11 April 2002

U.S.-Russian Agenda "Moving Forward," Powell Says

After meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov in Madrid April 11, Secretary of State Colin Powell told journalists that they had discussed a number of bilateral and regional issues and that the U.S.-Russian agenda continues to move forward in preparation for the summit between presidents Bush and Putin in Russia May 23 and 24.

Powell expressed appreciation for "the work the Russian side did in producing the declaration" on the Middle East issued April 10 by the European Union, the United Nations, the Russian Federation, and the United States.

Ivanov said Russia would "continue to act accordingly, in coordinated fashion, in the interests of ameliorating the deterioration in this explosive region," and that Russia would "provide all necessary assistance and support for the forthcoming mission of the Secretary of State of the United States to the region."

Among other issues discussed, according to Powell, were Afghanistan, Iraq, U.S.-Russian trade issues, and the "strategic framework that we are working on."

Regarding the possibility of a new treaty on strategic defensive arms and a declaration on new strategic relations between Russia and the United States, Ivanov said "there are very serious rapprochements of positions in both of these documents, although certain differences still remain." He also said "intense negotiations" would continue both at the "experts level" and during his next meeting with Powell in Washington in early May.

Powell said progress had been made "toward the concept of a NATO-Russia Council, and we expect to see more progress between now and the next time we get together in Reykjavik with the other NATO Foreign Ministers [May 14-15]."

Asked about his mission to the Middle East, Powell said he had talked with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon about his upcoming meeting with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, adding that he was "anxious to get to the region and conduct these discussions."

The Secretary of State also emphasized the need to find in the Middle East "a negotiating process that both sides have confidence in and a negotiating process that will lead to what the Palestinian people want, a state where they can raise their children and design their own futures side by side with Israel."

"Everything that is happening now is an impediment to getting to the end point," he said.

Following is the State Department transcript of the press conference:

U.S. Department Of State
Office of the Spokesman
April 11, 2002
Secretary Of State Colin L. Powell and
Russian Minister Of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov
Joint Press Conference
Madrid, Spain
April 11, 2002

Secretary Powell: Good morning, ladies and gentleman. Foreign Minister Ivanov and I finish another one of our many, many meetings where we succeeded in moving the US-Russian agenda forward. We discussed a number of issues this morning all leading up to the summit between our two Presidents next month. Both sides are looking forward to the summit meeting in Moscow and I think we will have a rich agenda.

We talked about regional issues, on Afghanistan, and the work we have been doing on the goods review list with respect to Iraq. We talked about the need for inspections. We turned from Iraq to review the situation in the Middle East again. I would like to express my appreciation for the work the Russian side did in helping us reach the declaration, which was issued here yesterday. (Microphone turns off).

I like it better when it's off. (Laughter)

I would like to express my appreciation to Foreign Minister Ivanov for the work the Russian side did in producing the declaration that we issued yesterday on behalf of what is now called the "Quartet" -- the European Union, the United Nations, the Russian Federation, and the United States.

We also looked to some trade issues and we are anxious that there be a significant trade agenda at the summit next month. Our experts will be getting together soon. Under Secretary Larson, the State Department Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, will be visiting Moscow in the not too distant future to keep this moving along.

We also discussed the strategic framework that we are working on. We are pleased with the progress our two sets of negotiators are making. We reviewed a number of issues. We gave instructions to our negotiators. They will be meeting again in the near future, next week, in fact in Moscow. Minister Ivanov and I plan to meet again in Washington in early May. That would be scheduled for the third of May. It had been the ninth of May, but we found the opportunity to move that forward. So, I look forward to receiving Minister Ivanov in Washington in early May.

With that, I would ask my colleague if he wishes to say a few words and then we have time for a couple questions.

