'We have eight Security Council votes': Palestinians

[oberliner]

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories — The Palestinians have secured eight Security Council yes votes for their UN membership bid, just one short of the nine they need, the Palestinian foreign minister said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters in Ramallah, Riyad al-Malki said he had received assurances from two additional nations -- Nigeria and Gabon -- that they would vote in favour of the Palestinian bid for full state membership at the UN.

"We have eight states that will vote for Palestine in the Security Council," he said. "We are working hard to have a ninth and a tenth."

Malki said the Palestinians have assurances of "yes" votes from Lebanon, Russia, China, India, South Africa and Brazil, in addition to the new confirmations from Nigeria and Gabon.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iQ9XWHTKwgfZP80rNG3MeCw83KHA?docId=CNG.f582da93057f0e3389e6e0e5a288c42d.5e1

[dtexdem]

1. They deserve to get number 9 -- and 6 more besides.

Plus no veto by U.S.

But the U.S. will do all it can to block what is deserved, what is simple justice.

[shira]

6. They deserve? You mean Hamas and the PLO? Sorry, they deserve jackshit.

In their letter for a UN bid, they asked for the 1947 Partition Plan and its borders, not only the 1967 lines.

You think Hamas and the PLO deserve that?

[azurnoir]

2. all eyes on Bosnia n/t

[Scuba]

3. How can the US say they should "work it out with Israel"? Isn't that what the UN is FOR?

[oberliner]

4. Work out a deal on the specifics

Such as the border and whatnot.

[aranthus]

5. No. What gave you that idea? n/t