[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 143 (Tuesday, September 25, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10776-H10778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OPPOSING ASSASSINATION OF LEBANESE PUBLIC FIGURES
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 548) expressing the ongoing concern of the
House of Representatives for Lebanon's democratic institutions and
unwavering support for the administration of justice upon those
responsible for the assassination of Lebanese public figures opposing
Syrian control of Lebanon, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 548
Whereas on February 14, 2005, former Lebanese Prime
Minister Rafik Hariri, along with 22 other people, was
assassinated by a massive bomb;
Whereas Lebanon's Cedar Revolution led to the withdrawal of
Syrian troops from Lebanon in April 2005, following 30 years
of Syrian military occupation;
Whereas parliamentary elections were held in Lebanon in May
and June of 2005 leading to the formation of a government
under Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, with a majority of the
parliament and cabinet committed to strengthening Lebanon's
independence and the sovereignty of its democratic
institutions of government;
Whereas Lebanese independence and sovereignty are still
threatened by an ongoing campaign of assassination and
attempted assassinations of Lebanese political and public
figures opposed to Syrian interference in Lebanon's internal
affairs, and terrorist bombings intended to incite ethnic and
religious hatred, the continuing presence of state-sponsored
militias and foreign terrorist groups, and the ongoing and
illegal trans-shipment of weapons and munitions from Iran and
Syria into Lebanon;
Whereas the democratically-elected and legitimate
government of Lebanon, in accordance with the mandate of
United Nations Security Council resolutions and the relevant
provisions of the Taif Accords, has made efforts, through the
internal deployments of the Lebanese Armed Forces, to
exercise its full sovereignty, so that there will be no
weapon or authority within Lebanon other than that of the
Government of Lebanon;
Whereas the Lebanese Council of Ministers, on November 25,
2006, approved a statute for the establishment of a tribunal
of an international character according to the terms
negotiated between the Government of Lebanon and the United
Nations in order to bring to justice all those responsible
for the terrorist bombing of February 14, 2005;
Whereas a majority of Lebanese members of parliament sought
a vote in favor of ratifying the statute establishing a
tribunal of an international character, and 70 of Lebanon's
then 127 parliamentarians sent a memorandum to the United
Nations Secretary-General endorsing the establishment under
the United Nations Charter of a Special Tribunal to bring to
justice all those responsible for the terrorist bombing of
February 14, 2005;
Whereas the Lebanese parliament is scheduled to convene on
September 25, 2007, to begin the process of electing the next
President of Lebanon;
Whereas Hezbollah, a United States Department of State-
designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, and their pro-
Syrian allies have declared the democratically-elected and
legitimate Government of Lebanon ``unconstitutional'', and
are seeking to topple the government through extra-legal
means, including rioting, continuous street demonstrations
outside of the Council of Ministers, and obstructing traffic
in Beirut;
Whereas the transfer of weapons, ammunition, and fighters
into Lebanon in contravention of United Nations Security
Council Resolution 1701 (2006), has twice prompted the
Security Council to issue statements, on April 17, 2007, (S/
PRST/2007/12) and on June 11, 2007, (S/PRST/2007/17) wherein
it expressed deep and serious concern at mounting information
by Israel and other states of illegal movements of arms into
Lebanon, and in particular across the Lebanese-Syrian border,
in violation of Security Council Resolution 1701;
Whereas the United Nations Security Council, with the full
support of the United States, has repeatedly adopted
resolutions, notably, Resolutions 425 (1978), 520 (1982),
1559 (2004), 1655 (2006), 1664 (2006), 1680 (2006), 1701
(2006), and 1757 (2007) that, among other things, express the
support of the international community for the sovereignty,
territorial integrity, unity, and political independence of
Lebanon under the sole and exclusive authority of the
Government of Lebanon, and demand the disarmament of all
armed groups in Lebanon;
Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolutions,
notably, 1595 (2005), 1636 (2005), 1644, (2005), 1664 (2006),
1748 (2007), and 1757 (2007), underscore the importance of
the pursuit of justice in response to the terrorist bombing
of February 14, 2005, and if appropriate, other
assassinations and assassination attempts since October 2004;
Whereas the United Nations Security Council, with the full
support of the United States, has sought to assist the
Government of Lebanon in extending its authority over all
Lebanese territory, including its sea, land, and air borders,
through the presence of the United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon and through technical
and personnel assistance;
Whereas the United Nations Security Council, with the full
support of the United States, has strongly supported the
demand of the Lebanese people that justice be done to those
responsible for the terrorist attack of February 14, 2005,
and other terrorist attacks and attempted assassinations
since October 2004, establishing and extending the mandate of
the International Independent Investigation Commission (IIIC)
to investigate terrorist bombings of February 14, 2005, and
moving toward the creation of a Special Tribunal of an
international character, according to United Nations Security
Council Resolutions 1595 (2005), 1636 (2005), 1644 (2005),
1664 (2006), 1686 (2006) and 1748 (2007);
Whereas Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora in a letter of
May 14, 2007, informed the Secretary General of the United
Nations that, ``the Lebanese Government believes that the
time has come for the Security Council to help make the
Special Tribunal for Lebanon a reality. We therefore ask you,
as a matter of urgency, to put before the Security Council
our request that the Special Tribunal be put into effect. A
binding decision regarding the Tribunal on the part of the
Security Council will be fully consistent with the importance
the United Nations has attached to this matter from the
outset, when the investigation commission was established.
