22 January 1999
(Jan. 22: Albright, Kukan press briefing) (2440) Washington -- "Slovakia is on its way to reclaiming its rightful place as a full partner, both on the Continent and the world stage," said Secretary of State Madeleine Albright during a joint press briefing with Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan of the Slovak Republic January 22. Albright cited the elections last September in which the Slovak public "voted, overwhelmingly, to elect a coalition that is committed to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions." She added that "During our meeting today, I congratulated the Foreign Minister on the bold steps the Dzurinda government is taking to solidify democratic practices and ensure the inclusion and fair treatment of minorities.... I reiterated U.S. support for Slovakia's aspirations to join NATO [the North Atlantic Treaty Organization], the European Union, and the OECD [Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development]." Kukan said, "Slovakia wants to be a reliable partner for our partners in those organizations. In my talks with the Secretary of State, I emphasized that Slovakia wants to bring its own contribution to the stability of the region of Central Europe. We appreciate very much the assistance the U.S. government was giving to Slovakia, and is giving to Slovakia. I very much appreciate the promise of the U.S. government to help us in the future." Albright said she and Kukan also discussed the situation in Kosovo during their meeting. They then answered press questions about the ABM treaty, Slovakia's aspirations to join NATO, and Kosovo. Following is a transcript of the press briefing: (Begin transcript) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman REMARKS BY SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT AND FOREIGN MINISTER EDUARD KUKAN OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC January 22, 1999 Washington, D.C. SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Good morning. I am very pleased to welcome an old friend, Eduard Kukan, on his first trip to Washington as Foreign Minister of a new and forward-looking Slovakia. In elections last September, more than 84 percent of Slovak voters went to the polls -- a remarkable number. They voted, overwhelmingly, to elect a coalition that is committed to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. A year ago, I told former President Kovac that I feared Slovakia could become a "hole in the map of Europe." Today, after just three months of the new government, such fears are rapidly receding. For Slovakia is on its way to reclaiming its rightful place as a full partner, both on the Continent and the world stage. During our meeting today, I congratulated the Foreign Minister on the bold steps the Dzurinda government is taking to solidify democratic practices and ensure the inclusion and fair treatment of minorities. The Slovak people may be proud that they are placing tolerance at the heart of their law, and law at the heart of their state. We also discussed the challenges facing the Slovak economy, including the dire economic situation the present government inherited from its predecessors. Foreign Minister Kukan described the necessary reforms the Prime Minister is undertaking to address these problems and attract foreign investment and trade. I assured him that the United States is committed to helping Slovakia pass this most difficult test. I reiterated U.S. support for Slovakia's aspirations to join NATO, the European Union, and the OECD. With respect to NATO, the United States is convinced the Slovak government is committed to the reforms required, but I stressed to the Foreign Minister the need to stay on target. If Slovakia continues these reforms and keeps improving its relations with its neighbors, no one should doubt that it will be a strong candidate. Finally, we discussed the perilous situation in Kosovo, and the need for international solidarity in responding to the horrific violence of recent days. I welcome Slovakia's decisive condemnations of the massacres at Racak and its support of the NATO and OSCE [Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe] roles in Kosovo. This is yet another sign of the responsible role it is playing in the international community. It is but one small example of the many ways in which the relationship between the United States and the new Slovakia is becoming broader, deeper and stronger. So with that, let me turn to my colleague, Foreign Minister Kukan. FOREIGN MINISTER KUKAN: Thank you very much. Ladies and gentleman, I came to Washington to present the new phase of Slovakia -- a new phase of the country, which is being formed after the last year's September parliamentary elections which brought the new government of Slovakia; which is committed to turn Slovakia into a democratic country, with the rule of law, respect for human rights and market economy; to bring Slovakia back to the family of democratic nations, where it really belongs. The time the government has been in office is short, so far, but I'm sure that the new government already shows the clear determination to fulfill its foreign policy goals: The integration of Slovakia into the European and transatlantic structures. Slovakia wants to be a reliable partner for our partners in those organizations. In my talks with the Secretary of State, I emphasized that Slovakia wants to bring its own contribution to the stability of the region of Central Europe. We appreciate very much the assistance the U.S. government was giving to Slovakia, and is giving to Slovakia. I very much appreciate the promise of the U.S. government to help us in the future. We know that we have to do the work back home by ourselves. We do not ask for any discounts. We know that we shall be in a position to achieve the goals which the new government set forth. We really want to bring new quality into our relations with the United States. We want, really, to be a reliable partner. Concerning Kosovo, Slovakia is participating. I know that the best solution is being looked for now. Whatever it is, Slovakia will be part of it. Thank you. QUESTION: Madame Secretary, the Russian Foreign Minister says he opposes any amendment to the ABM treaty. Will you have anything to ease his concern in the coming days? SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Yes, actually, I spoke to the Russian Foreign Minister this morning. We were primarily talking about Kosovo, but we also spoke about the large agenda of items that we will have to talk about when I get to Moscow. Arms control is clearly one of the central issues. Let me say that, as I will say to him, and I actually said on an interview which will appear on Russian television, I think, on Sunday, that we are committed to the essential, basic, strategic aspects of the ABM [Anti-Ballistic Missile] treaty. It's the basis of an arms control regime that has now existed for decades, and one that we are committed to. I think that we, however, have many new threats with which to deal. We need to make sure that we are able to fulfill our responsibilities regarding our own defense. But, there need be no concerns about withdrawal. There has always been the possibility for either country to withdraw from the ABM, if it so decides by its supreme national interest. We are -- as