Below is the text of the letter:

July 18, 2006

Dr. Condoleezza Rice

Secretary of State

Department of State

Washington, D.C. 20520

Dear Madame Secretary,

As you know, thousands of United States citizens are currently seeking to be evacuated from Beirut, Lebanon, to escape the ongoing violence. I am troubled by the fact that these innocent Americans are being asked to pay the costs of their own transportation out of harm’s way, and I write to ask that the State Department take immediate steps to waive this obligation.

I believe this reimbursement requirement places an unnecessary burden on American citizens who have been involuntarily placed in an extremely difficult situation. It is unfair to compound the trauma they are undergoing as a result of these dire circumstances by imposing additional financial obligations, which may be difficult for many to meet.

Section 207 of PL 107-228, the FY 2003 Foreign Relations Authorization bill, requires private United States citizens to reimburse the cost of their evacuation “to the maximum extent practicable.” It is my view that this language gives the State Department the discretion to waive this fee by making a determination that under the current circumstances, it is in fact not practicable to seek any reimbursement of these costs.

I understand that there is currently legislation being drafted that will codify this waiver. However, given that there are so many Americans in desperate need of immediate relief, I urge you to make clear to them now that they will not be required to reimburse the government for the costs of ensuring their personal safety. This seems like the minimum we can do to help fellow Americans who have been put through such an incredible ordeal.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. Thank you.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

# # #