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SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER: Good morning. On behalf of President Clinton, I am happy to welcome you to the Friends of Lebanon Conference. My co-chair, Prime Minister Hariri, is a highly-valued partner in our search for a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
Such a peace, once achieved, will endure only if Lebanon and its neighbors can achieve prosperity as well. I would like to thank all of you for demonstrating the abiding commitment of your nations and institutions to realizing our shared vision of a prosperous Middle East at peace -- and in particular to assist Lebanon in its courageous effort at reconstruction. Today let me also reaffirm U.S. support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, and for the ultimate withdrawal from Lebanon of all foreign forces.
Since the historic Taif accord in 1989, Lebanon has emerged from a tragic civil war that claimed tens of thousands of lives and devastated one of the strongest economies in the Middle East. Prime Minister Hariri, with your leadership, the hard work of your people, and the support of Lebanon's many friends, your country has certainly made great strides in reconstruction. But much more needs to be done to raise the standard of living for the Lebanese people and to ensure that they will benefit directly from economic reconstruction. Today we are meeting together to determine how the international community can continue to help Lebanon.
Let me briefly review the origins of this conference. In the wake of last April's crisis in southern Lebanon, we negotiated a written Understanding to end the hostilities and to stop the targeting of civilians in future fighting. The Understanding also called for the formation of two new groups -- a Monitoring Group for conflict resolution and a Consultative Group for reconstruction assistance.
The Monitoring Group has been working very hard, and in the main successfully, to ease tensions along the Israeli-Lebanon border. With France assuming chairmanship of the Monitoring Group this month, the United States will continue to strongly support and fully participate in its work together with Lebanon, Israel, and Syria.
The Understanding also called for the establishment of a Consultative Group, which has resulted in today's meeting of the Friends of Lebanon. Our goal is to help ensure that Lebanon will develop over the long term a mutual, beneficial partnership with the governments and private institutions in interested countries, countries that want to assist Lebanon. Building on the initiatives that Lebanon itself has begun, we seek ways to help the Lebanese help themselves -- especially in attracting private investment.
In order to maintain the momentum of its recent progress, Lebanon requires support in three key areas -- the economic and social infrastructure, the private sector, and the security forces of Lebanon. The United States will help in each of the three areas.
First, we will increase our assistance for basic infrastructure, agricultural development, education and training, and social services. Second, our investment and trade agencies will work to expand the flow of goods, services, and capital between our various private sectors. Finally, we will bolster our training of Lebanese military officers, law enforcement officers, and we'll continue to provide non-lethal defense equipment.
This assistance will contribute to the region's overall prosperity and stability by helping Lebanon to resume its traditional role as a dynamic trading center for the entire region. For too long, this region has been held back not only by the destruction of war but also by the inefficiencies of statist and protectionist economies. In recent years, many of the region's nations have understood and recognized that if they are to prosper in the fiercely competitive global economy, they must embrace the realities and opportunities of the future. That is why many of Lebanon's friends, along with their neighbors, are modernizing their economies, opening their markets, cracking down on corruption, and removing the bureaucratic bottlenecks that have scared off investors and drained away precious capital. Lebanon's own commitment to free markets has spurred reconstruction and made it an example for other nations. Of course, this has been done under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Hariri.
We are convinced that the Middle East peace process must move forward in both its economic and political dimensions. Arabs and Israelis alike continue to share a mutual interest in preserving these remarkable gains that have been made and maintaining the basis for future progress.
In recent months, Palestinians and Israelis have been in particular reminded that negotiation is the only real alternative to renewed violence. The negotiations over Hebron in the last two months have been very difficult. But nevertheless I remain optimistic that a final agreement will soon be reached.
The United States will continue to work actively and patiently with the parties to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of full implementation of agreements between Israel and the Palestinians. And we will continue to work for the comprehensive peace that is so critical to the prosperity and stability and security of the entire Middle East, including Lebanon. President Clinton and my successor Ambassador Albright are determined that America will continue to meet its leadership responsibilities in the region of such vital interest to our nation, to Lebanon, and the other nations of the region.
Lebanon particularly has a critical stake in the success of the Middle East peace process. The work of the international community through today's Friends of Lebanon conference is of great importance in the long run. Not only will it help heal the wounds of war in Lebanon, but it will also help us move closer to our broader goals of comprehensive peace and region-wide prosperity.
When Prime Minister Hariri and I complete our introductory remarks, the Prime Minister will open our discussion by laying out for you Lebanon's progress, plans, and needs for assistance. I urge all of the governments and institutions that are present here to do their very utmost to meet the new requests. I know it will be a good conference. I want to apologize in advance for needing to leave before the end of the morning meeting. Foreign Minister Spring and I are due at the White House for the meeting of the U.S.-EU summit. But this gives us an opportunity in that setting as well to emphasize the importance of assistance to Lebanon and to press forward on the peace process. Mr. Prime Minister, I'm delighted to welcome you, and look forward to your remarks.
PRIME MINISTER HARIRI: Thank you. Mr. Chairman, Ministers, Ambassadors, ladies and gentlemen: the convening of the first meeting of the Friends of Lebanon represents the culmination of the efforts of the Lebanese people and their aspiration for and faith in the reaffirmation of the international community's commitment to support Lebanon's revival. Since 1992, we have launched a reconstruction and rehabilitation program, while donors and official League members have supported our program. The funding of the initial phase of the program was to a large extent based on a domestic effort. So far, the economic results are encouraging, and the government restored the confidence of its people in their country as well as the confidence of the world in Lebanon. The continuing support of the international community will ensure that the process of reconstruction will keep moving forward. This conference demonstrates the continuing commitment of the international community to support the Lebanese in rebuilding their country after years of turmoil. On behalf of President Hrawi, the Lebanese people, and the Lebanese government, I would like to extend a warm thanks to President Clinton for actively sponsoring this important event, and to Secretary Christopher for his painstaking efforts to ensure the success of this meeting. The gratitude of the Lebanese people and government is also extended for all the close friends of Lebanon that are gathered here today, thereby declaring their keen interest in Lebanon's future and in its ability to reclaim its active role as a center of cultural exchange and an active contributor to the betterment of humanity. Once again, I would like to extend my thanks to each and every one who responded to the invitation, and to the U.S. government, the sponsor and host of this conference. Thank you.
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