21.8.2014: Diplomats said the U.S., Israels main ally, had joined the European effort to produce a resolution that would call for a ceasefire and advance the goal of a durable peace. This is not a competition, said an American diplomat in Washington. We share with other Security Council members a concern over the return to hostilities following the breach of the Egyptian-brokered humanitarian ceasefire. And the council has called on all parties to prevent the situation from escalating and to resume negotiations. The message that we are getting from both sides is that it would be helpful to prescribe some elements to enable them to sell it internally, that diplomat said. Diplomats said the resolution would include: - Opening up Gazas borders - Return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza - It would also include security assurances for the Israelis, including ways to prevent Hamas from acquiring more arms and building more tunnels - The resolution would incorporate a European Union offer to take charge of Gazas border crossings. - The international monitoring and verification mission would likely be a joint UN-EU effort According to the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private and sensitive. Jordan has circulated its own resolution calling for a cease-fire, condemning civilian casualties and an end to excessive use of force against Palestinian civilians. Jordans U.N. Ambassador Dina Kawar told reporters Wednesday the proposal is still on the table but were taking our time to talk to the Americans, to the Europeans. There (are) some ideas circulating so we want to make sure that it incorporates everybody because the whole idea is to have a Security Council resolution thats effective, she said. Other council diplomats say Jordans support for any resolution is crucial. It is essentially a Palestinian draft that has been endorsed by the Arab Group, the diplomat said. Its kind of burned already. Everyone knows it comes from the Palestinians.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 01:04:13 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015