UK to abstain in UN Palestine vote

LONDON, Nov 9 (KUNA) -- The UK will abstain in a United Nations (UN) vote on Palestinian statehood, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said Wednesday. He told the House of Commons a UN vote could be held soon, but Britain would refuse to support the Palestinians' bid.
Hague told MPs: "In common with France, and in consultation with our European partners, the United Kingdom will abstain on any vote on full Palestinian membership of the UN." He said the UN Security Council's admissions committee would end its consideration of the Palestinians' claim for statehood on Friday, paving the way for a vote. The committee will publish a report summarising UN Security Council members' views on whether Palestine meets criteria under the UN Charter. Hague said: "As this could soon now be followed by a vote in the UN Security Council, it is appropriate to inform the House of the Government's intentions. "The UK judges that the Palestinian Authority largely fulfils criteria for UN membership, including statehood, as far as the reality of the situation of the occupied Palestinian territories allows. "But its ability to function effectively as a state would be impeded by that situation. "A negotiated end to the occupation is the best way to allow Palestinian aspirations to be met in reality and on the ground." There were cries of "shame" from Labour backbenchers as the Foreign Secretary announced the Government's intention to abstain. Hague explained the decision, saying the UK wanted the Quartet - the group comprising the United Nations, European Union, Russia and the United States and which is led by former prime minister Tony Blair - to help the Israelis and Palestinians reach a two-state deal. Hague added: "We will not vote against the application because of the progress the Palestinian leadership has made towards meeting the criteria, but nor can we vote for it while our primary objective remains a return to negotiations through the Quartet process and the success of those negotiations.
" Making a statement to the Commons on the latest developments in North Africa and the Middle East, the Foreign Secretary said Britain reserved the right to recognise a Palestinian state by itself "at a moment of our choosing, and when it can best help bring about peace". He added: "The UK will continue to be one of the principle supporters of Palestinian state-building efforts, assisting them to tackle poverty, build institutions and boost their economy." Hague said should the Palestinians fail through the Security Council route, where the US is likely to block their bid, the Palestinian leadership could apply to the UN General Assembly where different rules apply. He said: "We and the other countries of the European Union will continue to emphasise that any proposition put to the General Assembly must make a return to negotiations more likely. "For Israel, the only means of averting unilateral applications to the UN is a return to negotiations. "A demonstration of will and political leadership is needed from both sides to break the current impasse." Earlier at Prime Minister's Questions, David Cameron urged the two sides to return to talks. He said: "The British Government is fully behind a two-state solution but I profoundly believe the way you get a two-state solution is not through declarations and processes at the UN. "The way you get that two-state solution is the two potential states, Israel and Palestine, sitting down and negotiating. "All our efforts should be put towards making that happen." Responding to Hague's statement, opposition Labour shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander questioned how Britain's abstention would encourage the parties back to the negotiating table. He said: "You have been unable to explain your decision in reference to negotiations that have resumed - that is because no negotiations are taking place. "I think many members of this House, on all sides, will be struggling to see how a decision to abstain is likely to help bring about negotiations. "Given the absence of any meaningful negotiations between the parties at present, a point I'm sure you will not dispute, how will you tell us how your position of having no position is likely to advance the peace process?" He added: "This decision announced by the Government today represents a further acceptance of and accommodation to a wider pattern of failure: failure to achieve meaningful negotiations, failure to meet the aspirations of the Palestinian and Israeli people and continued failure by the international community to find a way through the present impasse. "What is your assessment of the likely consequences of the Palestinians' bid for statehood being rejected at the Security Council and how will the Government cast its vote when this issue comes before the UN General Assembly? "

UK to abstain in UN Palestine vote