International rage against Russian Chinese UNSC veto

3^min

The Chinese-Russian veto of an Arab League-backed draft law that condemns the bloody crackdown against the Syrian people caused a widely spread wave of international denunciations.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin to U.N. said that the draft law was inconsistent, accusing Western countries of neglecting the amendments introduced by Moscow and showing inflexibility during negotiations. Chinese Ambassador Li Baodong accused member states of snubbing Russia’s draft, shedding light on pressures to vote at a time when parties are still at conflict. Baodong stressed that these pressures will not contribute in maintaining the Security Council’s unity and clout and will not find a solution to this crisis.

The Chinese-Russian veto triggered the criticism of Western powers. French Ambassador to U.N. Gerard Araud said that “it is a sad day for the council, for all Syrians and for democracy.” German Ambassador Peter Wittig criticized the two vetoes particularly for having come on one of the “bloodiest days” of the Arab Spring, accusing the council of shying once again from its responsibilities towards the Syrian people.

Britain’s Ambassador to the United Nations Lyall Grant could not hide his shock. U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice condemned the veto, depicting it as “shameful”. Rice considered that Russia and China have abandoned the Syrian people. Moroccan Ambassador Mohammed Loulichki, a key sponsor of the resolution, said he still hoped that consensus could be reached later on a Security Council measure to stop the violence.

Syrian Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari said that his country is the victim of this crisis spurred by partied funding and arming terrorist groups.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy voiced his deep regret over the Chinese veto. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon decried the Russian and Chinese vetoes, describing such a step as “undermining” the United Nations.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe stressed that Moscow and Beijing should assume full responsibility before the entire world and the Syrian people, adding that they are preventing the international community from expressing its point of view and mobilizing the UNSC to settle this crisis peacefully. Juppe promised that France will join forces with its partners to support the Syrian people’s friends in order to endorse the Arab League’s draft.

“This draft is the only way to end violence and allow the Syrians to build a true democracy”, Juppe said.

China’s news agency reported that Beijing and Moscow vetoed the draft to prevent the adoption of any resolution that will increase bloodshed in Syria. The agency added that the veto aims at stepping up efforts to come to a peaceful settlement, saying that more time should be given for the political settlement.