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CNN Live At Daybreak
U.N. Security Council May Decide to Abandon Investigation Into Israel's Military Operation in Jenin
Aired May 01, 2002 - 05:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The U.N. Security Council may decide today to abandon that investigation into Israel's military operation in the Jenin refugee camp. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan will discuss the impasse between the U.N. and Israel today with the Council. Annan is hoping the United States can help break that diplomatic logjam.
Still, as CBS' Richard Roth reports, Annan's hopes for the fact finding mission are fading.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The U.N. mission to Jenin may be aborted before takeoff. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan told the Security Council he is leaning heavily towards disbanding the mission after Israel rejected the latest proposal.
KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: In these circumstances, I cannot keep these gentlemen and women sitting in Geneva and we will have to draw the consequences and take action.
ROTH: But after four postponements, meetings, telephone calls and letters, Israel still questioned the fairness of the probe. At first, Israel agreed to a U.N. representative, saying it had nothing to hide. Then every day the list of Israeli grievances with the team grew. Of prime concern, it's soldiers might face questioning or prosecution.
SHIMON PERES, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER: We don't want that every soldier will move with their lawyer. No army -- I spoke with some American generals, they would never agree that the committee will come. Do you know any precedent about it? It never happened.
ROTH: Jenin is the latest bump in a lengthy acrimonious history between Israel and the United Nations. Secretary General Annan said he is very aware of Israel's anxieties and concerns. But many U.N. countries feel Israel is making a mockery of the U.N. system.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Israelis are playing games. They are procrastinating.
ROTH (on camera): After raising the stakes by hinting at canceling the mission, Kofi Annan is now looking to the Security Council for help. Annan hopes countries such as the United States can help unblock the impasse.
Richard Roth, CNN, United Nations.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Another hot spot, Bethlehem, and that stand-off at the Church of the Nativity. There has been some movement, though a settlement may be still far off. Twenty Palestinians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli citizens are among an estimated 120 people still inside that sixth century church compound. Israeli tanks and troops remain around the compound.
Our Mike Hanna has more on the continuing stand-off.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIKE HANNA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They came out one by one, escorted through a no man's land by monks and priests who live in the Church of the Nativity compound. Israeli soldiers examined the identity papers of each. And then a walk across Manger Square to a waiting bus. Some clearly delighted that their one month ordeal holed up in the compound was over.
One of the Palestinians who came out of the church was immediately rushed to hospital, his condition not disclosed, and only after a thorough search to ensure he was not carrying explosives or weapons. The Israeli security around Manger Square intensified through the evacuation. These troops positioned under a painting depicting the birth of Jesus that Christians believe occurred where the Church of the Nativity now stands.
On the Israeli side, the belief that the day's events are evidence of progress in peacefully resolving the crisis.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We can assume, hope that this release will be used as an example by the Palestinian side for further negotiations.
HANNA: And a cheerful wave from the Palestinian negotiators who secured safe passage for this group.
(on camera): An estimated 120 people still remain inside the Church of the Nativity and this crisis, this stand-off continues.
(voice-over): At the heart of the negotiations still to come, the fate of the more than 20 Palestinians holed up in the compound who Israel accuses of carrying out attacks on Israeli civilians. But more than 20 Palestinians on their way to an undisclosed venue for questioning and afterwards, says Israel, those not on its wanted list will be allowed to finally return home.
Mike Hanna, CNN, Bethlehem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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