U.N. Adopts Resolution as U.S. Abstains

Reuters

UNITED NATIONS (Oct. 7) - The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution on Saturday condemning the ``excessive use of force `` against Palestinians, with the United States casting an abstention and allowing the measure to go into force.

The other 14 council members voted in favor of the resolution following marathon negotiations over two days between U.S. envoys and supporters of the Palestinians, including intervention by President Bill Clinton.

The text condemns the ``excessive use of force against Palestinians'' and indirectly blames Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon for provoking the week-long rioting that killed at least 80 people, most of them Palestinians.

Neither Israel nor Sharon are mentioned by name, a concession to the United States, but its implication is clear and one of the reasons Washington held back its support.

Fears mounted that a U.S. veto on the resolution would only exacerbate the violence among the Palestinians and their supporters in Lebanon and elsewhere.

Reuters 19:52 10-07-00

UN condemns Israel's 'excessive force' -- Report of the JP