Foreign Minister Ivanov: As was already said by Secretary Powell, the key subjects of the negotiations were the preparation of the visit of the President of the United States, Mr. Bush, to Moscow, May 23-24 of this year. We have in detail discussed all the major issues of the bilateral relations and international affairs. Naturally, great importance was attached to the preparation of documents for the forthcoming visit, first of all, related to the treaty of the new strategic defensive arms, as well as a declaration on new strategic relations between Russia and the United States. I would like to say right away that there are very serious rapprochements of positions in both of these documents, although certain differences still remain. There is nothing extraordinary about it. There are serious issues related to the security of Russia and the US under negotiation, as well as issues of international stability. But we will continue our intense negotiations both at the experts level and during our forthcoming meeting in Washington in early May. We are interested in making the visit of President Bush to Russia a fruitful one, so that it would truly mean the continuation of (inaudible) relations between our two nations on a whole range of topics.

We have also discussed regional issues. The situation in the Middle East in the first place and the experience of yesterday's joint statement adopted in Madrid. We will continue to act accordingly, in coordinated fashion, in the interests of ameliorating the deterioration in this explosive region. In this regard, we will provide all necessary assistance and support for the forthcoming mission of the Secretary of State of the United States to the region. We have also discussed the continuation of our joint efforts within the framework of the anti-terrorist coalition (inaudible), the framework of international coalition to combat the international terrorism in Afghanistan, which would continue under the principles of international law.

We have also discussed a number of issues of bilateral cooperation and we will continue maintaining close dialogue and exchange of views in order to solve all the issues, taking into account the interests of both parties. I am very grateful to the Secretary of State for his very open and frank and constructive dialogue. And it is in this atmosphere that we discussed our bilateral issues.

Thank you.

Question: Mr. Ivanov, your government wanted a legally binding document. Does it mean that it has been decided that there will be a treaty or a memorandum and a handshake. Secondly, what happens to the warheads that are being taken off the missiles? Are they just put aside and can be put right back on or is it really an arms control agreement?

Foreign Minister Ivanov: As for the first question, we have an understanding between the parties that this would have to be a legally binding document. In which form it is going to be drawn is still to be discussed during the forthcoming negotiations. What is a principle for us is that it has to be a legally binding document. As for the issues of reduction and elimination of nuclear warheads and delivery means, it is one of the most complex issues under discussion now. There are some nuances in approaches, on the US and Russian part, and we will continue negotiations on this issue. The Russian side stands for making the reductions real and not virtual, so that we have a real understanding on both sides which levels of nuclear warheads and delivery means each of us possess.

Question: How far did you manage to go in discussing relations between Russia and NATO? Which arrangements are you to reach in Reykjavik and will you need a summit between Russia and NATO, if you could?

Secretary Powell: I think progress has been made toward the concept of a NATO-Russia Council, and we expect to see more progress between now and the next time we get together in Reykjavik with the other NATO Foreign Ministers. I am fairly optimistic. It should be possible to reach an agreement on a NATO-Russia Council by the time of Reykjavik and there is consideration to take note of that and to celebrate that achievement. But no final decision has been made with respect to the summit agreement. It is my view that this has been presented for consideration.

Foreign Minister Ivanov: I agree that we have made significant progress in the course of our negotiations between Russia and NATO and establishing a new mechanism for interaction. The negotiations are going on very intensely. We hope, we expect, from our perspective at least, that it is realistic that by the Ministerial meeting in Reykjavik, we will be able to prepare a document which would take into account the interests of the parties and that would allow us to reach corresponding agreements. If such documents are prepared at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the NATO and Russian Federation, then we believe it would be important that the signature would be held at the highest level. This would attach this mechanism and relations and NATO (inaudible).

Question: A question for both the Foreign Minister and the Secretary. Gentleman, after your declaration yesterday, overnight and again today, there is more military movement by the Israelis. The preponderance of which is advancing, rather than withdrawing. What is your reaction to this defiance of international demand for withdrawal and what are the implications for the success of your mission, Mr. Secretary?

