Friday, November 23, 2012

Spain: Burgas probe ‘essential’ for Hezbollah ban

Because, apparently, they don't have enough info and evidence to designate it as a terrorist organization.
(JPost) The results of Bulgaria’s investigation into the possible role of Hezbollah in July’s suicide bombing there of an Israeli tour bus “will be essential“ for the EU process to list the Lebanese organization as a terrorist entity, Spain’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gonzalo de Benito said on Wednesday.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Jerusalem Post from Abuja, Nigeria, de Benito, whose title is secretary of state for foreign affairs, said of a proposed blacklisting of Hezbollah, “We want to take the decision with our European countries and are waiting for the report” from Bulgaria.

De Benito’s language mirrored the comments of France’s Ambassador to Israel. French envoy Christophe Bigot told the Post earlier this month that, in regards to the EU position on Hezbollah, the “main element is what is the outcome of the inquiry in Bulgaria.”

Israeli and American intelligence officials attribute the suicide bombing in Burgas that killed five Israelis and their Bulgarian bus driver, and wounded 32 other Israelis, to a joint Hezbollah-Iran operation.

De Benito stressed that Spain seeks to work “within the framework of Europe” regarding a decision to outlaw Hezbollah.

Asked about the role of the Lebanese Shi’ite group in murdering Europeans and in helping the Assad regime to massacre pro-reform Syrians, de Benito said, “We have all of this information, and it will not lead us to take a decision” independent of the process in Sofia. He stressed that the Bulgarian report “will be essential.”

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