This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7502965.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Zimbabwe sanctions vetoed at UN | Zimbabwe sanctions vetoed at UN |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A draft resolution to impose sanctions on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and a number of his key allies has been vetoed at the UN Security Council. | A draft resolution to impose sanctions on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and a number of his key allies has been vetoed at the UN Security Council. |
| China and Russia rejected the proposed measures, which included a freeze on financial assets and a travel ban. | China and Russia rejected the proposed measures, which included a freeze on financial assets and a travel ban. |
| There has been growing international criticism of Zimbabwe since the re-election of Mr Mugabe in a run-off boycotted by the opposition. | There has been growing international criticism of Zimbabwe since the re-election of Mr Mugabe in a run-off boycotted by the opposition. |
| The UK foreign secretary called China and Russia's stance "incomprehensible". | The UK foreign secretary called China and Russia's stance "incomprehensible". |
| David Miliband said Russia used its veto despite a promise by President Dmitry Medvedev to support the resolution, when it was discussed at this week's summit of the G-8 group of industrialised nations. | David Miliband said Russia used its veto despite a promise by President Dmitry Medvedev to support the resolution, when it was discussed at this week's summit of the G-8 group of industrialised nations. |
| Britain's ambassador to the UN says the Security Council has failed Zimbabwe's people | Britain's ambassador to the UN says the Security Council has failed Zimbabwe's people |
| The US ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, said Russia's veto raised "questions about its reliability as a G8 partner". | The US ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, said Russia's veto raised "questions about its reliability as a G8 partner". |
| A BBC correspondent at the UN says the failure of the resolution is a major blow for the United States and Britain. | A BBC correspondent at the UN says the failure of the resolution is a major blow for the United States and Britain. |
| The UK ambassador said after the vote that the UN had failed in its duty. | The UK ambassador said after the vote that the UN had failed in its duty. |
| "The people of Zimbabwe need to be given hope that there is an end in sight to their suffering," said Sir John Sawers. "The Security Council today has failed to offer them that hope." | "The people of Zimbabwe need to be given hope that there is an end in sight to their suffering," said Sir John Sawers. "The Security Council today has failed to offer them that hope." |
| However, Russia's ambassador Vitaly Churkin said sanctions would have taken the UN beyond its mandate because Zimbabwe did not threaten international stability. | |
| Zimbabwe's ambassador told the BBC the vote showed that "reason has prevailed". | |
| "People have been able to see the machinations of Washington, London and France," said Boniface Chidyausiku. | "People have been able to see the machinations of Washington, London and France," said Boniface Chidyausiku. |
| South Africa voted against the sanctions resolution. It has promoted a power-sharing arrangement between President Mugabe and the opposition. | South Africa voted against the sanctions resolution. It has promoted a power-sharing arrangement between President Mugabe and the opposition. |
| Envoy call | Envoy call |
| The resolution would have imposed an arms embargo on Zimbabwe and financial and travel restrictions on President Mugabe and 13 of his top officials. | The resolution would have imposed an arms embargo on Zimbabwe and financial and travel restrictions on President Mugabe and 13 of his top officials. |
| UN SANCTIONS VOTE FORBelgiumBurkina FasoCosta RicaCroatiaFranceItalyPanamaUKUnited StatesAGAINSTChinaLibyaRussiaSouth AfricaVietnamABSTAINEDIndonesia Mugabe survives despite pressure | UN SANCTIONS VOTE FORBelgiumBurkina FasoCosta RicaCroatiaFranceItalyPanamaUKUnited StatesAGAINSTChinaLibyaRussiaSouth AfricaVietnamABSTAINEDIndonesia Mugabe survives despite pressure |
| It also called for a UN special envoy for Zimbabwe to be appointed. | It also called for a UN special envoy for Zimbabwe to be appointed. |
| The resolution had the support of nine council members, the minimum required to pass in the 15-member council. | The resolution had the support of nine council members, the minimum required to pass in the 15-member council. |
| But the veto of any of the five permanent members is enough to defeat a resolution, and both China and Russia voted against. | But the veto of any of the five permanent members is enough to defeat a resolution, and both China and Russia voted against. |
| Zimbabwe has become a matter of increasing international concern, as violence increased after disputed presidential elections. | Zimbabwe has become a matter of increasing international concern, as violence increased after disputed presidential elections. |
| The leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, Morgan Tsvangirai, won the first round of Zimbabwe's presidential elections on 29 March, but official results gave him less than the 50% share needed to avoid a run-off. | The leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, Morgan Tsvangirai, won the first round of Zimbabwe's presidential elections on 29 March, but official results gave him less than the 50% share needed to avoid a run-off. |
| He pulled out of the run-off poll after many of his supporters were targeted, assaulted and even killed, leaving Mr Mugabe to win unopposed in the second round at the end of June. | He pulled out of the run-off poll after many of his supporters were targeted, assaulted and even killed, leaving Mr Mugabe to win unopposed in the second round at the end of June. |
| Since March, the opposition says 113 of its supporters have been killed, some 5,000 are missing and more than 200,000 have been forced from their homes. | Since March, the opposition says 113 of its supporters have been killed, some 5,000 are missing and more than 200,000 have been forced from their homes. |
| What do you think of this move? Are you in Zimbabwe? Do you worry about increased international pressure? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below. | What do you think of this move? Are you in Zimbabwe? Do you worry about increased international pressure? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below. |