Daily Press Briefing

U.S. Department of State
Tom Casey, Acting Spokesman
Washington, DC
August 2, 2005

INDEX:

TURKEY

Support for Turkey’s EU Bid
Terrorist Organization PKK
U. S. Relationship with Turkey

CYPRUS

U. S. Position on Cyprus / Annan Plan / Flights from Azerbaijan /
Easing of Economic Isolation for Turkish Cypriots

AZERBAIJAN

Secretary Rice’s Meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs

QUESTION: France has reported to have said, Turkey, can I get into
the EU until it ends its occupation of Cyprus. Are you on the same
page with the French on that?

MR. CASEY: Well, Barry, I think —

QUESTION: I know it’s a European grouping, but you can have an opinion.

MR. CASEY: Well, I think as you know, Barry, we have a longstanding
history of support for Turkey’s EU bid. We continue to support Turkey’s
goal of acceding to the EU. Although, of course, we aren’t a member
of the EU and this certainly is a decision for the European Union
itself to make.

With regard to Cyprus. As our friend Mr. Lambros certainly knows,
our policy on this is well known. We have not changed our views on
that. We certainly want to see a resolution of the differences on
Cyprus resolved. And we still believe that the way forward on that
is under the basis of the Annan plan and what we’re working for in
Cyprus right now is for both sides to come back to the Secretary
General in response to his suggestion that they come up with some
ideas for how to move that process forward.

QUESTION: Well, the stalemate continues. The troops remain. It sounds
as if the French have another approach that might move things along
they hope, I suppose. The U.S. is just going to wait for the two
sides to get together again, right?

MR. CASEY: Well, Barry, I mean, I think we need to remember where
this process was. The Annan plan went forward. It was voted on by
both communities on Cyprus. Because one community rejected that plan,
that was what we frankly thought was a positive, good plan and an
opportunity to resolve the issue. At this point, conversations continue
between the Secretary General, between his representatives and leaders
in Cyprus. We certainly have our contacts with both communities as
well. And again, what we are doing is encouraging them to respond
to the Secretary General’s offer to come up with some suggestions to
move forward. But at this point, it’s up to those parties to try and
respond to those proposals and see how we can move forward.

QUESTION: On Cyprus?

MR. CASEY: On Cyprus? Sure.

QUESTION: Azerbaijan has recently opened the flights to the northern
part of the island and the Greek side is very dissatisfied. They’re
threatening with retaliation of opening flights to the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan. Where does the U.S. stand on all of this?

MR. CASEY: Well, I really don’t have anything for you on the specific
flights. That’s obviously a bilateral issue. And I’d leave it to
the Azeri Government to comment on it. I think you know our policy
is that we continue to support the easing of the economic isolation
of the Turkish Cypriots and that’s the policy we’re pursuing with
response to the north.

QUESTION: A bilateral between who — Azerbaijan and —

MR. CASEY: And Cyprus.

QUESTION: The Government of Cyprus.

MR. CASEY: Yeah. It is not — it’s not an issue. It’s not an issue
for us.

QUESTION: But if the Government of Cyprus objects, where does that —

MR. CASEY: Again, I’d leave it to the Government of Azerbaijan,
the Government of Cyprus.

QUESTION: But you don’t mean bilaterally with Northern Cyprus?

MR. CASEY: No.

QUESTION: Okay.

QUESTION: (Off-mike).

MR. CASEY: Our position on Cyprus has not changed. Our position
on recognition has not changed. I think I anticipated the
question. (Laughter).

QUESTION: Mr. Casey, you have to clarify between the Government of
Cyprus and of Azerbaijan — or what? Between Azerbaijan and what?

MR. CASEY: Her question was that the Government of Azerbaijan has
instituted flights that other governments in the region have objected
to that. That is a matter between those other governments and the
Government of Azerbaijan to work out. I do not have an official
U.S. comment on it.

Let’s move around. Yeah.

QUESTION: Do you have anything on Secretary Rice’s meeting this
morning on Azerbaijani Foreign Minister?

MR. CASEY: I have a more of a preview than a readout. The meeting
was just concluding as I came out here. So in terms of the preview —

QUESTION: They’re going to (inaudible).

MR. CASEY: They were — what they were planning on talking about
was a number of bilateral issues. We certainly were going to thank
the Government of Azerbaijan for its assistance in the global war
on terror. Understand that Azerbaijan does have military forces in
Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo. We are also going to stress and talk
about the importance, as we always do in our conversations with the
Azeri Government, of the parliamentary elections in November and the
importance of those elections meeting international standards. And we
certainly expected the subject of Nagorno-Karabak to come up as well.

QUESTION: Interfax is quoting the Kyrgyz Government as saying
Secretary of State Rice will travel to Bishkek to attend the August
14th inaugural. And I know how reluctant she is to travel, but is
it possible she might be going there for the inaugural and combine
it with a vacation, possibly?

(Laughter.)

MR. CASEY: Well, I don’t have any announcements to offer you in terms
of travel, Barry, but I’m unaware of any plans for her to travel at
this time.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress