US Department of State Daily Briefing #69:
Wednesday, 5/6/92
Boucher
Source: State Department Deputy Spokesman Richard
Boucher
Description: Washington, DC
Date: May, 6 19925/6/92
Category: Briefings
Region: MidEast/North Africa, Eurasia, Southeast Asia,
E/C Europe, South America, South Asia, East Asia
Country: Israel, USSR (former), Thailand, Bangladesh, Burma,
China, Serbia-Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan,
Argentina, Lebanon, Chile, Peru, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Russia,
India
Subject: Mideast Peace Process, Development/Relief Aid,
Arms Control, Security Assistance and Sales,
Trade/Economics, Regional/Civil Unrest, Refugees,
State Department
12:24 P.M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
MR. BOUCHER: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I won't read
you the whole statement, but I'll be putting up later a little more
information than what I'm about to tell you, and that's the oil well
in Uzbekistan has been successfully capped. We've talked about it
before. It was capped on Sunday, and we'll give you a statement that
gives you a little more detail about the efforts of the Government of
Uzbekistan and the American company and the Environmental Protection
Agency.
After noting that, I'd be glad to take your questions.
Q Richard, yesterday when there was a discussion of
Under Secretary Kanter's trip to Asia, we neglected to ask about the
Thailand stop. Given the protests and the political instability
still going on there, what can you tell us about what he will tell
the Thai Government about the U.S. policy toward Thailand and,
specifically, on the question of aid?
MR. BOUCHER: Much as you did, I also neglected to ask about the
Thailand stop. I don't have any specific agenda for you that Under
Secretary Kanter will raise there. I'll see if I can get something
for you.
The question of aid, in general, I believe we said before that
once a new government was formed, we would look into adjusting our
relationship, including the question of aid. That's a process that
is going on internally within the government and within our building
at this point. There's been no decision.
Q What are you waiting for specifically?
MR. BOUCHER: I'm not sure that we're waiting for something
specifically. It's just a process that's underway, and no decision
has been taken at this point.
Q Richard, in another part of the world, there was a
report yesterday by Asia Watch about some new atrocities committed
by the Burmese military government. Have you seen
that? Does the U.S. take any position on whether this Moslem
minority in northwestern Burma should be allowed to return from
Bangladesh or do you believe it's not safe for them to do so?
MR. BOUCHER: Jim, I think we've talked about that
before, and we've supported the efforts of, I think it's the
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees who's involved in the
situation there and trying to make arrangements for their
return. Certainly, we support their return under safe
conditions.
Q And have you seen the Asia Watch report?
MR. BOUCHER: I haven't seen the Asia Watch report, so
I don't really have anything on that. I'll see if we can find
out something for you.
Q Richard, there is a report saying that the Ukraine
has moved all their tactical weapons to Russia. Do you have any
information on that report?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't have any information at this
point that would confirm that or contradict that. I think, in
general, on Ukrainian matters, I'd better note that they're over
at the White House now meeting and discussing these issues and
that there will be questions answered on Ukrainian issues this
afternoon over at the White House. So, in general, I'd just
have to leave it to them. They may have more information.
Q What about Kazakh issues? Any comments on the
Post report this morning about Nazarbayev and the conditions
that he wants?
MR. BOUCHER: I believe that report raised, again, the
question of guarantees for security, which is a question that
the Secretary answered about two weeks ago and that we provided
you with an answer outlining the commitments that we made in
1968 in connection with the Non-Proliferation Treaty, outlining
our view that the security is best found in being part of the
arrangements for a peaceful and stable Europe.
Q Well, to what do you account Nazarbayev's
inability to accept the Secretary's guarantees?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't think that was indicated in the
article nor do I have an indication that that's the case.
Q Richard, do you have anything new on the
technology transfer issue between Russia and India?
MR. BOUCHER: No, I don't. Margaret said the other day
we'd probably make some decisions soon. We're aware of the
public statements that the various people have been making, but
at this point I don't have any decisions for you.
Q Do you know when the decision might be coming?
How imminent is it?
MR. BOUCHER: Soon.
Q Well, Richard, have you finally gotten formal
notification from Russia on what the Deputy Prime Minister said
would be its decision to go through with that contract?
MR. BOUCHER: No. At this point, neither side has told
us in any official manner of their intentions to go ahead. But,
as I said, we've seen their public statement; we're looking at
the issue, and we expect we'll be making some decisions soon.
