U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DAILY PRESS BRIEFING (May 5, 1995)

From: [email protected]

Subject: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DAILY PRESS BRIEFING (May 5, 1995)

Burns

DEPARTMENT--Announcement

New U.S. Funding for Humanitarian Refugee Assistance--

  Former Yugoslavia .....................................1

FORMER YUGOSLAVIA

Croatia

--Status of Ceasefire/Fighting ..........................1-2

--Status of Sector West Population ......................7-8

Bosnia

--President Carter Remarks on Mediation, Peace Talks ....2

--Contact Group Mtg./Plan ...............................3-5

--Strengthening of UN/Security of UNPROFOR ..............6-10

--Arms Embargo ..........................................8-9

[...]

GREECE/TURKEY

Greek/Turkish Relationship ..............................16

PKK--Turkish Withdrawal of Forces from Northern Iraq ....16

--U.S. Contacts with Turkey .............................17

A/S Holbrooke Visit to Athens/Territorial Waters ........21

[...]

MR. BURNS: Good afternoon. Welcome to the State Department briefing. I have a short announcement to make, and then I'll be glad to go directly to your questions.

The United States is providing new funding in the amount of $28 million for humanitarian assistance for refugees, displaced persons, and conflict victims in the former Yugoslavia, excluding Serbia-Montenegro. These funds will be contributed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the designated lead agency for the United Nations international humanitarian assistance effort in the former Yugoslavia.

The United States continues to be the major provider of food, airlift support, and other relief commodities for refugees and displaced persons in the former Yugoslavia.

This latest contribution will bring the total U.S. Government humanitarian assistance in that region to almost $850 million since the conflict began in l99l, and we have further information that we'll be posting about this initiative after this briefing. And with that I'll be glad to go to your questions.

Q While you're on the subject, could you update us on the situation in Croatia?

MR. BURNS: Yes, I'll be glad to.

Ambassador Galbraith, on the ground in Zagreb, and the Secretary and Assistant Secretary Holbrooke here are watching very carefully the situation in Croatia. As you know, we're working to prevent an escalation of the situation to ensure the safety of American and U.N. personnel in the region and to promote a respect for the rights of civilians as well as POWs.

Mr. Akashi, the U.N. representative, has been busy trying to negotiate a cease-fire. The cease-fire in Croatia appears to have been respected for the most part, but reliable information on this is scarce. The situation is quite fluid, and we know there has been some limited fighting during the last 24 hours.

There have been, however, no confirmed rocket attacks or ground offensives since the U.N. cease-fire was announced 48 hours ago, although there has been the limited fighting that I mentioned.

Serb military holdouts near Pakrac reportedly surrendered yesterday after several exchanges of fire, and I would just remind you that the situation remains volatile.

As for the position of the United States on this issue, I think it is well known. We're calling upon both parties -- all the people involved in the current round of fighting -- to exercise maximum restraint, to cease the fighting, to observe the cease-fire, and certainly to observe and ensure the safety of civilians in the area.

We are working closely with the United Nations to try to promote discussions among the parties that would lead to solutions to the problems. And I think I'll let my comments rest there.

Mark.

Q Nick, former President Carter said two things on a CNN interview yesterday. Number one, he seems to be offering himself once again as a mediator. Number two, he believes the talks should resume in Geneva with no preconditions -- meaning no advanced acceptance of the Contact Group plan. Could you respond both to his suggestion that he mediate and to the second point?

MR. BURNS: You're talking about in this case both Bosnia as well as Croatia, or just Bosnia?

Q It seems intelligent.

Q Thank you.

MR. BURNS: O.K. You're referring to the conflict in Bosnia.

Q Yes.

MR. BURNS: Okay. I just want to make sure I understood the question correctly.

As you know, we are in touch from time to time with former President Jimmy Carter and his staff at the Carter Center. I'm not aware of any recent contacts; I don't know of any.

