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In testimony here submitted yesterday to the House Foreign Affairs terrorism panel, counter-terrorism expert Steve Emerson declared:

“State Department officials have attended and spoken at many conferences sponsored and held by Islamist organizations. This aspect of State Department outreach can be seen as part of the legacy of Karen Hughes. When Ms. Hughes was appointed as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, she set the tone to continue a disastrous policy of outreach with Islamist partners.”

Here is what the president said in 2005 when appointing long-time adviser Hughes (who at the end of last year resigned ) as Under-Secretary:

“As the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Karen will direct the State Department’s efforts to communicate with the world, and at the same time, she will coordinate the work of our administration in support of this vital mission, ensuring that every agency and department gives public diplomacy the same level of priority that I do.”

Here is the Investigative Project on Terrorism’s full account of yesterday’s hearing chaired by Representative Brad Sherman of California.

The Project urged:

“The focus of the State Department’s funding should promote genuinely moderate voices within the Muslim community, rather than reaching out to those who justify violence, support designated terrorist groups, and promote the funding and support of jihadist ideology globally.” (Underscoring Forum’s.)

And kudos to panel chairman Sherman for holding the hearing here:

“July 30, 2008

Muslim Public Affairs Council Tries to Halt Congressman Sherman’s Hearings

Sherman Oaks, CA – On Tuesday, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) demonstrated in front of the Office of Congressman Brad Sherman, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism and Nonproliferation. The demonstrators demanded the cancellation of a subcommittee hearing on whether American foreign aid is going to organizations affiliated with terrorists.

‘This hearing will go on. We need to make sure that the State Department is not giving U.S. tax dollars to those on the other side in the war on terrorism,’ said Sherman. ‘I know there are many in our community so desperate for peace that they want us to sweep under the rug the pro-terrorism positions of some groups. There are groups in the Islamic world truly dedicated to peace, but we should not blind ourselves to the fact that some are not.’”

This is an opportunity for senator McCain to say that his State Department will not give tax dollars to enemies of America.

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