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US House delegation criticizes meddling in polls
“Clearly, you”re capable of making your own decisions” – Ackerman
A US congressional delegation visiting Lebanon Wednesday criticized any external attempts to influence the country”s upcoming parliamentary elections and expressed the hope that the polls would reflect the will of the Lebanese people. "We want to encourage people to vote so that the result of the election is representative of the true feelings of the people," Representative Gary Ackerman (D-NY), chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, told The Daily Star.
"An election is a current event. It”s what takes place at the day of the election, but the result of the election is the indication of where your future lies. And the Lebanese people have to make those determinations."
Ackerman, joined by House Foreign Affairs Committee colleagues Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN), spoke of the strong US ties to Lebanon and confirmed the US abiding commitment to the country”s sovereignty, independence and democratic process.
The delegation”s visit, part of a regional tour, comes just days before Lebanon”s pivotal parliamentary elections on June 7, which pit the ruling March 14 majority coalition against the Hizbullah-led opposition.
Washington lists Hizbullah as a terrorist organization and US officials have said American aid packages – totaling over $1 billion in recent years – will be re-evaluated after the elections.
Ellison expressed confidence that the Lebanese would take advantage of the elections as an opportunity to advance their nation”s interests.
"I think the Lebanese people are going to be making the decision in their own best interests not at the behest of any foreign power, including Iran," he said.
Analysts have said Hizbullah and its partners could well win a majority in the polls, and it remains to be seen how a victory by the coalition would affect US-Lebanese ties.
Ackerman acknowledged that the US views Hizbullah "very differently than they do in this region," but he noted that the evaluation of assistance was a common practice.
"We evaluate our aid packages continually, on a recurring basis, regardless of the results of any election," he said.
However, when asked how an opposition victory might compare with Hamas” victory in 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, after which the group was internationally isolated, Ackerman said: "You don”t give money to people who wish you ill or harm. You don”t give money to enemies. You give money to people who are your friends."
Jackson Lee voiced a personal hope that the polls results would represent continuity for Lebanese independence and the ruling coalition.
The representatives nevertheless stressed repeatedly that the elections were part of a domestic political process, one which should be controlled and decided by no one but the Lebanese themselves.
"The election will be the concern and is the concern of the people of Lebanon and they have to make [their own] decisions," Ackerman said. "You are one of the most intelligent societies of the world. You are one of the world”s cultural elite; that”s a historical fact. Clearly, you”re capable of making your own decisions," he added.
Since January a stream of US diplomats and politicians have visited Lebanon, including a trip last week by Vice President Joe Biden and one last month by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Jackson Lee said the number of high-profile visits should not be seen as an effort to influence the elections but rather a sign of respect and friendship.
In addition, she noted that the timing coincided with congressional budgetary decisions in Washington. "I think there”s a sense of timing for our presence in the region … I think timing is very important. For one, we”re in the middle of the appropriations process and Lebanon is scheduled for FY2010 for about $229 million," Jackson Lee said.
The recent visits also highlight the Obama administration”s commitment to a renewed push for a "comprehensive peace agreement" in the region, the House members said.
Jackson Lee added that during the delegation”s tour – to Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Cyprus and Jordan – the response to Washington”s revamped regional agenda, influenced in part by the Arab Peace Initiative, had been encouraging.
Echoing comments by Biden, Ackerman said Lebanon would play an integral role in forging regional peace, and that the country”s sovereignty would not be sacrificed in any agreement.
"Lebanon is part of the solution. Your democracy is part of the solution," he said. "We”re looking for friends. We need you as a friend … no agreement should be made, between anyone in the region, that”s paid for in Lebanese coin."