[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             UNITED STATES MUST SUPPORT A SOVEREIGN LEBANON

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to express my strong 
support for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of 
the country of Lebanon. As you know, Mr. President, Lebanon has again 
been the most recent victim of the fighting in the Middle East. The 
hostilities of last week which continue today have caused a great loss 
of Lebanese lives.
  The United States has always supported the independence and 
territorial integrity of Lebanon. However, in the most recent 
negotiations to end the fighting in the region, the U.S. administration 
has been focusing its efforts on Syria and Israel.
  I believe that the State Department is sincere in upholding it 
support for the sovereignty of Lebanon. But I am afraid that the United 
States views a resolution to the Israel-Syria conflict as the only 
priority--and the consequence is the plight of the civilian population 
in Lebanon is ignored. It is Lebanon that is suffering the most in this 
conflict, and it is with that country which the United States should 
focus its immediate attention.
  The influence and support of the United States is critical to giving 
Lebanon the help it needs to move forward and rebuild after two decades 
of civil war.
  As its stands, the presence of all foreign forces in Lebanon 
irritates the situation, making it difficult for the Lebanese to find a 
peaceful solution to their quest for independence and sovereignty. Only 
until there is the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, 
combined with a diplomatic solution, will peace in the Middle East be 
achievable.
  I believe that Lebanon will than be on its way to returning to the 
independent, sovereign and unoccupied land that it once was--free of 
all non-Lebanese forces. Not only will this advance the case of Middle 
East peace in the region, but it will also be in America's best 
interest to have its friend, Lebanon, stable once more.
  Today, President Clinton is meeting with President Elias Hrawi of 
Lebanon. It is my hope that the territorial integrity, sovereignty and 
independence of Lebanon is the subject of much discussion. President 
Clinton will also be announcing a humanitarian aid package for Lebanon, 
and I was pleased to lead the efforts in the Senate to insist upon this 
assistance for the innocent civilians of Lebanon.
  But the humanitarian assistance is only one part of the equation. I, 
once again, urge the administration to persist in trying to negotiate a 
cease fire in this region and to bring an end to the hostility 
immediately.

                          ____________________