U.S. and Hong Kong (2004)

State Department Noon Briefing, April 7, 2004

State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli briefed.

Following is the State Department transcript:

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U.S. Department of State
Daily Press Briefing
Washington DC
April 7, 2004

BRIEFER: Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman

1:10 p.m. EST

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

QUESTION: Is the -- The Washington Times reports today that the State Department plans to move Therese Shaheen from leading the American Institute in Taiwan after complaints from Beijing about her. Is it true that the State Department plans to move her; and (b) is that in response to Chinese complaints about her?

MR. ERELI: Let me start by saying that the Secretary today received a letter of resignation from Ms. Shaheen. In it, she said that with the conclusion of elections in Taiwan it was an appropriate time for her to step aside and said that she wanted to spend more time with her daughter and thanked the Secretary for the opportunity to serve.

I think the letter speaks for itself. We thank Ms. Shaheen for her services and wish her the best.

As far as press reports go that the Chinese raised this issue with us, I would note that those reports are false. China never asked that the Managing Director Shaheen be removed, nor would the United States, in any way, be responsive to such requests if they were made.

QUESTION: And then one last one --

QUESTION: Oh, wait. On this?

QUESTION: Okay.

QUESTION: Adam, I'm sorry -- the reports are false that the Chinese asked her to leave, or the reports are false that the Chinese had raised her comments as an issue?

MR. ERELI: The reports that --

QUESTION: Are you saying that the Chinese never discussed --

MR. ERELI: The reports that the Chinese were pressing for her removal are false. As far as --

QUESTION: Isn't that the case, though, that the Chinese did bring up this issue?

MR. ERELI: They might have at some -- in some forum, but not at the level of the Secretary.

QUESTION: Adam, on that same point, would you say you're dissatisfied with her performance in that role, and did she step out of line?

MR. ERELI: No, I wouldn't -- I'm not in a position to comment on performance. I would simply say that I think she resigned for -- she resigned, as she said in her letter, for personal reasons. We thank her for her service and wish her well.

QUESTION: May I follow up? I mean, there are plenty of ambassadors that you talk of their exemplary service. So why aren't you in a position to talk about her performance?

MR. ERELI: It's just something I don't have a comment on.

QUESTION: Adam, are you saying that she was not asked to submit that resignation letter?

MR. ERELI: I'm saying that she submitted the resignation letter, she provided the reasons for her resigning and her resignation, and that that's the basis on which we're proceeding.

QUESTION: Was she asked to submit the letter though?

MR. ERELI: I would say that she submitted the letter and she gave her reasons for resigning, and that that is all I have to say on it.

Yes.

QUESTION: Middle East again?

MR. ERELI: I'm sorry, we have -- still on Asia?

QUESTION: Yeah, Hong Kong. Your 1992 U.S. -- United States-Hong Kong Policy Act said that United States should treat Hong Kong as a territory which is fully autonomous from the People's Republic of China, with respect to economic and trade matters.

Well, with the announcement from Beijing, which is their interpretation of Hong Kong's Basic Law, do you think -- do you still treat -- I mean, regard Hong Kong as a territory which is fully autonomous?

And the second question, if the answer is not yes, then would that have any impact on your relation with Hong Kong with respect to economic and trade matters?

MR. ERELI: I would refer you to our transcript from yesterday where this issue is dealt with at length. The United States' policy hasn't changed. We support the autonomy of Hong Kong as envisioned in the Basic Law and in the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. And we believe that it is important for the Government of Hong Kong and people of Hong Kong to have a dialogue that responds to the desires of the people of Hong Kong for democracy, suffrage and electoral reform.

Matt.

QUESTION: Can you tell us why the -- why you believe there's a "real possibility" of new terrorist attacks in and around Karachi?

MR. ERELI: Let me take the question. I don't have anything on it.

Yes.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

(The briefing was concluded at 1:55 p.m.)

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