Nigeria May Abstain In UN Vote On Palestinian Statehood- Clinton, Barak Pressure Jonathan In New York

Goodluck Jonathan and Hillary Clinton
By Laolu Akande for Empowered Newswire & Saharareporters

Nigeria is under a rising diplomatic pressure from both the United States and Israel not to support the expected Palestinian statehood request tomorrow Friday, at the United Nations Security Council.

Although President Goodluck Jonathan is in New York for the annual General Assembly summit, he has been holding meetings on the issue of the Palestinians statehood, which has been dominating the ongoing UN meetings here in New York alongside the Libyan crisis.
 
As soon as Jonathan arrived in New York for the ongoing UN annual summit on Monday night, he has received both the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak in what diplomats at the UN are calling intense diplomatic maneuver to secure Nigeria's support when the Palestinians send their request for statehood recognition to the Security Council on Friday.
 
The Palestinians President Mahmoud Abbas has already indicated that he would be asking the Council to recognise the Palestinian State on Friday and by yesterday US President Barack Obama was billed at press time to hold a bilateral with Abbas in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly debate which opened Wednesday morning.
 
Both Obama and Jonathan are among world leaders who will speak on the morning segment of the first day of the UN General Assembly debate yesterday. Nigeria's turn to speak was still being awaited as at press time.
 
The talks between US President Obama and Abbas of Palestinian Authority is said to be aimed at how the US can get the Palestinians to rescind their decision to table the statehood request to the Council.
 
Under the UN charter, such a request is to be tabled before the Security Council which would then recommend a decision for the approval of the whole UN General Assembly.
 
But the Americans who have vowed to use their veto to stop the request in line with the American traditional protection of Israel is seeking to try to get some other Security Council members like Nigeria to vote against the request if and when it is tabled.
 
If the request does not enjoy the majority of the 15-member Council, then the US will not need to use its veto. 
 
On Tuesday the Israeli Defence Minister Barak was the first to hold a close door meeting with President Jonathan in New York, where Barak asked for Nigeria's support of Israel by opposing the request as a member of the Security Council.
 
At the meeting informed sources say Barak tried to persuade Jonathan to vote against the bid of the Palestinians. However President Jonathan has not committed the country to any line of action, according to federal government officials.
 
Again on Wednesday evening at his hotel in Ritz Carlton, New York, President Jonathan received the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, accompanied by the US Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the UN, Dr. Susan Rice and the American top diplomat on Africa, Dr. Johnnie Carson on the same issue, seeking to get Nigeria to support the Americans in stopping the Palestinian statehood request at this time at the United Nations.
 
Top officials said yesterday that while President Jonathan is yet to formally decide a line of action, he will be conferring with his foreign affairs advisers and senior diplomats to ensure that Nigeria's own peculiar interests and security are weighed in the decision the federal government will ultimately take over the matter.
 
An informed source in New York disclosed that Nigeria would likely abstain considering the fact that in matters concerning the Middle east question of Israel and the Palestinians, Nigeria has remained neutral.
 
One of US major TV networks on Wednesday morning-National Broadcasting Corporation, NBC, in its major daily news programme featured a video report of the US Secretary of State and her delegation being received by President Jonathan. With Jonathan at the Clinton meeting on Wednesday night where the Foreign Affairs Minister Gbenga Ashiru, Minister for Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, Minister for Petroleum Resources Ms Allison Diezanni-Madueke, Nigeria's Ambassador to the US, Professor Adebowale Adefuye, Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Joy Ogwu and the Presidential Spokesperson/Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Ruben Abati.
 
Reporting on the Barak meeting with the Nigerian President on Tuesday in New York, the Jerusalem Post said the Israeli Defense Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday "that Ehud Barak has convinced Nigeria to not support the Palestinian statehood bid."

The report further added that "as part of the lobbying efforts, Defense Minister Ehud Barak met in New York Tuesday with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. The meeting between the two was set up about a week ago, and – according to the statement put out by Barak's office – was coordinated both with Netanyahu and the US."
 
But neither the Americans nor the Nigerian government have issued any statement so far regarding the diplomatic closed-door diplomatic negotiations about the expected request of the Palestinians for statehood recognition at the UN.
 
According to the Israeli report that in addition to discussing the Palestinian issue, the statement said the two-Jonathan and Barak- also discussed the "challenges of international terrorism and ways the two countries can cooperate in this area."
 
But even the Jerusalem report also noted that "Nigeria, one of Israel's closest friends in Africa, has been plagued over the last number of years by radical Islamic terrorism," indicating how this may be a difficult decision for the federal government to make.
 
