| Press Availability Richard Boucher, Spokesman Enroute Pretoria, South Africa May 24, 2001 Press Remarks enroute Pretoria, South Africa
MR. BOUCHER: First of all, reiterating that the White House makes all presidential announcements, I am not in a position to do that. But I can say that in news stories there were two individuals named: Mr. Kreczko and Mr. Klink. Both of these individuals have been considered for the position of Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees and Migration. They are both excellently qualified. Of course, the Secretary knows Mr. Kreczko as Acting Assistant Secretary, and he has done a terrific job and is very important in that capacity now. The Secretary, contrary to what it says in one of the news articles, the Secretary has indeed met with Mr. Klink, met with him last Friday, and they had a very good discussion and a good meeting. These two individuals have been under consideration. The Secretary has met with them both and, obviously in the end, there is one job. One person will have to be chosen, and the White House will make that announcement in due course. QUESTION: Is the Secretary pressured to take Mr. Klink? MR. BOUCHER: Again, that is about as far as I can go now. The Secretary has met with both. He thinks they are both well qualified -- excellent qualifications for this job. QUESTION: (inaudible)…either candidate their views on condom use? MR. BOUCHER: I don’t know. QUESTION: (inaudible) …made their announcement? MR. BOUCHER: Whenever the White House decides. QUESTION: Does the Secretary have any reservations about Mr. Klink at all? MR. BOUCHER: As I said, the Secretary considers both of them to be excellent candidates for this job. QUESTION: Where did his nomination come from? MR. BOUCHER: That is not something I can get -- I don’t know. It is not something I can get into anyway. QUESTION: How can the…appointment…represent his population policy? MR. BOUCHER: That is what is known as a hypothetical question. I’m sure whenever the White House makes a personnel announcement they make it with a statement. They accompany it with a statement describing the individual’s qualifications. Obviously, all these people go to the advice and consent of the Senate. So once the person is announced, in due course there will be ample opportunity to ask any questions people want to. QUESTION: Is it the policy of the Administration to encourage condom use to prevent the spread of HIV? MR. BOUCHER: We, as you have heard from the Secretary, we encourage prevention, very active prevention, programs that involve a whole lot of things, including the use of condoms. |
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