“A veiled reference to Israel, the proposal came from Indonesia and was supported by Qatar and other members of the council.” Big surprise there. By Benny Avni in the New York Sun, with thanks to Sr. Soph:
UNITED NATIONS “” As the Security Council struggled to maintain unity on dealing with Iran yesterday, some of the 15 members tried to change the subject by proposing to inject Israel into the Iran issue.
Iran, meanwhile, ratcheted up its rhetoric yesterday, indicating that it may withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which obligates it to remain free of nuclear weapons.
“Until today, what we have done has been in accordance with international regulations,” said Tehran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. “But if they take illegal actions, we too can take illegal actions and will do so.”
While Iran considers the council’s demand that it suspend all its uranium enrichment activities “illegal,” and while its top mullahs scoff at council resolutions, President Ahmadinejad has asked to address the council once it is ready for a vote on a new resolution. In his council address, Mr. Ahmadinejad is expected to raise Israel’s reported nuclear arsenal.
[…]
One stumbling block was a newly proposed reference to a Middle East free of weapons of mass destructions.
A veiled reference to Israel, the proposal came from Indonesia and was supported by Qatar and other members of the council. The only public opposition came from America.
European diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity told The New York Sun that they could accept such an amendment.
Big surprise there too.