http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/07/19/157036969/china-and-russia-veto-un-resolution-threatening-sanctions-on-syria
China and Russia this morning vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that could permit sanctions against Syria unless the government of President Bashar Assad stops using weapons against civilians. This is the third time China and Russia have rebuffed measures pushed by the United States and its allies to try to bring a halt to Syria's violent civil conflict.
Today's move wasn't a surprise — The Associated Press says Russia, which supports Syrian president Assad, accused Western allies of writing the resolution to show support for the rebels.
Update at 2:30 p.m. ET. No Guarantee, But Resolution Would Have Offered Some Hope, Ambassador Rice Says:
"There was no guarantee that the resolution Russia and China vetoed would have changed the dynamic" in Syria, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice told All Things Considered host Robert Siegel this afternoon. "But it was the only hope that action by the [Security] Council would change the dynamic."
Rice said the resolution "would have signaled the readiness of the Security Council to impose sanctions on the [Syrian] government 10 days from now" if the Assad regime continues to use heavy weapons on its people and refuse to abide by the peace plan crafted by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
With the veto, Rice added, the U.N. observer mission in Syria has been "dealt a death knell. ... They can't monitor the implementation of a plan that's not been adhered to by the government."
are we doing something wrong or are our "allies" Russia and China not being earnest in efforts to help the Syrian people. this is not the time for Romney to go abroad, he is naive if he thinks that making a deal with China to their benefit is the same as sitting down and giving more then you would like, is that even in his genes? are they responding to a possible Romney win, at which time all the Pres. has done after Bush will be undermined and retracted, in favor of saner waving, really is Willard a believable waver of said sword?
