Palestinian State: Paris does not exclude recourse to the Security Council

Written by Sandeep Nehra

The Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Paris did not preclude consideration by the Security Council the creation of a Palestinian state, in cases of “prolonged stalemate” in an interview published Sunday.

“The creation of a Palestinian state is the guarantee of a future of peace. He should make bilateral negotiations,” Kouchner said the Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam, while the head of French diplomacy is expected with its Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

“But the international community would never agree to a continued stalemate. So I think we cannot exclude in principle the option of the Security Council,” he said, noting that the “priority” was present “the continuation of negotiations for a settlement of all final status issues “.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas spoke Friday at an Arab meeting in Sirte (Libya) alternative to negotiations with Israel stalled by the continuing Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.

According to participants, Mr. Abbas has outlined several options: ask Washington to recognize a Palestinian state within 1967 borders, use this to the Security Council of the UN, or ask the UN General Assembly that the occupied territories be placed under international supervision.

MM. Kouchner and Moratinos stressed the importance of “time” at the beginning of a meeting with Israeli Minister of Defense Ehud Barak in Jerusalem.

“This is a moment that we do not want to miss, we can enjoy our presence to say that Europe, 27 countries have this position on the urgency of a Palestinian state,” said French minister.

“Now, there must be a Palestinian state living in peace with the Israeli state, is absolutely essential for the region and the world, things will get better later,” he said.

“This is an important moment in the peace process,” said Mr. Moratinos. “We came bring ideas to move forward towards peace.”

In his interview, Mr. Kouchner has confirmed that a visit to Gaza by EU foreign ministers to “verify” the promised easing of the blockade by Israel in July, then delayed until September, but not finally been organized, had more to the agenda.

He said “this visit has finally could not take place primarily within the constraints of time use of each other, then due to the timing of direct talks were to resume in Washington on September 2.

“This is one reason why we decided to visit today” with Moratinos, “he added.

“I deeply regret, but we do not have the opportunity to go to Gaza during this short visit, because we will meet with President Abbas and King Abdullah II (Jordan) in Amman on Monday,” said Minister.