PRESS RELEASES

Remarks by
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey D. Feltman
(As delivered by Deputy Chief of Mission Christopher W. Murray)
McDonald's Lunch for Access Students
Sunday, February 27, 2005
McDonald's - Dora
11:00 a.m.

27 February 2005

I'm so pleased to have the opportunity to join you today for the most American of all experiences-a meal at a McDonalds restaurant. Sitting and enjoying a Big Mac, a Happy Meal, French fries or a milkshake is a quintessential American experience. The Golden Arches-the symbol of McDonald's since the first restaurant opened in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955 are recognized around the world around the world as American.

I'd like to thank Mr. Jean Zoghzoghi for his generosity, which enabled us to give you this very American experience today. Mr. Zoghzoghi and his family brought McDonald's to Lebanon - opening the first restaurant in September 1998. And although the family recently sold their nine McDonalds restaurants, he was adamant about keeping his commitment to invite us all here for a meal.

And to the McDonald's staff who are preparing the 200 meals in record time-our thanks. McDonald's understands the meaning of "fast food!"

Today's event is actually a very important part of the American people's commitment to helping you learn more about America through your study of the English language. As Access students, you are part of a very exciting program, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, and managed by our partners at Amideast. This project aims to help young people-who might not otherwise have the opportunity-to learn English.

But we want you to learn more than how to conjugate verbs or memorize long vocabulary lists. We want you to learn about America's people and their culture and society. We want you to understand more about our history, our traditions and our way of thinking. This program, paid for by the U.S. Government, is one part of our efforts to build a strong relationship between our two countries-Lebanon and the United States-by building connections between our two peoples.

It is important that the United States invest in young leaders like yourselves-because you are the future of Lebanon. The fact that you have been chosen-through a tough competition-to participate in this program is an affirmation of the potential we believe you have to make a significant contribution to your community and your country. I applaud the commitment you have made already to study English with us--and I appreciate the extra hours of work you have willingly accepted.

What I hope you gain from your classes-and from opportunities such as our meeting today-is an appreciation of the possibilities ahead of you. I hope you will see that through hard work you can grow intellectually and see the realization of academic and personal goals. I hope you will experience with your classmates-as well as from your teachers-the excitement of exchanging ideas and learning from others who may think differently than you. I hope you will make new friends and recognize a joint commitment to work for your communities and your country. What I hope most is that together, you will recognize the power you have within you to make decisions, to find solutions to problems and to work with others to make Lebanon the country you want it to be in the future.

You are living through an exceptionally exciting time for Lebanon. Most of you were born after your country's tragic civil war-but you have no doubt grown up on the stories told by your parents and family about those dark years. Now, more than 15 years after the conclusion of the Taif Agreement, the Lebanese people have the opportunity to realize their aspirations for freedom, sovereignty, and security. Recognizing this opportunity, the U.S. supports the full and immediate implementation of UN Security Resolution 1559 in all its aspects, including its call for a sovereign, independent, and democratic Lebanon as well as for the consolidation of security under the authority of a Lebanese government free from foreign domination.

Perhaps you won't be old enough yet to vote in this spring's parliamentary elections but it won't be long before you will. And as young people learn in the United States, a vote is a voice in your country's future. Lebanon's upcoming elections can mark another milestone in Lebanon's return to independence and democracy if they are free and fair, conducted without outside interference, and guaranteed by international observers. The implementation of UNSCR 1559 is essential to the organization and success of these elections. The people of Lebanon-including all of you here-deserve this opportunity, and we stand with you in your aspirations for freedom, sovereignty, and security.

Before I close, and we distribute certificates to you, let me recognize the contributions of Amideast in supporting this program. Let's give a round of applause to the staff-and particularly your dedicated English teachers-who make this program possible.

I would also like my Embassy staff to step forward-because while you are eating, they will be coming around to talk with you. They would very much like to hear you use your English and to hear what you have to say.

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