From: "mart" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [pttp] Fw: US Hypocrisy At UN Blocks Middle East Peace - From: Rick Rozoff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 5:11 AM Subject: US Hypocrisy At UN Blocks Middle East Peace http://www.jordantimes.com/Thu/opinion/opinion4.htm Jordan Times August 30, 2001 American hypocrisy at UN blocks Middle East peace By Ray Hanania WHEN IT comes to reaching a just peace in the Middle East, US policy abounds with double standards and hypocrisy. Nowhere is that more apparent than at the United Nations, the very place where the Middle East conflict began some 53 years ago. With the United States threatening to retaliate by withholding important foreign aid, the UN voted on Nov. 27, 1947 to impose an unworkable land partition on Palestine. But while the world pays the heavy cost of American hypocrisy, the US remains delinquent in its own obligations - Washington's debt to the UN is now more than $3.3 billion in arrears. It is remarkable that a nation that hasn't met its membership responsibilities continues to use its position to bully others into conforming to its selfish political agendas. In November 1947, it was the US that pushed for the infamous vote to divide Palestine into six criss-crossing and unworkable sections that were to represent the so-called Jewish and Palestinian states. They had to have UN support. Once they got it, the strength of the world body quickly diminished. Since 1948, the US used its veto powers to block criticism of Israel more than in any other circumstance. These American vetoes were void of the concepts of "justice" and "fairness." The first American veto was cast in 1970 to protect Britain against a resolution calling for an end to the apartheid system in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The second was in 1972, to shield Israel from criticism of its violent policies - cast by none other, than former president George Bush, the incumbent president's father. Ever since, the US has cast, or threatened to cast, its veto in defence of Israel more than it has on any other single issue. After all, while the US can't seem to find the cash to bring its UN membership up-to-date, it doesn't mind dipping into the pockets of its own tax-paying citizens to give Israel some $6 billion a year, in grants, loans and loan guarantees. The Israeli propaganda machine is very sensitive to the issue of American tax dollars being used to shore up Israel's weak economy, and the issue is a major part of pro-Israel activism plans widely distributed by AIPAC, Israel's Washington-based lobbying organisation. How does Israel really spend that money? AIPAC will pounce upon any member of Congress who even asks about the annual budget appropriations to the Jewish state. It's a habit Israel picked up watching its mentor, the US, react to UN members who don't fall in line. When Arab countries rightly said they would raise the issue of Israel's mistreatment of Palestinian civilians "living" under its occupation at the upcoming racism conference in Durban, South Africa, the US stepped in and warned that not only will it boycott the conference, but also withhold funds. Never mind that debating such issues is what democracy is supposed to be about. And never mind that the racism conference will also address other important issues, such as reparations for the American descendants of Africans brought to the US as slaves in the 17th and 18th centuries. Three times this year, the US said it would veto a Palestinian proposal asking for "monitors" to help bring the violence to an end. The issue of placing observer forces at scenes of conflict seems to be something the US favours everywhere else, except Palestine. To be approved, a resolution like that proposed by the Palestinians would require nine votes in support of passage, and no veto from any of the five permanent members of the Security Council which controls the UN's policies. If UN monitors were placed in the West Bank, the world would quickly see that the violence is being provoked by Israel. It would show that the very fact that there are six times as many Palestinian deaths as Israeli deaths, and that most of the Palestinians killed are civilians, while Israeli deaths involve professional soldiers, proves that Israel must be a major part of the cause of the violence. The issue of neutral observers coming in to monitor any situation is a sure giveaway about who is right and who is wrong, even when it doesn't pass. The guilty party is usually the one who doesn't want any witnesses while engaged in criminal activity. The victims always want an outside monitor to prove their case. Israel's refusal to permit outside observers to determine who is responsible for the violence is an indication of Israel's guilt. Israel never feels any remorse in its brutal policies against the Palestinians - after all, the Jewish state was built on a policy of evicting Christians and Muslims from their lands and homes. When the Palestinians try to complain about the brutality and land theft, the US is always there, threatening to use its veto power. One might think, the UN at some point, might cast a veto against the US. If you don't pay your dues, you don't get to exercise your veto. That might motivate the US to take one of those hefty cheques it sends over to Israel, and re-endorse it in favour of the United Nations. But there is one common characteristic that bullies like Israel and the US seem to share. When they are beating up on someone, they never feel any guilt. You can bet your last tax-dollar on that one! The writer is an award-winning Palestinian American journalist and author. He contributed this article to The Jordan Times. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________
