MID-EAST REALITIES © - www.MiddleEast.Org - Washington - 8/20: Today's United Nations is pretty much an "appendage of the (U.S.) State Department". And that's not our phrase, it's one used by a senior U.N. official not that long ago in one of those quiet unpublicized off-the-record Washington discussions.
In the past few days it was really despicable to watch the way the Egyptians, Osama El-Baz in the lead, teaming up with the Americans to undermine the very resolution being put forward by the Palestinians at the U.N. today. Egypt has allowed itself to become an American agent in the Middle East, paid billions yearly to play the role and a country rife with corruption and police-state repression which the Americans make possible.
Ironically it was on this same date some 21 years ago that the Security Council passed a resolution -- everyone in favor with the U.S. abstaining -- censuring Israel regarding its Jerusalem policies. But the U.S. has not only repeatedly blocked the U.N. from acting, the Americans have provided Israel with nearly $100 billion dollars since then allowing the Israelis to further double their settlements and to create today's far more difficult, dangerous, and destructive situation.
UNITED NATIONS (Associated Press - 20 August) - Representatives from over 40 countries attended a special Security Council meeting Monday to discuss the situation in the Middle East and an Arab resolution calling for council action to halt 11 months of violence.
Security Council meetings are normally reserved for the 15 council members but at the request of Arab states, Monday's session was open to any country that wished to comment on the situation. More than half of the speakers signed up represent Muslim countries that have condemned the Jewish state's role in the violence. Since fighting broke out last September, more than 570 people have been killed on the Palestinian side and more than 150 on the Israeli side.
The first two scheduled speakers were the Palestinian representative and Israel's ambassador. The United States and the other 14 council members were scheduled to speak Monday morning as well.
Last week, the Palestinians circulated a draft resolution calling for an end to the Israeli takeover of Orient House -- the unofficial Palestinian headquarters in traditionally Arab east Jerusalem -- an immediate cessation of violence, and the creation of "a monitoring mechanism."
Israel has rejected several attempts to send international observers to the region and hopes the United States -- it's closest ally -- will veto this latest attempt. Jerusalem has said however that it could accept an expanded CIA role.
The Arab draft did not define the "mechanism" or clarify how it would differ from international observers, but says it should "help create a better situation on the ground" and help the parties implement recommendations from an international commission headed by former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell. Those recommendations include a cooling-off period, confidence-building measures, and a resumption of peace talks.
The United States blocked two previous attempts to send international observers to protect Palestinians -- and Secretary of State Colin Powell indicated last week it would oppose a third attempt because of Israeli objections.
UNITED NATIONS (August 20, 2001 1:07 p.m. EDT) - Saying an Arab call for council action was unworkable and one-sided, the United States backed Israel's position on the crisis in the Middle East during a special U.N. Security Council meeting Monday.
The lack of support from the United States - a veto-wielding member of the council - made it unlikely that the draft resolution circulated by the Palestinians last week would go for a vote in the council.
Acting U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham said the gravity of events on the ground led the United States to "question the appropriateness and effectiveness of any action here in New York."
"What is required now is not rhetoric, not debate that polarizes an already volatile situation, and certainly not an effort to condemn one side with unbalanced charges or to impose unworkable ideas that will not change the reality on the ground," Cunningham said.
Security Council meetings are normally reserved for the 15 council members, but at the request of Arab states Monday's session was open to any country that wished to comment on the situation. Over 40 countries, mostly Muslim states, requested to address the meeting.
Cunningham spoke after Palestinian representative Nasser al-Kidwa and Israeli Ambassador Yehuda Lancry, who sat on opposite ends of the Security Council table exchanging blame for 11 months of bloodshed.
Since fighting broke out last September, more than 570 people have been killed on the Palestinian side and more than 150 on the Israeli side.
Last week, the Palestinians circulated a draft resolution calling for an end to the Israeli takeover of Orient House - the unofficial Palestinian headquarters in traditionally Arab east Jerusalem - an immediate cessation of violence, and the creation of "a monitoring mechanism."
Israel has rejected several attempts to send international observers to the region and was counting on the United States - its closest ally - to block this latest attempt. Jerusalem has said, however, that it could accept an expanded CIA role.
The United States blocked two previous attempts to send international observers to protect Palestinians, and Secretary of State Colin Powell indicated last week it would oppose a third attempt because of Israeli objections.
The Arab draft did not define the "mechanism" or clarify how it would differ from international observers, but says it should "help create a better situation on the ground" and help the parties implement recommendations from an international commission headed by former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell. Those recommendations include a cooling-off period, confidence-building measures, and a resumption of peace talks.
The four other veto-wielding council members - Russia, China, France and Britain - all refrained Monday from discussing the draft resolution, which has not been formally submitted for council consideration.
Instead, each of the four voiced support for the Mitchell Commission findings and Council unity on any action. France's deputy ambassador, Yves Doutriaux, said U.S. backing was "essential" for any resolution.
Resolution 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980
The Security Council,
Recalling its resolution 476 (1980),
Reaffirming again that the acquisition of territory by force is inadmissible,
Deeply concerned over the enactment of a "basic law" in the Israeli Knesset proclaiming a change in the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, with its implications for peace and security,
Noting that Israel has not complied with resolution 476 (1980),
Reaffirming its determination to examine practical ways and means, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, to secure the full implementation of its resolution 476 (1980), in the event of non-compliance by Israel,
1. Censures in the strongest terms the enactment by Israel of the "basic law" on Jerusalem and the refusal to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions;
2. Affirms that the enactment of the "basic law" by Israel constitutes a violation of international law and does not affect the continued application of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, in the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since June 1967, including Jerusalem;
3. Determines that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which have altered or purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and in particular the recent "basic law" on Jerusalem, are null and void and must be rescinded forthwith;
4. Affirms also that this action constitutes a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East;
5. Decides not to recognize the "basic law" and such other actions by Israel that, as a result of this law, seek to alter the character and status of Jerusalem and calls upon:
(a) All Member States to accept this decision;
(b) Those States that have established diplomatic missions at Jerusalem to withdraw such missions from the Holy City;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council on the implementation of the present resolution before 15 November 1980;
7. Decides to remain seized of this serious situation.
Adopted at the 2245th meeting by 14 votes to none, with 1 abstention (United States of America).