State Dept. Daily Press Briefing August 2, 2005
Daily Press Briefing
Tom Casey, Acting Spokesman
Washington, DC
August 2, 2005
INDEX:
NORTH KOREA
Six Party Talks / Draft Statement of Principles
RUSSIA
Credentials of ABC Journalists / ABC's Broadcast of Interview with
Chechen Rebel Leader
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Renewal of Travel Warning
MACEDONIA
Resolution of Intercommunal Differences
ALBANIA
U. S. Policy in Kosovo / Current Status of Kosovo
IRAN
Contact with Members of EU-3 and IAEA / Statements by EU High
Representative Solana and German Chancellor Schroeder / Adherence
to the Paris Agreement / Referral to UN Security Council /
Intelligence Assessments / Uranium Enrichment Activities / IAEA
Activities / Russian Arrangements with Iran to Provide Fuel/ EU-3 Proposals
TURKEY
Support for Turkey's EU Bid
Terrorist Organization PKK
U. S. Relationship with Turkey
CYPRUS
U. S. Position on Cyprus / Annan Plan / Flights from Azerbaijan /
Easing of Economic Isolation for Turkish Cypriots
AZERBAIJAN
Secretary Rice's Meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs
DEPARTMENT
Travel by Secretary Rice
Resignation of Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roger Noriega
SUDAN
Funeral for Dr. John Garang / Salva Kiir to Succeed Dr. John
Garang / Travel by A/S Connie Newman and Special Representative
Roger Winter to Sudan / Deputy Secretary Zoellick's Conversations
with Salva Kiir and Vice President Taha / Succession Process for
First Vice President / Calls to Refrain from Violence
MISCELLANEOUS
No Change in Policy Toward Latin America / Central American Free
Trade Agreement
VENEZUELA
U. S. Policy Toward Venezuela
SAUDI ARABIA
Passing of King Fahd / Appointment of King Abdullah / Vice
President Cheney to Lead U. S. Delegation
TRANSCRIPT:
MR. CASEY: Afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the State Department briefing. I don't have any statements or
announcements for you, so let's go right to your questions.
QUESTION: Can we start with Korea? Can you give us your take on how the talks are going? Is there still a constructive
atmosphere and were the North Koreans being constructive in these talks?
MR. CASEY: Well, Barry, I think as you may have already seen from the comments Assistant Secretary Hill made out in
Beijing earlier today, talks are continuing. They had a fairly long set of meetings today of the heads of delegation,
focusing largely on continued developments on the statement of principals. In the morning session, the Chinese produced
a third draft of the draft statement and that was reviewed in the morning session. Comments were exchanged, views were
exchanged. And then after a brief break for lunch, the Chinese then took those comments onboard and produced a fourth
draft that incorporated those ideas. My understanding is that there'll be another heads of delegation meeting tomorrow,
at which point they will continue to discuss that fourth draft and continue to focus on reaching some kind of agreement
on it.
QUESTION: But insofar as atmospherics, I mean, the North Koreans had a negative statement publicly, but if this work is
proceeding, you know, the inference is that they are being constructive. Is that right?
MR. CASEY: Well --
QUESTION: To an extent.
MR. CASEY: -- Barry, I think that we basically characterize these discussions as businesslike. Certainly, as Ambassador
Hill said, as we move forward, we are in successive drafts narrowing the differences that are out there. But I want to
emphasize, as we've said from the beginning, that this is a very deliberate and mythological process and we're working
through it. We're continuing to see what kind of progress can be made. And obviously, it's good that they're continuing
to talk and have discussions. But at this point, as he said, I wouldn't want to try and presume any conclusions.
Yeah, Tammy.
QUESTION: Do you anticipate the talks having to break for consultations back in capitals?
MR. CASEY: Well, I think we've been consulting fairly consistently, not only -- certainly on the part of the United
States, there's been a great deal of consultation back here with Washington, the part of Ambassador Hill and his group.
As I understand it, this last draft that's been circulated, as Ambassador Hill said, was being reviewed in capitals this
evening. And I understand early tomorrow morning, before they reconvene. But I think that's more a part of an ongoing
process for people, rather than anything unique or separate or special related to this draft.
Yeah. Teri.