[Serbia/Bosnia: US CSCE Statement re: Suspension of Serbia]
Q Richard, the Bosnians are not finding particular
comfort and security in their relationships in Europe these
days. Could you give us any new information about American
policy on this subject?
MR. BOUCHER: One thing that I will give you
immediately after this is the statement that our representative,
Ambassador Kornblum, has made at the CSCE meeting in Helsinki.
We have the full text of that. I'll review some of the
highlights.
At the CSCE plenary session this morning,
representative John Kornblum noted the primary responsibility of
the Serbian authorities and the JNA for the fighting and called
upon all CSCE states to impress upon the responsible parties
their collective determination to bring the aggression and the
killing to a halt.
In his statement, he also called for the suspension
from all CSCE activities of representatives of the new
"Yugoslav" state until their behavior meets CSCE norms. He
called for an immediate end to the violence and respect for the
ceasefires by all parties; called for withdrawal of the JNA from
Bosnia or submission of the JNA to legitimate Bosnian authority;
called for an immediate end to support for all paramilitary
forces, and called for honest participation in the EC peace
process and cooperation with the U.N. and EC missions.
That was in a CSCE plenary session held this morning.
This afternoon, at 5:00 p.m., Helsinki time, which is 10:00
a.m., our time, the Committee of Senior Officials began meeting
to consider these questions and these proposals by the United
States.
Q Do you have any sense as to how much support there
is for the proposals made by Mr. Kornblum?
MR. BOUCHER: At this point, since they're in the
process of meeting, I don't think I can give you a judgment on
that. It's something that we've been working very actively,
that we've been talking to other governments about. We
certainly hope that these proposals will find support.
Q Do you expect a vote today?
MR. BOUCHER: The CSCE operates on the basis of
consensus. So it's really a question of whether they can reach
consensus. As I said, he called for these things, and we were
urging people to do them right away.
Q Would the consensus have to include the Milosevic
government representatives at the CSCE?
MR. BOUCHER: The Belgrade representatives? I assume
that in a case like this, it probably wouldn't, Ralph. I
haven't checked the rules or procedures, or anything.
Q I think even if you did, you might find that they
aren't very helpful on resolving that question.
What is the purpose of throwing Yugoslavia out of the
CSCE? What effect would that have on Yugoslavia, for example,
in that government's relationship with the United States?
MR. BOUCHER: As you know, I think, from the
President's announcement when he announced our recognition
policy, we did not at that time recognize any "Yugoslav" state.
We said we were aware of the desire of Serbia-Montenegro to
become a successor and that we were willing to discuss that, but
that our questions of future relationship between us and
Serbia-Montenegro would depend on their behavior.
The kind of adherence to CSCE principles and norms that
we were hoping to see has certainly not occurred. They've been
responsible for the majority of the problems and the fighting
which have killed many, many innocent people.
So we're now proceeding to this step in the CSCE,
which, as you have often quoted back to us, really makes them a
pariah among the nations in Europe who are trying to live by
certain basic principles of civilized behavior.
Q Richard, one of the proposals the New York Times
raises today is to keep Serbia from taking the mantle, if you
will, of the former Yugoslav state and, presumably, all the
properties and assets and so on.
Have you, or are you considering doing something along
those lines?
MR. BOUCHER: At this point, I'm not aware of any steps
that have been taken. I don't want to try to forecast any
specific options, so I really don't think I can get into that.
Q Can the United States continue to have diplomatic
representation in a country that is not a member of the CSCE, or
has been expelled from the CSCE?
MR. BOUCHER: I'm not sure that's a question we've
asked ourselves, Ralph. As I think we pointed out to you
before, we have representatives in Belgrade at our Embassy there
who are performing the job. We're trying to urge people to
reduce the violence, of trying to see that the killing stops,
and the people that need help get the help.
We have relations with countries throughout the world
who are not members of the CSCE, so I don't think there's a
question that applies here.
Q Do we have any relations with any members who have
been expelled from the CSCE?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't think anybody has been suspended
from the CSCE before.
Q So that answer is irrelevant to the question that
was asked.
MR. BOUCHER: The question is not relevant to the
situation, I guess is what I would say. The suspension of the
CSCE doesn't necessarily imply anything on diplomatic
recognition that I'm aware of.
