US Tries To Delay Palestinian Statehood As 140 Other Countries Expected To Agree

[Formaldehyde]

Telegraph: US plan to delay Palestinian bid for statehood at UN

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an Israeli official told the Daily Telegraph yesterday: “There is activity going on behind the scenes as we speak to see if it is possible to find a formula to restart the peace process and to make the Palestinians take a rain check on going to the United Nations.”

The New York Times yesterday reported that Washington has embarked on a plan to convince Palestinians to renew direct negotiations with Israel rather than appeal to the United Nations Security Council on September 20.

A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority, however, said President Abbas knows nothing of the new diplomatic effort. Direct negotiations would only be possible, he added, if Israel agreed on clear terms of reference for the talks, including the formation of two states along the 1967 borders, with agreed land swaps, and the participation of a mediator from the international community.

Palestinian negotiators have repeatedly complained that Israel refuses to agree terms of reference prior to bilateral talks, frustrating the negotiating process. President Abbas has said he is open to renewed talks with Israel if these terms are agreed in advance.

When asked if the US had secured a commitment from Israel to agree terms of reference for peace talks, the Israeli official responded, “I believe so”.

The Obama administration has said it will exercise its power of veto in the Security Council to block a Palestinian bid for statehood. The Palestinian Authority would then make its application to the UN’s General Assembly, where there is no power of veto and the Palestinian bid is supported by the majority.

US diplomats are said to be keen to avoid a situation in which the United States is among a handful of opponents to Palestinian statehood.

Jerusalem Post: 'At least 140 nations expected to vote for statehood bid'

At least 140 countries are expected to vote in favor of a Palestinian state at the United Nations on September 23, Nabil Sha’ath, member of the Fatah Central Committee, said on Sunday.

He said that Palestinian Authority officials were continuing their efforts to persuade more countries to support the statehood bid.

Sha’ath pointed out that 125 countries have so far promised to back the statehood bid at the UN. “We want Palestine to become the 194th member of the UN,” he added.

He also voiced hope that the EU countries would support the PA’s application for full membership in the UN.

EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton is scheduled to return to the region in the coming days for additional talks on the Palestinian statehood plan, Sha’ath disclosed. He said that Ashton would inform the Palestinian leadership of the EU’s final stance regarding the statehood bid.

Expressing fear that the US would foil the PA’s plan at the UN, Sha’ath said that the PA leadership was determined to go ahead with its initiative. “We won’t succumb to any pressure because our people are determined to achieve freedom and independence,” he stressed.

In a related development, PLO negotiaor Saeb Erekat denied on Sunday that the Palestinians had received new US proposals to resume peace talks with Israel. He said that the PA was pursuing contacts with the US Administration on the issue of the statehood bid.

The Quartet’s special envoy, Tony Blair, is also scheduled to meet with Abbas on Tuesday in Ramallah to discuss the issue, Erekat said.

Do you think Palestine should finally get statehood?

Do you think this last minute US peace effort should stall Palestinian statehood when so many previous efforts have failed?

Do you think there will be massive negative reaction in the Muslim countries if the US vetoes this bid in the UNSC or votes against it in the General Assembly?

 

[Verbose]

This seems to be the current state of affairs regarding which nations already individually recognize Palestine as a state. 125 do, 67 don't:

It's pretty much the US, the EU (well, parts of it apparently already recognize Palestine), with allies (Japan, Australia, Canada etc.) holding out still.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_recognition_of_the_State_of_Palestine

 

[classical_hero]

Since you're in such agreement with the 140 nations, why not take their view on other things, like say homosexuality?

 

[Quackers]

140 Nations, the axis of evil.

 

[Newbunkle]

The vetoes should just be scrapped.

 

[Colonel]

It doesn't matter as I see that map I see three of five permanent security council members being opposed to this, ergo its a failed idea at the present time.

 

[GenMarshall]

It doesn't matter as I see that map I see three of five permanent security council members being opposed to this, ergo its a failed idea at the present time.

Red China and Russia loves to be a bunch of nonconformists .

 

[Smellincoffee]

Why has Europe delayed recognition? It's not as if they're fans of Israel...

 

[Arakhor]

Since you're in such agreement with the 140 nations, why not take their view on other things, like say homosexuality?

Kneejerk reaction, much?

 

[Huayna Capac357]

Since you're in such agreement with the 140 nations, why not take their view on other things, like say homosexuality?

Argentina and South Africa have same-sex marriage

 

[classical_hero]

Kneejerk reaction, much?

Well do we decide rules by majority now? I thought their was some things we valued in Democratic nations.

 

[Agent Cooper]

Why has Europe delayed recognition? It's not as if they're fans of Israel...

There's a national election in Denmark in 1½ week. If the social democrats win (which the polls are indicating they will), they've expressed they intend to recognize Palestine as a state.

Don't know about the other European nations though.

 

[ParkCungHee]

Huh...I'm surprised Abkhazia and South Ossetia don't recognize Palestine.

 

[Arakhor]

Well do we decide rules by majority now? I thought their was some things we valued in Democratic nations.

And what in blazes has that to do with homosexuality?

 

[Takhisis]

It doesn't matter as I see that map I see three of five permanent security council members being opposed to this, ergo its a failed idea at the present time.

The Security Council can veto this? OH I'm not sure if I want to watch this one.

 

[Ajidica]

The Security Council can veto this?

I think so. The SC cannot veto procedural resolutions from the general assembly but they can veto substantive resolutions. I think affirming the extistance of a state falls under 'substantive' resolutions.

 

[Takhisis]

Then why didn't the USSR veto all those filthy capitalists trying to break about from the ethnocidal Mother Russia?

 

[Zelig]

Since you're in such agreement with the 140 nations, why not take their view on other things, like say homosexuality?

Are you trying to make a point, or do you really not know the answer to this question?

 

[ParkCungHee]

I think so. The SC cannot veto procedural resolutions from the general assembly but they can veto substantive resolutions. I think affirming the extistance of a state falls under 'substantive' resolutions.

The Security Council can veto this? OH I'm not sure if I want to watch this one.

It doesn't matter as I see that map I see three of five permanent security council members being opposed to this, ergo its a failed idea at the present time.

You guys should read the article.

The Obama administration has said it will exercise its power of veto in the Security Council to block a Palestinian bid for statehood. The Palestinian Authority would then make its application to the UN’s General Assembly, where there is no power of veto and the Palestinian bid is supported by the majority.

 

[bathsheba666]

Well do we decide rules by majority now? I thought their was some things we valued in Democratic nations.

I agree that it is the slippery slope for democratic nations to start paying attention to majorities.