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(TALKZIMBABWE, ZIMBABWE GUARDIAN, RIA NOVOSTI) Russia says UK distorted facts over Zim veto

Russia says UK distorted facts over Zim veto
Zim Guardian/ RIA Novosti Reporter
Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:44:00 +0000

THE Foreign Ministry of Russia Monday issued a statement accusing the United Kingdom of distorting facts over a recent veto of a UN Security Council Resolution on sanctions against Zimbabwe.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband called Russia's move "incomprehensible," and added that he was "very disappointed that the U.N. Security Council should have failed to pass a strong and clear resolution on Zimbabwe" after Russia and China blocked the imposition of further sanctions against the Zimbabwean government.

Speaking after a recent G8 Summit Milliband said: “Russia, which committed itself at the G8 [summit] to take further steps including introducing financial and other sanctions, should stand in the way of Security Council action."

Russia said the remarks "distorted Russia's position on the issue and attributed to us [Russia] a mythical breach of agreement," as Russia had not undertaken any obligation to support the UN Security Council resolution by agreeing to "financial and other measures against those responsible for violence in Zimbabwe."

Russia and China used their UN Security Council vetoes on July 12 to block Western nations' proposals for sanctions against the Zimbabwe regime, which has been widely condemned over recent election violence. Calls for sanctions came after President Robert Mugabe claimed victory in the polls after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai quit the race, citing death threats and violence against his supporters.

More than 100 people, mostly opposition supporters, are believed to have died in attacks on opposition members.

Zim Guardian/ RIA Novosti

Labels: RUSSIA, SANCTIONS, UK, UN, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 7:51 AM