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The Obama administration warned the U.N. cultural agency to stay out of the question of Palestinian statehood or face the consequences, as American lawmakers were threatening to withhold tens of millions of dollars in U.S. funding if the organization agrees to admit Palestine as a member before an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal is reached.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called UNESCO's deliberation "inexplicable" at a time when the Palestinian bid for U.N. recognition and membership was being examined by the Security Council, the global body's top decision-making organ. And she said such an action would be a setback for Mideast peace hopes.

"I think that that is a very odd procedure indeed and would urge the governing body of UNESCO to think again before proceeding with that vote," Clinton told reporters in the Dominican Republic, where she was attending a regional economic conference.

She stopped of saying how the U.S. might react, or if it would consider pulling out of the agency as it did under President Ronald Reagan, but acknowledged Congress' "strong legislative prohibition that prevents the United States from funding organizations that jump the gun, so to speak, in recognizing entities before they are fully ready for such recognition."

shafique wrote:Umm - the vote was for Palestine submitting a bid that will be voted on, not for full membership yet.

The US is threatening to stop paying its dues to UNESCO if the vote goes through and Palestine is admitted.

The Obama administration warned the U.N. cultural agency to stay out of the question of Palestinian statehood or face the consequences, as American lawmakers were threatening to withhold tens of millions of dollars in U.S. funding if the organization agrees to admit Palestine as a member before an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal is reached.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called UNESCO's deliberation "inexplicable" at a time when the Palestinian bid for U.N. recognition and membership was being examined by the Security Council, the global body's top decision-making organ. And she said such an action would be a setback for Mideast peace hopes.

"I think that that is a very odd procedure indeed and would urge the governing body of UNESCO to think again before proceeding with that vote," Clinton told reporters in the Dominican Republic, where she was attending a regional economic conference.

She stopped of saying how the U.S. might react, or if it would consider pulling out of the agency as it did under President Ronald Reagan, but acknowledged Congress' "strong legislative prohibition that prevents the United States from funding organizations that jump the gun, so to speak, in recognizing entities before they are fully ready for such recognition."

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financia ... 6QNO00.htm

An interesting one to watch.

Cheers,
Shafique

Bora Bora wrote:How about telling Israel that there won't be anymore funding unless they sit down and do some serious talking with Palestine rather than hold Palestine hostage for it's bid for statehood?

desertdudeshj wrote:

Bora Bora wrote:How about telling Israel that there won't be anymore funding unless they sit down and do some serious talking with Palestine rather than hold Palestine hostage for it's bid for statehood?

I think they tried that last year by offering them a couple of billion dollars and a few pricey fighter jets as a bribe and Israel told USA to go shove it where the sun don't shine !

desertdudeshj wrote:And there he blows !

Flying Dutchman wrote:Gee K., its Israel who is sitting near the table at the moment, with the Pali's refusing to negotiate.

Flying Dutchman wrote:Gee K., its Israel who is sitting near the table at the moment, with the Pali's refusing to negotiate.

kanelli wrote:Your intent was to say, "You are stupid, you know nothing. The Israelis want to negotiate but the Palestinians don't."

My answer was, "Let's see your evidence for that. " That is not parroting.

If you can't answer, no problem. I doubt you could ever make a fair assessment on the major stumbling blocks to negotiations between the two sides since you are clearly biased towards the Israeli side.

kanelli wrote:I'd say you and BM are on the ball again... spinning round and round that Israel is perfect and the whole problem is the Muslims/Palestinians.

Flying Dutchman wrote:Good you are admitting though its the Pali's that are refusing now.

shafique wrote:call posters either 'parrot' or 'primitive monkey'.

Bethsmum wrote:Stop kissing Shafiques backside, K. It is most unbecoming of someone who claims to have a brain. Although I've yet to see the proof.

Flying Dutchman wrote:

kanelli wrote:Your intent was to say, "You are stupid, you know nothing. The Israelis want to negotiate but the Palestinians don't."

My answer was, "Let's see your evidence for that. " That is not parroting.

If you can't answer, no problem. I doubt you could ever make a fair assessment on the major stumbling blocks to negotiations between the two sides since you are clearly biased towards the Israeli side.

I was talking about being on the ball, but you must have missed that to no surprise. Do you maybe need some more explanation?

kanelli wrote:Yes, FD, I can see you aren't insinuating anything about my intelligence with your comments.