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Plan Emerges to Avoid UN Showdown on Palestinian Statehood

(Guardian-UK) Chris McGreal - International efforts to forestall a showdown in the UN Security Council over recognition of a Palestinian state are solidifying around a plan for the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, to submit a request but for a vote on the issue to be put on hold while a new round of peace talks is launched. The deal is being pushed by the Middle East "Quartet" of the UN, EU, U.S. and Russia, which is attempting to persuade Abbas to back away from a diplomatic confrontation with Washington, which says it will veto the Palestinian bid. In parallel, the Quartet would issue the framework for renewed negotiations that would include a timeline for the birth of a Palestinian state. The Palestinians are also under pressure because it is far from certain they will win the necessary nine votes in the Security Council to win recognition. The U.S. has been using its influence to get some Council members to abstain in the hope the Palestinians will lose the vote and that the U.S. veto will not be required.
2011-09-21 00:00:00
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