SG/SM/8521
25 November 2002

SECRETARY-GENERAL, SADDENED BY DEATH OF UNRWA
OFFICIAL IN JENIN, EXPRESSES CONCERN AT
IMPEDED ACCESS FOR AMBULANCE

Notes Earlier Requests to Israel to Allow Treatment of Sick and Injured

NEW YORK, 22 November (UN Headququarters) -- This statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is saddened by the death this morning in Jenin refugee camp of Iain Hook, project manager of the Jenin camp rehabilitation project of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The full circumstances surrounding the incident have not yet been established, but the Secretary-General is greatly disturbed by the fact that the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) refused immediate access for an ambulance which had been summoned by UNRWA to take Mr. Hook to a hospital. Mr. Hook subsequently died before reaching the hospital.

The Secretary-General has on a number of previous occasions called on the IDF to allow ambulances unimpeded access to the sick and injured. The Secretary-General expects to issue a further statement. Meanwhile, he extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the victim.

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