'We didn't endorse UN flotilla probe'

Obama administration officials deny 'Weekly Standard' report.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
wounded soldier 311 (photo credit: Hurriet)
wounded soldier 311
(photo credit: Hurriet)
US officials on Friday denied reports that the Obama administration plans to support the establishment of an international UN-monitored commission to investigate last week's flotilla raid.
“We know of no resolution that will be debated at the UN on the flotilla investigation next week," one senior administration official told The Jerusalem Post. He stressed that Washington continues to support "an Israeli-led investigation into the flotilla incident that is prompt, credible, impartial, and transparent."
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The official added, “We are open to different ways of ensuring the credibility of this Israeli-led investigation, including international participation, and have been in intensive talks with our Israeli partners in the past few days on how to move forward."
'Susan Rice supports UN-mandated investigation'
Earlier Friday, the US Weekly Standard reported that senior officials in Washington had been informing world leaders of the US government's support of the investigation.
One official was quoted as saying that while US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice was speaking out in support of an international UN-mandated investigation, ultimately the decision would have to be made by US President Barack Obama.
On Tuesday, a panel of military experts – set up by Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi – began investigating the flotilla operation.
If Israel is able to get the US, as well as countries like France and Germany, to back the type of probe being set up within Israel, diplomatic officials said, it would be able to deflect calls – including those coming from Turkey – for an international investigation.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his inner cabinet, a forum known as the “septet,” have reportedly agreed on the establishment of an Israeli committee made up of jurists and diplomats who would probe the legality of the blockade on Gaza, as well as the manner in which Israel prevented the flotilla from reaching the territory.