STATE DEPT CONTINUES ERADICATION OF MACEDONIANS AND ALL HELLAS

The following was passed on to us by our Washington DC-contacts, yesterday afternoon....

STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR BRIEFING 8.2.2008 BRIEFER: TOM CASEY

STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR BRIEFING BRIEFER: TOM CASEY, DEPARTMENT ACTING SPOKESMAN LOCATION: STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING ROOM, WASHINGTON, D.C. TIME: 1:04 P.M. EST DATE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2008


Okay. Mr. Lambros.

Q Yes, on FYROM. Mr. Casey --

MR. CASEY: Yes, Mr. Lambros?

Q Mr. Casey, you stated yesterday, quote, "I know Mr. Nimetz has put forward a new proposal of his own to the group," unquote. Do you mean the last one, totally a new one, or he's going to submit another one?

MR. CASEY: Mr. Lambros, I'm happy to clarify that for you. As you know, in Washington the definition of "new" doesn't always fit that definition in the real world.

But just to make clear, the -- Special Representative Nimetz suggested a framework paper to the parties in November, and that's the framework agreement that I was referring to and think that provides a promising basis on which to pursue an agreement on this issue.

So that's the proposal in question. It's relatively new, but I can certainly understand why my referring to it as a new proposal yesterday would have confused --

Q So it really is the previous one.

MR. CASEY: It is the one -- it is the framework paper to the parties that was given to them in November.

Q One more question. You also said yesterday that you will be pleased to support any agreement by the two parties, Greece and FYROM. Therefore, I'm wondering if you are going to implement it revoking your decision of November 4, 2004, which created so many problems without reason.

MR. CASEY: Mr. Lambros, the U.S. decision to recognize the Republic of Macedonia by its constitutional name was very clear. It was explained to you at the time. Certainly, though, in terms of the two countries, we hope that they will reach a(n) equitable agreement in terms of a settlement of this long-standing issue. And again, we will welcome and be happy to support whatever agreement they might reach.

Q So there hasn't been any suggestion for --

MR. CASEY: No.

Q There was a report - MR. CASEY: No. There is no U.S. proposal or State Department proposal. Those reports are inaccurate.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Mr. Lambros, we'll give you one more, then let's go to the back here.

Q On Turkey, Mr. Casey, in light of your concerns over nuclear proliferation in Iran, and Ankara's warming relations with Tehran, along with the report recently in The Times that Turkey may be involved in stealing nuclear secrets from the United States, why, then, you would want to increase nuclear technology transfer to Turkey?

MR. CASEY: Mr. Lambros, I'm not sure what, specifically, you're referring to, but Turkey's a friend and NATO ally. I'm not aware of any allegations that Turkey has ever behaved outside of its commitments under the NPT. And certainly we want to have friendly and cooperative relations with Turkey in all spheres, including in civilian nuclear.


Q And a follow-up. Was the recent announcement of nuclear agreement rushed all in response to the recent reports in The Times about Turkey's efforts to steal secrets? (Greeks For Obama note: Here is the link to that Times story, here is the Dan Ellsberg news release on the story) When President Gul came to visit this town just a few weeks ago, neither this agreement nor even nuclear energy in general was even an item in the discussion.

MR. CASEY: Mr. Lambros, the report you're referring to in The Times, which Times would that be?

Q London.

MR. CASEY: Oh, the British Times. I did see that story.

Let me just say that that story is absolutely absurd, false, inaccurate, without foundation. And it's an absolute shame that a respectable newspaper, like The Times of London, would print such pure garbage.

(Cross talk.)

So, I'll tell you, that said, in keeping with our last question
--

(Cross talk.)

Q Just to be sure, this is the report that accuses, that says, that quotes this FBI translator as saying a former undersecretary of State was -- that's the report.

MR. CASEY: That's correct. That is the report to which I refer,
yeah.
Q And your comment just now about it seemed to echo what that official told the newspaper about it. Is that -- have you been in touch with that person?

MR. CASEY: No, I haven't but I have seen what was published.
And I think I made our views clear on that.

Q (Off mike.)

MR. CASEY: The report has no validity, Mr. Lambros. It's untrue.

In terms of nuclear energy and cooperation with the government of Turkey, I know the Department of Energy has recently put out some statements on that, and I'd just refer you back to that.

Q Thank you very much.