2005 press releases

Transcript: Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs C. David Welch

Press availability following meeting with Minister of Justice Charles Rizk

October 12, 2005

Assistant Secretary Welch: Thank you Mr. Minister. Thank you ladies and gentlemen.

I had a very, very good discussion with His Excellency the Minister of Justice this afternoon. It’s our belief in the United States that the new government in Lebanon has ambitious, creative ideas for economic and political reform, and that the international community, led by the United States, should be in a position to support them. Of course, that involves enriching our dialogue on issues such as the judicial system here, as Lebanon looks to build this institution for the future. This is an interesting and complex topic, and I appreciate the opportunity, Mr. Minister, to hear your views and ideas on how to face this together.

We also discussed the course of the investigations of some of the crimes that have been committed here recently in Lebanon. We, the United States, stand firmly with the people of Lebanon, led by this new government, in insuring that the truth about what happened— including the assassination of the late former Prime Minister Rafik Harriri—is revealed. We agreed that these perpetrators should be brought to justice. I appreciate the Minister’s assessment of the situation here and what the international community, including the United States, can do to be supportive as the investigations continue.

At the heart of this is our support for the freedom, independence and sovereignty of Lebanon—from that, all else flows. For any nation, and including for Lebanon, the protection of freedom and sovereignty lies with the ability of a viable independent judicial system to do its job. That remains a very, very important concern of this government and we want to be supportive in insuring that is the case.

I also expressed to His Excellency the Minister our condemnation of some of the acts that have occurred here and which, regrettably, have occurred with regularity recently. Today I visited May Chidiac in the hospital and I must say I was stunned by this woman’s courage and vitality in the face of her grievous injuries. May is a symbol of what Lebanon is like, and represents the deep desire of the Lebanese have for a better future for their homeland and their enormous courage in trying to ensure that Lebanon is a better stronger place, even while such criminals commit these horrible acts. We, the United States, stand firmly with the people of Lebanon as they face these challenges.

Mr. Minister, once again, thank you very much. I’m honored and have the pleasure of seeing you here today. I’ll take one question.

Question: (off mike… Ghazi Kenaan)

Assistant Secretary Welch: Well, I am here visiting Lebanon, not Damascus. I heard this news and this is a big event there. We’ll see what import it has but I am here in Lebanon today to work on issues concerning us and the Lebanese government and the Lebanese people.

Question: (off mike… UNIIIC Mehlis report)

Assistant Secretary Welch: I honestly don’t know what will be in Mr. Mehlis’ report. I know there are great expectations here in Lebanon but I would like to say to you all, you will be among the first to see the report when it comes to the Security Council, and we will see then what is in it. We are pleased to see that there is support for the Lebanese system of justice, through a United Nations Security Council resolution. We believe it is very important that justice be done at this time, as it is important that justice be done in these other crimes. The international community would like to support that, but we don’t offer substitute ourselves for the conclusions that this investigation, or other Lebanese investigations, may reach.