The Lebanese Will... Bill

From:The Angry Arab News Service/وكالة أنباء العربي الغاضب

On The Record Press Roundtable with Arab and Regional Journalists
With Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch
Washington D.C.
August 06, 2007

...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."

Powered by ScribeFire.