While the world was fixated on pointing a shameful finger at China and Russia over their vetoes of the UN resolution urging Bashir al-Assad to step down, South Africa had a very complicated tightrope to walk.
South Africa voted with the majority in supporting the resolution, but cautioned that the Syrian people should be allowed to determine their own fate including leadership without the intervention of outside foreign powers. They voted for the resolution ultimately because they felt the resolution was not aimed at advocating Syrian regime change.
Developing nations like South Africa, India, and Brazil used the resolution vote to raise concerns about human rights violations in Syria, while expressing misgivings about foreign intervention in the wake of the NATO action in Libya.
These developing powers can hedge their votes in this way because of their positions as non veto holders. In this way, they have advocated the interests of Western Europe and The United States, while heeding the concerns of Russia and China about intervention.
The only question I have is “How long can developing powers play this role”?
Showing posts with label self-interest.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label self-interest.. Show all posts
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Syria: United Nations Standoff
If Israel’s allies wonder why they are considering unilateral action against Iran, perhaps they should review the events of Saturday at the United Nations Security Council.
On Saturday, Russia and China vetoed a resolution backing the Arab League peace plan calling for Bashar Assad to step down. The vote occurred as Syrian forces loyal to Assad continued to shell the city of Homs. In the latest episode of violence, 200 people were killed and the United Nations says that 5,400 people have been killed in the Assad crackdown on civilian protests.
Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0204/Russia-China-veto-UN-resolution-on-Syria
Russia is said to be against any U.N. resolution that advocates for regime change or military intervention. I’m assuming China objections are similar.
I echo the sentiments of French ambassador Gerard Araud “ Russia and China had "made themselves complicit in a policy of repression carried out by the Assad regime." Apparently, its’ okay to terrorize your own people as long as you have big friends, gee isn’t that a great message for all of humanity.
Russia and China should be ashamed of themselves, but probably see common bloodlines between their leadership and Assad.
May God be with the Syrian people. I am ashamed to admit that the Western powers embodied in the United Nations Security Council have let yet another beleaguered people
On Saturday, Russia and China vetoed a resolution backing the Arab League peace plan calling for Bashar Assad to step down. The vote occurred as Syrian forces loyal to Assad continued to shell the city of Homs. In the latest episode of violence, 200 people were killed and the United Nations says that 5,400 people have been killed in the Assad crackdown on civilian protests.
Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0204/Russia-China-veto-UN-resolution-on-Syria
Russia is said to be against any U.N. resolution that advocates for regime change or military intervention. I’m assuming China objections are similar.
I echo the sentiments of French ambassador Gerard Araud “ Russia and China had "made themselves complicit in a policy of repression carried out by the Assad regime." Apparently, its’ okay to terrorize your own people as long as you have big friends, gee isn’t that a great message for all of humanity.
Russia and China should be ashamed of themselves, but probably see common bloodlines between their leadership and Assad.
May God be with the Syrian people. I am ashamed to admit that the Western powers embodied in the United Nations Security Council have let yet another beleaguered people
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