(Guardian-UK) Harriet Sherwood - The U.S. has warned European governments against supporting a Palestinian bid for enhanced status at the UN, saying such a move "would be extremely counterproductive," and threatening "significant negative consequences" for the PA, including financial sanctions. The U.S. message, communicated at the UN General Assembly last week, said Palestinian statehood "can only be achieved via direct negotiations with the Israelis" and urged European governments "to support [American] efforts" to block the bid. The Palestinians will wait until after the U.S. presidential election in November before proceeding with their bid for upgraded status. A U.S. memorandum said a Palestinian resolution on non-member state status "would have significant negative consequences, for the peace process itself, for the UN system, as well as our ability to maintain our significant financial support for the Palestinian Authority."
2012-10-02 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive