Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Russia, China Nix UN Embargo on Zimbabwe

US-led resolution would have imposed sanctions, restrictions on Mugabe

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 11, 2008 6:41 PM CDT

(Newser) – Russia and China today threw out a UN resolution to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe for its violent presidential election, Reuters reports. Nine countries supported the US-backed sanctions, which would levied an arms embargo and restricted the travel and finances of officials, including President Mugabe. But five nations voted against it, calling the resolution unworthy of the UN Security Council.

Veto-holding Russia and China and their three voting partners—South Africa, Libya, and Vietnam—argued that Zimbabwe falls outside the council's purview of keeping international peace. In a heated exchange, U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said Russia's vote "raises doubts about its reliability as a G8 partner." But Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin countered that the resolution is "illegitimate and dangerous."

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.   (AP Photo)
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.   (AP Photo)
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown.   (AP Photo)
Mugabe.
Mugabe.   (AP Photo)
Members of the Security Council of the United Nations.
Members of the Security Council of the United Nations.   (AP Photo)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.   (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Presidential Press Service)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Syria Continues Assault on Homs

Arab League Wants UN Peacekeepers in Syria

Russia, China Veto UN Resolution on Syria

World's Timekeepers: Kill 'Leap Seconds'

Russia Vows to Block Syria Intervention


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne