Global Policy Forum

By Melissa Radler

A Security Council draft resolution that calls for international monitors to be sent to the Middle East came under fire from US officials, who called on member states to concentrate their efforts on implementing peace in the region rather than drafting documents in New York.

"We do not support a resolution at this time," a US official said of the new draft, circulated yesterday in the council by the Arab bloc. The resolution condemns Israel for creating a humanitarian crisis in the West Bank and accuses it of impeding the work of humanitarian groups such as the International Red Cross and the UN Relief and Works Agency.

Palestinian suicide bombings are not mentioned.

The resolution calls for "an international presence that could help provide better conditions on the ground and help the parties in implementing agreements." It also demands the immediate implementation of Resolution 1402, which called for Israel to withdraw its forces from the West Bank.

The council held open consultations on the Middle East from Sunday through yesterday. A closed-door debate among council members was scheduled for yesterday afternoon. "The action needs to take place on the ground," said the US official. "We don't believe that back here in New York we can help with the implementation.

"We've set the framework and it's got to be the parties and Secretary [of State Colin] Powell and [special envoy Anthony] Zinni to push the parties to implement it." Should the draft come to a vote in the 15-member council, the US is one of five permanent members that can exercise its veto power.

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