DATE=04/16/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-09827

TITLE=EDITORIAL: HEZBOLLAH ATTACKS U-N WORKERS

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:

Voice: Members of the Hezbollah terrorist group attacked three United Nations observers and two U-N peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The observers -- from Ireland, Norway, and France -- were assaulted with rifle butts. A separate U-N peacekeeping patrol came to their defense.

U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan and U-N Security Council President Sergey Lavrov of Russia condemned the Hezbollah attack. Mr. Annan said the increasing violence along the Israeli-Lebanese border could have "serious consequences for peace and security in the region." Attacks on Israeli civilians and on unarmed international observers are particularly reprehensible.

Hezbollah is one of the terrorist groups identified as a particular threat to the United States. Hezbollah receives aid from Iran and Syria, including training, weapons, and political support. The organization is known or suspected to have been involved in numerous terrorist attacks directed at U.S. interests. These include the suicide truck bombings of the U.S. embassy and the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983, which killed more than three-hundred people. Hezbollah was responsible for the kidnapping of Americans and other Westerners in Lebanon. The group also attacked the Israeli embassy in Argentina in 1992.

In recent weeks, Hezbollah has repeatedly shelled Israeli civilians and military targets in Israel and on the Golan Heights. These attacks violate the U-N's Blue Line, which was delineated after the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has been reinforcing its fighters near the border and stepping up its attacks. There is a real risk of escalating conflict. That is why U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell traveled to Beirut and Damascus on April 15th -- to convey the message that restraint is essential.

U-N Secretary General Annan condemned the attacks by Hezbollah. "There seem to be efforts coming from Lebanese territory to deliberately create instability along the [U-N boundary]," he said. "It needs to be made clear to Hezbollah and others who may be involved that attacks across [this border]. . .are violations of [U-N] Security Council resolutions and are not acceptable." As Secretary of State Powell said, "It is critical for those who support peace to act immediately to stop attacks across the [Israeli-Lebanese] border."

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-ibb-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.