State Department cable providing an update on world events. The main point covered concerns an arms smuggling investigation in Bulgaria concerning prohibited weapons being shipped to Iraq and how this might impact Bulgaria's application to NATO. Also, Kazakhstan has arrested a journalist who has begun a hunger strike and the U.S. has continued to maintain its worldwide caution concerning extremist groups intent on attacking western personnel.
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/008R
227360
SOURCE: CBLEXCLS.000137
DRAFTED BY: EUR/PPD:LSCHWARTZ -- 11/12/2002 202-647-6291
APPROVED BY: EUR/PPD:AONEAL
LSCHWARTZ
07365C 122220Z /38
R 122216Z NOV 02
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO EUROPE ONLY COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY ALMATY
AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA
AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
AMEMBASSY KIEV
AMEMBASSY MINSK
AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
AMEMBASSY TIRANA
AMEMBASSY YEREVAN
UNCLAS STATE 227360
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC, KPAO
SUBJECT: EUR DAILY PRESS GUIDANCE - 11/12/02
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PAGE 02·STATE.
1. THE FOLLOWING PRESS GUIDANCE WAS PREPARED AND APPROVED BY
THE BUREAU OF EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS AND OTHER
SELECTED BUREAUS HANDLING ISSUES OF INTEREST TO EUR POSTS FOR
THE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING. QUESTIONS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO EUR
PRESS OFFICE (202) 647-6925.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
-- BULGARIA: ARMS TO «IRAQ» ALLEGATION
-- KAZAKHSTAN: CHARGES AGAINST JOURNALIST
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE REVIEW AUTHORITY: SHARON E AHMAD DATE/CASE ID: 26 OCT 2004 200303827 DOS-002295
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4.
Document Number: 2002STATE227360 Channel: n/a
-- «IRAQ»: SURVEILLANCE OF U.S. FACILITIES ABROAD
-- SERBIA: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS FOLLOW-UP
-- TURKEY: COMPENSATION FOR ATTACK ON «IRAQ»
-- UN: AGENDA FOR SECRETARY POWELL'S MEETING TODAY WITH
UN SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN
-- UN:DRAFT OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION AGAINST
TORTURE
2. BULGARIA: ARMS TO «IRAQ» ALLEGATION
Q: IS BULGARIA PROVIDING ARMS TO «IRAQ»?
A:-- THE BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT IS ACTIVELY INVESTIGATING THE
RECENT TRANSFER OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO SYRIA FROM A COMPANY
OWNED BY THE BULGARIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE. BULGARIA IS
LOOKING CLOSELY INTO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE EQUIPMENT MAY HAVE
BEEN INTENDED FOR SUBSEQUENT TRANSFER TO «IRAQ».
-- THE U.S. GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE
HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT ON GRAY ARMS
TRANSFERS, INCLUDING THIS CASE. WE ARE WORKING WITH'BULGARIA
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TO ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE SAFEGUARDS TO PREVENT A RECURRENCE OF
ILLEGAL ARMS TRANSFERS.
PAGE 03·STATE.
-- BULGARIAN AUTHORITIES ARE TAKING VIGOROUS ACTION AGAINST
THE DEFENSE CONTRACTOR, TEREM, INCLUDING THE HEAD OF THE
COMPANY AND OTHER RELEVANT PERSONNEL. THE BULGARIAN POLICE
ALSO HAVE DETAINED SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS QUESTIONING.
Q: HOW DID BULGARIA DISCOVER THE ILLEGAL SHIPMENT?
A:-- I REFER YOU TO THE GOVERNMENT OF BULGARIA FOR SPECIFIC
DETAILS.
-- AS I HAVE SAID PREVIOUSLY, THE U.S. WILL CONTINUE TO WORK
CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF BULGARIA ON NON-PROLIFERATION
ISSUES.
Q: WILL THIS ILLEGAL ARMS TRANSFER IMPAIR BULGARIA'S CHANCES
FOR AN INVITATION TO JOIN NATO?
A:-- WE HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT PROLIFERATION ALONG WITH
OTHER ISSUES, WITH ALL THE NATO ASPIRANTS. THEIR EFFORTS ON
NON-PROLIFERATION ARE PART OF OUR EVALUATION OF THEIR
READINESS TO ASSUME THE OBLIGATIONS OF NATO MEMBERSHIP.
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Q: WHAT CRITERIA WILL THE U.S. USE IN MAKING ITS OWN SELECTION DETERMINATION?
A:-- ALL OF THE ASPIRANT COUNTRIES WILL BE EVALUATED FOR
MEMBERSHIP BY THEIR PROGRESS TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES SPECIFIED IN THEIR RESPECTIVE INDIVIDUAL
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MEMBERSHIP ACTION PLANS. THESE PLANS INCLUDE POLITICAL AND
ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES,. ALONG WITH MILITARY GOALS.
