*EPF502 10/17/2003
Transcript: State Department Briefing, October 17, 2003
(Lebanon, Israel/Palestinians/Syria, Iraq, Spain/UK/World Bank/Japan, Germany/Russia/France, Thailand/China, Belgium, NATO/EU) (2880)

State Department Deputy Spokesman J. Adam Ereli briefed.

Following is a transcript of the briefing:

(begin transcript)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2003
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
12:55 p.m. EDT
BRIEFER: J. Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman

Index

LEBANON
U.S. Embassy Motorcade Stopped by Hizballah

ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS/SYRIA
Prime Minister Sharon's Remarks about Military Action against Syria
Investigation in Gaza

IRAQ
Estimate of Debt/ UN Security Council Resolution 1511/Forgiving Debt
Congressional Decision on Reconstruction Aid in Iraq

SPAIN/UK/WORLD BANK/JAPAN
Contributions to Iraq's Reconstruction

GERMANY/RUSSIA/FRANCE
Not Sending Troops to Iraq

THAILAND/CHINA
Feasibility of Next Round of Six-Party Talks

BELGIUM
Meeting with EU Foreign Ministers on November 18

NATO/EU
European Defense

MR. ERELI: I guess other than, I suppose, expressing condolences to all of those who were hoping for a reversal of the course of history last night, I don't have any announcements to make. Congratulations to the New York Yankees, and next year for the Red Sox.

QUESTION: That's not even-handed.

(Laughter.)

MR. ERELI: Who wants to open the proceedings today? Barry?

QUESTION: Well, I understand that -- I'm asking about the interception of at least one vehicle in Lebanon -- Hezbollah. No one was hurt, evidently, but how ominous is this that Hezbollah can, you know -- I don't know what the word is -- can mess with the U.S. Government?

MR. ERELI: Let's review the facts first: (a) a U.S. Embassy motorcade on a routine trip in South Lebanon earlier today was stopped by armed men who identified themselves as members of Hezbollah. We have formally protested this action to the Government of Lebanon, and the Lebanese authorities have promised an immediate and thorough investigation of the incident.

We look forward to a prompt response from the Government of Lebanon, including an assurance that appropriate measures have been taken so that this type of incident is not repeated.

QUESTION: Is this unprecedented -- Hezbollah troublemaking? Obviously, I'm thinking of Gaza and whether you've picked up any notion that they were part of that.

MR. ERELI: Yeah, let's let the investigation take its course and see what exactly the facts are before, I guess, drawing conclusions of connections or trends.

Christophe.

QUESTION: Same region?

MR. ERELI: Sure.

QUESTION: So the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said today that he did not rule any fresh action against -- military action against Syria. Do you have any comment on that?

MR. ERELI: Other than to restate our fairly well known position that it is important that all sides take every effort to exercise maximum restraint and not take actions that inflame the situation or lead to expansion of the cycle of violence.

Teri.

QUESTION: On that, with our own investigators on the ground, can you today confirm anything more about arrests, progress in the investigation, if you're confident that the Palestinian authorities are doing what they can in this investigation?

MR. ERELI: The latest we have on the investigation in Gaza is that an FBI team has just got to the ground yesterday and has just begun its work. I would note that it's still very early in the investigation, so that they're just getting started, quite frankly.

We can say that we are working closely with all sides on this issue, including contacts with the Palestinian authorities and the Government of Israel.

I would add, however, that we really, at this point, are not in a position to provide further details, given the fact that it's early on, they're just starting their work, the FBI is in the lead, and they really haven't come up with, I think, anything that merits comment.

QUESTION: Some Administration officials have been, of course, anonymously quoted as saying that they do believe that this attack was part of -- is part of a new push against Americans by Palestinian groups. Do you share that assessment?

MR. ERELI: I wouldn't really want to engage in that kind of speculation at this point. What's clear is that this is an act of terror, that it is perpetrated by those who want to destroy the hopes and aspirations of millions of people, both Israeli, Palestinian and throughout the world, for a better future for that troubled land; and that the attack was targeted against officials and individuals who were in the region to help bring Palestinian youth to the United States to study. So let's take it at its face value, for what it is, and express our grief and our disgust at what happened, and work together to stop it.

Adi.

QUESTION: New subject? On the issue of debt that Iraq owes to other countries, Administration officials, Senators, Congressmen, are just all over the map in terms of how much Iraq owes to the international community -- 100 billion, 130, 150, 200 billion. What is, what is -- can you give us a range? What is the Administration's estimate of how much Iraq actually owes?

MR. ERELI: I don't have a figure for you, Adi, today. Let me check the experts in the building and see if we can't come up with some figure. I know -- calculating debt is a tricky thing, depending on, you know, what debt you're talking about and to whom. But let me, before speaking to that, just consult with the experts and see if we can't get you a considered opinion on it.