Further delays in setting up the Tribunal would be most
detrimental to Lebanon's stability, to the cause of justice,
to the credibility of the United Nations itself and to peace
and security in the region.'';
[[Page H10777]]
Whereas the United Nations Security Council, with the full
support of the United States, adopted Resolution 1757,
establishing on June 10, 2007, a Special Tribunal to try all
those found responsible for the terrorist bombing of February
14, 2005, and if appropriate, both prior and subsequent
attacks in Lebanon, unless the Government of Lebanon has
provided notice that such a tribunal has been established
under its own laws;
Whereas the United States Congress has appropriated
emergency economic and military assistance to Lebanon at
levels far greater than the amounts of bilateral assistance
provided in recent fiscal years; and
Whereas it is manifestly in the interests of the United
States and the international community to support the full
sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon, its
democratically-elected and legitimate government, and to
insist that justice be done concerning the terrorist bombing
of February 14, 2005, and both prior and subsequent
politically-inspired assassinations and assassination
attempts: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns the attempts by Hezbollah and other pro-Syrian
groups to undermine and intimidate the democratically-elected
and legitimate Government of Lebanon by extra-legal means;
(2) condemns the campaign of attempted and successful
assassinations targeting members of parliament and public
figures in favor of Lebanese independence and sovereignty and
opposed to Syrian interference in Lebanon, and bombings in
civilian areas intended to intimidate the Lebanese people;
(3) calls on the Lebanese parliament to elect a new
President in accordance with the processes and timetable
established by Lebanon's constitution;
(4) declares that the association of political parties with
terrorist organizations, militias, and other elements
retaining armed operational capabilities outside of the
official military and security institutions of the Government
of Lebanon hinders the emergence of a fully-democratic
Lebanon;
(5) confirms the strong support of the United States for
United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning
Lebanon, and the clear and binding mandate of the
international community for the arms embargo and disarmament
of all armed groups in Lebanon, and particularly, Hezbollah
and Palestinian factions in Lebanon;
(6) condemns Syria and Iran for their ongoing roles in
providing arms to terrorist organizations, Lebanese militias,
and other militias operating in Lebanon, in blatant
contravention of United Nations Security Council Resolution
1701;
(7) declares that the United States should consider Syria's
obstructive role in Lebanon when assessing the status and
nature of United States bilateral relations with Syria;
(8) expresses its strong appreciation to Belgium, China,
Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece,
Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, the
Republic of Korea, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Tanzania, and Turkey for their contributions of
military personnel to serve in the United Nations Interim
Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), now manned with 13,251 troops of
the 15,000 troops authorized in United Nations Security
Council Resolution 1701;
(9) urges the Government of Lebanon to request UNIFIL's
assistance to secure the Lebanese-Syrian border against the
entry of illicit arms or related material under paragraphs
11(f) and 14 of United Nations Security Council Resolution
1701, and pledges earnest American support for this action,
should the Government of Lebanon choose to do so;
(10) calls on the international community to further
support the mission of UNIFIL and efforts by the United
Nations Secretary-General to improve the monitoring of the
Lebanese border in order to effectively implement the arms
embargo on armed groups in Lebanon required by United Nations
Security Council Resolution 1701;
(11) affirms strongly United States support for efforts to
bring to justice those responsible for the terrorist bombing
of February 14, 2005, and both prior and subsequent
politically inspired assassinations, and for the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon established by the United Nations
Security Council Resolution 1757;
(12) endorses prompt action by the Special Tribunal for
Lebanon for the terrorist bombing of February 14, 2005, and
both prior and subsequent politically-inspired
assassinations, under Chapter VII of the United Nations
Charter;
(13) pledges continued support for the democratically-
elected and legitimate Government of Lebanon and the Lebanese
people against the campaign of intimidation, terror, and
murder directed at the Lebanese people and at political and
public figures opposing Syrian interference in Lebanon;
(14) commends the many Lebanese who continue to adhere
steadfastly to the principles of the Cedar Revolution and
support the democratically-elected and legitimate Government
of Lebanon;
(15) applauds the Government of Lebanon's efforts to fully
extend Lebanon's sovereignty over the entire country through
the internal deployments of the Lebanese Armed Forces,
including direct action against the Fatah al Islam group, and
encourages the Government of Lebanon to intensify these
efforts; and
(16) re-affirms its intention to continue to provide
financial and material assistance to support the sovereignty,
territorial integrity, unity, and political independence of
Lebanon under the sole and exclusive authority of the
Government of Lebanon.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Ackerman) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution and
yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, what has been happening in Lebanon is extreme aggression
in the classic sense of the word. Through a campaign of assassinations
targeting Lebanese parliamentarians and political figures; bombings in
public places; threats to establish an alternative extra-constitutional
government; and the instigation of a jihadi insurgency by the Fatah al-
Islam, Syria, Iran, their bootlegging proxies, Hezbollah, Amal, and
Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, have brought Lebanon's government to a
constitutional crisis. Yet again, outside actors have pushed Lebanon to
the brink of civil war for their selfish interests.
