UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan says that he may have no choice but to disband the UN \"fact-finding\" team slated to investigate Israel’s anti-terror offensive in Jenin. The Cabinet decided yesterday not to receive or cooperate with the delegation until Israeli demands on its composition and make-up had been met. \"Israel has raised essential issues before the UN for a fair examination,\" the government concluded, \"and as long as these terms have not been met, it will not be possible for the clarification process to begin.\"
Following the Israeli decision, the UN\'s Annan said, \"In these circumstances, I cannot keep these gentlemen and women sitting in Geneva, and we will have to draw the consequences [sic] and take action.\" UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast explained to reporters that Annan acknowledges that a “balanced report on recent events in Jenin refugee camp would not be possible without the full cooperation of the government of Israel.\"
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has launched an international public relations campaign to explain why Israel is refusing to cooperate with the UN fact-finding team. Despite the fear that the UN General Council may vote to impose sanctions on Israel, the government ministers\' unanimous conviction that the UN committee would not be able to deliver a fair verdict overruled other considerations. The UN General Council is scheduled to discuss the issue tonight.
Following the Israeli decision, the UN\'s Annan said, \"In these circumstances, I cannot keep these gentlemen and women sitting in Geneva, and we will have to draw the consequences [sic] and take action.\" UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast explained to reporters that Annan acknowledges that a “balanced report on recent events in Jenin refugee camp would not be possible without the full cooperation of the government of Israel.\"
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has launched an international public relations campaign to explain why Israel is refusing to cooperate with the UN fact-finding team. Despite the fear that the UN General Council may vote to impose sanctions on Israel, the government ministers\' unanimous conviction that the UN committee would not be able to deliver a fair verdict overruled other considerations. The UN General Council is scheduled to discuss the issue tonight.