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1993 DAILY PRESS BRIEFING #21: TUESDAY, 2/9/93
Source: State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher
Description: Washington, DC
Date: Feb 9, 1993
Category: Briefings
Region: Central Europe, Caribbean,
Subsaharan Africa, Eurasia, Central Europe,
MidEast/North Africa
Country: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia-Montenegro,
Israel, Lebanon, Rwanda, Tajikistan,
Ireland
Subject: Regional/Civil Unrest, Military Affairs,
Development/Relief Aid, United Nations,
Mideast Peace Process, CSCE, OAS
Subject Page
HAITI
UN/OAS Agreement on Civilian Observer Mission 1-3
-- Contributions by U.S. 1,3
U.S. Expanded Refugee Processing in Country 3
U.S. Policy on Boatpeople 3-4
Efforts for a Diplomatic Solution 4-5
Conditions for Lifting Embargo 4-5
ISRAEL/OCCUPIED TERRITORIES/LEBANON
Palestinian Deportees 5,8-9
Asst. Sec. Djerejian Meeting with Palestinians/
Arab Ambassadors 6
Reports of Recent Shootings in Occupied
Territories by GoI Troops 8
MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS
Secretary's Trip to Region 6-7, 10-11
-- Possible Contacts with Former Secretaries/
Other Experts 10-11
Commitment to Process by Parties 7
Scheduling of Bilaterals/Multilaterals 7-8
Asst. Sec. Djerejian Meetings with Arab
Ambassadors/Israeli Leaders 9-11
FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
U.S. Review of Policy 11-12
Status of No-Fly Zone Enforcement Resolution 12
U.S. Findings re: Embargo Violations in Ukraine 13
New Reports of Ethnic Cleansing 13
Serbian Presence/Activities in Kosovo 14-15
Possible Efforts to Expand CSCE Monitors 12-13
Vance-Owen Negotiations with Parties 15
Secretary's Contacts with Cyrus Vance 15-16
DEPARTMENT
Ambassadorial Appointments 13-14
THE FORMER SOVIET UNION
U.S. Efforts to Resolve Conflict in Tajikistan 14
NORTH KOREA
IAEA Denied Access to Some Sites/U.S. Concern 16
IRAQ
Visit of Russian Mission 17
MISCELLANEOU.S.
Answered "Taken" Questions from the Media
-- SERBIA: Sanctions
-- KOSOVO: CSCE Monitors
-- TAJIKISTAN: Crisis
-- ISRAEL: Violence in Occupied Territories
-- SECRETARY: Contacts on Middle East Peace Process
-- SECRETARY: Domestic Help
Department Statements
-- RWANDA: Outbreak of Violence
-- IRELAND: Deputy Secretary Meeting with Irish Church Leaders
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ANSWERED "TAKEN" QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA
As posted in the Press Office, U.S. Department of State
February 9, 1993
SERBIA: Sanctions
Taken Question 2/9/93
Q: Do you have an update on what your team in Ukraine has
found regarding violations of sanctions against former Yugoslavia?
A: U.S. Customs officers visited Ukrainian ports of Reni and
Izmail last week as a prelude to the establishment of a sanctions
assistance mission in the Ukraine.
The primary purpose of the visit was to make contact with port
authorities and survey port activities. The information obtained by the
customs officers is still being evaluated.
We have no indication that any violation of Serbia sanctions
were observed by these customs officers. (###)
KOSOVO: CSCE Monitors
Taken Question 2/9/93
Q: What is the status of the CSCE monitors in Kosovo?
A: THERE ARE CURRENTLY NINE CSCE MONITORS IN KOSOVO, THREE OF
WHOM ARE AMERICAN DIPLOMATS. THERE ARE FOUR MONITORS IN THE MAIN OFFICE
IN PRISTINA, THREE MONITORS (INCLUDING ONE AMERICAN) AT A SATELLITE
OFFICE IN PEC, AND TWO MONITORS (BOTH AMERICANS) OPENED A CSCE OFFICE IN
PRIZREN FEBRUARY 8.
A FOURTH AMERICAN WILL ARRIVE IN BELGRADE FEBRUARY 17 AND WILL
EVENTUALLY BE DISPATCHED TO KOSOVO. OTHER EUROPEAN MONITORS ARE
EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN KOSOVO SOON. ULTIMATELY, UP TO 21 MONITORS, FIVE
OF WHOM WOULD BE AMERCIANS, ARE EXPECTED TO SERVE IN THE KOSOVO MISSION.
THE MONITORS WORK TO PROMOTE DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE AUTHORITIES
AND THE POPULATION; COLLECT INFORMATION ON VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS;
ESTABLISH CONTACT POINTS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS; AND ASSIST IN PROVIDING
INFORMATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, PROTECTION OF MINORITIES, AND BASIC
FREEDOMS. (###)
TAJIKISTAN: U.S. Efforts to Solve the Crisis
Taken Question - 2/9/93
Q: What is the U.S. doing to resolve the crisis in
Tajikistan?
