Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK99
2009-02-10 01:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
USUN New York
Cable title:  

PALESTINIANS PRESSING SYG TO BROADEN SCOPE OF

Tags:  PREL PGOV UNSC KPAL KWBG IS 
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VZCZCXRO6801
OO RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUCNDT #0099 0410147
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 100147Z FEB 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5780
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
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).

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