U.S. and Hong Kong (1999)

Department of State

Daily Press Briefing

Friday, May 21, 1999

Briefer: James P. Rubin

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Q: Just to follow on that, are you suggesting the various embassies there should leave because they cannot be protected. And secondly, the fact that the Secretary General of NATO has sent his regrets or whatever, does it mean that the country whose plane actually did the bombing will not be sending any apology, as was done in the case of China?

RUBIN: Well, I think there's a difference between a bomb landing on an embassy and killing diplomats who were there, or journalists who were there, and the shattered glass damage that has been primarily what we're talking about from nearby explosions.

With respect to the first question, I indicated to you that the Secretary General of NATO would be in touch with the relevant embassies, and I'm not aware that other steps are planned.

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Q: Well, it's about China and Kosovo and --

RUBIN: All right. The judges will agree that that's within the realm.

Q: I'll hold off if everyone --

RUBIN: No, go ahead.

Q: I'm wondering if the U.S. has made any diplomatic approach to the Chinese on the decision to block U.S. military ships going into Hong Kong due --?

RUBIN: You just added a third element; the judges may not be happy in their after-action review.

Q: -- due to the accidental bombing of the embassy in Belgrade, which is north of Kosovo?

RUBIN: You brought it home. You brought it home.

Let me say that with respect to China, we do understand that the Chinese have denied all pending U.S. port visits to Hong Kong. Few planned port visits are affected. The Pentagon can probably give you more details.

We are prepared to resume our regular schedule of routine port visits to Hong Kong when the Chinese Government is prepared to approve the necessary clearances. This is the first instance since Hong Kong's reversion to Chinese sovereignty that the government has disapproved an application for a port call by a U.S. Navy ship. Under Hong Kong's basic law, matters of foreign affairs and defense are reserved for the Chinese Government, which made this decision under its own authority. Nevertheless, we regret that these mutually-beneficial port calls, which bring economic benefit to Hong Kong as well as shore leave benefits to U.S. Navy personnel are unable to take place at this time.

Back to Kosovo.

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Q: China and Kosovo. Are there any plans for Mr. Pickering to go to Beijing to placate the Chinese? And if so, might he wait until the investigation is complete, or is there a possibility that he would go before that?

RUBIN: We will be presenting the findings of our investigation into the accidental bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade to the People's Republic of China. But there has been no final decision regarding when or by whom this will be provided to the Chinese.

Q: (Inaudible) the investigation?

RUBIN: I would think this is the kind of thing that would be finalized as the individuals decided who and when they would go to China. I wouldn't assume that it's been finished, but I would have to check with the Pentagon.

Q: Is it proceeding, and what can you -- ?

Q: (Inaudible) Chinese?

RUBIN: There has been no final decision regarding when or by whom this will be provided to the Chinese, but I wouldn't rule that out.

Q: But this thorough and complete investigation, what can you tell us about how it is proceeding at present?

RUBIN: They're working on it.

Q: Well, thanks, that's enlightening. Could I ask about other --?

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Q: Would you rule out that subjects like the easing of sanctions or the potential of reestablishing diplomatic relations would come up during Mr. Perry's visit?

RUBIN: I don't think it would be useful for me to speculate on what Dr. Perry will or won't say.

Q: Just to clarify, he will not be stopping in China, either going in or going out?

RUBIN: Not according to the schedule I have right now.

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Q: The Cox Report is expected to be released Tuesday.

RUBIN: At which point I will be in a position to comment on it.

Q: You can't comment on it?

RUBIN: On a report that hasn't been released?

Q: Well, actually, Congressman Cox -- and he has said publicly what the report has found -- that China did --

RUBIN: We'd prefer to wait until we have the whole thing.

Q: Can you say -- okay. No comment at all?

RUBIN: No comment.

PRESS: Thank you.

(end transcript)