Fearful of Arab Backlash, EU Refuses to Add Hezbollah to List of Terror Groups

The EU does not intend to place Hezbollah on its list of terrorist organisations for the time being, EU President Finland said on Tuesday.

"Given the senstitive situtaion, I don't think this is something we will be acting on now," Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, told a news conference following an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

The EU designation would have dealt a devastating blow to Hezbollah's fundraising activities in Europe - requiring EU member states to cut off the terrorist group's funding sources and to seize Hezbollah assets.

Tuomioja's comments were in response to a bipartisan letter signed by 213 Members Congress to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana calling on the EU to add Hezbollah to its terrorist list. Solana said on July 19 that the EU lacked "sufficient data" to add Hezbollah to its terrorist list - a ridiculous statement given Hezbollah's well documented history of terrorism and the adoption of a resolution last year by the EU Parliament affirming Hezbollah's involvement in terrorist activities. The full text of the letter, which we reprinted on July 28, is available below the fold.

Mr. Javier Solana
High Representative to the European Union
Council of the European Union
Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat, 175 B-1048 Brussels

Dear High Representative Solana:

We are writing to express our appreciation for your ongoing efforts to strengthen transatlantic relations, combat terrorism, prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and promote stability in the Middle East. In the past two years, United States-European Union (EU) cooperation in these areas has yielded positive results, including joint counterterrorism operations, Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon, and growing opposition to Iranian nuclear development at the United Nations (UN). As we continue to work together to fight global terror, it is critical to develop a unified U.S.-EU position relating to Hezbollah and thwarting the support it receives from Syria and Iran.

As you know, the United States, Canada, and Australia have all classified Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and the United Kingdom has placed the "Hezbollah External Security Organization" on its terrorist list. On March 10, 2005, the EU Parliament voted overwhelmingly to adopt a resolution that affirmed Hezbollah's involvement in terrorist activities and ordered the EU Council to "take all necessary steps to curtail" Hezbollah. Four days later, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution urging the European Union to add Hezbollah to its terrorist list. Given Hezbollah's recent acts of aggression against Israel and its undeniable role as a terrorist proxy for Syria and Iran, we strongly urge you to advocate for the addition of Hezbollah to the EU terrorist list.

Adding Hezbollah to the EU list of terrorist organizations would be a critical first step toward disarming this militia, as demanded in United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1559. Such action would oblige EU Member States to prohibit the channeling of money from European entities and individuals to Hezbollah, and to seize Hezbollah assets in the EU. There is no question this would have a significant impact on Hezbollah operations as alluded to by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasarallah in March of 2005. In an interview aired on al Manar he reportedly stated that designating Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in Europe will mean "the sources of [our] funding will dry up and the sources of moral, political and material support will be destroyed."

On July 12, Hezbollah attacked Israel in an unprovoked act of aggression across an internationally recognized border. Since then, Israel has faced a barrage of rocket and missile attacks aimed at innocent civilians perpetrated by Hezbollah that have forced Israel to exercise its right to self-defense. These attacks demonstrate that Hezbollah has acquired a sophisticated arsenal from Syria and Iran, including 10,000 Katyusha rockets, the Silkworm guided cruise missile (C-802), and ballistic missiles with advanced guidance systems (Zelzal-2) capable of targeting Tel Aviv. There is no question that the military capabilities of Hezbollah have alarmingly increased, and Israel should not be forced to face this threat alone.

As you know, Hezbollah's targets extend far beyond Israel and the Middle East. For over two decades, Hezbollah had led a global campaign of terror against American, Israeli, European, South American, Asian, and Arab citizens alike. Hezbollah also has a significant presence in Europe, where its operatives have planned and carried out kidnappings and attacks. EU member states, such as France and Germany, have previously taken legal action against Hezbollah, including the German deportation of Hezbollah agents and the French banning of Hezbollah television, al Manar.

On July 19th, we were dismayed to hear your assertion that the EU lacked "sufficient data" to add Hezbollah to its terrorist list. In past years, Hezbollah has increasingly supported groups already designated by the EU as terrorist organizations, including the al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The EU has also included several officials affiliated with Hezbollah on its terrorist list, thereby precluding the transfer of funds to these individuals from EU Member States. It defies logic that the EU would take a series of actions against members of Hezbollah and, at the same time, omit the organization from the EU terrorist list.

High Representative Solana, we strongly support a renewed international effort to implement UNSCR 1559, as demonstrated by the recent statement issued by the G-8. We were also encouraged by remarks of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan characterizing Hezbollah's action as "unexpected, irresponsible, and inappropriate" at the recent emergency summit of the Arab League. There appears to be a growing rejection of Hezbollah's provocative tactics in the Arab world which - coupled with the strong leadership and unity of the U.S. and the EU - could mitigate this burgeoning threat.

The addition of Hezbollah to the EU terrorist list would send an unequivocal message that Europe will no longer tolerate its insidious agenda of terrorizing Israel and destabilizing the Middle East. In addition, it would serve as yet another positive example of transatlantic cooperation to combat the growing threat posed by Iran. The United States and Europe can best achieve shared foreign policy goals when we remain united in our policy and resolve. It is with the deepest respect that we urge you to consider our request.