Other African countries on the UN Security Council currently are Gabon and South Africa, both of whom are believed would be supporting the Palestinian bid for statehood recognition at the UN.
 
If the Security Council of the UN rejects-as the US has threatened to impose its veto, the Palestinians can proceed to the General Assembly to seek status as a non-member observer status which countries like Switzerland had actually used before it eventually became a full member of the UN.
 
As at press time, while the US continues to actively seek support of some members of the Security Council, it is also making frantic efforts to stop the Palestinian leader Abbas from going forward with the expected request to the Security Council on tomorrow Friday. UN diplomats also added that if that fails, the UN in order to hold down the use of its veto, may find a way to defer the Council from an immediate consideration of the request, unlike in the case of South Sudan which was speedily considered and granted speedily.
 
 

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Hell, No!!!

Some of you bungling dunderheads forget to soon how your fellow Black Africans were hog-tied and executed by a bunch barbaric A-Rabs in Libya for no other reason than the colour of their skin. And more you want us to threaten the existence of the stae of Israel by casting our precious vote in support of these bands of explosive-ladden-towelheads? Over my stone-cold dead body. ISLAM IS A GUTTER RELIGION AND THAT IS WHERE I DRAW THE LINE.FOOLS WHO HAVE YET TO DISCOVER THE TRUE GOD. YOU GUTTER RELIGION CAME ALONG THOUSANDS OF YEARS AFTER THE TRUE RELIGION WAS ESTABLISHED. READ THAT TOILET PAPER YOU CALL YOUR HOLY BOOK AND YOU'D SEE IT IS SIMPLY A PERVASION OF THE TRUE HOLY BOOK(I LET YOU TOWEL-HEADS DECIDE WHICH IS THE TRUE HOLY BOOK).

Mohammed

Mohammed is the cause of all the problems today and the world would have been a better place if he was not born

Islam is not a religion

Islam is not a religion, its a cult

The Superiority of Missions: Kudos to President Goodluck Jonatha

By voting in favour of the Palestanian bid for Statehood, President Goodluck Jonathan has, consciously or unconsciously, detonated a Boko Haram time-bomb the explosion of which would have reduced Nigeria to rubbles and colored the cynical expectations of frustrated political bigots as well as raise these to the status of a legitimate exercise in democratic and regional agitations. Again, it has opened new vistas for a re-negotiated return of Nigeria to the leadership position in respect of Africa and the International Community.With it also, the BB of an “I” has been reduced to zero and confined to the zoo.. The “I” that remains is only a tissue of lies which is built on culpable ignorance,tucked away in the very dirty armpits of arrogant plutocracy, sustained by arrogant indoctrination and concretized by the Boko Haram menace.

ur an illeterate

U must be a fool, Islam speaks about peace not violence
Moreover Islam is a perfect religion while muslims are not perfect bcos we are all human beings. Also by supporting the statehood of palestian means they are on their own free from external control. I hate it when people don't make their researches but come out and write rubbish.

ONLY FOOLS CAN LAY ABUSES TO THEIR LEADERS

President Jonathan took the right decission, you like it or not. Human beings are the most difficult people to handle. If President Jonathan surport Palestinians nor Isreal u'll still complain, what kind of human being are you, only fools lay abuses to their leaders. President Jonathan is for every body he does not surport muslims or christians he's for unity. People are try to use u to cause confusion in ur country please give peace a chance. President Jonathan took the right decission. WISDOM IS PROFITABLE TO DIRECT... finito

SEE YOUR IDIOT PRESIDENT

see the idiotic fool and evil nincompoop you bastards 'elected' as your fucking president. see the buffoon standing to attention in front of that witch hilary. useless man! of course the americans are leading nigeria straight to hell

isreal problem with arabs

Nigerians most be educated about the isreal-palestine issue,this conflict is not about religion but fairness and right to live and freedom to move freely with out hindrance.

Do you See how Foolish . . .

DO you see how foolish GEJ supporters are, they people here blasphemy against ALLAH the fools find nothing offensive about it, but immediately their God GEJ is insulted the cryptic imbecils began throwing curse, you are indeed cursed and bereft of common sense, GEJ is an imbecil an occultic man, no wonder Nigerians are dying in their thousands to appease some foolish idol the fool worship, Impotent imbecil!

Fanatical Christians and common sense

The Jews of Isreal till date insult JEsus and his mother, most Rabbis view christians as pagans and goyim. The Jews pf Isreal even attack churhces when they remeber what Christianity did t them During the pogroms and recently wwII. I will always wonder why we Nigerians do not have common self respecting sense, South Africa that is Majorly Christians is voting for a Palestine state yet the Mumu Christians who wait for their Pastors to tell them who to vote for cannnot still think for themselves I tire oh . . .

