Other State Department Archive Sites

The State Department web site below is a permanent electronic archive of information released online from January 1, 1997 to January 20, 2001. Please see www.state.gov for current material from the Department of State. Or visit http://2001-2009.state.gov for information from that period. Archive sites are not updated, so external links may no longer function. Contact us with any questions about finding information. NOTE: External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

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

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
April 15, 1999

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

The Monitoring Group met on April 14-15, 1999, at the UNIFIL Headquarters compound in Naqura, Lebanon to consider five complaints of violation of the April 26, 1996 Understanding, four filed by Israel and one filed by Lebanon.

With regard to the two Israeli complaints concerning Rob al-Thalithin, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on April 8, 1999, side-bombs and other military equipment left behind by a Lebanese armed group was discovered by Israel or those cooperating with it inside a house in the village. The Monitoring Group concluded that the military action of the Lebanese armed group was in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group also acknowledged that during the same incident, two mortar rounds fired by a Lebanese armed group impacted in the village, hitting two houses and damaging one car, in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group urgently called on Lebanon to ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of the Understanding concerning the use and protection of civilian property in military situations.

With regard to the Israeli complaint concerning Majdel Silm, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on April 8, 1999, in a military operation linked to the Rob al-Thalithin incidents, a Lebanese armed group, in an effort to protect combatants being pursued by Israeli forces or those cooperating with them, fired at least seven mortar rounds from the village of Majdel Silm, in violation of the Understanding.

With regard to the Lebanese complaint concerning a naval incident off the coast of Mansouri, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on April 10, 1999, four Lebanese fishing boats were damaged by Israeli Navy machine-gun fire when three of the fishing boats in question proceeded to approach two Israeli naval vessels despite verbal warnings and the firing of warning shots. While acknowledging that the actions of the fishing boats were unusual and that the Israeli forces took appropriate precautions to avoid civilian casualties and serious damage to the boats, the Monitoring Group reaffirmed the principle that under no circumstances should civilians be the target of attack. It therefore concluded that the firing at such civilian vessels was in violation of the Understanding, while underscoring that it is in the interests of all sides to avoid actions that can put civilians at risk.

With regard to the Israeli complaint concerning side-bombs in the area of Arnoun, the Monitoring Group decided that additional time was needed to further investigate the situation and that discussion of this issue by the Monitoring Group should resume in Naqura on April 28, 1999.

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

[end of document]