Ambassador Richard A. Boucher Holds State Department Regular News Briefing

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Ambassador Richard A. Boucher Holds State Department Regular News Briefing

STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR NEWS BRIEFING

MARCH 4, 2005

SPEAKER: AMBASSADOR RICHARD A. BOUCHER, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS

[*] BOUCHER: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. It's a pleasure to be here. I don't have any statements or announcements so I'd be glad to take your questions.

QUESTION: The president said this morning that a partial withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon is unacceptable. What would be acceptable and how long will it take?

BOUCHER: Resolution 1559 says immediately, it says withdrawal, and it says Lebanon free from all foreign interference.

So that's what we're looking for.

QUESTION: What about a phased withdrawal?

BOUCHER: Immediately, full withdrawal, that's what we're looking for.

QUESTION: Is a full withdrawal, all at once, really realistic and the best thing for Lebanon?

BOUCHER: It's the best thing for Lebanon. Lebanon needs to be allowed to live on its own.

QUESTION: What's the U.S. reaction to a recent madrova (ph) the opposition journal and who is...

BOUCHER: OK, we'll stay on Syria for a while. We'll come back to you, OK?

QUESTION: The British have been talking today about some sort of international monitors, which is subject that was touched on in London the other day. Do you have more specific ideas about what sort of international monitors there might be? Are Americans ...

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