Just 6 days ago, on September 19, a massive car bomb killed Antoine
Ghanem along with five other civilians, and left many dozens of other
bystanders wounded. Mr. Ghanem, a member of the Lebanese Parliament and
a supporter of the Siniora government, was just the latest in a string
of 11 political assassinations over the past 3 years. As a consequence
of this pattern of violence, the March 14 alliance is two
parliamentarians away from being murdered out of their majority.
Now is the time for this Congress to send a strong message of support
for the democratically elected and fully legitimate government in
Lebanon. Time, Mr. Speaker, is short.
The Syrian-backed campaign for murder is creeping ever closer to its
goal of destroying the majority of the Lebanese Parliament, bringing
down the government of Fuad Siniora, and imposing again a pro-Syrian
president on Lebanon.
Fearing just this scenario months ago, I introduced H. Res. 548 with
the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Pence, with Chairman Lantos
and Representatives Issa and Boustany, two Members whose roots extend
back to Lebanon. This bipartisan resolution expresses the strong
support of the House of Representatives for Lebanon's elected
government, and affirms our readiness to make that support tangible in
order to help preserve and strengthen Lebanese sovereignty and
independence.
The resolution condemns Syria and Iran for providing arms to Lebanese
militias, particularly the terrorist group Hezbollah, and the
Palestinian factions in Lebanon, in clear contravention of Security
Council resolutions.
H. Res. 548 also endorses prompt action by the Special Tribunal for
Lebanon established by the Security Council to investigate the
assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in
February 2005. Syria must know with utter certainty that the United
States will never sacrifice justice in Lebanon to allow Damascus to
escape accountability for its crimes.
The current Lebanese Government, which is under siege, is both
legitimate and representative of the majority of Lebanese. The attempts
to undermine it are not some kind of retaliation. Lebanon's government
is being systemically attacked only because it is unwilling to
subordinate its authority and Lebanon's sovereignty to external and
extra-legal demands.
Quite simply, Lebanon is being bullied. And in light of this fact,
the United States and the entire international community must come to
its aid.
I would urge all of our colleagues to support the resolution.
[[Page H10778]]
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 548. I would like
to thank the gentleman from New York, my good friend, Mr. Ackerman, for
introducing this important resolution, and for Chairman Lantos of our
Foreign Affairs Committee for bringing it before the floor today.
With the execution last Wednesday of an anti-Syrian Lebanese
parliamentarian in a Christian suburb of Beirut, and the announcement
today that the Lebanese Parliament will delay until next month the
election of a new Lebanese president due to a Hezbollah-led opposition
boycott, both Syria and Iran are now one step closer to their strategic
goal of once again dominating Lebanon.
Four anti-Syrian parliamentarians are all that stand in the way of
the detestable efforts of pro-Syrian forces within Lebanon to impose
their presidential candidate on all of Lebanon and deny Lebanon its
true sovereignty. They will undoubtedly use the time afforded by the
delay in the presidential election to effectively finish the job they
started in the wake of the coalition's March 14 electoral victory.
