The Palestinian president says his new attempt to get the United Nations to condemn Israeli settlements was specifically designed to win U.S. support, as AP reported. The Palestinians have drafted a proposal and are lobbying for a Security Council resolution that would declare West Bank settlements illegal and an «obstacle to peace.» The U.S. has said it does not support the move. Israel says it's attempt by the Palestinians to avoid negotiations. President Mahmoud Abbas says the Palestinian draft used the «same words» as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has in criticizing settlements. He says he «doesn't see why» the U.S. would veto the move. Abbas spoke Thursday in Brazil, which recently recognized the yet-nonexistent state of Palestine.