QUESTION: And on a related topic, any comment on Spain's announcement today that they're going to provide some funds?

MR. ERELI: Yes. I think, you know, what we're seeing, going into Madrid, is a consensus that is building within the international community. Spain's decision is obviously part of that, to stand firm with the Iraqi people at Madrid and pledge what -- to do what they can to help them in their new beginning.

You have -- you know, the latest is obviously Spain's Councils of Minister -- Spain's Council of Ministers -- which announced today that Spain will contribute 300 million to Iraq's reconstruction. We also have the announcement by Japan that it will provide an immediate contribution of 1.5 billion toward Iraq's reconstruction needs, as well as consideration that it's considering a medium-term assistance package to Iraq.

In addition, you have the United Kingdom's announcement on Tuesday that it intends to make a total financial contribution at the donors conference of £554 million, which is about $900 million over three years, starting in April 2003. The EU has pledged $230 million for 2004, and we are hopeful that other members of the European Union will also be generous with offers of bilateral assistance.

Finally, you've got the World Bank's announcement on Tuesday that its board of executive directors has begun considering a range of financial support for reconstruction in Iraq that could total $3.4 billion to $4 billion over the next five years.

And finally, you've got the resolution, which was passed yesterday unanimously by the UN Security Council, urging member-states to do what they can to support Iraqi reconstruction.

So what does it all show? It shows a consensus and some degree of momentum going into Madrid.

QUESTION: Do you see any -- on the horizon, do you see any move to forgive debt? That would be useful too, wouldn't it?

MR. ERELI: That clearly is a priority; it's clearly something that we in the international community, through, for example the G-7 and the Paris Club, are working to bring about a prompt, generous and comprehensive restructuring of Iraq's debt to ease its debt burden.

QUESTION: I think with Spain, you said April 2003.

MR. ERELI: Spain, I didn't specify.

QUESTION: I'm sorry, Britain. Somebody said -- UK, I mean.

MR. ERELI: Britain. Yes, Britain is --

QUESTION: Beginning in April 2004.

MR. ERELI: -- April, starting in April 2003 for three years.

QUESTION: I didn't hear anything on the Gulf states. Where are they on contributions?

MR. ERELI: Nothing specific yet. I'd let them, you know, speak for themselves. Obviously, what we're telling the Gulf States, or what we're talking about with the Gulf States, as with all the other donor -- all the other people interested in helping Iraq, is that now is the time to speak up, and Madrid is the moment.

QUESTION: There's a general notion --

MR. ERELI: Let's just --

QUESTION: Okay.

MR. ERELI: Give somebody --

QUESTION: In speaking of the resolution, yesterday German Chancellor said his country is not sending troops to Iraq.

MR. ERELI: Right.

QUESTION: And he even went further to say Russia and France are not sending troops either. What's your reaction to that?

MR. ERELI: They'll have to speak for themselves. It's obviously a decision that's theirs to make. The Secretary has spoken to this. I think Ambassador Negroponte has spoken to this. We would hope that -- let's remind everybody what resolution -- what the resolution is about.

It's about helping the people of Iraq, and doing what the international community doing what it can for them, and for the stability of all of us, who have, you know, for so long seen this country suffer and the region suffer, as a result.

So that's what -- that's where our focus is, and we would hope that if other countries -- you know, when other countries reflect on the needs of the Iraqi people, that they will give serious consideration to doing what they can to help. It's not a matter of supporting the United States. It's not a matter of supporting the coalition. It's a matter of supporting the Iraqi people, and that's where the emphasis should be, and that's what should be motivating us.

QUESTION: But during the discussions leading to the resolution, countries such as Russia, for instance, conditioned sending troops into Iraq on having a clear UN mandate.

MR. ERELI: Right, right, right.

QUESTION: And you have the mandate now. Still, they are not sending troops.

MR. ERELI: Troops are not the only thing that Iraq needs. In fact, one could argue that they need lots of help in a whole variety of areas. There is no shortage of opportunities to make a contribution of some kind, whether it be training police officers, whether it be in the education field, whether it be in the health field, whether it be in the agricultural field, whether it be in the infrastructure in services and utilities.

There is an endless -- there is a long list of needs. The World Bank did a very thorough assessment. So it doesn't have to be troops. The UN -- the Security Council Resolution 1511 calls on the member-states to support Iraq, and to, particularly in paragraph 14, to contribute to meeting Iraq's reconstruction and rebuilding efforts. And so, I would just point to that paragraph of the resolution, which all the members voted for unanimously, as sort of guiding the way forward.

QUESTION: So, you are not feeling kind of disappointed by declarations such as this by the German Chancellor?

MR. ERELI: What we feel is that all members of the international community should do their part to help the people of Iraq and help secure a better future for Iraq and for the region and for the international community.

