Nablus, 21 June 2007 (Filastin al-An WWW-Text) - Engineer Rami Abd-al-Latif, manager of the Nablus local TV station Sana, denounced an attack against the station by unknown armed men. The station was totally damaged and some items were stolen.

Abd-al-Latif said: "Less than a month after the Israeli occupation forces broke into the station and stole its contents, the station was broken into and damaged again. But this time, the perpetrators were our countrymen who outdid the occupation forces in barbarism and violence."

Abd-al-Latif added: "The TV station abides by neutrality and high professionalism, far from any partisan position, and everybody attests to this, particularly the Fatah movement. This [neutral] position appeared clearly through the TV's programmes and various guests who are affiliated with the entire Palestinian spectrum. Likewise, the TV station covers all the events carried out by Fatah, and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, as well as the other Palestinian factions. And despite the fact that the TV always broadcasts material that encourages national unity, solidarity, joining forces against the number one enemy of the Palestinian people, renouncing dispute and disunity, and supporting the security campaign, some people did not like this and committed these acts."

For his part, Samir Khuwayrah, Sana TV technical manager, condemned this attack. He pointed out that the TV's mission, despite the fact that it was recently established, was a brotherly and unifying one that was clear to all. He strongly denounced the silence of the security services with respect to such acts and their failure to pursue the perpetrators. This happened despite the fact that the TV strongly supported the security campaign in the city and hosted security officials on its programmes. He called upon these services to express a clear position towards those who tamper with the citizen's security and his/her means of living.

It is worth noting that the attack carried out by armed men against the TV station resulted in breaking and damaging all the furniture and stealing some equipment. The losses were estimated at $20,000. The false ceiling covering the whole TV station was damaged, and the losses were estimated at about $4000. The AC equipment was damaged or stolen; it was estimated at about $3000. The studio glass and the rest of the glass doors were broken; the losses were estimated at about $500. In addition, the studio decorations, estimated at $1500, were stolen. The 150 watt transmission set that costs $5000 was stolen. Five computer sets and screens that cost $2500 were stolen. Two receiver sets that cost $400, a fax machine that costs $400 and an HP printer that costs $200 were also stolen. All this is added to other general damage, such as breaking the desks, wooden cabinets and doors, removing the carpet from the studio, and breaking the kitchen and bathroom; these cost $2500.

Source: Filastin al-An website, in Arabic 21 Jun 07

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