United Nations | The UN Security Council continued its search for a common position on Burma in the middle of the week, after its Asian members rejected Tuesday a declaration condemning the coup and providing for the possibility of international sanctions, according to diplomats.
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Since a meeting Friday on the deterioration of the situation in Burma, the 15 members of the Council have been negotiating the terms of this declaration.
Two successive versions of texts drafted by the United Kingdom, obtained by AFP, were rejected by China, Vietnam and India, three Asian countries to which Russia has joined.
They planned to condemn “the military coup” and said the Security Council was “ready to consider possible additional measures” if the crackdown continued, a hint of possible sanctions against the junta.
In the last project failed Tuesday evening, the Council also condemns “strongly the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators in Burma, including women, young people and children”.
In addition to calling for the release of the arrested civilian leaders, he also calls on “all parties to show the utmost restraint” and encourages “the search for a peaceful solution through constructive dialogue and reconciliation in the interest of the populations. and their livelihoods ”.
To be approved, a Council declaration must have the unanimity of its 15 members. This body had approved on February 4, shortly after the coup d’état of 1er February, a statement expressing its “deep concern” after the seizure of power by the Burmese military.
China and Russia had already refused a mention condemning the coup, but the rare obtaining of a unanimous declaration in two days had been noted even if it had remained without effect on the ground.
On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, the United Kingdom was to submit to its Security Council partners a new version of the text, incorporating amendments proposed by India and Vietnam, several diplomats told AFP.