Hizbullah Anti-Terrorism Act: U.S. Assistance Depends on Dismantling Hizbullah Infrastructure
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
U.S. Congressman Howard Berman has introduced the Hizbullah Anti-Terrorism Act (HATA) that sets rigorous requirements for the provision of foreign assistance to Lebanon during periods when the Shiite party is part of the majority governing coalition.
The cosponsors of HATA include three Congressmen of Lebanese origin -Darrell Issa, Charles Boustany, and Nick Rahall.
The introduction of the legislation comes in the wake of the formation of Premier Najib Miqati’s government that is led by Hizbullah. Its goal is to signal to “American friends in Lebanon” that Washington continues to support them.
HATA will declare that the U.S. policy is to promote the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Lebanon, and “oppose those organizations, individuals, and countries that practice or support terrorism and use Lebanon as a base to instigate attacks of any kind against the United States, the West, and the State of Israel.”
The legislation also says that Washington would “promote the rule of law, democracy, the cessation of terrorism and incitement, and good governance in Lebanon, and urge members of the international community to avoid contact with and refrain from supporting the terrorist organization Hizbullah until it renounces violence and disarms.”
Furthermore, HATA will prohibit U.S. foreign assistance to a government in which Hizbullah is part of the majority coalition, unless the president certifies that the Shiite group “has ceased its support for terrorism, renounces violence, and disarms - and ceases using Lebanon’s territory as a base to launch attacks against the State of Israel.”
The legislation says that U.S. assistance won’t stop if the president certifies that the Lebanese government made demonstrable progress toward dismantling Hizbullah military infrastructure within Lebanon.
But HATA allows the U.S. government to provide humanitarian, democracy-building, and educational assistance. There is also an exception for International Military Education and Training funding, in order to allow for continued contact with the Lebanese military.
“The emergence of a Hizbullah-inspired Lebanese government, under the leadership of a Hizbullah hand-picked prime minister, is a disturbing development,” said Berman.
“The goal of the legislation is to ensure that none of our assistance to Lebanon benefits Hizbullah in any way. We certainly want to assist our friends in Lebanon – and we will – but we also want to make sure we don’t inadvertently help our enemies at the same time,” he added.
Issa described the Shiite party as a “cancer,” while Boustany said: “This government must be willing and able to work with its neighboring countries to promote peace and stability in the region.”
“Our president is given waiver authority and the government of Lebanon is given the incentive to improve democratic institutions, reduce inflammatory influences, and assure the sovereignty of Lebanon,” said Rahhal.
17 June 2011, 14:35
33
Lebanon will be much better off if the US of A would just leave us alone. We do not require that assistance, nor US support. We need nothing from the USA. normal relations regulated by embassies at each others capital city, the occasional ceremonial photo shoot at the oval office, once every 10 years.. and that is it. Thank you very much..
17 June 2011, 15:08
10
Where was US assistance when Israel was bombing the hell out of Lebanon and killed more than 1200 people in the process??
Ah yes they were assisting... in the provision of cluster bombs to Israel which are still killing people to this day... such hypocrites!
The only way to get rid of Hizballah is to take out the Assad regime, with them out of the picture then Hizballah weapons life line will be gone and their power significantly diminished.
17 June 2011, 15:30
22
God bless the USA.. Much better than getting aid from IRAN and the Syrians...to the ones that disagree...either go live in Syria or Iran and leave us in peace....oh I see, you will rather to live in the USA ...LOL
17 June 2011, 17:18
03
Look at those 2 dummies and irrealistic persons, Mowaten and Mazen, always inspired by hatred and the worthless resistance of Hezbollah, which is an indirect agent of chaos for the benefit of Iran and indirectly of Israeli zionists.
- Iran uses Hezbollah as a base in Lebanon , not against Israel, but to to be a copycat of the model of Islamic republic they have in Iran , it is obvious that Hezbollah and Iran do not want to bother Israel, they just want Lebanon. So all this crap about resistance is nothing, with 2 F16's , they transformed Dahieh into a parking lot
- Israel is happy that Hezbollah is here, because they have been protecting it in the south from any vengeful attack from palestinians , who do not dare operate without Hezbollah permission, which himself doesnt operate without Iran's permission. we can see that when their supposedly '' palestinian brothers'' were shot during latest demos, they didnt act, too scared now for round 2? Israel, hezbollah, two evils for lebanon
17 June 2011, 17:32
02
this is the best way to show our soft, but firm side without the use of force, showing the world that we are ready to negotiate but we will not give up any rights of ours, and Mazen and Mowaten, from that moment on, Israel will have to choose, and cannot lay back anymore and accusing Hezbollah and this and that, if it doesnt accept our conditions which are in my opinion the least we can ask for, than from this moment on, the resistance will have full and wider support around the world, but of course, when you shout aloud all the time, saying you want to wipe out Israel, you want to liberate palestine ( which is a noble cause but not our fight , we are a tiny country you know, we can barely provide our own needs ) , of course the world will reject such hateful statements. And i repeat, Israel is an ennemy right now, but so Hezbollah, not giving the chance for peace, and maybe to prove diplomatically that Israel doesnt want it ...
17 June 2011, 17:42
11
God bless the USA, land of freedom and liberty. What abou Iran's mollahs intervention and owning a militia in Lebanon,not to mention the syrian dictatorship?
Guys criticizing the USA and their interventions calm down,you line up at dawn to get visas to the USA , if you want to go to Iran you dont have to wait,Iran having all its intellengentsia in the USA and fleeing daily will be happy that you go there and return to the dark ages.
17 June 2011, 17:44
10
the escenaries are different now, they are at power, so they recieving or not the assistance, wont be make different for them, on the contrary, if this is cut, they will get enough sources into own side, dont mind if for that the evil open his account for this goal, the points are: a) with which they will reinforce themselves, b) how will weapons delivery be in favor of lebanese army?????.
17 June 2011, 18:25
10
Jean Anid...I agree with you....VERY good point...long live the USA and Lebanon.
18 June 2011, 12:00
01
To: LC-CH
You want assistance from the US against Israel claiming that Lebanon paid price of 1,200 livers?
Why did you let Hezballa attack Israel on the 1st place by killing 7 soldiers and kidnapping 3 others from Israeli territory?.
You let Lebanon become a nest to all terror groups and later your cry for paying the price?
In the 70th and 80th you gave shelter to PLO and Black September.
All actions against Israel planned in your country by groups who got a safe shelter at yours.
Same with Hezballa whom is part of your government.
Don't mess with us and Lebanon will be quiet as the coins has 2 sides.
Don't expect us to sit quiet while we are targeted.
If Lebanon being a free country thinks that have any territorials claims against Israel, there is a negotiation table.
If you choose to speak to us through the rifle sight , Ahlan Wa Sahlan but be ready to pay for it.
