Russia and China have both vetoed the UN council resolution for Syrian president Assad to step down. Watching the speeches at the post–mortem shows the battle lines being drawn in the upcoming war. Although China voted against the resolution, this does not mean that they will be against the United States in the war: China is always looking out for China. The Chinese will play both sides as long as it is profitable and in their own interests. India is also playing the middle ground as they do not want to jeopardize their oil for gold from Iran.
Russia will support the Assad regime to maintain their naval base in Tartus. Ambassador Rice (can someone please give her speech and reading lessons?) presents the same “right to protect” argument used in Libya. I wonder if we will see Hillary cackling with delight about the death of Assad in the future.
David DeGerolamo
Russia, China veto UN council resolution on Syria
Pressure from France fails to pass resolution calling on Assad to step down; Juppe describes situation in Homs as “savagery”; UK condemns fresh violence that kills over 200.
Russia and China vetoed on Saturday a Western-Arab UNSecurity Council resolution backing an Arab League call for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step aside.
The two countries used their veto power despite increasing pressure from France, who earlier warned that countries that blocked a UN Security Council resolution on Syria after activists said more than 200 people were killed in Homs would bear a “heavy responsibility in history”.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had earlier said the draft UN resolution on Syria was “not hopeless,” but needed amendments to avoid giving the impression the world body was taking sides.
“The international community must recognize and support the right of the Syrian people to freedom, security and the choice of its political future,” French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said in a statement that described the situation in Homs as “savagery.”
“Those who block the adoption of such a resolution will bear a heavy responsibility in history,” he said.
Paris was pushing hard for the adoption of the resolution condemning the Syrian government’s crackdown on 11 months of protests and backing an Arab League peace planthat would see power transfer from Assad.
The resolution, which was watered down to try to win Moscow’s backing, expresses “full support” for an Arab League plan that calls for Assad to cede power.
Russia had said its main objection was that the draft sets down measures to be taken against Assad’s government, but not against armed groups who were manipulating peaceful protesters.
