US sends mixed signals on anti-Israel UN vote

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/165780.html

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's spokesman -- Martin Nesirky -- has laid down the rules in regards to what the Secretary General did -- and did not -- want to talk about.

Secretary General Ban spoke on the latest developments in the Midle East - most notably in Bahrain -- calling for sincere dialogue between the people and their governments. He did not -- however -- touch upon the pending resolution in the Security Council condemning Israeli settlements.

At noon -- Press TV asked the spokesman -- Nesirky -- about the resolution -- which will be voted upon on Friday -- and got this response.

American UN Ambassador Susan Rice has reportedly offered Palestinian diplomats a deal where the U.S. would agree to a statement affirming the Security Council "does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity."

The Palestinian Authrority has rejected the American offer -- and a vote on a stronger -- binding resolution could come soon.

American officals have said repeatedly that the Security Council is not the place to hash out the issue -- and an American veto on the stronger measure is likely.

Critics are having a field day with the American flip flop -- including former American U.N. Ambassador John Bolton -- who questions President Obama's handling of the Egyptian revolution and other developments in the Middle East.

By close of business at the UN on Friday -- compromise statements were reportedly delivered to Arab diplomats at the UN -- with Security Council President Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil advocating a stronger "presidential statement."

It is not known how that statement was recieved -- or if it will be voted on in the Security Council.

If nothing changes overnight -- however -- most signs point to yet another American veto