Military

DATE=10/20/2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N-Mideast Vote (L)

NUMBER=2-268243

BYLINE=Breck Ardery

DATELINE=United Nations

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United Nations General Assembly tonight (Friday) approved a strongly-worded resolution condemning what it calls "excessive force" used by Israel against Palestinian civilians. VOA Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: The vote was 92 in favor, six against and 46 abstaining. In addition to Israel and the United States other "no" votes came from the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru and Tuvalu.

Unlike the U-N Security Council resolution passed two weeks ago, this one mentions Israel by name as responsible for excessive force. It also demands that Israel observe provisions of the Geneva Convention for the protection of civilians in time of war.

Speakers, mostly from Arab and developing nations, criticized Israel for violence against civilians, especially children. Several speakers said the violence was provoked by Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon when he visited an Islamic holy site in East Jerusalem in late September.

Some representatives, such as Fawzi Shobokshi of Saudi Arabia speaking through an English interpreter, expressed profound emotion.

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The world applauded when the Yugoslavs took over their parliament. Are we to blame the Palestinians when they protest when their Islamic shrines were desecrated? Is it right for the whole world but wrong for the Palestinians to defend their rights? Are not the Palestinians and the Arabs humans like everybody else who have the right to look for liberation, independence and enjoy human rights like all? Is it just for Palestinians to die in large numbers at the hands of the Israeli occupiers?

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Exercising his right of reply, Israeli ambassador Yehuda Lancry said his nation "categorically rejects" the resolution. He pointed out the resolution says nothing about the murders of two Israeli soldiers at a Palestinian police station.

Unlike Security Council resolutions, those approved by the U-N General Assembly do not have the force of international law. Assembly resolutions are also adopted by majority vote and no member has a veto power.

Backers of the resolution brought it to the General Assembly after it was clear the United States would veto a second Security Council resolution on Mideast violence.

Earlier in the day, U-S ambassador Richard Holbrooke characterized the Assembly resolution as "inflammatory" although he said he understands the emotions behind it.(Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/PT