With Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch
Washington D.C.
August 06, 2007
...Please identify yourself.Q: Mounzer Sleiman, Since you ended with Lebanon, I’m going to ask you about Lebanon. What is your assessment of the defeat of one of the symbols of your so-called “cedar revolution”? The former president, who is also president of a major party, was defeated by someone who is not really well known, although he is part of a well-known block. Additionally, the executive order that was issued recently: can you tell us a little about the process? Who will determine that any action by any person is threatening the stability of the Sinora Government? Will the United States decide that? Or the Sinora government? And if it is the United States, which agency will decide? The State Department? What’s the criteria that is being used for that?
A/S Welch: Well, of course the election results are very fresh. Again, we will be speaking to this later on today, but we commend the process; we’re in favor of open and free elections in Lebanon. In politics, when it’s done fairly and freely, there is a winner and there is a loser. But in this case, there is only one winner, in our judgment, and that is the people of Lebanon, for having had this election under peaceful circumstances. Let it be a model for the next election. I know former President Amin Gemayel very well. I knew his son as well. These people have contributed a lot to the history of Lebanon and will contribute to its future. Mr. Gemayel waged a good campaign. I don’t know what the process is for declaring the finality of the results, but we shall see. I do not know the candidate against whom he ran; I recognize he represents a different block. According to Ambassador Feltman, the voting results were really quite interesting. If you analyze how the vote of the traditionally Christian district was split, I think you will find plenty of room for comment on the part for political observers in Lebanon – as to whether that was good, bad, for either of the blocks. Let me say this: I believe all this is good for the people of Lebanon. They should have a chance to speak and freedom about their future. Again, I would hope that the next election – this time we want to see one in a sitting parliament, on time, on schedule, in accordance with the constitution for the presidency. We should see how that turns out.
Q: How about the executive orders?
A/S Welch: The executive order is of course new. We will examine, based upon our information and reports from our mission there, what if any information there is about persons who may be engaged in anti-democratic actions. Let me just qualify this a little bit, sir. You have said that this is actions against the Sinora government. Actually, we drew up this executive order with a different purpose in mind: that is to support the constitutional, democratic process in Lebanon. So any actions taken against that would potentially have an implication under the executive order. It is not a matter of opposition to one person in government, or to the government, it is not personal in that sense. And there are a variety of people who I think should receive scrutiny right away because their loyalty does not lie either to the constitution or to the country.
Q: Can I follow up?
A/S Welch: Nope, we will go to your colleagues next. Please.
Q: Joyce Karam, Al Hayat. Actually, I would like to follow up on that, but from a different angle. If the parliament does not convene for the presidential elections, and if Aoun and Hizbollah blocs, you know, they have large numbers in the parliament, will they be designated under this order because they will obviously be impeding the democratic process.
A/S Welch: Well in the case of Hizbullah, they have already been captured by American law in an important respect in regards to foreign terrorist organization statutes. I don’t want to address hypotheticals but our political position on this is very clear: we think the parliament should open, as the speaker has called for on the 25th, and begin the process to elect a new president. That should be done in accordance with the constitution and Lebanese practice with respect to all the institutions and their leadership. I have spoken to the speaker of the parliament about this myself –
Q: When you were in Beirut?
A/S Welch: Correct. And I am convinced that he understands his constitutional duties, and by calling for the opening of the parliament, is showing some respect for it. We want to see that perceived. We count on his leadership to make sure that it happens. And we would hope that all members of parliament turn up to do their duty. Of course, to be candid, I may not like the political affiliations of some, but that’s not for me to say. They have their responsibilities under the law, and they should exercise them, and then we will see who wins.
Q: Hisham Melhem, Al Nahar. Again to continue the same topic, the interpretations or justifications for the executive order was concern in Washington about the possibility of the emergence of two competing governments, which has happened before in Lebanon. How concerned are you about this potential? And is there anything you have seen recently in Lebanon or within the region that leads you to express that kind of concern? And if that develops, one would assume that those involved with it will be subjected to the executive order?
A/S Welch: There is an important and difficult political crisis underway in Lebanon, it has been underway for quite some time. Those who support democracy there feel threatened. This executive order is one of several steps that we have put in place to help protect the interest of the people in Lebanon. Mr. Melhem, the United States can always have a view about what a political outcome may be; but that is not the most important position of the U.S. The most important one here is to protect the freedom of the Lebanese. And the executive order is another step to signal the people in Lebanon and outside of Lebanon that there will be consequences if they act to thwart the will of the Lebanese people and act against Lebanese law. It will be used if they do so.
Q: And you are not talking about Lebanese nationals? You are talking about anybody?
A/S Welch: It could be Lebanese and others."
(thanks Mounzer)
