France Warns Palestinians against Unilateral Declaration
16/11/2009 France warned Palestinian authorities on Monday that any unilateral declaration of independence could undermine their campaign for the eventual creation of a recognized state.
France is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a leading voice in the European Union, and opposition from Paris would be a serious obstacle to any attempt by Palestinian leaders to go it alone. "A unilateral step could prejudice the establishment of this state that we all wish for so much," said French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero.
"We have never stopped insisting upon the urgent need to create a viable, independent and democratic Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel within safe and recognized borders," he added.
"We're reflecting deeply about this matter with our European colleagues, as well as with the United States," he said, counseling caution and patience.
Palestinians are frustrated by the lack of progress of the Middle East peace process and disappointed that US President Barack Obama has failed to convince Israel to halt Jewish settlement building on occupied Palestinian land.
On Sunday, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said they would "go to the UN Security Council to ask for recognition of an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital and with June 1967 borders."
This in turn drew a warning from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that: "Any unilateral action will undo the framework of past accords and lead to unilateral actions from Israel."
16/11/2009 France warned Palestinian authorities on Monday that any unilateral declaration of independence could undermine their campaign for the eventual creation of a recognized state.
France is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a leading voice in the European Union, and opposition from Paris would be a serious obstacle to any attempt by Palestinian leaders to go it alone. "A unilateral step could prejudice the establishment of this state that we all wish for so much," said French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero.
"We have never stopped insisting upon the urgent need to create a viable, independent and democratic Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel within safe and recognized borders," he added.
"We're reflecting deeply about this matter with our European colleagues, as well as with the United States," he said, counseling caution and patience.
Palestinians are frustrated by the lack of progress of the Middle East peace process and disappointed that US President Barack Obama has failed to convince Israel to halt Jewish settlement building on occupied Palestinian land.
On Sunday, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said they would "go to the UN Security Council to ask for recognition of an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital and with June 1967 borders."
This in turn drew a warning from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that: "Any unilateral action will undo the framework of past accords and lead to unilateral actions from Israel."
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