DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON AL-MANAR TV, LEBANESE MEDIA

S E C R E T WARSAW 000541

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2016
TAGS: ASEC ETTC KPAO PTER
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON AL-MANAR TV, LEBANESE MEDIA
GROUP, AL-NOUR RADIO

REF: SECSTATE 44261

Classified By: Polcouns Mary T. Curtin for reasons 1.4b and d.


1. (S) POLOFF delivered reftel demarche March 22 to Grzegorz
Majewski, POC for terrorism issues in the MFA Security Policy
Department. Majewski noted that Poland would have to act in
concert with the European Union, and therefore had to seek EU
consensus before acting on the U.S. request to declare the
Lebanese Media Group, Al Manar and Al Nour as
global terrorist organizations and freeze their assets. He
underscored that the case for designating these organizations
rested on recognizing Hizballah as a terrorist group -
something the EU has not yet done.


2. (S) Majewski cautioned that the EU would need "significant
evidence" of terrorist activity, or support for terrorist
activity, to make the requested declaration. He acknowledged
reftel points on the linkages between terrorism and the
Lebanese Media Group, Al Manar and Al Nour, but noted that
these statements should be backed by demonstrable proof.
Majewski closed by underscoring the importance of the U.S.
making a well-documented appeal directly to the EU Commission
itself.
ASHE