US ‘Disgusted’ by Russia, China Veto of UN Resolution to End Violence in Syria
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The United States is “disgusted” by Russia and China’s decision to veto a U.N. Security Council resolution today that called for an immediate end to the violence in Syria, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice said today.
The Security Council vote today came on one of the bloodiest days of the popular uprising in Syria, as President Bashar al Assad’s security forces launched a withering artillery assault on the city of Homs that has reportedly left 200 to 400 dead.
Though they were the only negative votes in a 13 to 2 vote, Russia and China’s veto power as permanent members of the Security Council killed the resolution drafted by Arab and European countries.
The vetoes came after a week of intense negotiations to gain Russian support for a resolution it had opposed from the start. The resolution supported an Arab League plan that called for an immediate end to the violence in Syria and a political solution to the crisis. Russia was opposed to the resolution because of concerns that it could leave an opening for a foreign intervention against one of its loyal client states.
The vetoes drew harsh criticism from Security Council members that supported the resolution and who had amended it several times to ease those concerns, rewording language about the transition of power and watering down the possibility of future sanctions against the Assad regime.
“The United States is disgusted that a couple of members of this Council continue to prevent us from fulfilling our sole purpose,” U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said. “For months this Council has been held hostage by a couple of members,” she said, referring to Russia and China, who she said had been “delaying and stripping bare any text to force Assad to stop his actions.”
Without referring to Russia by name, she said the vetoes were “even more shameful” given that Russia has continued to sell weapons to to Syria. She called the vetoes “unforgivable” and said “any further blood that flows will be on their hands.”
In brief remarks to the Council, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Russia actively supports an end to the violence in Syria, but that the resolution did not “accurately reflect the real state of affairs” in Syria and “sent an unbalanced signal to the parties.” Churkin was speaking about armed opposition groups that have also been conducting violent attacks against the Assad regime in Syria.
He once again cited Russian concerns about “regime change” by “influential members of the international community who have been undermining the possibility of a settlement in Syria.”
French Ambassador Gerard Araud said the vetoes were a “sad day for the UN Security Council … a sad day for democracy and a sad day for Syrians. … Hundreds of Syrians are dying and it is no longer possible to wait. ”
Peter Wittig, the German ambassador to the United Nations criticized the vetoes particularly for having come on “one of bloodiest days of the Arab spring” and the 30th anniversary of the massacre in Hama, Syria ordered by Assad’s father that resulted in 20,000 dead.
“This is the real scandal,” Wittig said. “Afraid this will spur further violence and make it difficult to reach a political solution.”
British Ambassador to the U.N. Mark Lyall Grant said Russia and China should “ask themselves how many more deaths they are prepared to tolerate.”
He said the negotiations had “removed every possible excuse” for voting against the resolution. He also said that the United Kingdom and other countries would continue their efforts to stop the violence in Syria.
Li Baodong, China’s Ambassador to the UN told Council members that China voted against the resolution because it would “further complicate the situation” in Syria.
He also said that China supported the Russian delegation’s last minute calls for a delay on the vote as well as amendments proposed by Russia that were not taken up by the Council.
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A truly shameful day for the leaders of China and Russia. I think it’s imperative that we show our solidarity in the most painful way possble. Simply refrain from buying any products whatsoever from the two nations. They have no political backbone but I’m sure if we hit them in the pocketbook, they will re-think their reckless U.N. decision.
Posted by: Mitch Eisenman | February 4, 2012, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
Maybe they’re manipulating us for more U.S. missile technology.
Posted by: newcountryman | February 4, 2012, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
Psssssssssssssss….ABC, if you yo-yos actually reported the news—you’d know that RUSSIA has been ignoring Hilliary due to her being rude.
Posted by: beennsaidsaid | February 4, 2012, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
Did anyone really expect red communist china or post cold war loser russia to fall in line with The United States Of America??????????Doesn’t anyone get it?they want us 6 ft. deep,every last one of us.A vote with US would be hypocritical since they have no problems controlling/killing their own people. This country HAS to stay first in Her powers, nothing else would be acceptable in this world
I want my children, my grandchildren,and their children to have all the freedom that my ancestors have had!!!!!!Many of them died for us and we must be willing to do the same for all future generations.
Posted by: John | February 4, 2012, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm
override thier vetos.
Posted by: tmstoltz | February 4, 2012, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm
If China wants to play hardball, we can play hardball too. Let’s see how many American Companies will continue to make their products in China if we imposed a ban on everything coming out of China. They will change their mind real quick or they can deal with the millions of Chineese without a job in China. Russia, on the other hand just needs to be isolated, as their own people who are already marching on their streets will bring change to those nitwits.
