[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  REVIEWING THE TRAVEL BAN ON LEBANON

                                 ______


                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 21, 1995
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, the Secretary of State decided on February 
28 to renew the ban on the use of U.S. passports to travel to Lebanon. 
This decision followed United States-Lebanese security discussions in 
Washington earlier last month. While the State Department acknowledges 
that the security situation in Lebanon has improved in the past few 
years, it maintains that there continue to be significant threats to 
the security of American citizens in that country.
  I have recently spoken to several prominent Lebanese Americans who 
have visited Lebanon. They are very persuasive in arguing that the 
current travel ban impedes their legal ability to visit their families. 
I also believe that American businesses are losing the opportunity to 
compete for contracts to rebuild Lebanon. I have urged the Secretary of 
State to review the travel ban and to consider options for revising it 
in light of the changing conditions inside Lebanon.
  Given the importance of this matter for the Lebanese-American 
community, I request that my exchange of letters with the Department of 
State be entered into the Congressional Record.
                                        Committee on International


                                                    Relations,

                                Washington, DC, February 16, 1995.
     Hon. Warren H. Christopher,
     Secretary of State, Department of State, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Secretary: It is my understanding that the 
     Department of State is currently reviewing the travel ban on 
     Lebanon because the current six-month extension of the ban 
     expires later this month.
       I urge the Department to review the present total ban 
     carefully and consider options to revise the ban and take 
     steps in the direction of a combination of partial ban and 
     partial travel advisory.
       I am persuaded that Lebanon has taken a series of steps in 
     improve security in the country. I also believe that further 
     steps are needed. In this situation, however, I believe it is 
     in our national interest and in the interest of encouraging 
     further steps by Lebanon to take steps ourselves to match 
     action by Lebanon.
       The report by several prominent Lebanese Americans on their 
     trip to the country as well as the recent visit here by a 
     Lebanese Security delegation suggest changes are warranted. 
     American businesses are currently locked out of many 
     reconstruction efforts in the country and Lebanese Americans 
     are legally unable to travel to Lebanon for family 
     reunification purposes.
       I appreciate your consideration of this matter and I am 
     available if you want to discuss this matter further.
       With best regards,
           Sincerely,
                                                   Lee H. Hamilton
                                        Ranking Democratic Member.
                                  ____

                                     U.S. Department of State,

                                             Washington, DC 20520.
     Hon. Lee H. Hamilton,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Hamilton: I am responding to your letter of 
     February 16 to Secretary Christopher regarding the 
     restrictions on travel to Lebanon by U.S. citizens.
       On February 28, Secretary Christopher exercised his 
     authority to extend the restriction on the use of U.S. 
     passports for travel to, in, or through Lebanon. A careful 
     and thorough review of the security situation in Lebanon led 
     the Secretary to conclude that there remained significant 
     threats there to the safety of American citizens.
       In meetings here in Washington February 6-7, the 
     Governments of the U.S. and Lebanon engaged in frank and 
     useful discussions of the security situation in Lebanon and 
     our continuing concern for the safety of Americans in 
     Lebanon. We were pleased with the level of expertise the 
     Government of Lebanon brought to these discussions and its 
     avowed commitment to serious and effective action. We expect 
     this dialogue to be an ongoing process leading to significant 
     improvement in the security situation in Lebanon and a 
     reduction in the dangers to American citizens.
       We have acknowledged that there has been some improvement 
     in Lebanon's security situation over the past few years. We 
     commend the Lebanese Government for its efforts to diminish 
     terrorist threats and to establish the role of law throughout 
     the country. More needs to be done to address these problems, 
     however, and we look forward to working with the Government 
     of Lebanon on taking the necessary steps to do so.
       We will continue to review the passport restriction and 
     other administration measures affecting travel to Lebanon. 
     Our review will be based on a careful evaluation of our own 
     information and the steps the Lebanese government takes to 
     address these issues.
       The Department will carefully consider options short of 
     lifting the passport restrictions. In considering these 
     steps, however, the Department will have as its first 
     consideration the safety and security of U.S. citizens.
       The Secretary appreciates both your interest and your offer 
     to continue a dialogue with the Department on this issue. The 
     goal remains the removal of these restrictions when security 
     conditions permit us to do so and the return to a mutually 
     beneficial and improved bilateral relationship.
       I trust that this information has been responsive to your 
     inquiry. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you believe 
     we may be of further assistance.
           Sincerely,

                                             Wendy R. Sherman,

                                              Assistant Secretary,
                                              Legislative Affairs.
     

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