September 17, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 161 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
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THE MIDDLE EAST; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 161
(Senate - September 17, 2020)
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[Pages S5695-S5696] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] THE MIDDLE EAST Mr. LANKFORD. There is something happening on Monday that much of the world has missed as well in the Middle East. For a year, there has been a process ongoing to be able to confront Iran. [[Page S5696]] Iran has actively stated they are going to continue to pursue their nuclear ambitions. They have actively stated they are going to pursue weapons deals. They have actively stated they want to continue to break the arms embargo. Some of our allies have stood silent, but Iran has discussed purchasing weapons of all types from all places. We used to be united-- regardless whether it was nuclear or not--that Iran should not continue to accelerate that. As the largest exporter of terrorism in the world, we should confront what Iran is trying to do--continue to provide heavy arms. As of Monday, the United States will move into a different mode with Iran. As of midnight Sunday night, snap back sanctions begin on Iran on Monday. And that is a different moment for us as a nation, to say we have stated as a country, now through multiple Presidencies, that we will not allow Iran to be a nuclear power or to continue to arm itself in such a way to do its neighbors harm. When snap back sanctions occur on Monday, all of our allies should be aware that the United States is steadfast in that commitment. We would ask you to join us in that as well. Over the past few months, thousands of troops have come back home from the Middle East--from Syria, from Iraq, from Afghanistan. By the end of this year, we will have 4,500 troops still in Afghanistan; that is from a high just a few years ago of 100,000 boots on the ground. Ongoing negotiations for peace continue between Afghan leadership and the Taliban. Those are problems that have existed for decades and in some areas, generations. While I don't believe Afghanistan will suddenly break out and be a bastion of peace for the world, we do have a responsibility to help them where we can but also an obligation to protect our sons and daughters. Our blood and our treasures spilled in Afghanistan for decades. We shouldn't lose the investment of that blood and treasure. But it is good to see so many people coming home. In Europe, a free-trade agreement is actively being negotiated with the UK. We are pleased to be able to partner with such a special- relationship country like the United Kingdom. We have had a long- lasting friendship with them since we settled a little conflict in 1776 and another dustup in 1812. That special relationship with the UK should continue on with a very good trade agreement. I am pleased that the administration continues to push forward in the area of trade--an area that it is amazing to me how many people didn't even notice was the powder keg of Europe that just recently was resolved. For generations, the area around Serbia, Kosovo have been a hotbed area for conflict. In the past few weeks, the Trump administration has negotiated a peace deal between Serbia and Kosovo that leaves Serbia to actually officially recognize Kosovo. Again, that may not seem like a big deal to many other people, but to Oklahomans--many of whom have served in our 45th and who have served there in Kosovo, helping to protect and stabilize that country and provide security there in that region--it is very significant to us to be able to see peace breaking out between Serbia and Kosovo. I am pleased that, while many people in the world don't even pay attention to what is happening in Serbia and Kosovo, the Trump administration has, and their diplomatic team has been very engaged in negotiating that and bringing to them some stability. Interestingly enough, in the negotiations both Serbia and Kosovo also agreed to designate Hezbollah as a foreign terrorist organization and to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to be able to move their embassies to Jerusalem, which is another affirmation of what is happening in the Middle East in the string of what is ongoing. One last comment that many people may have missed, we all grieve for what is happening in Lebanon. That experiment in multiracial, multifaith, and cooperative government has been a struggle, but they have been a stronghold for religious tolerance in Lebanon. Watching the hundreds of people who were killed and thousands who were injured in the explosion at their docks in Beirut was painful for the entire world. The United States has stepped up as being the top donor to humanitarian aid to Lebanon during this time period, and we are engaging in multiple ways. At the end of the day, if we are going to help Lebanon be stable, we have to help that experiment in democracy there in the Middle East to be able to thrive with transparency. I partnered with Senator Murphy and several other colleagues to help set our Nation's priority to help Lebanon rebuild, including to utilize the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, called the DFC, to help them in their infrastructure projects; to push out China, which is trying to work their way into the Middle East and dominate there; to allow the people of Lebanon to decide their own future; to leverage leadership in the International Monetary Fund to prevent multilateral bailouts that don't allow for real reforms in their banking system; and to push out corruption and push out Hezbollah. There are things we can do that are not of a partisan nature on which Senator Murphy and I cooperate together to be able to help push for Lebanon. It is important that they continue to be a stable force in the region. This is a real time of testing for them as a country. I am proud the administration has pushed our diplomats in Lebanon to be able to find ways where we can practically help now and long term for real reforms for them. There is a lot going on around the world. While we are focused on COVID, rightfully so for our own health, while we focus on our economy, rightfully so, and while we focus on the issues of racial inequality, rightfully so, we cannot lose track of the issues we also need to be engaged in around the world. It is important that America continue to be a leader in diplomacy and a leader in bringing religious liberty and freedom and opportunity for all people. Whether you are in Hong Kong, as we discussed before, or whether you are in Abu Dhabi, all people deserve the recognition of their humanity and respect and an opportunity to be able to live their lives with freedom. Let's continue to stand for the values that define us and define us together. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maine ____________________
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