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Russia will not abstain from UN vote
Foreign ministers from anti-war powers France, Russia and Germany agreed on Wednesday not to allow a resolution authorizing war in Iraq to be passed in the United Nations Security Council. Did we ask for a resolution authorizing war? I think it just says that Iraq is in breach. "We will not allow the passage of a planned resolution which would authorize the use of force," he said after a meeting in Paris with his counterparts Igor Ivanov of Russia and Joschka Fischer of Germany. But will you admit they are in breach? "Russia and France as permanent security council members will fully assume all their responsibilities," he added at a joint news conference with Ivanov and Fischer. What does that mean, Fully assume responsibilities? Yes? No? or Veto? Asked whether France was ready to use its right of veto to block a U.N. resolution giving the green light for force in Iraq, Villepin added: "We are totally on the same line as Russia." Hmm..still didn't answer the question as to exactly what line they are on AND note he left out Germany. Ivanov said in London on Tuesday Moscow would not abstain on the resolution, which the United States and Britain may introduce next week, and warned it could use its veto power. Okaaay..so Russia won't abstain, that's clear. As for the veto, they MIGHT use your veto which means they MIGHT not. Ivanov also said that China, another veto-wielding Security Council member which last month supported a memo by the three anti-war powers urging more inspections, "shares our approach" on the Iraq crisis. Yeah, they share your approach, but like Germany, he's worming around stating how China plans to vote on our proposal. Villepin said all three would travel to New York for the meeting. "The three foreign ministers want to coordinate their next steps," ... The other two veto powers, the United States and Britain, have drawn up a memo with rotating member Spain to declare Iraq in breach of U.N. resolutions to disarm. See, it doesn't say, "allow a resolution authorizing war in Iraq". Can't these guy's read? Diplomats in Paris said France, Russia and Germany wanted to ensure they agreed on their common position at a time when Washington seemed to be preparing for an attack and was putting heavy pressure on Security Council members to support its pro-war resolution. Sounds like they are afraid US has the votes to pass the resolution and they joining forces to do damage control. I suspect there is much dissention on what that "common position" is. The wording of the resolution won't change between now and then — so why so much diplospeak? Posted by: Becky 2003-03-05 |
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