2006 Speeches
Statement by Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman Following His Meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri
November 3, 2006
As always, I greatly appreciate having the opportunity to meet with Speaker Berri, whose wisdom and leadership have been especially important to Lebanon in these recent, difficult months. I briefed the Speaker on my consultations in Washington, where I heard inspiring testimony from across the political spectrum of our strong commitment to Lebanon's independence. In the view of the United States, it is not enough to support Lebanon's survival — we must work collectively to ensure Lebanon's economic and democratic revival. It was clear from all my meetings in Washington that Speaker Berri and the Lebanese cabinet have earned the confidence of those international players who can bring resources and opportunities to Lebanon when an international conference on Lebanon convenes in early 2007.
In light of the upcoming legislative elections in the United States, I assured the Speaker that Americans, both Republican and Democrat, strongly support Lebanon's freedom and democracy. Whatever the outcome of American elections on Tuesday, the U.S. commitment to Lebanon will remain firm and non-negotiable. My recent visit to the U.S. gave me the opportunity for the first time in many years to observe our electoral process directly. I found it exciting to watch candidates — politicians who had been out of power, newcomers (many of whom were women) and incumbents — trying to earn the votes of their constituents. American elections take place every two years and those who win know they will have to face their electors again to remain in office; those who lose know they’ll have another opportunity next time. And there is always a next time at the ballot box. Whatever their disappointment, the losers know that the only route to election is participating in the process. No threats or ultimatums can change the will of the people at the polls.
I also took the occasion of my meeting today to salute Speaker Berri for his praiseworthy initiative in calling for consultations among Lebanese political leaders. In our opinion, Speaker Berri, by employing dialogue rather than confrontation, offers the Lebanese a way to move forward constructively. Given the deep and troubling political divisions in Lebanon today, Speaker Berri may need time to build consensus on the full range of critical issues facing Lebanon. But the United States has confidence that the Lebanese will demonstrate patience and understanding in giving Speaker Berri the time necessary to succeed in forging a path forward. After all, for Lebanon’s economic, financial, and commercial rebirth to take place, stability and rule of law are essential.
I assured Speaker Berri that the United States, like other friends of Lebanon, stands ready to do whatever we can to support a process by which the Lebanese themselves are freely able, without intimidation or outside interference, to exercise their own responsibility for Lebanon's future. I reiterated to the Speaker that the U.S. relationship with Lebanon is based on strong ties between the Lebanese and American peoples, rooted in particular in the success of the Lebanese-American community. I noted that U.S.-Lebanese relations are conducted through embassies and formal diplomatic recognition of each other's independence and sovereignty. Our relations with Lebanon are based on the rule of law, in accordance with international standards, and are based on our shared respect for democracy, diversity, and monopoly of the state in questions of war and peace.
We wish Speaker Berri much success in the consultations he will lead in the coming weeks. We know from our Lebanese friends and contacts how difficult the issues are facing Lebanon. These consultations are, in our view, a real opportunity for the Lebanese to determine for themselves a peaceful, and constitutional, way forward.
