gelatik
04.12.02, 17:03
Despite U.S. and Israeli objections, the U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly
approved six resolutions Tuesday criticizing Israeli policies and calling for
new efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.
The world body ended a three-day Mideast debate with votes demanding a quick
resumption of the peace process, a final settlement between the Israelis and
Palestinians, and an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights.
The resolutions are not legally binding — as Security Council resolutions
are — but they are a reflection of world opinion. Each resolution received
over 100 "yes" votes, with some 160 nations voting, AP reported.
The key resolution called on the parties and major international players,
including the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and
Russia to exert greater efforts to halt the deteriorating situation between
Israel and the Palestinians, reverse all measures taken on the ground since
September 2000, and push for a peace agreement.
For the past two years, the United States abstained on a resolution objecting
to Israel's administration of Jerusalem because the city's final status is
subject to negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians. But this year
Washington voted "no" on the resolution, which was approved 154-5 with six
abstentions.
Nasser Al-Kidwa, the Palestinian U.N. observer, said he was pleased with the
results of the voting, but "shocked" at the U.S. "no" vote on the Jerusalem
resolution, which he called "a slap in the face" to all Arabs, all Muslims,
and Christian believers.
U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte told the General Assembly that the United
States is working with the United Nations, the EU and Russia — the so-called
Quartet — as well as the parties to achieve "a just and lasting peace in the
Middle East."
"We believe a negotiated final settlement can be accomplished in three
years," he said.
Negroponte said the United States would welcome a resolution reflecting the
Quartet's "balanced and pragmatic approach" which includes promoting
Palestinian reforms, improving the humanitarian situation for Palestinians,
ending violence and terror, and restoring political dialogue that would lead
to two states living side-by-side in peace and security.
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Kurtzer, attacked Tuesday the
Israeli settlement policy. "Settlers represent a particular point of view in
Israel about the future of the occupied territories; they do not represent a
national consensus,"
"The settlements movement today is not about the future existence of the
state. Israel needs to make choices and define priorities," said the
ambassador.
He reiterated Secretary of State Colin Powell's statements, quoting directly
from Powell that the "Israeli settlement activity has severely undermined
Palestinian trust and hope. It preempts and prejudges the outcome of
negotiations and in doing so cripples chances for real peace and security.
The U.S. has long opposed settlement activity, and consistent with the report
of the Mitchell Committee, settlement activity must stop." During the
delivery of his speech, he paused with the phrase "settlement activity must
stop," emphasizing the point.
