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Jul
UN Sanctions Against Mugabe Vetoed
Russia and China vetoed sanctions against Robert Mugabe’s unfair election in Zimbabwe.
Western powers mustered nine votes, the minimum needed to gain approval in the 15-nation council, in a show of hands. But the failed resolution — which had been a priority for U.S. President George W. Bush — failed because of the action by two of the five veto-wielding members.
The other three members with veto power, the U.S., Britain and France, argued sanctions were needed to respond to the violence and intimidation linked to Zimbabwe’s recent, widely discredited presidential election.
It would have imposed an international travel ban and freeze on personal assets of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and 13 key leaders.
As I have detailed in several posts, Mugabe killed and tortured supporters of his opponent Morgan Tsvangirai. Tsvangirai had beaten Mugabe in the first election, but he failed to gain 50% of the vote, which is required in Zimbabwe. Thus a run-off had to occur. Tsvangirai was in such danger and feared for his supporters, so he withdrew from the run-off and asked for international help. However, this vote today prevents that from happening.
