For Immediate Release: April 5, 2006
Contacts: Kimberly Allen, (202) 226-8364; (571) 232-8037 [cell]
Rothman Questions Secretary Rice about Ongoing Iranian Funding of Hizbollah Terrorists in Lebanon, Rockets Pointed at Israel
(Washington, DC)— On Tuesday, April 4, Representative Steve Rothman (D-NJ) brought up the continued presence of Hizbollah terrorists in Lebanon with Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and asked about the status of efforts to remove them.
"So far, attention has been focused on Syrian forces leaving Lebanon. But the Iranian Revolutionary Guard still has a presence in Southern Lebanon and is providing ongoing support for Hizbollah. Isn't it time for Iranian Forces to leave Lebanon and to take the approximately 13,000 rockets currently based there with them?" asked Rothman.
"You are spot-on in your assessment. The Hizbollah presence is the number one problem facing Lebanon today," responded Rice. She told Rothman and the other Representatives present that State Department officials not only recognized the threat, but are making every effort to press the Iranians and Syrians on this matter.
The Hizbollah presence in Lebanon clearly violates the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559, which called upon Syria to end its military presence in Lebanon by withdrawing its forces and to cease intervening in internal Lebanese politics. The resolution also called on all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, including Hizbollah, to disband.
Rothman's questioning of Secretary Rice took place during a two-hour hearing on Tuesday afternoon before the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations of the House Appropriations Committee. As a Member of this Subcommittee, which makes recommendations on all U.S. foreign assistance, Rothman was among only 13 Members to have this opportunity to question Rice.
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