John Bolton - Hariri Assassination, Iran, & Kosovo

Remarks on the Hariri Assassination, Iran, and Kosovo

Ambassador John R. Bolton, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Remarks at a Security Council Stakeout
New York City
February 14, 2006

AMBASSADOR BOLTON: Okay, we covered a lot of ground. I don't really have anything to add, but I'd be happy to take a couple of questions.

REPORTER: (Inaudible) Hariri assassination? Can you share your thoughts about the assassination with others? Also, can you talk about the types of armament coming into the country of Lebanon? Is this a violation of 1559?

AMBASSADOR BOLTON: Well, we have noted the very peaceful demonstration in Beirut marking the death of the former Prime Minister. I think it is obviously a sad occasion for Lebanon, but it recalls to us why it is important that all members of the United Nations comply strictly with Resolution 1559, and 1595 in the related resolution, so that we can get to the bottom of who assassinated Rafiq Hariri, and I am confident that we will. That is our determination to do that, as well as to persevere in trying to make Lebanon a free, independent country again with democratically elected government in complete control of its territory. And I think it is clear that any assistance that Syria is giving, which it is, to the continued supply of weapons to armed groups inside Lebanon, is a violation of 1559.

REPORTER: (Inaudible)

AMBASSADOR BOLTON: Well, I think I will stick to the text of my remarks, which were judiciously brief and cleverly written.

REPORTER: (Inaudible)

AMBASSADOR BOLTON: I am not going to be involved in those negotiations. Ambassador Wisner will be, so I will leave that to him.

REPORTER: (Inaudible) Cancelled visits to Russia (inaudible)? Is there going to be any action in the Security Council before March 6th because of this new development?

AMBASSADOR BOLTON: Well, there is no action planned at the moment, pursuant to the agreement reached by the Permanent Five Foreign Ministers. I think the question of what reaction we will have to the very serious matter of the Iranians commencing enrichment will be for the Ministers to decide.

REPORTER: (Inaudible) Do you feel like you know anything more about Kosovo? Or has their been any progress and are these the sort of public meetings that you think are a waste of time in the Council?

AMBASSADOR BOLTON: If you think I am going to answer that question, you should have gone to have lunch. Any other questions?

REPORTER: (Inaudible) any progress in negotiation about Kosovo?

AMBASSADOR BOLTON: Well, I think the main purpose of the session was to hear the briefing by the Secretary General's Special Representative, Mr. Jessen-Peterson, and obviously to hear from President Boris Tadic, which we were pleased to do. And I think the statements were made in anticipation of the commencement of negotiations in Vienna on the 20th and beyond that, it's for everybody to draw their own conclusions from what they have heard. Any other questions?

REPORTER: Has the U.S. given a statement position on (inaudible)?

AMBASSADOR BOLTON: I don't believe we have said anything publicly on that clause. Okay? Not right now, go to lunch.

REPORTER: (Inaudible)

AMBASSADOR BOLTON: I don't have any remark beyond what Sean McCormack said in Washington yesterday. Okay, thank you very much.

Released on February 14, 2006

ENDS

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