PALESTINIANS PRESSING SYG TO BROADEN SCOPE OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000099 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC KPAL KWBG IS SUBJECT: PALESTINIANS PRESSING SYG TO BROADEN SCOPE OF UNRWA INVESTIGATION AND MAY GO TO UNSC Classified By: Ambassador Susan Rice for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Palestinian Permanent Observer Ambassador Mansour told Ambassador Wolff February 6 that he was exploring ways for the UN to investigate the conduct of the Gaza conflict. He cited as precedent UNSCR 1405 (2002) which "welcomed the initiative of the Secretary-General to develop accurate information regarding...events in the Jenin refugee camp through a fact-finding team." Mansour's Deputy told PolOff February 9 that, after Arab Group discussions late last week, the Palestinian mission is now focused on pressing the Secretary-General to widen the scope of his investigation of the UNRWA compound shelling to encompass the broader conduct of the war, especially concerning violations of international humanitarian law. If the Secretary-General decides to retain a limited scope for the UNRWA investigation, then the Palestinian mission may press the Security Council for a broader fact-finding mission, along the lines of UNSCR 1405 (2002),or call for the Secretary-General to report to the Council on the results of his more limited investigation. ¶2. (SBU) The Secretary-General briefed the Council in consultations on the afternoon of February 9 about his recent overseas trip and raised Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Gaza-follow-up, and Africa issues after attending the AU Summit. He reviewed his decision to name a UN Board of Inquiry to investigate the UNRWA compound shelling. ¶3. (C) UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) staff told PolOff February 9 that the Board of Inquiry will only focus on the damaged UN premises and any individuals killed or injured as a result of that damage. Ian Martin, a former Executive Director of Amnesty International and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Nepal until February 6 will lead the three-person expert team. (Comment: USUN views Martin as a straight-shooter who has a good reputation amongst the human rights community. End comment.) The Board of Inquiry will factor in the Israeli government's own investigation, travel to the area and conduct their own interviews, and will produce a report for the Secretary-General who will then decide on next steps. Rice