SourceApr 10, 4:48 PM (ET)
By DONNA ABU-NASR
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - As its Syrian backers leave Lebanon, Hezbollah is seeking to transform its image domestically and in the West - from guerrilla group condemned as terrorist by the United States to political party respected for playing a serious, productive role in Lebanese politics.
As part of this attempted makeover, Hezbollah sent a senior representative to a meeting in Beirut last month with American and British intellectuals, including former government and intelligence officials, to talk about the group, which Washington accuses of killing hundreds of Americans in terror attacks in the 1980s.
NO! Maybe eventually, but I think they need to lay down all their weapons, condemn suicide bombers, and do so repeatedly and without qualification.Squawker said:I don’t think Hezbollah can be trusted any more than any other terrorist group. Would it be a good move to give them political status?
I don't think it's for us to say whether they're qualified for political status or not. We should really leave it up to the Lebanese. We in the US see an evil, bloody, west-hating terrorist group, but Hezbollah has made some serious advances for the people of Lebanon (schools, roads etc.).26 X World Champs said:NO! Maybe eventually, but I think they need to lay down all their weapons, condemn suicide bombers, and do so repeatedly and without qualification.
Otherwise, they're just a terrorist group trying to stay in the game and doing some PR work....
Please, please do some checking? They're one of the most notorious terror organization of the last 30 years! There's no defense for them, sorry....anomaly said:I don't think it's for us to say whether they're qualified for political status or not. We should really leave it up to the Lebanese. We in the US see an evil, bloody, west-hating terrorist group, but Hezbollah has made some serious advances for the people of Lebanon (schools, roads etc.).
Squawker said:I don’t think Hezbollah can be trusted any more than any other terrorist group. Would it be a good move to give them political status?
Hizballah (Party of God)
From: Patterns of Global Terrorism. United States Department of State Publication 10321
-----------------------------
Other Names
Islamic Jihad
Revolutionary Justice Organization
Organization of the Oppressed on Earth
Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine
Description
Radical Shia group formed in Lebanon; dedicated to creation of Iranian-style Islamic republic in Lebanon and removal of all non-Islamic influences from area. Strongly anti-West and anti-Israel. Closely allied with, and often directed by, Iran, but may have conducted rogue operations that were not approved by Tehran.
Activities:
Known or suspected to have been involved in numerous anti-US terrorist attacks, including the suicide truck-bombing of the US Embassy and US Marine barracks in Beirut in October 1983 and the US Embassy annex in Beirut in September 1984. Group also hijacked TWA 847 in 1985. Elements of the group were responsible for the kidnapping and detention of most, if not all, US and other Western hostages in Lebanon. Islamic Jihad publicly claimed responsibility for the carbombing of Israel's Embassy in Buenos Aires in March 1992.
Strength:Several thousand.
Location/Area of Operation:Operates in the [Al Biqa'] (Bekaa valley), the southern suburbs of Beirut, and southern Lebanon. Has established cells in Europe, Africa, South America, North America, and elsewhere.
External Aid:Receives substantial amounts of financial, training, weapons, explosives, political, diplomatic, and organizational aid from Iran.
Umm no. Round em up and put em away.
26 X World Champs said:NO! Maybe eventually, but I think they need to lay down all their weapons, condemn suicide bombers, and do so repeatedly and without qualification.
Otherwise, they're just a terrorist group trying to stay in the game and doing some PR work....
Cemeteries, too.anomaly said:I don't think it's for us to say whether they're qualified for political status or not. We should really leave it up to the Lebanese. We in the US see an evil, bloody, west-hating terrorist group, but Hezbollah has made some serious advances for the people of Lebanon (schools, roads etc.).
Hezbollah's good acts toward the Lebanese are nothing new. Only the US has been terrorized by Hezbollah, but again, the Lebanese have really benefitted from schools, roads, etc.Fantasea said:At a propitious time, every wolf dons sheep's clothing. The time is propitious for Hezbollah to adopt the appearance of legitimacy, for however long it suits the purposes of its adherents and supporters.
The deaf, the dumb, and the blind, in short, the socialist-lib-dems will insist that Hezbollah has reformed and deserves a pat on the head and a lollipop.
See my reference to "wolf in sheep's clothing" in post #11.anomaly said:Hezbollah's good acts toward the Lebanese are nothing new. Only the US has been terrorized by Hezbollah, but again, the Lebanese have really benefitted from schools, roads, etc.
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