Through 1979 Israel exerted military pressure on the Palestinian terrorists in southern Lebanon to prevent them from crossing the Israel border, to keep them off balance and to inflict as much damage as possible on their camps and installations. After the attack on Misgav Am in early April, the I.D.F. entered southern Lebanon and attempted to capture as many terrorists as possible. But U.S. pressure forced the Israeli government to order the troops back home. In this letter, to the chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Clement J. Zablocki, Secretary of State Vance explained the U.S. position on the situation in southern Lebanon, and in particular the use by Israel of American weapons which, Mr. Vance felt, was in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. Text:
I have received a letter dated July 23 from Congressman Findley concerning recent military action by Israeli defense forces which involved the use of U.S. supplied equipment, a copy of which is enclosed. There follows my response.
The United States has repeatedly and publicly condemned the deplorable acts of terrorism by Palestinians and the tragic cycle of violence that has followed, which have inflicted casualties and human suffering on innocent people in both Israel and Lebanon.
During this recent period of intensified conflict, Israel's military operations in Lebanon have involved the use of defense articles furnished to Israel by the United States under the foreign military sales program. The purposes for which these articles may be used by Israel are set out in the bilateral Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement of July 23, 1952, which fulfills the requirements of the Arms Export Control Act.
In the circumstances, I am reporting that a violation of the 1952 agreement may have occurred by reason of such actions as Israel's July 22 airstrikes and the deployment in southern Lebanon of U.S.-supplied artillery subject to U.S. law.
The complex and dangerous situation in Lebanon has been the subject of frequent discussions with the Lebanese government, the Israeli government, the Syrian government, the United Nations, and all governments and quarters with influence on events there. Our concern over the use of U.S. military equipment has been made clear in discussions with senior officials of the Israeli government. We are satisfied at this time that the Government of Israel is fully aware of the gravity with which we view the current trend to the conflict in Lebanon. We are continuing to watch this situation with seriousness and concern; further action on our part will depend upon the course of events and our assessment of them.
I am providing the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with copies of this statement of our views and Congressman Findley's letter. I will advise the Congress on any further development in our efforts regarding this matter.