Certainly I know our Ambassador's been in touch. It's also true that NATO has been transforming itself. Don't you be worried about any Syrian role on this violence in Lebanon? Do you think that this will be a reason to wait and see the investigation before going forward with any type of change in policy? They have suffered too much tragedy as a family and our condolences go to the Gemayel family. Do you think that this will be a reason to wait and see the investigation before going forward with any type of change in policy? And as we've so often said, whether the case is Syria's relations with Lebanon or Syria's relations with Iraq, we see many fine statements coming out of the Syrian Government. CASEY: Well, first of all again, the important thing here is that the Lebanese people decide who is going to be running their country, who will be involved in this government. And so we want to grow closer to them. This isn't a choice for the United States to make. We were shocked by this assassination. We just heard the news just about a half hour ago of the assassination of Pierre Gemayel in Lebanon. This morning we have Under Secretary R. CASEY: I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint you again on that. And if there is a violation of public order or demonstrations or acts of violence, the NATO troops will put them down. What we often don't see is any action to back them up. And yet we're continuing to stand there and defend those provinces and defend the Government of Afghanistan and to take the fight to the Taliban itself. The United States has taken a significant number of casualties. We have seen statements from Mr. We're looking at Albania and Macedonia as possible candidates for NATO membership. CASEY: Well, I haven't seen his specific comments, so I'll refrain from making remarks directly related to it. Each of these three countries has taken a significant number of casualties among its forces. We are partners with the major European governments on the issue of Iran at the Security Council. Certainly I know our Ambassador's been in touch. CASEY: No, that's okay. Do you know if the Lebanese Government has sought or if you guys have offered any extra security assistance? Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs at the Washington Foreign Press Center, briefing on 'U.