QUESTION: So these anonymous comments that have been floating around saying that the talks should or would end on
Wednesday, the U.S. is not of the view that that is a necessary desirable or --
MR. CASEY: No. We don't, as we've said all along, we're going to stay at this as long as it is useful and productive
and as long as we feel we can make progress. But certainly, I don't have any end date for them to predict to you.
QUESTION: Well, can I ask a variation of that? I understood from what was said on the podium the other day that a sign
of progress would be if they made enough headway in this round to be able to set a next round. So it wouldn't
necessarily be a negative sign if they were to -- pick a word -- recess, adjourn, as long as they come back again.
Right? Which we'll wait and see with --
MR. CASEY: Barry, I think we really need to wait and see where this goes. You know, we're continuing the discussions.
At this point, we're focused on trying to see if we can narrow remaining differences and come up with an agreed upon
statement of principles. But how and when these talks conclude, I think, is something I'm just not prepared to speculate
on.
Yes. Saul.
QUESTION: Change of subject?
MR. CASEY: Sure.
QUESTION: Russia has through its Foreign Ministry said that it's not going to renew the credentials of ABC journalists
and this is a punishment for the ABC interview that was aired with the Chechen rebel. Do you think this is okay for the
Russian Government to do?
MR. CASEY: Well, Saul, I've seen some of the reports you're talking about and we're seeking to confirm those reports
now with Russian officials in Moscow. Certainly, if that's true, we'd regret that decision. I think, in terms of the ABC
report, though, I'd just refer you back to what Sean said Friday on it.
QUESTION: What would be regrettable about that decision?
MR. CASEY: Well, I mean, I think, from our perspective, as we said on Friday, you know, we certainly believe that the
actions taken by certain terrorist groups in Chechnya, certainly the actions taken at the school in Beslan and some of
the other terrorist activities that have gone on, are absolutely deplorable. We condemned that at the time. We continue
to condemn them. We believe that those kinds of attacks on innocents, whether they occur at Chechnya, whether they occur
anywhere else in the world, they're simply unacceptable. They are not a legitimate form of political expression.
We obviously did not have anything to do, as we said on Friday, with ABC's airing of this interview. But, as we also
said at that time, we certainly respect ABC's right, as a news organization, to operate as it sees fit. And in that
sense, I think we believe that ABC, as well as all other members of the media, should have the opportunity for freedom
of expression and have the right to report as they see fit.
QUESTION: So the thing that's regrettable, the thing that you would regret is that ABC would not have the freedom to
report as it sees fit if its credentials are yanked.
MR. CASEY: Well, again, let's see what the actual facts are with the Russians before I sort of get into trying to
preview what the response will be. But, again, I don't think, if in fact, ABC is to somehow be banned from reporting in
Russia that that would be positive for -- a positive statement about freedom of expression.
Yeah, Mr. Lambros.
QUESTION: On the Balkans?
MR. CASEY: Okay.
QUESTION: Yesterday, suddenly the Department of State issued a travel warning for Bosnia-Herzegovina to remind American
citizens for the potential danger. Since these warnings concerning the entire Balkans Peninsula from a security point of
view, could you please to tell us more, what is going on exactly and at what prompted the U.S. Government to do this now
in the middle of the summer?
MR. CASEY: Mr. Lambros, I believe if you look, there have been travel warnings in place for Bosnia and Herzegovina for
some time. As I recall, this is simply a renewal of the existing warning, which is why the first line in it says to
remind American citizens of the dangers there. I think our concerns for American citizens wishing to travel in the
region are pretty well stated in the travel warning itself. And again, this is not something new. It's something that
we've had out there for some time.
QUESTION: Last night in Belgrade, a Serbian Minister ordered the grounding of two planes rented to a neighboring
country FYROM in retaliation for the jailing of a Serbian Orthodox Church Bishop John by the security authorities in
Scopje in the Ochrid area because Bishop John was preaching Christianity. What is your position on this issue which is
developing right now?
MR. CASEY: Mr. Lambros, I'm afraid that I haven't seen those specific reports. I think our views, certainly on
religious freedom, as we discussed yesterday, are well-known. With respect to Macedonia, again, we have been strong
backers of resolution of intercommunal differences there, certainly through the Lake Ochrid Agreement. In terms of
Serbia, again, I think our policies are well known that we certainly support a peaceful reconciliation of differences
among all neighbors in the region.
QUESTION: On the Balkans -- the Albanians --
MR. CASEY: All right. Last one and then let's move on to somebody else.
QUESTION: Okay. The Albanian police found near the border with Montenegro (inaudible) automatic rifles, 305 hand
grenades, antitank mines, 2,000 weapons, 117 million rounds of ammunition, and 1.5 million explosive devices, according
to Associated Press.
I'm wondering if you have anything on that since the press is claiming that these arms are going to be used by new
Albanian rebels in Kosovo, which is right now under the protection of the United States, Britain and NATO, and a kind of
solution is pending by the end of 2005, as it was said recently many, many times by Under Secretary Nicholas Burns.
MR. CASEY: Well, Mr. Lambros, let me just step back from that a second. I haven't seen those specific reports.
Obviously, our policies in Kosovo, as you said, have been very well articulated by Under Secretary Burns. We certainly
do not support any acts of violence and are not supporting any renewed or enhanced weapons transfers within the region.
Certainly, it sounds like it would be a good thing if police or other law enforcement authorities had interdicted any
attempts at illegal transfers.
On Kosovo itself, let me remind you that the current status of Kosovo is handled under a UN mandate. And of course, as
Under Secretary Burns has said, we will be looking for a review being conducted by the Secretary General's Special
Representative now, focusing on whether the standards that had been outlined by the international community for Kosovo
have been met before we might proceed on to the possibility -- I emphasize possibility -- of final status negotiations.
Whether those negotiations would begin would obviously be determined by the outcome of that review.
Let's move on. Peter.
QUESTION: Iran, Tom.
MR. CASEY: Yeah.
QUESTION: Obviously, you've seen the reports that the Iranians are making very tough statements that their decision to
go to fuel cycle activities is irrevocable. The Europeans have issued a very stern warning. My question is twofold. One
is, are you in contact with the Europeans about any -- what might be a last-ditch incentive offer to the Iranians? And
two, how close are we to an end to this process in going to the Security Council?
MR. CASEY: Well, okay. I think, frankly, we haven't had much of a change for you over what I already told you
yesterday. But we have, as I said, yesterday been in contact with the members of the EU-3. Under Secretary Burns has
done that. We're continuing, obviously, to watch very closely the situation and we've been in constant contact with the
IAEA, as well as our friends in the EU-3.
I think you have seen the statements that EU High Representative Solana made earlier. He noted that if Iran were to
break the suspension, then EU's negotiations would end. German Chancellor Schroeder has also spoken to this. I think
he's described the situation as "threatening." Certainly, though, we're continuing to support the EU-3's efforts to
resolve this issue through diplomacy and we very much concur with those statements made by European officials and by the
UK statement which I referred to yesterday that Iran absolutely needs to maintain its suspension on all
enrichment-related activities, including uranium conversion.
QUESTION: Is that the new --
MR. CASEY: Let's let Peter follow-up and then we'll --
QUESTION: (Inaudible) go ahead --
MR. CASEY: Let the other half of AFP follow-up. (Laughter).
QUESTION: Is it a new step toward the Council, the Security Council --
MR. CASEY: Well, again, I don't think I have anything more to offer you on that beyond what I said yesterday. It is
critical to us that Iran maintain its suspension, that it maintain its adherence to the Paris Agreement and that it not
take any steps that would be in violation of that. Obviously, as we said yesterday, if they were to break that
agreement, then the next steps would, to our way of thinking, be a referral from the IAEA board to the Security Council.
QUESTION: Now, just on that, can I just at what point are they going to be considered in breach of this agreement?
QUESTION: Yeah.
QUESTION: I mean, what physically? If they break the seals, if they bring staff in? At what point are we going to know?
MR. CASEY: Again, Peter, I'm not going to try and offer a specific point or data point for you on this, but if we
believe that that agreement has been breached, again, the next logical step would be consultations with our friends in
the EU-3, as well as with the other IAEA board members, but again, our position would be that if they breach that
agreement, we would then want to move to the next step -- Security Council.
Let's go back here first, Saul, and then I'll come around.
QUESTION: Does the U.S. believe that Iran is further away from having a nuclear weapon than previously believed?
