Russia and China vetoed Friday a US draft resolution which intends to cast
further pressure on Myanmar for its problems in political, economic and social
areas.
Among the 15 Council members, Russia, China and South Africa voted against
the draft resolution, while Qatar, Indonesia and Congo Republic abstained.
Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Wang Guangya said before the vote
that the Myanmar issue is mainly an internal affair of a sovereign state.
"The present domestic situation in Myanmar does not pose a threat to
international or regional peace and security," he stressed, adding "similar
problems exist in many other countries as well."
"China holds that there is no need for the Security Council to get involved
and nor should it take action on the issue of Myanmar," Wang observed.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin echoed what his Chinese counterpart said,
emphasizing "we find attempts aimed at using the Security Council to discuss
issues outside its purview are unacceptable."
The draft resolution, cosponsored by Britain, calls on Myanmar to cease
military attacks against civilians in ethnic minority regions, to address the
humanitarian needs of the people of Myanmar, and to release all political
prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.