14/06/2010

Trimble For Deadly Gaza Flotilla Probe

The former Ulster Unionist party leader David Trimble has been asked by Israel to oversee an investigation into the Gaza aid controversy.

The news comes after international outcry when, last month, a total of nine Turkish activists died when Israeli soldiers boarded a cargo of ships carrying aid to Palestine.

Ulster-based peace activist Mairead Corrigan-Maguire was among the aid representatives onboard the flotilla of ships.

The news comes after Israel earlier rejected a UN proposal for an international probe, but has now agreed to include two foreign observers in its own inquiry.

Middle East 'peace envoy', former PM Tony Blair said he hopes Israel will allow more humanitarian items into Gaza.

Washington welcomed the announcement of the inquiry, describing it as "an important step forward", but Turkey's Foreign Minister said Ankara had "no trust at all" that Israel would conduct an impartial investigation.

This may in part be because former Northern Ireland First Minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner David Trimble and retired Canadian military prosecutor Ken Watkin - will take part in the hearings and subsequent discussions - but they will not vote on the conclusions of the inquiry.

See: Deported Activist Hurt As Ship Nears Gaza

(BMcC/GK)

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