GERMANY: Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle condemns Russian-Chinese veto on Syria sanctions
Record ID:
327811
GERMANY: Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle condemns Russian-Chinese veto on Syria sanctions
- Title: GERMANY: Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle condemns Russian-Chinese veto on Syria sanctions
- Date: 19th July 2012
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (JULY 19, 2012) (REUTERS) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, GUIDO WESTERWELLE, ARRIVING FOR STATEMENT (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, GUIDO WESTERWELLE, SAYING: "The decision in New York is regrettable. I emphatically criticise the Russian and Chinese veto position. This veto position will strengthen those who wish to further turn the spiral of violence in Syria." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, GUIDO WESTERWELLE, SAYING: "The international community has not fulfilled its responsibilities in New York, we will, however, not give up on our efforts for a peaceful transition, for a democratic transition and a new democracy in Syria. Because if we give up now we are giving up on the people in Syria and that must not be allowed to happen." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, GUIDO WESTERWELLE, SAYING: "We are deeply disappointed by the veto decision of Russia and China, we criticise it and in our opinion it is not responsible behaviour to hold a protective hand over the Assad regime in the Security Council." WESTERWELLE LEAVES
- Embargoed: 3rd August 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Germany
- Country: Germany
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA3WHA8KZJFMFV36ALIJPBLCLSE
- Story Text: Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Thursday (July 20) condemned the renewed Russian-Chinese veto of a Western-backed U.N. Security Council resolution that threatened Syrian authorities with sanctions if the violence is not ended.
"The decision in New York is regrettable, I emphatically criticise the Russian and Chinese veto position. This veto position will strengthen those who wish to further turn the spiral of violence in Syria," Westerwelle said in an impromptu press statement in Berlin.
It was the third time that Russia, a key ally of the Syrian government, and China have used their veto power to block U.N. Security Council resolutions designed to put pressure on Assad.
"The international community has not fulfilled its responsibilities in New York, we will, however, not give up on our efforts for a peaceful transition, for a democratic transition and a new democracy in Syria. Because if we give u now we are giving up on the people in Syria and that must not be allowed to happen," Westerwelle said.
"We are deeply disappointed by the veto decision of Russia and China, we criticise it and in our opinion it is not responsible behaviour to hold a protective hand over the Assad regime in the Security Council," the foreign minister added.
The vetoed resolution, which would have extended a U.N. observer mission in Syria for 45 days, received 11 votes in favor, with two abstentions.
The 15-member council still has time to negotiate another resolution on the fate of the unarmed mission before its initial 90-day mandate expires at midnight (0400 GMT) on Friday (July 20). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None