Abu Rudeineh: Going to UN in spite of US Veto Threat

RAMALLAH, September 8, 2011 (WAFA) – Presidential spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said on Thursday, that the Palestinian Authority is going to ask for UN recognition of Palestine as a state and for full membership in spite of threats by the United States to use the veto to kill the application.

He said that the Palestinians “do not want to confront the US administration and we are committed to the negotiations based on the 1967 borders and stopping settlement activities.”

He urged the international community to assume its responsibilities. “The Palestinian people should not stay under occupation,” he said.

He said that the Palestinian quest at the UN is a “test” of the international community's will and its ability to assume responsibility toward justice and peace.

He said, “The next phase is a critical crossroad and we demand everyone to assume their responsibilities to preserve the peace and the entire region’s stability. The entire region is at a boiling point. The Palestinian people should not be left under occupation, not even for another hour.”

The US had officially announced Thursday that it will veto a Palestinian application to gain UN membership.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Noland, said that it is not a surprise that the US is against Palestinian effort at the UN.

She said a Palestinian state cannot be reached except through negotiations, adding that “yes, anything that will be put to vote at the Security Council, the United State will veto.”

Palestine News & Info Agency - WAFA