Palestinians welcome UN Gaza statement withdrawn

United Nations, July 31: In comments reflecting Arab differences over Gaza, the Palestinian Authority welcomed the withdrawal of a proposed UN statement on the situation there, saying it had not been consulted about it.

The Palestinian representative at the United Nations said yesterday the authority did not object to the content of the proposed Security Council statement drafted by Qatar, which voiced concern at conditions in Gaza, virtually blockaded since Hamas took it over last month.

But the official, Riyad Mansour, told journalists in prepared comments: ''It is unacceptable for anyone, including friends, to act on our behalf without our knowledge, without consulting us. It would send wrong messages.'' Mansour said he understood the statement was withdrawn yesterday. There was no immediate confirmation from diplomats of countries represented on the Security Council.

Mansour represents Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the government he set up in the West Bank after the rout of his forces in Gaza by the Islamist Hamas movement, which previously led the Palestinian government after winning elections.

Crossings into the Gaza Strip from Israel and Egypt were closed to most traffic after the June 14 Hamas takeover of the enclave of 1.5 million people, resulting in shortages of food and other essentials.

But this week Israel began allowing Palestinians stranded in Egypt to return to Gaza via the Jewish state, in a deal agreed with Egypt and Abbas' Western-backed government but criticized by Hamas.

Qatar, backed by Indonesia, had drafted a Security Council statement on Gaza, which would have required the agreement of all its 15 members, including friends of Israel such as the United States.

''At this point there is no specific need for a presidential statement,'' Mansour said.

Asked on whose behalf he thought Qatar was acting in drafting the statement, he said: ''I think that this is a very good question to ask to the Qataris.'' Officials at U.N. mission of the Gulf emirate could not immediately be contacted for comment.

Reuters

>