Russia, China Veto Anti-Syria Draft Resolution Despite Softened Language

UNITED NATIONS (NNN-KUNA) -- Russia and China have vetoed a draft resolution in the Security Council that would have demanded an "immediate end" to all violence and "extremism" in Syria, condemned the authorities for the bloody crackdown on peaceful protesters, and expressed "intention" to "consider its options, including measures," if Damascus does not comply with the resolution's provisions.

Lebanon, India, South Africa, and Brazil abstained.

The vetoes late Tuesday came despite the fact that the Council's European members -- Britain, France, Germany and Portugal -- made a lot of concessions and watered down the language to allay Moscow's and Beijing's concerns.

British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant told the Council "we removed the sanctions. Still, it was unacceptable to the minority. We called on all sides to reject violence and extremism. Still, it was unacceptable. We removed any sense that sanctions would automatically follow in 30 days if the regime failed to comply. And still, it was unacceptable. By including reference to Article 41 of the UN Charter, we made it clear that any further steps would be non-military in nature. Still, it was unacceptable."

French Ambassador Gerard Araud said the veto "a political choice. It meant a disregard of the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people and a rejection of the Arab Spring."

To that, the Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said, "it is obvious that the results of Tuesday's vote is not so much a question of the acceptability of wording as it is a conflict of political approaches. That's the only thing I agree with what was said by my French colleague."

Following the vote, US Ambassador Susan Rice told the Council that the people of the Middle East can now see clearly "which nations have chosen to ignore their calls for democracy and instead prop up desperate, cruel dictators."

"Those who oppose this resolution and give cover to a brutal regime will have to answer to the Syrian people and, indeed, to people across the region who are pursuing the same universal aspirations," she said.

While Russia and China said they vetoed the draft resolution to avoid another Libya scenario, she said "let there be no doubt: this is not about military intervention. This is not about Libya. That is a cheap ruse by those who would rather sell arms to the Syrian regime than stand with the Syrian people."

"We deeply regret that some members of the Council have prevented us from taking a principled stand against the Syrian regime's brutal oppression of its people. But the suffering citizens of Syria are watching today, and so is the entire Middle East. The crisis in Syria will stay before the Security Council, and we will not rest until this Council rises to meet its responsibilities," she said.

Rice, outraged, left the Council Chamber as the Syrian Ambassador Bashar Al-Jaafari was telling the Council how many times the US used the veto to shield Israel in issues regarding the Palestinians.

She later told reporters, "today has been quite a sad day, most especially for the people of Syria, but also for this Security Council."

The "Syrian people has been slapped in the face by several Council members," she said.

In answer to a question, she said: "We think history will bear out who was on the right side and who was on the wrong side. But they are a country able to make their sovereign choices and we are able to make ours."

A joint statement to the press after the vote by the European ambassadors who co-sponsored the resolution said they were "all deeply disappointed" by the vetoes.

"Those who blocked the resolution will have these actions on their conscience. These vetoes will be seen in the region as a decision to side with a brutal regime, rather than with the people of Syria. And it will be a bitter blow to all those Syrians who have implored the international community to take a stand," British Ambassador Lyall-Grant stated.

"We shall continue to stand side by side with the Syrian people, we will redouble our efforts to work with our international partners to increase the pressure on the regime wherever we can and ensure the people of Syria that they will not be forgotten," the statement said.

It added the ambassadors will come back to the Council, when "we think it is the right time."

Defending the veto, Churkin told reporters Moscow is not siding with anybody in Damascus. Responding to Rice's accusations that Russia's veto was based on arms sales, he said Russia suffered economic losses while implementing other resolutions that imposed arms embargoes. Those who accused Russia are the ones who are "pumping" billions of dollars worth of weapons into the region.

He expressed hope that Damascus will see the vetoes as an opportunity to "heed our advice" to stop the killing and make genuine reforms.

According to the latest and fourth version of the draft resolution since last week, the Council would have asked the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of this resolution within 30 days of its adoption.

Consequently, it would have expressed its "intention" to review Syria's implementation of the resolution within that period, and "consider its options, including measures" under Article 41 of UN Charter, which means no military force is used to enforce them.

An earlier version of the draft had requested the Secretary-General report on the implementation of the resolution within 30 days, and consequently express "determination" to review Syria's implementation of the resolution within that period, and, if Syria fails to comply, to "consider the adoption of targeted measures," under article 41.

According to the latest version of the draft, the Council would have also "strongly condemned" the Syrian authorities for "continued grave and systematic human rights violations and the use of force against civilians," and would have called for an inclusive Syrian-led political process conducted in an environment free from violence, fear, intimidation, and extremism, and aimed at effectively addressing the legitimate aspirations and concerns of Syrians.

It would have demanded the Syrian authorities cease violations of human rights, comply with obligations under international law, and cooperate fully with the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.-- NNN-KUNA