| TERRORISM | |
| 1,4-8 | Executive Order Imposing Sanctions on Afghan Taliban for Support of Bin Ladin |
MR. FOLEY: Good afternoon. Anyone in favor of holding class outside today, under a tree?
QUESTION: No.
MR. FOLEY: I have an announcement -- or statement, rather, concerning SFOR's detention of a Bosnian Serb war criminal which I'll post after the briefing. We don't have a lot of time for the briefing, so I'm not going to waste your time. The reason we don't have a lot of time is we're going to have a background briefing here in 35 minutes - at 2:00 (P.M.) - with, I think, one or two senior administration officials who will discuss the new Executive Order signed by the President last night imposing sanctions on the Afghan Taliban for its support of Usama bin Laden and his terrorist network. So, that's in 35 minutes. So, we will attempt to move smartly through all of your issues today.
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QUESTION: Jim, at the beginning of the briefing, you announced a background briefing. Can you talk to us about why the President decided to take the actions taken vis a vis the Taliban and what it means - what affect the sanctions would have?
MR. FOLEY: Yes, I can in general terms. Of course, I will refer you to the statement that the White House has just issued, and secondly, we'll have some experts here who can give you more detail and information about the announcement. But what I can tell you is the Executive Order was issued pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the National Emergencies Act, and other authorities which provide wide authority to the President to impose economic sanctions to protect the US against threats to its national security and foreign policy interests. The President has formally determined that actions and policies of the Taliban pose such a threat. The order blocks all property and interests in property of the Taliban; including the Taliban leaders that are listed in the annex to the order that are in the US or that are - hereafter come within the possession or control of United States persons. The order prohibits any transaction or dealing by US persons within the US and property or interests in property blocked pursuant to the order, including the making or receiving of any contribution of funds, goods, or services, to or for the benefit of the Taliban.
Now - in plain English because that is -
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
MR. FOLEY: What was that, Barry? Are you feeling -
QUESTION: No, no -- (inaudible) - heat of the cameras, not to the -
MR. FOLEY: You can imagine how I'm feeling -
QUESTION: It must be awful for you, too, but --
MR. FOLEY: Plain English - here's what's happening. We have undertaken very vigorous and consistent efforts - vis-a-vis the Taliban - to persuade them to stop harboring bin Laden and his terrorists infrastructure. We've worked, as the President indicates in his statement, assiduously to persuade them to expel bin Laden to the US for trial; or if that's not possible, to a third country where he will face justice for his crimes and to end the safe haven that the Taliban are currently giving to bin Laden and his network.
I think many of you have followed some of those meetings and discussions we've had with the Taliban. They've made certain undertakings in the past, and yet we see today that bin Laden, of course, remains free to use Afghan territory controlled by the Taliban to maintain his infrastructure; to continue to plan terrorist attacks; to continue to make public statements; threatening terrorist attacks against American civilians and innocents. So we finally decided to take action because the Taliban, themselves, have not taken action. They basically face a choice - whether they want to - whether they want to be able to trade with the United States; want to be able to enjoy the reputation as an organization that aspires to a responsible political role, or whether they want to be shunned and isolated for giving harbor to bin Laden.
Over the past few months we've received intelligence reflecting a pattern of activity that indicates planning for terrorist attacks against American interests by bin Laden and his associates. This terrorist threat is continuing as shown by measures we had to take last week to close temporarily half a dozen US embassies in Africa. Again bin Laden continues to enjoy sanctuary in other facilities in areas of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban, and they have simply not heeded our repeated requests for them to expel bin Laden to a country where he can be brought to justice. They've not taken effective measures against bin Laden. He continues, as I said, to issue threats to kill Americans while enjoying the protection of the Taliban, and at the same time his associates continue to engage in activities indicating pending, planned terrorist attacks.
QUESTION: The first thing - two - one, is the embassy in Madagascar still closed?
MR. FOLEY: Yes, it is.
QUESTION: And - OK. And two, I forgot what it was - oh, right - the trade with - Taliban trade with the United States - this really doesn't have too much teeth in it, does it - because there is very little trade between -
MR. FOLEY: Yes, in terms of - in terms of assets, rather, the effect is likely to be modest. The Treasury Department would have more information on that. In terms of trade, it's fairly modest, but it's not - it's not insignificant. We had, in 1998, about $24 million in two-way trade -- $7 million in exports and $17 million in imports -
QUESTION: What year was that?
