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CNN World Report

U.N. Orders Investigation of a Disputed Videotape

Aired July 15, 2001 - 14:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SHIHAB RATTANSI, CNN ANCHOR: We begin in the Middle East, where the United Nations has ordered an investigation into the handling of a videotape at the center of a bitter dispute between Israel, Lebanon and the Hezbollah group.

The tape, made by U.N. troops in Lebanon, depicts a group of alleged Hezbollah guerrillas hours after three Israeli soldiers were kidnapped last October. Israel is demanding the videotape as part of its search for the missing troops, but Hezbollah says that would be tantamount to the U.N. troops spying for Israel, thus jeopardizing the neutrality of the U.N. peacekeeping mission.

The end of the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon has not brought an end to tensions in the area. We have this perspective on the new front line from Lebanon's Future TV.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MOHATHET FAKIH, FUTURE TV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Leftovers of laser-guided missiles used by Hezbollah to launch a fresh attack on Israeli troops, dug in at this post in Chebaa Farms, the region Israel has been occupying since 1967. Hezbollah fires missiles from hideouts like this. They are close to Israeli positions, but Israel can rarely locate them.

U.N. peacekeepers deployed here search for clues to determine who fired what. Hezbollah has vowed to keep up the resistance struggle until Israel withdraws from the region, like it did when it vacated the south of Lebanon.

Backed by the U.N., Israel says that the Chebaa Farms are Syrian land, occupied alongside the Golan Heights, but Damascus and Beirut disagree and believe Hezbollah is carrying out a legitimate fight.

Peacekeepers investigate attacks from both sides to determine who violated the border or the so-called blue line, drawn by the U.N. to certify Israel's withdrawal from Southern Lebanon more than a year ago.

(on camera): The shifting sands of Middle East politics and Israel's withdrawal from Southern Lebanon have brought Hezbollah and Israel to this new battle front, but there is more at stake here. This conflict could trigger a much wider regional war. (voice-over): Israel has been making good on threats to strike at Syrian positions in Lebanon every time Hezbollah attacks its posts here. It holds Damascus responsible for Hezbollah operations, a charge Syria rejects and warns could drive the entire region into warfare.

Syria wants Israel to withdrawal from the occupied Golan Heights, which is adjacent to this Israeli radar post and the Chebaa Farms.

CAPTAIN PRAKASH, UNIFIL OFFICIAL: Israelis have been warning both Syria and Hezbollah that that might get out of hand, you know, and we are there to prevent it from happening.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The only people you see on the ground are the UNIFIL.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That (UNINTELLIGIBLE), you don't see both of them, still they are warring.

FAKIH: The border stretch is along rough terrain, and there is a lot to cover. Last October, Hezbollah captured three Israeli soldiers from here to swap them for Lebanese Israel has been detaining. Israel, for its part, frequently bombards hills and villages near Chebaa Farms, especially the war-devastated Kafashuba (ph) village.

This old man brandishes shrapnel from fresh Israeli shelling. He said: "Shrapnel fell like birds from the sky a few hours earlier."

War is around-the-clock event here. People are deeply involved in the conflict. Most Kafashuba (ph) residents own land occupied by Israel in Chebaa Farms. They have been holding onto land certificates.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): It's my land, since the days of my father, my grandfather and great grandfather, how can I leave it for them?

FAKIH: Middle East peace negotiations have been shelled for now, raising the specter of war over the Chebaa Farms. There is serious concerns deterrence brought about by uncertainty over the outcome of any war and the proximity of civilian communities on all sides of the Chebaa Farms may not prevail.

Mohathet Fakih, Future Television, Chebaa Farms.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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