Washington Times: "A Victory Over Terrorist Media" (BM)

The following Washington Times editorial is an excellent analysis of the why the Treasury Department designation of Hezbollah's al-Manar television as a terrorist organization is both necessary and right:

The Treasury Department struck a blow against one branch of Iran's propaganda network on Thursday, designating Hezbollah's al Manar satellite television operation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization. The designation prohibits transactions between Americans and U.S. entities and al Manar, and freezes any assets al Manar may have under American jurisdiction. It constitutes a huge victory for the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and the Coalition Against Terrorist Media, an organization founded by FDD in an effort to press foreign governments to impose sanctions against al Manar and to discourage satellite providers from carrying it.

Al Manar had hoped to stave off the designation as a terrorist entity by framing criticism of its connection to Hezbollah as an effort to deprive it of its First Amendment rights. But as the Treasury Department made clear, the issue is not al Manar's role as a television station but its role in facilitating the activities of Hezbollah, an organization that has killed more Americans than every other terrorist group save al Qaeda.

"Any entity maintained by a terrorist group -- whether masquerading as a charity, a business or a media outlet -- is as culpable as the terrorist group itself," said Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey. The Treasury Department cited an incident in which an al Manar employee carried out operational surveillance for Hezbollah while acting under cover of employment by al Manar.

Moreover, the organization has supported Hezbollah's fundraising and recruitment efforts, and Hezbollah-affiliated charities have aired commercials on al Manar, providing bank account numbers for donations. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah publicized an invitation for all Lebanese citizens to volunteer for Hezbollah military training on al Manar. And in addition to supporting Hezbollah, Treasury said, "al Manar has also provided support to other designated terrorist organizations, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, notably transferring tens of thousands of dollars for a PIJ-controlled charity."

It should also be pointed out that, since the war in Iraq began three years ago, al Manar has specialized in depicting American soldiers as war criminals. The Treasury Department gets it right: Al Manar is a propaganda arm of the Islamofascists who are fighting against the United States.

Comments

[Anton Kunckle]

"It should also be pointed out that, since the war in Iraq began three years ago, al Manar has specialized in depicting American soldiers as war criminals. The Treasury Department gets it right: Al Manar is a propaganda arm of the Islamofascists who are fighting against the United States."

Change "Al Manar" in the above paragraphy to New York Times, Newsweek, CNN, etc....and the point is still made. Why go after only Al Manar?

[todd s]

Anton,

I have a possible answer to your question.

Why only 'al Manar' and not 'Time' or 'Newsweek'? For the same reason that Dubai Ports World plans on forming an American holding company to keep the ports deal going (after the dust settles down).

It's all in a name. Us ignorant (and apparently culturist) Americans can easily rally around the flag and agree that 'al Manar' is terrorist propaganda- with a name like that, how can it be good? Right?

But 'Time' and 'Newsweek'? It doesn't get any more American than that--at least not to our 'sound bite society' that is content in never looking past what is spoon fed to them.

Just wait until the folks from DPW re-emerge ready to close the ports deal as 'Jones Ships, Salvage and Frieght', with a COO from Omaha, Nebraska, named Frank Johnson. The deal might get some press at first; but hey, at least their headquarters is based in Tampa. How bad could they really be--right?

Another case in point would be the Japanese automakers. When they struggled to gain marketshare against the 'buy American' campaign, what did they do? They moved the plants here and hired some American workers. Then suddenly, Honda and Toyota aren't the imperialists anymore who are trying to take our jobs, but our friends who are building factories and providing work.

Were they wrong in the first place for wanting to sell cars here? Absolutely not. But in order to alleviate our cultural bias against them, they had to set up shop over here and cause our perception of the situation to change.

I believe that al Manar could pull it off too- if they wanted to. They could change their English name to 'The Voice' or 'The Call to Peace'. That would be a great start. Then hire a couple of American.....no wait! Al Jazeera did that! :)

Just my opinion. Take care!