PAGE 04·STATE.
-- IN ADDITION TO PROGRESS ON THE MEMBERSHIP ACTION PLANS,
OTHER FACTORS WILL EFFECT THE U.S. DECISION REGARDING NATO
MEMBERSHIP INVITATIONS.
-- BECAUSE NATO IS NOT ONLY A MILITARY ALLIANCE, BUT ALSO A
COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRATIC VALUES, THE U.S. AND OUR ALLIES ALSO
WILL TAKE INTO CAREFUL CONSIDERATION THE DEGREE TO WHICH EACH
COUNTRY UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR MEMBERSHIP SHARES A PERMANENT
COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES UNDER THE RULE OF
LAW.
3. KAZAKHSTAN: CHARGES AGAINST JOURNALIST
Q: ANY COMMENT ON THE RAPE CHARGES FILED AGAINST KAZAKHSTANI
JOURNALIST SERGEI DUVANOV? WHAT ABOUT HIS HUNGER STRIKE?
A:-- THE CHARGES FILED AGAINST MR. DUVANOV ARE VERY SERIOUS.
OUR PRIMARY CONCERN IS THAT ANY LEGAL PROCESS AGAINST HIM BE
CARRIED OUT IN A FAIR, TRANSPARENT, AND OPEN MANNER.
-- WE UNDERSTAND MR. DUVANOV HAS AGREED TO END HIS HUNGER
STRIKE. WE REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATE OF MR. DUVANOV'S
HEALTH, AND HAVE RAISED THESE CONCERNS WITH THE KAZAKHSTANI
AUTHORITIES.
(IF PRESSED:)
Q: DO YOU BELIEVE THIS JOURNALIST WAS THE TARGET OF
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ORCHESTRATED HARASSMENT?
PAGE 05·STATE.
A:-- WE HAVE NOTED BEFORE THAT THIS SAME JOURNALIST WAS
BRUTALLY BEATEN BY UNKNOWN ASSAILANTS IN AUGUST AND THAT, IN
RECENT MONTHS, THERE HAS BEEN AN APPARENT PATTERN OF
HARASSMENT OF KAZAKHSTAN'S INDEPENDENT MEDIA. WE HAVE
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FREQUENTLY RAISED AND WILL CONTINUE TO RAISE OUR CONCERNS
WITH THE KAZAKHSTANI AUTHORITIES.
4. «IRAQ»: SURVEILLANCE OF U.S. FACILITIES ABROAD
Q: CAN .YOU COMMENT ON THE'NEWS REPORT THAT «IRAQ» HAS BEGUN AN
AGGRESSIVE SURVEILLANCE CAMPAIGN OF U.S. FACILITIES ABROAD?
A:-- WE HAVE SEEN THE REPORTS, BUT HAVE NOTHING FOR YOU ON
THEM.
-- OUR MISSIONS ABROAD OPERATE AT A VERY HIGH STATE OF ALERT.
THEY REVIEW THEIR SECURITY FREQUENTLY, AND TAKE ADDITIONAL
SECURITY MEASURES AS NECESSARY. FOR SECURITY REASONS, WE DO
NOT COMMENT ON SPECIFIC SECURITY MEASURES TAKEN.
Q: WILL THE STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUE A NEW WORLDWIDE CAUTION?
A:-- THE NOVEMBER 6, 2002, WORLDWIDE CAUTION, WHICH REMAINS
IN EFFECT, ADVISES AMERICANS THAT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
CONTINUES TO RECEIVE CREDIBLE INDICATIONS THAT EXTREMIST
GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS ARE PLANNING ADDITIONAL TERRORIST
ATTACKS AGAINST U.S. INTERESTS. THESE GROUPS DO NOT
DISTINGUISH BETWEEN OFFICIAL AND CIVILIAN TARGETS.
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-- WE ENCOURAGE AMERICAN CITIZENS TO REMAIN VIGILANT WITH
REGARD TO THEIR PERSONAL SECURITY AND TO EXERCISE CAUTION.
PAGE 06·STATE.
-- IF WE RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT IS RELATED TO THE SAFETY OR
SECURITY OF PRIVATE AMERICAN CITIZENS, WE WILL ALERT THE
PUBLIC THROUGH OUR CONSULAR INFORMATION PROGRAM AND OUR
EMBASSY WARDEN SYSTEMS.
5. SERBIA: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS FOLLOW-UP
Q: ANY COMMENT ON SERBIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER LABUS
DECISION NOT TO RUN IN THE FOLLOW-UP PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS?
A:-- THE U.S.' DOES NOT TAKE SIDES IN SERBIA'S INTERNAL
POLITICS. THE SELECTION AND ELECTION OF LEADERS ARE FOR
VOTERS TO DECIDE.
