> >I admit this document could have gone further, but to read it as denying
> >Israel's right to exist is ridiculous...
> >
> >Barry
>
>
> Ah. You don't understand. The document is consistent with the PLO's
> denial of Israel's right to exist. Chomsky adduced the document as
> evidence that the PLO--in flat contradiction to its own
> charter--accepted Israel's right to exist back in 1976.
Text of the January 1976 UN Security Council draft resolution written by the PLO:
23 January 1976 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH Draft resolution: Benin, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, Romania and United Republic of Tanzania
The Security Council,
Having considered the item entitled "The Middle East problem including the Palestinian question", in accordance with its resolution 381 (1975) of 30 November 1975,
Having heard the representatives of parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization, representative of the Palestinian people,
Convinced that the question of Palestine is the core of the conflict in the Middle East,
Expressing its concern over the continuing deterioration of the situation in the Middle East, and deeply deploring Israel's persistence in its occupation of Arab territories and its refusal to implement the relevant United Nations resolution,
Reaffirming the principle of inadmissibility of acquisition of territories by the threat or use of force,
Reaffirming further the necessity of the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the region based on full respect for the Charter of the United Nations as well as for its resolutions concerning the problem of the Middle East including the question of Palestine,
1. Affirms:
(a) That the Palestinian people should be enabled to exercise its inalienable national right of self-determination, including the right to establish an independent state in Palestine in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations;
(b) The right of Palestinian refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours to do so and the right of those choosing not to return to receive compensation for their property;
(c) That Israel should withdraw from all the Arab territories occupied since June 1967;
(d) The appropriate arrangements should be established to guarantee, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all states in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries;
2. Decides that the provisions contained in paragraph 1 should be taken fully into account in all international efforts and conferences organized within the framework of the United Nations for the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to take all the necessary steps as soon as possible for the implementation of the provisions of this resolution and to report to the Security Council on the progress achieved;
4. Decides to convene within a period of six months to consider the report by the Secretary-General regarding the implementation of this resolution, and in order to pursue its responsibilities regarding such implementation.
The Security Council on 26 January 1976 voted on the draft resolution as follows:
In favour: Benin, France, Guyana, Japan, Pakistan, Panama, Romania, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Republic of Tanzania. Against: United States of America. Abstained: Italy, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.