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EU ministers place military wing of Hezbollah on terror blacklist

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  • EU ministers place military wing of Hezbollah on terror blacklist

    EU ministers place military wing of Hezbollah on terror blacklist

    EU ministers place military wing of Hezbollah on terror blacklist

    By REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFF07/22/2013 12:56

    European Union governments decide to blacklist the military wing of Lebanese militant group on EU terror list, according to diplomats, in major policy reversal fueled by concerns over the movement's activities in Europe.

    BRUSSELS, July 22 (Reuters) - European Union governments agreed on Monday to put the armed wing of Hezbollah on the EU terrorism blacklist in a reversal of past policy fuelled by concerns over the Lebanese militant movement's activities in Europe.

    Britain and the Netherlands have pressed EU peers since May to put the Shi'ite Muslim group's military wing on the bloc's terrorism list, citing evidence it was behind a bus bombing in Bulgaria last year which killed five Israelis and their driver.

    Until now, the EU had resisted pressure from Washington and Israel to blacklist Hezbollah, arguing such a move could fuel instability in Lebanon, where the group is part of the government, and add to tensions in the Middle East.

    But evidence from Bulgaria about the attack and concerns over Hezbollah's growing involvement in the war in Syria persuaded opponents to back the move, which triggers the freezing of any assets the group's armed wing may hold in the 28-nation EU.

    "It is good that the EU has decided to call Hezbollah what it is: a terrorist organisation," Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans said on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers who decided on the blacklisting.

    "We took this important step today, by dealing with the military wing of Hezbollah, freezing its assets, hindering its fundraising and thereby limiting its capacity to act."

    According to London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat, four countries had previously had reservations about the proposal to blacklist Hezbollah - the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Ireland and Malta.

    Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, told Al-Hayat that if the four countries that oppose persist in their position, the decision will not pass because it requires a consensus of the 28 states."

    "The reasons for the resistance of those countries is due to fear of the consequences of the decision in the Lebanese domestic arena, but also regarding Lebanon's relations with Europe," Mansour stated.

    The foreign minister added that the states that vote to blacklist Hezbollah are "seeking to respond to Israeli pressure," and in an attempt to strike a balance after the recent EU directives banning cooperation with Israeli entities beyond the Green Line.

    Britain has sought to persuade its EU peers since May to put the Shi'ite Muslim group's military wing on the bloc's terrorism list, citing evidence that it was behind a deadly bus bombing in Bulgaria last year.

    Until now, the EU has resisted pressure from Washington and Israel to blacklist Hezbollah, arguing that it could fuel instability in Lebanon, where the group is part of the government, and add to tensions in the Middle East.

    Blacklisting the military wing means the freezing of any assets it may hold in the 28-nation bloc, though officials say there is scant information on the extent of Hezbollah's presence in Europe or on its assets.

    Britain, backed by France and the Netherlands among others, has argued that Hezbollah's growing involvement in the Syrian war means Lebanon is already in a fragile situation and that the EU must weigh the possibility of future attacks in Europe.

    REASSURANCES

    To soothe worries that sanctions against Hezbollah could complicate the EU's relations with the Lebanese government, EU governments are also likely to issue a statement pledging to continue dialogue with all political groupings in the country.

    "A few member states wanted to be reassured that such a decision will not in any way jeopardize political dialogue," the senior EU official said.

    Some EU diplomats, responding to concerns that sanctions could further radicalise the group, have argued that targeting the military wing could, in the long term, persuade some of its members to move away from violence into the political sphere.

    Hezbollah denies any involvement in last July's attack in the Bulgarian coastal resort of Bourgas that killed five Israelis and their driver.

    But the Bulgarian interior minister said last week that Sofia had no doubt the group was behind it.

    In support of its bid to impose sanctions, Britain has also cited a four-year jail sentence handed down by a Cypriot court in March to a Hezbollah member accused of plotting to attack Israeli interests on the island.

    Hezbollah was set up in Damascus by Iran in 1982 with the aim of fighting Israel after its invasion of Lebanon.

    Its involvement in the Syrian conflict is widely seen as a major factor helping President Bashar Assad to withstand a two-year popular uprising led by the Sunni Muslim majority against his rule.
    About bloody time is all I can say. Honestly, what did they think, Hezbollah were a charity dog-walking organization?
    Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

    Abusing Yellow is meant to be a labor of love, not something you sell to the highest bidder.

  • #2
    To soothe worries that sanctions against Hezbollah could complicate the EU's relations with the Lebanese government, EU governments are also likely to issue a statement pledging to continue dialogue with all political groupings in the country.

    "A few member states wanted to be reassured that such a decision will not in any way jeopardize political dialogue," the senior EU official said.

