A four-point draft resolution demanding national independence and sovereignty for the Palestinian people and their right to return to their homes and property as an indispensable element of Middle East peace, was disclosed here today.
Shafik Al-Hout, a representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said the draft would be circulated by tomorrow. He said that a separate resolution will be introduced asking the General Assembly to grant permanent observer status to the PLO. Both resolutions are sponsored by the nonaligned bloc of nations together with several Arab states. Observers here expect both to be adopted with large majorities.
A spokesman for the U.S. Mission said today that the U.S. had not seen the draft resolution but “we are aware of the context” and “have discussed the matter with a number of delegations.” He said the document “has been floating around the UN.”
The Palestine debate is scheduled to end this Thursday when the General Assembly will be addressed by the U.S. Ambassador John Scali. But observers expressed doubt that it can be concluded by then since there are already 15 nations on the speakers list for the Thursday afternoon session. (By Yitzhak Rabi)
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