[davidosborne]

http://www.innercitypress.com/gaza2ship060110.html

On Gaza Flotilla Assault, UNSC Statement Leaves Vague Who Will Investigate

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, June 1 — The UN Security Council adopted a vague Presidential Statement at 2 am on Tuesday, in the wake of Monday’s assault by the Israeli Defense Forces on the flotilla to Gaza. Afterward, Inner City Press asked first the new President of the Council, Mexico’s Claude Heller, then US Ambassador Alejandro Wolff, what the provisions means. Their interpretations were entirely different.

The Presidential Statement calls for an investigation which is “prompt, impartial, credible and transparent.” US Deputy Permanent Representative Wolff told Inner City Press this means that Israel can do it.

Claude Heller, on the other hand, only Council President for less than three hours, said that it should be an independent investigation panel, named by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Heller also told Inner City Press that the PRST’s reference to “the use of force” and “those acts” were both directed at the Israeli military. But the US and Israel, apparently, have another reading.

[davidosborne]

Non Council members also showed up. Sudan's Permanent Representative called Inner City Press to the side. I have something to say, he insisted. "Israel has written the communique of the International Criminal Court meeting in Kampala," he said. Inner City Press pointed out that Israel is not an ICC state party. Spain's Ambassador went into the Council without speaking, as did U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative Alejandro Wolff.