The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“REVIEWING THE TRAVEL BAN ON LEBANON” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E647 on March 21, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
REVIEWING THE TRAVEL BAN ON LEBANON
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HON. LEE H. HAMILTON
of indiana
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, March 21, 1995
Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, the Secretary of State decided on February 28 to renew the ban on the use of U.S. passports to travel to Lebanon. This decision followed United States-Lebanese security discussions in Washington earlier last month. While the State Department acknowledges that the security situation in Lebanon has improved in the past few years, it maintains that there continue to be significant threats to the security of American citizens in that country.
I have recently spoken to several prominent Lebanese Americans who have visited Lebanon. They are very persuasive in arguing that the current travel ban impedes their legal ability to visit their families. I also believe that American businesses are losing the opportunity to compete for contracts to rebuild Lebanon. I have urged the Secretary of State to review the travel ban and to consider options for revising it in light of the changing conditions inside Lebanon.
Given the importance of this matter for the Lebanese-American community, I request that my exchange of letters with the Department of State be entered into the Congressional Record.
Committee on International
Relations,
Washington, DC, February 16, 1995.Hon. Warren H. Christopher,Secretary of State, Department of State, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Secretary: It is my understanding that the Department of State is currently reviewing the travel ban on Lebanon because the current six-month extension of the ban expires later this month.
I urge the Department to review the present total ban carefully and consider options to revise the ban and take steps in the direction of a combination of partial ban and partial travel advisory.
I am persuaded that Lebanon has taken a series of steps in improve security in the country. I also believe that further steps are needed. In this situation, however, I believe it is in our national interest and in the interest of encouraging further steps by Lebanon to take steps ourselves to match action by Lebanon.
The report by several prominent Lebanese Americans on their trip to the country as well as the recent visit here by a Lebanese Security delegation suggest changes are warranted. American businesses are currently locked out of many reconstruction efforts in the country and Lebanese Americans are legally unable to travel to Lebanon for family reunification purposes.
I appreciate your consideration of this matter and I am available if you want to discuss this matter further.
With best regards,
Sincerely,
Lee H. Hamilton
Ranking Democratic Member.
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U.S. Department of State,
Washington, DC 20520.Hon. Lee H. Hamilton,House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Hamilton: I am responding to your letter of February 16 to Secretary Christopher regarding the restrictions on travel to Lebanon by U.S. citizens.
On February 28, Secretary Christopher exercised his authority to extend the restriction on the use of U.S. passports for travel to, in, or through Lebanon. A careful and thorough review of the security situation in Lebanon led the Secretary to conclude that there remained significant threats there to the safety of American citizens.
In meetings here in Washington February 6-7, the Governments of the U.S. and Lebanon engaged in frank and useful discussions of the security situation in Lebanon and our continuing concern for the safety of Americans in Lebanon. We were pleased with the level of expertise the Government of Lebanon brought to these discussions and its avowed commitment to serious and effective action. We expect this dialogue to be an ongoing process leading to significant improvement in the security situation in Lebanon and a reduction in the dangers to American citizens.
We have acknowledged that there has been some improvement in Lebanon's security situation over the past few years. We commend the Lebanese Government for its efforts to diminish terrorist threats and to establish the role of law throughout the country. More needs to be done to address these problems, however, and we look forward to working with the Government of Lebanon on taking the necessary steps to do so.
We will continue to review the passport restriction and other administration measures affecting travel to Lebanon. Our review will be based on a careful evaluation of our own information and the steps the Lebanese government takes to address these issues.
The Department will carefully consider options short of lifting the passport restrictions. In considering these steps, however, the Department will have as its first consideration the safety and security of U.S. citizens.
The Secretary appreciates both your interest and your offer to continue a dialogue with the Department on this issue. The goal remains the removal of these restrictions when security conditions permit us to do so and the return to a mutually beneficial and improved bilateral relationship.
I trust that this information has been responsive to your inquiry. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you believe we may be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Wendy R. Sherman,
Assistant Secretary,
Legislative Affairs.
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