(Reuters) Susan Rice, the U.S. envoy to the UN, said on Wednesday she wanted a controversial report on Israel's 2008-09 Gaza offensive to "disappear," but did not think it could be amended even though its author now says he may have been wrong. Rice said the U.S. did not see any evidence at the time that Israel intentionally targeted civilians or committed war crimes. Israel had shown an ability to investigate concerns about the conflict, "quite in contrast with Hamas," she said. Rice also defended U.S. participation in the UN Human Rights Council, saying that it was better for the U.S. to stay engaged and resist anti-Israel bias on the council "rather than turn our backs." Asked about a possible Palestinian move for UN recognition of an independent Palestinian state, Rice said, "you can pass a resolution but that does not a viable state create." "A viable state can only be established through direct negotiations between the parties," she said.
2011-04-08 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive