Brussels, 22/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - Voting in the UN Security Council on the Palestinian request for recognition of its independent statehood could take “several weeks”, according to French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé. He said on Thursday 22 September that this time could be put to good use to develop the proposal made by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in his speech to the UN of an “intermediate status of observer state” for Palestine. “This would give the Palestinians hope by showing progress towards the final status.” At the same time, Sarkozy proposed resumption of talks between the Palestinians and Israel, with a timetable for reaching a “definitive” peace agreement within a year. France is still unwilling to reveal how it will vote on the Palestinian request.
The Palestinians say they are prepared to consider “alternatives” to their request but only once the Security Council has voted on this request. “President Abbas … will give the Security Council time to examine our request for admission as a full member, before going to the General Assembly”, said Palestinian negotiator Nabil Chaath.
Spokeswoman for the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton did not comment on the French proposal of observer status for the Palestinians. US President Barack Obama also declined to comment. Peace, he said in his speech to the UN, would not come through UN statements and resolutions. If it were as easy as that, he went on, it would already have been done. While stating that the Palestinians “deserve their own state”, Obama added that “genuine peace can only be realised between Israelis and Palestinians themselves”.
Three non-permanent Council members - Brazil, Lebanon and South Africa - have said they will support the Palestinian request. (CG/transl.rt)