By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, November 19 -- After the Gaza consultations called at noon by Russia in the UN Security Council ended, Russian Permanent Representative Vitaly Churkin came out and said that if the Morocco proposed draft press statement was not soon approved, Russia would come forward with a resolution.
Inner City Press asked Churkin about Russia's push for a Quartet ministerial meeting - wouldn't the US take the same position there? Churkin replied that the Quartet has been inactive too long.
After that, side meetings continued inside the Security Council. Sources told Inner City Press that Morocco was working with the UK to see if a new draft press statement was possible and could be agreed to by 5 pm.
Moroccan Permanent Representative Loulichki emerged and said Morocco had tried to keep its draft as minimal as possible and that he had thought it could be agreed at the end of the morning's Council session. He shook his head.
Later on Monday afternoon, Inner City Press learned through sources that Russia had come forward with its draft resolution and "put it in blue," meaning that a vote can be called in 24 hours.
Russian draft Gaza resolution put In Blue:
The Security Council,
Recalling all of its relevant resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003), 1850 (2008) and 1860 (2009), and noting the importance of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative,
Gravely concerned at the dangerous escalation and steep deterioration of the situation in and around Gaza, in particular the resulting heavy civilian casualties, deploring the worsening humanitarian situation, and emphasizing that the Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations must be protected,
Stressing the importance of and appreciating ongoing international and regional efforts aimed at the immediate end of violence,
Noting in this regard the important role of the Quartet in seeking a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,
Recalling that a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means,
Reaffirming the right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure and internationally recognized borders,
1. Stresses the urgency of and demands an immediate, durable and fully respected cessation of violence, leading to the restoration of calm;
2. Supports international and regional efforts with a view to a prompt solution of the current situation;
3. Encourages Israel and the Palestinian authority to resume without delay a substantive bilateral negotiating process in order to reach the final goal of concluding a peace treaty resolving all outstanding issues, including all core issues, without exception, on the internationally recognized basis of the two-state solution as envisaged in Security Council resolution 1850 (2008);
4. Condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism;
5. Urges all parties to address the serious humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza and to allow for the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Palestinian people and to ensure the unimpeded provision of humanitarian supplies throughout Gaza[; and]
6. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
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