MR. CASEY: You know, I think I know the press report that you're referring to from this morning. Look, I don't have any
comment that I can offer you on intelligence matters or assessments that might or might not have been made by the
intelligence community. What I think I can say is that we've made clear for a long time, and the international community
has been in agreement for some time, that we have very serious concerns about Iran's intentions to acquire nuclear
weapons. That's the whole basis for our efforts through the IAEA. That's the whole basis of our support for the EU-3
diplomacy. It's our continued belief that Iran's desires and efforts to acquire nuclear weapons is a threat to the
entire international community and it's one that we need to deal with and it's one that we are trying to deal with
through our support for the EU-3's efforts here.
QUESTION: Can I follow that point?
MR. CASEY: All right. Why don't you go and then we'll let --
QUESTION: Last April from the podium, Richard Boucher, the spokesman, said U.S. intelligence agencies, in assessing
Iran's nuclear program, have used "an estimate that said that Iran was likely was not likely to acquire a nuclear weapon
before the beginning of the next decade. That remains the case."
I don't see any contradiction in what he said with dusting that estimate off again, leading a newspaper with it. Is
there any reason to retract or update or modify what Mr. Boucher said here in April, that you know of?
MR. CASEY: Barry, yeah, I don't have anything new to offer you, as far as I know, any comments Ambassador Boucher might
have made on that stand.
QUESTION: Well, you say you have nothing, I need to press. I know you have constraints when it comes to intelligence,
but do you have reason to revise what he said?
MR. CASEY: I don't have any reason to revise what he said. And again, I'd refer you to the intelligence community for
any comments on intelligence-related issues.
Saul.
QUESTION: Back to Peter's question. What we're trying to understand is, as you urge the Iranians not to break the
agreement, what actually constitutes a break? We need to judge when they've broken it and presumably, the Iranians need
to be clear when they've broken it or when they're about to break it. So, can you be specific on what it is they
shouldn't do at the Isfahan facility?
MR. CASEY: They should not engage in any uranium enrichment activities, including uranium conversion. They should not
do anything that would violate either the letter or the spirit of the Paris Accord and that's about as specific as I can
be.
QUESTION: Okay, that's pretty specific. So things like altering the surveillance cameras to go in there and I think
from what you're saying, actually breaking the seals themselves, that's not a violation? It's whether they actually go
ahead with the activities?
MR. CASEY: I'm not going to try and parse it any further than I have, Saul. What I think is important is, the whole
reason why let's remember how we got here. The whole reason why we are at this stage is because the Iranian Government
has engaged in a clandestine nuclear program for almost two decades. They hid their activities from the international
community and when confronted with those activities have still to this day, not fully answered all the questions of the
IAEA and not fully come forward with this.
We are working with our friends in the IAEA, in the EU-3 to try and resolve this issue diplomatically, but it would be,
as the UK has said, as the German Chancellor has said, as Javier Solana said yesterday, a threatening situation and a
disturbing situation if the Iranians were to move forward in any way, shape or form with violating this agreement. And I
think that's, again, a fairly clear statement.
Yeah, Teri.
QUESTION: So is the United States calling for a Board of Governors meeting?
MR. CASEY: We have not done so. I'd refer you to the IAEA on what activities might be coming forward.
QUESTION: But you're a member of the Board of Governors, obviously a very powerful member, and why are you not calling
for consultations on this with the Board of Governors?
MR. CASEY: Again, right now I think our focus is working on with the EU-3. We are consulting with the IAEA, as we have
been throughout this process, but I don't have anything to share with you about future Board of Governors meetings.
You want to -- still on this?
QUESTION: Yeah.
MR. CASEY: Okay, Saul.
QUESTION: I believe the Iranians were promised by the EU-3 that there would be a presentation of the proposal late July
or early August. Well, we're already at early August. How much longer do they have to wait?
MR. CASEY: Well, how longer much do the Iranians have to wait or how much longer does the EU-3 have to wait? Look, my
understanding is the EU-3 is moving forward on this, but I'd leave it to them to describe when and in what way they
might breathe their proposals out.
QUESTION: A couple of other things.
MR. CASEY: Same thing -- still on Iran?
QUESTION: No different.
QUESTION: Iran.
MR. CASEY: All right, we're still on Iran.
QUESTION: Yeah. Russian came out even after this announcement and said that it still supports the civilian nuclear
program that it, of course, has been working on for so long with Iran. Doesn't this cause a problem for the United
States? You're opposed to even the civilian nuclear program and, despite these threatening announcements, Russia is
remaining supportive.
