MIDDLE EAST: The United States yesterday vetoed a resolution put forward by Arab nations demanding that Israel not harm or deport Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.
Eleven Security Council members voted in favor while Britain, Germany and Bulgaria abstained after hours of consultations, The United States and Syria, sponsor of the resolution, were unable to reach a compromise.
The resolution drafted by the Palestinian UN envoy, Mr Nasser al-Kidwa, demanded that "Israel, the occupying power, desist from any act of deportation and cease any threat to the safety of the elected President of the Palestinian Authority".
Accusing Mr Arafat of fomenting violence, an allegation he denies, the Israeli security cabinet last week announced that Israel would "remove" him as "an obstacle to peace," although it did not say how or when.
In Washington a State Department spokesman said earlier yesterday the United States, Israel's closest ally, believed the Syrian text was unbalanced and one-sided. "We believe the focus should remain on working with both sides to encourage them to recommit themselves to the political process. And we do not believe a Security Council resolution would help further this purpose," said Mr Adam Ereli.
But council members called for closed-door talks yesterday, saying they hoped a way could be found to rewrite the resolution to win over the United States without losing the support of Arab states.
The Syrian UN envoy, Mr Fayssal Mekdad, said Arab states agreed to a short delay for more talks, so long as any changes preserved the core message of international support for Mr Arafat.
"It is our hope that all members of the council who have rejected the deportation of the chairman of the Palestinian Authority will rally behind this resolution," Mr Mekdad said in an apparent hint at a possible US abstention rather than a veto.
The council had decided late on Monday to hold a vote on the resolution at the request of Syria, which was acting on behalf of Arab and non-aligned nations. But no time was set.
During nearly eight hours of debate more than 40 governments condemned the decision by Israel's security cabinet to get rid of Mr Arafat. - (Reuters)