By DPA,
New York : The UN Security Council Friday failed to adopt sanctions against Zimbabwe because of a veto cast by Russia, one of the five veto-wielding permanent members of the body.
Nine of the council’s 15 members voted in favour while five voted against. One member abstained.
Russia’s negative vote, cast by Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, killed the draft resolution pushed by the United States and Britain, and supported by France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands.
Zimbabwe’s UN envoy, B.G. Chidyausiku, told the council before the vote that his country was already reeling under sanctions from the US and European Union.
“Adopting this resolution will set a dangerous precedence and will only serve to undermine the ongoing dialogue between the political parties and risks worsening the political and socio-economic situation in the country, and will affect other countries in the region,” he said.