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http://archives.vmacedonia.com/7328.htm
November 10, 2004 Wednesday
SECTION: STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING
LENGTH: 6868 words
HEADLINE: STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR BRIEFING
BRIEFER: RICHARD BOUCHER, DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN
LOCATION: STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING ROOM, WASHINGTON, D.C.
BODY:
Q On FYROM. Gene Rossides, former undersecretary to Nixon administration, a letter to President Bush November 5th says inter alia, quote, "We urge you, Mr. President, in the best interests of the United States, to reconsider this misinformed and ill-advised policy and tell the State Department to withdraw recognition of FYROM as Macedonia and to tell FYROM to continue its diplomatic dialogue with Greece on the name issue in accordance to the U.N. and EU policy." Unquote. How do you respond, and could you reverse your action?
MR. BOUCHER: There have been a lot of different views expressed. We knew that as we went into our decision to recognize Macedonia under its constitutional name. We knew there would be controversy and different view. We certainly welcome hearing from people, but we do think that the action sent the right message, that it contributed to more stability in the region and to the continued implementation of the Ohrid agreements, which we have seen as very important for the whole region.
And so the decision's been made, and that's where we're going to stay.
Q And he writes also about you to the president. Quote: "Further, regarding to Mr. Richard Boucher's comments, he attempts to justify the decision by stating that -- in quotation -- `Macedonia' is the name -- quote -- `that the government and the people of Macedonia have chosen for their country, and that's the name we will recognize them under.'" Unquote. "This premise is false. There is no unqualified universally accepted rule of international law that authorizes a state (to name) itself anything it wants."
How do you respond to this criticism?
MR. BOUCHER: I don't take it personally. I'm glad people are paying attention to what we do here. But I would hope they would also pay attention to the discussion that we did have on that point in the briefing room at that day that it's certainly not binding but it is one of the factors that needs to be considered. And it's certainly not authorization of doing anything anybody wants.
Q Scott Marciel, director of the Office of the Southern European Affairs, in a letter to the American Hellenic Institute dated October 31st, in the line, inter alia, quote: "We understand your concerns regarding Albania and the FYROM. It is U.S. foreign policy to promote the rule of law and the protection of human rights. The U.S. government formally recognizes the Former Republic of Macedonia by that name," unquote.
What happened, Mr. Boucher, in 72 hours? You have decided the recognition November 4th. This is his letter.
MR. BOUCHER: I'm glad he wrote the letter on that date. We had very similar discussions about statements I made a week or two before. What happened is we looked at the situation, we made a decision, made the decision and announced it to you very shortly thereafter.
And those who say we never change policy, let this be a lesson; that we in fact made a decision and changed our policy -- (inaudible).
Q But any response to my pending question why you drastically reduced the personnel in the U.S. general consulate in Thessaloniki now, that the suggestion of your ambassador to Greece, Tom Miller -- (inaudible) -- expel all of them, starting from Alec Mally?
MR. BOUCHER: I think there's actually been no change in the staffing of the consulate in Thessaloniki. There may be people coming and going. That always happens.
Q But you left one person only, and one person --
MR. BOUCHER: As I said, there's been no change in the overall staffing pattern, the staffing level in Thessaloniki. There just may be folks coming and going at this particular time.
Q So the consulate is functioning well under the personnel?
MR. BOUCHER: They're functioning well and they have the same personnel strength as they always did, even if -- I can't tell you at any given moment how many people are physically there, but the jobs are there, the people are assigned.
Q And also, the Bulgarian press --
MR. BOUCHER: We've got some other people in the room that have questions.
Q All right.
MR. BOUCHER: Okay.
Q On personnel?
MR. BOUCHER: No, let's finish with the back row, if we can.
Ma'am?
Q Taiwan's President Chen held a national security meeting on Wednesday. One of the conclusions coming out of the meeting was to take steps to ensure the U.S. will adhere to the Taiwan Relations Act and the six assurances that the Reagan administration gave to Taiwan in 1982, which included the U.S. would not change its stance on the issue concerning Taiwan's sovereignty. Since the six assurances were not formally documented, I'm wondering if you can tell this administration's stance on that?
MR. BOUCHER: I'll get you something on that.
Q Thank you.
MR. BOUCHER: Sir?
Q Yes, President Chen of Taiwan proposed -- made some proposals to stabilize the situation across the strait, including establishing a military buffer zone, and set up a consultation mechanism with China. And he also pledged to renounce the development and use of WMD. Do you have any comment on that?
MR. BOUCHER: Is this a new statement?
Q Yes, it's today in Taiwan Times, so it's made several hours ago.
MR. BOUCHER: I'm sorry, I didn't have anything on it. I'll have to check and get you something.
Q Okay, thank you.
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