Brussels - In a letter to President Bush’s National Security Advisor Mr. Stephen Hadley, Human Rights Watch has asked the rejection of any request by Israel to transfer cluster munitions for use against targets in Lebanon.
According to press reports, Israel has requested delivery of surface-launched M26 artillery rockets for use against locations in Lebanon.
The wide dispersal pattern of submunitions from M26 rockets makes it difficult to avoid civilian casualties, if civilians are in the area.
According to State Department records, the United States approved, in 2005, a license in the value of $615,496, for commercial sale of 1,300 M26 rockets to Israel.
An M26 rocket is launched from the Multiple Launch Rocket System(MLRS), to ranges of 32 to 38 kilometers and creates a wide-area effect by dispensing 644 M77 submunitions.
In the recent conflict with Lebanon, Israel has already used artillery-fired cluster munitions against populated areas, causing civilian casualties.
The Israeli military has repeatedly launched indiscriminate attacks in populated areas, targeting civilian vehicles and houses, as if there were no civilians in Southern Lebanon.
The United States stockpiles 369,576 rockets in its active inventory.
Furthermore, the United States caused hundreds of civilian casualties in 2003, when it used M26 rockets in widely populated areas of Iraq.
Germany
While in the United States the call to deny Israel cluster Munitions is rolling, members of Germany's opposition are calling for a suspension of arms deliveries to Israel until the end of the current conflict.
Germany has a long history of providing Israel with weapons and their components.
The Green's defense expert, Winfried Nachtwei, said that Germany should stop all arms deliveries to Israel, arguing that Berlin was guilty of violating binding guidelines on the export of weapons to crisis areas. He added that any deliveries of weapons to the Middle East were politically harmful and not conducive to ending the conflict.
German arms deliveries to Israel have a long tradition. As early as 1964, German patrol boats and used tanks were sent to Israel. In 1991, German Patriot anti missile defense systems protected the Israeli population against Iraqi Scud missiles. While Germany opposed the US-led war against Iraq in 2003, Patriot systems were again sent to Israel.
But the delivery of complete arms systems has been the exception. Germany mainly sends weapons components and technology that help Israel to build weapons themselves. Some parts of the Merkava tank, such as the armoring and the gun, come from Germany, as do the engine and the transmission. The same is true for engines of Israeli speed boats, as well as systems used in helicopters.
While the United States delivers major weapons in the form of planes and helicopters, such as F-16 fighter jets and Apache helicopters, which are used in Lebanon, they also contain German technology, including infrared modules needed to hone in on targets.
Between 1998 and 2000, Germany also delivered three Dolphin submarines to Israel that were largely paid for by German taxpayers. Two more submarines have been approved lately.
Germany also rejects delivery requests for some weapons systems because they could be used against Palestinians.
Israel does not get weapons that could be used to combat Palestinian rioters. Israel has unsuccessfully tried to get an armed vehicle called “Dingo”, which can be used in densely populated areas to transport soldiers. Israel wants 103 vehicles. At the end of June, the German government approved the delivery of a test Dingo vehicle.
(to be continued)
Israel Rafalovich
Please also see:
Letter to National Security Advisor Hadley on Requested U.S. Cluster Munition Transfer to Israel
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/08/11/israb13972.htm
U.S.: Deny Israeli Request for Cluster Munitions
Use in Lebanon Has Killed and Maimed Civilians
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/08/11/israb13974.htm
Lebanon: Protect Civilians From Unexploded Weapons
Civilians and Aid Work Endangered by Dud Ordnance
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/08/16/lebano14011.htm
Israel-Hizbollah cessation of hostilities ‘generally maintained,’ UN Lebanon force says http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=19531&Cr=Leban&Cr1=
UNESCO chief condemns wave of killings of journalists in Iraq
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=19533&Cr=journalist&Cr1=
The country's largest protest against the U.S.-Israeli assault
30,000 fill the streets around the White House
http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?abbr=ANS_&page=NewsArticle&id=7973
Arab Americans Across U.S. to Take Part in National Lobby Day
http://www.aaiusa.org/press-room/2405/pr081506
Seymour Hersh: U.S. Helped Plan Israeli Attack, Cheney "Convinced" Assault on Lebanon Could Serve as Prelude to Preemptive Attack on Iran
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/08/14/1358255
Terror Nation: Lies, injustice, and the American Empire’s Way http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=66138
If you want the roots of terror, try here
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article14516.htm
Empire comes to Lebanon
The U.S.-Israel axis goes all out to remove the last impediments to building a "New Middle East". http://www.uruknet.com/?p=m25733&hd=0&size=1&l=e
THE TWO ISRAELI SOLDIERS WERE CAPTURED IN LEBANON
http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/israeli_solders.html
No evidence Iran active in Iraq: US general
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-08-14T163216Z_01_IBO449983_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-IRAN.xml&WTmodLoc=Home-C2-TopNews-newsOne-12
Israel’s Attack Was Premeditated, notes George Monbiot
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=2526&blz=1
Israel and A Nuclear Middle East, by Israel Rafalovich
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=2519&blz=1
Depleted Uranium Situation Worsens Requiring Immediate Action By President Bush, Prime Minister Blair, and Prime Minister Olmert, states Dr. Doug Rokke, PhD., former Director, U.S. Army Depleted Uranium Project
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=2507&blz=1
According to press reports, Israel has requested delivery of surface-launched M26 artillery rockets for use against locations in Lebanon.
