US admits “Israel” `likely` broke rules on cluster bombs

Source: Agencies, 30-1-2007
BEIRUT: The United States said on Monday that "Israel" "likely" violated an agreement with Washington in its use of US-made cluster bombs during the 2006 war against Lebanon.
"There were likely violations," US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Monday as the department sent Congress a preliminary report on its investigation of "Israel`s" use of cluster-bombs in civilian areas of Lebanon during the summer war.
It is up the Congress to decide whether the issue will be investigated further, he said.
Under the US Arms Export Control Act, if the US government believes a foreign country violated agreements over how US-made weapons were used, the administration must draw up a report and send its findings to Congress. The State Department spokesperson declined to say how "Israel" had violated US rules in its use of US-made bombs, rockets or shells armed with cluster bombs in Lebanon.
A probe was opened last year, after reports emerged that three types of American cluster bombs were found in South Lebanon and were responsible for civilian deaths.
The report was handed over to Congress as two Belgian de-miners serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon were wounded on Monday by shrapnel in a cluster-bomb explosion during a mine-clearance operation in the vicinity of Kunin, near the town of Bint Jbeil.
When contacted by The Daily Star, UNIFIL spokesperson Liam McDowall said that "one of the de-miners sustained shrapnel in the right foot and the other in his right arm."
"Both received medical care and are in fair condition,"he said, adding that they will return to Belgium as soon as they can.
When asked about the report handed over to Congress, McDowall said: "There is no comment on that at this time."
On December 29, two other Belgian de-miners were wounded in a similar incident.
Unexploded ordnance has killed or wounded 218 people in Lebanon since the cease-fire in August. Cluster munitions spread bomblets over a wide area from a single container. The bomblets often do not explode on impact but can do so later at the slightest touch, making them as lethal as anti-personnel land mines.
"Israel" has defended its right to use cluster bombs and says it only deploys them in accordance with international law.
In Jerusalem, "Israel" Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mark Regev said: ""Israel" takes the concerns raised by the US very seriously. In our response, we have been as detailed, as forthcoming and transparent as possible."
An "Israeli" Army spokesman said the military had begun its own investigation two months ago on its use of cluster bombs and declined comment until after that was complete.
"Israel" could be fined, but that is unlikely because of the close ties between the two nations. The US is the biggest military donor to "Israel", providing more than $2 billion in military aid each year.