[WCUSP] Fw: Thirty-three Groups Call for Israel to Release Cluster Bomb Data

[Libby or Mort Frank]

While WILPF didn't get in on this, it's something we can do something about.

Libby

----- Original Message ----- 
From: AAI Alert 
To: Libby Frank 
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 3:26 PM
Subject: Thirty-three Groups Call for Israel to Release Cluster Bomb Data






              
      Dear AAI member:

      The following message is from the American Task Force for Lebanon asking for your help in contacting the Secretary of State and your elected representatives on the issue of unexploded cluster bombs in Lebanon.  AAI is one of the thirty-three groups calling for Israel to release the data on cluster bombs it dropped in Lebanon during the 2006 war. 


      Thirty-three Groups Call for Israel to Release Cluster Bomb Data

      We need your help to send Secretary Condoleezza Rice a strong message.

      A coalition of prominent organizations, including the Arab American Institute, presented a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice calling for U.S. government intercession with Israel to obtain detailed site information on Israel's cluster bomb strikes in Lebanon in the summer 2006 war. The coalition is being led by the American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL, www.atfl.org).

      The letter read "Our primary concern is to expedite remediation of cluster bomb sites and to ensure the safety of the brave demining teams in the field, UNIFIL and Lebanese Army personnel, and civilians, including USAID employees."

      Israel's strikes left an estimated 1 million unexploded cluster munitions on the ground in Lebanon, contaminating a total of 380,717,455 square feet. Only 117,872 of these munitions have been cleared as of 24 May 2007. The unexploded munitions have resulted in 32 fatalities and 207 injuries since the 14 August 2006 cease-fire.

      Assistant Secretary of State C. David Welch told the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia on 18 April 2007 that "Israel has not yet provided detailed information." The 15 March 2007 U.N. Secretary General's report on Security Council Resolution 1701 reported: "Despite repeated United Nations efforts...I regret that Israel has not yet provided UNIFIL with this data..."

      The 33 signing organizations seek a meeting with Secretary Rice to discuss the humanitarian importance of the cluster bomb targeting information and steps that can be taken to obtain the data.

      The State Department is now working on a response from Secretary Rice to our letter. It's important that our members let Secretary Rice and our elected officials know that there are many organizations and individuals who feel strongly about the cluster bombs in Lebanon. 

      We need your help:

       1)      Read the news release "33 Groups Call for Israel to Release Cluster Bomb Data" by clicking here (http://www.atfl.org/orgs.htm).<!--[endif]-->

       2)      Send the news release and a cluster bomb statement to Secretary Rice, and also to President Bush, your Congressperson, and your Senators by clicking here (http://action.atfl.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=6641&track=spreadtheword22)<!--[endif]-->

                 
      Please send the news release and your message now. 

      Your help is important.



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