DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE ARMITAGE ON GUUAM MEETING

Following is the text from a televised interview by Deputy Secretary of State Armitage on GUUAM given on Monday, June 4, 2001

QUESTION: The leaders of the GUUAM states are meeting in Yalta June 6 and 7th...What can we expect from this meeting?

ARMITAGE: Well the five nations who comprise the GUUAM grouping have been meeting informally for four years or so now. So it strikes me that they'll be coming to some decision whether they can have closer and more formal coordination as they plot their futures together.

QUESTION: What are some of these common regional interests that would bind them?

ARMITAGE: Oh, I think that quite clearly, regional energy interests binds them. A search for regional business development might be on the table. Telecommunications would be something. I think that they have customs discussions and some immigration issues. There are many things that bind them and cause them to work more closely together.

QUESTION: Is it purely an economic grouping, then?

ARMITAGE: Well I mentioned primarily economics. I don't want to speak for the GUUAM Group... I would think that there are certainly political considerations and social issues as well. But I think that it's primarily economics.

QUESTION: Do you see this as sort of an anti-Russian grouping?

ARMITAGE: No. Quite the contrary, I don't think any of the states who comprise the GUUAM group would take issue of the fact that they've got an important relationship with the Russian Federation. They have in the Russian Federation an extraordinarily vibrant trading partner. So I don't see this in any way, shape, or form anti-Russian.

QUESTION: What are the prospects for cooperation between the United States and GUUAM?

ARMITAGE: I think that they're quite good. In November of last year the then Secretary of State made some very positive comments about GUUAM. I've had an interest in the GUUAM group before I took this job. And I've actually met with the GUUAM ambassadors as a group. I find that these nations working together can raise the level of their voice, make sure that they're not overlooked – and I think that they can look forward to a very positive cooperation with the United States. Thank you.