Posted on 07/19/2012 11:57:24 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Russia's decision was expected though there had been a brief glimmer of hope that it might support the resolution and distance itself from Mr Assad after Kofi Annan, the international envoy to Syria found some encouragement in a Tuesday meeting with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.
A second vote is likely to be required later on Thursday to extend the mandate of the UN military observer mission in Syria, which expires tomorrow.
The mission is likely to take on a more political complexion after observers were often prevented from travelling safely around the country,.
Earlier, the Chinese foreign ministry issued a statement that indicated it would use its veto.
It said that China opposed all forms of terrorism and violence and that it "strongly" condemned the bombing Wednesday in Damascus that killed Syria's defence minister and his deputy.
"China is deeply worried about the rising tensions in Syria," the statement said. "China once again called on all related parties in Syria to cease fire immediately."
Unlike Russia, China does not have longstanding strategic ties to Assad's government, but Beijing opposes setting precedents that could potentially be applied to its troubled western regions of Tibet and Xinjiang. China feels burned by Western intervention in Libya, believing that the U.S. and European powers over-interpreted a U.N. resolution to attack the government of Col Muammar Gaddafi, not just protect Libyan civilians.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
I really am going to bed now.
OK....system has a problem.
Good, for nothing.
And I am appalled that Britain and the US did not condemn a terrorist bombing.
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