2006 press releases
Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations Visits Beirut
May 15, 2006Statement at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants
I'm pleased to begin my first visit to Lebanon by meeting with Foreign Minister Fawzi Sallouk. I had the pleasure of meeting Minister Sallouk in Washington D.C. when he accompanied Prime Minister Siniora and other members of the Lebanese government, for talks there. My visit today is an opportunity to follow up on issues of mutual interest to our two countries that we discussed last month.
I expressed to the Foreign Minister, the firm, enduring and non-negotiable support of the United States for Lebanon. In this regard, I discussed the ongoing efforts by the United States, working in tandem with France and the United Kingdom, to ensure that the United Nations Security Council provides its full backing to Lebanon to fully realize its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. I discussed the importance of a strong follow on resolution to UNSCR 1559 to achieve that goal, and conveyed to the Foreign Minister the commitment of my government to that end. I acknowledged the importance of Lebanon's National Dialogue in promoting discussion on some of Lebanon's most challenging issue. Discussion and dialogue are the essence of democracy.
I also underscored the importance the U.S accords to the work of the United Nations Independent International Investigations Commission in pursuing its investigation to its ultimate conclusions, wherever they may lead. The United States will not make any deal with Syria or anyone else in the international community at the expense of the freedom of Lebanon.
I look forward to a series of meetings today with a broad range of Lebanese. I will use these opportunities to highlight President Bush's strong commitment to Lebanon and the Lebanese people to promote freedom and democracy in Lebanon, in the region and throughout the world.
Statement Following meeting with Minister of Justice Charles Rizk
I have just had a very useful meeting with Minister of Justice Charles Rizk and with judges Choukri Sadr and Ralph Riachy. I appreciate very much Minister Rizk's insights and appreciate the time he and his colleagues gave to meet with me today. My meeting at the Ministry of Justice today aimed to affirm U.S. support for the efforts of the Government of Lebanon in promoting respect for the rule of law in Lebanon. This is an essential step towards establishing a strong, united and democratic Lebanon. To that end, the United States applauds the consensus that has developed as a result of Lebanon's National Dialogue on the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission and on the establishment of a special tribunal of international character.
The United States pledges to support Lebanon—in partnership with the international community—in identifying and bringing to justice those responsible for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The long, sad list of unsolved political assassinations in Lebanon must have an end. The UNIIIC is an important step in bringing into the light, those who have for too many years operated in the dark shadows of Lebanon's political life.
The United States offers its full support to the Government of Lebanon as its works to instill professionalism and pride, accountability and transparency in the employees of all its ministries and government bodies. The United States shares the Lebanese people's vision of a secure, united and democratic Lebanon, with justice and dignity for all.
Statement Following meeting with Prime Minister Siniora
I am delighted to be in Beirut on my first visit to Lebanon. As Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Organizations, Lebanon has occupied a lot of my time and attention at the Department of State. I'm pleased to be able to visit Lebanon now, after Prime Minister Siniora's recent visit to the United States, to follow up on the very useful discussions held in Washington.
President Bush has made U.S. support for Lebanon a priority. During the Prime Minister's visit, the President underscored the commitment of the United States to help achieve ";the desire of the Lebanese people to have a government responsive to their needs and a government that is free." My visit today is part of this commitment, to offer support to the democratically-elected Government of Lebanon, and to the Lebanese people to achieve their goals of sovereignty and independence.
I appreciate the very useful and informative exchange I had with Prime Minister Siniora this afternoon, and thank him for giving so generously of his time. This meeting has capped a day of interesting conversations with Government of Lebanese officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Fawzi Sallouk, Members of Parliament, political figures and civic activists. I've also had a wonderful opportunity to meet, what I hope, is the next generation of Lebanese young leaders during a fascinating discussion with Lebanese American University's award-winning Model United Nations team.
My meeting with Prime Minister Siniora today offered the opportunity for me to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to Lebanon, and particularly, to underscore our partnership with the international community to support Lebanon. In that context, I shared with the Prime Minister our efforts in the United Nations Security Council to see the adoption of a strong follow on resolution to UNSCR 1559. Our goal—one that is shared by our partners France and the United Kingdom— is a resolution that encourages the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 1559, including the delineation of the Lebanon-Syria common border, the establishment of full diplomatic relations, disarmament of militias in Lebanon, and an end to arms smuggling into Lebanon.
The U.S. recognizes the important role the Lebanese government is playing in advancing these goals, too, and I note the very positive results of the National Dialogue in this respect. We applaud the participants in the National Dialogue for tackling these issues and we hope to see a Lebanese process to implement them.
My meeting with Prime Minister Siniora also offered an opportunity for me to re-affirm the importance my government attaches to the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission and to its mission in identify those responsible for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. As President Bush promised Prime Minister Siniora in Washington, ";We'll work with the international community to see that justice is done." What I've recognized even more after my meetings today is the significance of Lebanon's National Dialogue in producing consensus on the UNIIIC and the establishment of a special tribunal of international character.
When Prime Minister Siniora was in Washington, President Bush noted the ";great tradition of Lebanon to serve as a model of entrepreneurship and prosperity." I can now tell the President that he was absolutely right: Beirut is one of the great international cities. The spirit of the Lebanese people, their dedication to leave behind forever the years of civil strife, to overcome a legacy of occupation and oppression, and to build a united, prosperous, democratic, sovereign state is inspiring. And Americans, who more than 230 years ago were engaged in a similar struggle, acknowledge the challenges, but also offer a wholehearted and enthusiastic pledge of support.
We've said it many times—and these words have meaning—the United States remains firm in its commitment to Lebanon. Ours is an enduring and non-negotiable commitment to Lebanon and its people. The United States and Lebanon—two diverse and democratic nations, with strong ties of affection between our two peoples— have a strong future together. That future is one of peace and prosperity, of justice and dignity, and of boundless opportunity for all to enjoy the fruits of a better life.
