speeches 2008

Comments for farewell dinner hosted by MP Saad Hariri, Qoreitem

January 17, 2008

Saad, thank you for the warm welcome and the warm words.  Friends, thank you for honoring me tonight with your presence.   

Let me admit that this is not an easy period for me:  I am trying to come up with appropriate words to say farewell and thank you to people who have meant so much to be personally.  I am looking to reinforce at every occasion the enduring nature of the U.S.-Lebanese partnership.  Yet I am doing so while murderers continue to try to undermine Lebanon's democracy, independence, and security.  Whether the victims are Lebanese or foreign, an attack against a diplomatic target is an attack against Lebanon and an attack against all of us.  Such an attack is intended to be a message.  But it is a message that will fail to find support.  The message of an independent and democratic Lebanon supported by a strong regional and international partnership is a more attractive, promising and lasting message than murder and occupation.

Saad, I am here to tell you and our friends and colleagues that U.S. support for Lebanon is unshakeable.  I cannot think of a better venue than the house of late Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri from which to deliver that message.  In addition, the house of Rafiq Hariri, who gave his life for Lebanon's freedom, is a most appropriate place for me to express my admiration of the courage, creativity and sacrifices of the Lebanese people.

Prime Minister Hariri first welcomed me to this house in August 2004, when I was a newly arrived U.S. Ambassador.  I did not know then, of course, that I would have only six months to work with that remarkable man, whose commitment to, and love of, Lebanon were legendary.  But during those six months, his vision for a prosperous, united, secure and democratic Lebanon impressed me deeply. 

Prime Minister Hariri, as much a visionary in politics as he was in business, saw well beyond the immediate problems of an occupying army and a foreign-funded militia.  He looked toward a Lebanon where the Lebanese would be in charge of Lebanon, and where they would work together, as Lebanese, to advance Lebanese, not outside, interests.  He deployed his prominence and considerable powers of persuasion to establish the foundations for strong regional and international political and financial backing for Lebanon.  He aimed at a "made-in-Lebanon" rather than "made-in-Anjar" government, a cabinet enjoying both parliamentary confidence and international credibility.  He strived for parliament members elected in Lebanon, not selected by outsiders.   That vision, of course, is exactly what led those threatened by an independent Lebanon to murder him, and to murder others.  But the assassins could not erase that vision.   

Saad, I applaud you for your courage, and I salute your work as head of a Parliamentary bloc and political movement in continuing your father's legacy, in taking risks to pursue his vision in order to benefit all of Lebanon.  Under your leadership and with the firm commitment of your March 14 colleagues, the sacrifice of February 14 has led to genuine progress in converting those elements of Rafiq Hariri's vision for Lebanon into reality.  In addition, you have proven to be one of Lebanon's strongest defenders, locally, regionally, and internationally.   

I am proud that the United States has been a partner with you, Saad, and with the Lebanese people, as you work to secure the independent, secure, prosperous, united, and democratic Lebanon that was the goal of Prime Minister Hariri and that all Lebanese deserve.  Working with our allies, we have helped sponsor numerous Security Council Resolutions with the goal of protecting Lebanon.  Our political and financial support for the Special Tribunal is aimed not only at getting to the truth behind the murder of Prime Minister Hariri and others, but at stopping, once and for all, the sad era of assassination with impunity.  Along with others, we have employed our foreign relations to keep Lebanon high on the international agenda.  Responding to Lebanese requests and needs, we have committed over one billion dollars in grant aid to Lebanon in the past 18 months.  Our assistance has gone toward strengthening the police and army, toward debt relief, toward humanitarian relief, and toward institution building, to name only a few areas. 

All of us in this room know that Lebanon continues to face many challenges.  We have a lot of unfinished business to fulfill the promise of March 14 and to achieve Prime Minister Hariri's vision for Lebanon.  As we saw only two days ago, there are powerful forces that would employ murder and mayhem to reverse the progress made since 2005.  As those of you in this room know, the dangers are all too real.  But I am convinced that the March 14 values of freedom and democracy will triumph over those who would use shameful means to undermine and cripple your constitutional institutions, who would murder your citizens and officials.  Let us hope that the next step forward occurs next week, with the election of a new president.  Consistent with Arab League efforts to resolve the political impasse, the United States calls on those who have been intentionally perpetuating the presidential vacuum through non-constitutional demands to proceed immediately with elections, in accordance with Lebanon's constitution.

While I leave Lebanon soon, the U.S.-Lebanese partnership remains unshakeable and unchanged.  President Bush as well as Congressional Democrats and Republicans, along with the American people themselves, have a firm, enduring, and non-negotiable commitment to Lebanon. 

Saad, I assure you that my own commitment to Lebanon will remain strong, wherever I serve.   In addition to the admiration I feel for the courage and determination of the Lebanese people, I also feel a tremendous debt to all of you for the warm friendship and generous hospitality you offered me for more than three years.  I pledge to you to do the best I can to repay that debt, by continuing to work to promote and strengthen the U.S.-Lebanese partnership that is so much in the interest of both of our peoples.  Long live our friendship, long live Lebanon!