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Kucinich Hears President Lahoud's Plea for National Unity; 'Strength Through Peace' Talks with Lebanon's Leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Sunday, September 03, 2007

BERUIT, LEBANON - Dennis J. Kucinich, US Presidential candidate and member of the United States Congress met with President Emil Lahoud of Lebanon today.

President Lahoud expressed his desire for a Lebanese national unity government to emerge to provide peace and stability in his country. Kucinich shared with President Lahoud his vision of Strength through Peace, a security doctrine which calls for direct engagement between leaders, dialogue between nations, diplomacy and adherence to international and constitutional law.

President Lahoud was quite specific about the challenge of Shiites having resigned from the government: "Lebanon is governed by a consensus on every issue. To have this we must have three main religious groups represented equally (Shiites, Sunnis and Maronites). When one group leaves you cannot have a legal government."

Kucinich heard President Lahoud's concerns expressed similarly in his visits today with Lebanese Presidential candidate General Michel Auon as well as General Michel Sulaiman, whose command is successfully concluding a three month military operation against an al Qaeda-like terrorist cell in northern Lebanon. No civilian casualties have been reported. One hundred sixty-three Lebanese soldiers died in the combat.

"Lebanon has paid a heavy price and would really like to bring the country together. Lebanon has overcome an al Qaeda-like terrorist group so has shown itself to be a strong partner in the Middle East," Lahoud told Kucinich. "Now in the important event of an election of the President we must bring everyone together, not separate them along religious lines."

"Lebanon is at a turning point between war and peace. Its Constitution and its democracy are on the line. It is urgent that all parties find a path toward peace and avoid the strife which has engulfed Lebanon in the past," Kucinich said.

Kucinich began his day in a meeting with General Michel Auon, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement and one of the leading contenders for the Presidency of Lebanon. General Aoun expressed hope for a peaceful resolution which would spare Lebanon a civil war.

"Lebanon's Constitution requires that a President be chosen by two thirds of the Parliament. However, some factions, with the support of the US, are arguing in favor of a new standard of 50% plus 1. Aoun believes this would not only compromise Lebanon's Constitution but undermine national unity and set the stage for dangerous internal conflict.

"There is no deadlock in democracy, there are always solutions with dialogue," General Aoun told Kucinich.

"As long as all parties in Lebanon are willing to communicate with each other, there is the possibility that they will be able to agree upon an approach to elections and the choice of a President, without outside interference," Kucinich said.

Kucinich added that some Lebanese officials have expressed alarm at the action of the American government to attempt to influence and undermine the election process on behalf of various multinational interests.

"The proper role of the United States is not to be aligned with any candidate in Lebanon but to support the people of Lebanon once they have made their choice. This is how America will restore its reputation in the region. Leaders in the United States must be cautioned not to look at Lebanon as a place to be exploited for the profit of various US corporate interests. It is time for Lebanon to determine its own destiny: Lebanon for Lebanon," Kucinich said at a news conference in Beirut earlier today and later in an interview with the Lebanese National News Agency.

Congressman and Mrs. Kucinich visited Lebanon last year in the wake of the Israeli bombing of the Beirut and south Lebanon. When Kucinich announced his candidacy for President he referenced the devastation he and his wife witnessed in south Lebanon, particularly in the Village of Qana. They will return there tomorrow. Kucinich keeps a thirty pound bomb fragment from Qana in his Washington office as a reminder of the inhumanity of war.

Later today Kucinich and his wife shall be meeting with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Marontie Patriarch Cardinal Sfeir.

"Elizabeth and I feel a close emotional and spiritual connection to the people of Lebanon. We have seen their suffering and have called it to the attention of the world. This is why Strength through Peace is so important. It provides a diplomatic course of action which preserves rights, justice, human dignity and life."

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Washington:
Sharon Manitta (Washington DC) – 202.403.9163, sharon.manitta@kucinich.us