US seeks to minimize UN recognition of Palestinian state-Israeli newspaper

The Obama administration has initiated a last-ditch diplomatic campaign to avert a confrontation this month over a plan by Palestinians to seek recognition as a state at the UN. The administration has circulated a proposal for renewed peace talks with the Israelis and has made it clear to the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, that it will veto any request presented to the UN Security Council to make a Palestinian state a new member outright, reported the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth> The State Department late last month issued a formal diplomatic message to more than 70 countries urging them to oppose any unilateral moves by the Palestinians at the UN, arguing that a vote would destabilize the region. Two administration officials said that the intent of the message was to narrow the majority the Palestinians are expected to have in the General Assembly.