ALC- PR- US Congress






Monday, 18 September 2006

Media Release –


Lebanese American Organizations’ Leaders Discussed in


Washington DC Current Situation in Lebanon.


 


Leaders from Lebanese American organizations, in support of Lebanon in its


current crisis, met for a conference at the United States Capitol in


Washington DC on July 28, 2006 to discuss among themselves and with US


officials the ways to address the roots and causes of the current crisis in


Lebanon to devise and suggest long lasting solutions to set up a plan of


action to help end the dangerous Lebanese situation.


 


Congressman Darrel Issa deplored the violence and raised concerns about the


humanitarian crisis. He furthermore insisted on respecting the authority of


the Lebanese government as the sole representative of the free will of the


Lebanese people. Representative Issa had visited the White House earlier


that morning with a group of other Congressmen from Lebanese origin. The


group asked for a cessation of hostilities coupled with a long stabilization


plan for Lebanon. They received assurances that the President is concerned


about the civilian and the humanitarian losses while at the same time being


committed to a lasting solution for Lebanon. Congressman Charles Boustany


sympathized with the Lebanese for their losses and supported his colleague


Mr. Issa for his stand. Dr Boustany pledged total support to Lebanon in its


current crisis and reassured all present of his commitment to work with his


colleagues for finding a lasting solution for Lebanon and relieve the


suffering of its people. Senator John Sununu sent his assistant Mr Martin


Bayr in a show of support for the leadership conference.


 


Ambassador John Bolton US Ambassador to the United Nations sent a letter to


the Conference with Deputy Ambassador Ms Sarah Tinsley Demarest, reiterating


that he will not rest until he sees Lebanon sovereign and fully independent


from all foreign interferences; the immediate task facing the US Mission and


the UN Security Council being the formation of a multinational force to


deploy in Southern Lebanon and to separate the protagonists.


 


The Director of Public Diplomacy at USAID the Honorable Walid Maalouf


presented the conference with a report of the aid package sent to Lebanon


along with future commitments from his agency to assist the Lebanese people.


 


At the end of the conference Dr. Joseph Gebeily, President of the Lebanese


Information Center and the American Lebanese Coalition, read the resolution


to the media on behalf of the organizations present.


 


 


 


 


 


RESOLUTION


 


The Organizations participating in this conference agree on:


 


1.  Calling on all internal and external parties involved in the


conflict, directly or indirectly, to fully respect the sovereignty of


Lebanon and abide by the rules of International law.


2.  Demanding an immediate and complete cease-fire to allow the Lebanese


Government and the international community’s efforts to solve the problems


emanating from the latest conflagrations and their consequences, in a


permanent manner.  Such cease-fire is to be followed immediately by a


concrete, comprehensive, and speedy process to restore Lebanese sovereignty


and defend it against any foreign interference.


3.  Opposing Hezbollah’s deplorable actions in engaging Israel in war


activities while serving the agendas of Syria and Iran, and its continued


determination to ignore Lebanon’s need to have legitimate armed forces,


namely the Lebanese Army, and thus abide by the Taef Agreement and relevant


UN resolutions.


4.  Denouncing the Israeli aggression over Lebanon, and any deliberate


targeting of civilians, infrastructure, relief activities, Lebanese Army


barracks, and United Nations posts.


5.  Deploring the civilian losses and mass displacement of civilians.


6.  Expressing gratitude for the United States of America and all other


friends of Lebanon for the support they have provided and continue to


provide, to the Lebanese government and the Lebanese people.


7.  Continuing the campaign in the United States aimed at helping


alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people, and calling for a rapid


recovery operation aided by the international community. 


 


 


 


8.  Asserting that the Lebanese Government is the exclusive legitimate


party to negotiate on behalf of Lebanon, and to exclusively hold the


decision of war and peace.  Supporting the Lebanese Government’s efforts to


extend its authority over the totality of the Lebanese territory, to control


the Lebanese borders, and to disarm all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias


according to the Taef Agreement and UNSCR 1559.


9.  Calling for the establishment of an enabled multinational force


under the auspices of the United Nations to work alongside the Lebanese Army


in deploying along, and securing Lebanon’s borders with Syria and Israel.


Furthermore, calling on the United Nations to assist Lebanon in the drawing


and finalization of its international borders, and finding a permanent


solution to the issue of the Shebaa Farms.


10. Stressing the need for a quick resolution concerning all Lebanese


detainees in Syria and Israel.


11. Stressing the need to revert to the 1949 Armistice Agreement between


Lebanon and Israel.


12. Reminding the international community that Lebanon has been


victimized by all parties involved in this conflict directly or indirectly.


 


 


 


 


 


 


Participating Organizations


 


   American Lebanese Alliance – member of the American Lebanese


Coalition


   Assembly for Lebanon – member of the American Lebanese Coalition


   Lebanese Information Center – member of the American Lebanese


Coalition


   National Alliance of Lebanese Americans


   March 14th Alliance in the US


   World Lebanese Cultural Union


   American Lebanon Coalition for a Sovereign Lebanon


   American Lebanese Coordination Council – member of the American


Lebanese Coalition


   Lebanese For Lebanon Foundation


   American Lebanese Christian Club of Cleveland


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


For Media and Public Relations Contact:


 


 


 


 


   Dr. Joseph Gebeily


 


President,


 


Lebanese Information Center


 


American Lebanese Coalition


 


Tel:              (240) 498-1895      


 


Email:  [email protected]


 


 


 


   Joseph Hage


 


President,


 


American Lebanese Coordination Council


 


Vice President – Media & Public Relations


 


American Lebanese Coalition


 


Tel:              (305) 370-2255      


 


Email: [email protected]


   


 


 


Joseph Hage


 


http://www.alcc-research.com/


 


 


 

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