UN fails to extend Syria gas attacks probe

UNITED NATIONS — Russia on Tuesday vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution that would have extended the term of an independent panel of investigators probing who was behind the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

The draft resolution sponsored by the United States sought to extend the mandate of the Joint Investigative Mechanism of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for another year.

Among the 15 members of the Security Council, 11 were in favor, two were against, and another two abstained.

As Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council, its “no” vote means that the draft resolution was rejected. Bolivia also voted against the draft resolution. China and Kazakhstan abstained.

Before the vote, Russian ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, proposed a postponement till Nov 7, arguing that the extension of JIM’s mandate should be discussed after the publication of its report, which is only two days away. He told the council that a hasty vote was intended to “dishonor” Russia.

British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft repudiated the Russian position, saying that a vote on Tuesday was intended to de-link the JIM report and the extension of its mandate, thus avoiding the “politicization” of the issue.

US deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Michele Sison, also rejected the Russian proposal, saying that there was no time to waste.

“It’s not every day that this council considers an issue that is so horrific and so shocking to the conscience as the use of chemical weapons against civilians. We need to keep this important work of the JIM on track.”

Russia’s proposal was put to vote and was rejected by the Security Council 8-4 with three abstentions, giving the green light for a vote on the draft resolution on JIM.

Nebenzia, the Russian envoy, defended Moscow’s position and explained that the Russian veto did not mean an end to JIM. “We will return to this matter, ... (we) will examine what the mandate of JIM should be so that it fulfills its work in a professional, objective and impartial way,” he said.

He said the vote was “senseless” and was intended to embarrass Russia. He regretted that “others chose the path of confrontation and division within the Security Council”, referring to the rejection of his proposal for a postponement.

He promised that his country’s veto has no influence on the fate of JIM.

Wu Haitao, the charge d’affaires at the Chinese permanent mission to the UN, said China, which abstained from the vote, is opposed to the use of chemical weapons and supports JIM.

The draft resolution contains positive elements, but also issues of concern by certain members of the council. The council could have continued consultation so that the text wins unanimous support, he said.

“Regrettably, however, the council rushed to vote on the draft resolution in the absence of consensus,” he said, noting that the practice is not conducive to unity of the Security Council.

The Security Council unanimously approved JIM in 2015 and renewed its mandate for another year in 2016. Its mandate expires on Nov 17.

(We) will examine what the mandate of JIM should be so that it fulfills its work in a professional, objective and impartial way.” Vassily Nebenzia, Russian ambassador to the UN