And what is the goal of these pro-Syrian forces? To gain a
parliamentary majority through assassination and terror. Led by
Hezbollah, the pro-Syrian parliamentary bloc has repeatedly demanded
that a compromise candidate who will bring national unity be elected to
the presidency next month. However, Mr. Speaker, just the opposite is
true. A compromise and a unity candidate can only serve to bring about
the election of yet another Syrian and Iranian puppet to the
presidency. Like the outgoing so-called president, such a leader will
work to prevent Lebanon from extricating itself from Iranian and Syrian
influence and total control.
Furthermore, the inclusion of pro-Syrian and Iranian elements in the
Lebanese Government renders the government, regardless of the
individual desires of the members, and indeed the entire electoral
process, an effective tool of Syria and Iran. Some had hoped that
Hezbollah's entry into Lebanese politics would signal its integration
into Lebanese society and force its leaders to dismantle Hezbollah's
military and terrorist infrastructure. Sadly, the opposite has
occurred. Allowing an Islamic terrorist entity to use the political
process and legitimatize itself without first demanding that it stop
its objectionable behavior only serve to perpetuate and enhance the
threat.
Last October, Iran and Syria changed their calculations as to how to
best use Hezbollah to advance their interests and undermine the
sovereignty of Lebanon. They instructed Hezbollah to withdraw from the
government.
Since then, Hezbollah, joined by other Syrian and Iranian proxies,
has worked steadily to overthrow the government by politically
paralyzing it in parliament and assassinating its supporters. At the
same time, they have reportedly provided massive amounts of arms,
training, and financial support to Hezbollah as it rebuilds from the
conflict with Israel last summer.
Additionally, reports that the Lebanese Army has enabled Hezbollah to
reassert its control over southern Lebanon continues to gravely concern
us.
Mr. Speaker, simply put, we cannot afford to continue to pursue a
policy toward Lebanon based on willful negligence. We must accept that
a moderate government will only materialize after the Syrian and
Iranian proxies in Lebanon are defeated and dismantled. This resolution
represents a step in the correct direction by voicing its unequivocal
support for a true democratic government, and all those within Lebanon
who have struggled against Syrian and Iranian control over their
homeland for far too long truly deserve our support. I strongly urge my
colleagues to support Mr. Ackerman's resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of
House Resolution 548. This resolution expresses support for Lebanon's
democratic institutions and the need to bring those responsible for the
assassination of Lebanese public figures to justice.
Lebanon is a key ally of the United States and deserves our
unwavering support as they continue to recover from last year's war.
Lebanon is a diverse country with over 17 religious groups,
nevertheless, there is a strong sense of national unity within this
country and its citizens often identify themselves as Lebanese before
identifying with their own religious factions.
Lebanon is the example of what a democracy can and should be in the
Middle East and I encourage all party leaders in the parliament to
remain committed to finding a compromise presidential candidate. It is
important that the process is followed and that a unified government
remains in place.
Political assassinations over the past several years have continued
to plague Lebanon and have derailed the country's efforts to enact real
reform measures. The individuals responsible for these murders must be
brought to justice.
Lebanon is at a crossroad and the United States must remain committed
to helping this nascent democracy.
Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res.
548, a resolution expressing the continued concern that we as a
Congress and as a Nation have for the Lebanese people and their
government.
The Cedar Revolution in 2005 led to the withdrawal of Syrian forces
that had occupied Lebanon for more than three decades. After the
withdrawal, the government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora committed to
creating a strong, democratic Lebanon, free of occupation or outside
influence. Lebanon is fighting many enemies of freedom, both within and
outside the country.
We have all seen the horrific news reports of the assassinations and
attempted assassinations of anti-Syrian lawmakers in Lebanon, the most
recent occurring just last week. The brave men and women who are
struggling to move Lebanon forward have become targets in their own
country. Hezbollah and other pro-Syrian factions in Lebanon know that
they are in the minority, and have begun a desperation campaign to kill
as many of their opponents as possible. Members of the Parliament have
had to go into hiding outside of Lebanon, and lay their lives on the
line when they return to conduct government business.
As Lebanon prepares for presidential elections this November, I
believe it is vital that we reiterate our support for Lebanon and her
people. H. Res. 548 reaffirms our support of the many United Nations
resolutions that condemn Syria and Iran for their continued roles in
arming the enemies of a free Lebanon, and expresses our appreciation to
the many countries that have contributed funding and personnel to the
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFL). Our Lebanese friends
must know that we stand beside them as they continue to strengthen
their government and bring to justice those responsible for the
killings.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this important resolution.
{time} 1215
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire if the
distinguished ranking member has any additional speakers.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I have no additional speakers, and I'd like to
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Blumenauer). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman) that the
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 548, as
amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________