[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 47 (Monday, November 27, 2006)]
[Page 2086]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Assassination of Minister of Industry Pierre Gemayel of 
Lebanon

November 21, 2006

    Today's assassination of Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel 
shows yet again the viciousness of those who are trying to destabilize 
that country.
    The United States remains fully committed to supporting Lebanon's 
independence and democracy in the face of attempts by Syria, Iran, and 
their allies within Lebanon to foment instability and violence. Syria's 
refusal to cease and desist from its continuing efforts to destabilize 
Lebanon's democratically elected Government is a repeated violation of 
United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701. The United 
States will continue its efforts with allied nations and democratic 
forces in Lebanon to resist these efforts and protect Lebanon's 
sovereignty and democratic institutions.
    We urge the U.N. Security Council and the Secretary-General today to 
take the remaining steps needed to establish the special tribunal for 
Lebanon that will try those accused of involvement in the assassination 
of former Prime Minister Hariri, and to ensure that that tribunal can 
also bring to justice those responsible for related assassinations, 
assassination attempts, and other terrorist attacks. We also demand that 
Syria treat Lebanon as a genuinely sovereign neighbor, establishing full 
diplomatic relations with Lebanon, and delineating its border with that 
country including, in particular, in the Shab'a Farms area, through a 
bilateral agreement.