You can get a .pdf of the Congressional Record page on which the statement appears at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2008_record&page=S600&position=all.

Alternatively, you can search for the statement yourself by going to searching the congressional record at http://thomas.loc.gov/home/r110query.html, choosing Obama’s name, and searching for Hariri. It’s the first option.

I assume Obama didn’t place the statement on his press releases page because he didn’t think it was an issue important enough for him to highlight (or his webmasters are slow). It’s not on google because it’s an obscure Congressional statement that not many people look at, so it hasn’t been picked up. As for his staffers being exhausted by Super Tuesday — this was done by Congressional staff, which are prohibited by law from participating by elections; hence, not exhausted. Congressional staffs generally have a fair amount of autonomy (especially when the boss is running for Prez), so it seems likely this statement was released in Obama’s name without him actually having any firsthand knowledge of it.

(You can get a .pdf of the Congressional Record page on which the statement appears at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2008_record&page=S600&position=all.

I assume Obama didn’t place the statement on his press releases page because he didn’t think it was an issue important enough for him to highlight (or his webmasters are slow). It’s not on google because it’s an obscure Congressional statement that not many people look at, so it hasn’t been picked up. As for his staffers being exhausted by Super Tuesday — this was done by Congressional staff, which are prohibited by law from participating by elections; hence, not exhausted. Congressional staffs generally have a fair amount of autonomy (especially when the boss is running for Prez), so it seems likely this statement was released in Obama’s name without him actually having any firsthand knowledge of it.

Hope that helps clear things up.

Moustafa

should i present prooves of what all journalists including An Nahar ones are publicly saying?

You should talk with some An Nahar journalists ;)

This statement by Obama is sadly hilarious. He talks about the Bush administration’s empty slogans, yet offers pretty much the same thing.

Here is the original full statement in English:

· Mr. OBAMA: Madam President, the continued deadlock over Lebanon’s Presidency brings further instability to an important country in the Middle East. We cannot idly stand by as an emerging democracy whose people have long ties to the United States teeters on the verge of collapse. The United States must turn the page on the Bush administration’s failed Lebanon policy and replace hollow rhetoric with sustained diplomatic engagement. We must work with our European and Arab allies to foster a new Lebanese consensus around a stable and democratic Lebanon.

With the approach of the third anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri, our thoughts are with the Lebanese people as they struggle against extremist forces and continued intervention in their national affairs by Syria and Iran. Across the broader Middle East, the failures of the Bush administration are everywhere manifest. Instead of defeating extremists and elevating the cause of freedom, the administration’s Middle East record includes an unfinished war in Afghanistan; a war in Iraq that should have never been authorized that has cost us precious lives, trillions of dollars, the readiness of our military, and our standing in the world; a too-long neglected Israeli-Palestinian peace process; and an emboldened Iran taking advantage of waning American influence throughout the region, and our refusal to use direct diplomacy to advance our interests.

Add to this string of failures the state of affairs in deeply divided Lebanon, once heralded by the President as a stepping stone in his “forward march of freedom.” During its first term, the Bush administration largely ignored the country. It took the brutal assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in February of 2005 to wake it from its stupor. At that time, the administration acted appropriately and pressed the Syrians to end their oppressive presence in Lebanon and called for an international effort to identify and punish those responsible for the assassination.

But, as with many parts of the world, the administration trumpeted the Cedar Revolution as its own success when the real credit should have gone to the people of Lebanon. And, as is often the case, there was no follow-through by the administration to consolidate democratic gains, and momentum was lost.

As a result, the hope and opportunity for change that characterized Lebanon 2 years ago has been replaced by cynicism and renewed civil strife. In that time, Lebanon has witnessed a string of political assassinations aimed at critics of Syrian influence that threaten to undermine the very foundations of its democracy; a devastating war between Israel and Hizbullah; a deepening political standoff between the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and the opposition; and a long and bloody confrontation between Lebanon’s army and an al-Qaida-inspired group of extremists.

It is time to engage in diplomatic efforts to help build a new Lebanese consensus. These efforts should focus on the need for electoral reform, an end to the current corrupt patronage system, and the development of the economy so as to provide for a fair distribution of services, opportunities, and employment.

