    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [September 25, 2006]
    [Page 1697]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Business Leaders on the U.S.-Lebanon
    Partnership Fund
    September 25, 2006

        I've just had a fascinating discussion with four business leaders
    and members of my administration, all of whom are strategizing on how to
    help the good people of Lebanon recover from the recent crisis.
        Our goal and our mission is to help Lebanese citizens and Lebanese
    businesses not only recover but to flourish, because we believe strongly
    in the concept of a democracy in Lebanon. Right from the beginning of
    the crisis, I had stated that our objective is to help the
    Siniora Government--the Siniora Government,
    which is a democratically elected government. And now we've got generous
    citizens of the United States, people who are very busy in their own
    right, who are willing to step forward and to strategize and raise
    monies to help people in Lebanon.
        And this is a very important mission for our country. It's a public/
    private partnership. Our Federal Government has committed $250 million;
    OPEC [OPIC],* under Chairman Mosbacher's lead, has arranged financing. And now private sector
    individuals and businesses will work together to send a clear message to
    the Lebanese people: We care about you; we want you to live in a free
    society; we've got great hopes for you; we believe in your Prime
    Minister, Prime Minister Siniora; and we will
    back up our words with actions.
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        *White House correction.
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        So I appreciate John Chambers, who has
    taken the lead for this group, and I appreciate you all taking time to
    go over to Lebanon and show the face of America. We're a compassionate
    people; we care when people suffer; and we care about the type of
    governments that people live under. And we strongly support the young
    democracies in the Middle East; we support the democracy of Lebanon; we
    support the democracy of Iraq. And our dream is one day for there to be
    a Palestinian democracy living side by side in peace with Israel.
        Thank you all very much for your commitment. May God bless the good
    people of Lebanon. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:38 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to John T. Chambers, president and
    chief executive officer, Cisco Systems, Inc.