-- WE WELCOME THE ACTIONS OF THE SERBIAN PARLIAMENT THAT HAVE
ALLOWED THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO BE SCHEDULED FOR
DECEMBER 8TH.
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-- THESE ELECTIONS WILL OFFER VOTERS IN SERBIA ANOTHER
OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FOR LEADERS COMMITTED TO ECONOMIC REFORM
AND TO THE INTEGRATION OF YUGOSLAVIA AND SERBIA INTO
EURO-ATLANTIC INSTITUTIONS.
-- THE «UNITED» «STATES» WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YUGOSLAV
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER LABUS AND OTHER POLITICAL LEADERS IN
BELGRADE AND PODGORICA TO ADVANCE DEMOCRACY AND ECONOMIC
REFORM IN YUGOSLAVIA.
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PAGE 07·STATE.
6. TURKEY: COMPENSATION FOR ATTACK ON «IRAQ»
Q. ANY COMMENT REGARDING GENERAL OZKOK'S DEMAND THAT TURKEY
BE COMPENSATED FOR ANY WAR COSTS IT MIGHT INCUR?
A:-- WE HAD A PRODUCTIVE MEETING WITH GENERAL OZKOK LAST WEEK. -
-- WE CONTINUE TO CONSULT CLOSELY WITH OUR CLOSE ALLY TURKEY
ON THE THREAT THAT «IRAQ» POSES TO THE REGION.
-- WE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING AT OUR OVERALL
ASSISTANCE PACKAGE FOR TURKEY.
7. UN: AGENDA FOR SECRETARY POWELL'S MEETING TODAY WITH
UN SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN
SECRETARY POWELL IS MEETING WITH UN SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI
ANNAN TODAY FROM 4:45PM. THERE IS NO FORMAL AGENDA.
THE PRIMARY TOPIC OF DISCUSSION WILL BE «IRAQ», SPECIFICALLY
NEXT STEPS FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF THE UN RESOLUTION,
SECONDARY TOPICS WILL LIKELY INCLUDE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE
MIDDLE EAST, CYPRUS, «ARMARISTAIT», THE BAKASSI PENINSULA, AND
THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.
8. UN: DRAFT OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION AGAINST
TORTURE
Q: LAST THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 7) A UN COMMITTEE SLAMMED THE U.S.
POSITION ON A PROPOSED PROTOCOL TO FIGHT TORTURE. COUNTRIES .
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227360 122217Z
VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY IN FAVOR OF THIS MAJOR HUMAN RIGHTS
MEASURE. WILL THE U.S. RECONSIDER ITS FINAL VOTE?
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A:-- SEVERAL COUNTRIES WITH STRONG HUMAN RIGHTS RECORDS
AGREED WITH OUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE DRAFT PROTOCOL. A SYSTEM
OF REGULAR INSPECTIONS ON A ROTATING BASIS, RATHER THAN
AD-HOC, TARGETED VISITS, BRINGS INTO QUESTION WHETHER THE
DESIRED RESULT WILL BE ACHIEVED - REDUCING THE USE OF TORTURE
AROUND THE WORLD. THE «UNITED» «STATES» PREFERS STRENGTHENING
EXISTING INTERNATIONAL MECHANISMS, PARTICULARLY THE WORK OF
THE UN COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE.
WE ARE TALKING WITH JAPAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES THAT SHARE OUR
CONCERNS REGARDING THE NEXT STEPS. WE CANNOT SUPPORT THE
DRAFT OPTIONAL PROTOCOL AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS.
Q:
BY OPPOSING THIS MEASURE, ISN'T THE U.S. UNDERCUTTING A
WORTHY GOAL OF EMERGING DEMOCRACIES?
A:-- OUR GOAL IS TO CONSULT WITH OTHER NATIONS IN THE. UN,
ANALYZE MECHANISMS AND BUDGET IMPLICATIONS, AND ARRIVE AT
AGREEMENT ON MEASURES THAT REALLY WORK. WE DON'T THINK THE
CURRENT DRAFT DOES THAT. WE THINK WE'CAN ALL DO BETTER.
Q:
WHAT HAS THE U.S. DONE TO COMBAT AND REMEDY TORTURE?
