Mr.
Chairman, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, members of the Committee: It is a pleasure to appear before you today to
discuss United States policy
toward the Middle East.
ENDURING
COMMITMENT
The United States has been deeply engaged in the Middle East for more than six decades. This engagement has taken place on numerous
levels, in a variety of circumstances, and throughout both Republican and
Democratic administrations and Congresses. The region is of fundamental importance to U.S.
national security interests, and never more so than today.
I would
like to state at the outset that we will continue to be engaged – on economic,
political, and security issues – in the Middle East.
We are there to stay. Our interests there are enduring and whatever
the challenges, we will continue to work with our friends in the region and
elsewhere to address them.
We seek a Middle East which is broadly prosperous and which plays a
constructive role in the world economy and political system. It is no secret that over the past several
decades Middle East actors have created many
challenges to prosperity and political stability, both within and beyond the region.
We hope to see a Middle
East whose nations trade more, invest more, talk more, and work
more constructively to solve problems, both among themselves and in a global
framework.
It has been
our assessment – and it continues to be our assessment – that societies in the
region need to be more politically and economically integrated, inclusive, and
open for this to happen. Citizens need
to know they have a stake in their nations’ futures. We have spoken of this as expanding the agenda
of freedom and democracy in the nations of the region.
This is not
just a slogan and anyone who has served in my position will know how difficult
this is. But continuing the status quo
is not an option for success. We will
continue to press for more inclusion, not less; for more freedom, not less; for
more democracy, not less; and for more tolerance, not less. We will do so fully aware that the path is not
always straight and smooth, but that it is the only path that will take the
region where it needs to go. We will do
so fully aware that this path will be opposed by extremists who seek a
radically different outcome. My message
today is the same for our friends and for our common extremist opponents in the
region: the United States is there to stay.
IRAQ
Nowhere is
this conflict between moderation and extremism more evident than in Iraq. We overthrew the decades-long tyranny of
Saddam Hussein. But the after effects of
his repression have outlived his rule. He
systematically destroyed all aspects of civil society, as well as all sense of
cooperation and compromise which form the lasting basis for decent governance. Iraqis today are beginning to overcome that
legacy. They are seeking
ways to cooperate with one another and to allow political space for compromise.
This is not easy. Indeed, it is perhaps more difficult than any
of us would have imagined.
The great
majority of Iraqis would like to live in peace, free from political persecution
and free from the horrors which extremists inflict upon them. But there are forces of extremism in Iraq
which seek the opposite; they seek to drive Iraqis apart from one another and
to set up regimes founded in intolerance and violence.
We
and our Iraqi and international partners are making progress in reducing the
violence that comes from extremists in Iraq. We are continuing to press Iraqis of all
parties, of all faiths, and of all regions to take advantage of this progress. We look to them to do more in the months
ahead.
It is no
simple matter to develop solid political institutions, functioning government
ministries, and sustained economic development while security is uncertain. Nevertheless, this is what we aim to help Iraq
do. The State Department is deployed in Baghdad and in 25 Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs)
throughout Iraq.
We are working at the local as well as
the national level. Doing so, of course,
is inherently risky and many challenges arise daily. I should note that we continually review our
processes and procedures – on security issues, on protection of our diplomats,
on working with the Iraqi Government, on pressing for transparency, on managing
economic assistance, and on the construction of our embassy. As we see the need to change our procedures,
we do so.
IRAN
A major
obstacle to the vision of the Middle East
which I have sketched out is the policies of the Iranian regime. For over 20 years, the regime has been in
violation of its international nuclear obligations, by pursuing technology that
could be used to develop nuclear weapons. The regime’s emboldened foreign
policy, as demonstrated by its lethal assistance to groups in Iraq, Lebanon,
Afghanistan, and the
Palestinian territories, further underscores Iran’s
hegemonic aspirations in the region. In
each of these cases, the Government of Iran has chosen to fund and to assist
the forces of extremism that take the region backward.
We
are pursuing a dual track strategy to address the nuclear issue—supporting
negotiations, while pursuing additional sanctions should Iran not comply
with the UNSC’s demands. On May 31,
2006, I joined our partners from China,
France, Germany, Russia,
and the United Kingdom in
extending an historic offer to sit down and talk to my Iranian counterpart
about the nuclear issue and the host of other matters facing our two nations,
but on one condition: that Iran suspend
uranium enrichment and reprocessing.
Alongside this offer, we presented Iran
with a generous incentives package – including assistance to support the
development of a peaceful civilian nuclear energy program – if Tehran took that one
simple step. The offer is still on the
table, but Iran
has so far refused it. We are continuing
to work with members of the United Nations Security Council to raise the cost
to Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons
and to increase pressure on Iran
to change its current, confrontational course. We are also working with like-minded allies to
find additional ways to raise the costs of this course for the Iranian Government
outside of, but complementary to, the UNSC process. We know that the Congress, and this Committee
in particular, aims to do the same through passage of several different
sanctions bills. We certainly have no
difference of opinion with this Committee about the goals of such legislation; we
simply want to be certain that our collective efforts do not undermine our
multilateral strategy, where we will have a maximum chance of success.
