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Israel lashes out at U.N. chief

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

UNITED NATIONS, JAN. 31. In a rare move, Israel has sharply attacked the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, for failing to be more critical and forthcoming in his condemnation of the latest suicide bombing in Jerusalem, arguing that "vague references" are not sufficient. The Jewish state has several times maintained that it gets unfair criticism at the world body, but diplomats and observers are not able to recall the last time Israel made such a frontal assault on the Secretary-General. Israel's ambassador, Dan Gillerman, not only issued a strongly-worded statement but also held a press conference at the world body to make his country's point.

"Israel has great respect for the Secretary-General and for his personal commitments and efforts for peace in the Middle East. The moral clarity of the Secretary-General in expressly condemning brutal acts of terrorism like yesterday's attack is especially important. That is why we express our disappointment and dismay at the response issued by the office of the Secretary-General to yesterday's attack", Mr. Gillerman remarked.

The envoy said in Mr. Annan's remarks following the suicide bombing, no mention was made of the Israeli victims `slaughtered' in the bombing; or the dozens injured. "This is in direct contrast to the tendency of the office of the Secretary-General to issue statements of reprimand with clear and specific detail when Israel engages in defensive measures against terrorist operatives...", the envoy said.

Mr. Annan, who is currently in Europe, said at a news conference on Friday in Brussels, "I have always condemned without reservation suicide bombings that take innocent lives".

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