RI regrets UNSC failure to adopt resolution on Israel<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
The government expressed regret on Wednesday over the failure of
\nthe United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to adopt a resolution
\non the Middle East, saying a veto by the United States prevented
\nany progress in the region.<\/p>\n
However, the government vowed to continue working closely with
\nthe international community to achieve peace in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
\"This failure, as a result of a veto cast by the United
\nStates, is all the more regrettable as there had been
\noverwhelming support for the council to demand that Israel desist
\nfrom any act of deportation, and cease all threats to the safety
\nof President Yasser Arafat,\" the foreign ministry said in a
\nstatement.<\/p>\n
\"The veto might be construed as inaction against Israel, while
\nit is understood that the United States itself has put pressure
\non Israel to refrain from carrying out its decision (on Arafat),\"
\nthe statement said.<\/p>\n
The U.S. vetoed on Tuesday (Wednesday Jakarta time) a
\nresolution demanding Israel not harm or deport Arafat, saying the
\nresolution should have included condemnation of acts of terrorism
\nby Palestinian militant group Hamas.<\/p>\n
\"We will not support any resolution that evades the explicit
\nthreat to the Middle East peace process posed by Hamas and other
\nsuch terrorist groups,\" said John Negroponte, U.S. ambassador to
\nthe United Nations, as quoted by Agence France-Presse.<\/p>\n
Eleven of the 15 council members voted in favor of the
\nresolution, which was sponsored by Syria, the only Arab nation on
\nthe council, at the request of Palestine. Britain, Bulgaria and
\nGermany abstained.<\/p>\n
The veto drew criticism from around the world, including
\nFrance and other major nations.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian government reiterated its intention to mobilize
\nsupport for Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia will continue working closely with the rest of the
\ninternational community, including within the Organization of the
\nIslamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement, to ensure that
\nIsrael immediately overturn its decision (on Arafat),\" the
\nforeign ministry statement said.<\/p>\n
The government also reiterated its position that Arafat had an
\nindispensable role to play in any effort to end the conflict in
\nthe region.<\/p>\n
Former foreign affairs minister Ali Alatas, meanwhile, said
\nthe unjust treatment of the Palestinians was helping to fuel
\nterrorism.<\/p>\n
\"One of the root causes of international terrorism is the
\nunsettled Palestinian cause,\" Ali said after meeting with
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
He said it was clear that the injustices suffered by the
\nPalestinians continued to be fertile ground for terrorism.<\/p>",
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