I see my comments on curious1

I see my comments on curious1 were not published.

I repeat what I said. Curious1 & others like him are sponsored to cause division between muslims and christians in Nigeria.
Where I come from muslims and christians live peacefully because faith is personal.
I urge muslims to ignore comments from people trying to enrage them in their faith.
They shall fail in their efforts to divide us as a people.
Mind you, it is all about oil & other natural resources.
God will punish evil people sooner or later. They shall never know peace in their personal lives because human life is worth more than they want to steal

It's time to end the occupation

I'm an Israeli jew citizen, and I think
It's time to end the occupation and it will be a disaster if Nigeria won't vote for Palestinian state.

RE-STOP MAKING BAD COMMENTS ABOUT GEJ

God Bless you my brother for taking these lazy fools to the trash bin. Those who have no respect for People in Authority, as well as their leaders and elders will never have opportunity to lead or head any body. Their days on earth will also be short on earth.
Each derogatory word used on His Excellency GEJ by any person or group of persons, attracts heaps of unpardonable curses upon such a person/persons and their families including their generations unborn. When God Lifts A Man, who can put him down? Lets be wise.

PALESTANIAN REQUEST FOR STATEHOOD AT UN

If America vetoes the request at the security council it will not be a surprise. America has always been part of the problems in the middle east. All past mediations led by America were mere PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES. Until America learns to be part of the solutions to the problems so long will the crisis persist. 9/11 attack was unfortunate but America had sown the wind many years earlier, it was merely reaping the wirlwind. It is in the interest of USA to objectively treat the issue. What was good for Israel in 1948 is equally good for the Palestanian in 2011. unfortunately, Israel is like a bone tied to the neck of a dog (USA), it can neither eat nor dispose of the bone. America needs to act fast before its impending financial/political decline render her unable to help herself let alone other nations.

@Curious1, foolish man

@Curious1, foolish man twisting history to feed the ignorant shows you as a fool.But I have a question for you, why are the Palestinians not speaking Hebrews, the language of the Hebrews/Jews? Why do Palestinians speak arabic? Please, give us detailed answers. You have no knowledge of the children of Israel or Hebrews, a foolish man, you are.

You are a better fool!

Whoever you are... i believe you are a better fool to make a general statement over an ethnic group... I have never known such reknowned fool as you.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH FOR THIS EXTREMIST!!!!!!!

Islam means NO SUBMISSION! Believe it or not islam can and will never bow to any other rule, law or governance absent with islamic tones! Check around the globes... Islam has always been a rebellious son. We can't change this people and can never tame them. None muslims are only fools if they think they can coexist peacefully with muslims! Muslims are the most deceptive creatures on earth. Borrowing a quote from Walter Lang about the average muslim groups in Nigeria: 'The hausa / fulani has no ideals, no ambitions, save as sensual in character. He is a fatalist, spendthrift and a gambler. He is gravely immoral and is seriously diseased that he is a menace to any community to which he seeks to attach himself. (1918 quote of Lord Lugard to Walter Lang)'. Can any Nigerian debunk this claim above? Why then support a Palestenian State?

ALLAH! IS NOT GOD... IF HE IS WHY NOT FIGHT FOR HIMSELF?

What has Iskam added to this world? What good can one easily remember when Islam is mentioned? I hate to bandy words with fools. How dare you say if someone voices his opinion about Mohammed fire and condemnation comes to such person? If Allah is indeed god then let him fight for himself. For how long shall we suffer the impunity of islamic extremism? To hell with your threats you religious fagots called muslims! How dare you have the guts to speak after killing innocent NYSC corp members in Nothern Nigeria for no just cause? How dare you open your filthy mouths to talk about your deadly religion when you kill and maim other people who do not share your views? The world is bigger than ISLAM and will never allow it to subdue US who do not believe in it! Jonathan, mark my words, if you support the recognition of the state of Palestian, God will surely bring you to judgement! Nigerians are tired of the wickedness of this Islamists and every guise to come with to kill us again and again!

Re:Isreal problem with Arabs

This anonymous writer is ignorant, U said Jerusalem is our capital, capital of whose people? Nigeria or christian? If u mean christian, that means u lack the knowledge of ur religion. Go to the said Jerusalem, u'd find more muslims there than christian, having said that, Israelites are not christians if u care to know, their Religion is that of Jesus-Judaism, and Jesus was a rabi, so Jesus himself is not a christian, he is a jew.
Going straight to the point, objectivity, fairness, justice and freedom from oppression is wht major religions preaches, and if this is the case, A "Yes" vote is wht we expect from our GEJ, becos he is a Nigerian, and he is also a christian, so fairness, justice and freedom from oppression is not unexpected from where he came from, and the religion he claims to be his religion

Nigeria May Abstain In UN Vote On Palestinian Statehood- Clinton

So you know about Pharaoh, Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot, then why are you still interested on bombing, etc then Israel owns the Land and no one can destroy them. They are only 8 million why are the Arabs afraid?

