Joseph Knollenberg: “I rise today to signal my intent to support H.R. 1646, the State Department Authorization Act. It is a good bill with…”

“I rise today to signal my intent to support H.R. 1646, the State Department Authorization Act. It is a good bill with many provisions that will aid the State Department in its mission around the world. However, I also must express my deep disappointment at the inclusion of Section 1224 regarding assistance to Lebanon. Section 1224 withholds $10 million of the Economic Support Fund allocated to Lebanon for the Fiscal Year 2003 and for all subsequent years unless and until the President certifies that the armed forces of Lebanon have been deployed to the internationally recognized border between Lebanon and Israel and that the government of Lebanon is effectively asserting its authority in the area in which such armed forces have been deployed. I do not oppose the goal of extending Lebanese control to southern Lebanon. Unfortunately, this provision does absolutely nothing to further that goal and will in fact hinder any progress. The U.S. should continue to press the Lebanese and Syrian governments on this point. The people of Lebanon will only know long-term peace and stability when Lebanon is willing and able to assert its independence. The U.S. must continue to press for full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 425. However, this provision will not lead us toward this goal. I have supported efforts to expand U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) activities in southern Lebanon following the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces.”