Speeches

Statement: After Meeting Dr. Samir Ja'Ja'

Jan. 11, 2006

As I think most people know, I have been meeting a number of Lebanese political figures and officials over the past week to brief them on my government's latest thinking on developments in the region. Today, as part of this series of discussions, I appreciate the opportunity to compare notes with Dr. Ja'Ja' and hear his perspectives. 

I generally choose not to make public comments after these meetings, because it is the U.S. view that the focus should remain on the important Lebanese-to-Lebanese dialogue, not on what I have to say. But, just as I have tried to clarify our positions to Lebanese politicians and officials, I also want the Lebanese public to understand as accurately as possible the American support for Lebanon.

The United States wants to assist in a Lebanese-designed and a Lebanese-led process of renewal and reform. The United States rejects the idea, promoted by some, that a Lebanese choice of freedom and democracy will be at the expense of Lebanon’s stability and security. Foreign interference disguised as security will not bring security. The United States and its international partners understand that a successful transformation of Lebanon can only be complete when the Lebanese achieve freedom and stability, democracy and security, unity and prosperity. The United States does not support any efforts, any deals, or any promises, to trade away Lebanon's sovereignty in return for stability through foreign interference. We recognize -- what the Lebanese know from bitter experience -- that only full sovereignty can guarantee Lebanese security and provide the fertile ground for democracy to take root. Even today, we see foreign influences attempting to sow divisions among the Lebanese through manufactured pretexts, even employing violence to achieve their ends. But we are confident that the Lebanese understand the risks of division and will use their restored freedom to preserve and strengthen their country's unity.

>We are often asked whether President Bush's firm commitment to Lebanon comes at the price of Lebanese sovereignty. In fact, U.S. support is focused on helping the Lebanese restore their sovereignty. The responsibility is with the Lebanese people, with their rich diversity of backgrounds and confessions, to decide for themselves who their leaders should be and how best to manage their domestic affairs. Within that context, the Lebanese also have certain international obligations that must be fulfilled. I also note that the United States expects Syria to implement fully its own international obligations, including those regarding Lebanon's freedom and sovereignty and those related to the international investigation into the murder of Prime Minister Hariri. No “deal” can lighten or eliminate the requirement for unconditional Syrian cooperation.

>While Lebanon faces many challenges in this new year, the United States -- a country that has been so enriched by Lebanese immigration and thus knows first hand how talented and creative the Lebanese are -- remains optimistic and convinced that the Lebanese people will be able to move Lebanon forward, toward a promising future.