Israel meeting UN over Jenin investigation row

The United Nations and Israeli diplomats seem confident their dispute over a fact-finding mission to the Jenin refugee camp would…

The United Nations and Israeli diplomats seem confident their dispute over a fact-finding mission to the Jenin refugee camp would be resolved after talks today.

After consenting to the mission, Israel told UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan on Tuesday to delay a UN team investigating its military assault in Jenin.

Israel evidently fears the results would add to a worldwide outcry at the devastation in the West Bank camp.

Israel wants Mr Annan to add military and counter-terrorism experts to the UN group going to Jenin so the mission would also look into militant groups that used the camp as a base for suicide bombings.

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Palestinians accuse Israel of a massacre in their three-week siege of the camp.

Mr Annan agreed to Israel's request for a meeting at UN headquarters today with a legal delegation, which is concerned that any conclusions not form a basis for future resolutions or other action against Israel.

Mr Annan said the UN team, now in Geneva, should be in the region by Saturday.