30 April 2002
Jenin Fact-Finding Mission in Doubt
(We will respect Annan's decision, US says) (690)
By Judy Aita
Washington file United Nations Correspondent
United Nations -- Secretary General Kofi Annan is considering
disbanding the Jenin fact-finding mission, UN officials told the
Security Council April 30.
Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast told
journalists after a private meeting with the council that "since it
appears from today's cabinet statement by Israel that the difficulties
in the way of deployment of the fact-finding team will not be resolved
any time soon, the secretary general is minded to disband the team and
I have so informed the council."
"In the secretary general's view a thorough, credible, and balanced
report on recent events in Jenin refugee camp would not be possible
without the full cooperation of the Government of Israel," he said.
Prendergast said that Security Council resolution 1405 called for the
team to gather accurate information on the events in the Jenin refugee
camp, however with the situation on the ground moving rapidly, getting
the facts "becomes more difficult with every passing day."
Prendergast also said that a second option the secretary general is
considering is having the team begin work in Geneva until the
difficulties are resolved and it can proceed to the region.
US Ambassador John Negroponte said that when the secretary general
makes his decision "we will fully respect that."
The United States was the sponsor of resolution 1405.
"You will recall that our resolution, in the first instance, was one
of expression of support for the secretary general's initiative. This
was his initiative, as mentioned, in resolution 1405," Negroponte
said.
The Arab Group is discussing the possibility of introducing a
resolution critical of Israel's response to the secretary general.
Negroponte noted that the council was still in the middle of
discussions and was awaiting a final decision from the secretary
general before proceeding.
"I would urge that you look at this situation in the context of some
of the important progress that has been achieved in the diplomatic
arena in the Middle East during the last couple of weeks: the
alleviation of the siege of Ramallah, the on-going discussions in
Bethlehem," the US ambassador said.
"It is important that you don't look at this one issue of the
fact-finding mission in isolation from other developments that are
occurring in the region," Negroponte said.
When he arrived at UN headquarters in the morning Annan told
journalists, "it was Mr. Peres who told me that 'we have nothing to
hide' and the team was welcome. Not just Mr. Peres, but also the
Defense Minister (Binyamin) Ben Eliezer told me 'you are welcome. We
have nothing to hide.'"
"And of course, they raised some questions as to whether the team had
enough military expertise and people with intelligence and
counter-terrorism expertise. And we've dealt with that," the secretary
general said. "We've really done everything to meet them, to deal with
their concerns, and I think we've been very forthcoming."
The team, which has been preparing for the mission in Geneva, is
headed by Martti Ahtisaari, the former president of Finland. It also
includes former UN High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata and
Cornelio Sommaruga, the former president of the International
Committee of the Red Cross.
General William Nash, a retired US Army Major General who commanded
peacekeeping units in Bosnia and Kosovo, is military advisor. Other
members are Tyge Lehmann, a legal adviser for the Danish government
and a human rights expert; police adviser Commissioner Peter
Fitzgerald; and medical advisor Helena Ranta, a forensic expert at the
University of Helsinki.
New military and police specialists have been added to the staff in
the past few days: Col. Miles Wade of the United Kingdom, who worked
with Gen. Nash in the Balkans; Major Francois Xavier Thomas, a
planning specialist with the French Army; Inspector Patrick Leahy of
the Irish Police, who has experience in UN operations in Bosnia,
Cambodia and Namibia; and Assistant Commissioner Dermot Jennings of
Ireland, who has extensive experience in counter-terrorism work. Three
other forensic experts from the University of Helsinki were also
scheduled to join the team.
(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International
Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site:
http://usinfo.state.gov)
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