Committee set up to probe UN accusations

Togo's government on Monday announced that it has set up a commission to investigate the accusations lodged against it last month by a UN Panel of Experts on the violation of sanctions against UNITA. In a communique quoted by Togolese radio, the government said the decision was taken by the cabinet on 22 March. The commission comprises several ministers and lawyers, it said. In its report, the panel had accused the presidents of Burkina Faso and Togo of deriving personal gain from assisting UNITA rebels. On Tuesday, the Security Council asked UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to establish within one month a monitoring mechanism composed of up to five experts to collect information and investigate the alleged violations of sanctions.