Speeches

Statement After Meeting with Patriarch Sfeir

March 31, 2006

Today I was pleased to have the opportunity once again to benefit from the wisdom and insights of His Eminence Patriarch Sfeir. His Eminence is always generous with his time and his analysis. On behalf of my government, I expressed admiration for his leadership of his community during this important and challenging transformational period in Lebanon's history.

I reiterated to His Eminence the strong support extended to the people and government of Lebanon by the United States. The United States, both bilaterally and through its role in international institutions such as the United Nations, will continue to play a responsible and active role as a devoted friend to the Lebanese people. Unlike some who may claim friendship, our relationship with Lebanon is based on mutual respect and is expressed through diplomatic recognition of Lebanon's independence, as well as through the many strong ties between our two peoples.

I noted that, only yesterday, Secretary of State Rice was in Paris, where she was received by President Chirac and discussed with him recent developments in Lebanon and the role of the international community in supporting the Lebanese people and their government. President Bush again renewed his commitment to helping Lebanon during a major foreign policy address this week in Washington.

I also told His Eminence how pleased the United States was with the unanimous passage on March 29 of UN Security Council Resolution 1664. This resolution is a direct result of successful consultations between the Government of Lebanon and the United Nations regarding the proposed establishment of a special tribunal. The number of Security Council Resolutions regarding Lebanon over the past couple of years, nearly all of which have passed unanimously, is a strong indication of the international commitment to Lebanon. This commitment, we believe, should provide encouragement to the Lebanese people, who know first hand that freedom and democracy are not restored overnight.

I expressed to His Eminence the strong hope of the United States that the Lebanese people will continue to look forward toward a promising future of democracy, prosperity, unity, and independence. I told him how encouraged we were by the national dialogue and by the work Prime Minister Siniora and his cabinet have devoted to developing a credible and comprehensive reform package. I told His Eminence that we had full confidence that the Lebanese people are wise enough to distinguish between cheap verbal attacks and responsible debate. As the government and the people of Lebanon tackle the challenges to enable them to move forward rather than backwards, they can count on the strong, non-negotiable support of the United States Government and its people.