Minister Explains Singapore Decision To Abstain Voting On Palestine Membership

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah SINGAPORE, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs K. Shanmugam explained in Parliament the reasons behind the republic's decision to abstain from voting to grant Palestine full membership in the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). Shanmugam, who is also minister for law, said Singapore had long supported the establishment of a Palestinian state as part of a negotiated two-state solution which will see Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. "But in our judgement, the recent move to grant Palestine full membership in Unesco would not contribute to such a solution," he said in a Ministry Of Foreign Affairs'(MFA) written answer to the Parliamentary Question on Palestine's membership in Unesco. Singapore was one of 52 countries that had abstained on the vote to admit Palestine into Unesco. "We understand and sympathise with the desire of the Palestinians to become a member of Unesco. "But the application could not be considered, apart from its broader political context. More importantly, it is also questionable whether it would help or hinder Unesco's primary mission of promoting education, science and culture," he said. From the reactions to the application and the outcome of the vote, the minister said it was evident that Unesco was seriously divided and possibly, weakened by this issue. -- BERNAMA Malaysia