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Abbas Feeling Heavy-Handed Pressure - by Stephen Lendman
Abbas is yielding to Washington/Israeli pressure as expected. Statehood chances are zero - for now, but coming later under responsible, committed leaders.
Washington wants Abbas' UN membership Security Council application tabled in limbo for months. On September 28, it was sent to a standing admissions committee.
On September 30, New York Times writer Neil MacFarquhar headlined, "Palestinian Request Sent to Experts," saying:
"The Security Council membership committee referred the Palestinian request for full (UN) membership to its experts on Friday to evaluate whether it meets the criteria for statehood."
In fact, Palestine's been fully qualified and ready for 63 years. An initial UN report may be issued by mid-October. However, Washington, Israel, and key EU allies want further action conditional on restarting peace process talks that never worked before and won't now.
On September 29, The Palestine Telegraph (PT) headlined, "Exclusive: The last minute deal of Abbas-Obama - Reviving Peace Process," saying:
A "(w)ell informed (PT) source (said) a deal had been struck between" Washington and the PA before Abbas' September 23 General Assembly address.
Meeting with Secretary of State Clinton, Abbas and chief negotiator Saeb Erekat were "threatened) with sanctions" if full UN membership was pursued.
A face saving way was discussed to back down. Both sides also agreed to resume peace process talks even though Abbas up to now refused unless settlement construction stops.
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