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U.S. Department of State

Daily Press Briefing

INDEX
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1999
Briefer: JAMES B. FOLEY


U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
DPB #19
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1999, 1:20 P.M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

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QUESTION: What was the purpose of the breakfast this morning between the Secretary and the Mayor?

MR. FOLEY: I don't have a detailed read-out for you, but I believe that the Secretary, first of all, was very eager to meet with the new mayor. Obviously, we have a significant interaction with DC Government and are very grateful to the support that we are receiving from the government of the District of Columbia, having to do with our security needs and requirements.

As you know, we've been undertaking upgrades to the physical security of the building and its environs. I think the Secretary wanted to thank Mayor Williams for the excellent cooperation we've enjoyed with the DC Government. I believe she was also discussing with him arrangements for the NATO Summit in April, again, another important international event for which the DC Government is contributing a lot. I think she wanted to confer with him about that. There may have been other issues that they discussed. I just haven't had a chance to get a read-out of that meeting.

QUESTION: Was the closure of C Street discussed?

MR. FOLEY: I couldn't tell you. I don't have the details.

QUESTION: Could you get an answer?

MR. FOLEY: I can look into it.

QUESTION: (Inaudible.)

MR. FOLEY:Well, I think at the time -

QUESTION: -- whether she informed him that the Department feels that it's now time to close C Street - if she informed him of that?

MR. FOLEY: A, I don't know whether she raised that; b, I don't know whether I'll be in a position to come back to you to confirm whether or not she raised that. We're not in the habit of necessarily forecasting steps we take to enhance our security. I'll look into it, but I can't promise you an answer.

QUESTION: Don't you feel like there should be a degree of public debate when the State Department goes to close down a street in a city that it doesn't run?

MR. FOLEY: Again, this is a hypothetical question. I don't know whether it was raised. It's something that, if raised, is a legitimate matter for discussion with the DC Government. But I have nothing public to say at this point, and I don't know whether it was raised.

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(The briefing concluded at 2:20 P.M.)