The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mrs Mary Robinson plans to head a fact-finding mission to the Middle East next week to investigate alleged human rights abuses.
She told a special meeting of the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva yesterday she would require the "full co-operation" of Israeli and Palestinian officials. She said intended to invite two prominent international personalities to accompany her. In addition the team would include two of her staff and two security officials.
The Commission overwhelmingly backed her plan, which has already met with Israeli resistance. In Paris, Israeli Ambassador to France Mr Elie Barnavi said Ms Robinson was "behaving badly" and he said he would recommend to his government that "they not cooperate with her".
However the Palestinian Authority said it supported her mission. - (Reuters, AFP)