Q And is Ambassador Zimmerman still there?
MR. BOUCHER: Yes, he is.
Q Richard, does Serbia have any requests, or Serbia,
acting as Yugoslavia, have any requests before the IMF or any of
the other international financial institutions for aid or loans?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't know, Carol. I don't know.
Q Would we oppose them if they did?
MR. BOUCHER: It's something I'd have to check on. I'm
not sure what our current policy is.
Q Richard, there was some discussion a few weeks ago
about reducing the American diplomatic staff in Belgrade for
perhaps no other reason than to redistribute those diplomats
among the other new republics. What's the status of that now?
MR. BOUCHER: I'll give you the same answer I gave to
the question over there about other suggestions. There was some
discussion, you're right, in the newspapers based on unnamed
officials. I don't think we ever proposed that as any specific
option or list of options. At this point, I'm not really
prepared to get into further measures.
This measure taken today, in terms of suspension --
U.S. proposal for the suspension of their participation at the
CSCE because they haven't been abiding by their norms -- is
something that we forecast; it's something that we proposed back
in the middle of April; it's something that was discussed on
April 29, and something that we think is appropriate at this
point.
If you look at Ambassador Kornblum's statement, you'll
see that he said our review should continue both at the
follow-up meeting and at the meeting of this Committee of Senior
Officials that are scheduled to take place before May 18. So
there will be further meetings and discussions. He said if
matters improve, we should say so; and if they do not, we should
consider even more drastic action.
So at this point, that's where we are.
Q Does the U.S. proposal for dealing with suspension
of the CSCE have any impact on Yugoslavia's relationship in
other international organizations -- at least, in the U.S. view?
Should Yugoslavia -- should the same standards of international
behavior and criteria that you just outlined a moment ago apply
in other international organizations, or is it only limited to
the CSCE?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't think I have a general rule on
that, Ralph.
Q What sort of "drastic actions" does the United
States have in mind if this doesn't work?
MR. BOUCHER: Again, I don't want to get into trying to
forecast any specific options that remain. Certainly, we're all
hopeful that Serbia and Montenegro will get the message and that
they'll cooperate with the peace process. The European
Community-sponsored talks, that take place in Brussels, have
started again today. I believe all the parties have
representatives there, and we certainly hope that people will
cooperate.
Q Richard, have there been any attacks or protests
directed at U.S. personnel or facilities in Belgrade?
MR. BOUCHER: There are none that I'm aware of directed
at U.S. personnel or facilities, at least, that I can remember
from recent days.
As you know, the U.N. Secretary General's envoy has
encountered a good deal of trouble. There's now wire reports,
at least, that say that there might have been sniper fire on
their cars today. The United Nations Security Council President
yesterday expressed the concern of the Security Council about
what was happening there.
Q As a follow-up, once the CSCE action plays out,
will there be additional security concerns for U.S. personnel
there? Will there be any change in the way we're doing business
there, more guards?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't think, Sid, we would talk about
precise security arrangements. The situation is a difficult one
for everybody there, be they government people or foreign
diplomats or ordinary people who live in these places. So I'm
sure that our embassies will maintain an appropriate level of
security.
Q Richard, do you have anything to say about
Belgrade saying the Yugoslav army in Bosnia is now on its own?
MR. BOUCHER: Yes.
Q Could you tell us what that is?
MR. BOUCHER: Yes. What's happened, in our
understanding, is that the Serbian rump Presidency has called
for Yugoslav Serbs in the Yugoslav National Army to return to
Serbia within 15 days. The rump Presidency also stated that
Bosnian Serbs in the Yugoslav National Army may remain in
Bosnia.
In our view, the Yugoslav National Army is not an
independent actor. It remains at this point under the control
and the responsibility of the authorities in Belgrade, and we
continue to hold them strictly accountable for the actions of
the JNA.
Our consistent view is that JNA forces in Bosnia-
Hercegovina should respect the will of the Bosnian-
Hercegovinian Government.
Ambassador Kornblum re-enforced this view today at the
CSCE meeting in Helsinki when he called for a CSCE statement
which demands the immediate withdrawal from Bosnia-Hercegovina
or submission to the legitimate Bosnian government authority.
