CLAO

Founded in 1989 to serve the USA and Lebanon.

THE COUNCIL OF LEBANESE AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS

       Eastern USA: P.O. Box 181116 Cleveland, OH 44118  ***  Western USA: P. O. Box 661823, Los Angeles, CA 90066

March 10, 2005

CLAO AT THE US STATE DEPARTMENT

A delegation from the Council Of Lebanese American Organizations (CLAO) met on Wednesday March 9, 2005 with officials at the Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) to discuss the prevailing situation in Lebanon.  In attendance were for the NEA was James McVerry, the Director of the Office of Egypt and the Levant and the Lebanon Desk Officer, Alistair Baskey.  CLAO was represented by its Chairman, Elie Najm, as well as Nabil Sahlani, David Epperly, Hussein Bizri, Yvone Najm, and Samar Boughazale. 

The discussion centered around the issues of the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, the pro-democracy movement, the investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri as well as numerous other related topics.  CLAO representatives were buoyed by the similarities in their positions and those being espoused as current policy at the Department of State.  CLAO submitted a position paper, which outlined the following proposed solutions:

1. The urgent formation of an international coalition force, spearheaded by the US and France to be deployed to Lebanon in the shortest term possible in support of the Lebanese Army’s efforts to protect the people and to maintain order;
2. The immediate and complete withdrawal of Syrian troops and intelligence operatives in conjunction with the release of all Lebanese prisoners held in Syrian jails;
3. The withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Shibaa Farms and the release of all Lebanese political prisoners held in Israeli prisons;
4. The deployment of Lebanese Army units in all of Lebanon;
5. The complete disarmament of all Syrian-sponsored and armed militias to include Hezbollah and the Palestinian camps.  This must include the deportation of armed Iranian Revolutionary Guards training Hezbollah along with the Syrians;
6. The resignation of Syrian appointed Emile Lahoud and all of his senior security advisors and appointees;
7. The formation of an interim government with the mission of preparing for free and fair elections and for investigating the murder of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri with the assistance of an international commission, and;
8. The implementation of free and fair elections under international supervision.  This must include provisions that would make it possible for Lebanese expatriates worldwide to participate in the electoral proc
   1. ess in a manner similar to what occurred in the recent Iraqi elections.