USA: SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL AND GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER PRESS CONFERENCE
Record ID:
222894
USA: SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL AND GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER PRESS CONFERENCE
- Title: USA: SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL AND GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER PRESS CONFERENCE
- Date: 18th July 2003
- Summary: (U6) WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (JULY 16, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. MV U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL AND GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER WALK OUT OF U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT, APPROACH MICROPHONES; MV REPORTERS LISTEN TO REMARKS 2. SOUNDBITE (English) POWELL SAYING "We did discuss Iraq, we didn't get into any specific request, as you know a number of countries have offered to provide assistance to the peacekeeping and stabilization efforts. I gave the foreign minister an update on the situation and the conversations I've had with Kofi Annan about the role of the United Nations but we didn't get into any other specifics with regards to German contributions." 3. SOUNDBITE (English) FISCHER SAYING "The relevant Security Council resolution 1483 made quite clear that the responsibility on the ground is in the hands of the coalition. We aren't part of the coalition. We are ready to contribute to the humanitarian situation, our business community is ready to play its role in the reconstruction if it is wanted. If we know more details about the reconstruction we are open to discuss what could be our role in the reconstruction. But our position linked to the question of sending military troops is unchanged." 4. WIDE OF POWELL AND FISCHER 5. SOUNDBITE (English) POWELL SAYING "I believe and the United States believes that 1483, while recognizing the coalition provisional authority as the government for the moment, also has sufficient authority for nations who are looking for a U.N. mandate to participate in stabilization or peacekeeping activities, 1483 provides that kind of cover. But there are some nations who've expressed a desire for more of a mandate from the United Nations, and I'm in conversations with some ministers about this as well as with the Secretary-General of the United Nations." 6. SOUNDBITE (German) FISCHER SAYING "First of all its important to underscore again despite our differences in position to the war, that we all need to contribute together to win the peace. It's a question of regional stability, and long-term transformation, of this region towards modernization, democratization, that is the mutual interest. What we can contribute to this goal we will, within the framework of our stance." 7. CAMERAS FOCUS IN 8. SOUNDBITE (English) POWELL SAYING "I told the foreign minister that the United States was still hopeful of a diplomatic solution, that we are in touch with our friends in the region, we've taken note of the recent visit of the Chinese vice foreign minister to Pyongyang which was reported in the press this morning. And I had a long conversation with the Chinese foreign minister last evening where he gave me an update on those conversations. So the diplomatic track is alive and well and I expect to see some developments along that track in the very near future." 9. MV FISCHER AND POWELL SHAKE HANDS, WALK AWAY 3.40 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 2nd August 2003 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
- City:
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA98E4TMHTWC6DT2Y2XFPAIEMN6
- Story Text: Following talks at the State Department, U.S. Secretary
of State Colin Powell said the United States had started
discussions with other governments on the possibility of a new
U.N. mandate for Iraq, but German Foreign Minister Joschka
Fischer made clear Germany's decision not to send troops to
Iraq remains unchanged.
The visit marked German Foreign Minister Joschka
Fischer's first visit to Washington since the height of the
transatlantic dispute over the wisdom of invading Iraq.
The United States, its forces hard-pressed to maintain
order in Iraq and fend off guerrilla attacks, has been looking
around for military assistance from friendly countries.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said the two leaders
did not discuss any specific requests, but in any case Fischer
made clear Germany's decision not to send troops has not
changed.
"The relevant Security Council resolution 1483 made quite
clear that the responsibility on the ground is in the hands of
the coalition. We aren't part of the coalition. We are ready
to contribute to the humanitarian situation, our business
community is ready to play its role in the reconstruction if
it is wanted. If we know more details about the reconstruction
we are open to discuss what could be our role in the
reconstruction. But our position linked to the question of
sending military troops is unchanged," Fischer said.
India turned down a request this week and French President
Jacques Chirac said on Tuesday that sending French troops to
Iraq was inconceivable under the current framework.
Powell said the U.S. believes a U.N. "cover" exists for
countries to help with peacekeeping operations, but that he
was in discussions with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on a
new mandate.
"I believe and the United States believes that 1483, while
recognizing the coalition provisional authority as the
government for the moment, also has sufficient authority for
nations who are looking for a U.N. mandate to participate in
stabilization or peacekeeping activities, 1483 provides that
kind of cover. But there are some nations who've expressed a
desire for more of a mandate from the United Nations, and I'm
in conversations with some ministers about this as well as
with the Secretary-General of the United Nations."
A new U.N. mandate, probably giving the United Nations a
more central role in running Iraq, could persuade some of
Washington's allies to contribute troops.
The pre-war dispute over Iraq brought tensions in
relations between Germany and the United States but Fischer
himself did not attack U.S. policy directly or draw personal
criticism from U.S. leaders.
Fischer made clear that in any event, bringing stability
to Iraq was important for the region.
"First of all its important to underscore again despite
our differences in position to the war, that we all need to
contribute together to win the peace. It's a question of
regional stability, and long-term transformation, of this
region towards modernization, democratization, that is the
mutual interest. What we can contribute to this goal we will,
within the framework of our stance," Fischer said in German.
Powell also said he expected some developments in the
diplomatic effort to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis
"in the very near future."
"I told the foreign minister that the United States was
still hopeful of a diplomatic solution," Powell said, adding
"the diplomatic track is alive and well and I expect to see
some developments along that track in the very near future."
Later, Fischer was expected to head to the White House for
talks with national security adviser Condoleezza Rice.
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