19 April 2002

U.S. Making "Tremendous Efforts" in Ties with Arab Countries

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the United States is making "tremendous efforts" to foster good relations with Arab countries.

Briefing reporters at the State Department in Washington April 19, Boucher said Secretary of State Colin Powell achieved some progress in that regard during his recent trip to the Middle East.

"He achieved enough progress that we're no longer facing the situation of widespread war. He achieved the progress in terms of we now know a more definitive Israeli timetable for withdrawal. He achieved progress in terms of having a formula for going forward to get back to security for both sides," Boucher said.

Boucher provided details of the talks between Powell and Tunisian Foreign Minister Habib Ben Yahia in Washington April 19. According to Boucher, Ben Yahia said the Tunisian government has ordered a thorough investigation of an explosion near the synagogue on the Tunisian island of Djerba.

Boucher reiterated Powell's recent announcement that the United States will contribute $30 million to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency to help the Palestinians recover from the hardships they have suffered during the recent Israeli military incursions.

The spokesman said the United States will remain engaged in the search for peace in the region.

Following is an excerpt from Boucher's April 19 briefing dealing with the Middle East:

Question: Richard, most of the Arab and Muslims were criticized earlier when the war started, or when the attacks started on the Palestinians, US and Israel both were criticized, including even Pakistan's Musharraf also criticized the United States.

Now, relations as far as US and Arab and Muslim relations are concerned today, and since the Prince Abdullah is coming next week to meet with President Bush, so where do they stand today, and what is the future, because the oil or the economy is at stake?

Mr. Boucher: Without getting into oil, let's deal with the question that you asked about US relations with the Arab world. The United States is making a tremendous effort in this case. The Secretary went out; he achieved some progress. He achieved enough progress that we are no longer facing the situation of widespread war. He achieved the progress in terms of we now know a more definitive Israeli timetable for withdrawal. He achieved progress in terms of having a formula for going forward to get back to security for both sides. He has achieved progress in having the various ideas and commitment out there to go forward on the political track. He has achieved progress in terms of enlisting international support in Madrid, but also in his meetings with the Arab world.

What we keep hearing from people now is they want us to make sure that that progress continues. They want us to make sure that those -- that that pathway is taken by the parties and followed. That is why we have left Ambassador Burns there; that is why we are bringing General Zinni back; that is why we will consider -- should circumstances permit or warrant -- sending Director Tenet back. We have not only the pathway forward, but we have ways of working to make sure we go down that path.

So what we are hearing from friends in the Arab world is they want to see the US commitment sustained, and we can tell them the US commitment is there; it will be sustained. We will continue to meet with and work with our friends in the Arab world; we will continue to work with the Israelis; we will continue to meet with the Palestinian Authority and its leadership, Chairman Arafat, to try to move forward down this path that we laid out.

The Secretary met this morning with Tunisian Foreign Minister Ben Yahia. The White House has announced that the President will meet next week with the King of Morocco. He will meet next week with Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. So we keep in very close touch with Arab partners, as well as European and international partners, to try to make sure that this pathway that we worked out with the parties, this pathway that we worked out to get out of the current situation, to try to make sure that that is followed.

Question: Can you give any details on the meeting with Tunisian Foreign Minister?

Mr. Boucher: Yes, some details. They talked about, as you know, the situation in the region, as we say, the situation between the Israelis and Palestinians. The Secretary made clear that we would stay involved. He made clear that our commitment was to see this through and try to bring both parties to a better situation where their people can live with a sense of security, where there can have hope for the future, and where they can have a chance for prosperity.

Tunisia is a very close friend. It is a supporter of our efforts to promote regional peace and stability, to end the violence between Israelis and Palestinians, and to resume political dialogue that realizes the vision of a state of Palestine and a state of Israel living side by side in peace and prosperity.

They also took the opportunity to review a number of regional and bilateral issues, including, as I said, the general situation, a little bit about the fight against terrorism and the need to work together and cooperate on that. Tunisia has been a strong supporter of our campaign against terrorism.

The Secretary also discussed with him the Djerba incident, the explosion near the synagogue on the Island of Djerba. Foreign Minister Ben Yahia brought him up to date on the situation, indicated that they were conducting a thorough investigation of this incident, they were looking at all the possibilities, and they were working with the German authorities as well for whatever information and cooperation they could get from that front, working together to come to grips with this situation and understand what happened, and make sure that appropriate steps are taken to maintain security on this very important area.

Ben.

Question: I just want to follow up one thing on the previous question that was asked. You mentioned about US relations with the Arab world, and you mentioned in particular US friends and governments in the region. But what about the people that they call "the street", the "Arab street" -- these people that are out there demonstrating against the United States for supporting Israel? Do you have any message to those people?

Mr. Boucher: I think the message to the people on the street is the same as the message to the governments, and that is that the United States does care deeply about the situation. The United States, more than any government, has been heavily involved in practical ways to try to see that Israelis and Palestinians get back their lives, that they can get normal lives without fear, that they can get hope for the future, a stable future based on a political settlement, so that -- to provide assistance and have a chance for economic prosperity.

The Secretary last week announced $30 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency to try to help Palestinians recover from the difficulties that have recently been caused. There is a donors conference in Oslo this week that the United States will be attending. So the United States is involved, will remain involved. We have chartered a course forward. We want the parties to follow that course -- withdrawal, cease-fire, end to violence; real, clear steps on the part of Chairman Arafat to stop the violence -- and then moving down a political path. All this has to be done, must be done, and the United States will be there to make sure that we proceed down that path.