[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 11529-11530]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          DEMOCRACY IN LEBANON

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this Sunday the people of Lebanon will go 
to the polls to vote in their first truly free election in three 
decades. Since 1990, Lebanon has been occupied by Syrian forces, but 
this spring the people of Lebanon made history. On March 8, hundreds of 
thousands of people descended upon Martyrs Square in Beirut, Lebanon's 
capital, and inaugurated what has become known around the world by 
people who viewed it as the Cedar Revolution.
  For 2 weeks the word spread from city to city and to the countryside. 
It was clear that freedom was on the march. On March 18, 10 days later, 
a crowd of 1.5 million people, nearly half of the Lebanese population, 
gathered in that very square, Martyrs Square, to demand, to insist 
upon, the withdrawal of Syrian troops and its intelligence apparatus 
from Lebanon.
  These brave and proud citizens of all ages, religions, and 
ethnicities stood shoulder to shoulder waving their nation's flag in 
solidarity. Together, with the support of freedom-loving democracies 
everywhere, they brought an end to Syrian occupation. In less than 2 
months, 20,000 Syrian troops pulled out of the country. It was an 
astonishing wave of events broadcast on television sets and computer 
screens around the globe.
  Lebanon now joins the list of fledgling democracies taking their 
first bold steps into the future. All of this could not have happened 
without tremendous

[[Page 11530]]

courage on the part of the Lebanese people. The determination and 
vision of one man, President Bush, made it possible. His commitment to 
democracy and unwavering belief in the fundamental equality of all 
human beings has wrought remarkable change indirectly, such as in 
Lebanon, and more directly around the world. Democracy is taking root 
in even the most inhospitable of lands.
  By America's words and our deeds, we are emboldening those who seek 
freedom and peace. It is an unprecedented moment in the history of the 
Middle East.
  I realized that yesterday as the President of the Palestinian 
Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, was in our office in this Nation's Capitol. 
We discussed the future and the hope and the opportunity. As noted 
scholar and Middle East expert Fouad Ajami says:

       The entrenched systems of control in the Arab world are 
     beginning to give way.

  Indeed, it is the autumn of the dictators.
  I mention Lebanon in part because it has been on my mind the last 4 
weeks. It was about 4 weeks ago that I and a delegation had the 
opportunity, the privilege, of traveling to Lebanon during our April 
recess. While in Beirut, I had the opportunity to walk through that 
square, Martyrs Square. I met with leaders of the Cedar Revolution. 
They represented a diversity of parties and religious sects--Christian, 
Druze, and Muslim. These leaders were well versed in the requirements 
for a successfully functioning democracy. In particular, they discussed 
the needs to restore transparency and accountability, the rule of law, 
to secure an independent judiciary and to build, to construct, to 
reconstruct their economy so that the Lebanese people maintain a stake 
in the future. Their commitment to freedom, to the rule of law, and 
democratic governance was truly inspiring.
  There are many challenges ahead. We share the concern that Syrian 
intelligence officials have not fully withdrawn from Lebanon. We also 
know that this election will not, in any shape or form, be perfect. Few 
elections in times of transition are. But seeing firsthand the 
determination of the Lebanese people was truly inspiring. I came away 
optimistic that this moment will lead to a new age of freedom and 
democracy for the Lebanese people.
  In the words of Vaclav Havel, I urge the people of the region:

     to never forget these days full of solidarity, hope and 
     common quest for freedom and truth.

  To the Lebanese people:

       It may be a long and difficult road, but please have faith 
     that the destination is well worth the journey.

                          ____________________