Nigeria silent on Palestinian UN bid

[Jefferson23]

West African state refuses to reveal how it will vote on Palestinian bid for recognition, despite PA's claim that Nigeria has pledged its support; Foreign Ministry spokesman: Asserting our stance would be 'diplomatically tactless'

Nigeria is refusing to say how it will vote when the United Nations Security Council decides on the Palestinians' request for UN membership, as increasing diplomatic pressure mounts on the oil-rich West African nation.

Nigeria appears to be a crucial vote as Palestinians try to secure support from at least nine of the 15 council members. The US has said it will veto the request. However, the US could avoid that if Palestinians fail to get those nine votes.

On Thursday, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki told reporters that both Nigeria and Gabon assured him of their support. Damian Agwu, a spokesman for Nigeria's Foreign Ministry, said Sunday that Africa's most populous nation had yet to offer their support to anyone on the matter.

We have noted the positions of both parties. Both have been lobbying Nigeria both inside the country and outside," Agwu told The Associated Press. "We are keeping how are voting on that close to our chest."



in full: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4130007,00.html

[RZM]

1. I thought the vote was happening over a week ago

Anybody know when it's going down?

[azurnoir]

2. Its been 'tabled' for discussion a procedural stall if you will

while swing countries like Nigeria can how much their vote is 'worth' to the various parties involved