Palestine well set to declare independent statehood

NEW YORK, Apr 13: Palestinian Authority is well set in its drive to declare independent statehood comprising areas in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem in September this year. The Authority is seeking international recognition of its statehood. It earned an important recognition from the United Nations yesterday The United Nations in its endorsement said, "Palestinian Authority's efforts at strengthening its institutions and administration is sufficient for an independent state". Earlier, the Authority had earned two important recognition from the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF said over 8.0 per cent growth rate augurs well for the Palestinians. September is also the deadline set by Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel to reach a negotiated settlement for a Palestinian state. But the peace talks has remained stalled for past six months due to Israel's refusal to stop new settlement in the occupied areas. There has been a wind of change in Israel following political turbulence in the Middle-East and North Africa. Israel has lost two good friends in Hosni Mubarak and Ben Ali of Tunisia. Jordan, another good ally of Israel has also been jolted by 'people power'. A meeting of the quartet of Middle-East made up of representatives of the US, the European Union (EU), Russia and the UN has been called off amid disagreement over how to proceed. The meeting was billed for Friday in Berlin. The Palestinian donors will however meet today in Brussels.