Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrives in New York

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has arrived in New York Sunday night with a tense week ahead for the future of the Middle East, as the United States and Europe scrambled for a strategy that would help avoid a jarring showdown over whether to admit an independent Palestine as a new United Nations member.To address the Palestinian concerns, Western officials were discussing the possibility of including some timeframes, however vague, in any statement put out by the Mideast peace mediators _ the U.S., EU, U.N. and Russia _ known as the Quartet, officials said. These would focus on the restart of Israeli-Palestinian talks and signs of tangible progress.A further meeting of Quartet officials was planned for Monday, officials said, with Ashton possibly presenting some ideas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the same day.The irony is that only 12 months ago, President Barack Obama said he wanted the U.N. to be welcoming Palestine as its newest member this year. But talks broke down long ago, and the U.S. is in the unenviable position of leading the opposition to something it actually supports, fearful a Palestinian victory might cause a debilitating rift with Israel and set the talks back further.American officials were working to secure additional opposition to recognition, officials said. Without nine affirmative votes in the 15-member Council, the Palestinian resolution would fail and Washington wouldnt have to act alone.U.S. officials believe six other members may vote against or abstain, meaning the Palestinians would fall short. That tally could not be immediately confirmed.Heading off or watering down the Palestinian resolution had been the goal of international diplomats. If they can accomplish that, they hope to parlay it into a meeting between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders where the two sides would re-launch negotiations. But the Palestinians have refused to back down and give up the little leverage they hope to win.