In These New Times

Oh dear! It looks like Brown’s attempt to bounce Russia into supporting his Zimbabwe policy has badly backfired. We totally agree with the Russia spokesman:

“Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, went even further, suggesting the measures in the draft Security Council resolution drawn up by the United States and Britain were outside the UN Charter.

“I personally believe some elements of the draft are quite excessive and clearly in conflict with the notion of sovereignty of a state member of the United Nations,” he told the BBC.”

For Russia the defence of national sovereignty is crucial as they know their own to be under threat. Conversely, for the cowboys operating out of London and Washington overriding it is the foundation of the lawless world they wish to control and plunder.

independent.ie

10th July, 2008

BRITAIN was on course for a diplomatic showdown with Russia last night after Moscow branded proposed international sanctions against Zimbabwe “excessive”.

On the final day of the G8 summit in Japan, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he hoped United Nations sanctions would be in place within days after Russia signed up to a statement branding Robert Mugabe‘s regime “illegitimate”.

But in his closing press conference, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev insisted that “no concrete decisions” had been taken on further international action against Harare.

Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, went even further, suggesting the measures in the draft Security Council resolution drawn up by the United States and Britain were outside the UN Charter.

“I personally believe some elements of the draft are quite excessive and clearly in conflict with the notion of sovereignty of a state member of the United Nations,” he told the BBC.

The emergence of Russia’s opposition is a bitter blow for Mr Brown who believed he had secured G8 backing for the new measures, including travel bans on Mr Mugabe and 13 other leading members of his regime, as well the freezing of their foreign assets.

At his closing press conference, he said G8 leaders had been united in their condemnation of the violence meted out to the opposition in last’s month’s presidential election.

Outrage

“The mood is outrage against what is happening in Zimbabwe, disgust at the behaviour of the Zimbabwe regime, an acceptance by all of them that this is an illegitimate regime with blood on its hands,” he said.

Britain and the US also wanted to see the imposition of a UN arms embargo and the appointment of a UN Special Envoy — a move which is seen as a rebuff for the mediation attempts of South African President Thabo Mbeki.

But Moscow’s hostile stance last night threw that into doubt. As one of the five permanent members of the Security Council — along with the UK, US, China and France — Russia can veto any proposed resolution.

South Africa, which currently has a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, has also come out firmly against sanctions. Britain’s ambassador to the UN Sir John Sawers warned Russia not to backtrack after indicating its support for sanctions through the G8.

– Joe Churcher in Hokkaido