CAIRO: France, Spain and the European Union's (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, are currently in the latter stages of negotiations with the Palestinian Authority (PA). The objective is to find an agreement that will allow all 27 members of the EU to vote at the United Nations General Assembly in favor of upgrading the PA to the status of non-permanent member of the UN. Their objective is to also have the United States abstain from voting and to continue their financial aid to the Palestinians. The PA would have to promise in return to not take Israel to the Criminal Court in The Hague. According to Israel's Haaretz newspaper, the PA president, Mahmoud Abbas, had told the EU he would not turn to the Security Council on September 20, rather he requested that Palestine be accepted as a full member of the organization. The US has the right to exercise their veto power at the Security Council and has hinted that it would. Abbas' decision to turn to the UN General Assembly is calculated. The Assembly's resolutions are not as binding, and European members are most likely in support. Abbas is expected to meet this Monday with Ashton in Cairo, as well as foreign ministers of the Arab League Monitoring Committee. It is expected that the deals will be discussed during the meetings. The deal itself is said to hold many important points for Palestinians such as their request to have their standing upgraded within the General Assembly. The upgrade would place them in similar standings with the Vatican; a permanent observer with the right to full membership in various international organisations. As a condition to the deal, Palestinians must commit to resuming negotiations with Israel immediately following the vote. Also the borders will be based on the 1967 borders, with an exchange of territory. The Palestinian state will also be recognized by the EU at “an appropriate time.” Britain, Germany and Italy, the latter two which refuse to acknowledge the Palestinian state, are holding consultations with the PA on an agreed wording which would allow for them to vote in favor of Palestine, whilst retaining their position. Spanish and French diplomats have pointed out that an understanding with the Germans is near. Ashton and the five largest nations in Europe are eager to avoid any form of internal division in regards to this issue. “We will do everything possible not to isolate Germany,” the European diplomat said. BM
