March 14, 2005

RAMALLAH, West Bank - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Monday the United Nations is establishing a register of property damage caused by Israel's West Bank separation barrier, as hundreds of Palestinians protested the barrier outside the walled Palestinian government compound where he spoke.

Israel began building the West Bank structure two years ago, saying its aim was to keep out Palestinian attackers. Palestinians insist the real intention is to grab West Bank land and draw a final border without waiting for a peace deal. One-third of the structure has been completed.

Annan spoke to reporters after meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

"We have also been asked to establish a register to register damages and claims and that is going ahead," he said. "In fact I had a chance to discuss it this morning with President Abbas, and we are establishing that register to be able in time to help those with claims."

Annan said the U.N. position on the barrier was clear, reflecting an anti-barrier resolution passed by the General Assembly and an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice that found it to be illegal.

As Annan spoke, Palestinian policemen restrained hundreds of demonstrators at the main gate of the government compound in Ramallah.

The demonstrators carried signs reading "Resist the wall until its collapse" and "Bring down the wall," and scuffled with policemen.

Annan met with Abbas a day after holding talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. On Tuesday, he is to attend the inauguration of a new Holocaust museum in Jerusalem.

SOURCE: Yahoo News