MR. CASEY: Well, again, I think what we've said with regard to the Russian arrangements with Iran is that we've seen
and viewed positively the fact that they have worked out arrangements so that they would be providing fuel on a
closed-cycle basis. Meaning that any nuclear fuel they would be providing for Iran's civilian nuclear facilities, would
ultimately be returned back to Russia in a closed fuel cycle process so that there could be assurance that none of this
material would be diverted or otherwise used for a nuclear weapons program.
My understanding as well is that the final disposition of all of this -- the final go-ahead on this is still pending.
Some form of settlement of the outstanding issues between the Iran and the IAEA.
QUESTION: But if Iran does go ahead and pursue a hostile program, a hostile nuclear program, aren't you ever more
concerned about the dual-use technology, besides just the spent fuel? There are other items?
MR. CASEY: Well, I think for right now, our focus is on trying through the EU-3 to end the threat of Iran's nuclear
weapons program. And I think we'll stay focused on that. And I really don't want to speculate about what'll happen
otherwise.
QUESTION: One more on Iraq?
MR. CASEY: Yeah. One more on Iraq, please, and then Barry, I'm sorry, then we'll go --
QUESTION: Just two statements you said previously. You said that the United States was in contact with the EU-3 and you
said the EU-3 is moving forward on this proposal they're going to make to the Iranians.
(A) Have they briefed you on what the proposal they're going to make to the Iranians? And (b) is the United States
comfortable with the proposal they're going to make?
MR. CASEY: Well, again, we're in regular contact with the EU-3 since Under Secretary Burns spoke to them yesterday. But
I don't really have much that I can offer you in terms of specifics about what might or might not be included in any
EU-3 proposals. Obviously, though, again, they are talking to us and we're very much engaged with them and aware of the
kinds of activities they're undertaking.
QUESTION: Are you on the same page with them on this?
MR. CASEY: I think we are on the same page with the EU-3 in terms of moving forward towards a resolution on this.
Obviously, I'm not going to be in a position to speak about any proposals that they haven't yet put forward.
QUESTION: France has reported to have said, Turkey, can I get into the EU until it ends its occupation of Cyprus. Are
you on the same page with the French on that?
MR. CASEY: Well, Barry, I think --
QUESTION: I know it's a European grouping, but you can have an opinion.
MR. CASEY: Well, I think as you know, Barry, we have a longstanding history of support for Turkey's EU bid. We continue
to support Turkey's goal of acceding to the EU. Although, of course, we aren't a member of the EU and this certainly is
a decision for the European Union itself to make.
With regard to Cyprus. As our friend Mr. Lambros certainly knows, our policy on this is well known. We have not changed
our views on that. We certainly want to see a resolution of the differences on Cyprus resolved. And we still believe
that the way forward on that is under the basis of the Annan plan and what we're working for in Cyprus right now is for
both sides to come back to the Secretary General in response to his suggestion that they come up with some ideas for how
to move that process forward.
QUESTION: Well, the stalemate continues. The troops remain. It sounds as if the French have another approach that might
move things along they hope, I suppose. The U.S. is just going to wait for the two sides to get together again, right?
MR. CASEY: Well, Barry, I mean, I think we need to remember where this process was. The Annan plan went forward. It was
voted on by both communities on Cyprus. Because one community rejected that plan, that was what we frankly thought was a
positive, good plan and an opportunity to resolve the issue. At this point, conversations continue between the Secretary
General, between his representatives and leaders in Cyprus. We certainly have our contacts with both communities as
well. And again, what we are doing is encouraging them to respond to the Secretary General's offer to come up with some
suggestions to move forward. But at this point, it's up to those parties to try and respond to those proposals and see
how we can move forward.
QUESTION: On Cyprus?
MR. CASEY: On Cyprus? Sure.
QUESTION: Azerbaijan has recently opened the flights to the northern part of the island and the Greek side is very
dissatisfied. They're threatening with retaliation of opening flights to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Where
does the U.S. stand on all of this?
MR. CASEY: Well, I really don't have anything for you on the specific flights. That's obviously a bilateral issue. And
I'd leave it to the Azeri Government to comment on it. I think you know our policy is that we continue to support the
easing of the economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and that's the policy we're pursuing with response to the
north.
QUESTION: A bilateral between who -- Azerbaijan and --
MR. CASEY: And Cyprus.
QUESTION: The Government of Cyprus.
