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SA says will oppose UN sanctions against Zimbabwe

SA says will oppose UN sanctions against Zimbabwe
By: AFP-TZG
Posted: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 7:01 pm

SOUTH Africa would again vote against United Nations sanctions on Zimbabwe if the issue returned before the Security Council during the country's next term on the body, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. When South Africa last held one of the Council's 15 seats in 2007/08, it blocked sanctions against Zimbabwe.

If the issue arose again when South Africa returns to the Council in January, the country would block sanctions again, foreign ministry Director General Ayanda Ntsaluba told the National Press Club in Pretoria.

South Africa said current debates in Zimbabwe do not "pose threats to international peace and security".

"The UN Security Council wanted to vote to introduce Zimbabwe as an issue on its agenda" in 2008, Ntsaluba said. "South Africa would still vote 'no' on this."

He added that South Africa continues to oppose "mandate creep", or expanding the role of the council.

"Issues that pose threats to global peace and security legitimately belong on the agenda of the UN Security Council."

Labels: AYANDA NTSALUBA, SANCTIONS, UN

posted by MrK @ 8:34 PM