The United States has not yet decided how it will vote on the issue of Jerusalem in the Security Council, a spokesperson for the American delegation said today. She said the matter will be decided after the U.S. sees the final draft of a resolution currently in preparation.
The Security Council, which opened debate on Jerusalem yesterday, was engaged today in informal consultations aimed at shopping a draft resolution that will be acceptable to the U.S. or at least avoid an American veto. The debate was requested by Pakistan in the name of members of the Islamic Conference. The Pakistani Foreign Minister, Ago Shari, charged that Israel illegally annexed East Jerusalem and is planning to make it in capital.
The Arabs and their supporters are seeking a strange condemnation of Israel and the imposition of sanctions. But a resolution in that harsh vein is certain to draw a U.S. veto, sources here said. Efforts are underway to modify the draft, enabling the U.S. to abstain.
The sources said they did not know when the Security Council will reconvene to conclude the debate. That will depend on progress in shopping the final draft resolution. The sources said the debate may be concluded Friday.
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