15 January 2002

Five U.S. Congressmen Visit Lebanon

U.S. Congressman Richard Gephardt (Democrat-Missouri and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives) and four other U.S. Congressmen visited Lebanon January 14-15 and held talks with President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.

Speaking with the press in Beirut, Gephardt said the dialogue centered on three topics: Middle East peace, terrorism and economic development in Lebanon.

"Lebanon brings a lot of wisdom and experience to all these issues," Gephardt said.

He said both Lebanon and the United States are looking for ways reach a just and comprehensive peace agreement for the entire region and pledged his support in trying to reenergize the negotiations.

On terrorism, Gephardt told reporters the United States was committed to ending it. "We are firm on the issue of terrorism. The American people want us to end terrorism as a method of behavior in the world," Gephardt said.

Gephardt was accompanied on this visit by Congressman Ray LaHood (Republican - Illinois), Congressman Henry A. Waxman (Democrat - California), Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez (Democrat - Texas) and Congressman Leonard L. Boswell (Democrat - Iowa).

Following are the transcripts of Gephardt's press conference with Foreign Minister Hammoud after his meeting with Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri January 14 and his press conference after meeting President Lahoud January 15.

Press Conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Hammoud (following meeting with Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri) Ain-El-Tineh Palace, Beirut, Lebanon January 14, 2002

Foreign Minister Hammoud: His Excellency The Speaker conducted a tour of discussions with the Democrat Minority Leader of the American House of Representatives that dealt with several issues: the state of affairs in the Middle East; the relations between Lebanon and the United States; the Lebanese parliamentary experience; and other issues that are of concern to both countries.

The floor now is for Mr. Gephardt, who will inform you on what has been discussed.

Congressman Gephardt: Thank you. We are very pleased to have the opportunity not only to meet with the Foreign Minister of Lebanon, but now we are meeting with the Speaker of Parliament. We are going to have a meeting with the President and the Prime Minister. We are pleased and honored to be in Lebanon and to have a chance to reaffirm the partnership between Lebanon and the United States to talk about issues of concern.

We just talked about the Middle East Peace Process. We are very interested in that. Both countries seek to reenergize that process and begin to work toward a just, comprehensive, equitable peace agreement for the entire region. Achieving that peace would be very important for Lebanon and very important for the United States and very important for the region. This country is trying to make progress economically. There are a lot of problems here with budgetary problems. All of that would be immeasurably helped if we could achieve the comprehensive peace we are all seeking.

Question: [inaudible] Is there any ...?

Congressman Gephardt: First of all, there is obviously a lot of concern about terrorism, about Middle East peace, about economic issues. Some of the members of our delegation have been here before. Some, like myself, have not had the chance to be here. Lebanon has made a lot of progress in the last years. The war has ended. South Lebanon is being developed and built. All of that is positive. We have a large relationship with Lebanon. It is important for us as legislators to come here and talk to people and to see what is happening, so that we can do a better job of fashioning our own foreign policy.

Question: What can you say about the American economic assistance for Lebanon? Do you have [sic] any links between this assistance and the terrorism affair?

Congressman Gephardt: We have had a long relationship with Lebanon and I believe we will continue to have that. We understand the economic concerns here. Some of us in the Congress are desirous of improving and making more effective our aid programs. We need for there to be economic success throughout this region and in Lebanon. We will seek to assist in that effort. We also appreciate the assistance we have received from Lebanon in the fight against terrorism. We are going to continue to try and work - as we are right now - with the Lebanese government in trying to fight against terrorism. I've said to the Minister and I've said to the Speaker that I really believe that terrorism is in competition in the world today with governance. America is very clear that we want a world coalition against terrorism. Terrorism is destructive. It is chaotic. It creates anarchy. Lebanon has seen the effects of terrorism. It has been affected by terrorism probably as much as any country in the world. They know full well why terrorism has to be eradicated. We look for cooperation and help, and we will seek to end terrorism in this world.

Thank you.