UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan Wednesday gave his complete backing to the head of the United Nations agency helping Palestinian refugees after Israels allegation that a rocket had been loaded into a UN ambulance was disproved.
– The Secretary-General reiterates his full confidence in the integrity and impartiality” of Peter Hansen, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), according to a statement issued by Mr. Annans spokesman.
– He commends UNRWA personnel for their dedication in providing vital assistance under very difficult circumstances to the Palestinian refugee communities in the occupied Palestinian territory and the region, added the statement.
The remarks follow Mr. Annans review of the report by a UN investigation team that looked into Israeli allegations earlier this month that a rocket was loaded into an UNRWA ambulance.
The team concluded that the charges were unjustified as the object was in fact a folding stretcher of the type carried as normal equipment in UNRWA ambulances.
Following the teams visit, the Israeli Government admitted that it wrongly identified the stretcher as a Kassam rocket and has publicly withdrawn the allegations.
Spokesman Fred Eckhard said Mr. Annan acknowledged the cooperation of the Government of Israel with the UN team in dealing with the inquiry.
The Secretary-General “expects that any issues of this nature will be addressed through normal diplomatic channels,” Mr. Eckhard said adding: – He welcomes the offer of the Israeli authorities to work towards strengthening their cooperation with the United Nations and UNRWA.
Kilde: FNs nyhedstjeneste