A:-- THE «UNTTED» «STATES» ABHORS THE DESPICABLE PRACTICE OF
TORTURE AND IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST FORCEFUL VOICES
AGAINST IT. THE «UNITED» «STATES» HAS LED INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS
TO PUT PRESSURE ON GOVERNMENTS TO PUBLICLY CONDEMN TORTURE;
TO ENACT LEGISLATION; TO INVESTIGATE AND'PROSECUTE ABUSIVE
OFFICIALS; TO TRAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND MEDICAL
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PERSONNEL, AND TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION AND REHABILITATION FOR
VICTIMS. THE «UNITED» «STATES» IS A PARTY TO THE CONVENTION
AGAINST TORTURE, WHICH 130 OTHER STATES HAVE RATIFIED. AN
AMERICAN EXPERT SITS ON THE COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE, THE
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE CONVENTION. THE
«UNITED» «STATES» IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST DONOR TO THE UN
VOLUNTARY FUND FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE, TO WHICH WE
CONTRIBUTED $5 MILLION IN FY 2002, AND 67% OF ITS TOTAL
BUDGET IN THE LAST BIENNIUM.
PAGE 09TSTATET
Q: WHAT IS THE DRAFT OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION
AGAINST TORTURE?
A:-- THE DRAFT OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION AGAINST
TORTURE WOULD ESTABLISH A NEW INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT BODY
CHARGED WITH INSPECTING DETENTION FACILITIES IN ALL SIGNATORY
NATIONS. SUCH VISITS WOULD BE SCHEDULED IN ADVANCE ON A
ROTATING BASIS FOR NATIONS THAT BECOME STATES PARTIES.T
THE
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NEW BODY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONDUCT AD HOC OR TARGETED
VISITS.
Q: WHY IS THE U.S.'OBJECTING NOW TO THE DRAFT OPTIONAL
PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE?
A:-- OVER A TEN-YEAR NEGOTIATING PERIOD, WE WORKED HARD WITH
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO FIX MAJOR PROBLEMS OF THE
DRAFT OPTIONAL PROTOCOL. WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY RAISED A
NUMBER OF CONCERNS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PROTOCOL WAS PUSHED
TO WHAT ULTIMATELY WAS A DIVISIVE VOTE AT THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION THIS PAST SPRING AND AGAIN AT THE UN ECONOMIC AND
SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC) IN JULY WITH MANY CONCERNS UNRESOLVED.
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-- IN ADDITION TO THE FLAWED INSPECTION PROCESS, THE «UNITED»
«STATES» HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE FINANCING SCHEME OF THE
PROTOCOL. WE BELIEVE THIS TREATY WILL NOT ENHANCE THE WORK
OF THE EXISTING COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER MORE
RESULTS-ORIENTED INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS BODIES.
IF ADOPTED IN ITS PRESENT FORM, THE PROTOCOL WOULD REQUIRE
MANDATORY ASSESSMENTS ON• ALL MEMBERS OF THE UNITED NATIONS.
NATIONS NOT PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO
PAY. ONLY STATES PARTIES SHOULD FUND THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL.
FOR THIS REASON, THE U.S. OFFERED AN AMENDMENT PROVIDING THAT
STATES PARTIES PAY.
Q: WHY ARE YOU STANDING IN THE WAY OF OTHERS JOINING IN A
PROTOCOL WHICH IS OPTIONAL?
A:-- WE ARE NOT STANDING IN THE WAY OF OTHERS JOINING THE
DRAFT OPTIONAL PROTOCOL. THE PARTIES TO IT CAN USE VOLUNTARY
FUNDING AND CAN ALSO PUT TOGETHER ANY FORMULA OF ASSESSMENTS
ON STATES PARTIES THAT THEY DEEM APPROPRIATE TO FUND THIS
MECHANISM.
( IF ASKED: )
Q: DOES THE U.S. OBJECT TO INSPECTIONS OF ITS OWN PRISONS?
ISN'T GUANTANAMO AT THE HEART OF U.S. OPPOSITION?
A:-- WE HAVE OPENED OUR DETENTION FACILITIES TO VARIOUS
INSPECTIONS. IN THE CASE OF GUANTANAMO, «DETAINEES» ARE HELD AS A RESULT OF ARMED CONFLICT. THE 1949 GENEVA CONVENTIONS ALLOW FOR ACCESS BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED
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227360 122217Z CROSS (ICRC) IN SUCH CASES. FROM THE BEGINNING, THE ICRC HAS CONDUCTED PERIODIC VISITS AND INTERVIEWED THESE «DETAINEES». «TREAMENT» HAS BEEN HUMANE AND IN ACCORDANCE THE PRINCIPLES OF THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS.
PAGE 11·STATE·
Q: WHY DID THE U.S. VOTE "NO" IN THE VOTE ON THE DRAFT OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE:
A:-- WE WERE UNABLE TO AMEND THE TEXT TO ENSURE THAT ONLY STATES PARTIES WOULD COVER THE IMPLEMENTATION COSTS. THE «UNITED» «STATES» CANNOT SUPPORT ADOPTION OF THE DRAFT PROTOCOL IN ITS CURRENT FORM BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE MORE EFFECTIVE WAYS TO FIGHT TORTURE. POWELL
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