A: SINCE EARLY IN 1991, THE U.S. HAS ALLOCATED APPROXIMATELY
$25.5 MILLION IN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO TAJIKISTAN. ABOUT $19.5
MILLION WORTH OF THIS AID HAS ALREADY BEEN DELIVERED.
AMBASSADOR STANLEY ESCUDERO WAS DESIGNATED SPECIAL ENVOY FOR
ASSISTANCE TO TAJIKISTAN. HE IS WORKING WITH THE UNITED NATIONS,
POTENTIAL DONOR COUNTRIES AND PRIVATE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS TO
COORDINATE A WORLDWIDE RESPONSE TO THE DIRE SITUATION IN THAT COUTNRY.
HE WAS RECENTLY IN CENTRAL ASIA CONSULTING WITH TAJIKISTAN'S NEIGHBORS.
AID REPRESENTATIVES, AS PART OF AMBASSADOR ESCUDERO'S TEAM, ARE
IN CENTRAL ASIA TO FACILITATE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND INTERNATIONAL
INVOLVEMENT IN THIS EFFORT.
IN JANUARY, COLD CHAIN EQUIPMENT (REFRIGERATORS, FREEZERS,
THERMOSES, ICE PACKS FOR STORAGE OF VACCINES AND OTHER MEDICINES) WAS
DELIVERED TO DU.S.HANBE THROUGH A SERIES OF AIRLIFTS.
WE SUPPORT THE SECURITY COUNCIL DECISION TO SEND A UN MISSION TO
TAJIKISTAN TO PROMOTE A POLITICAL AND HUMANITARIAN SOLUTION TO THE
PROBLEMS THERE. THAT MISSION IS CURENTLY IN PLACE IN DU.S.HANBE AND IS
EXPECTED TO REMAIN FOR AT LAST THREE MONTHS.
WE ARE ALSO WORKING THROUGH THE CSCE TO ENSURE THAT TAJIKISTAN
IS GIVEN THE FULL ATTENTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. WE STRONGLY
SUPPORT THE REQUEST BY THE GOVERNMENT OF TAJIKISTAN FOR A RAPPORTUER
MISSION TO THAT COUNTRY. THE CSCE COMMITTEE OF SENIOR OFFICIALS HAS
DECIDED THAT THE CHAIRMAN IN OFFICE WILL DISPATCH A PERSONAL
REPRESENTATIVE TO TAJIKISTAN TO EXAMINE THE SITUATION. (###)
ISRAEL/OCCUPIED TERRIORITIES: Violence
Taken Question - 2/9/93
Q: Do you have any reaction to reports that recent killings
in the Occupied Territories by Israeli Security Forces occurred in
situations that were not life threatening?
A: WE HAVE SEEN THE PRESS REPORTS AND WE WILL LOOK INTO THE
ALLEGATIONS. (###)
SECRETARY: Contacts on Middle East Peace Process
Taken Question 2/9/93
Q: Has Secretary Christopher been in touch with any previous
Secretaries of State, other than Mr. Baker, on Middle East peace
issues?
A: THE SECRETARY HAS DISCU.S.SED MIDDLE EAST PEACE ISSUES WITH
FORMER SECRETARIES OF STATE GEORGE SHULTZ AND LAWRENCE EAGLEBURGER.
(###)
SECRETARY: Domestic Help
Taken Question 2/9/93
Q: What can you tell us about the immigration status, Social
Security payments, etc., of persons who might have been hired by
Secretary Christopher as domestic help in his home?
A: SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER LIVES WITH HIS WIFE IN LOS ANGELES.
THEIR CHILDREN ARE GROWN AND THEREFORE HE HAS NOT HAD FOR MANY YEARS ANY
CHILD CARE NEEDS. HIS YOUNGEST CHILD IS 29 YEARS OLD.
WITH RESPECT TO HOU.S.EHOLD HELP, WHEN NEEDED HE HAS TYPICALLY
DEALT WITH INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN HE HAS A CATERING
NEED HE U.S.UALLY HIRES A BU.S.INESS IN LOS ANGELES TO CATER THE EVENT.
HOWEVER, IN AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION AND TO ENSURE FULL
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, AND TO CHECK HIS JUDGMENT WHICH HE
BELIEVES HAS BEEN CORRECT, SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER HAS ASKED THAT HIS
PERSONAL LAWYER AND ACCOUNTANT REVIEW THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO HIS
HOU.S.EHOLD. Drafted: TDonilon (###)
DEPARTMENT STATEMENTS
As posted in the Press Office, U.S. Department of State
February 9, 1993
RWANDA: Statement on Violence
Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman 2/9/93
The United States Government deplores the outbreak of violence
in Rwanda and calls upon the Government of Rwanda (GOR), leaders of the
Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), and Rwandan political leaders to renew
their public and private commitment to dialogue.
