Mitch PerryRussia has vetoed a U.N. resolution condemning the reported use of chemical weapons in Syria, angering Boca Raton U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch.
The resolution, which was being pushed by the U.S, Britain and France, aimed to bolster support for international inquiries into last week’s deadly toxic gas attack in Syria. It was the eighth time that Russia has vetoed a proposed Security Council resolution on Syria.
“Once again, Russia strong-armed the UN Security Council and abused its veto power in order to protect the criminal and ruthless dictator Assad,” Deutch said in a statement shortly after the vote at the UN in New York. “It is utterly despicable that Russia would block a resolution condemning the use of chemical weapons – an actual war crime – and backing an investigation into the attack. Russia’s blind defense of the Assad regime and this horrific attack on innocent men, women, and children is truly an affront to the most basic of humanity.”
The final vote was 10 votes for the resolution, two against, and three abstentions. Because Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council, the resolution failed.
Last week, Deutch and Miami-area Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen wrote a letter to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley urging for a strong response by the Security Council to the use of chemical weapons by Syria’s President, Bashar al-Assad against innocent civilians.
