A Lebanon devoted to democracy has a friend in the US – Clinton
Secretary of State acknowledges difficult tasks ahead
A Lebanon devoted to independence, equality and democracy has a strong friend in the United States, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday during a highly anticipated address at the Council on Foreign Relations. Clinton who visited Beirut earlier this year ahead of the June parliamentary polls, which were won handily by the March 14 coalition, devoted much of her speech to outlining a reformed US diplomatic approach highlighting the importance of partnership, engagement, democracy and empowerment.
"Whether in Latin America or Lebanon, Iran or Liberia, those who are inspired by democracy, who understand that democracy is about more than just elections – that it must also protect minority rights and press freedom, develop strong, competent and independent judiciaries, legislatures and executive agencies, and commit for democracy to deliver results – these are the people who will find that Americans are their friends, not adversaries," Clinton said.
The US has provided Lebanon with hundreds of millions of dollars in aid in recent years, and the country is seen as pivotal in Washington”s push for a regional dŽtente. But while the speech paid homage to Lebanon”s democratic experience, the former first lady and senator”s chief aim was to lay out a series of initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of Washington”s diplomatic efforts.
Although Clinton appeared to voice a tentative optimism, she also acknowledged the difficult tasks ahead.
"The international agenda today is unforgiving: two wars, conflict in the Middle East, ongoing threats of violent extremism and nuclear proliferation, global recession, climate change, hunger and disease, and a widening gap between the rich and the poor," Clinton said. "All of these challenges affect America”s security and prosperity, and they all threaten global stability and progress."
Despite its broad and comprehensive range, Clinton”s address did give a certain prominence to the Mideast. US President Barack Obama has chosen to focus heavily on the region, reaching out to allies and foes alike, and the speech echoed the president”s initiatives.
Clinton”s words on Iran – notably potential limitations to US engagement with the Islamic Republic – were quickly taken up by commentators. But the secretary also spoke about the Obama administration”s comprehensive regional peace strategy, principally, potential ways forward on the Arab-Israeli conflict.
"Now I”m well aware that time alone does not heal all wounds; consider the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. That”s why we wasted no time in starting an intensive effort on day one to realize the rights of Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace and security in two states, which is in America”s interests and the world”s," Clinton said.
Pressure from Washington on Israel”s new right-wing government to stop all settlement construction in the occupied West Bank has strained relations between the allies, and Israeli officials have yet to commit to the Obama administration”s approach. But Clinton noted that movement needs to be taken by Palestinian leadership as well.
The Palestinians have the responsibility to improve and extend the positive actions already taken on security; to act forcefully against incitement; and to refrain from any action that would make meaningful negotiations less likely," she said.
Arab states also feature prominently in any solution, the secretary asserted, saying that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important step that needs to be built on.
Clinton also touched on the thawing ties between the US and Syria, noting that although relations had improved – including a US plan to send an ambassador to Damascus for the first time since 2005 – Washington would still like to see certain changes in behavior.
One of the sticking points between US and Syria has been the latter”s support for groups like Hamas and Hizbullah.
While Clinton did not mention Hizbullah, which the State Department has listed as a terror group for over a decade, she said the US would not change its position vis-ˆ-vis Hamas until the group recognized Israel and renounced violence.
She did, however, note the role that non-state actors can play in the region, and the opportunities they have to contribute to finding solutions.