********************** Declan McCullagh ********************** http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/9905/990514db.html U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing INDEX FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1999 Briefer: JAMES P. RUBIN ... QUESTION: I asked about this yesterday and it was unclear then, and it seems to have gotten from unclear to muddy, and now opaque, finally - (Laughter.) -- and that is about the -- MR. RUBIN: I'll do my best to get it back to muddy. QUESTION: Yes, exactly. The cutting off Internet access -- MR. RUBIN: It's no longer going to be muddy when I'm finished with you. QUESTION: All right, good. I may have a follow-up, depending on what your answer is. MR. RUBIN: We are aware of press reports that the executive order passed two weeks ago limits Internet access to the population of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and there is no truth to allegations that we are attempting to cut off the flow of information to Serbia. While the executive order prescribes commerce with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia -- that is proscribes - in a range of areas, information and access to information are exempted from such sanctions. In fact, full and open access to the Internet can only help the Serbian people know the ugly truth about the atrocities and crimes against humanity being perpetrated in Kosovo by the Milosevic regime. The Serbian people deserve to access independent and objective information, whether by the Internet or other media. We encourage the people of Serbia to use the Internet and other open media to challenge the misinformation they are receiving from the Milosevic press within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Is it at least clearer? QUESTION: Yes, almost crystal. (Laughter.) MR. RUBIN: Almost crystal - that's pretty good to go from muddy to almost crystal. QUESTION: Opaque, actually. How did this misunderstanding arrive? Was it ever considered? MR. RUBIN: Well, I think yesterday I took the question; and today I'm giving you the answer. QUESTION: Yes. Right. But I mean, in your volumes of research and hours you spent on the phone, I'm sure, trying to find out the answer to this, did you discover was this ever an intent, or was this ever considered? You don't know? MR. RUBIN: No. ... ******************************************************************************** ROLUX h0444wol@rz.hu-berlin.de http://www2.hu-berlin.de/~h0444wol/rolux/