Turkey expects UN panel to blame Israel for Mavi Maramara assault

After submission of its final report to a UN panel probing Israel's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last May, Turkey expects the panel to call for Israel to accept blame for the incident, according to a top Turkish diplomat. "We expect the truth to be revealed and Israel to accept its wrongdoing and apologize," said Mithat Rende, Turkey's contact point with the United Nations for the inquiries into the attack. But one diplomat familiar with the issue said that the UN panel can't take any action against individual countries, as that lies beyond its mandate. Its findings could, however, lead to action by the UN secretary-general. "The panel can't do anything but publish its own findings," the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "This is a battle in the international arena, and both sides interpret the incident from their own perspectives." Rende said that since the raid, Turkey has called for an impartial, transparent and prompt investigation in line with international standards. Rende said the UN panel would convene later this month to examine Turkey and Israel's national reports before meeting again next month, when he and his Israeli counterpart will respond to the panel's verbal questions. He said it's not yet clear if the panel will hold another meeting after that, as this decision rests with the panel chairman. At the end of the process, the UN panel is expected to present a report to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. According to Rende, the UN panel could recommend that Ban urge Israel to own up to its wrongdoings, which he said would mean the international community considers the Israeli action "unjust." "It is important that Israel accepted an international inquiry for the first time in its history, but we'll see what will come out of this investigation," said Rende. "We want justice to find its place. Our aim is not to slander Israel and its people. We place importance on friendship between our nations, but the Israeli government's actions do not bode well."