The United States will continue its efforts within the Contact Group to seek a solution to the problems in Bosnia. Ambassador Bob Frasure, who is our representative to the Contact Group, is in Paris today for a Contact Group meeting. I do not have, unfortunately, a brief -- a readout, a summary of that meeting -- for you at this time. I have not received it from the European Bureau.

But I think you know what our objective is, and that is to seek a resolution of the problem through an agreement that there would be recognition of Bosnia in return for limited sanctions relief for Belgrade. And we've been working on that offer for quite some time

We believe that there is every reason to continue those efforts, and we'll continue them through the next couple of days and weeks.

Q Are you holding to the insistence that the parties accept the Contact Group plan as a basis for the talks to resume?

MR. BURNS: Yes. I mean the offer of the Contact Group for the parties to accept both the map and plan is still on the table. That is still the offer that we're talking about, and we have not changed that offer in any way. Q That's the basis of it?

MR. BURNS: Excuse me?

Q That's the basis for this kind of discussion?

MR. BURNS: That is the basis for it, that's right. It's both the map and plan.

Q And if there are parties who would indicate an eagerness for Jimmy Carter to get involved, would the United States welcome that?

MR. BURNS: It's a hypothetical question. He has been quite helpful, as you know, in the past. We're not aware of any efforts underway by the parties to involve him in the discussions at this time. So, not wanting to get into hypothetical questions, I would simply say that we're going to continue our efforts in the Contact Group along the lines that I described.

Q And in the context of the CNN program, Nick, I believe Mr. Karadzic pledged or stated that they would come up with a plan whereby 53 percent of the land in Bosnia would be under Bosnian-Serb control. Was there any merit; did the State Department see any hope in this statement?

MR. BURNS: We see lots of statements. We're interested in deeds. The government, the group in Pale -- including Mr. Karadzic -- know how to get in touch with us. We haven't been in direct touch in some time, but we are active in the region. The Contact Group map and plan offer is still on the table, and it's very specific. If they're interested in that, they should begin discussions with the parties -- with the Bosnian Government and with the Contact Group. We hope very much that that will happen, but I can't report to you that there's been any recent progress beyond a television show on that issue. That's what's important -- that beyond the rhetoric in this situation, beyond what political leaders in the region might say in public, that when they get to the negotiating table or when they talk to international representatives such as the Contact Group that have an interest in this matter, that they be serious and that they be committed to deeds as well as to words.

Q On your announcement of the $25 million for refugees --

MR. BURNS: Twenty-eight million.

Q Twenty-eight million, I'm sorry -- you said it doesn't include Serbia and Montenegro, is that correct?

MR. BURNS: That's right.

Q But does it include Krajina Serbs, displaced Croatian Serbs?

MR. BURNS: It includes the rest of the region of the former --

Q So the Serbs are eligible if they are displaced from homes in Croatia.

MR. BURNS: Yes, I believe so.

Q You said that you believe there was every reason to continue the efforts of the Contact Group following the meeting with Milosevic. Can you enlighten us a little bit as to why there is every reason to continue?

MR. BURNS: The reason I said that is because I've been asked that question several times during the last few briefings. I've said that if we didn't believe there was any interest in this particular Contact Group Plan, if we felt that all sides had firmly and categorically rejected it, then, of course, we would pursue other avenues.

But in our diplomatic contacts with all of the parties over the last few weeks, we have noted some interest in this offer. We believe it still makes sense to have it on the table, and that is the basis of the Contact Group discussion in Paris today.

I should also tell you that the Contact Group is working on the problem of Croatia as well. As you remember that when Secretary Christopher talked to Foreign Minister Kozyrev by telephone earlier this week, they agreed that Russia and the United States had an interest in asking the Contact Group to take up energetically the issue of Croatia as well, so they have a very full agenda. It's the second Contact Group meeting this week, and I believe the third in the last eight days.

Q Will there be a ministerial (inaudible).

