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Double veto for Burma resolution | Double veto for Burma resolution |
(20 minutes later) | |
China and Russia have cast a double veto in the UN Security Council, to stop a US draft resolution calling for an end to human rights abuses in Burma. | China and Russia have cast a double veto in the UN Security Council, to stop a US draft resolution calling for an end to human rights abuses in Burma. |
The two countries' ambassadors said the resolution was outside the remit of the Security Council as Burma posed no threat to international security. | The two countries' ambassadors said the resolution was outside the remit of the Security Council as Burma posed no threat to international security. |
US envoy Alejandro Wolff said he was "deeply disappointed" by Russia and China's first joint veto since 1972. | US envoy Alejandro Wolff said he was "deeply disappointed" by Russia and China's first joint veto since 1972. |
South Africa, a new non-permanent member, also opposed the document. | |
Qatar, Indonesia and the Republic of Congo abstained while the nine other members voted for. | |
Detainees released | |
The draft resolution urged Burma's military rulers to end persecution of minorities and opposition groups. | |
It called for the release of all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently under house arrest, and for all political groups to operate freely. | |
"The United States is deeply disappointed by the failure of the council to adopt this resolution," acting US ambassador Alejandro Wolff said. | |
Bu Russia's representative, Vitaly Churkin, said he opposed "attempts at using the Security Council to discuss issues outside the purview". | |
Burma released 40 political detainees last week to coincide with the 59th anniversary of independence. | |
Another five activists were freed on Thursday, in what pressure groups say could have been a move designed to scupper the UN resolution. | |
The UN estimates that there are about 1,100 political prisoners in Burma. |
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