[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 122 (Tuesday, August 23, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 74--RELATING TO THE BAN ON THE USE OF 
                   UNITED STATES PASSPORTS IN LEBANON

  Mr. MITCHELL (for himself, Mr. Dole, Mr. Pell, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. 
Levin, Mr. Helms, and Mr. Brown) submitted the following amendment; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                            S. Con. Res. 74

       Whereas on January 26, 1987, the U.S. Department of State 
     issued a prohibition on the use of U.S. passports in Lebanon, 
     creating in effect a ban on travel to Lebanon by U.S. 
     citizens;
       Whereas the ban on travel to Lebanon was instituted during 
     a time of civil war, anarchy, and general lawlessness in 
     Lebanon, when the safety and well-being of U.S. citizens were 
     at particular risk as evidenced by the bombing of the U.S. 
     marine barracks and the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, in which a 
     total of 258 U.S. citizens were killed, as well a by the 
     taking of U.S. hostages by terrorists;
       Whereas the civil war in Lebanon ended in 1990 and the last 
     U.S. hostage held in Lebanon was freed on December 2, 1991;
       Whereas the security situation in Lebanon was improved 
     demonstrably since the end of the civil war;
       Whereas the United States returned its Ambassador to 
     Lebanon on November 28, 1990, and the United States maintains 
     an economic and military assistance program in Lebanon;
       Whereas it is estimated that more than 40,000 U.S. citizens 
     traveled safely to Lebanon in 1993 either in defiance of the 
     ban or under current U.S. regulations which permit the use of 
     passports by dual Lebanese-U.S. nationals and in urgent 
     humanitarian cases;
       Whereas the government of Lebanon has made considerable 
     progress in reasserting sovereignty and control over 
     significant portions of Lebanon despite the fact that the 
     Taif Accords have yet to be fully implemented;
       Whereas The Lebanese government has initiated a 10 year, 
     $18 billion reconstruction effort, and in 1993 awarded more 
     than 100 contracts worth $2.4 billion to business firms for 
     development, reconstruction and consulting projects;
       Whereas the ban on the use of U.S. passports in Lebanon 
     creates a major impediment to U.S. firms that wish to bid for 
     contracts in Lebanon;
       Whereas it is in the U.S. national interest for U.S. firms 
     to participate in reconstruction of Lebanon, as U.S. 
     participation will bring economic benefit to the United 
     States and help to create a stable and sound infrastructure 
     in Lebanon;
       Whereas the U.S. Secretary of State must give paramount 
     consideration to the safety and security of U.S. citizens in 
     regulating their travel abroad;
       Whereas in regulating the travel of U.S. citizens abroad, 
     the U.S. Secretary of State has a variety of options, 
     including instituting a Travel Advisory for countries where 
     U.S. citizens are deemed at risk or have been attacked, as 
     has been done for such countries as Bosnia, Rwanda, Somalia, 
     Haiti, Colombia, Peru, the Philippines and Turkey: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That
       (1) in determining whether to restrict the use of U.S. 
     passports in any country, the Secretary of State should apply 
     consistent criteria;
       (2) in deciding whether to extend the ban on the use of 
     U.S. Passports in Lebanon, the Secretary of State should--
       (a) give paramount consideration to the need to ensure the 
     safety of U.S. citizens;
       (b) give full consideration to the improved security 
     situation in Lebanon, the effect of the ban on the 
     opportunities for U.S. businesses, and the impact of the ban 
     on U.S. interests in Lebanon and the Middle East;
       (c) give full consideration to whether U.S. interests would 
     be more effectively served by removing the ban on the use of 
     U.S. passports in Lebanon, and instituting instead a Travel 
     Advisory for Lebanon;
       (2) the Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy of 
     this concurrent resolution to the Secretary of State.

  Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. President, today I am submitting legislation, along 
with Senators Dole, Pell, Moynihan, Levin, Helms, and Brown, urging the 
United States Secretary of State to give full consideration to 
replacing the ban on the use of United States passports for travel to 
Lebanon with a travel advisory.
  The travel ban was imposed by then-Secretary of State George Shultz 
in 1987 at the height of the Lebanese civil war, when terrorists were 
taking United States citizens hostage and Beirut was being leveled. 
Lebanon's civil war is now over. The last kidnaping of a United States 
citizen in Lebanon occurred in 1987, and all hostages previously held 
there have been released.
  Lebanon has made great strides since then. The security situation has 
improved significantly and the Government of Lebanon has extended its 
control over most of the country. Reconstruction and development 
efforts are also well underway. Since 1993, the Lebanese Government has 
awarded more than 100 contracts worth $2.4 billion to businesses for 
development, reconstruction, and consulting projects.
  The United States, however, is missing out on the rebuilding of 
Lebanon's infrastructure. American firms are losing lucrative contracts 
because they are not allowed to send personnel to Lebanon. Downgrading 
the travel ban would allow United States business people to take part 
in rebuilding the country's economy and would promote United States-
Lebanese ties. Countries more dangerous for American travelers than 
Lebanon, such as Bosnia, Haiti, Colombia and Peru, are only issued a 
travel advisory. Lebanon should be given the same consideration.
  Mr. President, the Secretary of State must determine by August 24, 
whether the travel ban for Lebanon should be extended. Clearly, the 
safety of United States citizens must be foremost when considering any 
change in United States policy regarding travel to Lebanon. The 
resolution I have introduced today urges the Secretary of State, when 
reviewing the travel ban, to give paramount consideration to the need 
to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens.
  The concurrent resolution also asks the Secretary of State to fully 
consider:
  Improvements in the overall security situation in Lebanon;
  The effect of the travel ban on U.S. business opportunities;
  The impact of the ban on United States interests in Lebanon; and,
  Whether U.S. interests would be more effectively served by 
downgrading the travel ban to a travel advisory.
  It is my hope that the Secretary of State will fully and seriously 
consider modifying the prohibition on travel to Lebanon. I share the 
State Department's concerns about the security of Americans in Lebanon, 
but also believe that greater United States participation in Lebanon's 
redevelopment will strengthen peace and stability there. Such 
involvement will also promote United States exports and enhance 
longstanding United States-Lebanese ties.

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