Commission Speculation

Former Labour Prime Minister and maritime law expert Sir Geoffrey Palmer, 68, is UN chief Ban Ki-moon’s preferred choice to head a planned international enquiry into Israel’s raid on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla, according to an anonymous Israeli Foreign Ministry official. The panel would also include Israeli, Turkish and US representatives. Eight Turks and a Turkish American were killed in the May 31 raid. New Zealander Nicole Enchmarch was among the passengers and crew from the flotilla who were captured and detained in Israel before their deportation. Palmer has made no comment yet as to his potential appointment until a concrete decision is made by the UN. Nelson-born Palmer is also New Zealand’s commissioner to the International Whaling Commission and served as the 33rd Prime Minister of New Zealand from August 1989 until September 199.