MR. BURNS: Excuse me?

Q Will there be a ministerial meeting of the Contact Group?

MR. BURNS: We simply don't know. That will depend on whether or not the Contact Group and the parties can reach a point where we think that there is a reason to have a ministerial, and from the United States' perspective, that means that there will be options that we think can be concrete and have a chance at being successful in the talks.

The point here that I'm trying to make is that it's the objective of our ministerial level discussions not be just to share information and just to talk. We can do that every day through our diplomats in the region, and we can do it on a weekly or more than weekly basis through the Contact Group. But if you're going to bring ministers of five countries together in one place, there has to be some reason to think that that session can be productive, that something concrete can result from it.

That has always been the standard by which the United States -- this Administration -- has judged whether or not Secretary Christopher should participate in these talks, and that remains our perspective.

Charlie.

Q Nick, do you have any comment on the report out of Paris that Foreign Minister Juppe's remarks that are alluded to, "If fighting continues as it has been the last few days, that the French would have to think about withdrawing their troops in the next two to three weeks"?

MR. BURNS: Are those recent comments that you're referring to?

Q Today.

Q On the wires.

MR. BURNS: I have not seen that wire report. In the past couple of weeks, I think the French have made this statement in various ways. We have been in close contact with them, and, as I have said before, including just two days ago, the French are one of the more important members of UNPROFOR. They are the largest contributor. They are a very effective contributor. France is an effective contributor to UNPROFOR, and we highly regard their contribution.

We do understand the frustration of the French Government, particularly because the French have lost two peacekeepers in the last three weeks in Sarajevo. Secretary Christopher agrees very much with Foreign Minister Juppe that the United Nations has to work out arrangements with the parties on the ground, but specifically with the Bosnian Serbs to strengthen the role of the United Nations -- that includes Sarajevo -- to strengthen the position of the peacekeepers so that we can have some assurance that they can go about their duties with some degree of safety. And that has not been the case in Sarajevo over the last couple of weeks.

Q Just to follow up, have the French indicated to either Secretary Christopher, to Ambassador Frasure, to any -- to the Americans directly that they would pull out their troops in so quick a time as might have been indicated today. Even though you didn't see that story, have they said, "We're going to be out of there very quickly if this continues"?

MR. BURNS: I'm not aware that they have communicated that particular view to us. They have certainly communicated to us and even as far back as the Secretary's meeting with Foreign Minister Juppe in Paris in the middle of March they have real concerns, and that they are determined that those concerns be met. And we agreed with them. That's why we agreed with the French-drafted U.N. Security Council resolution a number of weeks ago.

So one of the duties of the Contact Group is to work on this problem, and it's certainly the responsibility of the United Nations, both in New York and of the UNPROFOR leadership in the region.

Q On the same subject of Mr. Juppe's talks. In the same interview, Mr. Juppe criticized the U.S. for being ambiguous on Bosnia, especially for encouraging the Bosnian Muslims to go on fighting. Do you have any reaction to that, or do you consider these words helpful?

MR. BURNS: My only reaction would be to say that the United States policy on Bosnia is not ambiguous, it's clear. The policy is, of course, that we want to see all parties contribute to an end to the fighting. We have not supported, in the case of either Croatia this week or Bosnia during the last month, initiatives to renew the fighting. In fact, we have told both governments that it is in their interest as well as everyone else's interest to see the fighting stopped, and to see that justice is done through negotiations and not through the barrel of a gun.

In saying that, I do want to add to that, that clearly the Bosnians are the victims of the warfare over the last couple of years, and clearly the Croatians have every interest -- and we support that interest -- in reclaiming sovereignty over Croatian territory. But we believe the best way to do that is through the U.N.-sponsored negotiations, however frustrating the process and difficult and complex that process has been for a number of years.

The United States also believes that the onus and responsibility for this war must be placed where it started, and that is with the Serbs, and in the case of Bosnia and Croatia with the Bosnian Serbian populations in the region.

