has been in touch with him, but I don't know
-- I have not seen anything specific. But there's no reason why
we wouldn't have been in touch with him, and many reasons why we
would.
Q Joe, you said before that there were two ways --
these aren't the precise words, but clearly what you were
saying -- that the U.S. could go into the room or it could make
bridging proposals without going into the room.
I'm not sure you were asked whether the U.S. has made
any bridging proposals through Djerejian or anybody else.
MR. SNYDER: I wasn't asked. I said I would look into
that whole thing. Let me look into it.
Q I see. O.K.
Q Do you have any comment about the North and South
Korean nuclear negotiation which was ended yesterday in
(inaudible) any further steps?
MR. SNYDER: Yes. Yesterday's working level meeting
was to discuss the formation of the Joint Nuclear Control
Committee established under the North-South Non-Nuclear
Agreement that came into force on February 19. These working
level talks will resume on March 3. I really wouldn't want to
characterize the talks at this point. I would suggest you ask
the Koreans themselves.
Q How about the Washington Post report this morning
that North Korea has begun to remove any -- some heavy
equipment, presumably apparent nuclear facilities to conceal
that -- (inaudible).
MR. SNYDER: I don't have any specific comment on the
details reported in that article. We don't comment on
intelligence matters.
I can say again, as we've said many times, that North
Korea can only address international concern about its nuclear
program by promptly ratifying its IAEA Safeguards Agreement,
accepting inspections of all its nuclear facilities under that
agreement, and by negotiating and implementing with the ROK, a
credible bilateral inspection regime under their joint
declaration.
Q Thank you.
MR. SNYDER: Thank you.
(The briefing concluded at 1:02 p.m.)