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Last update - 12:59 02/12/2005
Canada decides to take more
pro-Israel stance at United Nations
Canada
has decided to adopt a more pro-Israel stance in the United Nations
regarding the Israeli-Arab conflict and to move closer to the positions
of Israel and the United States.
The decision followed a tough
campaign by prominent members of the Canadian Jewish community, who
directly lobbied Prime Minister Paul Martin to change Canada's voting
pattern.
Martin's Liberal government, which is approaching
general elections, has indicated that it would change its vote on three
out of some 20 resolutions about the Middle East. This is in addition
to changing its vote on four resolutions last year.
Until now
Canada has traditionally followed European voting patterns in the UN on
several annual resolutions pertaining to the Middle East.
The
Canadian representative stated at the GA on Wednesday that his country
would object to resolutions to maintain "the department for Palestinian
affairs" in the UN Secretariat and from now on would only support
bodies that promote the peace process.
Canada also objects to
the decision on the Golan, as it places the onus for resuming
negotiations solely on Israel, and will not support the resolution on a
peaceful solution to the Palestinian problem due to the Arab states'
refusal to include an explicit condemnation of suicide bombings.
On
Wednesday, the national chairman of the Canada-Israel Committee said he
was pleased with the pending No votes, the Toronto Globe and Mail
reported. However, the president for the National Council on
Canada-Arab Relations blasted the move and suggested it could provoke a
backlash.
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