[Argentina/Chile: US Discussions on Aircraft Sales]
Q Richard, was there ever a response to a question
about the U.S. sending or selling planes to Argentina?
MR. BOUCHER: There was, and I just got it this
morning, so I'm going to give it to you now.
Q Great.
MR. BOUCHER: We are consulting with the Governments of
Argentina and Chile on modernization of their fighter aircraft
inventories. Our goal is to help maintain the military balance
in the region and facilitate efforts by both countries to take
measured and reasonable steps to make badly needed improvements
to their aircraft inventories.
No specific aircraft packages have been agreed upon for
either country. We will consult with the Congress, as has been
our practice, depending upon the type of agreement reached.
Q If we could go back to the issue of rocket
technology for a minute, it's a very big issue in India and
parliament is up in arms about it. Now the Indian Government
says it doesn't have any military application. Do you -- or can
you give us any evidence as to why you believe that is not the
case?
MR. BOUCHER: I'm not a technical expert. I would
refer you to the answers that we've given over the past few days
and the answer that we put up yesterday when we were asked a
question about the refueling time. It's the clear guidelines of
the Missile Technology Control Regime that we all follow, that
missiles of a certain capability are covered and major
sub-systems of them are covered as well.
Those guidelines are technical ones that I can't
analyze for you against some other rocket engine that I don't
know the capabilities of. I would just say it's clearly our
view, and I think it's the view of other MTCR members, that this
sale of this engine is covered.
Q The government has also said that it's a domestic
law in the U.S., I mean, are countries all over the world forced
to abide by all U.S. domestic laws now?
MR. BOUCHER: The Missile Technology Control Regime is
an international arrangement that we have with other countries.
There are many countries that are members and other countries
that have agreed to abide by its guidelines. It's based on the
interests that we all have in reducing and hopefully stopping
the proliferation of ballistic missiles, and it's something
that's done internationally.
We have domestic law about our dealings with people who
don't respect those guidelines and parameters. That's what our
law affects.
Q Richard, if I could just go back to Argentina for
a second. So what you're saying is the United States is
discussing with those two countries the sale of some kind of jet
fighter aircraft?
MR. BOUCHER: Yes. No specific packages have been
agreed, at this point, with either country.
Q And you mentioned something about our efforts to
maintain a balance of power.
MR. BOUCHER: Military balance in the region.
Q Can you expand on that a little bit?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't think I can at this point. Both
countries have, we think, a need to make improvements in their
aircraft inventories, and, obviously, as we consider that, we'll
want to consider the regional military balance as we do in all
arms sales.
Q Well, is it our policy to determine, select --
what select countries need to upgrade their military systems and
then guide them through that process? And, if so, why?
MR. BOUCHER: Well, I think if you look at our policy
and our law on arms sales, you'll see a number of criteria that
we follow. Those include supporting defense needs of friends
that we have around the world, and doing that in a manner which
doesn't create an unstable situation. Those are sort of the
basic principles that we have always followed. And I think if
you look at the guidelines for responsible conventional arms
transfers that were agreed by the group of five countries that
were working on arms control in the Middle East in particular,
you'll see those same kinds of principles embodied.
Q Are we acting to preempt any other would-be
suppliers there? A former Soviet arsenal looking to be
transferred, perhaps, to those two countries?
MR. BOUCHER: Not that I've heard of, Howard.
Q Richard, didn't the United States halt arms sales
to Argentina during or after the -- yes -- during the Falklands
conflict? And, if so, when were they resumed? Have there been
any other arms sales or proposed arms sales to Argentina from
the United States since the Falklands?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't know.
Q Could you find out?
MR. BOUCHER: I'll try to find out.
Q Richard, on another subject, have you seen the
announcement that the Israelis are going to boycott the
multilateral talks?
MR. BOUCHER: I've seen a wire service story, I think,
ten minutes before I came down here, or 15 minutes before I came
down here, that quoted Israeli officials as saying that. We
tried to call a few of the U.S. officials who would know if we'd
gotten any official word and unfortunately weren't able to reach
them.
Q Well, assume for a moment it's true, does that
mean that the talks between the United States and Israel over
the issue of diaspora Palestinians did not succeed in reaching a
consensus?
MR. BOUCHER: Jim, let me check and find out if the
reports that you're referring are, in fact, true, and in the
process see if we have any further comment on the suggested
approach that the Israelis provided.
