Israel's manoeuvres with UN Security Council fail
Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/30/2002

"Israel's manoeuvres with the UN Security Council have failed as the UNSC members decided after consultations held late Sunday night to give Israel another 24 hours to receive a UN fact-finding commission and insisted on the implementation of the UNSC resolution 1405," Egypt's Permanent Delegate to the UN said on Monday.

"The Arab ambassadors to the UN agreed during their consultations held Sunday evening on supporting the UNSC stance and UN Chief Kofi Annan who refused to make any change in the formation of the investigative team," he added.

"The Arab Ambassadors decided to wait for another day before presenting a draft resolution to the UNSC that seeks the adoption of a firm stance in face of the Israeli manoeuvres," he added.

"A number of UNSC member states delayed adopting stances against Israel in the light of the latest developments as regards a US proposal to end the siege of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat," he added.

He praised Annan's refusal to engage with Israel in any new consultations and insistence on his position as regards a UN inquiry into Israel's military operation in Jenin.

The UNSC Sunday night gave Annan another 24 hours to work out a weeklong dispute with Israel on a UN inquiry into its military operation in Jenin.

The UN investigative team, led by former Finnish Prime Minister Martti Ahtisaari, has been waiting for days in Geneva for the green light to start its mission.

An earlier compromise with Israel that looked like it had finally cleared the way for it to begin the inquiry Sunday hit yet another snag when Israel's cabinet refused to give it permission to do its work.

After previously indicating it would give its approval, the cabinet said Sunday that it would make no decision for another 24 hours.

The current delay is the third requested by Israel in the inquiry when the inquiry was announced April 19, Israel initially gave its approval, saying it had "nothing to hide", but then withdrew its cooperation with the inquiry and objected to the composition of the team and other issues.

Previous Stories:
  Israel delays once again UN investigation mission   (4/29/2002)
  Jenin ordeal more like earthquake   (4/29/2002)
  Washington Times: Jenin not even a graveyard   (4/29/2002)

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