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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James B. Foley, Deputy Spokesman
February 24, 1999

On Behalf of the Chairman of the Israel/Lebanon Monitoring Group

The Monitoring Group met on February 22-23, 1999, at the UNIFIL Headquarters compound in Naqura, Lebanon to consider four complaints of violation of the April 26, 1996 Understanding, three filed by Lebanon and one filed by Israel.

With respect to the Lebanese complaint concerning the laying of a barbed wire fence and landmines along the fence in the village of Arnoun by Israel and those cooperating with it on February 17, 1999, the Monitoring Group noted the serious concerns surrounding this incident and its potential for raising tensions. The Group further noted that there were differing views on whether it fell within the purview of the Understanding and constituted a violation. The Israeli delegate indicated a willingness on the part of Israel to examine the Arnoun issue on an urgent basis with a view to addressing the legitimate concerns of all parties. The Lebanese delegate indicated a willingness on the part of Lebanon to examine all the concerns related to the situation in Arnoun in a constructive way, but stated that the only acceptable consensus outcome of the meeting would be an Israeli commitment to return to the status quo ante in Arnoun. As a result, there was no agreement on a common course of action.

With regard to the Israeli complaint concerning the firing of four mortar rounds by a Lebanese armed group from the area of Majdel Zoun on February 18, 1999, there was no agreement on whether the launching site was at an unsafe distance from a civilian populated area. The Monitoring Group nonetheless stressed the importance of erring on the side of caution in launching attacks in order to ensure that civilian lives and property are not put at risk in the course of military operations.

With regard to the Lebanese complaint concerning Arab Shim, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on February 19, 1999, following a large-scale attack initiated by a Lebanese armed group, three 81 mm rounds fired by Israel and those cooperating with it impacted in the village, damaging one house, in violation of the Understanding.

With regard to the Lebanese complaint concerning Jarjoo, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on February 21, 1999, during the course of an exchange of fire initiated by a Lebanese armed group, a 12.7 mm round fired by Israel and those cooperating with it damaged one house and injured a woman inside the house, in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group called on Israel and those cooperating with it to take effective precautions to ensure that civilians are not put at risk during the course of military operations.

The Monitoring Group expressed its great appreciation to UNIFIL for providing facilities and support for the meeting.

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