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GV Israeli UN. Ambassador Yehuda Blum speaking to reporters at United Nations (4 shots)
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BLUM: "The officer's behaviour following the road accident aroused the police's suspicion, and when the car was searched the officers found 28 sticks of explosive material each weighting 500 grammes, 70 fingers of gelignite, each weighing 100 grammes, 60 detonators, 10 hand grenades, three sub-machine guns and a large quantity of ammunition. Lieutenant-Colonel Gom admitted that he was in the process of delivering this weaponry and ammunition to a PLO contact man in Jerusalem and he had received it from the PLO, from the PLO terrorists in Lebanon for that purpose. As you know, Lieutenant - Colonel Gom and his companion were remanded. To my great regret I must state that till now we have not heard a word of condemnation or regret from the Secretary General and no apology has so far been offered to the government and people of Israel for this attempted atrocity which was providentially foiled."




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Background: Israel has re-opened its border with Lebanon to United Nations personnel, after a row over alleged arms smuggling by U.N. officer. The border was closed for 36 hours following the arrest of Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Gom, a Nigerian serving with the United Nations forces in Lebanon -- UNIFIL. Israeli police who searched Colonel Gom's car after it was involved in an accident claim they found weapons and explosives. U.N. Secretary-General, Kurt Waldheim, expressed arrested with him. But Israel's Ambassador to the U.N. Yehuda Blum, told reporters on Monday (18 June) he was disappointed Mr. Waldheim had failed to express regret over the incident -- and described how it happened.