Middle East Digest: April 7, 2008

Bureau of Public Affairs
April 7, 2008

The Middle East Digest provides text and audio from the Daily Press Briefing. For the full briefings, please visit http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/.

From the Daily Press Briefing of April 7, 2008:

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MR. MCCORMACK: Yeah.

QUESTION: Freedom of expression, to freedom to vote in Egypt?

MR. MCCORMACK: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: What does this say about progress toward democracy there, the Egyptian clampdown on opposition candidates?

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, what you're really asking in your question is -- you're really asking a question about the Muslim Brotherhood, and you know what our position is with respect to the Muslim Brotherhood. We have, obviously, encouraged lawful constitutional participation in Egypt's political process by all those who want to participate in the process, again, according to Egypt's law and constitution. People should be able to vote for the candidates that are legally and constitutionally on the ballot, and that the will of the people who vote in those contests should be reflected in the results.

Yeah.

QUESTION: On this issue, the Muslim Brotherhood movement has said today that they -- it will boycott the municipal election after it was allowed to field only 20 candidates over -- for thousands of seats. Do you have anything on this?

MR. MCCORMACK: It's essentially the same question that Lachlan was asking, and I don't have any different answer to it.

Yeah.

QUESTION: Sean, staying in the Middle East, the UN Human Rights Council today began webcasting the reviews of human rights situations in countries in the Middle East, and began with Bahrain. Apparently, it turned into a huge praise for the situation in Bahrain. But I wonder if you know anything about it, whether you support the idea or whether you know how this event today went.

MR. MCCORMACK: I don’t know. I really don’t know. We have had our very clear differences with the Human Rights Council and its agenda in the past, and we haven’t been shy about enunciating those differences. We are not on it. We are not participating on it. We have chosen not to -- not to seek election to the Human Rights Council because of our real differences with the way it has operated. We had high hopes for it when it came into being. But sadly, those hopes have not been realized.

As for this particular event, I don’t really have much insight to it.

Yes.

QUESTION: Yes. I wasn’t here on Friday, so perhaps you addressed --

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, neither was I, so that’s okay. We’re -- so we’re even. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: Actually, in regards to the Blackwater contract renewal, today -- or not today, really, more like yesterday, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said that the State Department renewed Blackwater’s contract without the approval of the Iraqi Government. And Mr. al-Askari said on Friday that Blackwater operates under Iraqi -- the rules of the Iraqi Government. So what laws does Blackwater operate under?

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, this is a source of continuing discussion with the Iraqi Government. There was a -- some incidents last fall in which people lost their lives and we’re still -- those are still being investigated by the FBI. They don’t -- there’s not yet a conclusion to that investigation.

The fact that you have these questions out there is something that we have been quite concerned about for some time and, hence, the working group with the Iraqis and also the FBI investigation. The decision to renew the Blackwater contract was really done on the basis of the need to protect our people in doing their jobs. That doesn't mean that, at some point, pending the final results of the FBI investigation, you can’t go back and look at that investigation.

So we’re very sensitive to the concerns of the Iraqi Government in this regard. But, again, we have we have a requirement to do our job. We have a requirement to provide protection to our people. And I know that the Iraqi Government wants us there and wants us doing our job.

QUESTION: Just to follow up on that really fast, the -- so you’re -- I guess your comments

Nouri al-Maliki, what he said about the State Department not going through the Iraqi Government before renewing the contract. And also his advisor (inaudible) said that because Blackwater has committed acts of aggression, killed Iraqis and has not been resolved, they're not happy with Blackwater operating there and is actually impending -- it's prolonging the problems in Iraq.

MR. MCCORMACK: Right.

QUESTION: I just --

MR. MCCORMACK: Well --

QUESTION: I guess your comment on that.

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, first of all, it's fundamentally a decision for us to take about how we protect our people. That's the -- you know, the authority and responsibility with making those kind of decisions has to reside with us. Now, of course, we are going to consult very closely with the Iraqi Government in how we do our jobs. But fundamentally, we have -- we're responsible and solely responsible for protecting our people. We're also very concerned about ensuring that innocent life is protected in Iraq. That's why we have the number of troops we have there. That is why we have people on the ground in PRTs and at the Embassy doing their work.

