LOC21:32
18:32 GMT
UNITED NATIONS, May 27 (KUNA) -- General Assembly President Joseph Deiss on
Friday said Palestine will not achieve UN membership, even if it is recognized
as a State by the body's two-thirds majority, if the US vetoes the bid in the
Security Council.
Asked at a press conference if Palestine can achieve membership in the UN
if its bid is rejected in the Security Council by a US veto, Deiss said "no."
Asked further if there is any other way to do so, he said "no".
He conceded that the General Assembly has the "final say" about membership
after the applicant receives the two-thirds majority. But, he added, the
process, according to the UN Charther, has to go through steps, the most
important of all being the Security Council.
Step one - The applicant has to address an application to the UN
Secretary-General in which it declares that it accepts the provisions of the
Charter and the UN obligations.
Step two - The application will then be considered by the Security Council
where the applicant has to receive at least nine votes in favour and no veto
from any of the permanent members.
Step three - If the Council recommends membership, the Assembly will have
to take the final decision.
Deiss recalled that Assembly resolution 181 of 1947 "already provides for
the creation of two states - one Arab, one Jewish - at the end of the British
mandate in Palestine.
He said he is aware that the Palestinians are working at different levels,
including at the bilateral level, to get recognition. It now has 112
recognitions.
US President Barack Obama already hinted last week that the US will not
approve Palestine's recognition in the Security Council.
In this regard, Deiss, a former President of Switzerland, said "we cannot
blame a member using the rights that has been given by this institution
whatever the popularity is. It is up to the Member State to examine what it
wants to do in respect to its popularity or not".
"What I can say is: if there is a large number of Member States which
recognize the Statehood of Palestine, and resolution 181 said there should be
an Arab state ... (these) are elements that you have to take into
consideration. It is up to Members States to make this decision and the rules
are given (clear)," he insisted.
"My role is to do my utmost to create the necessary conditions that all
this can work in the best way," he added. (end)
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