Britain: UN resolution to condemn Syria

Western powers working to avoid Russian veto in Security Council vote; negotiations expected to take several days

Associated Press|Published: 06.09.11 , 00:41

Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain and France were set to present a revised resolution to the United Nations on Wednesday condemning Syria for its deadly crackdown on peaceful protesters.

UN diplomats in New York said the new text is aimed at winning more support for the resolution in the UN Security Council and avoiding a Russian veto.

Cameron told the House of Commons that the two nations object to the actions of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government and would be offering the new resolution "condemning the repression and demanding accountability and humanitarian action."

"If anyone votes against that resolution or tries to veto it, that should be on their conscience," he said.

Security Council diplomats said the new text will be discussed at a closed council meeting Wednesday and negotiations are likely to continue for several days before a vote is called.

"If all goes hunky dory, we might have a resolution by the end of the week," said one council diplomat who supports the resolution, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

For the resolution to be adopted by the 15-member council, it needs nine "yes" votes and no veto by a permanent member - the US, Russia, China, Britain and France.

'Added pressure'

Britain, France, Germany and Portugal circulated the original draft resolution on May 26, and diplomats say they have nine "yes" votes to adopt it, but they are hoping to get additional support, hopefully from South Africa and Brazil.

The sponsors believe Russia, China, India and Lebanon are very unlikely to support it, but the question is whether Russia, or possibly China, would cast a veto.

US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Washington supports a UN Security Council resolution on Syria and was trying to secure the backing of other members.

"Such a resolution will bring added pressure on Assad's regime and advance the international community's efforts to end the brutal repression on the Syrian people," Toner said.

One US official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning, said the US doesn't want to bring a resolution to a vote if it isn't going to prevail. The goal is to win the vote, not to embarrass obstructing countries, the official said.