2008 speeches

Statement by Michele J. Sison Chargé d’Affaires a. i. Following Her Meeting with Prime Minister Siniora

February 6, 2008

Good afternoon, I’m Ambassador Michele Sison, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.  I’m delighted to be here with you today.  I just completed my introductory call on Prime Minister Siniora.  We discussed the warm, longstanding, and very strong relationship between our two countries.  

Before I left Washington, President Bush and Secretary of State Rice asked me to convey to the Prime Minister that the U.S. commitment to a sovereign, democratic, and prosperous Lebanon remains firm and unchanged.  I, of course, emphasized this during my conversation with the Prime Minister.

The United States strongly supports the election of a new president of Lebanon.  It is regrettable that a vacuum continues, and that presidential elections have been postponed twelve times.  An agreement on a consensus president was reached long ago.  Outside forces must stop obstructing Lebanon’s democratic process.  The Parliament should meet and elect a president now, without conditions.  It is tragic that this vacuum has been marked by violence and the loss of many lives.   

I look forward to offering the congratulations of the U.S. government soon to a new Lebanese president– one who is elected freely and according to Lebanon’s constitution. 

I will also be calling on Speaker Berri.  I look forward to hearing his thoughts on how Lebanon can resolve this impasse so that Parliament can elect a President.

Support for Lebanon from President Bush and the U.S. Congress remains strong and unshakeable.  This congressional support is bipartisan, both the Republicans and the Democrats.  Since September 2006, the U.S. Congress has allocated more than one billion dollars in assistance to Lebanon.  This commitment to Lebanon’s legitimate government and its national institutions including the Lebanese Armed Forces, bears witness to the American people’s support for your country.  The United States, along with a number of international partners, stands firmly with Lebanon.  We must ensure that UN Security Council Resolutions, especially 1701, are fully implemented.

Next week will be the third anniversary of the murder of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and those who perished with him.  We are encouraged that the process of establishing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is moving forward.  We urge others to join those governments who are providing donations to support the Tribunal.  This is important so that the Tribunal can put an end to impunity and can bring to justice those responsible for committing these murders, those who seek to undermine Lebanon’s independence. 

In closing, then, let me stress that the U.S. is committed to supporting Lebanon in achieving several important objectives:

• the immediate election of a president;
• the establishment of the Special Tribunal; and
• ending the cowardly terrorist attacks that seek to undermine Lebanon’s state institutions and democracy.

All of these goals must be achieved for the Lebanese people to enjoy a nation that is truly free and sovereign, prosperous, and secure.  The Lebanese people deserve nothing less. 

I look forward to continuing to promote these important goals throughout my time here.