ORAL QUESTION WITH DEBATE O-0028/08

pursuant to Rule 108 of the Rules of Procedure

by Hannu Takkula, Paulo Casaca, Paul van Buitenen, Roger Helmer, Patrick Gaubert, Luís Queiró, Koenraad Dillen, Toomas Savi, Bastiaan Belder, Ashley Mote, Frank Vanhecke, Konrad Szymański, István Szent-Iványi, Vasco Graça Moura, Alexander Alvaro, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, Johan Van Hecke, Graf Alexander Lambsdorff, Janusz Onyszkiewicz, Ramona Nicole Mănescu, Tunne Kelam, Bronisław Geremek, Charles Tannock, Jana Hybášková, Grażyna Staniszewska, David Sumberg, Philip Claeys, Vladimír Železný, Jaroslav Zvěřina, Helga Trüpel, Mogens Camre, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Peter Šťastný, Kyösti Virrankoski, Neil Parish, Siiri Oviir, Olle Schmidt, Marek Aleksander Czarnecki, Frédérique Ries, Gabriele Albertini, Martin Callanan, Christopher Heaton-Harris, Józef Pinior and Struan Stevenson

to the Council 
 

Subject: Hezbollah and the EU list of proscribed terrorist organisations 
 

During January 2008 terrorists from territory under UNIFIL's jurisdiction launched two rocket attacks on Israel, prompting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to call the attacks a 'serious violation of Security Council Resolution 1701'. Terrorist groups targeted UNIFIL as well. In addition, Hezbollah – supported by Syria – has been implicated in a wave of political assassinations in Lebanon. With state support from Syria and Iran, Hezbollah has become a state within a state, blocking Lebanese democratic institutions from exercising their political powers, as in the latest case of blocking the presidential election and insisting on a veto-wielding number of cabinet seats. Hezbollah effectively prevents the Lebanese Government from exercising its full sovereignty. 
 

The EU has refused to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist group, thus enabling Hezbollah's financial activities in Europe, which are necessary for its survival in Lebanon. In other words, funds raised in Europe enable Hezbollah to threaten the political and economic stability of Lebanon, act against peace talks in the Middle East, undermine Israel's security, and fuel terrorism and destabilisation in the Middle East. In addition to all this, Hezbollah is successfully spreading its ideology among Muslim youth in Europe, as confirmed by Muslim youth arrested in Germany. Hezbollah cooperates with radical groups globally including increasing ties to other terrorist groups in Europe. Europe is endangering itself by refusing to take a clear stand against Hezbollah. 
 

It is clear that at best the distinction between political and military wings is artificial. As Muhammad Fannish, a Hezbollah political leader, commented: 'I can state that there is no separating between Hezbollah military and political aims'. 
 

In light of all these facts and recognising the serious EU commitment to the Middle East peace process: 
 

– What action has the Council decided to take to defend Lebanon's sovereign democracy and legal government and when? 

– What is the Council doing to prevent internal strife and political assassinations in Lebanon leading to a wider conflict in the Middle East? 

– When does the Council plan to designate Hezbollah as a proscribed terrorist organisation? 
 
 

Tabled: 18.03.2008

Forwarded: 19.03.2008

Deadline for reply: 09.04.2008