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Security Council postpones debate on Arafat
United Nations, Sept 13: The Security Council members joined the worldwide outcry against Israeli decision to expel Palestinian Authority President Yaseer Arafat from Palestine but rebuffed its citizens` demand that they quickly adopt a resolution asking Israel not to expel their leader and halt any threat to his safety.
United Nations, Sept 13: The Security Council members joined the worldwide outcry against Israeli decision to expel Palestinian Authority President Yaseer Arafat from Palestine but rebuffed its citizens' demand that they quickly adopt a resolution asking Israel not to expel their leader and halt any threat to his safety.
The 15-member council, which held consultations on a draft resolution late yesterday, adjourned without taking any decision on it. Instead, it set an open debate for Monday, contending the issue requires more discussion. In an open discussion, non-council members too can take part.
After the closed-door meeting, council President Ambassador Emyr Jones parry of Britain read out a consensus statement that said the council members expressed the view that removal of Arafat would be "unhelpful" and "should not be implemented."
But he said the resolution had not been introduced. Apparently, members wanted more time to consider the draft as, diplomats said, they felt that a hasty vote could draw a veto from the United States, Israel's closest ally, who was not happy with some parts. However, under strong pressure from Arabs, the members took the interim step of agreeing to issue a statement with a language to which all agreed.
The council met at the request of Arab states and 116-member Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) who had sought the emergency session and demanded that it quickly vote on the resolution.
As the diplomats were going in for the meeting, Palestinian UN envoy Nasser al-Kidwa said they would be pressing for a quick vote on the draft. Expressing "grave concern" at "tragic and violent events taking place in the Middle East, the draft demands that Israel halt any deportation proceedings and cease any threat to the safety of the "elected President of the Palestinian Authority.
It also demands cessation of all acts violence, including all acts of "terror, provocation, and destruction".
The draft warns any attempt to remove Arafat would prove "dangerous and counterproductive" and calls for increased efforts by both Israel and the Palestinians to implement the US-backed road map which envisages a Palestinian state by 2005.
The draft also calls for protection of civilians under Geneva Convention in territories occupied by Israel. But Israel says the territories are disputed and not occupied and hence Geneva Convention does not apply. The united states, diplomats say, might like to delete this formulation.
Israel took the decision to expel Arafat after two suicides bombings killed 15 Israelis, calling him an obstacle to peace. Bureau Report
After the closed-door meeting, council President Ambassador Emyr Jones parry of Britain read out a consensus statement that said the council members expressed the view that removal of Arafat would be "unhelpful" and "should not be implemented."
But he said the resolution had not been introduced. Apparently, members wanted more time to consider the draft as, diplomats said, they felt that a hasty vote could draw a veto from the United States, Israel's closest ally, who was not happy with some parts. However, under strong pressure from Arabs, the members took the interim step of agreeing to issue a statement with a language to which all agreed.
The council met at the request of Arab states and 116-member Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) who had sought the emergency session and demanded that it quickly vote on the resolution.
As the diplomats were going in for the meeting, Palestinian UN envoy Nasser al-Kidwa said they would be pressing for a quick vote on the draft. Expressing "grave concern" at "tragic and violent events taking place in the Middle East, the draft demands that Israel halt any deportation proceedings and cease any threat to the safety of the "elected President of the Palestinian Authority.
It also demands cessation of all acts violence, including all acts of "terror, provocation, and destruction".
The draft warns any attempt to remove Arafat would prove "dangerous and counterproductive" and calls for increased efforts by both Israel and the Palestinians to implement the US-backed road map which envisages a Palestinian state by 2005.
The draft also calls for protection of civilians under Geneva Convention in territories occupied by Israel. But Israel says the territories are disputed and not occupied and hence Geneva Convention does not apply. The united states, diplomats say, might like to delete this formulation.
Israel took the decision to expel Arafat after two suicides bombings killed 15 Israelis, calling him an obstacle to peace. Bureau Report