Report of Panel of Inquiry on flotilla incident – Spokesman’s Office noon briefing (excerpts)

• Asked about the report of the Panel of Inquiry on the 31 May 2010 Flotilla Incident, the Spokesperson said that the Panel has indicated that it intends to submit the report to the Secretary-General in the coming days.  He added that he was not in a position to confirm any specific date at this stage.
• Asked whether the report would be transmitted or made public at that time, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General will decide on his next steps after he receives the report.
• Asked about delays in the report’s scheduled completion, Haq noted that the Secretary-General hopes the Panel will continue its work in a constructive manner until the completion of its activities.
• Asked about the Secretary-General’s stance on a recent proposed flotilla, the Spokesperson reiterated the Secretary-General’s concerns about any actions that could raise tensions in the region. He has emphasized the importance of using the established land routes to get aid into Gaza, and the Secretary-General has pushed to ensure that aid and normal commercial traffic can get into Gaza.
• Asked about comments attributed to UN Special Rapporteur Olivier de Schutter about the report, the Spokesperson noted that Mr. de Schutter’s office had clarified that, contrary to an erroneous report by one media outlet, he has not made any public statement on a draft of a report under preparation by the United Nations Panel of Inquiry on the flotilla incident of 31 May 2010. Mr. de Schutter will make his views known in due course.

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