Q I heard a radio report this morning. I'm afraid I'm a little sketchy on the details, but it seemed to be reporting that Croatians overnight had rounded up a number of Serbs and had taken them to parts unknown. I mean, that the men and the women and the -- the women and children had been separated from the men, and that the men had been taken away, and this was sort of raising fears of events that happened during the second World War with Croatians massacring large numbers of Serbs.

There seemed to be concern that they don't know where these people are. The Croatians have not been helpful in letting the U.N. know where they had taken these people. Do you have any information about this?

MR. BURNS: We have had discussions all this week about the status of the people within Sector West, specifically the Serb population within Sector West. We agree very much with the efforts of the United Nations to try to achieve a safe passage for both civilians and soldiers from Sector West out of Sector West if those people want it, as long as that is a voluntary process. I believe that there are a great number of people in Sector West who do want voluntary departure, and the United Nations is trying to facilitate that, and we support the United Nations in that effort.

As for the specific report, Betsy, that you've just given to us, I'm not aware of the specific incident, but we have raised this general concern with the Croatian Government. It's certainly a concern of Mr. Akashi and the U.N. authorities in the area. I don't have any evidence available to me that would substantiate that particular report.

Q There are other stories you've heard that caused you to raise the issue?

MR. BURNS: The issue has been raised --

Q About possible atrocities.

MR. BURNS: The issue has been raised in a very general way. There was a report about interference with ceremonies at a former concentration camp that was located in the area that is now referred to as Sector West. We've looked into that, and our Embassy in Zagreb has talked to the Croatian Government about that.

When our Embassy representatives checked into that, they found no evidence of vandalism. But we are hoping to take a closer look at that particular situation as soon as the situation permits. As you know, our Embassy is in a somewhat difficult position because Zagreb has been attacked twice this week by rocket forces.

But we have reminded the Croatian Government of its responsibility to safeguard civilians and soldiers in the area where the fighting is taking place this week, and I believe the Croatian Government has heard that message from us as well as from the United Nations.

Q What's the latest status about lifting the arms embargo to the former Yugoslavia? There has been a demand from the Bosnians to delay this until the winter is over. Is the Administration going to go ahead now with this?

MR. BURNS: I think you know the position of the United States. We remain opposed to a unilateral move to lift the arms embargo for obvious reasons. We believe it would complicate the mission of UNPROFOR and might even contribute to those who would like to see UNPROFOR leave the area. We think it would interfere with the humanitarian efforts underway to try to feed the population affected, and we think it would mean that Bosnians might have less protection from Serb attacks. It could also cause other countries to defy similar embargoes elsewhere. I think you know that's been our long held position, and there's nothing that I know of that changes that position today.

Q On that matter -- by the way, it's an AP wire out of Sarajevo by a fellow named (Inaudible) McDowell where Juppe is quoted, in part -- if France were to try to withdraw its peacekeepers and would find some resistance to that, would NATO be obligated to go in at that point? Question one.

Question two that came to my mind is, wouldn't this rather set a trend among other peacekeepers if the French go as the bell cow?

MR. BURNS: Interesting way to put it. You know our position, Bill, is that UNPROFOR should remain in the region; that UNPROFOR is carrying out an important humanitarian mission in the region. A lot of people -- well over a million people -- depend on UNPROFOR for their daily existence, for their food and supplies and for their security. UNPROFOR is a highly imperfect institution in the way it has carried out its responsibilities over the last couple of years. You know that the United States has long believed that UNPROFOR should be more assertive in the region. But having said that, we in no way want to see a withdrawal of UNPROFOR from Bosnia. We want to see it remain. We've made that clear to all of our Contact Group partners as well as everyone else in the region. So I think your question at this point is highly hypothetical. And we will work to see that UNPROFOR remains in the region.

