Political Quotes

“my resolution, S. Res. 63, calls for an international investigation into Monday's assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri of Lebanon. The resolution also urges the President to take steps to pressure Syria to leave Lebanon. I am pleased that Senators Lugar, Reid, Levin, Dodd, Corzine, Allen, and Chafee have joined in co-sponsoring this resolution. The despicable murder of Rafiq Hariri has deprived Lebanon of a dedicated and effective leader. It also is an attempt at intimidating the Lebanese people and pushing the country backward toward chaos. It must not succeed. In Lebanon and beyond, many suspect that Syria is responsible. That's understandable--Syria has an extensive intelligence and military presence in Lebanon, its opposition to Hariri is well known, and it continues to play a destabilizing role in Lebanese affairs. Syria must get out of Lebanon--now. Prime Minister Hariri's emergence as an opponent to Syrian meddling in Lebanon was seen as a serious threat in Damascus. The fact that he was a Muslim holding such opinions was even more problematic, as this reflects the spread of anti-Syrian sentiment in recent years beyond the Maronite Christian community. Cooperation across confessional lines in Lebanon complicates the ability of Syria to maintain its grip over Lebanese affairs. That is why Syria forced Prime Minister Hariri to resign last October.”