Sunday, May 16, 1999 Published at 16:23 GMT 17:23 UK
Nato dumps bombs in Adriatic
Divers in Venice harbour proclaim "The war is right here"
Nato has admitted dumping unexploded bombs into the Adriatic Sea after fishermen found several in their nets off the coast of Venice.
"The procedures were carried out in international waters in 'designated areas' for this sort of operation," he added.
The major Aviano air base is close to Venice and it is standard practice to jettison weapons if a military plane is in difficulty as it comes in to land.
But Nato admitted some bombs could have been prematurely dropped by pilots because of mechanical problems.
Venice fishermen have been on strike since Wednesday to try to force the Italian authorities to dispose of the bombs.
In a meeting between Italian authorities and about 200 fishermen in Chioggia on Saturday, national fishing co-operative president Enzo Fornaro said he had never heard of designated areas.
"It would be absurd because once explosives are dropped in the water they risk drifting to other parts of the sea," he said.
Nato military spokesman Major General Walter Jertz stressed that the bombs were found in international waters rather than Italian territory.
The incident has stirred further anti-Nato sentiment in Italy, which has seen several demonstrations against the Kosovo campaign.
Italian opposition leaders are planning a peace march to Assissi - the birthplace of St Francis - on Sunday.