near future. In 1998, Lebanon's parliament must elect a new President, and we look forward to seeing a vigorously contested election.

As we have documented in our human rights report, we are concerned about certain steps the government has taken in the area of human rights and civil liberties, especially as regards the implementation of the media law, other media restrictions, and the arrests of government opponents after a shooting incident last December. These arrests took place without due process under Lebanese law. We have taken such issues up directly with the government and will continue to do so. We were pleased that the arrestees were all released.

The Lebanese government has gradually expanded its authority but still does not exercise control over all Lebanese territory. Syria maintains 25-30,000 troops mostly in the Bekaa Valley. Israel maintains approximately 1,000-1,200 troops in southern Lebanon, and supports 2,000 allies in the South Lebanese Army. Hizballah exercises primary control in parts of Beirut's southern suburbs, areas in the Bekaa Valley, including training camps, and parts of southern Lebanon. That said, there has been a marked improvement in the security situation since the last U.S. hostages were released in 1991, and there have been no terrorist attacks against Americans or other Westerners in over six years.

Another important reason for this progress has been the restoration of the Lebanese Armed Forces. At the end of the civil war in 1990, the LAF was a small, spent and divided army. Thanks to strong leadership and modest U.S. assistance, the LAF is now a disciplined, multi-confessional force numbering 60,000. The LAF has played a major role in creating a more secure Lebanon and is one of the most respected government institutions in the country. The LAF closely cooperates with the U.S. and dedicates significant assets to securing our Embassy. The U.S. is also beginning a small police training program which we hope will also foster the rule of law and increase cooperation on counter-narcotics, counterfeiting and other law enforcement issues. We note that while drug labs and transit problems still exist, Lebanon has eradicated drug crops in the Bekaa Valley. Overall law enforcement cooperation has been good.

The government has limited the activities of many violent individuals and some groups in Lebanon. For example, in 1996, Lebanon extradited to Germany for prosecution a suspect in the April 1986 Berlin Disco bombing in which two U.S. servicemen were killed. We continue to pursue with the Lebanese the investigation of those responsible for terrorist crimes against Americans in the eighties. The Lebanese government has also taken other steps to combat terrorism and has acceded to nine of the ten international anti-terrorism conventions. The tenth is now before the parliament, and we expect approval in the near future. The government continues to provide personal security to many high-profile Americans visiting Lebanon. In early 1997, Lebanese authorities arrested and is trying five members of the Japanese Red Army, who had been resident in the Bekaa. We also note that the Lebanese government spoke out forcefully against recent threats to Americans in Turkey by a PKK spokesman in Lebanon and in answer to threats of domestic violence by former Hizballah Secretary General Subhi Tufayli.

Within the country, Lebanese authorities have also made progress in upgrading airport security measures, but travel to or through Beirut International Airport (BIA) is not risk free. Most travelers using BIA transit the airport road which passes through Hizballah-controlled areas of south Beirut and near several Palestinian refugee camps. A new, safer airport road is under construction, however.

Despite these positive steps, we judge that Lebanon continues to be a dangerous place for Americans. Lebanon remains a safe haven for armed, organized groups with a demonstrated history of terrorist attacks against Americans. These include Hizballah, the Abu Nidal Organization, the PFLP-GC and other groups. These groups are not completely restrained by the government and continue to demonstrate a hostility toward the United States and our citizens. They still retain a capability to take actions if they choose. We receive occasional reports of surveillance of Embassy Beirut and its personnel.

The restriction on the use of the U.S. passport and a strong travel warning began in the eighties as a result of our continuing concerns about the security threat to American citizens. The restriction was extended annually until January 1994. Since then it has been extended for periods of six months in order to review the security situation on a more frequent basis. The restriction will expire on July 31, and Secretary Albright will review the restriction prior to that date.

Regulations also allow for circumstances in which the State Department may grant an exception to the passport restrictions. The State Department through the Consular Affairs Bureau adjudicates such Lebanon validation requests on a case-by-case basis and on an expedited basis for emergency travel. In 1996, we responded to a request from Senator Spencer Abraham and other Members of Congress to then-Secretary Christopher for a modification of the humanitarian passport validation category by expanding the definition of the family allowed to travel under that category. As a result, more Americans have received validations for travel to Lebanon for family reunification and family emergencies.

