U.S. will not seek seat on U.N. rights body (George Gedda)

  For the second year in a row, the United States has decided not to seek a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council, the State Department said Tuesday, accusing the panel of an anti-Israeli bias.

  By George Gedda -- Associated Press

  March 6, 2007 -- WASHINGTON -- For the second year in a row, the United States has decided not to seek a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council, the State Department said Tuesday, accusing the panel of an anti-Israeli bias.

  Spokesman Sean McCormack said the council has had a “singular focus” on Israel, while countries such as Cuba, Myanmar and North Korea have been spared scrutiny. He said that though the United States will have only an observer role, it will continue to shine a spotlight on human rights issues.

  The 47-member commission is made up largely of governments who have been elected. Among member countries which lack elements of a free and fair democratic system are Gabon, China, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

  The most senior Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, supported the administration decision.

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