The Security Council continued its debate on Palestinian rights but will not vote on a resolution endorsing an independent Palestinian state until July at the earliest, it was learned here today the deferment, not officially announced, was attributed to the threat of a U.S. veto and the unwillingness of the Western European countries to support such a resolution at this time.
Meanwhile, the discussion of Palestinian rights, which opened Monday, went into its second session this morning. Sources here explained that the European members, including France, decided not to endorse the Palestinian statehood resolution pending the outcome of President Carter’s meetings with President Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Israeli Premier Menachem Begin in Washington later this month and the progress of the autonomy talks up to the May 26 target date.
Another reason cited was the summit meeting of the European Economic Community (EEC) scheduled to be held in July, at which time the issue of Palestinian independence is expected to be discussed.
At today’s debate. the Egyptian representative, Ambassador Achmed Ismat Abdel Meguid, declared that “Egypt’s commitment to the Palestinian cause is total and unwavering, He condemned Israel for its new settlements on the West Bank and its decision to seize Arab-owned land in East Jerusalem and other territories, He said that these moves by Israel “created serious obstacles which hinder the faithful implementation of the Camp David accords under which Israel is committed to honor the rights of the Palestinian people.”
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