Q Is it hypothetical to ask if they were in trouble or if they needed help, would NATO help them? Is that part of a plan that you can discuss?

MR. BURNS: We've discussed many times over the last couple of weeks that if a decision is made sometime down the road in the future to withdraw UNPROFOR, then NATO would be ready to assist in the withdrawal of UNPROFOR. There is even some contingency planning underway for that -- for that possibility.

But I want to stress that there has been no decision made to withdraw UNPROFOR. We are just planning on a contingency basis, which is proper and which is wise at this point; and that the focus of the diplomacy of the United States is in the other direction, both today at the Contact Group meeting in Paris and in general. We want to see UNPROFOR stay. We believe it will stay. We believe it has an important mission to carry out.

[...]

Q Tension between Greece and Turkey seems to have increased as an angry crowd of demonstrators have attacked the Turkish Government spokesman during a visit to Thessaloniki. Is the Administration aware of the situation, and are you planning to get in contact with the governments?

MR. BURNS: We are aware of this particular situation, and we are acutely aware and have been for a long, long time of some of the problems in the Greek-Turkish relationship. We are a strong ally of both countries and both are valued members of NATO. We have every confidence that Greece and Turkey can work out these problems. In many cases, neither Greece nor Turkey calls upon the United States to assist in every one of the problems that does occur.

They both have strong governments, effective governments; and they ought to be able to work out these problems, and we would call upon them to do so.

Q You're not going to interfere unless you're called upon?

MR. BURNS: We certainly never interfere, and especially with these two countries, unless we're called upon -- and even sometimes at that point, don't even interfere.

Q (Inaudible) demonstration -- some of the demonstrators, they were carrying the PKK flag, which brings to issue the Turkish -- the Greek giving some free hand for training or safehaven for the PKK terrorists?

MR. BURNS: I'm not aware of any information that would lead us to think that the Greek Government is actively supporting the PKK. I think you know our general position on the PKK. We think it's a notorious terrorist organization which deserves to be acted against. That is what the Turkish Government has been doing for a considerable number of weeks in northern Iraq.

Since we're on that subject, let me just say we are very pleased to see that the Turkish Government has acted upon its commitment to the United States and the international community to withdraw nearly all -- a substantial number of its forces from northern Iraq.

We are in contact with the Turkish Government, have been today, and are pleased to note that nearly all the 35,000 troops have departed. There may be -- we're not quite sure -- a limited number of soldiers on the other side of the border in mopping-up operations. But when Prime Minister Ciller came here, she assured the President and the Secretary that the Turkish Government would keep this operation limited in scope and duration; and she has done so.We support Turkey's fight against the PKK. It is absolutely necessary to protect the Turkish population from terrorist attacks and also the Kurdish population in northern Iraq and in Turkey from the activities of the PKK.

Q Has there been high-level contact between Ankara and the State Department today regarding the withdrawal of the forces?

MR. BURNS: Yes. Our Embassy in Ankara has been in contact with the Turkish Ministry of Defense and with the Turkish Government, other ministries, about this. We're very pleased to note this development.

[...]

Q It was reported to a Greek daily in Athens, by a Greek correspondent here in Washington -- but not me -- that Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, during his recent visit to Ankara, delivered officially the message that the Prime Minister of Greece, Andreas Papandreou, does not intend to proceed with the extension of Gre ek territorial waters into the Aegean. Do you hear anything on this specific message carried out by Mr. Holbrooke?

MR. BURNS: I'm afraid I don't. I know that Assistant Secretary Holbrooke had a very successful visit to Athens and enjoyed very much his conversations with the Prime Minister. Assistant Secretary Holbrooke has spoken many times of the great importance we attach to our relations with Greece, but I'm not aware of any specific conversation on this particular point.

Q Can you check it, please?

MR. BURNS: I'll be glad to check with the Bureau of European Affairs, yes.

Q Thank you.

[...]

(The briefing concluded at 2:l5 p.m.)

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