So one of the results of this -- the incidents that took place this fall is we put in place better management controls over people doing their jobs in Iraq. And we think in place -- we have in place right now a better system. And we think it allows for people to do their job in protecting our people, but also making sure that we have the best possible management feedback that we can possibly have. So at the end of the day, everybody's working for the same goal, and that is a better, safer, more prosperous, more free Iraq. That's the Iraqi Government, that's us, those are -- and the security contractors that are helping us do our jobs.

QUESTION: And just a last comment. I read this in the transcription Friday, if the FBI investigation does come back that they should be -- all these members of Blackwater should be prosecuted for their (inaudible) on September 16^th , how will they be prosecuted? Is this in U.S. courts or in Iraqi courts?

MR. MCCORMACK: You're getting ahead of where we are. Let's let the investigation take its course. Let's see what the results are. If there's any further action that's required, then the Department of Justice is going to have the answers to those questions.

QUESTION: Can we stay on Iraq?

MR. MCCORMACK: Yeah.

QUESTION: Can we stay with Blackwater?

QUESTION: Do you want to stay on Blackwater?

QUESTION: Yes. Just to get -- try to get an answer. Did the U.S. Government seek -- did the U.S. Government consult the Iraqi Government about the decision to extend the contract?

MR. MCCORMACK: You know, I don't know. You know, I don't know what liaison there was with the Iraqi Government concerning the decision. But like I said, fundamentally, it's a decision that only we can take ourselves. We can't -- this is not something we can ask somebody else to participate in. It's talking about protecting our people and how we go about doing it. Now, of course, we're going to respect the Iraqi sensitivities, the government and the people in how we go about doing our jobs. We are there, fundamentally, to try to help them build a better Iraq. And certainly, we don't want to do anything that harms their ability to do that.

QUESTION: But if they object, that's too bad; this is your decision?

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, you know, again, this is the best way to do our job and to protect our people.

QUESTION: I just have a quick follow-up on that and also another question on Iraq. Sean, was this an interagency decision or was it just the State Department who had the --

MR. MCCORMACK: You know, I don't know, Elise. I -- it is only -- it is a decision that we are charged with taking. It is our contract. It is our people that this -- that these people are protecting. We have, obviously, a very close dialogue with DOD about these issues. And you know, part of -- you might check with the Embassy because a very significant input to the decision-making process was the assessment of Ambassador Crocker.

QUESTION: Right. But given the magnitude of the work that Blackwater does -- I mean, not only do they provide the manpower but a lot of the equipment for implementing this contract -- so if you were to -- if you didn't renew the contract, feasibly there would have been a lot of kind of planning and work involved in handing over to another contract. So how long -- I mean, was there any kind of contingency planning for the fact that if you didn't implement the contract, I mean, some people have suggested that how seriously could you really have thought about cutting the contract if you would have had so much work by now and the end of the contract to hand over to another contractor.

MR. MCCORMACK: Look, you always have Plan B. You know, there’s always a Plan B, there’s always a Plan C. But at the end of the day, you have to do what is best in terms of protecting your people and allowing your people to do their job. This was the decision that was arrived at here at the State Department among a variety of different offices, and, significantly, including Ambassador Crocker’s office, about the best way for us, at this point in time, to protect our people.

QUESTION: Just one more on Iraq. Could you give a little – kind of, what you expect to hear? I mean, I know that, as you’ve said, that this is his independent testimony. But based on the fact that Secretary Rice does know Ambassador Crocker’s views, can you at least say what – touch upon the themes that you expect him to address tomorrow?

MR. MCCORMACK: No, I’m not going to – I’m not going to preempt Ambassador Ryan Crocker. He’ll be here in less than – what, 24 – 24 hours up there on the Hill testifying. So no, I’m not going to try to provide a preview other than --

QUESTION: But I mean, what areas – without – I mean, without getting into his perceptions and impressions, I mean, what do you expect him to hit upon in terms of the situation – the political situation?

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, you know, again, I can’t get any more specific than the fact that as the ambassador on the ground, he’s going to be testifying with the commanding general, General Petraeus, on the ground. He’s going to focus primarily on the political aspects here, what are the political and economic developments in Iraq and what are the trend lines and what are the specific developments that inform those trend lines in his view. But, you know, again, I’m not going to try to preview his testimony.

