Israel refuses Jenin inquiry

Israel today said it would not cooperate with a UN inquiry into its offensive at the Jenin refugee camp, defying the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan.
Israel's security cabinet said in a statement that Israel had raised several issues with UN officials that it considered vital for holding a fair inquiry.

The statement said: "As long as these conditions have not been met, there is no possibility of beginning the inquiry."

The Palestinians claim the West Bank camp was the scene of a massacre earlier this month, with the killing of more than 250 Palestinians, including civilians.