MR. CASEY: Yeah. It is not -- it's not an issue. It's not an issue for us.
QUESTION: But if the Government of Cyprus objects, where does that --
MR. CASEY: Again, I'd leave it to the Government of Azerbaijan, the Government of Cyprus.
QUESTION: But you don't mean bilaterally with Northern Cyprus?
MR. CASEY: No.
QUESTION: Okay.
QUESTION: (Off-mike).
MR. CASEY: Our position on Cyprus has not changed. Our position on recognition has not changed. I think I anticipated
the question. (Laughter).
QUESTION: Mr. Casey, you have to clarify between the Government of Cyprus and of Azerbaijan -- or what? Between
Azerbaijan and what?
MR. CASEY: Her question was that the Government of Azerbaijan has instituted flights that other governments in the
region have objected to that. That is a matter between those other governments and the Government of Azerbaijan to work
out. I do not have an official U.S. comment on it.
Let's move around. Yeah.
QUESTION: Do you have anything on Secretary Rice's meeting this morning on Azerbaijani Foreign Minister?
MR. CASEY: I have a more of a preview than a readout. The meeting was just concluding as I came out here. So in terms
of the preview --
QUESTION: They're going to (inaudible).
MR. CASEY: They were -- what they were planning on talking about was a number of bilateral issues. We certainly were
going to thank the Government of Azerbaijan for its assistance in the global war on terror. Understand that Azerbaijan
does have military forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo. We are also going to stress and talk about the importance,
as we always do in our conversations with the Azeri Government, of the parliamentary elections in November and the
importance of those elections meeting international standards. And we certainly expected the subject of Nagorno-Karabak
to come up as well.
QUESTION: Interfax is quoting the Kyrgyz Government as saying Secretary of State Rice will travel to Bishkek to attend
the August 14th inaugural. And I know how reluctant she is to travel, but is it possible she might be going there for
the inaugural and combine it with a vacation, possibly?
(Laughter.)
MR. CASEY: Well, I don't have any announcements to offer you in terms of travel, Barry, but I'm unaware of any plans
for her to travel at this time.
QUESTION: Okay. Are you aware of talks for two days, beginning tomorrow, on Kurdish extremists, I guess you would call
them militants? Supposedly, Turkey, Iraq, and the U.S. will sit down here tomorrow for two days and talk about this
problem. Can you give us anything to get started on that?
MR. CASEY: I'm sorry, Barry. I actually don't have anything for you on that. Let me see what I can get.
QUESTION: Okay.
MR. CASEY: Teri?
QUESTION: Any update on plans for someone to attend the funeral of John Garang and any assessment of his already named
successor here?
MR. CASEY: In terms of the funeral, I understand that the funeral is going to take place in Juba in Southern Sudan on
August 6th. We do expect that we'll have a senior U.S. representative attending, but I actually don't have any
information about who that will be at this point. I expect to have something in the next couple of days, obviously.
In terms of his successor, let me just explain what my understanding is of what the status is at the moment. The Sudan
People Liberation's Movement leadership and the Sudan People's Liberation Army military command confirmed yesterday that
Salva Kir was going to be the organization's new chairman and the movement's designee as the first Vice President of the
Government of National Unity. That decision still needs to be ratified, so he, as I understand it, will not formally
become Vice President until a week or two from now.
Certainly, we think that it's a good thing that this process has moved forward. As we said yesterday, there was
contingency plans in the Agreement, in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, to allow for a successor to be named in the
unfortunate event, as did happen, that Dr. Garang had passed on. The place we are right now, I think, is that we're
confident that both sides are committed and continue to be committed to implementing that Comprehensive Peace Agreement
and both sides have signaled that to us in our conversations with them. And we'll certainly be looking forward to having
Assistant Secretary Newman and Roger Winter, the Deputy Secretary Special Representative, in Southern Sudan tomorrow to
talk with Salva Kir and talk with the Southern Sudanese leadership.
I should note that the Deputy Secretary, who is currently in Beijing, did speak with Salva Kir yesterday. He's also
going to be reaching out to Vice President Taha a little later as well.
Saul.
QUESTION: When well, I just didn't check the itinerary of Newman and Winter. You said tomorrow they're in Southern
Sudan. Are they already in Sudan?
MR. CASEY: They are still en route. My understanding is they will arrive tomorrow.
QUESTION: So, do they go to Khartoum first or the south that afternoon?