The wide dispersal pattern of submunitions from M26 rockets makes it difficult to avoid civilian casualties, if civilians are in the area.
According to State Department records, the United States approved, in 2005, a license in the value of $615,496, for commercial sale of 1,300 M26 rockets to Israel.
An M26 rocket is launched from the Multiple Launch Rocket System(MLRS), to ranges of 32 to 38 kilometers and creates a wide-area effect by dispensing 644 M77 submunitions.
In the recent conflict with Lebanon, Israel has already used artillery-fired cluster munitions against populated areas, causing civilian casualties.
The Israeli military has repeatedly launched indiscriminate attacks in populated areas, targeting civilian vehicles and houses, as if there were no civilians in Southern Lebanon.
The United States stockpiles 369,576 rockets in its active inventory.
Furthermore, the United States caused hundreds of civilian casualties in 2003, when it used M26 rockets in widely populated areas of Iraq.
Germany
While in the United States the call to deny Israel cluster Munitions is rolling, members of Germany's opposition are calling for a suspension of arms deliveries to Israel until the end of the current conflict.
Germany has a long history of providing Israel with weapons and their components.
The Green's defense expert, Winfried Nachtwei, said that Germany should stop all arms deliveries to Israel, arguing that Berlin was guilty of violating binding guidelines on the export of weapons to crisis areas. He added that any deliveries of weapons to the Middle East were politically harmful and not conducive to ending the conflict.
German arms deliveries to Israel have a long tradition. As early as 1964, German patrol boats and used tanks were sent to Israel. In 1991, German Patriot anti missile defense systems protected the Israeli population against Iraqi Scud missiles. While Germany opposed the US-led war against Iraq in 2003, Patriot systems were again sent to Israel.
But the delivery of complete arms systems has been the exception. Germany mainly sends weapons components and technology that help Israel to build weapons themselves. Some parts of the Merkava tank, such as the armoring and the gun, come from Germany, as do the engine and the transmission. The same is true for engines of Israeli speed boats, as well as systems used in helicopters.
While the United States delivers major weapons in the form of planes and helicopters, such as F-16 fighter jets and Apache helicopters, which are used in Lebanon, they also contain German technology, including infrared modules needed to hone in on targets.
Between 1998 and 2000, Germany also delivered three Dolphin submarines to Israel that were largely paid for by German taxpayers. Two more submarines have been approved lately.
Germany also rejects delivery requests for some weapons systems because they could be used against Palestinians.
Israel does not get weapons that could be used to combat Palestinian rioters. Israel has unsuccessfully tried to get an armed vehicle called “Dingo”, which can be used in densely populated areas to transport soldiers. Israel wants 103 vehicles. At the end of June, the German government approved the delivery of a test Dingo vehicle.
(to be continued)
Israel Rafalovich
Please also see:
Letter to National Security Advisor Hadley on Requested U.S. Cluster Munition Transfer to Israel
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/08/11/israb13972.htm
U.S.: Deny Israeli Request for Cluster Munitions
Use in Lebanon Has Killed and Maimed Civilians
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/08/11/israb13974.htm
Lebanon: Protect Civilians From Unexploded Weapons
Civilians and Aid Work Endangered by Dud Ordnance
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/08/16/lebano14011.htm
Israel-Hizbollah cessation of hostilities ‘generally maintained,’ UN Lebanon force says http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=19531&Cr=Leban&Cr1=
UNESCO chief condemns wave of killings of journalists in Iraq
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=19533&Cr=journalist&Cr1=
The country's largest protest against the U.S.-Israeli assault
30,000 fill the streets around the White House
http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?abbr=ANS_&page=NewsArticle&id=7973
Arab Americans Across U.S. to Take Part in National Lobby Day
http://www.aaiusa.org/press-room/2405/pr081506
Seymour Hersh: U.S. Helped Plan Israeli Attack, Cheney "Convinced" Assault on Lebanon Could Serve as Prelude to Preemptive Attack on Iran
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/08/14/1358255
Terror Nation: Lies, injustice, and the American Empire’s Way http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=66138
If you want the roots of terror, try here
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article14516.htm
Empire comes to Lebanon
The U.S.-Israel axis goes all out to remove the last impediments to building a "New Middle East". http://www.uruknet.com/?p=m25733&hd=0&size=1&l=e
THE TWO ISRAELI SOLDIERS WERE CAPTURED IN LEBANON
http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/israeli_solders.html
No evidence Iran active in Iraq: US general
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-08-14T163216Z_01_IBO449983_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-IRAN.xml&WTmodLoc=Home-C2-TopNews-newsOne-12
Israel’s Attack Was Premeditated, notes George Monbiot
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=2526&blz=1
Israel and A Nuclear Middle East, by Israel Rafalovich
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=2519&blz=1
Depleted Uranium Situation Worsens Requiring Immediate Action By President Bush, Prime Minister Blair, and Prime Minister Olmert, states Dr. Doug Rokke, PhD., former Director, U.S. Army Depleted Uranium Project
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=2507&blz=1