Q Richard, if I could just go back one more time to
Argentina: Did we consult with Great Britain on this deal that
we're cooking up?
MR. BOUCHER: We're talking with nations that have
security interests in the region.
Q Richard, back to the Indian rocket, Margaret on
Monday, I believe, said that a decision was imminent or would be
very soon on -- I guess on whether the United States would have
to take measures penalizing trade in different ways.
MR. BOUCHER: About 15 minutes ago I said it would be
soon.
Q You said it would be soon.
MR. BOUCHER: Yes.
Q What's the status of a U.S. diplomatic presence in
Afghanistan now? Is that review still continuing, or have any
decisions been made about that?
MR. BOUCHER: No. As far as I'm aware, there have been
no decisions made. I think you're aware that we have an Embassy
there that -- and some foreign service nationals who stayed on
the payroll to maintain it and watch over it. We don't have any
American personnel there.
Q And is there an active review to decide whether or
when to send U.S. diplomatic personnel to Kabul?
MR. BOUCHER: As far as I know, it's one of the
questions that we keep in mind as we consider the developing
situation there. I think we'll be guided primarily by the
security situation.
Q Do you have any progress on the Stinger front?
MR. BOUCHER: Nothing that I have to report.
Q Richard, would you say that Afghan women are
better off now that the Mujahidin, which the United States
supported, have taken power and banned them from any
participation in public life and enforced various strict codes
of dress which were not the case two weeks ago?
MR. BOUCHER: Alan, I have no idea how to answer that
question. I have not done an analysis of the situation of
Afghan women.
Q Well, does the United States --
MR. BOUCHER: We're at the beginning of a political
process in Afghanistan. A goal of that process is for the
Afghans to decide their own future and form a broad-based
government.
Q Would you say that they are deciding their own
future right now?
MR. BOUCHER: I'd say that they're at the beginning of
a process. The Afghans, themselves, have described the interim
council as a first step, and we think the important thing now is
to continue moving towards a broad-based government that's
representative of the Afghan people.
Q Would the United States welcome the emergence of a
strict Islamic state in Afghanistan as far as the United States
having achieved a goal -- a major policy goal of ten years of
arms supplies and backing for the Mujahidin?
MR. BOUCHER: Alan, it depends what you're implying by
a "strict Islamic state." As we've said before, we have good
relationships with many governments that consider themselves to
be following strictly the tenets of Islam. We support a
democratic, peaceful Afghanistan -- one that the people are
allowed to decide what sort of government they want and who they
want in their government.
Q Richard, did you give a readout on Kanter's talks
in Beijing? If so, I haven't seen it.
MR. BOUCHER: Well, no, because he has not talked yet.
He arrived in Beijing at 8:20 Wednesday evening their time.
When I was last updated, he was believed to be asleep. There
have been no additional activities so far on his schedule. We
expect him to be meeting with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu
Huaqiu, among other officials.
Q Richard, do you have any reaction to the
announcement by the Government of Lebanon that they will step
aside?
MR. BOUCHER: This is clearly an internal process in
Lebanon. I can, I think, describe for you a little bit about
how we understand it works.
The Lebanese Prime Minister announced his resignation
in Beirut this morning. Once the President of the Republic
accepts the resignation, the next step would be for the
President and the Speaker of the Parliament to consult on the
appointment of a new Prime Minister. We do not know whether the
resignation has been accepted yet by the President.
Q Richard, what are the arrangements, if you can
tell us yet, for next week's U.S.-hosted portion or section of
the Middle East regional talks on arms control? Are there --
where will they be held, in what auspices, and what are the
press arrangements for those talks?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't have the full details for you. I
think we'll probably get you a little more as time approaches.
These are experts level discussions in a seminar format.
They'll be held in this building, and there will be really no
special press arrangements that I'm aware of at this point.
Q The seminar -- you're calling it a "seminar" --
MR. BOUCHER: It's the way we've described it
consistently since Moscow, I think.
Q Right. So you wouldn't call it negotiations or
talks, I suppose. A seminar would -- any reason why a seminar
couldn't be open to anyone who wanted to attend? It's just an
educational experience?
Q Can I come?
MR. BOUCHER: We'll take note of your interest, Ralph,
and we have always said that our guidelines on participation
were designed to make it inclusive rather than exclusive.
Q That's right.
