[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        APPLAUDING THE WITHDRAWAL OF SYRIAN TROOPS FROM LEBANON

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. CHARLES W. BOUSTANY, JR.

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2005

  Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the withdrawal of 
the remaining Syrian troops from Lebanon on April 26, 2005. This 
withdrawal marks the end of a 29 year military presence which allowed 
Syria to unduly influence and manipulate Lebanon's government and 
people. During these years, dissenters of Syrian influence have been 
politically persecuted. Some have been abducted and others murdered.
  Syria has played a devious role in Lebanon in the past decades. I do 
appreciate Syria's decision to recall its final troops in accordance 
with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559. However, Syria must 
completely stop imposing its influence and will on Lebanon. This will 
clear the way for the Lebanese to exert their rights to self government 
and bring about a more promising era in Lebanon's history.
  It is my hope that the Lebanese people will use this landmark 
development to institute a free and equitable government. I do not 
pretend that establishing such a government will not be trying for the 
Lebanese people. The ethnic, religious, and political segmentation 
which fueled Lebanon's lengthy civil war still exist within the 
nation's borders. Now that the Syrian troops have departed, Maronite, 
Sunni, and Shi'a, Opposition and Loyalists will need to work together 
in order to form a stable and autonomous government for Lebanon.
  Overcoming these types of divisions is inevitably a challenging task. 
However, I have great faith in the ability of the people of Lebanon to 
do so. In a recent poll conducted in Lebanon, citizens revealed that 
they derived their primary identification not as their religious or 
political orientation, but rather as being Lebanese. This is a 
promising indication of the direction which Lebanon's politics can 
take. If The people of Lebanon are able to make the welfare their 
nation rather than their own group interests their top priority, I am 
confident that Lebanon's government will be able to flourish.

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