Israel Matzav

Security Council resolution withdrawn

The United States withdrew that Security Council resolution I reported on yesterday saying that it had to see whether it was "what the parties wanted." It was apparently Israel that did not want the resolution - finally a little common sense.

Well-informed diplomats said Israel did not want a resolution, which would bring the Security Council into the fledgling negotiations with the Palestinians.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told reporters in the Tunisian capital, Tunis, on Friday, that while he didn't know the details of the draft resolution it was a sign of the seriousness of the United States, which he also perceived at this week's conference in Annapolis, Maryland.

"This means, if what we have learned is verified, that there are serious steps that speak to the existence of an American position supporting the negotiations," Abbas said.

Wolff told reporters the US had held intensive consultations over the past few days "and the upshot was that there were some unease with the idea" of a resolution.

"The focus, we all realized again, should be placed and remain on Annapolis and the understanding that was reached there," Wolff said. "It's a momentous decision ... and rather than dilute from that and in respect to both parties in terms of what they thought would be most helpful, we reached a conclusion that it would be best to withdraw it," Wolff said.

You mean someone finally figured out why we don't want Russia and China involved in this?

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:46 PM