Readers may be interested in (and have comments on) the attached statement
by the American Academy of Diplomacy on Lebanon. Its key point (to be
discovered amid some rather cloying language) is that talking to other
governments, including Syria and Iran, helps rather than hinders problem
resolution.

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DIPLOMACY URGES WIDER DIPLOMATIC DIALOGUE IN LEBANESE
CRISIS

The American Academy of Diplomacy, the nation's premier organization of 100
former national security officials, Ambassadors and others who have held
high ranks in developing and implementing US foreign policy, today
congratulated the Administration and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice for
their efforts to find an urgent diplomatic solution to the Lebanese crisis,
and urged the Administration to widen the dialogue to include Syria and
Iran.

Academy Chairman Thomas R. Pickering, former Under Secretary of State and
Ambassador to the United Nations, accompanied the statement on behalf of
Academy members with the following comment:

"The dedicated, proud and capable men and women of our Armed Forces have
made the US the acknowledged foremost military power in the world, an
essential factor in the calculus of successful diplomacy. Our diplomats have
demonstrated their ability and courage in the new and dangerous world
afflicted by terrorism.

"We need have no fear that talking with other governments of whatever stripe
somehow demonstrates weakness. Discussion is not defeat; conversation is
not concession. Backed up by our strong military position, these are the
essential first steps of intelligent diplomatic dialogue designed to promote
the vital national interests of the United States."

The text of the Academy's statement follows:

" The American Academy of Diplomacy strongly supports the efforts of the
United States, led by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, to end the
fighting in Lebanon and stop attacks on Israel. Israelis and Lebanese have
suffered too long from terrorism, violence and destruction. The need is
urgent both to save lives and to prevent the current conflict from spiraling
out of control into a wider war from which no winner could emerge.

"UN Security Council Resolution 1701 is a signal achievement of diplomacy.
Discussions must now continue both to ensure that it is faithfully
implemented by all parties and to address the underlying problems of the
region. Continued American engagement and leadership is essential.

The Academy salutes all of America's diplomats serving in the area who daily
demonstrate their ability and courage in protecting and promoting U.S.
interests.

"We urge the administration to intensify and broaden diplomatic efforts to
include influential state stakeholders Syria and Iran, in a fully
coordinated approach to the region and its interrelated problems which, if
successful, could have important beneficial effects on all the areas of
conflict."