Beyond its
nuclear program, the Government of Iran is jeopardizing the security and
prosperity of its neighbors through its support of extremist groups across the
region. Iran
is supporting select Shia militants in Iraq who kill innocent Iraqi
civilians, Iraqi security personnel, and Coalition Forces. We are determined to cut off Iran’s malignant activities in Iraq by apprehending and
eliminating Qods Force members and other actors who endanger human life and
overall national stability. We will
defend ourselves and we will defend Iraqis against Tehran’s meddling. The Government of Iran is
also providing support to Hezbollah in Lebanon,
Hamas in the Palestinian territories, and the Taliban in Afghanistan.
We
are actively working to counter Iran’s
destabilizing activities across the region.
In regular consultations with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, Egypt, and Jordan,
I have reaffirmed the United
States’ commitment to protecting vital
shared interests in the region.
Additionally, we have had two rounds of discussions with the Iranian
Government on its activities in Iraq. Ambassador Crocker has made clear that while
we recognize Iran’s strong
cultural, political, and economic ties to Iraq,
we believe that the lethal activities of the Qods Force in Iraq are inconsistent with the
Iranian Government’s obligations and stated commitment to support the Iraqi
Government.
The Iranian
Government is pursuing policies which are detrimental to the long term
interests of its neighbors, of the region, and of the Iranian people
themselves. It need not be this way.
Our differences with Iran lie with the illicit and
dangerous ambitions of the Iranian regime—not the legitimate aspirations and
interests of the Iranian people. The
people of Iran
are a proud, talented and capable people, who seek the same freedoms and
opportunities that others around the world seek. They deserve better than the regime which
governs them. We will continue to offer
a hand of friendship to the people of Iran, even while condemning and
opposing the Iranian regime’s support for extremism.
STRENGTHENING
PARTNERSHIPS
Iran’s aggressive activities are a cause
of concern not only for us, but especially in capitals across the Middle East. We
see a new willingness to build upon and expand the partnerships we have forged
with nations in the region. Our
relationships with the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC),
with Egypt, and with Jordan are particularly critical to success in Iraq and
other places in the region that encounter Iranian support for extremism. Our friends look to us to demonstrate our
willingness to remain engaged as a reliable partner.
Obviously,
the sacrifices we are making in Iraq
offer very tangible proof of our continuing engagement. Working together with Congress, we also
propose to move forward on the sale of select weapons to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf state
allies in order to strengthen our bilateral relationships, enhance regional
interoperability, and improve the ability of our GCC allies to protect their
people, sovereignty, and security. We
have briefed this Committee on our initial planned sales and we look to this Committee
for its support. The weapons we propose
to approve for sale are not intended, nor will they create, a regional arms
race. To the contrary, they will assist
our allies in deterring the destabilizing actions of an emboldened Iranian
regime and serve to deepen our links with our friends. I ask for your support of our first proposed
sales to Saudi Arabia
and the UAE.
We
have also recently reaffirmed our security partnerships with Israel and Egypt. In August, Under Secretary Burns signed a ten-year
Foreign Military Financing memorandum of understanding with Israel for $30 billion, to continue to ensure Israel’s
qualitative military edge and to give the Government of Israel the confidence
it needs to pursue peace and seek better relations with others in the region. We have also agreed with the Government of Egypt
on a new $13 billion military assistance plan.
Egypt
is a longtime partner and plays a pivotal role in bringing continued stability
to the region. Egypt’s continued tactical and
strategic cooperation is vital to success in the war against extremist
terrorism in the region. In that regard,
I would like to reiterate the message which Secretary Gates and I sent to the
Hill several weeks ago, urging the Congress to provide full FMF funding of $1.3
billion for Egypt
in Fiscal Year 2008, without conditionality.
But our
partnerships are not based on security cooperation alone. We are also pursuing political, economic, and
cultural cooperation across the board. We
look to expand trade and investments throughout the region. Regional economic engagement, such as the President’s
Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA), the Free Trade Agreements this
Administration has concluded with Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, and Oman, as well
as our long-standing FTA with Israel, create new jobs in the United States and
in the region and contribute to economic growth at home and abroad. Strengthening these commercial and financial
ties with our friends in the Middle East will
make us better, stronger allies and will bolster their readiness to pursue
reform. These ties also stand to have a
profound, positive, and transformative effect on the region that go well beyond
the economic sphere.
