By Judy Aita
Washington File United Nations Correspondent

United Nations -- The United States March 25 blocked a U.N. Security Council condemnation of Israel's assassination of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin because the Arab-sponsored draft resolution did not include a condemnation of Hamas terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians.

Casting the lone veto in the Security Council, U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte said that the resolution is silent about the terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas, does not reflect the realities of the conflict in the Middle East, and will not advance the goals of peace and security in the region.

"One-sided, unbalanced resolutions by the Security Council, such as the one before the council today, will only detract from the efforts of the Quartet and the international community to resume progress on the path toward peace," Negroponte said.

The resolution, which condemned the killing of Sheikh Yassin, also condemned "all terrorist attacks against civilians and acts of violence and destruction" but did not specify those carried out by Hamas against Israelis.

Eleven council members voted in favor of the draft. The United Kingdom, Germany, and Romania abstained. British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry said that his delegation would have voted for the resolution if the resolution's sponsors had accepted an amendment that would have condemned "the atrocities resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Israelis."

"The United States is deeply troubled by the killing of Sheikh Yassin. Israel's action has escalated tensions in Gaza and the region and could set back our effort to resume progress toward peace," Negroponte said, explaining his vote.

But events must be considered in their context, the ambassador said. The draft resolution does nothing to contribute to a peaceful settlement when it condemns one party's actions and "turns a blind eye to everything else occurring in the region."

"This resolution condemns the killing of Sheikh Yassin, the leader of Hamas, a terrorist organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel. Last week, Hamas proudly proclaimed its responsibility for a suicide bombing in the Israeli port of Ashdod that killed 10 Israelis and injured 10 more. This resolution does not condemn that attack nor does it condemn those responsible," Negroponte said.

He added that a number of council members specifically had asked to have references to the Ashdod bombing and other such acts included in the draft.

The Security Council should focus on ways to advance the goal of two states -- Israel and Palestine -- living side by side in peace and security, Negroponte said. "A one-sided resolution before the council does not advance that goal," he said.

"The United States is committed to achieving the vision of two states living side by side in peace and security. We will support any action here in the council and more importantly on the ground in the region that will further that goal and will oppose any action that will impede it," the U.S. ambassador said.