    Some EU diplomats, responding to concerns that sanctions could further radicalise the group, have argued that targeting the military wing could, in the long term, persuade some of its members to move away from violence into the political sphere.
    Comments like this always amuse me. Diplo-speak = lying through your teeth with a smile on your face.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by bigross86 View Post
      About bloody time is all I can say. Honestly, what did they think, Hezbollah were a charity dog-walking organization?
      Oh lighten up and have some patience, it's only been 30+ years. This is the UN we're talking about.
      “He was the most prodigious personification of all human inferiorities. He was an utterly incapable, unadapted, irresponsible, psychopathic personality, full of empty, infantile fantasies, but cursed with the keen intuition of a rat or a guttersnipe. He represented the shadow, the inferior part of everybody’s personality, in an overwhelming degree, and this was another reason why they fell for him.”

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      • #4
        Originally posted by bigross86 View Post
        EU ministers place military wing of Hezbollah on terror blacklist



        About bloody time is all I can say. Honestly, what did they think, Hezbollah were a charity dog-walking organization?
        Yes.A charity who's ''military'' wing is now seen as a terrorist organization. Which leaves the door open to talking with their ''political'' branch,if need be.

        Now,just to be an a$$hole,there were some guys that blew up certain hotels 65 years ago.Did they went to prison,or are it just happens the positions are reversed.
        Those who know don't speak
        He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by bigross86 View Post
          Honestly, what did they think, Hezbollah were a charity dog-walking organization?
          Eh, in comparison to other groups i've gotten to know Hisb'allah is rather mellow. PKK for example is a lot more gungho up close and personal, LTTE makes you constantly look over your shoulder for the guys with the brown shirts and swastika armbands.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by kato View Post
            Eh, in comparison to other groups i've gotten to know Hisb'allah is rather mellow. PKK for example is a lot more gungho up close and personal, LTTE makes you constantly look over your shoulder for the guys with the brown shirts and swastika armbands.
            And they were both declared terrorist organizations by the EU.....
            Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

            Abusing Yellow is meant to be a labor of love, not something you sell to the highest bidder.

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Mihais View Post
              Yes.A charity who's ''military'' wing is now seen as a terrorist organization. Which leaves the door open to talking with their ''political'' branch,if need be.

              Now,just to be an a$$hole,there were some guys that blew up certain hotels 65 years ago.Did they went to prison,or are it just happens the positions are reversed.
              1) There is a world of difference between the two. A more valid comparison would be if Hezbollah attacked IDF soldiers IN Lebanon, which I would (probably reluctantly) admit is a valid target. I don't recall the Stern Gang bombing busloads of British tourists in European countries unrelated to the conflict, but I could be mistaken.

              2) When they were caught by the British, then yes, they were sent to prison, and in some cases hanged. But again, I would argue that there is a difference between a struggle for independence and attacking innocent tourists in a neutral, unrelated third country.
              Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

              Abusing Yellow is meant to be a labor of love, not something you sell to the highest bidder.

              Comment


              • #8
                They were even caught by Israelis. And declared terrorists. And sentenced. And released. And made heroes.

                Can't wait for Pals to get a state and to see the spin when they will do the same.
                No such thing as a good tax - Churchill

                To make mistakes is human. To blame someone else for your mistake, is strategic.

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                • #9
                  Let them idolize them in their own state, don't expect us to idolize them. I'm sure there are many Brits that still have problems with the Jewish terrorists from pre-1948.
                  Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

                  Abusing Yellow is meant to be a labor of love, not something you sell to the highest bidder.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I might have not worded it well.

                    They were even caught by the Israelis. And declared terrorists by the Israelis. And sentenced by the Israelis. And released by the Israelis. And made heroes by the Israelis.
                    No such thing as a good tax - Churchill

                    To make mistakes is human. To blame someone else for your mistake, is strategic.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by bigross86 View Post
                      And they were both declared terrorist organizations by the EU.....
                      The terrorist organization list of the EU is a pure political thing. There are organizations on it that haven't been active in literally decades (such as PFLP), or that have never been active in the EU (such as Babbar Khalsa). And in other cases them being on it instead of others is a bit confounding - such as NPA being on it, but not MILF.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by kato View Post
                        And in other cases them being on it instead of others is a bit confounding - such as NPA being on it, but not MILF.
                        Why would the EU have MILF's on a terrorist list? Too hot?
                        sigpic

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                        • #13
                          Thank you Minnie. Was afraid to even google it
                          Moro Islamic Liberation Front
                          No such thing as a good tax - Churchill

                          To make mistakes is human. To blame someone else for your mistake, is strategic.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            All kidding aside, an interesting article...

                            An inside look at the EU decision || How a terror attack backfired on Hezbollah
                            sigpic

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Doktor View Post
                              Thank you Minnie. Was afraid to even google it
                              Moro Islamic Liberation Front
                              Apparently they are considering changing their name as a result of the unfortunate acronym association.
                              sigpic

                              Win nervously lose tragically - Reds C C

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