U.N. Security Council passes Mideast resolution, U.S. abstains

Richard Holbrooke, right, raises his hand to indicate an abstention by the United States during the U.N. Security Council vote

UNITED NATIONS -- After days of marathon talks, the Security Council passed a resolution Saturday condemning the use of force "especially" against Palestinians in the Middle East.

The resolution said the council "condemns acts of violence, especially the excessive use of force against Palestinians, resulting in injury and loss of human life."

The United States abstained from the vote. U.S. objections included the language of the proposal, which calls the visit by Israeli Likud official Ariel Sharon to Holy sites in East Jerusalem a "provocation."

A majority of U.N. members blame Israel for the upsurge in violence and were determined to charge Israel in a resolution.

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The vote was 14 for the resolution, none against and one abstention.

"The United States does not think this is a very good resolution, to put it mildly," U.S. ambassador Richard Holbrooke said after the vote. "It was one-sided, it did not reflect the fact that Israelis have been killed and wounded. We want resolutions that contribute to the resolution of problems, not inflame situations."

Palestinian U.N. observer Nasser al-Kidwa praised the council's action, saying it could help revive Middle East peace.

Richard Holbrooke talks to reporters about the U.S. decision to abstain from the vote on the U.N. Security Council's resolution on the Middle East ( 408 K/32 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)

He also lauded the inclusion of language calling for "establishing a mechanism for a speedy and objective inquiry" into the violence.

The resolution also called on Israel, which it termed the "occupying power," to abide by its "legal obligations and its responsibilities" under the Geneva Convention's provision to protect civilians in wartime.

It also asked for an immediate resumption of negotiations in the Middle East peace process.

Earlier, U.S. President Bill Clinton asked for a delay in the vote after a final draft resolution was offered that the United States said it had little choice but to veto.

As one of five permanent member countries on the Security Council, the United States has the right to veto any resolution and kill it.

Members of the developing countries -- which back the Palestinians -- agreed to changes and a new text was then sent to Clinton and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, diplomats said.

The United States still doesn't approve of the resolution but decided not to veto it, U.S. sources said.

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