China, Russia veto Zimbabwe sanctions

UNITED NATIONS, July 11 (UPI) -- China and Russia Friday vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution on sanctions against the Zimbabwean government.

The resolution, drafted by the United States and introduced July 3, was aimed at Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his top administrators. It would impose an arms embargo and limit travel and financial transactions for Zimbabwean officials.

The Security Council voted 9-5 against the resolution, with one abstention, Voice of America reported Friday. China and Russia were among those voting no, effectively killing the measure since, as permanent members of the council, China and Russia have veto power.

Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya said the possibility of sanctions against Zimbabwe had been ruled out at the recent African Union summit, VOA reported. He said sanctions would hinder negotiations between Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

"China has always maintained the best approach to solve a problem are negotiation and dialogue," Wang said. "Internationally to use, or threaten to use, sanctions lightly is not conducive to solving a problem."

U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said China and Russia "have stood with Mugabe against the people of Zimbabwe."

"More than a majority of the Security Council members stood with the people of Zimbabwe by demanding that Mugabe put an immediate end to the violence and to start serious negotiations with the opposition."