Controversial Clusters

To back up the charge that the Israelis were using lethal cluster bombs supplied by the U.S. in civilian areas, the P.L.O. last week put on display parts of one type of the weapon that it claimed had been found in Lebanon. The U.S. had provided the Israelis with two models of the bomb, both of which work on the same principle. The Mark 20 Rockeye scatters eight-inch steel darts and the Cluster Bomb Unit 58 sprays bomblets armed with a charge that explodes on impact (see diagram). Because the bombs indiscriminately blast an area several hundred feet in diameter, they are clearly unsuited for use in civilian neighborhoods.

The Israelis have admitted using cluster bombs, but never in civilian areas.

Still, any use of the weapon may be a violation of the Israelis' reported pledge to use it only against two or more Arab states. Israel not only does not consider the P.L.O. to be a state; it does not recognize the organization as a legal entity.

Israel also agreed to use the cluster bombs only for defensive purposes, as it does with all weaponry received from the U.S. Washington has formally asked the Israelis to justify the use of the bombs. Until it receives an answer, the Administration will not decide whether to ask Congress to cut off weapons deliveries to Israel as punishment. Such a recommendation is considered highly unlikely.

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