UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARD LEBANON.

SEC. 1232. UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARD LEBANON. (a) Findings.— The Congress makes the following findings: (1) After nearly 13 years of civil conflict and foreign intervention, the situation in Lebanon appears no closer to resolution. (2) Through most of the last dozen years, the Lebanese have managed to continue economic activity sufficient to stave off economic collapse and provide its citizens with basic necessities. (3) During the past year, however, the collapse in the value of the Lebanese pound from less than 40 to the dollar to nearly 300 has made the importation of wheat, rice, and other basic commodities prohibitively expensive. (4) As a result, for the first time, the Lebanese are faced with the prospect of starvation. (5) Hizballah and other radical elements are taking advantage of the current economic crisis by providing foreign supplied food. In so doing, they are winning converts to their cause and radicalizing the youth. (6) It is in the interest of the United States to support the traditional Lebanese free enterprise system of distribution of food which until now has been able to compete successfully with these radical movements. (b) Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of the Congress that the United States should base its policy toward Lebanon on the following principles: (1) Preservation of the unity of Lebanon. (2) Withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon. (3) Recognition of and respect for the territorial integrity of Lebanon. (4) Reassertion of Lebanese sovereignty throughout the nation and recognition that it is the responsibility of the Government of Lebanon for its safekeeping. 101 STAT. 1418 (5) Reestablishment of the authority of the Government of Lebanon throughout the nation is a prerequisite for a lasting solution to the problem of international terrorism emanating from Lebanon. (c) Further Sense of Congress.— It is the further sense of Congress that the provision of at least 200,000 tons of wheat and 30,000 tons of rice through Public Law 480, title I and section 416 of the Agriculture Act of 1949 to the Government of Lebanon is in the interest of the United States. Provision of this assistance will meet the United States policy objective of strengthening the Central Government as well as helping alleviate a serious hunger problem.