MR. BOUCHER: But we looked forward to people attending
who had a contribution to make based on their experience and
their expertise -- countries who could help contribute to the
understanding of the issues for the parties in the region.
That's the way we decided on participation.
Q Richard, to follow up on that, since the U.S. is
hosting this, can you tell us a little bit about your agenda,
what you want to -- what you're sort of aiming for? Or is there
some way we can get --
MR. BOUCHER: I'll have to see as it approaches to what
extent we can give you the agenda.
Q Well, is there -- what's the chance --
Q It's less than a week away. It's not like --
MR. BOUCHER: No. It is. It is. We usually do these
things at the last minute, so --
Q I know.
MR. BOUCHER: -- why should we change it.
Q Well, what are the chances of getting a briefing
by somebody who's actually sort of dealing with this firsthand?
MR. BOUCHER: Again, I'll take the request. We'll see
if we can do that for you.
Q Are the EC members participating in the seminar?
MR. BOUCHER: We won't do the list of participants for
these and the other talks until we get closer to the time, and
that's not going to be today.
Q So that means if we're invited, we won't know
until the --
MR. BOUCHER: People who are invited know.
Q Oh, I see. (Laughter) So if I haven't gotten my
invitation --
MR. BOUCHER: You're not coming.
Q -- I'm not going to be able to stay in the
seminar?
MR. BOUCHER: That's right.
Q Bummer. (Laughter)
Q Anything new on Peru?
MR. BOUCHER: On Peru, no, not really. The
investigation of the C-130 incident continues. I believe the
Pentagon spoke yesterday about extra precautionary measures
about painting flags on airplanes. As far as I'm aware, there's
nothing else new to say.
Q But the flights remain suspended?
MR. BOUCHER: The flights remain suspended, yes.
Q Will they resume as soon as they put the flags on
the planes?
MR. BOUCHER: I have no indication of that at this
point.
Q And what flights are those?
MR. BOUCHER: These are the flights of -- I have to
remember how we described them. The flights that are properly
described the way we described them the other day. [Laughter]
I'm sorry. The drug-related flights --
Q Counter-narcotics.
Q Drug-related flights. Yes. Hopefully without
drug-related pilots.
MR. BOUCHER: Counter-narcotics flights.
Q Wasn't there an announcement at the end of last
week that they were, in fact, being resumed?
MR. BOUCHER: No. The investigation continues and
flights remain suspended.
Q Has there been any exchange -- I know initially
after the incident the Peruvian Government contacted the United
States to express regrets about this. Has the United States
expressed any kind of regret about its apparent failure to
identify the aircraft properly, or its apparent failure to
respond to oral requests for identification?
MR. BOUCHER: First of all, the Pentagon, I think, did
a briefing yesterday about the new markings, and I don't want,
in any way, to let go the prospect that there was fault accepted
for not identifying airplanes properly because they've taken
this extra precautionary measure, and the Pentagon explained
that, I think, in more detail yesterday.
Second of all, the investigation continues. We have
raised -- discussed the issue again. Aronson discussed the
issue -- he raised the issue with President Fujimori on May 1,
and Fujimori again expressed his regrets; promised to cooperate
closely in the investigations. Both sides agreed to review
procedures for counter-narcotics air activity to assure that
there will be no repetition of the incident with the tragic loss
of life that occurred.
Q Richard, other than having expressed regret on
more than one occasion, has Fujimori actually apologized to the
United States for this incident?
MR. BOUCHER: You'd have to ask them what words they
used to characterize their view.
Q Well, does the United States understand
expressions of regret to be an apology?
MR. BOUCHER: My understanding is that they have
expressed their regrets. Just leave it at that.
Q And the way you left the business about the
markings, is that the U.S. is doing this as an extra
precautionary measure and not in any way to imply that the
previous markings were somehow inadequate?
MR. BOUCHER: That's right.
Q Richard, does the State Department have any views
about the speech yesterday by German Chancellor Kohl about aid
to the former Soviet Union?
MR. BOUCHER: I haven't read the full speech. I've
seen some of the reports on it. We've expressed previously our
appreciation for the efforts that various countries were making,
and particularly noting the German efforts to assist the New
Independent States, and we've just said that we welcome what
everybody does. I'll leave it at that.
Q Thank you.
(The briefing concluded at 12:55 p.m.)