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Syria: Russia blocks extension of chemical attacks probe Syria: Russia blocks extension of chemical attacks probe
(about 11 hours later)
Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have extended an international inquiry into chemical weapons attacks in Syria.Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have extended an international inquiry into chemical weapons attacks in Syria.
It is the 10th time Moscow has used its veto powers at the UN in support of its ally since the conflict began.It is the 10th time Moscow has used its veto powers at the UN in support of its ally since the conflict began.
US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, accused Russia of undermining the organisation's ability to deter future chemical attacks.US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, accused Russia of undermining the organisation's ability to deter future chemical attacks.
The Russian ambassador dismissed the criticism.The Russian ambassador dismissed the criticism.
The Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) was set up in 2015 to identify perpetrators of chemical attacks. It is the only official mission investigating the use of chemical weapons in Syria.The Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) was set up in 2015 to identify perpetrators of chemical attacks. It is the only official mission investigating the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
Moscow strongly criticised the inquiry when it blamed the Syrian government for a deadly nerve agent attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in April. Syria denies using banned chemical weapons.Moscow strongly criticised the inquiry when it blamed the Syrian government for a deadly nerve agent attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in April. Syria denies using banned chemical weapons.
Mrs Haley described the latest Russian veto as "a deep blow".Mrs Haley described the latest Russian veto as "a deep blow".
"Russia has killed the investigative mechanism which has overwhelming support of this council," she said."Russia has killed the investigative mechanism which has overwhelming support of this council," she said.
"By eliminating our ability to identify the attackers, Russia has undermined our ability to deter future attacks.""By eliminating our ability to identify the attackers, Russia has undermined our ability to deter future attacks."
What is the Joint Investigative Mechanism?What is the Joint Investigative Mechanism?
The Security Council rejected a Russian-drafted resolution to extend the inquiry but with changes to membership of the panel. The draft also called for the panel's findings on Khan Sheikhoun to be put aside.The Security Council rejected a Russian-drafted resolution to extend the inquiry but with changes to membership of the panel. The draft also called for the panel's findings on Khan Sheikhoun to be put aside.
Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said it was Western countries who had sabotaged the inquiry.Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said it was Western countries who had sabotaged the inquiry.
"Some council members refused to support our draft and now they have full responsibility for terminating the JIM," he said."Some council members refused to support our draft and now they have full responsibility for terminating the JIM," he said.
"This just proves again that the anti-Damascus fever is the only real priority for them and that they have manipulated the JIM for their own purposes.""This just proves again that the anti-Damascus fever is the only real priority for them and that they have manipulated the JIM for their own purposes."
Japan later tabled a draft resolution that would extend the JIM for another 30 days, as opposed to the one-year extension in the US-written draft blocked by Russia. The council was due to vote on the new resolution later on Friday.Japan later tabled a draft resolution that would extend the JIM for another 30 days, as opposed to the one-year extension in the US-written draft blocked by Russia. The council was due to vote on the new resolution later on Friday.
Russia, the UK, China, France and the US all have veto powers at the Security Council.Russia, the UK, China, France and the US all have veto powers at the Security Council.
The attack on Khan Sheikhoun in April left more than 80 people dead and prompted the US to launch missile strikes on a Syrian airbase.The attack on Khan Sheikhoun in April left more than 80 people dead and prompted the US to launch missile strikes on a Syrian airbase.
Last month a UN Human Rights Council inquiry concluded a Syrian air force jet was responsible, dismissing statements from Russia that the jet had dropped conventional munitions that struck a rebel chemical weapons depot.Last month a UN Human Rights Council inquiry concluded a Syrian air force jet was responsible, dismissing statements from Russia that the jet had dropped conventional munitions that struck a rebel chemical weapons depot.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said the incident in Khan Sheikhoun was a "fabrication".Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said the incident in Khan Sheikhoun was a "fabrication".
Arms-control setback
By Jonathan Marcus, BBC News Defence Correspondent
The demise of the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) is a small but significant milestone in the wider unravelling or undermining of a whole network of arms-control agreements. Syria was in a sense a laboratory in which to carry out a stress-test on the Chemical Weapons Convention, and it has failed.
Damascus signed and ratified the international treaty banning chemical weapons. It was "disarmed" under international supervision and still people are dying from chemical attack.
The JIM investigators have concluded that the Syrian government was responsible for a number of nerve agent attacks and that so-called IS has used sulphur mustard at least twice. But now its activities have been halted by Syria's patron, Russia.
What, many may ask, is the point in having international norms against chemical weapons unless the practical investigative and legal structures to unmask their use are given full and solid support?