Press encounter upon arrival at UNHQ, (unofficial transcript - for further use please contact CNN concerning copyright restrictions)

SG: They indicated that the Cabinet had a rather heavy agenda yesterday, including the discussion on the release of Israel of the prisoners and the financial issue, and they didn't have enough time to devote to the issue of the team and they were meeting again this morning. And I hope they will take the right decision and the team can continue with its work.

As you know, they sent a very able team here from Israel and we have very constructive and useful discussions. And we've clarified some of the issues of concern to them and I did give a letter to the Israeli Government and also to the Palestinian Authority indicating precisely how the team is going to approach its work. I think at this stage, it is very urgent that we go in, find out what happened, and put all the rumours and the accusations behind us.

Q: Are you characterizing this as a standoff? Some reports are calling this a standoff between the UN and Israel.

SG: We are clarifying issues and I expect we should be able to work out our differences. *****