The
positive impact made possible by increased political engagement and economic
cooperation is displayed clearly in Jordan, a country nearly half-way
into implementing its two-year $25 million Millennium Challenge Corporation
Threshold program. This program is
designed to strengthen democratic institutions by supporting efforts to broaden
public participation in the political and electoral process and to increase
government transparency and accountability. We seek similar successes across the region. Building on a climate of increasing openness,
we have joined with Morocco to create a $697 million multi-year Millennium
Challenge Corporation program focusing on several sectors of its economy that
are well-placed to alleviate poverty and unemployment – and the extremism they
foster. We are also working with Yemen – the poorest country on the Arabian
Peninsula – to advance reform efforts, to reduce the threat of extremism born
of poverty, and to strengthen its ability to act against terrorist elements
both unilaterally and in cooperation with the United States. In line with this, MCC’s Board has approved a
$20 million grant to help the Government of Yemen fight corruption and improve
the rule of law, political rights, fiscal policy, and government effectiveness
through institution building and improved systems there.
Finally,
let me say a word about Libya.
Since its historic 2003 decision to
renounce WMD and terrorism, Libya
has made positive steps toward fully rejoining the community of nations and is
playing a constructive role in counterterrorism, regional stability, and Maghreb unity. As
we continue the process of fully normalizing our bilateral relationship with Libya, we will
strengthen and expand our cooperation in these and other important areas. A fully functioning embassy, headed by a confirmed
ambassador, is important to our success in pursuing the most pressing bilateral
issues. Our highest priority will be to urge the
Libyan Government to resolve outstanding claims to victims of past terrorist
acts and their families. We will also continue to press for greater
democratic freedoms, human rights, and transparency.
PROMOTING
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE
We remain committed to the
President’s vision of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
We look forward to a substantive and serious international meeting this
fall which will provide diplomatic support for the parties’ own
discussions and negotiations, review the progress made toward building a
Palestinian institutions, and look for innovative and effective ways
to support Palestinian reform.
The parties
must meet their Roadmap obligations. For
Palestinians, this means establishing law and order and fighting terror. Israel must stop settlement
expansion and remove unauthorized outposts.
U. S.
leadership is essential to this process.
U.S.
leadership is also essential to ensure that the international community, and
particularly regional states, support the Palestinian Authority government
under President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad – a government that represents
the strongest hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict since the Oslo
Accords. With the help of Congress, the United States
will strengthen its political and financial commitment to the Palestinian
people. The international community must
do more, both to meet the day-to-day needs of the Palestinian Authority
government and the Palestinian people, and to support meaningful progress on
the path to a successful Palestinian state that will live side-by-side with Israel and its
other neighbors in peace and security.
We will
strongly support Tony Blair’s work, as Quartet representative, to coordinate
international efforts to help Palestinians establish the institutions of a
strong and lasting free society, including effective governing structures, a
sound financial system, and the rule of law. This will enable Palestinian leaders to answer
their people’s desire to live in peace. We
must also respond to the critical need for budgetary support, as the
Palestinian Authority will face significant cash shortfalls at the beginning of
January when Israel
completes its repayment of customs and revenue arrears.
SUPPORTING LEBANON
In Lebanon,
we will continue our support for democracy, respect for sovereignty, and the
will of the people. This includes
bringing to justice before the international community those responsible for
the murder of Rafik Hariri and related crimes. It also includes insistence that the Lebanese
presidential election be carried out on time, in accordance with the Lebanese
constitution, and free from intimidation or outside interference. We commend
the Lebanese Armed Forces and their recent success in confronting Fatah
al-Islam in the Nahar al-Bared camp. We
will continue to work closely with the democratically-elected Government of
Lebanon as it bravely confronts terrorists and extremism.
We will
also continue to confront Syria’s
policies of intimidation and support for terrorism. Syria’s
actions reflect contempt for the interests of the people of Lebanon, and the region as a whole.
They include longstanding efforts to hinder
the advancement of democracy in Lebanon,
support for Hamas and other violent extremists, and permitting foreign
terrorists to cross Syria’s
borders into Iraq
to kill Iraqi civilians and Coalition Forces.
EXPANDING
AND DEEPENING TIES
Mr.
Chairman, each of these policies reinforces the others. Were we to abandon Iraq
to the forces of extremism, little progress would be possible on other fronts,
including progress toward Israeli-Palestinian peace or the deepening of
democracy in Lebanon.
Were we to turn a blind eye towards Tehran’s quest for
nuclear weapons capability and its support for violent interest groups, we
would forfeit the hope of deepening our ties with moderate Gulf nations. Were we to abandon our efforts to support
Israeli-Palestinian peace, we would lose credibility throughout the region. And were we to fail to support the brave
democratic forces in Lebanon,
what message would that send about our staying power in the region?
We are
engaged in the Middle East in multiple ways. We will continue to be engaged. We will be a willing partner for those who
seek security, for those who seek freedom, and for those who seek prosperity. As a new generation of young people assumes
responsibility for their futures, they will find in the United States a natural friend and
ally. We will continue to reach out to
those who oppose the grim vision of extremists and terrorists for the region. We will cede nothing to extremists. We will stand with our partners.
Mr.
Chairman, thank you for this opportunity to discuss our policies toward the Middle East. I
would be pleased to respond to questions.