Dr. Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
By Facsimile
Dear Secretary Rice:
President Bush, during his Aug. 21 press conference, highlighted the importance of dispatching an expanded international force to Lebanon as specified by UN Security Council Resolution 1701. "An effective international force will help give displaced people in both Lebanon and Israel the confidence to return to their homes and begin rebuilding their lives without fear of renewed violence and terror," the president said.
Refugees International applauds the president's commitment to getting displaced people home. However, we are concerned that the deployment of an expanded international force without an accompanying political process is insufficient to allow the people of Lebanon and Israel to live "without fear of renewed violence and terror."
Paragraph 8 of the UNSCR 1701 calls for the disarmament of "all armed groups in Lebanon," leaving security in the hands of the Lebanese state. But the Lebanese army has said that it has no intention of disarming Hezbollah. Recent comments by the administration suggest that the U.S. government expects a UN peacekeeping force to do this job. However, UN peacekeepers, no matter how robust the rules of engagement, can only bring security when supporting a viable political process.
We strongly believe that only a broad political settlement that protects Lebanese sovereignty, disarms non-state groups in Lebanon, recognizes Israel's right to exist and settles territorial and other disputes can bring stability to southern Lebanon and the region generally. Achievement of such an agreement would require direct discussions between the U.S. and all parties involved in the dispute, including Syria and Iran. Moreover, for regional stability to be reached, the US government must use its influence to revive the road map towards the creation of a viable Palestinian State that respects Israeli sovereignty, and encourage Israel to resume negotiations with the democratically elected Hamas government. Recent events have demonstrated once again that unilateralism will not bring peace to the region.
Lebanon has a long history of insecurity and political instability, which has produced repeated displacement. Part of this reflects Lebanon's inability to control its borders. We and our allies can and should work with Lebanon to strengthen its institutions, including its military and elected government, but the best way for the US to advance stability in the region is to work towards a political settlement that removes threats to countries in the area. An inclusive settlement is the best way to ensure that displaced Lebanese will be able to return home and stay there, generation after generation.
Sincerely,
Kenneth H. Bacon
President
Cc: R. Nicholas Burns