Summary

Source CONUS Archive
Record ID 246781
Story Slug State Department Briefing (1992)
Location WASHINGTON, DC
Format TVD
Date 4/6/1992
Archive Time 4:53
TRT 6:28
Supers Richard Boucher
Video Description News conference
Script (SUGGESTED TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO) Do you have any comments on what happened in Peru when you go to Peru first? Well, the first thing I think, is to note that the White House has put out a statement and you'll find that my comments in many ways parallel that that's the first authoritative statement on behalf of the US government. Or maybe Aronson did something too. But anyway, United States regards the actions undertaken during the night of April 6 In Peru, including the tension of opposition politicians and legislators, and the seizure of the news media to be an unjustified action against democracy. While we recognize that President Fujimori inherited severe problems, we believe that these problems do not justify nor can they be resolved through unconstitutional means. The United States calls for the full and immediate restoration of constitutional democracy, which must include immediate freedom for those detained and full respect for human rights, immediate restoration of a free and independent press, and civil liberties and immediate restoration of independent legislative and judicial branches of government. And he needed to reform and peruse democratic institutions must be pursued within a legal constitutional framework, which is on the USAID program. At this point, as the White House said, we are reviewing our assistance 01:50 said that they'd open up their borders and I think we said we, we checked into those circumstances hadn't hadn't seen factors such as the ECs efforts and the deployment of UN peacekeepers. So I think those are the factors that are involved. We are concerned about the fighting. Welcome the fact that leaders of all three ethnic groups in Bosnia Herzegovina appeal for calm and the UN General on the scene has also appealed for calm. We call upon all sides to observe the ceasefire that was agreed upon over the weekend. And we continue to support EC efforts to mediate among the national groups. Another subject, what do you make of this Iranian airstrike against positions inside Iraq was shot down by ground fire, and that the pilot and the navigator were captured? The US is concerned about the incident of renewed fighting. We urge both sides to abide by the UN Security Council resolution 598, which ended the Iran Iraq War. This incident, however, in no way affects Iraq's obligation to comply fully with all United Nations resolutions. Say that this threatens Iraq's territorial integrity or is it perhaps praiseworthy, like the Turkish attacks took place at Rocky sorry Iranian diplomatic missions. In New York, there were five intruders armed with knives who violated the Iranian Mission to the United Nations on Sunday. they ransacked the mission and held three Iranian diplomats hostage until two escaped and one was released unharmed to the police. The New York police responded promptly and appropriately to protect the Iranian mission and apprehend the intruders. They're being arraigned this morning in federal court. New York police have enhanced protection of the Iranian Ambassador and the deputy permanent representative as a result of yesterday's attacks. We regret very much this violation of diplomatic premises, we take seriously our responsibilities to protect foreign diplomats. We regard the violation of the Iranian mission in New York and its diplomatic missions elsewhere in the world, as clear violations of diplomatic status. Local authorities in the United States and elsewhere elsewhere, have an obligation to protect diplomatic premises against intrusion and attack and we will fully meet our responsibilities. Our police authorities in New York are taking all necessary measures to provide protection for the Iranian mission in the fullest possible possible manner. Unknown Speaker 04:19 do you do have any follow up on the African drought what the US is doing or can you get us something perhaps later on today or 04:28 Yeah, if you give me some time, I'll run down the situation with you and tell you what we're doing. All the countries in the southern African region including Angola, Botswana, the Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, are affected by what is considered to be one of the most severe droughts the region has ever experienced. South Africa and Zimbabwe, both of which normally serve as granaries for the South Southern African region are in the process of importing substantial amounts of food. The quick For corn has experienced more than 50% failure and all the countries mentioned and losses range in the 70 to 90% range for Lisu to Namibia and Swaziland. Total import requirements are estimated to be at least 10 million metric tons of food, imports of corn into the region last year or 1.9 million metric tons. The severity of the drought has resulted in the need to import approximately 8.1 million metric tons this year. Of this amount, we believe that approximately 3.4 million metric tons will be required to supplement commercial imports. And this would be in the form of humanitarian food assistance. We have our aid missions and embassies throughout the southern African region, coordinating with governments, nongovernmental organizations and other donors to coordinate the provision of assistance. There are aid assessment teams that have been in the region since late March, and they have been filing reports and been able to identify specific problems and responses. Aid is speeding up existing food aid programs to get food into the region quickly. In addition, a senior interagency group has identified food aid resources of 30 366,000 metric tons that have been approved and an additional 291,000 metric tons that are pending approval at this time. And additional amounts of grants and concessional food assistance are being considered.
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