In his speech, Barack Obama warned that there is no short-cut to peace.
While his stand pleased Israelis, it put him at odds with other world leaders, who are arguing for Palestine to at least be granted UN observer status.
This report from Washington correspondent Craig McMurtrie.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE, REPORTER: Barack Obama came to the UN General Assembly to talk about universal human rights and how the world has changed after the Arab uprisings. But to a largely silent room of world leaders and diplomats, the President also acknowledged the bind he now finds himself in.
BARACK OBAMA, US PRESIDENT: ... that for many in this hall, there's one issue that stands as a test for these principles and a test for American foreign policy, and that is the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE: In a show of support, thousands of Palestinians rallied in the West Bank, backing the Security Council bid for statehood. At UN headquarters, their leaders didn't hide their disappointment as Barack Obama explained why his administration is determined to block it with a veto.
BARACK OBAMA: There is no shortcut to the end of a conflict that has endured for decades. Peace is hard work. Peace will not come through statements and resolutions at the United Nations. If it were that easy, it would have been accomplished by now.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE: Two years ago in Cairo the American leader held out the promise of a new beginning with the Muslim world.
BARACK OBAMA: I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE: Now, just as uprisings are transforming much of the Arab world, he finds himself taking a position that will only damage his standing there.
BARACK OBAMA: Now I know that many are frustrated by the lack of progress. I assure you, so am I.
SAEB EREKAT, PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR: I hope that the US would revisit its position, because if we want to seek a Middle East that's democratic, free, void of extremists and so on, we cannot maintain the status quo. The US cannot continue treating Israel as a country above the laws of man, and that's the truth.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE: With peace talks stalled, Israeli settlement building continuing and no sign of compromise on either side, the US president finds himself isolated internationally and with few options at home, entering an election year where Republican contenders are challenging his commitment to Israel.
RICK PERRY, REPUBLICAN CONTENDER: It was wrong for this administration to suggest the 1967 borders should be the starting point for Israel-Palestinian negotiations. ... Palestinian leaders must publicly affirm Israel's rights to exist and to exist as a Jewish nation, a Jewish state.
BARACK OBAMA: I think it's fair to say that today our security co-operation is stronger than it has ever been.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE: After his address to the UN, the US leader sat down with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: Taking this position of principle, which is also I think the right position to achieve peace, I think this is a badge of honour, and I want to thank you for wearing that badge of honour and also to express my hope that others will follow.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE: Frantic efforts are underway to try and delay a Security Council statehood vote and get the two sides back into direct talks. But the Palestinians have another option: a General Assembly vote granting them observer status and possibly membership of some UN bodies, a vote they would almost certainly win.
Speaking after Barack Obama, the French president threw his support behind Palestinian observer status.
NICOLAS SARKOZY, FRENCH PRESIDENT (voiceover translation): This would be an important step forward. After 60 years of immobility which has fanned the flames of extremism, we would be giving hope to the Palestinians.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE: US allies like Australia face an unenviable choice. A no vote or an abstention could hurt Canberra's bid for a Security Council seat in 2013.
Late in the day, the US leader sat down with Mahmoud Abbas, the White House releasing a single image of their meeting. The Palestinians say they don't question his integrity, just his priorities.
NABIL SHAATH, PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR: He's in a year of elections and he has to really make up his mind about how much of his time and influence and authority he wants to invest in solving what I think to be the single most important peace process in the world today.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE: They may have isolated and angered Washington, but at the UN at least, they've also gained rare leverage.
Craig McMurtrie, Lateline.
No comments:
Post a Comment