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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman Taken Questions of September 7,1993 1. Middle East Peace Q: In the last two days, with whom has Secretary Christopher been in contact regarding the Middle East Peace negotiations? A: OVER THE LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND, SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER HAS HAD CONTACTS WITH MANY LEADERS IN THE REGION. WE DECLINE TO SPECIFY EACH AND EVERY CONTACT AT THIS POINT. 2. Middle East Peace Q: When will this session of the Middle East Peace Talks end? A: WE ANTICIPATE THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS WILL ADJOURN BEFORE SEPTEMBER 15 AND RESUME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THEREAFTER. 3. China/Taiwan Q: Can you comment on the protest by the Chinese about the sale of E2T aircraft to Taiwan? When did they protest? A: THE CHINESE CAME IN ON AUGUST 23 AND SEPTEMBER 3 TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THIS ISSUE. --THIS SALE IS FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE 1982 U.S.-PRC JOINT COMMUNIQUE AND THE 1979 TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT. 4. MIDDLE EAST PEACE Q: What is the effect of the breakthrough in the Israeli/Palestinian negotiations on the multilateral track of the Middle East Peace Process? A: WE HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE CO-SPONSOR AND THE CO-ORGANIZERS OF THE WORKING GROUPS. AT ITS LAST MEETING IN MOSCOW (JULY 7, 1993), THE MULTILATERAL STEERING GROUP DECIDED THAT IT WOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERNATIONAL FUNDING OF ANY AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS REGARDING INTERIM SELF-GOVERNMENT. THE NEXT ROUND FOR THE MULTILATERAL WORKING GROUPS WILL BE IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 1993. (###)