Secretary Powell: There have been other movements overnight. I spoke with Prime Minister Sharon this morning and he noted that they had left two towns and some 22 villages. Obviously, there are some other movements taking place that I will have to discuss with Mr. Sharon. So I think this is something I will have to discuss with Mr. Sharon in greater detail. We spoke this morning about what we will be doing tomorrow and I have a better sense of what his military plan is with respect to the current operation when I see him in the morning. He was very anxious to meet with me so we can talk about next steps, how we move forward from this current situation to get back to discussions that lead to a negotiated settlement. That is all I have to say on this point until I have a chance to meet with Prime Minister Sharon tomorrow.

Question: But are you concerned about the mission?

Secretary Powell: My mission is still on. I am not concerned about it. I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Sharon and with Chairman Arafat. My conversation with Prime Minister Sharon, this morning we talked about my meeting with Chairman Arafat and so I am looking forward to these consultations and with other leaders in the Israeli government. So, no, I am anxious to get to the region and conduct these discussions.

Foreign Minister Ivanov: I would like to add that yesterday at the meeting of the Security Council of the United Nations, our joint statement was adopted in the framework of the Quartet in Madrid and it is supported and is underscored by the UN Security Council. This is of principal importance. It means that the international community is moving toward common positions. Nobody expected that immediately after yesterday's joint statement the situation in the region would change drastically. It was important that we agree on a common platform and that on the basis of the common platform we would act jointly all together. Today, the Secretary is going to the region and will also use other channels, bilateral, multilateral, to render all necessary assistance to the Secretary of State to undertake this most difficult mission. I would like to repeat that we are interested in making this mission a success so that it opens a way to an end to the conflict. I repeat, if we open the way, the mission is very difficult but really one of hope.

Question: I was going to ask about chickens, but I figured that was a little touchy. What do you say to pessimists who liken your trip to a 'Mission Impossible.'? Presumably you don't think that, because you are going. Why?

Secretary Powell: Because I don't like wallowing with pessimists. I am going there because it is necessary for me to go. It is necessary for me to go to represent President Bush in his desire to bring this crisis to an end and to get us back to a track that will lead to new discussions. However long the Israeli incursions continue, whether they pull out of everywhere today or whether they pull out of everywhere they are now over a longer period of time, the problem will still be there. We will still need to go to a negotiating process that will lead to peace. How effective Israeli defense forces will be right now in routing out terrorism and going after targets they have set for themselves, there may still be people who are willing to resort to violence and terror, people who are willing to use suicide bombs and other kinds of bombs, the kind we have seen over the last three days. After those incursions the violence and that anger and frustration will still be there unless we find a negotiating process that both sides have confidence in and a negotiating process that will lead to what the Palestinian people want, a state where they can raise their children and design their own futures side by side with Israel. Everything that is happening now is an impediment to getting to the end point.

So, I am proud to be going as a peacekeeper and as a representative of my government, a representative of President Bush and the American people. And with the statements that I received yesterday from my colleagues here, to some extent of the entire international community, to make these points and get us on to a positive track. It is what I should be doing. It is what Secretaries of State do.

Question: I would like to ask both of you very briefly did you talk about chickens and spies? And also, Foreign Minister Ivanov, you mentioned that your positions on the strategic framework document had come closer. Did you come closer today? Did you remove any brackets and if so in what areas?

Foreign Minister Ivanov: I have informed the Secretary of State that on the basis of the protocol signed by both sides, right now the work is going on by the experts of both nations in the near future to lift all the remaining technical questions and thus solve the problem related to the supply of poultry to the Russian Federation. We hope that these technical issues, I repeat, will be solved now and taking account of the concerns reflected in the jointly signed protocol. The work is going on actively and we hope that the result will come soon.

As for the treaty, I would like to repeat, once again, that it is a very difficult, complex document that requires comprehensive analysis of all aspects, main issues. We have gotten our positions closer but there are a number of issues. One of those is the procedure of counting. One issue remains, but the specific negotiations are continuing and in the course of the forthcoming May meeting, we will be able to determine the level of readiness of this document. Both sides are interested and during the visit of President Bush to Moscow, the document will be signed and at the same time of course, quite a serious work is ahead of us.

Question: Spies? What about spies?

Secretary Powell: No discussion.

Thank you.