HRES91hFEB18

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Week Ending February 18, 2005

House Resolution 91 honoring the life and legacy of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. (Note: The title was amended to read: Condemning the terrorist bombing attack that occurred on February 14, 2005, in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and killed and wounded others)

Click of flag for map and country data, Lebanon

Click on flag for map and country data, Syria

BRIEF

Blown up with 16 others by a car bomb the former Prime Minister of Lebanon was recognized as a strong force towards freedom, democracy and anti-terrorism in that very unsettled part of the Middle East. Concluding that the bombing was intended to intimidate the Lebanese people and push the country towards chaos the Resolution encourages a UN investigation into the death.

All attention is turned to Syria as the culprit and that is a particularly popular view from the US perspective because Syria is suspected of and accused of supporting and even instigating insurgent efforts in Iraq. The US has indicated its discomfort with Syria since the US invaded Iraq.

Syria, however, has been an occupier of Lebanon territory for nearly thirty years at the request of the Lebanese Maronite Christians who have, for that time been in a civil war with Lebanese Muslims over who controls the country. Syria, it has been said, agreed to participate in the Lebanese civil war to at least protect itself from that war spilling over the border or to avoid invasion of Lebanon by Israel. Later, a treaty called for Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon but Syria has not complied.

Syria has its own concerns with Christian / Muslim tension and a continuing conflict with Israel since Israel took over the Golan Heights in the 1967 Arab - Israeli War. Syria still occupies part of Lebanon with about 16,000 troops.

Causing further suspicion of Syria as responsible for Mr. Hariri's death is Syria's support for Hezbollah (Hizbollah) a terrorist group that operates in the southern part of Lebanon close to the Israeli border.

The Resolution condemns the attack and urges states in the region to investigate who is responsible for it and bring them to justice.

Sponsor: Representative Hick J. Rahall, II (D-WV-3^rd)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote (Feb. 16, 2005)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

H. Res. 91

Whereas on February 14, 2005, a bomb exploded in Beirut, Lebanon, killing at least 15 people, including Rafik Hariri, former Prime Minister of Lebanon, and wounding at least 100 people;

Whereas Rafik Hariri, a leader and public servant, was believed to be the target of the attack;

Whereas on June 14, 2003, the Future TV studio in Lebanon, which is owned by Rafik Hariri, was targeted by a rocket attack;

Whereas Rafik Hariri, born into a humble family in Sidon, Lebanon, on November 1, 1944, became a successful businessman and politician who served the people of Lebanon in numerous roles;

Whereas Rafik Hariri contributed to the mediation between Lebanese militias during the Lebanese civil war and was a primary architect of the 1989 Taif Accords, which put an end to the Lebanese civil war;

Whereas Rafik Hariri contributed to the economic development and post-war reconstruction of Lebanon, attracting foreign investments from throughout the world;

Whereas Rafik Hariri founded several philanthropic, humanitarian, and educational foundations to provide assistance to needy individuals;

Whereas Rafik Hariri was respected by the international community, as exemplified by the international community's support for the Paris II conference on relieving Lebanon's debt in November 2002;

Whereas the assassination of Rafik Hariri should not be allowed to discourage participation and open debate in Lebanon's upcoming parliamentary elections, which the United States expects to take place in the spring of 2005 as scheduled and be credible, democratic, and free of foreign interference;

Whereas in response to the terrorist bombing attack, President George W. Bush stated: ``Mr. Hariri was a fervent supporter of Lebanese independence, and worked tirelessly to rebuild a free, independent, and prosperous Lebanon following its brutal civil war and despite its continued foreign occupation. His murder is an attempt to stifle these efforts to build an independent, sovereign Lebanon free of foreign domination.''; and

Whereas President Bush further stated: ``The people of Lebanon deserve the freedom to choose their leaders free of intimidation, terror, and foreign occupation, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1559. The United States will consult with other governments in the region and on the Security Council today about measures that can be taken to punish those responsible for this terrorist attack, to end the use of violence and intimidation against the Lebanese people, and to restore Lebanon's independence, sovereignty, and democracy by freeing it from foreign occupation.'': Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the terrorist bombing attack that occurred on February 14, 2005, in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and killed and wounded others;

(2) extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of all the victims in this terrorist attack and to the people of Lebanon in this moment of tragedy;

(3) recognizes the significant contributions made by Rafik Hariri during his lifetime;

(4) reaffirms the right of the people of Lebanon to choose their leaders in a manner that is free of intimidation, terror, and foreign occupation in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 (2004); and

(5) urges all members of the international community to facilitate any investigation into this terrorist attack and help bring the perpetrators to justice.

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