DAILY PRESS BRIEFING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00845R000200830016-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 16, 2010
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: October 3, 1983
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1983, 12:10 P.M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
MR. ROMBERG: Good afternoon. One announcement.
Following the meeting between President Reagan and President
Carstens of the Federal Republic of Germany, a senior
Department official will brief on BACKGROUND in the White
House Press Briefing Room on Tuesday, October 4 at approxi-
mately 11:30 a.m.
That's it for announcements. I'll be happy to
take your questions.
0 Alan, does the United States see the recent
moves by the Druze to be the beginning of a fragmentation of
Lebanon?
A We've noted the announcement in the press
over the weekend, and also Mr. Jumblatt's public statement
that this step will in no way prejudice Druze participation
in national reconciliation talks.
It should be very clear that our support for the
principle of Lebanese unity would rule out measures by any
of the communities or factions that would perpetuate fac-
tional strife. Until we know more about the practical
effect of the measures proposed by Mr. Jumblatt, we would
have no comment on them.
We urge that the political process leading to
national reconciliation begin as soon as possible under the
leadership of President Gemayel and with the full par-
ticipation of leaders of the various Lebanese communities as
provided for in the ceasefire agreement.
0 Would you understand him to be saying that he
will still take part in this dialogue?
A As I say, he apparently indicated publicly as
well that this step in no way prejudiced Druze participation
in national reconciliation talks.
0 How do you intend to find out about -- is
there going to be a meeting with Mr. Jumblatt -- between
Jumblatt and American officials, or what?
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A Idon't know of any meeting scheduled,
Ghassan. There could well be at some point meetings. There
had been discussions from time to time, of course. I just
don't know. I saw a press report that he was in Greece, so
I don't know when he will be around to talk.
There are discussions going on all the time among
the various groups, and we are obviously, as I said at the
end of that statement, looking for the national recon-
ciliation dialogue to begin as soon as possible. So there
will obviously need to be continuing discussions leading to
that.
Q A copy of that?
A Yes, sure.
Q He also urged Druze officers to desert from
the Lebanse Army. Did you have any comment on that?
A I didn't see that. I've seen, in fact, some
reports that there were purportedly some desertions, but I
also saw in one report this morning, for example, indications
that the Lebanese commanders had let Druze leave their
units, and so on. We don't know what the facts are. We're
looking into them, but I can't confirm any of that.
Q The basis of that report, I believe, was he
addressed a Lebanese Army barracks where there were any
number of Druze militia.
A Again, I can't confirm reports until we've
seen them, but we're looking into them.
Q Any progress on the observers, the neutral
A Those discussions continue in New York and
elsewhere, but I don't have anything to report to you on
progress.
0 There was this morning of -- a report this
morning of a break of the ceasefire. Can you confirm that
or do you know anything more about it?
A The Marines have reported that two mortar
rounds impacted in the vicinity of their positions earlier
today. There were no casualties. They did not return fire,
and this appears to be an isolated incident in which fire
was not directed at the Marines.
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0 Could you look into them, especially the
mishap one?
A I will take a look. On the first one, I
don't think I will be looking at. I will look and see
if there is anything at this point that we want to say
about the second issue.
0 I apologize in advance for what may sound
like a lengthy and somewhat tendacious question, but be-
cause of it, you will understand why.
On September 15th, Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State, John Monjo, spoke to the House Foreign Affairs Com-
mittee in a policy statement regarding Cambodia, Kampuchea.
In restating U.S. policy he said -- quote -- We do
not provide aid of any kind or have any contact with the
Khmer Rouge, and our welcoming of the coalition in Cambodia
does not imply any support for the Khmer Rouge. Unquote.
In its current issue, Newsweek magazine says, "The
Central Intelligence Agency is working with the Chinese
to supply arms to the forces of former Cambodian ruler,
Pol Pot, which, of course, is the Khmer Rouge, now waging
hit and run attacks on the current Saigon-supported regime."
My question is: Was Mr. Monjo correctly stating
the policy of the U.S. Government or only the policy of
the State Department? What is the status of his statement
that the United States does not provide aid of any kind to
the Khmer Rouge?
A I.would, I guess, address that in two parts.
First of all, obviously, I can't address directly
the Newsweek point since it alleges intelligence activities,
but I would refer you to Mr. Monjo's statement as the
statement of policy of the United States Government, and I
would refer to it as a valid statement and what you should
take as our policy.
0 Could I go to one other one of a'similar
As you know, in 1975, I believe- it was, Congress
passed the so-called Clark Amendment which forbids the
United States Government, the CIA and other people, from
aiding covert, undercover activities regarding Angola.
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The current issue of Newsweek Magazine says that
CIA training, arms, and financial assistance are also given
to military forces in Ethiopia, Angola, and the Sudan.
Is the Reagan Administration abiding by the 1975
Clark Amendment, which has not been repealed?
A Don, to my knowledge, it certainly is
continuing to abide by the Clark Amendment, but I would also
suggest you might want to get reaffirmation of that from
the CIA since it affects their operations.
Q Alan, does the Administration have a position
on House Resolution 323, which is Congressman Gonzales's
resolution calling for an investigation of Henry Kissinger's
conflict of interest in his current position?
A No, I don't have anything on it?
0 Alan, is there anything new on the black
A No. The search continues. There is nothing
new, no new pings, no new developments, but, again, I would
refer you to the Pentagon, just to be sure there is nothing,
but I am pretty sure that is where we are.
Q Do you have any reaction to the
demonstrations in Moscow?
0 Alan, before asking this question, I want to
disagree with my friend, Don. I didn't think it was a
tendentious question. I thought it was a very legitimate
question that needed some preface, so I think that the
precedent has been established, and I think it was a very
good question.
A Since you like to give prefaces to your
questions. (Laughter.)
Q Right, and I think -
A Could we have the question,, Lester?
Q -- we should all have this opportunity. I
don't often agree with The Washington Post, but I think
this was a good question. (Laughter)
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