Media Alert

For Immediate Release

 Samuel Berger Addresses National Press Club on US Foreign Policy

The Muslim Magazine represented at head table

 (WASHINGTON, DC – 1/10/99) – Last week, National Security Advisor Samuel “Sandy” Berger addressed the National Press Club at a foreign policy luncheon/news conference reflecting on the past year’s busy, intensive year for American foreign policy and looking toward the challenges the new millenium brings. The Muslim Magazine, an Islamic Supreme Council of America affiliate, was represented at the head table with Mr. Berger alongside Reuters, Bloomberg, Financial Times and other key news agencies.

Addressing the over 200 editors, journalists and news executives in the press club’s prestigious ballroom, the president’s national security advisor recalled the revitalization of the Middle East peace process, the defeat of ethnic cleansing in Kosova, a WTO agreement with China and economic recovery in Asia.

Mr. Berger summarized a decade of US foreign policy accomplishments, noting a number of issues of particular interest to the Muslim community: A revitalized Middle East peace process with the Wye Accords being implemented; genuine engagement between Israel and Syria and the Palestinians on peace; the defeat of ethnic cleansing in Kosova and Balkan integration into Europe; democratic transitions in Nigeria and Indonesia; the future of Cyprus and a Caspian pipeline agreement that affects US energy future and the independence of the new nations of Central Asia.

Speaking of the revitalized Middle East peace process, Mr. Berger stated, “The parties in the Syrian-Israeli negotiations and the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations have a common goal in sight and the common sense to see that there is an historic opportunity to achieve it now. “ Addressing a number of audience questions Mr. Berger noted that differences remain between the parties involved, concluding “I don't think one can predict the outcome, except to say that I think that they are serious, and we are going to spare no effort to try to move the process forward.”

Mr. Berger mentioned the far-reaching action by law enforcement and security agencies around the world in response to threats of terrorism at the start of the new millenium. “The last weeks of 1999 saw the largest U.S. counter-terrorism operation in history,” he said.  The result: “Terrorist cells were disrupted in eight countries and attacks were almost certainly prevented,” Mr. Berger affirmed.

Regarding Chechnya, Mr. Berger emphasized that Russia’s current approach is wrong, saying, “[Russia] is inviting far more serious problems for itself than it can possibly be solving.… Russia is paying a price for its conduct in Chechnya.”

In a private reception held before the news conference, Berger met with a few individuals, including Ms. Dilshad Fakroddin, representing The Muslim Magazine, an affiliate of the Islamic Supreme Council of America. When presented with the most recent copy of the magazine, Mr. Berger complimented the publication and wished the magazine staff and Islamic Supreme Council of America continued success in their endeavors.