Speed up weapon's delivery: Israel to United States

http://www.india-defence.com/reports/2318 ^

[Srirangan]

Israel has asked the United States to hasten delivery of anti-personnel rockets armed with cluster munitions which it would use to strike Hezbollah missile sites, a media report said today.

The request for M-26 artillery rockets, which are fired in barrages and carry hundreds of grenade-like bomblets that scatter and explode over a broad area, is likely to be approved shortly along with other arms, the 'New York Times' said quoting senior US officials.

However, some US State Department officials have sought to delay the approval because of concerns over the likelihood of civilian casualties and diplomatic repercussions, it said.

The rockets, while effective against hidden missile launchers, are fired by the dozen and could cause civilian casualties if used against targets in populated areas.

[Srirangan]

[fortheDeclaration]

However, some US State Department officials have sought to delay the approval because of concerns over the likelihood of civilian casualties and diplomatic repercussions, it said....

The U.S. State Dept, doing what it can to get the U.S. defeated.

[Rameumptom]

he U.S. State Dept, doing what it can to get the U.S. defeated.

It worked for them in Vietnam. The State Department gave Russia Millions in "Aid", gave them food and built Truck Factories for them with uopdated technology. Russia was turning around and giving millions to the NVA, including trucks, the logistical backbone of any military.

[xzins]

To allow an enemy free shots because that enemy is willing to fight amidst civilians is to lose the war to the ruthless enemy.

[bobsunshine]

The U.S. State Dept, doing what it can to get the U.S. defeated.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Our political correctness and feel good ideas will cause us to be less safe against terrorist.

[Owen]

I'll take the usual heat here by defending State. It is State's job to take this position. GWB very likely wants it this way. If you surround yourself with yes men, you are doomed. The military and NSA can advocate a hardline. There needs to be an opposing position advocated to provide the president with options.

Where State steps over the line is when the President does not embrace their option and then they proceed to leak harmful information to the press -- in an effort to advance their cause beyond the role of advisor. That is back stabbing and it must stop. In fairness, there were occasions when the Pentagon did the same thing to Clinton -- but they were far fewer.

[demkicker]

The US had approved the sale of M-26s to Israel some time ago but the weapons had not yet been delivered when the crisis in Lebanon erupted, the paper said. If the shipment is approved, Israel may be told that it must be especially careful about firing the rockets in populated areas, it added.

So if the sale of the M-26s has already been approved, just who in the hell is going to tell Israel how they must be used? The farking State Department?

[reformedliberal]

IIRC, you have posted previously that you were a FSO. What is your instinct on this article?

It's source is the NYT and it is being picked up from IMRA.

I just cannot quite picture a US DOS official, even unnamed, saying "They will be told to be careful".

I just replied to another posting of this article directly from IMRA http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=30580
see: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1681771/posts?page=19#19

This entire article is sourced from Human Rights Watch, with not one other identified quote except Seigel, who is being edited to seem evasive.

I don't trust this information.

[AliVeritas]

You're kidding... right?

[AliVeritas]

Thank you... and the fact that it's the Times makes me trust it less... not more. In other words... opposite alert.

[Mrs. Darla Ruth Schwerin]

"However, some US State Department officials have sought to delay the approval because of concerns over the likelihood of civilian casualties and diplomatic repercussions, it said...."

Sounds like the fat and sassy US State Department would much prefer Hezbollah to come over here and fight. Put the State Dept. on the front lines...

[Owen]

You have me confused with someome else.

As to what State would or could say, it is their job to do diplomacy. Anti personnel weapons that are used in a way such that targetting is not rejected if civilian targets are within the blast radius will generate casualties among the populace and it is those casualties, not the casualties among Hezbollah, that will make diplomatic negotiations difficult.

In this week of this month of this year the world has not firmly embraced the concept that civilian casualties are solely the responsibility of those who put military targets among them. The world is still configured to blame who dropped the bomb. That attitude is a factor in diplomatic negotiations and it is State's job to point it out.

It's not State's fault that this is the world's attitude. State has to take this position because that's their job, and GWB probably would not want it any other way.

[shield]

bttt

[HarleyLady27]

I think we had better get the ammo there; this is no way to treat an friend that has stood beside us thru alot of stuff.

Remember when Daddy Bush was Pres. and he asked if Israel got hit by sad dam's missles not to retailate? And they didn't...

So lets get the pressure on the Pres. to ship the ammo....Israel has a right to do what she is doing....

[HockeyPop]

I believe Israel had already made the deal and had been waiting for the US to deliver.

Just prior to Israel's Yom Kippur '73 war, the French refused to deliver five small naval vessels to Israel after Israel made the deal and paid the $. What did Israel do? They flew in several sailors as tourists and with the help of the local Cherbourg politicians, took the boats under the guise they were being sent to Norway for certain modifications.

State doesn't have the warehouse where these armaments are kept. The military does. (Hint hint)