Arab nations are calling for United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to produce a report on Israel's military offensive in Jenin.
Incensed that Annan abandoned a fact-finding mission because of Israeli objections, Arab nations said they would take their fight to an emergency session of the 189-nation General Assembly early next week.
A draft resolution, obtained by The Associated Press late Friday, asks Annan to present a report on the recent events in Jenin and other Palestinian cities by "drawing upon the available resources and information." The group demanded that it receive the report two weeks after the resolution is adopted.
Annan said earlier Friday that if asked by the General Assembly, the United Nations could put together a report about the Jenin events.
Nasser Al-Kidwa, the Palestinian UN observer, said the Arabs would demand a special session of the General Assembly - probably on Tuesday - if the UN Security Council didn't adopt a resolution.
An open council meeting focusing on the aborted fact-finding mission, which heard more than 35 speakers, ended late Friday night with no council action. The overwhelming majority of countries condemned Israel, many in harsh terms. When Tunisia was called to speak, its ambassador refused to sit next to the Israeli ambassador.
Al-Kidwa repeated claims, vehemently denied by Israel, that Israeli troops committed atrocities during the recent attack.
"We strongly condemn Israel's decision ... to impede and obstruct the work of the team," Al-Kidwa said Friday. "We believe that the whole world should condemn that Israeli position with all possible power."
Al-Kidwa again demanded that investigators be sent to the camp where, he said, "the Israelis committed unspeakable atrocities." (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
