04-13-2009

HEZBOLLAH: WE ARE NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT OBAMA

Sheik Naim Qassem is the deputy secretary general of Hezbollah, making him the No. 2 man in the organization behind Sheik Hassan Nasrallah. He spoke with Barzou Daragahi of the Los Angeles Times for Global Viewpoint at a secret location near Beirut on April 6. Hezbollah is participating in Lebanon’s upcoming parliamentary election campaign, which culminates in a vote on June 7.

By Sheik Naim Qassem

A: We have to wait and watch Obama’s actions, not his words. His ideas seems to support dialogue instead of military pressure and threats, but will America’s policy toward the Middle East, including Iran, actually change? Will there be practical measures, or is this merely a tactic resulting from the failure of policies of military pressure and multiple wars?

What we’ve heard of Obama’s position on Palestine has not been encouraging. He took the exact same position as the Bush administration. Will he take different positions in other parts of the world? I am waiting to see his actions, not just his words, but in general, I am not very optimistic

Q: Does the way the West view Hezbollah matter?

A: In recent years, the Western perception of Hezbollah has changed, especially on a popular level. Even governments have started to look for reasons to communicate and have relations with Hezbollah. Most European countries have refused to put Hezbollah on the list of terrorist organizations. This indicates that the Islamic Resistance has convinced the West that a popular, authentic and important movement such as ours cannot be ignored.

I do not hide the fact that we in the party want the West and the world to see us as we truly are. But before we did not have the means to be heard. Ever since the (Israeli withdrawal) in 2000 and the Israeli aggression in 2006, and in light of the scale of the Israeli attacks on us, our image has become clearer while Israel’s image is even worse. This is especially true after the Gaza War, when the West discovered the extent of Israel’s oppression.

Q: You’re implying there is no difference between the military and political wings?

A: Britain has even tried to justify establishing relations with Hezbollah by distinguishing between two different sections that don’t actually exist because the party is by nature unified.

Hezbollah has a single leadership as represented in the shoura (the organization’s council) and at its head, the secretary general. All political, social and jihadi work is tied to the decisions of this leadership. The same leadership that directs the parliamentary and government work also leads jihadi actions in the struggle against Israel. There is one decision that has a mechanism and structure for implementation. That is how Hezbollah is even if other parties need to picture it otherwise in order to justify their actions.

Q: What is Hezbollah’s reach in terms of military and intelligence? Is Hezbollah a huge network?

A: We don’t talk about it, but you can see the results. In the July 2006 war, for example, we were able to defeat Israel. This power is real. In the Lebanese political arena, we are so effective that no government can ignore us. We are an essential part of the country.

Q: Would talks with the West be fruitful?

A: Naturally dialogue with the Western countries would help clarify our image and bring an atmosphere of calm to the political arena, but as we know, both Hezbollah and the West will benefit from this dialogue according to their own point of view, and at the same time this dialogue is the result of the failure of other means.

The West tried to pressure us by boycotts and defamation by (calling us) terrorists. But when it found that we have a strong presence and influence and that no solution can be implemented in Lebanon without our cooperation, it found dialogue with us necessary and beneficial.

We are open to dialogue with the West as long as both parties are equal and the dialogue is not just superficial. Until now, we have refused to talk to the American administration because we do not think it would be fruitful in light of this administration’s stubbornness regarding its aggressive position toward us.

Q: How will the elections help Hezbollah’s regional goals?

A: Hezbollah works in the Lebanese arena. It does not work for regional or international interests. We think that if our party, along with the opposition, wins the elections and can form a new government, it will be a new experiment in the economic, social and political administration (of the country).

We must keep in mind that when one party wins a majority over the other, there are not radical changes in Lebanon because the political paths in Lebanon have become fixed, especially after the failure of the current parliamentary majority to drag Lebanon under American hegemony or that which serves the Israeli agenda.

Right now, we think that Lebanon is independent, and that has prevented others from carrying out their regional and international (agendas). We will move onto the next phase on this path. Therefore, there will not be any radical changes except that we will try a new, successful experiment in governance that differs from that of the current majority’s.

Q: How will Hezbollah respond to questions about its weapons in the coming elections, and under what conditions would Hezbollah consider disarming?

A. Hezbollah’s weapons are part of the resistance, not separate from it. The resistance has proven its purpose with the great victory of July 2006. All subsequent attempts to turn the weapons into a problem have failed.

In light of the occupation of the Shebaa Farms . . . as well as continuing Israeli airspace violations and repeated threats, it has become clear that Lebanon needs the resistance.

We came to the dialogue roundtable in order to bring different points of view closer together and discuss the defense strategy. Now that it is clear the resistance is a necessity, I don’t think anything will change with the coming elections. Lebanon will need to stay strong, and the resistance is one of the pillars of strength. In the end, we are bound by what is decided at the dialogue roundtable.

Q: What about the idea of integrating Hezbollah into the Lebanese army?

A: We cannot talk about a mechanism for dealing with the occupation without (talking about) implementing the defense strategy, so let’s leave the matter to be resolved by the (national dialogue). If this mechanism is not the correct one, maybe there are other mechanisms. These will come out of the national dialogue, so we don’t want to give any premature ideas.

Q: Why do you have an alliance not only with Iran but with Venezuela and Bolivia as well?

A: When Hezbollah gains international friendships and support, it is better for its position. It helps it gain members and expand among peoples instead of the whole world being against this party. It is good to have states and organizations that support Hezbollah.

Today we live in a global village, and popular support affects international public opinion and even policymakers. If we were isolated, it would make it easier to exert pressure on us negatively. This is why Hezbollah is keen to have regional and international support for the resistance, because it makes us stronger.

Q: What is the commonality?

A: We look for support for our central and primary position, which is the resistance and our right to liberate our land and defend ourselves. We do not care about the ideologies of the different parties; we care about their support. Even in Lebanon, we ally ourselves with national, left-wing and secular parties, even though we differ from them ideologically.

Q: What about enforcing Islam in Lebanon among the people? Could Hezbollah do a better job of encouraging Islam among young people?

A: Islam tells us to convey this message to the people, but what God wants is for us to behave wisely. But our religion also tells us not to impose our beliefs on others.

Thus we think that the call to Islam should be answered out of free will. If they don’t choose it, we don’t consider this a source of problems or enmity, especially when we live in a single country. Therefore, we try to look for commonalities in politics and other areas, and we continue to convey (the message of) Islam.

Today, as a party in Lebanon, we can say we are the strongest party in Lebanon, if not the entire Arab region in terms of specific support and resources as opposed to general friendships and relationships. This is how we work, and the more people around us who believe in Islam, the better, but this is for the people to choose themselves.

Q: But what about Western culture?

A: I see Western culture as a comprehensive body. I think it has many problems and complexities, and one can’t talk about one piece as if it were separate from the rest. On the one hand, I think scientific progress is very important, but on the other the corruption and dissolution of the family is very dangerous.

While I appreciate that the interest in education allows an individual to become educated and cultured, at the same time I do not like the individualistic interest in swearing, gambling, drinking, etc. These things cannot be taken separately; they are all part of the same thing. I don’t think the West is necessarily an example to follow. It has good and bad things. 

© 2009 GLOBAL VIEWPOINT
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