The United Nations Security Council voted yesterday to accept a resolution calling for an independent Palestinian state. The U.S. has vetoed similar resolutions in the past, but the current version - submitted by the U.S. itself - does not mention the dispatch of international observers to the region. The vote was 14-0, with one abstention (Syria). Israel and the Palestinians are both called upon to \"cease fire immediately\" and to \"resume negotiations in the spirit of the Mitchell and Tenet understandings.\" The U.S. submitted its resolution as a compromise effort, after Syria submitted one that was much harsher towards Israel. UN Secretary General Kofi Anan said that Israel must end its \"illegal conquest\" and criticized Israel\'s use of force in its battle against terrorism. He said that Israel\'s actions \"pour oil onto the flames of hatred,\" and also added a call for the Palestinians to \"stop the terrorist attacks.\"