Palestinian PM talks with CNN about the UN vote

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad spoke with CNN’s Joe Johns today about the United Nations vote. Fayyad told CNN, “Given the frustrations that we Palestinians have had with the political process, it has not been productive.” A highlight from the interview is below and a full transcript will be posted on http://archives.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/2012.11.30.html.

Please credit – CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer

JOE JOHNS, CNN HOST:  Despite an overwhelming 138-9 vote at the United Nations to upgrade the Palestinian Authority status to non-member observer state, full statehood still may be an elusive dream.

With me to talk about his people’s hopes and difficulties is Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.  He’s in Washington to attend the 2012 Saban forum on U.S.-Israel relations.

It’s my understanding that you were against this at first.

Is that true?  And if so, how do you feel now?

SALAM FAYYAD, PRIME MINISTER OF PALESTINE:  No.  I never was against it.  As a matter of fact, I was very much a part of the thinking that diplomatic effort —

(CROSSTALK)

JOHNS:  Did you think it was time now?  Or some time down in the future?

FAYYAD:  Given the frustrations that we Palestinians have had with the political process, it has not been productive.  There’s no question that we needed to pursue any and all available options to us, and the international law and current action with the national diplomacy.  And this was one of them.

The question for me all along was how best to do it in a manner that would provide us with some leverage going forward, because what we really want at end of day is genuine state where our people can live as free people with dignity.

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