The United Nations Security Council on Friday condemned North Korea's failed ballistic missile launch, warning that it was a "clear violation" of U.N. resolutions and the council could take further punitive measures against Pyongyang. Experts believe North Korea attempted to launch an intermediate-range ballistic missile on Friday in defiance of U.N. sanctions. "The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the firing of a ballistic missile by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on April 15," the council said in a statement, using North Korea's official name. "Although the DPRK's ballistic missile launch was a failure, this attempt constituted a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions," it said. The launch, on North Korea's so-called Day of the Sun which marks the birthday of the country's founder Kim Il-sung, followed its fourth nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch in February, which led to new U.N. sanctions. The council … [Read more...]
UN Security Council condemns North Korea’s missile tests
(VOVworld) – The UN Security Council released a press statement on Wednesday condemning North Korea's recent missile launches. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un looks at a rocket warhead tip after a simulated test of atmospheric re-entry of a ballistic missile. (Photo: Reuters/KCNA) The statement said these repeated tests are in grave violation of North Korea’s international obligations under United Nations Security Council resolutions. The Council considers these launches an attempt to develop a nuclear weapons delivery system which is heightening regional tension. They are seriously concerned by these launches and want North Korea to refrain from such actions. The Council called on UN members to redouble their efforts to enforce sanctions against North Korea, especially resolution 2270 passed this year, and vowed to watch North Korea closely for compliance. … [Read more...]
Palestine welcomes UN Security Council’s resolution on Israel’s colonial settlements
(VOVworld) - The 15-member United Nations Security Council voted 14-0 to pass Resolution 2334, a condemnation of ongoing construction of Israeli settlements in disputed territory, including East Jerusalem. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly called the resolution “a slap in the face to Israeli policy” and an “absolute international condemnation to settlements and unanimous support for a two-state solution.” He said in a statement earlier marking the occasion of Christmas that despite the Israeli occupation, Palestinian presence in their homeland and the preservation of their cultural and national heritage are the most important form of resistance. … [Read more...]
Russia and China veto UN Security Council resolution on Syria
(VOVworld) World countries voiced different opinions about the UN Security Council’s resolution on Syria . On Saturday, Russia and China vetoed United Nations Security Council resolution that backed an Arab League plan to “facilitate” a political transition in Syria . The Russian ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, said the resolution put to a vote “did not adequately reflect the real state of affairs in Syria.” Russia urged for a more object UN resolution to help Syria put an end to the on-going violence. China supported Russia ’s proposal for a revised resolution, saying other members of the UN Security Council need more discussion on the resolution. Meanwhile, Western countries and Arab voiced their dissatisfaction over Russian and Chinese veto. US Foreign Secretary Hilary Clinton warned that the risk of more bloodshed and civil war in Syria had risen after the collapse of the U.N. resolution. But she also ruled out any military intervention … [Read more...]
UN Security Council votes to end Libya operations
The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously Thursday to end military operations in Libya. The council adopted a resolution that rescinded its March mandate for military intervention in Libya, effectively ending the NATO mission there as of Monday.Last week Nato and its partners, which had been conducting air strikes, said the campaign would end on 31 October.Russia, China, South Africa, India and Brazil had strongly opposed the strikes, accusing Nato of going beyond the UN mandate.The resolution came despite a call by Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) for Nato to continue its military action.During its seven-month Libyan campaign, the alliance has carried out some 26,000 sorties and almost 10,000 strike missions.Correspondents say the operations have played a crucial role in helping remove Col Muammar Gaddafi, who was toppled in August and killed last week.Libya's new government declared the country liberated on Sunday. … [Read more...]
UN Security Council divided over Syria
(VOVworld) – A stark division between members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was exposed at a meeting on October 9, when rival resolutions drafted by Russia and France both failed, once again extinguishing hope for a UN intervention to end the fighting in Syria. The meeting took place amidst escalating attacks on Aleppo and mounting tensions between Russia and the US. Passing a draft resolution requires 9 “yes” votes and no veto from any of the 5 UNSC permanent members: Russia, the US, the UK, France, and China. Division over Syria Russia and France proposed separate resolutions on settling the Syrian conflict. The French proposal called for all parties to immediately halt all airstrikes and military flights over Aleppo, observe a ceasefire and allow access of humanitarian aid to every Syrian community. The French resolution won the approval of 11 out of 15 UNSC members, but was vetoed by Russia. Moscow said its airstrikes are target at terrorist … [Read more...]
UN Security Council powers hold Syria resolution talks
UN Security Council envoys from Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States held talks on Wednesday on the Syrian chemical weapons crisis, but no agreement was reached. >> Obama vows to give diplomacy a chance on UNITED NATIONS: UN Security Council envoys from Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States held talks on Wednesday on the Syrian chemical weapons crisis, but no agreement was reached. "They discussed elements that could go into a resolution" on Syria, said one UN diplomat, referring to the 45-minute meeting between the council's veto-wielding permanent members. The talks took place at Russia's UN mission in New York. "Everyone set out their position but there were no real negotiations," a Council diplomat added. Russia has so far blocked Security Council moves to put pressure on its ally President Bashar al-Assad. But a meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva starting on Thursday will … [Read more...]
Vietnam condemns violence against children before Security Council
Vietnam condemns the killing of and violence against children, including sexual violence, the recruitment and use of child soldiers, acts of abduction and attacks targeting schools and hospitals. illustrative image Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Permanent Representative of Vietnam at the United Nations made the statement at the Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council on “Children and armed conflict” chair by Malaysia in New York on August 2. Ambassador Nga highly spoke of the tangible progress made to protect children from armed conflicts. “Thousands of children have been released from armed groups; States concerned are implementing their respective Council-mandated action plans; child protection policies have been incorporated in peacekeeping operations,” she said. Despite these efforts, children continue to be deprived of their basic rights and needs in both armed conflicts and post-conflict situations, the ambassador stressed, voicing her … [Read more...]
US, Japan request emergency UN Security Council session on North Korea
UNITED NATIONS: The United States and Japan on Sunday (May 14) called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on North Korea after Pyongyang carried out its latest missile test, diplomats said. The meeting has been scheduled in principle for Tuesday afternoon, according to the UN mission of Uruguay, which currently holds the council's presidency. North Korea launched a ballistic missile early on Sunday in what was seen as a challenge to South Korea's new President Moon Jae-In, a liberal who has said he wants to ease tensions with the North. It was the North's second missile firing in two weeks, and came amid mounting international concern over Pyongyang's progress in developing nuclear weapons that could be carried by long-range missiles. The latest projectile, launched from a military base in Kusong near the country's northwest coast, travelled some 700 kilometres before landing in the Sea of Japan. "There are no excuses that justify N. Korea's actions," Nikki … [Read more...]
Responsible and active member of United Nations
Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc made the remark on the occasion of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s attendance at the high-level Meeting of the 68th Session of the United Nation General Assembly in the US from September 26-28. The prestige is the obvious result of Viet Nam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, Ngoc said. He went on to say that Viet Nam has increasingly participated in the United Nations’ policy-making mechanism by becoming members of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) (1998-2000), Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (1991-1993, 1997-1999 and 2003-2005), Executive Board of the United Nations Development Program and Population Fund (2000-2002), United Nations Commission on Human Rights (2001-2003), Administration Council of the Universal Postal Union (1999-2004), International Telecommunication Union (2003-2007) and especially non-permanent member of the United Nations … [Read more...]