LONDON — Libya has waged a jamming war against the West in a
successful effort to stop an opposition radio station.
So far, British and U.S. officials said, Libya has succeeded in
disrupting U.S. military communications in the Mediterranean Sea.
The
jamming also blocked dozens of television and radio stations in Europe, Middle East Newsline reported.
"We need a full explanation of what has happened and whether Britain has
insisted as part of its trade talks with the Libyans that it respected
international law," British parliamentarian Andrew Mackinlay, a member of
the Foreign Affairs Committee, told the House of Commons on Dec. 2.
Officials said the confrontation began in September when a British-based
opposition radio station began to broadcast to Libya. The station, Voice of
Libya, was meant to be a commercial enterprise that reported human rights
violations by the regime of Col. Moammar Khaddafy.
Within minutes of its launch, the radio station as well as other
broadcast networks were jammed. Officials said the jamming ended when the
Voice of Libya went off the air.
Weeks later, the Libyan opposition reappeared with Sawt Al Amal, or the
Voice of Hope. The station was broadcast through the Telstar-12 satellite,
operated in the United States.
Officials said Libya again sought to jam the opposition station. The
effort failed, but other European-based stations were disrupted. They
included BBC, CNN and at least 23 radio stations.
The British Foreign Office has confirmed the jamming. Officials said
both London and Washington have discussed the issue with the Libyan
government.
At one point, an anonymous e-mail was sent to Sawt Al Amal's satellite
provider. The e-mail said the disruption of satellite service stemmed from
the opposition broadcasts.
"This channel broadcasts terrorist propaganda, intended to spread
terrorist ideas amongst
the listeners minds," the e-mail read.
In November, Sawt Al Amal agreed to suspend service. The station's
director told the Guardian newspaper that the company has lost about
$500,000 in advertising revenues.
The Libyan jamming effort, which has not been acknowledged by Tripoli,
represents the latest tiff between Washington and the Khaddafy regime. Over
the last few months, U.S. officials said Tripoli has reduced cooperation
with the United States regarding intelligence on insurgency movements and
nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.