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UN Considering Observer Mission in Israel
Breck Ardery, Voice of America The United Nations Security Council continued closed talks Saturday in an effort to reach consensus on a resolution regarding Mideast violence. Palestinians and their supporters want the Council to authorize an international observer group that the Palestinians say could help reduce violence in the West Bank and Gaza. The government of Israel rejects the idea, saying observers may actually further inflame an already difficult situation. An alternative, offered by European nations on the Council, does not specifically authorize an observer force. However, it directs U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to work with both sides on a "mechanism to protect civilians" in the occupied territories. But the Palestinians and their supporters in the Non-Aligned Movement on the Council are insisting that any resolution specifically authorize an observer force. No agreement was reached and talks will resume Sunday. A resolution to create an observer force was brought to a vote last December but fell one vote short of the nine needed for approval. That meant the United States was not put in the position of casting a veto. It is assumed that, if a resolution authorizing an observer force in the occupied territories is brought to a vote again and does receive nine or more votes, the United States will use its veto power. Whatever action the Council takes is likely to draw intense interest at the upcoming Arab Summit meeting in Amman, Jordan.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
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