U.S. Support for Lebanon's Early Recovery
Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance & USAID Administrator
Remarks at the Conference for Lebanon's Early Recovery
Stockholm, Sweden
August 31, 2006
As Prepared For Delivery
On behalf of the American people, thank you Prime Minister Persson, Foreign Minister Eliasson, and Minister for
Development Cooperation Jamtin for organizing this conference. And we are all especially grateful that Prime Minister
Siniora is here today. He is the unwavering advocate for the Lebanese people, and his continuing leadership will be
crucial as they seek to recover and rebuild their country.
From the outbreak of this conflict, in both words and deeds the United States expressed its desire to mitigate the
humanitarian hardships that conflict brought to the people of Lebanon. First, we sought to bring about an enduring
cessation to the conflict.
We worked closely with our colleagues on the Security Council to pass UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Our efforts
at humanitarian relief and reconstruction must support its underlying goals —changing the unstable status quo that
precipitated the conflict; strengthening Lebanon's sovereign, democratic government; and ensuring lasting peace and
security for the entire region.
The response to humanitarian needs in Lebanon has truly shown the international community's willingness to respond.
Within days of the outbreak of violence —a team effort, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, UN
agencies, and the NGO community —began operating in southern Lebanon, providing much-needed medical treatment,
evacuating the injured, and saving lives under dangerous conditions. With support from the American people, the United
States Government was among the donors who provided relief in the early days of the crisis.
We must build upon the work completed to date and support Lebanon's efforts to build a stable, peaceful, democratic, and
prosperous future. As the independent Government of Lebanon exercises complete sovereignty and authority over its
country and transitions into a long-term program of reconstruction and development, there will be a new dawn for the
people it represents.
While the seeds of hope grow with each passing day, as the Lebanese Government has pointed out, much remains to be done.
Today, we reiterate the United States' commitment to reinforcing democracy by supporting the Lebanese Government's
efforts to meet the needs of its people through early recovery and reconstruction.
Last week, President Bush announced more than $230 million in humanitarian, reconstruction and security assistance to
Lebanon to support the rebuilding of people's lives, livelihoods, and communities —more than $55 million of which is
already on the ground in Lebanon. The United States will also be leveraging the private sector and other economic
incentives to support Lebanon. We welcome the Government of Lebanon's early recovery plan, and we will join the UN,
international organizations, NGOs and donors to help realize its goals.
The pledges we are making here today —including our own $230 million commitment — must be more than numbers. We, as
donors, must continue to work with the Government of Lebanon to identify ways we can support its priorities. And, once
identified, we must move quickly to disburse funds in order that our good intentions quickly translate to action on the
ground.
Through the actions of the United States government, the American people have demonstrated their generosity in Lebanon's
hour of need, in six key areas —all identified as vital needs by the Lebanese Government. We are beginning to put into
action the additional resources President Bush announced last week.
In Jbeil, the United States will rebuild the Fidar Bridge, restoring a vital link in Lebanon's coastal highway that is
considered a lynchpin in the movement of traffic for commuters, industry, and tourism. This bridge is essential in the
movement of emergency cargo shipments between the ports of Tripoli and Beirut, and a nerve center for the transportation
and shipping industries, as well as an important connector for several roadways linking north Lebanon to the most
heavily impacted areas in the South.
In the South, the United States is supporting road repairs from Marjeyoun to Nabatyeh —which are not only helping remove
debris from roads vital to recovery, but injecting cash into the local economy through cash-for-work programs that
benefit thousands.
Across Lebanon —from Tyre to Tripoli —the United States is already assisting thousands of people whose homes were
damaged during the conflict, with tens of thousands of additional families slated to receive assistance in the coming
months. Some are being reimbursed for materials needed to make quick repairs. Others will receive materials, such as
tarps, for temporary repairs. For the elderly, infirm, or wounded among them, we are procuring materials and hiring
local workers to assist them. For families whose homes were severely damaged, we are providing a warm, dry room, with a
kitchen and toilet while they make permanent repairs to their property.
As we provide support for the Lebanese people to continue repairing their homes, the United States is also helping them
ready schools for their coming school year. In Marjeyoun, for instance, we are helping remove debris, repair structural
damage, and clean up schools in El Khiam and Andaisse. Similar efforts are under way in Baalbek, Hasbaya, Sidon, Tyre,
and Beirut. In the South, schools receiving support include the Lebaa School and the Saydoun School.
In communities that rely on the fishing industry, the conflict took a toll. Today, the United States is providing
livelihood kits —including nets, hooks, and other materials —to thousands of fishermen along the coastline, from Tripoli
to Nakoura, whose equipment was damaged or destroyed, and where recovery hinges on getting the fishing industry back up
and running.
With U.S. assistance, local fishermen are also helping clean up the oil spill. Through cash-for-work programs, these
fishermen are not only receiving income to meet immediate needs, but are supporting shore-based cleanup in Beirut (at
the Port of Raouche) and Batroun —which is vital to getting Lebanon's tourism industry back on its feet.
Today's conference is an important step toward Lebanon's full recovery. We again extend our thanks to the Prime Minister
and the Government of Sweden for taking the initiative to bring us together. Because together, we can help Lebanon
create the conditions necessary for its people to get back to work, its children to get back to school, and its
communities to thrive.
A democratic, secure, and prosperous Lebanon is in the best interest of the entire global community. Indeed, it is our
best defense against the recurrence of instability and war. The United States dedicates itself to this outcome and asks
that the other participants in this conference do so as well.
Thank you very much.
Released on August 31, 2006
ENDS