US and Britain meet resistance over Zimbabwe

Middle East News.Net
Tuesday 8th July, 2008

The US and Britain met strong resistance from within the UN Security Council on Tuesday over proceeding with their proposals to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe and President Robert Mugabe.

South Africa's UN Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo played an important in persuading the 15-nation council to allow more time for discussion on the draft resolution submitted by the US and Britain, which are supported by France, to declare an arms embargo on Zimbabwe, and impose travels ban and freeze of assets on Mugabe and his associates.

The US and Britain, citing the council's mandate as keeper of peace and security around the world, called for a vote on the draft this week.

Kumalo said following closed-door discussion by the council that Mugabe and political opponents should be pressured to negotiate a solution to the crisis, regardless.

'Sanctions will create more complications,' Kumalo told reporters.

He said the African Union is opposed to sanctions and South Africa, which holds sway in the South African Development Community, is also against sanctions.

Russia, China and Vietnam, which holds the rotating council presidency in July, are opposed to sanctions.

The US and Britain said the crisis in Zimbabwe threatens peace and security in the country and Africa and therefore requires action from the council.

But sanctions opponents said the crisis cannot be classified as a threat to peace and security.

In addition they said the Security Council has no mandate to certify national elections, and they called for negotiations to resolve the situation.

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