Russia blocks further extension of chemical attacks inquiry in Syria using veto power

NewsBharati    17-Nov-2017
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Washington, November 17: Continuing its old trend, Russia has again blocked the extension of chemical attacks probe in Syria. On Thursday Japan prepared a draft resolution which could extend the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) for another 30 days. But it is all set to expire as Russia vetoed the resolution. Since the civil war broke out in Syria, this is 10th time Russia has used its veto power to guard its main ally in the Middle East.

"For the tenth time on Syria, and the fourth time on chemical weapons, Russia has actively obstructed the international community's ability to identify the perpetrators of chemical weapons attacks," Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the UN, said after the vote.

As Russia is a permanent member of United Nations Security Council (UNSC), it holds veto power as a permanent number of the council. Eleven Security Council member states voted in favor of the resolution. In 2015 UN-Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) panel was set up by Russia and the United States.

Previously Security Council rejected a Russian-drafted resolution to extend the inquiry. In the context of that Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia blamed western countries for sabotaging the inquiry. In addition to that, he said anti-Damascus fever was prevalent in council and JIM was manipulated.