Hoss and Albright exchanged letters on Israel's aggression
Lebanon-USA, Politics, 2/18/2000

Prime Minister, Salim Hoss, summoned US Ambassador to Lebanon, David Sutterfield, for a meeting where US Ambassador handed Premier Hoss a message from the US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, in response earlier message to her.

Earlier, the Prime Minister, placed his counterparts in Syria, Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait into the picture following the Israeli mini-Cabinet mandate to the enemy's Prime Minister to strike at Lebanon. He reportedly contacted their respective Foreign Ministers and Arab and League Secretary, Ismat Abdel Majid, in his capacity as Lebanese Foreign Minister. Al-Hoss requested that the US Administration and French Government adopt a stricter stand vis-a-vis the Israeli military escalation. The Prime Minister told them through special messages that the current escalation is indicative of Israel's determination to breach the April Understanding let alone completely ignore it.

Following the encounter, US Ambassador Sutterfield disclosed the content of Secretary Albright's message, in which she expressed the US Administration's deep concern over the escalation.

According to Albright's message, all what the US Administration aspires for is to reach a comprehensive peaceful settlement that might place the lid on violence once and for all.

Speaking to the press, Ambassador Sutterfield, said Albright expressed in her letter to the Prime Minister, deep regret over the losses inflicted on Lebanese infra-structures and that the US Department of State, wanted to put an end to the cycle of violence and escalation. Albright also disclosed that intense efforts were being jointly undertaken, by the US Administration and France, in order to have the April Understanding Group reconvened at the soonest convenience possible. Sutterfield did not set a date for the April Understanding Group's forthcoming meeting, yet he stressed Albright's support for all efforts aimed at halting violence.

Lebanese students have been demonstrating against US support for Israel in its attacks on Lebanese infrastructure. About the anti-American protests by students at the AUB, he added that the US Administration respects free expression, as it is well known in the USA. Asked as to whether anti-occupation resistance should stop, the US Ambassador responded that the letter and spirit of the Understanding must be honored by all parties and that this requires full cooperation by all sides.

On Israel's position vis-a-vis the April Understanding, Sutterfield indicated that there was no other alternative to maintaining the peace and sparing of civilians in south Lebanon. On the US attitude towards anti-occupation resistance.

The Ambassador concluded that our intention is to reach peace and avoid violence and suffering.

Meanwhile, White House Deputy Press Secretaries David Leavy said yesterday "We're at a moment where a comprehensive peace is at hand for Israel; it's been a long-term goal for Israel as well as the United States. Both tracks are at a point where we're going to have to make some very momentous and decisive decisions. We're engaged with both the Israelis, the Palestinians, the Syrians, and we're hopeful that we can push both tracks forward, and we'll continue to do that."

Previous Stories:
  Nasrallah assures continuing the katyusha   (2/17/2000)
  Israeli ministers welcome withdrawal in April   (2/14/2000)
  Lebanon reports to Arab League concerning damages from Israeli assault   (2/14/2000)

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