U.S. veto

U.S. veto

The world was shocked by the U.S. decision to veto a UN Security Council resolution on Israel's land confiscation in Arab East Jerusalem. The vetoed resolution was sponsored by six of the Council's non-aligned members: Indonesia, Botswana, Honduras, Nigeria, Oman and Rwanda, and supported by its 14 council members, including the four veto-holding members: France, Great Britain, Russia and China.

As a matter of fact, the council's overwhelming support for the resolution shows the positive and decisive position of the international community against Israel's illegal action. The Council's resolution condemns Israel's expropriation of 52 hectares of land in areas of Jerusalem captured in the 1967 Middle East War.

According to the Palestinians, and supported by 14 council voters, the veto by the U.S. contradicts the Israel-PLO peace deal and international accords. According to Israeli and U.S. sources, the two conflicting parties should hold direct talks to solve any problems.

One might wonder how such a situation could still prevail in the UN. The domination of superpowers, the veto holders, is unfair and illogical in this world body. The UN seems to be ruled and dominated by a small but very influential Israel through its strong and powerful ally: America. The U.S. veto is, according to Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, a clear violation of the previous agreements, and also deviates from earlier Security Council decisions on Israeli settlements.

How could Washington mediate the process, said Marwan Kanafani, Yasser Arafat's spokesman, when America itself takes a position that not only contradicts the core of the Declaration of Principles (peace accord) and all the agreements after, but also contradicts all the (pertinent) resolutions and international agreements.

Head of the Islam Solidarity Committee Lukman Harun said his organization strongly condemns the U.S. veto. This shows that U.S. is a defender and protector of Israel.

I agree with The Jakarta Post editorial of May 19, 1995, that by casting its veto against a UN text critical of Israel's colonial policy, the U.S. again showed the international community that the world body is not a decent place to solve problems. The U.S. always pretends to be a beacon of democracy and a champion of human rights.

In casting a veto against a UN resolution, the U.S. (President) does not need the approval of the U.S. Congress. Otherwise, would a majority of the Congress have given its consent to veto a controversial UN resolution? I believe that not only the Palestinians but the whole world is disappointed by the American veto.

ALOYSIUS HARYONO

Jakarta