U.S. and Hong Kong (1999)

Department of State

Daily Press Briefing

Thursday, August 12, 1999
1:05 P.M.

Briefer: James P. Rubin

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

Q: On Panama, (inaudible) sent a letter to the Pentagon expressing his worries for the potential dominion of a Chinese company of the Canal of Panama. Do you have anything?

RUBIN: Yes, we have seen no capability or interest on the part of the People's Republic of China, a major user of the Panama Canal, to disrupt its operations. We will maintain a close interest in Canal operations after transfer of the Canal to Panama on December 31, 1999. The neutrality treaty provides a guarantee for the security of the Canal, although Panama's contract with the Hong Kong-based firm to operate two ports in the Canal was passed into law in January 1997, that law contains provisions ensuring that the Canal will remain open to vessels of all nations on an equal footing, following its transfer.

Q: I have a related question to that. The foreign ministers of Central America have expressed support for the idea to have recognized Taiwan as an independent country. Do you have any reaction to that?

RUBIN: I'm not familiar with all the foreign ministers of Central America making such a statement, but I will look into it.

Q: (Inaudible) - in fact, switch the order for commercial jets? That came up a couple days ago. I'm wondering what --

RUBIN: This morning I haven't seen a press report - back to Boeing?

Q: No, no, back to Airbus.

RUBIN: Oh, I thought that happened a week ago they went to Airbus.

Q: You'd said it wasn't confirmed and there was no real comment.

RUBIN: Right. I don't have any information on whether - I'm not aware that we believe that this is a decision other than on a commercial basis.

Q: Somewhat related to that, on the Dalai Lama's visit to New York, I'm wondering if you have an answer to the question I asked yesterday about what his status is and what the State Department's plotting his every move.

RUBIN: I surely do; I surely have an answer to that question. The Dalai Lama is visiting the United States in his capacity as a religious and spiritual leader. US Government representatives meet with him in this capacity and not as a head of state. Any meetings we have, again, are in his capacity as a religious and a spiritual leader.

The US Government is not involved in the Dalai Lama's schedule or plans. My understanding is that the Dalai Lama will not be traveling to Washington on this trip. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Julia Taft will be meeting with the Dalai Lama in New York on Friday. And that meeting will be in the Dalai Lama's capacity as a spiritual and religious figure.

Q: So they'll be discussing spiritual matters?

(Laughter.)

RUBIN: She's a very spiritual woman, Julia.

Q: Does this mean that basically he's getting the same treatment that someone like the Pope would get?

RUBIN: I don't know the exact protocol, but certainly the Pope is a religious leader. Also there is a fact that the Vatican has its own special status. So I'm not sure it's precisely the same. But certainly both the Pope and the Dalai Lama are spiritual and religious leaders.

Q: Jamie, do you have any sympathy for the aspirations of the Tibetan people besides their spiritual interests?

RUBIN: Our position on that hasn't changed.

Q: The agenda for the meeting Friday - what sort of things will they be discussing?

RUBIN: I think that in the past the Special Coordinator for Tibet has worked with the Dalai Lama and others to try to encourage dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the government of China in order to protect the heritage and rights of the people who live in Tibet.

Q: What about the whereabouts of the Panchan Lama?

RUBIN: I think that regularly comes up. I'd have to check with Julia Taft whether that is a subject for this meeting. It's not something that comes up every meeting, but it does come up.

Q: I'm sure you don't have it there, but if you all do have an opinion as to his safety and whereabouts, if you could get that.

RUBIN: We'll try to get that for you.

Q: Jamie, can you just address how or if it's somewhat politically difficult when the Dalai Lama comes to the US for the Administration trying to sort of not make China angry as well as balance the other issues involving the Tibetan people?

RUBIN: Well, the objective of our diplomacy in many cases is to balance the national interests of the United States with respect to other countries and the national interests of the United States to promote human rights and respect for human rights and religious freedom and cultural heritage around the world. Balancing those two national interests is something that we here in the Department do every day.

Q: You won't say every time the Dalai Lama comes it poses somewhat of difficulties for the Administration?

RUBIN: Those are times when these two interests need to be particularly balanced.

Q: Does the US feel that the Dalai Lama has a legitimate claim?

RUBIN: I think we feel that the spiritual and cultural heritage of the people in Tibet is important to us. We do support the preservation of the unique religious, cultural and linguistic heritage of the Tibetan people and greater protection for their human rights. We certainly have great respect for the Dalai Lama as a spiritual leader.

We do regard Tibet, however, as a part of China. That has been a position we've had since roughly 1942. We do not recognize the Tibetan Government in exile as a sovereign entity, but we do believe that restoration of a dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama is an important component of a peaceful solution to diffuse tensions. That's why we've encouraged direct substantive dialogue between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama or his representatives as the best way to resolve these differences.

We have no blueprint in mind and would welcome any formula agreed to by the two parties.

Q: Sovereignty you seem to --

RUBIN: Well, we regard Tibet as a part of China; that is our view.

Q: They can talk about how Tibet fits into a Chinese state.

RUBIN: They could talk about ways to protect all of that --

Q: With protection of cultural --

RUBIN: -- and whatever they could agree to would be fine with us.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

Q: There are new reports in China that they are mobilizing more troops against Taiwan. I wanted to know if you have a comment on that.

RUBIN: I'm not aware there's been any change in our view since yesterday, which was that we have not seen that kind of - what I said yesterday holds; I wouldn't want to screw up the words.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

(The briefing concluded at 1:35 P.M.)

(end transcript)