Disband of Fact-finding Team Only Option for Annan: UN Official

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, May 02, 2002

Disband of Fact-finding Team Only Option for Annan: UN Official

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A senior U.N. official said on Wednesday that with "fundamental" objections from the Israeli government, the disband of a U.N. fact-finding team was the only option left with Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

"He has come to that decision because he believes that the objections that the Government of Israel has to deployment of the mission are fundamental objections, and therefore they are most unlikely to be overcome," U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast told the press Wednesday evening after briefing the council behind closed doors.

Asked whether the team might continue its work in the absence of a visit to the Middle East, he said that option had been rejected because members were "very clearly of the view that in order to produce a credible report, a full report, an accurate report and a balanced report, they would need to go to Jenin."

He added that Annan's position had been conveyed to the council in a letter which would soon be published as a public U.N. document. "The Council is now considering its response to the secretary-general's letter," Prendergast said.

Voicing regret at the outcome, Prendergast said the concept had actually been "an Israeli idea," and pointed out that the secretary-general had only gone forward on the basis of assurances from Israel of full cooperation.

The under-secretary-general also noted out that the council, in a resolution tabled by the United States, had welcomed Annan's intention.

With the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1405, the fact- finding team was mandated to develop accurate information concerning recent events at the Jenin refugee camp.

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