[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 198 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        DEVELOPMENTS IN LEBANON

                                 ______


                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 12, 1995

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues a recent exchange of letters I had with the Department of 
State regarding the situation in Lebanon.
  I wrote the State Department October 27 to express concerns about the 
extra-Constitutional means used to extend the term of the President of 
Lebanon and the role of Syria in this matter. The State Department 
replied December 5 indicating that our concerns over interference in 
Lebanon's Democratic processes have been expressed directly to the 
Syrians.
  The correspondence follows:

                                     U.S. Department of State,

                                 Washington, DC, December 5, 1995.
     Hon. Lee Hamilton,
     House of Representatives.
       Dear Mr. Hamilton: On behalf of Secretary Christopher, I am 
     writing in response to your letter of October 27, concerning 
     the extension of Lebanese President Harawi's term and other 
     developments in Lebanon.
       We share entirely your view that our interests are served 
     by a free and independent Lebanon, and we have firmly 
     maintained that no peace in the Middle East will be lasting 
     or comprehensive without an agreement between Israel and an 
     independent Lebanon. In an effort to support this objective, 
     we continue to do much to further Lebanese political 
     reconciliation and lend support to the reconstruction of 
     Lebanon's economy and institutions. Last year, we provided 
     Lebanon approximately six million dollars in development 
     assistance and half million dollars to support military 
     training.
       We agree that the growth of Lebanon's democratic political 
     institutions requires free elections which the Lebanese 
     people believe to be credible, and the results of which can 
     be accepted as credible. We have made this point very clear 
     in public positions, and directly to the Governments of 
     Lebanon and Syria. Indeed, Secretary Christopher's concern 
     over interference in Lebanon's democratic process led him to 
     make this point personally at senior levels of the Syrian 
     government, as did other senior U.S. officials in the period 
     leading up to President Harawi's extension. Despite our 
     interest in maintaining Syrian engagement in peace 
     negotiations with Israel, we are not conditioning our policy 
     toward Lebanon on Syrian reaction.
       Prime Minister Rabin's recent, tragic death only 
     underscores the fragility of the process we wish to advance 
     in the Middle East. But, as important as we hold the freedom 
     and independence of Lebanon, this is not a goal we can pursue 
     in a vacuum. Lebanon's future, its stability and 
     independence, can only be assured through broader progress 
     toward extending the circle of peace in the region.
       We look forward to working with you and other members of 
     Congress to ensure such progress, in Lebanon and the region, 
     during the important year ahead.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Wendy R. Sherman,
                         Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs.
                                  ____

         Congress of the United States, Committee on International 
           Relations, House of Representatives,
                                 Washington, DC, October 27, 1995.
     Hon. Warren Christopher,
     Secretary of State, Department of State, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Secretary, I write to express deep concerns about 
     recent developments in Lebanon and to urge you and the 
     President to speak out publicly in opposition to recent 
     political developments in that country.
       The Syrian decision to push for extra-Constitutional means 
     to extend the term of President Harawi for three years 
     undercuts Lebanon's independence. In addition, such a term 
     extension will not be viewed as credible by a majority of the 
     Lebanese people of all faiths who want to preserve Lebanon's 
     independence and who wanted free elections this fall.
       There are steps which the Lebanese can and must take to 
     insure their future as a free and independent state. The 
     national interest of the United States is served by a strong, 
     free, and independent Lebanon. Conversely, our national 
     interest is not helped when Lebanon is weak and its 
     independence compromised. Therefore, I believe that it is 
     incumbent upon us to disassociate ourselves from, and express 
     opposition to, such manipulation of the political process in 
     Lebanon. Millions of Lebanese inside the country, and around 
     the world, are looking to the United States for leadership. 
     Silence will send the wrong message to the entire region and 
     only further undermine Lebanon's position.
       Lebanon's independence will be eroded if the United States 
     is silent when that very independence is threatened. The Taif 
     Accords became dead letter in part because the United States 
     did not speak out for implementation of the Accords when 
     Syria moved to undercut them. We now risk further undermining 
     that independence again.
       United States policy toward, and statements on, Lebanon 
     should not be conditioned by what we think might be the 
     reaction in Syria. We should be acting on the basis of our 
     own interests and what is best for Lebanon and the Lebanese 
     people. On the face of it, this action to extend the 
     President's term does not promote democracy in Lebanon, and 
     it goes against the wishes of the people. It should be 
     condemned for what it is.
       I appreciate your consideration of this letter and hope the 
     United States will speak out on this matter.
       With best regards.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Lee H. Hamilton,
     Ranking Democratic Member.

                          ____________________