QUESTION: Do you expect, given – over the last couple of weeks, though, you’ve said that you think that there is more equipment, IEDs, explosive devices coming from Iran, do you expect the testimony to touch upon Iran’s role in the situation on the ground there?

MR. MCCORMACK: I’m sure that is one aspect of the Iraq equation that people on the Hill are going to be interested in hearing about from both Ambassador Crocker and General Petraeus. I’ll let them provide you a detailed read on how they see Iran and what Iran – what the role – what role Iran is playing in Iraq right now, positive or negative. So let me just leave it at that.

QUESTION: Can we continue with Iran for a second?

MR. MCCORMACK: Sure.

QUESTION: Forgive me. I missed the top of the briefing, so if you addressed this, you know, I’ll go back and read the transcript. But were you able to nail down when Acting Under Secretary Fried is likely to meet his political director counterparts?

MR. MCCORMACK: Right. I can only narrow it down to mid-April. We’re going to wait. We’re going to let our hosts announce the meeting, so --

QUESTION: And – okay. Well, that’s helpful, even mid-April. And can you tell us whether this meeting is to discuss the possibility of amplifying on the incentives that were proffered in June of 2006?

MR. MCCORMACK: We’ll have more to say about it after we have the announcement of the meeting.

QUESTION: Would you be surprised if that’s what came up?

MR. MCCORMACK: (Laughter.) I’m sure they’re going to talk about it. Let me – let me do this for you. They’re going to talk about the disincentive path, they’re going to talk about the incentive path, and the balance between those two.

QUESTION: Just quickly, do you know what Crocker’s movements are today? Is he going to come to the State Department?

MR. MCCORMACK: I don’t. Did we check on that? No.

MR. CASEY: We did not, and to be perfectly honest --

MR. MCCORMACK: Okay.

MR. CASEY: -- he’s preparing testimony --

MR. MCCORMACK: All right.

MR. CASEY: (Inaudible.)

MR. MCCORMACK: Okay.

Yeah, Michel.

QUESTION: One more question on Egypt. Do you have any reaction on the demonstrations against the rising cost of living? Protestors clashed with security forces and dozens of people were injured or arrested.

MR. MCCORMACK: Where was this?

QUESTION: Egypt.

MR. MCCORMACK: Yeah. I haven’t seen the reports, Michel. I’m sorry.

Lachlan.

QUESTION: Yemen? Rocket attack – any details on it and what’s the security threat to American citizens there?

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, we – we have a Warden Message that has been put out, so that details what we know about it. There were, I think, three rounds of indirect fire that landed in the area of the Embassy. Nobody was hurt. Nobody was – no injuries. We still are in a state of authorized departure for people on the ground at the Embassy, so I would just point people to the previous Travel Warnings and Warden Messages that we have put out in public about the situation as we see it. We are working quite well and quite closely with the Yemeni Government on it.

Yeah.

QUESTION: This is in regards to the Egyptian elections. Not only are members and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood planning on boycotting this election, but a majority of the Egyptian people in general. So, I guess, what does it mean to democracy in Egypt, given the fact that we're one of the major supporters, financially, of Egypt, the Egyptian Government, that a majority of the Egyptian people plan on boycotting the elections for not being free and fair? Do you plan on speaking with Hosni Mubarak about a lot of the crackdown that they’ve been doing?

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, -- while we -- I don't think that there -- it's been any secret that we have talked to the Egyptian Government about the importance of political and economic reform in Egyptian society, we have emphasized the fact that this is fundamentally going to be a question that the Egyptians have to answer for themselves within the context of their laws and within the context of their constitution.

So we have been steadfast supporters of the process of economic and political reform in Egypt. You know, we -- we always encourage countries in the region and around the world to do everything that they possibly can. Is there more to do? Absolutely, there's more to do in Egypt. There's more to do in other countries around the world.

But fundamentally, they are going to have to arrive at their own decisions about the pace and the direction of this reform. What is important is that they continue to push for political and economical reform.

QUESTION: Is there a chance that perhaps the American Government could penalize the Egyptian Government for not participating in free and fair elections, as the majority of the Egyptian people believe?

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, let's let the elections take place before anybody talks about what you do in reaction to them.

Okay. Thank you.