THE UNITED States (U.S.) will again block attempts to grant Palestinians increased rights in the United Nations General Assembly.
The U.S stated that in spite of the fact that expectations of a large majority favour Palestine in a vote to be taken in New York on Friday, it will veto the decision.
Nate Evans, spokesman for the U.S. Mission to the UN, indicated that the U.S. would again use its veto as it last did on April 18. Palestine currently holds only “observer” status at the world body.
“Should the General Assembly adopt this resolution and refer the Palestinian membership application back to the Security Council, we expect a similar outcome to what occurred in April,” he said.
A majority of the UN’s 193 member states are expected to vote in favour of a resolution granting Palestine significantly extended rights to participate in the sessions of the UN General Assembly.
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The draft resolution does not grant Palestine regular voting rights. Adoption of the resolution would also likely increase pressure to grant Palestine full membership.
The UN General Assembly had recognised Palestine as an observer state in 2012 in spite resistance from the United States.
Palestine and the Vatican are the only two non-member states with observer status in the body.
The resolution, which was introduced by the United Arab Emirates but drafted by the Palestinians, has been the source of disagreements at UN headquarters in New York for weeks.
The text states that the General Assembly has determined that the “State of Palestine should be admitted to membership of the United Nations.
“It also recommends that the UN Security Council, which holds decisive power over UN membership, “reconsider the matter favourably.”
Dpa has obtained the text of the draft resolution, although the provisions and language of the resolution could still change as negotiations continue.
The move by the 193-member UN General Assembly in New York, which comes against the backdrop of the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, is also a reflection of international opinion on the Middle East conflict.
UN diplomats believe that the resolution will easily achieve the necessary two-thirds majority of all votes cast in the General Assembly.
While, the influential United States, as well as China and Russia, fear a loss of control in the upgrading of regions whose statehood is disputed. All three countries hold veto powers at the Security Council. (dpa/ NAN)