Sincerely,

Mr. Javier Solana
High Representative to the European Union
Council of the European Union
Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat, 175 B-1048 Brussels

Dear High Representative Solana:

We are writing to express our appreciation for your ongoing efforts to strengthen transatlantic relations, combat terrorism, prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and promote stability in the Middle East. In the past two years, United States-European Union (EU) cooperation in these areas has yielded positive results, including joint counterterrorism operations, Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon, and growing opposition to Iranian nuclear development at the United Nations (UN). As we continue to work together to fight global terror, it is critical to develop a unified U.S.-EU position relating to Hezbollah and thwarting the support it receives from Syria and Iran.

As you know, the United States, Canada, and Australia have all classified Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and the United Kingdom has placed the "Hezbollah External Security Organization" on its terrorist list. On March 10, 2005, the EU Parliament voted overwhelmingly to adopt a resolution that affirmed Hezbollah's involvement in terrorist activities and ordered the EU Council to "take all necessary steps to curtail" Hezbollah. Four days later, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution urging the European Union to add Hezbollah to its terrorist list. Given Hezbollah's recent acts of aggression against Israel and its undeniable role as a terrorist proxy for Syria and Iran, we strongly urge you to advocate for the addition of Hezbollah to the EU terrorist list.

Adding Hezbollah to the EU list of terrorist organizations would be a critical first step toward disarming this militia, as demanded in United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1559. Such action would oblige EU Member States to prohibit the channeling of money from European entities and individuals to Hezbollah, and to seize Hezbollah assets in the EU. There is no question this would have a significant impact on Hezbollah operations as alluded to by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasarallah in March of 2005. In an interview aired on al Manar he reportedly stated that designating Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in Europe will mean "the sources of [our] funding will dry up and the sources of moral, political and material support will be destroyed."

On July 12, Hezbollah attacked Israel in an unprovoked act of aggression across an internationally recognized border. Since then, Israel has faced a barrage of rocket and missile attacks aimed at innocent civilians perpetrated by Hezbollah that have forced Israel to exercise its right to self-defense. These attacks demonstrate that Hezbollah has acquired a sophisticated arsenal from Syria and Iran, including 10,000 Katyusha rockets, the Silkworm guided cruise missile (C-802), and ballistic missiles with advanced guidance systems (Zelzal-2) capable of targeting Tel Aviv. There is no question that the military capabilities of Hezbollah have alarmingly increased, and Israel should not be forced to face this threat alone.

As you know, Hezbollah's targets extend far beyond Israel and the Middle East. For over two decades, Hezbollah had led a global campaign of terror against American, Israeli, European, South American, Asian, and Arab citizens alike. Hezbollah also has a significant presence in Europe, where its operatives have planned and carried out kidnappings and attacks. EU member states, such as France and Germany, have previously taken legal action against Hezbollah, including the German deportation of Hezbollah agents and the French banning of Hezbollah television, al Manar.

On July 19th, we were dismayed to hear your assertion that the EU lacked "sufficient data" to add Hezbollah to its terrorist list. In past years, Hezbollah has increasingly supported groups already designated by the EU as terrorist organizations, including the al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The EU has also included several officials affiliated with Hezbollah on its terrorist list, thereby precluding the transfer of funds to these individuals from EU Member States. It defies logic that the EU would take a series of actions against members of Hezbollah and, at the same time, omit the organization from the EU terrorist list.

High Representative Solana, we strongly support a renewed international effort to implement UNSCR 1559, as demonstrated by the recent statement issued by the G-8. We were also encouraged by remarks of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan characterizing Hezbollah's action as "unexpected, irresponsible, and inappropriate" at the recent emergency summit of the Arab League. There appears to be a growing rejection of Hezbollah's provocative tactics in the Arab world which - coupled with the strong leadership and unity of the U.S. and the EU - could mitigate this burgeoning threat.

The addition of Hezbollah to the EU terrorist list would send an unequivocal message that Europe will no longer tolerate its insidious agenda of terrorizing Israel and destabilizing the Middle East. In addition, it would serve as yet another positive example of transatlantic cooperation to combat the growing threat posed by Iran. The United States and Europe can best achieve shared foreign policy goals when we remain united in our policy and resolve. It is with the deepest respect that we urge you to consider our request.

Sincerely,

Comments

[CanForce 101]

Seems someone in Europe never learned anything from the events leading up to WWII... something about appeasement... and history repeats itself once again...

[Arthur E. Lemay]

Can we credit the EU with anything but craven cowardice and irrelevance by refusing to classify Hizbullah as a terrorist organization? We have seen a similar lack of candor over the Danish Mohammed cartoons. It seems like the terrorists get a free hand and those defending against terrorists get a slap in the face.

The BBC is a very bad offender, and the United Nations acts against Israel are totally offensive to anyone with a sense of fair play.

Here in the UK, the atmosphere is pro-Arab, pro-terrorist, and is so naive as to make an American want to get on the next plane home.