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Palestinians To Launch Bid For Statehood At UN
September 23, 2011
The Palestinians are due to launch their bid for statehood at the United Nations today.
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas is expected to present a letter requesting UN membership during a speech at the UN General Assembly.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also address the General Assembly.
Israel and its ally the United States strongly oppose the move and U.S. President Barack Obama has vowed to veto any Security Council move to recognize Palestinian statehood.
The U.S. leader argues the Palestinians can only reach their goal through talks with the Israelis.
On September 22, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy called on both the Palestinians and Israelis to act courageously to overcome their differences.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States is focused on what happens after the Palestinians file their statehood bid at the UN.
"I think it is important to note that regardless of what happens tomorrow in the United Nations, we remain focused on the day after," Clinton said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
An unnamed U.S. official said the "Quartet" of Middle East peace mediators "continue to work constructively."
He told the Reuters news agency that envoys from the United States, Russia, the European Union, and the United Nations -- meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly -- are trying to craft a statement that would help jump-start stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
compiled from agency reports
Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/palestinians_to_launch_bid_for_statehood_at_un_/24337204.html
Copyright (c) 2011. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
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