[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 38 (Tuesday, April 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    PASSPORT RESTRICTION TO LEBANON

                                 ______


                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 1994

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I wish to draw to the attention of my 
colleagues my recent correspondence with the Department of State on the 
subject of the restriction of the use of United States passports for 
travel to Lebanon. I wrote the Department to express my belief that the 
time has come to replace the ban on travel to Lebanon with a travel 
advisory. The Department's letter explains the administration's 
February decision to extend the travel ban for 6 months. I am aware 
that many of my colleagues conveyed their feelings on this subject to 
the administration in the weeks immediately preceding this decision. I 
hope my colleagues find this correspondence of interest.

                                    Congress of the United States,


                           House Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                Washington, DC, February 10, 1994.
     Hon. Warren M. Christopher,
     Secretary of State, Department of State, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Secretary: I write to urge you to modify the 
     current travel ban to Lebanon and replace the blanket ban 
     with a travel advisory. Such a change in policy would modify 
     the current harsh, but not fully observed, restrictions on 
     the use of United States passports for travel to Lebanon.
       There are still many serious dangers in Lebanon, and the 
     security situation there, while improving, can and should 
     improve further for unrestricted travel of Americans to the 
     country. But I think we can agree that the situation today is 
     different than it was in 1987 when the ban was initiated. 
     Last year, it is estimated that some 40,000 American citizens 
     traveled to Lebanon despite the ban.
       I consider modification of the current ban to be an 
     appropriate step, given the changed circumstances and the 
     steps Lebanon has taken to enhance security. It would also 
     send an important political message that we are committed to 
     helping the Lebanese people move forward from civil war to 
     reconstruction. I do not feel that at this time it is 
     warranted to be more restrictive on travel by Americans to 
     Lebanon than we are on travel to such countries as North 
     Korea, Algeria, Somalia, Colombia, or Bosnia where we have 
     only travel advisories.
       I appreciate your consideration of this matter and look 
     forward to hearing from you as to the results of your review 
     of this situation.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                  Lee H. Hamilton,
                                                         Chairman.
                                  ____



                            United States Department of State,

                                   Washington, DC, March 25, 1994.
     Hon. Lee H. Hamilton,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of 
         Representatives.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am responding on behalf of the 
     Secretary to your February 10 letter requesting removal of 
     the restriction on the use of United States passports for 
     travel to Lebanon.
       While Lebanon has taken significant strides toward 
     reestablishing stability, and the United States should do 
     what it can to support the efforts of the Lebanese 
     government, the safety of American citizens in that country 
     must remain our paramount concern. There has been a pattern 
     of targeting Americans in Lebanon for a long period of time. 
     While Lebanon appears now to be a safer place for its own 
     citizens, and the citizens of many other countries, this is 
     not the case for Americans. The Department continues to 
     receive credible evidence that Americans are still being 
     specifically targeted in Lebanon by Hizballah and other 
     groups hostile to the United States. While the Lebanese 
     government continues to expand its control throughout the 
     country, it does not have control of militia groups such as 
     Hizballah. These groups have freedom of movement throughout 
     Lebanon and are active, armed, and hostile to American 
     interests generally, and to American citizens specifically.
       This specific targeting of American citizens makes 
     Lebanon's situation unique. The other countries mentioned in 
     your letter have a generalized level of violence directed at 
     their own citizens, or foreigners in general. Further, 
     because of the situation in Lebanon the American Embassy 
     still is not yet fully staffed, and personnel there remain 
     under exceptionally tight security. Normal consular 
     assistance to Americans traveling to or residing in Lebanon 
     is still not possible at this time.
       For these reasons, the Secretary has decided to extend the 
     restriction on the use of the U.S. passport for travel to 
     Lebanon. However, this extension is for six months only 
     rather than for one year. During this period, the Department 
     will continue to monitor carefully the security situation to 
     determine what, if any, further steps can be taken regarding 
     modification of the passport restriction.
       I hope this information satisfactorily explains the 
     Secretary's recent decision to extend the passport 
     restriction for a six-month period. Please do not hesitate to 
     contact me if you have additional questions.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Wendy R. Sherman,
     Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs.

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