Other restrictions have long been in place on the purchase of airline tickets with itineraries including Lebanon, the use of Beirut International Airport (BIA) by U.S. carriers and U.S.-registered aircraft, landing rights in the U.S. by Lebanon's flag carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA) and some restrictions on air cargo originating in Lebanon. In 1995, the U.S. eased ticketing restrictions to allow the purchase of airline tickets in the U.S. for non-Americans and Americans with properly validated passports. These groups were previously forced to buy their tickets in third countries. These instances demonstrate we are prepared to make changes in our restrictions and relax aspects of them as conditions warrant.

While the U.S. has no trade sanctions against Lebanon and no special export license requirements apply, we are aware that the restrictions make it harder for U.S. commercial interests to compete for business in Lebanon, but a growing number of U.S. companies do successfully conduct business in Lebanon, usually through partnership agreements. Our Embassy commercial section and our Ambassador also make every effort to be of assistance. We are advocating forcefully on behalf of U.S. business on several major projects. Our colleagues at the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture, the Exim Bank and other agencies are actively supporting U.S. business efforts in Lebanon. The United States remains one of the major exporters of products into Lebanon. Much remains to be done to restore Lebanon's infrastructure and fully revive its economy. We are pleased that the government is beginning to focus on reconstruction and rehabilitation outside the Beirut area. On the other hand, we are troubled by recent Lebanese legislation restricting the import of agricultural and other products.

We look forward to the day when the security situation in Lebanon will have improved to the point that all travel restrictions can be lifted. More importantly, we look forward to the day

when Lebanon, at peace with her neighbors and free of all foreign forces, resumes her traditional place in the Middle East.

Mr. Chairman, this concludes our statement. We would be pleased to answer any

questions you may have.

Statement
of

Congressman Ray LaHood (R-IL)
before the

House Committee on International Relations

Hearing on U.S. Policy Toward Lebanon

June 25, 1997

Distinguished Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, as one who is proud to claim Lebanese ancestry, it is truly an honor to have the opportunity to speak on travel to Lebanon. As I am sure you are all aware, travel to Lebanon has been banned by the U.S. State Department since 1987. And, only two other countries--Iraq and Libya--have received travel bans from the State Department. Including Lebanon on the same list as Iraq and Libya is clearly unjustified.

In 1995, I visited Lebanon and the village of Itoo, the hometown of many of my relatives. As I traveled through Lebanon, I was able to see the progress that Lebanon has made since the end of its civil war, as well as to gauge the impact that the travel ban has had on that country.

The civil war that the Lebanese people had to endure began in 1975. Indeed, according to Congressional Quarterly, the majority of the Lebanese people were not even involved in the fighting, but most were, unfortunately, victims. The fighting that took place in Lebanon in 1975 and 1976 largely occurred between rival militia groups, who were vying for control of the country's political system. As the rival groups battled each other, some of the fighting inevitably spilled over, destroying many of the buildings and

much of the infrastructure of the Lebanese countryside.

During my visit to Lebanon, I experienced firsthand the rebirth and reawakening that is currently sweeping through the country. This rebirth follows a period of civil war and fighting that, according to the Congressional Research Service, left more than 100,000 persons dead and another 200,000 wounded. In addition, the war, at one time or another, produced nearly 1million refugees, which translates to roughly one-third of Lebanon's total population of 3 million. Yet, despite these years of violence, war and civil strife, the spirit of the Lebanese people has not been broken--the people are committed to the task of rebuilding their country.

More importantly, the years of bloodshed are finally behind the Lebanese people. Though once home to foreign terrorist groups, the Lebanese people have largely eradicated them from their homeland. In fact, in the past six years, not a single American has been killed or injured due to terrorism in Lebanon.

Today, Lebanon is moving toward a bright and better future. And, if the future of Lebanon is to be a bright one, and if the people of Lebanon are to be successful in their rebuilding efforts, then they will need the aid of foreign investment--particularly, American investment.

Though the devastation caused by the civil war still remains fresh in the minds of many Lebanese, there has already been tremendous efforts to rebuild the infrastructure of the country. If you travel to Beirut, you will see new buildings and businesses rising up all over the city. Slowly, Beirut is beginning to rebuild itself, and hopefully, one day it will be able to reclaim its status as the "Paris of the Middle East."