Reuters THE Palestinians' initiative to seek UN recognition as a state, which goes to the Security Council Monday, faces an uphill struggle to secure the nine votes needed for approval. Without those votes in the 15-member body, the United States will be spared the embarrassment of having to veto the application, which would be a further blow to its floundering efforts to secure Mideast peace. As the formal discussions start, diplomats say the Palestinians have only six certain votes on the council – China, Russia, Brazil, Lebanon, India and South Africa. Those nations, except Lebanon, make up the BRICS bloc of emerging powers whose economic and diplomatic clout has grown as trade becomes more globalized and the United States and Europe fight prospects of another recession. But diplomats say the BRICS countries seem to have made no attempt to use their considerable weight, often on show in financial and trade matters, to force the Palestinian issue. They have essentially taken the same approach as always. “If a vote was held today, the Palestinians wouldn't have enough votes to carry the day and the Americans wouldn't even need to use their veto,” a Western diplomat told Reuters. Still, diplomats say Washington remains isolated on the council because of its staunch support for Israel, which the majority of United Nations member states believe has worked hard to sabotage peace talks with the Palestinians. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki has acknowledged his delegation lacks sufficient support at the moment to get a resolution on Palestinian statehood and UN membership through the council. To pass, resolutions need nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent council members – Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. “We're working towards it (securing nine votes) and I think we'll manage it,” Malki said. Malki has named Gabon, Nigeria and Bosnia as key rotating council members he hopes to win over to the Palestinians' side. During last week's UN General Assembly session, the three “swing states” did not divulge whether they would vote in favor of Palestinian UN membership. Gabon President Ali Bongo told the assembly he supported the existence of a Palestinian state that “lives peacefully side by side” with Israel. Bosnian President Zeljko Komsic voiced similar views. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan did not mention the Palestinians in his speech. Portugal's prime minister, Pedro Passos Coelho, whose country is also on the council, indicated Lisbon would favor an option whereby the Palestinians would apply to the General Assembly for upgraded UN observer state status – less than full membership but indirect recognition of statehood. __