MR. CASEY: I'll have to check on their exact itinerary. I know they were intending on being in Southern Sudan tomorrow.
Yeah.
QUESTION: Tom, you said they were leaving yesterday. Yesterday, you told us they were leaving yesterday.
MR. CASEY: Yeah, and they are currently my understanding is they're currently overnighting in a neighboring country.
Let's go back here.
QUESTION: Still on Sudan.
MR. CASEY: I'm sorry, still on Sudan?
QUESTION: Yeah, just there was a lot of violence yesterday. Some has continued --
MR. CASEY: Yeah.
QUESTION: -- in some clashes between supporters of the southern the former southern rebels and the government. This
seems to undercut your confidence that sort of an official level, people are prepared to go forward with peace and
everything, while in the shantytowns, they're actually fighting each other.
MR. CASEY: Well, again, I think from our perspective, we're continuing to look for and what we are so far seeing is an
orderly and peaceful succession process for the position of first Vice President President, and that is something that's
very positive.
Obviously, we do continue to call on all Sudanese people to refrain from violence and to maintain calm and continue on
the path of nonviolence and reconciliation, to continue to work together to fulfill Dr. Garang's legacy and to implement
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
There have been, as you've said, reports of sporadic violence. My understanding is while there is still some of those
reports coming in, that the situation is a good deal calmer today. We certainly would like to see that continue and like
to see all violence cease. But again, I think the important thing for us to remember is that the Sudanese leadership,
both from the north and the south, have, in light of Dr. Garang's death, recommitted themselves to the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement and have all said that they will intend to move forward to it. And part of what Assistant Secretary
Newman and Roger Winter's visit to Sudan will be is to reaffirm U.S. support for that process as well.
Anything else on Sudan? Okay. Let's go back here.
QUESTION: Okay. Thank you. On Latin America, Mr. Casey. There is a new confrontation between the church and the
Venezuelan Government. My question is are the U.S. Government is still following what happened in Venezuela as a part of
the international community? I know Mr. Noriega resigned last week, but is this to expect a new change of policy toward
Latin America, toward Venezuela? And for instance, the Finance Minister of Bolivia resigned after some comments made
here in Washington last week on the remarks of Mr. Noriega saying that the Venezuelan Government provides some
financement to the coca leader Evo Morales in Bolivia. Do you have any comments on that?
MR. CASEY: I know there's a lot in there. Let me see if I can find a way to wrap all those questions up for you.
First of all, as we did mention last week, Assistant Secretary Roger Noriega is going to be leaving the Department,
though he is still here right now, going to explore some opportunities in the private sector. And we very much value his
service both as Assistant Secretary and previous to that as the U.S. Ambassador to the OAS.
In terms of U.S. policy, though, I do not think that any changes in personnel here at the Department represent a change
in policy of this Administration. The Administration has put forward a very positive policy for Latin America. The
Secretary in her trip to the region, I think, articulated it very fully that we're looking to build on the successes of
democracy. We're working to help expand economic opportunity and development in the region.
I think you saw over at the White House a little earlier today, the Secretary participating in the signing of the
Central American Free Trade Agreement, which is one of the ways that the Administration is pursuing greater economic
opportunities for the people of the region. And this was very much a landmark agreement that we think will provide great
benefit to the people of the region and provide new opportunities for businesses, both here and there.
In terms of Venezuela, again I think the Secretary has made our policy quite clear, and I don't have anything new to
tell you about that today. I do think --
QUESTION: Do you (inaudible) in what will be the policy towards Venezuela?
MR. CASEY: The policy towards Venezuela in the future will be the policy that we've maintained over time. As the
Secretary has said, we continue to look for Venezuela as we look for all nations in the hemisphere to enhance the
development of democracy, for all those leaders who have been elected democratically to govern democratically, to
continue to make forward progress in terms of economic development. But again, I don't think you should read into the
change in assistant secretary as any kind of broader change in our policies.
QUESTION: (Inaudible) of the Finance Minister of Bolivia after the comments or the remarks --
MR. CASEY: I don't have anything for you on that. I'd refer you to the Government of Bolivia for the reasons for his
resignation. That's an internal matter to Bolivia.
Yeah.
QUESTION: On Zimbabwe, any comment on the dropping of the last treason charges against the opposition leader?
MR. CASEY: I actually don't have anything on that, but let me try and get you something.
