UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia on Thursday vetoed a U.S.-drafted resolution to extend the mandate of experts trying to determine who was responsible for chemical attacks in Syria.
Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia then withdrew a rival Russian resolution — which is opposed by the United States and other Security Council members — over Moscow’s insistence that it be voted on second not first as required under council rules.
Bolivia then resubmitted the Russian draft for a vote.
Need all on the UN Security Council to vote to renew the Joint Investigative Mechanism for Syria to ensure that Assad Regime does not commit mass murder with chemical weapons ever again.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2017
The result of Thursday’s vote on the U.S. draft resolution would mean that the Joint Investigative Mechanism, known as the JIM, will cease operations when its current mandate expires at midnight Thursday.
This would be a serious blow to efforts to hold those responsible for chemical weapons attacks in Syria accountable.
Both the U.S. and Russia said they wanted the JIM to be extended, but Russia insisted on changing its mandate, which the Trump administration and other council members rejected.
By using the veto to kill a mechanism in Syria that holds users of chemical weapons accountable, Russia proves they cannot be trusted or credible as we work towards a political solution in Syria.
— Archive: Ambassador Nikki Haley (@AmbNikkiHaley) November 16, 2017
