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U.S. insists Israel conduct probe into commandso attack
Bahamas News.Net
Tuesday 1st June, 2010
The United States continues to remain silent over the attack by Israeli commandos on a fleet of aid ships transporting aid to Gaza.
While most countries in the world have strongly condemned the attack, the U.S. has called for more information.
Behind the scenes however the U.S. is busy defending its ally. UN Security Council resolutions have been watered down as a result of U.S. intervention.
The latest from the council is a condemnation of the "acts" that took place on Monday when Israeli Navy commandos intercepted six aid ships in international waters. Most of the international community wanted a condemnation of Israel.
In a presidential statement issued early Wednesday morning, the Council said it “deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza."
“The Council, in this context, condemns those acts which resulted in the loss of at least 10 civilians and many wounded, and expresses its condolences to their families.”
Earlier Tuesday night the Security Council called for "a credible, impartial, and transparent investigation" into the events surrounding the capture of the ships and the death of at least ten civilians.
On Monday night Alejandro Wolff, the U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations told the Council his nation wanted a "credible and transparent" investigation but wanted it to be carried out by Israel.
"We expect a credible and transparent investigation and strongly urge the Israeli government to investigate the incident fully," he told the council.
While others in the chamber condemned Monday's attack, Mr Wolff said, "The United States is deeply disturbed by the recent violence and regrets the tragic loss of life and injuries suffered among those involved in the incident last night aboard the Gaza-bound ships. We are working to ascertain the facts."
On Wednesday morning the Security Council in its statement called for a "prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation," into the attack, words largely used by Deputy Ambassador Wolff on Monday night, however with the addition of the word "impartial."
When asked about the word "impartial," the Security Council president was asked what it meant, the president replied "independent."
Ambassador Wolff, following the emergency session of the Security Council, however disputed this and insisted there would not be an "independent" investigation.
A reporter at a press conference following the meeting asked the U.S. ambassador: "You just heard what the President of the Council said, he said a number of things. He said that the investigation, he believes that the word impartial means independent, that is, not by Israel. And he believes that condemning the acts that resulted in deaths is a condemnation of the Israeli military force primarily. Is that your understanding of the text that was adopted?"
The U.S. ambassador responded: "No that’s not our understanding. If you read the text carefully, it makes clear what it means and what it doesn’t mean. We are convinced and support an Israeli investigation as I called for in my statement earlier and have every confidence that Israel can conduct a credible and impartial, transparent, prompt investigation internally."
Reporter: "You just said because the text refers to the Secretary-General’s comments, that this means the Secretary-General will be appointing the investigators."
Amb. Wolff: "Again I think there’s no reason to conclude that. The Secretary-General called for a full investigation. And we think the Israelis are capable of doing a full investigation."
Reporter: "Would it be fair to say, some would say that this has been drafted in sort of a vague way so that each side can read it however they want. The President of the Security Council has just given a reading that is quite different than yours. Was that, is this the only way that we can reach compromises to have it so that each side can see it as it wants it? If the Secretary-General is to name—names investigators will the U.S. oppose it? I mean, he seems to expect that that will happen."
Ambassador Wolff: "The text reads pretty clearly to me. And the Secretary-General calls for a full investigation, and we believe the Israelis can do a full investigation. Thanks very much."
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