U.S. Blocks UN Mideast Resolution, Lays Down Conditions for Future Ones
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Destroyed home, family members killed in their sleep, no future ahead for this Palestinian child |
UNITED
NATIONS, July 27 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - After the United
States said it would oppose any resolution that does not meet
conditions laid down by Washington, UN Security Council talks on the
Middle East adjourned quickly, news agencies reported Saturday, July
27, 2002.
The
talks were set to discuss the Israeli missile attack in Gaza on July
23, that destroyed six houses, killed at least 15 civilians, nine of
them children, and wounded more than 145 civilians.
The
resolution proposed by Syria demanded an immediate end to violence in
the Middle East, including military action and terrorism, without
direct reference to the Gaza controversial attack. However, it was
tabled until Monday for further discussions, reported Agence
France-Presse (AFP).
According
to diplomatic sources, the Syrian resolution says the council "is
seriously concerned by the extra judicial execution of 23 July 2002 (a
reference to the Gaza attack) and the deaths and injuries it
caused," referring to the Israeli raid.
It
also expresses support for peace efforts of the "quartet" on
the Middle East - the United States, Russia, the UN and European
Union.
However,
U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte said Washington would oppose the
proposed resolution because it "does not advance the case for
peace.
"The
United States will not support the text. A change of language will not
make a difference," he said.
Negroponte
said Washington will not support any UN resolution on the Middle East
that does not contain a robust condemnation of terrorism; explicit
condemnation of the Palestinian (resistance) groups Islamic Jihad,
Hamas and the Al Aqsa Brigades; a call on all parties to settle, and
any demand that Israel withdraw to September 2000 lines be reciprocal.
The
United States, acting as Israel's protector in the Security Council,
has used its powerful veto against similar resolutions in the past but
never laid out conditions for consideration of resolutions,
according to Israeli daily newspaper Ha’aretz.
Observers in the Middle East expressed their “dismay” at the U.S.
blind bias to one party of a process the sole super power is supposed
to sponsor. The U.S. ignores the simple fact of Israeli occupation
being the one and only reason behind the loss of lives on both sides,
political analysts charged.
For
his part, British Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock, the current council
president, said on an issue this important the council would require a
"full consensus," explaining that the session was adjourned
so representatives could consult their governments.
"I
believe the draft resolution is design to strike a very reasonable
balance and, indeed, to achieve consensus among the members of the
Security Council," Palestinian representative Nasser al-Kidwa
complained.
"If
this is really unacceptable as is then we suggest that anyone who
doesn't want to accept it doesn't want action by the Security
Council."
Israel
was widely condemned during a public council debate Wednesday after a
U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet dropped a one-ton bomb on a densely
populated area of Gaza City, killing Salah Shehade, the military chief
of Hamas, and at least 14 civilians, including nine children.
The
raid sparked Palestinian threats of bloody retaliation and unleashed a
barrage of international condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon's government.
Sharon's
government, which claimed Israel was not aware of the risk for
civilians, also faced accusations of having deliberately sabotaged
embryonic peace talks and moves by Palestinian resistance groups
towards a truce.
Earlier,
Israeli security services said they were holding an internal inquiry
into the air strike, but in Cairo the Arab League called for the
United States to stop selling fighter bombers to Israel.
UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan condemned the latest attacks, calling on
Israelis and Palestinians to resume peace talks, a spokesman said.
"The
Secretary-General remains gravely concerned at the continuing violence
in the Middle East," spokesman Fred Eckhard said.
"He
reiterates his condemnation of all attacks against civilians. Such
attacks cannot be justified by any objective."
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