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THE PRESIDENT:
Good morning.
In the short time since I returned from my trip to Europe, the world
has witnessed remarkable developments in the Middle East. In Lebanon, tens
of thousands of people took to the streets in peaceful protest over the
brutal assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri. For years, the
Lebanese people have suffered from the aftermath of a horrific civil war
and occupation by Syria. Lebanese citizens who have watched free elections
in Iraq are now demanding the right to decide their own destiny, free of
Syrian control and domination. Syria has been an occupying force in
Lebanon for nearly three decades, and Syria's support for terrorism
remains a key obstacle to peace in the broader Middle East.
Today, America and Europe are standing together with the Lebanese
people. The United States and France worked closely to pass U.N. Security
Council Resolution 1559. This resolution demands that Lebanon's
sovereignty be respected, that all foreign forces be withdrawn, and that
free and fair elections be conducted without foreign influence. The world
is now speaking with one voice to ensure that democracy and freedom are
given a chance to flourish in Lebanon.
French President Chirac, British Prime Minister Blair, and German
Chancellor Schr der have all called on Syria to withdraw from Lebanon. A
Syrian withdrawal of all its military and intelligence personnel would
help ensure that the Lebanese elections occur as scheduled in the spring,
and that they will be free and fair.
At the same time, the Lebanese people were demonstrating against
terrorism in Beirut, the elected leader of the Palestinian people,
President Abbas, declared that his government is committed to chasing down
and punishing those responsible for last weekend's terrorist attack in Tel
Aviv. Such action is critical, because that attack is a reminder that
there are still groups and individuals who will kill to prevent peace in
the Middle East.
President Abbas made his remarks in London during an international
meeting of world and Arab leaders, hosted by Prime Minister Blair. The
leaders attending this meeting expressed their support for the
Palestinians' efforts to reform their political institutions, their
economy, and their security services. And the first reform must be the
dismantling of terrorist organizations. Only by ending terrorism can we
achieve our common goal of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine,
living side-by-side in peace and freedom.
Today, people in a long-troubled part of the world are standing up for
their freedom. In the last five months, we have witnessed successful
elections in Afghanistan, the Palestinian Territory and Iraq; peaceful
demonstrations on the streets of Beirut; and steps toward democratic
reform in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The trend is clear: In the Middle East
and throughout the world, freedom is on the march. The road ahead will not
be easy, and progress will sometimes be slow. But America, Europe and our
Arab partners must all continue the hard work of defeating terrorism and
supporting democratic reforms.
Freedom is the birthright and deep desire of every human soul, and
spreading freedom's blessings is the calling of our time. And when freedom
and democracy take root in the Middle East, America and the world will be
safer and more peaceful.
Thank you for listening. | 
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