Ban. Impressed with delegates
Photo: AP
Ban okays final flotilla probe panel
Turkey's delegate to UN panel wants authority to investigate 'humanitarian outcomes' of Gaza siege
WASHINGTON – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday announced the final composition of an inquiry commission to investigate the IDF raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla in May.
After Israel said it had appointed former director-general of the Foreign Ministry, Yosef Ciechanover, as its delegate Turkey declared its representative would be Ozdem Sanberk, a diplomat who held senior positions in the Turkish Foreign Ministry and the United Nations.
Israel's Choice
Roni Sofer
Yosef Ciechanover, former director-general of Foreign Ministry who has headed probe that cleared Netanyahu of blame for failed attempt to assassinate Khaled Mashaal, will represent Israel at UN inquiry on IDF flotilla raid
Sanberk has recently said the commission must be allowed to investigate the blockade on Gaza, and not just the deadly raid on the Turkish Marmara ship.
Ban said he intends to meet the four-person panel on Tuesday for the first time. Aside from the Turkish and Israeli representatives, the commission also includes former Prime Minister of New Zealand Geoffrey Palmer, as well as outgoing Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.
Ban also commended Turkey and Israel on their choices, saying both Ciechanover and Sanberk have "impressive records of public service".
He also stressed that the inquiry's success depended upon the cooperation of Israeli and Turkish authorities. "I hope the panel fulfills its mandate, which is based on the declaration of the president of the Security Council," he said.
Sanberk, for his part, has told the Turkish Zaman that his country must insist the committee be granted authority to investigate the "embargo" on the Gaza Strip. "The question is whether the committee will also probe the siege on Gaza and its humanitarian outcomes," he said.
