September 20, 1983
The President. I have a brief statement here. But I won't be able to take any questions, because
we're running on a very tight schedule with regard to our arrival in South Carolina.
An agreement has been reached among the bipartisan leadership of the Congress to introduce and
seek to enact a resolution authorizing the continued presence and mission of the U.S.
peacekeeping forces in Lebanon.
While I have substantial reservations about parts of this resolution -- reservations which I made
clear to the leadership -- I am pleased that this agreement among the congressional leadership
supporting our presence and policies in Lebanon has been reached, and I would be willing to sign
the proposed resolution, while expressing my reservations, if it is passed in the form that has been
presented to me this morning.
I'm especially pleased that this proposed resolution not only supports our policies in Lebanon but
now enables us to advance United States peacekeeping interests on the solid bipartisan basis that
has been the traditional hallmark of American foreign policy.
Q. Does that mean you don't think that the War Powers Act applies?
The President. It's all explained in the resolution.
Note: The President spoke at 1:25 p.m. at the South Portico of the White House.