By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, September 26 -- When Palestinian Observer Riyad Mansour spoke to the press on Friday afternoon, he began by maintaining that the nine Security Council members which have previously recognized Palestine will vote "yes" on membership.
Inner City Press asked, what about Bosnia, has Palestine met with the Republica Srbska third of the government?
Mansour described a Palestinian visit to Bosnia at which the delegation was well received; he said he visited Belgrade in Serbia and spoke with the relevant people. But who can reach Republica Srbska? It is not clear.
As South African Permanent Representative Baso Sangqu entered the Security Council, Inner City Press asked him if there would be three African Union "yes" votes for Palestinian membership. I can only speak for my vote, Baso said. South Africa is a yes; Gabon and Nigeria less so. According to Mansour, both will also be new visits.
Asked about Friday's Quartet Statement, Mansour said that the Palestinian leadership will meet about it on Wednesday. But he said that a cessation of the settlements is required. The Quartet didn't speak to that, as noted by Mahmoud Abbas to the media on his way back to Ramallah. Mansour also noted that Israel has not embraced the Quartet Statement.
Beyond the fight between UN Security and the Turkish delegation that Inner City Press exclusively reported on Friday, Inner City Press has been informed that while Abbas gave his speech on Friday, Avigdor Lieberman did come into the GA Hall -- only in order to immediately leave it.
Even before Monday's consultations started, spokespeople told the Press that there would be an open meeting on the Council on Wednesday to formally refer Palestine's application to an "Ad Hoc" committee on membership -- all 15 members are on the committee -- and that the committee will meet for the first time on Friday. And so it goes at the UN - watch this site.