Stop Deragotary words Against Holy Prophet

If one can be met with torment and disaster for insulting Prophet Mohammadu what will happen to some one who kill and send bomb to others shouting Allahu Akbar? What about insulting Allah?

Stop Deragotary words Against Holy Prophet

Please what ever you post stop putting deregotary words againt the holy prophet muhammad.
I swear by Allah those of you who do that will see torment and disaster soon happening to their lives! am sure of this.
a word for caution!mark my word.

Negotiate 2

..........I know Abbas want to be relevant in face of treat from Hammas but you don't want your people to suffer. Suddan waited for refrendom despite the killings, same goes for Kossovo. UN dont create a state the recongnise, Cypruss have a sit in UN but still been control by two countries and two diffrent governments. They can not loose US now and they need Isreal also (always). THERE WILL BE NO VOTE BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL UNTILL AFTER NEGOTIATION.

Negotiate....1

Negotiation first. Isreal supply most of the Palestine infrastucture and money, there are many refuges in Isreal that need to be reintroduce to Palenstine gradually because they can take them in at one (it cost money, housing etc). Most of the Aids are from US and Japan (Japan have problem now) ... Europe is broke, Russia and Chaina are selfish, Arab countries don't help easy other. If Isreal decided to cut their light, water, block the majoy supplies of their food ordinary people will suffer. The history of Palestine does not start with Isreal, even Jordan once rejected them, so if they depend on their fellow Arab nation, their future problem will be more than that of Lebanon and Syria. They need to do it right from the beginig.

Yes by seing the names, of

Yes by seing the names, of Nigerian delegation, everyone can understand the inability of the Nigerian president to deliver a credible leadership.

Israel- A mark on their conscience

I hate pride and lies. To reject TRUTH is evil. As regards Israel and the Palestinians, go read history and the Bible. Whether you believe it or not, Israel as small as it is has been the sleepless concern of all nations. Those who vowed to wipe Israel out always failed mysteriously. Ask Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon. If the whole world rises against Israel, Jehovah alone with Israel is more than enough. I'm never going to try to convince you to believe it. Whether you believe and accept or not, it does not change the TRUTH. Watch Israel and watch GOD.

alqeda

Let the Americans veto against an independent Palestine state and ALQAEDA would continue to bomb their asses where ever they are, till the end of time. shameless imperialist their end time is just around the corner their economy is already in shambles and soon their military might would fizzle out and they shall soon be visited by an earthquake @ 9.0 on richer scale which would generate a Tsunami that would engulf the whole of the US sending them under ground out of the site of the earth forever just as it was done to evil empires b4 them like Sodom and Gomorrah, Pharaoh and the people of Lot.

@Curious1

I note that you have not adduced any evidence to prove the spurious link between the Khazars and the ancient Israelites. You have similarly not disproved the wholesale conversion of the Eastern European Khazars in the 8th century.

There is no demonic lie spoken. You are hiding behind blind hatred and barbarity. This is not a muslim versus christian issue. It is a human dignity issue. As a christian, I know what is right from what is wrong. I am sure you are probably an Israeli (hence your irrational and overly emotive response which is completely devoid of rationale argument).

@Otile: Alhaji Agu D. Kura We Khow

Alhaji Agu D. Kura is right. Otile what are your problems? The goats, elephants, pigs, pussycats, handicapp women are violated by militant islam. These your boys Boko Haram need to be tried at the international court. The sharia courts have over look these criminal acts. The sharia court has the excuse that they cannot try muslims (Boko Haram) in their courts. It is unislam to try musilms unless they refused to carry out the agenda of prophet muhammed to rape the asses of Dan Dawudus, killings of innocent people of Plateau and Benue. prophet Muhammed was found asphyxiated in a tub with a 9yr. old girl. What is wrong for the South to demand 4 their state? South Sudan has got their wish and what is preventing Southern Nigeria. You muslims said ARABA Nigeria. Why are you people flip floping around the issue of Southern Republic of Africa? Oh! No oil in the North. Rag heads.

Alhaji Agu D. Kura We know

Alhaji Agu D. Kura

We know who you are talking about. You are talking about Alhaji Isa, the man who fucked that fat goat. We were shocked to find that kind of immorality in Islam. Allah.

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