News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: Stae Dept Briefing 02 APR 99

Date: April 02, 1999

NOTE: Edited by AII-POW-MIA of non-POW referenced material

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
DPB #43
FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1999
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

Briefer: JAMES P. RUBIN

MR. RUBIN: Greetings. Welcome to the State Department briefing. I have no statements. Let me go right to your questions.

QUESTION: The Yugoslavs have started the court proceedings against the three Americans. Do you have any observations to make?

MR. RUBIN: I'm not aware of precisely of what is going on inside Yugoslavia with respect to the three detained soldiers. Let me say that we've been quite clear that we don't think there is any justification for them being held, nor is there any justification for them to be undergoing a trial. The Geneva Convention, which pertains here, makes clear that these men should be accorded the following treatment: humane treatment at all times; this includes protection against acts of violence, intimidation, insults, public curiosity or reprisals; all medical attention required by their state of health; protection from any form of coercion or threat to secure any information beyond the name, rank, serial number and date of birth of the prisoner; evacuation from any area of danger; adequate food, clothing and quarters; and access by protecting powers and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Let me say that we are deeply troubled that the protecting power and the ICRC, to our knowledge, have not had access to these people who were illegally abducted.

QUESTION: Jamie, can you tell us about a communication, whether it was by note or verbally, whether it was Secretary Albright or somebody else within the State Department and the Swedish Ambassador in Belgrade?

MR. RUBIN: We have contacted the Swedes in order to try to get protecting power access to them through the Department, through diplomatic channels. But they have not been able to obtain that access, and that is troubling to us.

(EDITED BY AII POW-MIA) (End of Transcript)