American Linguist Noam Chomsky Meets with Hizbullah Leaders in Lebanon

Following are excerpts from a report on American linguist Prof. Noam Chomsky meeting Hizbullah leaders in Lebanon. The report aired on New TV on May 14, 2006.

Anchor: The leftist Jewish American intellectual Noam Chomsky toured Al-Khiyam Prison at the end of his visit to Lebanon. He declared that the victory achieved by the resistance is a victory for all the peoples that fight injustice and oppression.

Reporter: "Umm Kamel" – the Israeli [MK] spying aircraft – was the first to welcome leftist Jewish American intellectual Noam Chomsky, in his visit to Al-Khiyam Prison. Chomsky chose to provide "Umm Kamel" with the most detestable pictures, from the Israeli perspective, by smiling and shaking hands with Hizbullah's leader in South Lebanon, Nabil Qauq. Then they both entered the prison's Hall of Martyrs. Chomsky, who toured the prison with his wife and university professor Fawwaz Al-Trabulsi, insisted on staying inside one of the prison cells for a short while. He commended the perseverance of the inmates during the years of cruelty and pain, stressing that this prison is no different from Guantanamo.

The leftist intellectual chose to stand in front of a destroyed Israeli vehicle and declare that all the prisoners in the world must be released, whether in Israel or in American prisons.

In response to a question about [Lebanese expatriates] who decided to honor U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton, Chomsky said:

Noam Chomsky: Well, you know, they have their own choices to make. There is pressure they have to deal with. When Japan occupied Asia and committed atrocities there, some Asians honored Japan because they were subject to imperialism.

Reporter: On the U.S. position regarding his visit, Chomsky said:

Noam Chomsky: I don't know what their response will be, and I don't care.

Reporter: Chomsky insisted on greeting the Israeli reconnaissance plane:

Noam Chomsky: The imperialistic forces do whatever they want, and as long as Washington allows them to do so, they will continue, until the American people learns about it and stops them.

Reporter: "Umm Kamel" got a picture of another Chomsky smile, when Qauq presented him with a picture commemorating the liberation. This time, Chomsky accompanied his smile with the hope to meet in the future in the Shab'a Farms after their liberation.