Posted by: jake | February 4, 2012, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm
John, not sure who are your ancestors. You sounds like a loser raised in China town or southern part of Chicago. Your argument might be true if ancestors are white slave masters. Regarding future generations, it depends on what rights and proper you really have to invest. You sounds like an average loser whose net worth is minus 150 thousand dollars
Posted by: Electronmicroscope | February 4, 2012, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm
This is what happens when you have a totally inept and impotent president.
Posted by: Jackie | February 4, 2012, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
Well, did US govt, or any o fthese leaders show any outrage like this againt China when they shiped poisonous milk, candy, and other toxic chemical laiden FOOD to this country ? They care more about Syrian people than OWN people !!
Leave Syria alone !
Posted by: Dr Maddu | February 4, 2012, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
Let’s just ask them politely not to do that.
Posted by: newcountryman | February 4, 2012, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm
Now, all of you clueless Obama lovers that think China or Russia are going along with us against Syria or Russia see how it really is. Russia and China are playing the US like fools. They play along with us until we really need their support and then drive the knofe in our backs. Last time Obama asked someone to step down, he greeted Ghadaffi with 120 cruise missiles. I doubtwe do anything considering they have nothing for us. Libya had oil,butwe were told we were protecting civilians. Right!
Posted by: commonsenseparty | February 4, 2012, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
Russia and China represent about 25% of the world’s population? The UN council makes it sound like a couple misc. votes foiled things. Get real and stay out of other countries affairs. Yes, there is cruelty and inequality in many places. It is neither the US nor UN job to enforce the unenforceable. As the world’s population explodes, the UN approach to peace and tranquility will become more and more ineffective. The US has no stones to throw, we should look at the “beam” in our own eye before trying to remove the splinter from another’s.
Posted by: Rich | February 4, 2012, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm
Right on Rich. We should get out of those Countries. Russia and China are a lot closer to this mess then we are and probably have a better understanding of what’s really going on. Besides, what.s worse… having that dictator running Syria or some other fool who will also hate our guts? Our foreign policies in the past should be an indication of what will happen next. Our Congress sucks! The UN sucks! Obama sucks! Bring ALL of our troops home and let them guard our OWN borders. How about Arizona for a start?
Posted by: Edward Yount | February 4, 2012, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
The US has lost credibility and has a ton of egg on their face because of our behavior at the UN regarding Israel. The Syrian goverment should be stopped but the US has near zero credibility criticizing Russia and China’s veto’s as the UN has tried time and again to pass resolutions that would condemn Israel or protect the Palestinians from the many massacres and human rights violations committed by Israel. For decades the US has been the lone standout in refusing to allow the UN to address illegal Israeli behavior. Now we have the gall to mad at Russia and China for using their veto when we have done so for decades.
Posted by: George | February 4, 2012, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm
Here is what I think the other countries with veto power think. Many times any UN resolution that were passed condemning Israel, in the end 100% of the time it got vetoed. The last straw was when one country did not veto the Libya UN resolution, that same country saw that it is equivalent to signing a death sentence to execute Libya head of state and a change of regime. It was decided since last year, all UN resolution to condemn any country’s head of state is equivalent to his/her death warrant, so it will be vetoed, period.
Posted by: Vi Lee | February 4, 2012, 7:19 pm 7:19 pm
I find it interesting that our current president has effectively acted exactly like our previous president in pre-emptiveless acting to break the sovereignty of another country (resulting in their head of state and government to be overthrown). I’m neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but rather pointing out that the so called conservatives and liberals are EXACTLY the same. This is why after 30 years I have finally switched to an Independent. There are only two parties left in the USA – DemoReps and Independents. Where is OUR candidate? (Tea Party was in the thick of it for a while, then they bowed to Rep pressure and so now are just Reps). DemoReps and Independents, which are you?
Posted by: Rich | February 4, 2012, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm
i say get over it, and let whatever happen, happen. boy, us U.S. sure do know how to sell weapons to idiots.
Posted by: mits5545 | February 4, 2012, 7:59 pm 7:59 pm
What stupidity. To push for a resolution when our diplomats knew or should have known that it would be vetoed by not just Russia, but China as well, is the epitome of inept diplomacy. And what a team: Rice, Clinton and Obama. Did they think Obama’s speech would convince Russia and China to ignore their own self interests and support the resolution. Arrogance and ignorance combined is incompetence. The blood of the Syrian people who will be slaughtered as a result of this incompetence should be on their shoulders.