QUESTION: I don't know if there's a way to measure it -- the resolution's impact, I mean -- but as you tick off these generous contributions, has -- have people here concluded that the resolution, indeed, is an impetus to people, to countries pledging, or might this have been in the works all along -- Spain, Britain?

MR. ERELI: It clearly is helpful and it clearly gives added impetus to a process that was already underway and that was -- had a -- you know, had an energy and a dynamism of its own, but was certainly well served and supported and reinforced by an overwhelming vote of confidence in the Security Council yesterday.

Sir.

QUESTION: In light of Japan's restrictions on sending troops to Iraq and the 1.5 billion that they've pledged, are you still expecting any troops from Japan, combat or non-combat?

MR. ERELI: I'd refer you to the Government of Japan to talk about what its thinking is regarding possible contributions. I don't have anything for you on that.

Let's go over here. You, sir.

QUESTION: Okay, it's kind of a related subject. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (inaudible) told President Bush that Japan is sending self defense forces at an early timing. And did President Bush say anything about that, except for thanking for Japan's interest?

MR. ERELI: Well, it probably would be best to talk, through your correspondents, to the President's party in Japan for the latest on what President Bush said. I'd also refer you to a backgrounder that a senior Administration official did with the President's party a few hours ago, where the issue of what President Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi talked about was pretty thoroughly covered.

Adi.

QUESTION: In reference to last night's decision by Congress, by the Senate, to make more of this reconstruction aid in Iraq, more of it loan-based than grant-based, what is your reaction to that? And do you believe the White House will, if it goes through the House in the same sort of way, in a conference or whatever, that the White House will veto?

MR. ERELI: I don't want to speak for the White House. I'll let the White House speak for itself. I think the Secretary was pretty clear on this point yesterday. The view that he expressed has not changed; that is, that we believe -- or the President submitted his request as a -- in the form of grants, we believe that that's the right way to go. We hope that Congress will support this request.

Iraq is already burdened, as you pointed out earlier, by a huge, and frankly unsustainable, burden of past debts, and now is not the time when we want to help the Iraqi people and get them out from under this, from this burden, to add new debt, new additional debt on their shoulders.

QUESTION: And are you concerned that when the U.S., at this donors conference next week, talks to other countries, in terms of trying to get their direct grants for efforts in Iraq, that these countries will turn around and say, "Hey, look. Look at your own Congress"?

Are you concerned that it's an issue of timing, obviously, poor timing, in this case -- are you concerned that yesterday's events will spill over into next week, and that will affect other countries' decisionmaking?

MR. ERELI: It's fair to say that we're working hard. I think the Administration is working hard to ensure passage of the supplemental, as it was proposed by the President.

In the back.

QUESTION: Yes. Yesterday, you said it was very feasible that the next round of six-way talks will be held. Do you hear anything from Chinese Government or Chinese side about that?

MR. ERELI: Again, I would refer you to what was said -- basically said, both in -- the Secretary, I believe, spoke with the press en route to Bangkok -- and what the President said, which is that we're still -- we're looking forward to meeting with the five counterparts in -- five of the six -- five of our counterparts in the six-party talks in Bangkok, and hearing their views and discussing ways to keep these talks going, get the next round scheduled. That's still -- you know, that's still the priority, that's still the plan. I don't really have anything more to say than what we said yesterday.

Christophe.

QUESTION: Can you confirm that Secretary Powell is planning to go to Brussels on November 18 for a meeting with the EU foreign ministers?

MR. ERELI: I can't confirm that. I can look into it for you, but I'm not prepared to confirm it now.

QUESTION: And can I follow up on that? Do you have a reaction to the statement today by the EU summit, which says that the EU, or European defense policy would be complementary to NATO, and never an alternative to NATO? Is it the kind of language you expected from the Europeans?

MR. ERELI: I hadn't seen that statement. The way you describe it sounds consistent with our views. For the record, our views are that, you know, NATO is clearly the indispensable security foundation of the transatlantic relationship; that we see NATO and the EU as partners, and we fully support the EU's efforts to establish its own security and defense policy for peacekeeping and other humanitarian missions; and that we, as well as most of the NATO allies and other members of the EU agree that we should concentrate our efforts on implementing existing mutual commitments, including the Berlin Plus arrangements, and the NATO, and the Prague Capabilities Commitment. And that's where the focus should be. That's where the focus should be.

QUESTION: All right. Just a last one. According to a Saudi weekly, negotiations are going on between American delegations and the Talibans for release or liberation of American soldiers, and one diplomat detained by the Taliban. That's according to this media. Do you have something on that?

MR. ERELI: We looked into that just before coming out, and could not find anything to substantiate it.

Thank you.

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Return to Public File Main Page

Return to Public Table of Contents