We especially deplore the Rwandan Patriotic Front attacks of
February 8 and 9 in violation of the negotiated ceasefire August 1,
1992. These attacks have caused many of the 350,000 persons displaced
by the conflict of the last two years to again flee and will necessitate
even greater humanitarian efforts in the immediate future.
As our ambassador and those of other donor nations have stated
to the President and the Prime Minister and noted publicly in Kigali, we
condemn the ethnic and political violence, motivated by partisan
political activists, that has left over 300 dead and some 4,500
homeless. We take note of the decision of the coalition government to
discipline officials in positions of responsiblity.
We call upon the Rwandan Patriotic Front to respect the terms of
the ceasefire and urge both the Front and the Government of Rwanda to
return to the negotiations at Arusha. Negotiation and dialogue provide
the only real prospect for a durable solution to the long-standing
pattern of violence that has plagued the country in recent decades.
Press Guidance
Q: What is the situation concerning Americans in Rwanda?
A: ALL OFFICIAL AMERICANS HAVE RETURNED TO KIGALI AS A
PRECAUTION. THE EMBASSY IS IN CONTACT WITH PRIVATE CITIZENS AND HAS
WARNED THEM TO BE PREPARED TO EVACUATE SHOULD THE SITUATION WORSEN.
FRENCH TROOPS HAVE EVACUATED TO GISENYI RESEARCHERS OF THE DIANE
FOSSEY FUND FROM THE GORILLA RESEARCH STATION AT KARISOKE. THERE IS NO
FIGHTING IN THE VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK AND THE GORILLAS DO NOT APPEAR TO
BE IN DANGER.
Q: What is the U.S.G doing about the current situation?
A: WE HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING AS OBSERVERS IN THE ARU.S.HA
NEGOTIATIONS SINCE JULY 1992. WE HAVE STRESSED TO BOTH PARTIES THE NEED
FOR OPEN AND REALISTIC DICU.S.SIONS.
WITH RESPECT TO THE RPF ATTACKS, WE HAVE URGED THE RPF TO
REESTABLISH THE CEASEFIRE.
IN REFERENCE TO THE PARTISAN POLITICAL VIOLENCE, OUR AMBASSADOR
IN KIGALI HAS MET WITH THE PRESIDENT AND THE PRIME MINISTER BOTH
INDIVIDUALLY AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER DIPLOMATIC
MISSIONS TO URGE THAT DECISIVE ACTIONS BE TAKEN AGAINST THOSE OFFICIALS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VIOLENCE. THE GOR ANNOUNCED FEBRUARY 9 THE
SU.S.PENSION OR DISMISSAL OF MANY OFFICIALS IMPLICATED IN BOTH THE
JANUARY
VIOLENCE AND INCIDENTS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABU.S.ES IN THE PAST.
THE PEOPLE OF RWANDA HAVE SUFFERED FOR DECADES FROM ETHNIC AND
POLITICAL VIOLENCE. WE BELIEVE THAT THE RECENT STEPS TOWARDS
DEMOCRATIZATION, INCLUDING THE FORMATION OF A COALITION GOVERNMENT, AND
THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE RPF AND THE GOR OFFER REAL HOPE TO
END THIS CYCLE OF VIOLENCE. WE ARE PRESSING ALL SIDES TO MAKE THE MOST
OF THIS OPPORTUNITY.
What is the level of our assistance to Rwanda?
IN RECOGNITION OF RWANDA'S RECENT PROGRESS TOWARDS
DEMOCRATIZATION AND ECONOMIC REFORM, WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE
APPROXIMATELY TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS IN BILATERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
CONTINUED ASSISTANCE DEPENDS UPON FURTHER PROGRESS ON DEMOCRATIZATION,
GOOD GOVERNANCE AND A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF
LAW. CONTINUED VIOLENCE COULD JEOPARDIZE OUR BILATERAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS. (###)
IRELAND: Deputy Secretary Meeting with Irish Church Leaders
Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman - 2/9/93
Deputy Secretary Wharton met today with four church leaders from
Ireland--Cardinal Cahal Daly (Roman Catholic Primate of All Ireland),
Anglican Archbishop Robert Eames (Primate of Ireland), Presbyterian
Moderator John Dunlop, and Methodist President Derek Ritchie. Also
present were Josiah Beeman, Chairman, Northern Ireland Working Group,
Presbyterian Church, U.S.A; Reverend Richard Young, Presbyterian
Church,
U.S.A; Father Drew Christiansen, U.S. Catholic Conference; and Dr.
Gerard
Powers, U.S. Catholic Conference. The Irish church leaders described to
the Deputy Secretary the situation in Northern Ireland and their efforts
to bring an end to violence and rectify long-standing problems there.
The Deputy Secretary wished the church leaders well in their
efforts to promote dialogue and understanding. He reaffirmed the
commitment of the United States to peace, justice, and reconciliation in
Northern Ireland and reiterated U.S. willingness to assist the peace
process in all appropriate ways. (###)
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