House panel approves Radio Free Afghanistan despite State Department objection

By CAROLYN SKORNECK The Associated Press 11/1/01 8:23 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A congressional committee resurrected a Cold War tactic Thursday to combat Taliban propaganda and let Afghans "hear the truth" about their leaders, approving Radio Free Afghanistan over the objection of the State Department.

"This is the best chance at providing information that will help turn the Afghan people against the Taliban and other extremists," said Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., the chief sponsor of the measure. The International Relations Committee approved by voice vote, sending it to the full House.

The idea is patterned after Radio Free Europe, broadcasts the United States began beaming into Eastern Europe following World War II in an effort to undercut communism. Congress borrowed the idea in 1996, funding privately run Radio Free Asia with the aim of bringing unfettered information to countries in the region that usually attempt to block it, such as China.

Taliban leaders, to maintain power, "use propaganda, they use censorship and they must be countered," Royce said. The effort will be boosted by the participation of eight Afghans who did such work to rally their countrymen against the Soviet Union, he said.

Rep. Tom Lantos of California, the committee's top Democrat, said it was "self-evident that we need to improve our public diplomacy in the Muslim world," and this "will help us reach millions of Muslims."

"This would allow the Afghan people to hear the truth about what is happening in their country," said Rep. Joseph Hoeffel III, D-Pa., who criticized the administration's position.

Paul V. Kelly, assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs, wrote to committee Chairman Henry Hyde, R-Ill., on Oct. 25 that the administration agrees that "radio broadcasting into Afghanistan is crucial for informing and influencing the Afghan people."

To further that, he said, the administration is beefing up Voice of America broadcasts to South Asia and "is considering a menu of other options."

However, Kelly wrote, "The administration is not ready at this time to commit to the concept of a Radio Free Afghanistan. Our choice of options will depend in part on how the situation in Afghanistan evolves over the coming weeks."

The measure includes $10 million to move three transmitters from Spain to Kuwait to strengthen the signal in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2001