Let's go over here.
QUESTION: On the U.S.-Saudi relation, what are the issues of concerns on this relations?
MR. CASEY: Well, I think our policy -- again, I talked a little bit about this yesterday and I think our policies
regarding Saudi Arabia are well known and I don't have anything particularly new to offer you on that, Michel. I can say
that we have a broad and deep relationship with Saudi Arabia, that we cooperate with the Saudi Government on a number of
issues.
Right now, though, I think our main emphasis is on paying condolences to the Saudi Government and the Saudi people on
the death of the King, to welcome the appointment of new King Abdullah. I think, as you heard from Scott McClellan this
morning, the Vice President will be leading the official U.S. delegation to Saudi Arabia to offer our condolences. And I
think right now our main focus is on continuing the good work that we've done with the Saudi Government and moving
forward in our relationship under the Saudi new leadership.
QUESTION: Did they say who might be going with him from State?
MR. CASEY: No, I don't have any further details in terms of the composition of the delegation. And I know that's
something that they're going to announce from over there.
QUESTION: Would you suspect that it would be, you know, I don't want to say -- or use it improper, confined strictly to
the occasion or is it an opportunity to talk to the Saudis about financing inadvertent, perhaps, but financing of
extremists, of stronger stands against terrorism? Or is it certainly not the occasion to do that?
MR. CASEY: Well, again, I think we talk to the Saudi Government at a variety of levels all the time. I think the
purpose of this delegation is to convey our condolences and also to talk with the new king on his assumption of the
throne, but this is not something that I'm aware of that is anything beyond that.
Okay, let's go over here and then we'll go over to you, Mr. Lambros.
QUESTION: On China?
MR. CASEY: Sure.
QUESTION: The CNOOC, the Chinese oil company largely controlled by the Chinese Government, announced to withdraw their
bid to acquire the U.S. oil company, the Unocal, because their reasoning is because of the political environment in the
U.S. I'm just wondering if you have any comment.
MR. CASEY: No, nothing beyond what's been said previously about that issue.
Mr. Lambros.
QUESTION: On Turkey, the Turkish Government is claiming now that the Kurdish organization, PKK of Abdullah Ocalan, he
has an office with a flag in downtown Kirkuk of Iraq. I'm wondering if you have anything on that, since the area is
under supervision of a U.S.-British coalition forces and, of course, with the Kurdish forces loyal to Jelal Talabani and
Massoud Barzani?
MR. CASEY: Okay. Mr. Lambros, I haven't seen those specific comments. Again, in terms of operational details of things
happening in Iraq, I'd refer you to the multinational force, as well as the Iraqi Government for further details. I
think, as we've covered quite a few times in the last few days, our position on the PKK is well known. They are a
terrorist organization. We continue to cooperate closely both with our friends in Iraq, as well as our friends in
Turkey, to ensure that the PKK does not have a safe haven or an ability to operate out of Northern Iraq.
QUESTION: Are you going to try to get us something today, are you, on those talks?
MR. CASEY: Yeah.
QUESTION: Please.
MR. CASEY: On the trilaterals.
QUESTION: Because the Turkish representative is a senior security official, so --
MR. CASEY: Yeah, I just didn't --
QUESTION: I would think this --
MR. CASEY: I just didn't have a chance to check before I came out here, Barry, and I'll get you something on it today.
QUESTION: One more question. How do you comment to the polls conducted by the well-known pro-American group ARI, A-R-I,
that 35 percent of the Turkish people say today that Turkey and the United States of America are rapidly moving to a
full war due to the PKK activities north of Iraq? It's generating a lot of publicity over there.
MR. CASEY: Okay. Well, Mr. Lambros, I think the best thing I can say is that the United States and Turkey have a long
history of friendship. We have worked together cooperatively. As NATO allies, we have worked together at the UN. We've
worked together on a wide range of issues. We certainly have a broad and deep relationship that covers politics,
economics, as well as security matters and we certainly look forward for that to continue. We care a good deal about the
opinion of foreign publics and we certainly are actively working to make sure, through our embassy and other means, that
we explain our policies and our views properly, but I think there's a good deal of friendship between the American and
Turkish people and we certainly look forward for that to continue.
Thank you.
(The briefing was concluded at 1:35 p.m.)
DPB # 133
Released on August 2, 2005
ENDS