MR. FOLEY: 1998. But I think that whatever the concrete impact - this sends an unambiguous message of the commitment of the United States to take action against those who shelter international terrorists, like bin Laden, and will help to further isolate the Taliban internationally.
So, two points - crucial points: Our embassies were attacked. These were violent attacks against the United States government, against United States employees, against civilians, against African employees of our embassies and innocent civilians - both African and American. And we are resolute in responding to those who perpetrate such acts, and may be planning similar acts.
Secondly, though, on the Taliban themselves - this is a group that aspires to international legitimacy - to acceptance - to playing a part - a recognized, legitimate part in Afghanistan's political future. We are stating here very clearly, today, that based on their actions so far, they are beyond the pale. They are not acting in a way that allows them to be treated legitimately - Barry, I'm sorry -
QUESTION: (inaudible)
MR. FOLEY: -- that allows them to be treated with respect internationally. We believe that is important to them, and they can take steps to reverse this measure. I've been very clear on why we've done this - it has to be harboring bin Laden. They can choose to stop harboring bin Laden, and these measures can be reversed.
QUESTION: Can we go back to your statement originally?
MR. FOLEY: Is this on the same subject?
QUESTION: Yes. Your statement all but says that it links the Taliban or threats from bin laden - excuse me - bin Laden and threats thereof to the closing of the embassies. Did you mean that, or did you just mean that it creates a certain atmosphere that makes the US sensitive to -
MR. FOLEY: That's a good question. I'd have to go check the record to see how explicit we've been about specific places and specific authors of potential terrorist acts. The fact is, we have said that we've seen a continuing pattern of activity on bin Laden's part, so we've continued to say that he could act again the way he did last summer. We're prepared and vigilant. Secondly, we've said that those particular embassies have faced threats and we've taken action. I would hesitate to go further than that.
QUESTION: You seem to link them together just now, but maybe it's unintentional. You seem - when the embassies were closed there were just suspicious people - or suspicious surveillance -
MR. FOLEY: There was surveillance.
QUESTION: But you did not - nothing was said about by whom. This statement today implies, suggests that it was bin Laden people who seemed to be eyeing the embassies.
MR. FOLEY: Well, I can't be more specific than that, for obvious reasons. But it's clear that bin Laden is planning further terrorist activities and we are prepared to take preventative measures and responsive measures, as well.
QUESTION: Is the Taliban now saying to the United States or -- in its meetings with US officials -- that bin Laden is -- does reside in territory that they are controlling in Afghanistan?
MR. FOLEY: Well, I'd have to check that and, I think, in the interests of everyone here, since you probably have other issues to discuss, we will have a couple of experts here in 20 minutes who can answer those questions. As you know, we did indicate publicly - and our officials can confirm this - that at some point in our diplomatic conversations with the Taliban, they had indicated that he had moved out of areas that they control. But I - obviously we are not satisfied in any way with the Taliban's non-action and, in fact, continued harboring of bin Laden. I think what we've done today - the President's Executive Order -- speaks for itself in terms of your answer. But let's let the officials give you some more.
QUESTION: Jim, one more on this because the experts won't be on camera apparently; they'll be on background - is that right? So on this, what effect does it have on the relations that the Taliban have with other countries - or with countries, since you don't recognize them as a country? The Saudis are involved - what effect would it have? Any US sanctions on the Saudis if they continue to have relations? How does that work?
MR. FOLEY: I think the Saudis have been very clear that bin Laden is an ex-Saudi citizen whom they oppose - whose terrorism they oppose -- and I think we see eye-to-eye on bin Laden entirely. I think this sends a very strong signal of the United States' resolve that we're not going to conduct business as usual with the Taliban, and it certainly sends a signal to others as well, that - about our views. I won't seek to characterize their views, but I think that -- at least in terms of bin Laden himself is concerned -- as I said, I think we and the Saudi Government see eye-to-eye that this is a menace that has to be dealt with.
QUESTION: (Inaudible) - they also have -- Pakistan recognizes them?
MR. FOLEY: What's your question?
QUESTION: The question is what effect would it have - is there any adverse effect on US-Pakistani relations -
MR. FOLEY: Our understanding is bin Laden is in Taliban-controlled areas of Afghanistan and operates there. We urge anyone who has any influence over what's going on inside Afghanistan to exert their efforts to make sure that he's unable to conduct further terrorist attacks, and indeed that he's brought to justice.
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END 2:05 P.M. EDT
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