Lawmakers Raise Concerns on U.S.-Russia Deal

Members of the House and Senate raised concerns about the U.S.-Russia nuclear agreement that President Bush submitted to Congress on Tuesday, pointing to Russia’s ongoing support for Iran’s illicit nuclear program, Congressional Quarterly reported. “I am disappointed by our administration’s insistence on moving forward to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia at a time when it is actively undermining our foreign policy with respect to Iran – the most serious threat to international security,” said Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN). Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, raised similar concerns, noting that Russia “has not been fully supportive of tough and far-reaching multilateral sanctions to convince Iran to cease its dangerous uranium enrichment activities.” Thirty-two senators signed a letter to the president last week authored by Coleman and Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) that had urged Bush not to send the agreement to Congress until Russia ends its support for Iran’s nuclear program.

U.S. to Provide Military Aid to Lebanon

The United States is preparing to send military aid to the Lebanese government to help it combat Hizballah as the terrorist group foments chaos throughout the country, The Wall Street Journal reported. “The best solution is for the Lebanese Armed Forces to be… capable of protecting the leaders,” said President Bush on Monday in an interview with the Arabic satellite channel Al Arabiya. “We want to make them better so that they can respond.” Bush’s statement comes as the Lebanese army works to regain control of areas seized by Hizballah as it fuels the worst violence in Lebanon since the 15-year civil war that ended in 1990.

Bush Denounces Hizballah for Lebanon Crisis

President Bush denounced the terrorist group Hizballah for fomenting violence in Lebanon, expressed support for the Lebanese government and called upon the international community to assist the Lebanese people. “The United States will continue to firmly support the Government of Lebanon, led by Prime Minister Siniora, against this effort to undermine the hard-fought gains in sovereignty and independence the Lebanese people have made in recent years,” Bush said in a statement issued on Monday. Bush added that he plans “to consult with regional leaders on my upcoming trip to the Middle East to coordinate efforts to support the Lebanese Government and implement U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701, among others, which seek to bolster Lebanon's sovereignty against external efforts at destabilization and interference.”

Rice Condemns Syria, Iran for Supporting Hizballah

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice condemned Syria and Iran for supporting the terrorist group Hizballah as it fuels violence in Lebanon against the country’s democratically elected government, the Associated Press reported. “Backed by Syria and Iran, Hizballah and its allies are killing and injuring innocent civilians and undermining the legitimate authority of the Lebanese government and the institutions of the Lebanese state,” Rice said on Friday in a statement. “Seeking to protect their state, Hizballah has exploited its allies and demonstrated its contempt for its fellow Lebanese.” In defiance of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions, Hizballah continues to rearm and smuggle weapons from Syria and Iran, amassing an arsenal of more than 40,000 rockets and missiles. Learn more about Hizballah's destabilizing actions in Lebanon.