Military

DATE=04/24/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= CQ ROBINSON/ISRAEL/PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

NUMBER=2-289056

BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK

DATELINE=GENEVA

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: ADDS "SPEAKING THROUGH A TRANSLATOR" IN EIGHTH GRAF OF TEXT.///

INTRO: The United Nations human rights chief has called for an urgent,

thorough and independent investigation into violations committed by both

sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Dale Gavlak has the story from

Geneva.

TEXT: Mary Robinson, addressing the U-N Human Rights Commission, said

"Israeli military occupation must end in the Palestinian territories and

that those who have planned and executed terrorist acts against Israeli

civilians must stop this heinous policy." Mrs. Robinson issued a report on

the deteriorating human rights situation in the Palestinian territories.

///ROBINSON ACT///

It is not possible in a short report to convey the depth of pain, suffering,

humiliation and despair which comes through when reading the accounts

furnished to us from the occupied Palestinian territory. Nor is it possible

to convey adequately the level of trauma, fear, and anger experienced by

Israeli citizens in the aftermath of a terrible series of suicide bombings.

///END ACT///

Mrs. Robinson said this "acute human rights situation fully warrants an

independent investigation" and called on both sides for their "full

cooperation."

Earlier this month, the Commission mandated Mrs. Robinson and a team of

experts to travel to the area and prepare an investigative report. But Mrs.

Robinson called off a mission last week to the region saying that Israel

could not facilitate such a visit. Israel denies this.

The 13-page document cites killings of Israeli civilians by Palestinian

suicide bombers and also notes that extrajudicial executions have been

carried out by both sides of alleged terrorists and collaborators.

It also draws attention to the destruction of Palestinian homes by the

Israeli army and the alleged use of Palestinians as "human shields" during

search operations.

Both Israeli and Palestinian representatives to the U-N had their complaints

over the report.

Speaking through a translator, Palestinian Ambassador Nabil Ramlawi called the

report incomplete because Mrs. Robinson's team could not see first-hand what has taken place.

///RAMLAWI ACT -- IN ENGLISH TRANSLATION///

It would seem that this visit which did not take place has induced Mrs.

Robinson to submit this very weak report to us, although the report contains

quite a lot of truth. But the report does not even cover 10-percent of what

is happening.

///END ACT///

Israel's ambassador Yaacov Levy called the report "one-sided."

///LEVY ACT///

It does not indicate what caused these effects, this situation. That is to

say, the Palestinian decision reported here time and again in my speeches, a

decision to engage in terrorism and military action, rather than follow the

path of negotiations since Camp David.

///END ACT///

Mrs. Robinson said the road to peace for the two sides will not be through

military means or violence but through dialogue and building of empathy.

(Signed)

NEB/DG/SAB