The United States can play a positive role in helping achieve this consensus. We should support the efforts of our Arab allies and work with them to promote compromise among Lebanon’s disparate groups. We should support the implementation of all U.N. reforms including the tribunal established to try those accused of assassinating former Prime Minister Hariri. We should work with our European allies and the Sarkozy government in France in calling for an all-party intra-Lebanese dialogue. Finally, we must make clear that part of any national compact must be the disarmament of all militias.

Moreover, we must support the implementation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that reinforce Lebanon’s sovereignty, especially resolution 1701 banning the provision of arms to Hizbullah, which is violated by Iran and Syria. As we push for national consensus, we should continue to support the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Siniora, strengthen the Lebanese army, and insist on the disarming of Hizbullah, before it drags Lebanon into another unnecessary war. And it is vital that we work with the international community and private sector to rebuild Lebanon and get its economy back on its feet.

As the tragic events of the past few years make clear, what happens in Lebanon affects other American priorities in the region, including the fight against al-Qaida and other extremists, as well as opportunities for regional stability and peace. To neglect Lebanon would not only serve our interests badly, it would fail a nation whose people have suffered too much for too long a nation that could now be on the edge of a new precipice.·

A Lebanese lobbyist said the statement “should be celebrated as a victory for the Lebanese cause…”

This guy is as pathetic as the rest of Lebanon.

There is nothing, NOTHING, any candidate can say that will change anything in Lebanon.

The US won’t nuke Damascus, and the Lebs are getting stupider by the day, and Steve is having fun with these blogs, but really Stef, you think this matters?

Obama is an amateur in Foreign Policy. He’s not to be trsuted by any means! I encourage americans to vote for McCain or worst case scenario Hillary.

Jesus Christ and the Prophet Mohammad people, you make it sound just like lebanese would make it sound!!! As if Obama (or any other candidate) needs the lebanese benediction to become the president of the USA.
Who cares about lebanon and why would they put lebanon in their speech when millions of more important things are at stake (yes!!! such as Medicare, or the US economy, or Education or or or or or)
Start living in the world and you will discover that it’s much larger than 10,452 sq KM

Tough guy JoseyWales, you are calling for the US to nuke Damascus?

As for the rest, are your feelings hurt that Barack’s comments seem unauthentic or fall short of what Josey Wales calls for? Even though you live in the center of your world, I can assure you no US candidate cares for Lebanon. Lebanon will always be relegated to the nation that is sold-out or the card that is played by regional and international players. Remember that.

ali

Don’t be an idiot, I am making a point that is lost on people like you.

Namely that only a change inside Lebanon and/or a regime change is Syria will change things.

Obama’s words are meaningless.

You are right on one thing, no one will give a shit about Lebanon, certainly not when most Lebanese put Palestine/Iran/Syria etc above Lebanon.

ibn bint jbeil,

if i could draw a straight face, i would.

a Lebanese: (legally speaking) is someone who carries around a lebanese passport, or lebanese ID documents. I.E. someone recognized by the Lebanese state as a citizen of the country.

a lobbyist: is (vocationally) a private individual who’s job it is to influence government decision making.

I don’t see any need for twisted faces here.

Oh, and I’m gonna let you in on a little secret – just so you can sleep better at night: that particular lobbyist is one tenacious son of a bitch! And he’s real good at what he does. So rest assured my friend, the Lebanese Lobbyist prowls the streets of DC, New York, Boston, and wherever just to make Lebanon a better place for you and your kids to return to – unless of course yo prefer a Hizballahistan.

Here are my two cents.

Obama is running on “pro-change” platform.

It means anything and everything current administration ever done must be bad.
Whatever internal or external issue Bush (and of cause Republicans in general) got himself involved with must be criticized and “changed/fixed/improved”.
Lebanon happens to be one of those issues. Other than that I do not think he has a clue or desire to get involved.
I think it is nothing more than “just in case”.

josey wales,
a job well done. just as i expected from you, and instructed you to do.

by the way, those who can’t do, actually make bad teachers. which is why you spend your time teaching us so much.

[...] I believe this is a very positive trip, specially with the ongoing elections, it is a chance to get international recognition and make good contacts with the current administration and all candidates. Obama’s statement yesterday, as reported by the Beirut spring, was indeed encouraging as to where the Democrats stand from Lebanon. [...]