A resolution elevating the status of the Palestine Liberation Organization to that of an observer state was introduced on the floor of the General Assembly late Thursday afternoon.
The resolution states that since the PLO “has the powers and responsibilities of the Provisional Government of the State of Palestine,” the current Palestine observer mission “shall be construed within the United Nations as the State of Palestine.”
The measure, which was drafted by the Arab bloc, has been vigorously opposed by the United States, which has threatened to cut off its contribution to the U.N. budget if the resolution is approved.
European nations also oppose the measure, and there are indications that neither the Soviets nor the Egyptians would like to see it passed.
There is word that Western diplomats are considering a strategy of tabling the move using a parliamentary rule which would indefinitely postpone a vote on the resolution. The same tactic has been used to counter attacks on Israel’s U.N. credentials.
On Wednesday, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization voted in Rome to cooperate closely with the PLO.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Margaret Tutwiler said Wednesday that as a result of this vote, along with other moves by the FAO, the issue of whether the United States would continue to fund the agency “is being seriously discussed” by the Bush administration.
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