Posted by: Jed Davis | February 4, 2012, 8:23 pm 8:23 pm
Now the CIA shall start it’s operations and we shall see revolutions in Russia and China! Very soon…!
Posted by: CIA | February 4, 2012, 9:08 pm 9:08 pm
These are the arrogant democrats who talked about how scared they were of our last qualified President, George W. Bush, and how THEY WOULD BRING RESPECT BACK TO THE UNITED STATES WITH THE OBAMA CLINTON APOLOGY TOUR!!?? …obama is a laughing stock. Do we know if he showed the Russians and Chinese his shiny Nobel Peace Prize medal?? LOL What an embarrassment.
Posted by: shepard245 | February 4, 2012, 9:23 pm 9:23 pm
Time for a visit to Iran. LOCK AND LOAD.
Posted by: shepard245 | February 4, 2012, 9:24 pm 9:24 pm
Given China’s history with human rights, is anyone surprised they vetoed?
Posted by: August Strong | February 4, 2012, 11:42 pm 11:42 pm
Posted by: Jed Davis | February 4, 2012, 8:23 pm 8:23 pm
Now the CIA shall start it’s operations and we shall see revolutions in Russia and China! Very soon…!
its already in progress…at least in russia
Posted by: guest65 | February 5, 2012, 12:20 am 12:20 am
China and Russia are so fearfull that they are next in line on the chopping block, so they hide behind their veto powers.
I do agree with a previous spouter who said to ban anything made in China or Russia. I’m not sure how much we import from Russia (it’s mostly AK-47′s and grenade launchers to terrorist throughout the world for Russia), but we could make a big hit on China’s crap that they peddle in the U.S. China slaps us in the face every chance they get and we keep turing the other cheek. They pirate most of the goods they produce, gain access via Pakistan to compromise our “not so secret” stealth helicopter, and now they want avionics from the U.S. Would the crazy people in the Defense Department please stand and start walking toward the exit! When are we going to get a President with some Kahuna’s (brass, platinum, titanium preferred).
Posted by: Matilda1948 | February 5, 2012, 12:25 am 12:25 am
Disgusted? Disgusted? Where was the disgust when USA vetoed a resolution against Isreal for mass masscre of children, innocent women? USA brings in its own agenda and expect other UNSC members to mbecome puppet? Veto is precisely for this so as to put a stopper to reckless actions by few. All those who comment in favor, don’t you have such checks and balances in your own country? Gone are the days of USA hegemony. Learn to live in new world order :}
Posted by: Robby | February 5, 2012, 12:49 am 12:49 am
The West is all too anxious to intervene. Their mode of operation is to go in there and kill them so they won’t kill each other. Whatever their reasons, Russia and China have done a great service to the American people and the World by vetoing this aggression. The founding fathers warned against foreign alliances and entanglements. This should be handled by Syria and her neighbors, not the USA. We have more important issues here at home
Posted by: Sherman Frankina | February 5, 2012, 10:34 am 10:34 am
amazing how U.S., which has vetoed EVERY resolution condemning israel for it continuing genocide against palestinians is so ready to condemn….and, of course, thanks to WIKE leaks, Clinton’s opinion on other world leaders is moot..
Posted by: geen | February 5, 2012, 11:47 am 11:47 am
whats wrong with all of you? its just another target for u.s-bombs, like many countries before since 1950. dont understand? oh wait…maybe you want wars? enjoy blood and pain? mother of god, you all will burn in hell for this. God is watching you…always
Posted by: alex | February 5, 2012, 11:57 am 11:57 am
GEEN and ROBBY, you criticize Israel for protecting itself, having bombs dropped on you every day, living in constant fear of bombings at markets and schools, hospitals your siding with Hamas and Iran. Shows with side you’re on.
Posted by: Lizzie | February 5, 2012, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm
How ironic that other sponsors of the “resolution to end violence” (13) are the most violent, inhumane and fanatical states in the world: Libya, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Turkey… How come the US failed to find more reputable partners for this anti-violence resolution? What’s going on?!! Something fishy is here..
Posted by: Bachus | February 5, 2012, 8:54 pm 8:54 pm
If any of you yo-yo’s had a brain, or even a brain cell as in single-celled organism, you would talk more politely about China which owns your ass and could collapse this house of cards on your heads as soon as it starts selling of the trillions of dollars of US paper it holds.
Posted by: j | February 6, 2012, 2:29 am 2:29 am