I've stated, the ABM is the basis of most of our strategic thinking. We are going to have a very -- having a serious discussion internally, and we'll have one with the Russians. This is very much the basis of what we will be talking about. QUESTION: Madame Secretary, how many more particular proofs, concrete proofs, would you like to see, or would you need to see, for Slovakia to prove and show that we are one of the members that should be considered for membership in NATO? SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: I will answer in English, though I could answer -- first of all, I think we all know that membership in NATO is a privilege, and a responsibility, and not a gift. As the Foreign Minister said, Slovakia is not asking for any discounts. But as we have generally looked at candidates for NATO membership, there has been a whole set of requirements that go with it: civilian control over the military; a military that is interoperable, capable -- a whole host of responsibilities that the Foreign Minister knows. I think that the past few years in Slovakia, clearly, were very difficult, and did not permit Slovakia to get itself ready for those kinds of responsibilities, as I think the current government understands. But, I think that they are on a good track, and that our relationships, through Partnership for Peace and a variety of other contacts, as the Foreign Minister mentioned -- participation in Kosovo and the KVM [OSCE-sponsored Kosovo Verification Mission] -- those are all very important parts. We will be working very closely with the Slovak Government to help get them ready. QUESTION: Madame Secretary and Foreign Minister Kukan, both please. On Kosovo, President Milosevic does not appear to be showing much flexibility, but there's some confusion about several things. Has there been a freeze put on Ambassador Walker's expulsion? Will he remain head of KVM? What happens next in this goal for peace? SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Well, let me, first of all, say that the whole crisis -- problem -- situation with Kosovo has not been resolved in any shape or form. We are in the middle of trying to deal with a very complicated situation. What happened in terms of Ambassador Walker and the freezing of the decision about his staying there is necessary, but not sufficient for resolving this crisis. It is necessary so that he can continue his work as head of mission. He will continue to be the head of the KVM mission. He needs to be able to do his work. The verifiers need to be able to do their work freely, and be able to move around, and have the necessary conditions for carrying out their work. Presumably, that is part of what has now been worked out. I spoke with Ambassador Walker last night, and I think Under Secretary Pickering spoke with him earlier this morning. I spoke with [Norwegian] Foreign Minister Vollebaek [Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE] when he was about to arrive in Pristina. I think they both know that it's very important for Ambassador Walker, and all of the KVM, to be able to carry out their duties with the kind of support that they need, in order to move around freely and follow their work. Now, I said, "necessary, but not sufficient." It's not sufficient, because there needs to be a way of investigating of what actually happened at Racak by Louise Arbour and the War Crimes Tribunal. That has not been resolved. There also are the major questions of compliance by Milosevic, primarily in terms of the agreement that he made with Ambassador Holbrooke: questions of compliance about the numbers of troops, and the MUP, and their location, and other aspects of that agreement. So that has not been resolved. We're deeply troubled by the situation as it is continuing. The Contact Group political directors have just finished their meeting in London. They have condemned the massacre in Racak. They have substantiated, or called for, the independent activities of the KVM. They want to see an investigation, and they made the same points about compliance that I just did. They also believe that it is very important for there to be early negotiations, and an intensification of the Hill-Petritsch negotiation, moving towards a political solution to this. I also think it's very important that both sides abide by the various requirements of the cease-fire, and that there not be any provocations. QUESTION: (In Slovakian to Secretary.) For Mr. Kukan, the question is, I want to ask you if you spoke about the Prime Minister's visit in the USA? SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Why do you speak to me in Slovakian? (Laughter.) QUESTION: Madame Secretary, I wanted to ask you if you would be so kind if you could tell us more specifically: What are the particular flaws of the Slovak Army? Because, if I understand it correctly, the Slovak army was evaluated as one of the best in the region. Don't you think that, perhaps, this hesitating to invite Slovakia to the table of negotiations might be advantageous for the old government? SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: First of all, I think that not only is the absence of Slovakia a hole, as I said, in the map of Europe, but the absence of democratic reforms and an appropriate attitude in the last four years are a hole in the history of Slovakia. So I think that the things that are wrong, or need to be adjusted with the Army of Slovakia have a lot to do with institutional structures, language training -- we've talked about that -- aspects of interoperability, because, after all, it was interoperable with a different alliance. A lot of activities have been positive through the Partnership for Peace, but I think that there has been a missing time here that needs to be caught up. I feel very comfortable, from the conversations that I had with the Foreign Minister, that the current Slovak Government knows what it needs to do, that it's on the right track. I think that, if I interpret all this correctly, the fact that so many Slovak people voted the way they did in this last election, that they understand why this didn't happen. So I don't think that it reverberates negatively, if this government is already working on the right track, and the United States is also making very clear that we are ready to welcome them into Western institutions generally. FOREIGN MINISTER KUKAN: Shall I answer in English or Slovak? Yes, when I said that we would like to have the new quality in the relations between the United States and Slovakia, part of it is also the political dialogue which we want to maintain systematically, and which we want to rise to the highest level possible. Within that context, we also foresee the visit of Prime Minister Dzurinda to the United States. We appreciate the busy schedule of the U.S. Administration, but we would very much like to materialize this visit, because it would be another positive message to the new government of Slovakia. QUESTION: A special name for it? FOREIGN MINISTER KUKAN: No, not yet. QUESTION: Madame Secretary, are you planning a trip to Slovakia or the region? SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Well, I don't have one on my immediate schedule, but I always enjoy my visits to Bratislava, so I hope that I will be able to arrange that. QUESTION: Thank you. (End transcript)