SG/SM/9540
      PAL/2014
      14 October 2004

Secretary-General Committed to Preventing Illegal Use of UN Vehicles, Facilities by Armed Militia

NEW YORK, 13 October (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Israeli Government has acknowledged that the video of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) ambulance does in fact show the driver handling a stretcher and not a rocket.

The Secretary-General is committed to preventing the illegal use of UN vehicles or facilities by armed militants.  Should any further issues arise, the Secretary-General expects the Government of Israel to share with the United Nations, through normal diplomatic channels, any information it might have so that the matter may be properly investigated.

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