Hillary Clinton: UN Syria Resolution Veto A 'Travesty'

SOFIA, Feb 5 (Reuters) - U.S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Sunday the veto by Russia and China of a U.N. resolution that would have urged the Syrian president to give up power was a "travesty".

Speaking to reporters during a visit to Bulgaria, Clinton said: "What happened yesterday at the United Nations was a travesty."

Western and Arab countries expressed anger after Russia and China blocked the resolution, which was prompted by President Bashar al-Assad's bloody crackdown on anti-government protests.

All 13 other members of the Security Council voted to back the resolution, which would have "fully supported" an Arab League plan under which Assad should cede powers to a deputy, withdraw troops from towns and begin a transition to democracy.

"We will work with the friends of a democratic Syria around the world to support the opposition's peaceful, political plans for change," Clinton said in Sofia.

(Reporting by Arshad Mohammed; Writing by Radu Marinas)

Comments

[Know-some-secrets]

04:59 AM on 02/06/2012

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton loves the spotlight and making headlines, but her “tough”, sanctimonious public lectures to other nations and their leaders come too frequently to have any effect. She could serve the purpose of peace in the world by being quiet and letting experienced diplomats conduct diplomacy.

She also talks constantly about being “exhausted” and her plans to leave her post. That really doesn’t encourage anyone in the world to listen to hear and head her words, regardless of the message.

[Know-some-secrets]

11:06 AM on 02/11/2012

should read "heed her words"

[OzzieTonto]

12:23 AM on 02/06/2012

Yeah, vetoes are bad... Except when the US uses them to excuse an Israeli actrocity.

[Galilee]

03:59 AM on 02/06/2012

Arabs dictatorships have used the UN to bash the only democratic country in the middle east.
Now the UN can't help Arabs when they really need help.

[Bob Metcalfe]

10:19 PM on 02/05/2012

If vetoing UN resolutions is a travesty..... lordy everyone knows that countries with a veto use it for their own political ends. Time for an end to the travesty of having some countries with veto power IMO.

[Know-some-secrets]

05:27 PM on 02/05/2012

The last thing serious diplomacy needs is Hillary Clinton trying to play tough guy. The cause of world peace will best be served when she resigns, as promised.

[PALEOLOGOS DRAGASH]

12:49 AM on 02/06/2012

A microscope strong enough has not been invented yet to locate any of Hillary's accomplishments.

[screwitall]

01:55 PM on 02/05/2012

Ironic,any thing that goes against what the US wants is always a travesty of some sort or the other.

[Ahmed Ghith]

06:55 PM on 02/05/2012

Ofcourse. Anything that comes in the way of their ""New Middle East"" is as many times said, a travesty!

[screwitall]

07:39 PM on 02/05/2012

Precisely

[OzzieTonto]

12:24 AM on 02/06/2012

A new post with more views of the Damascenes would be good, if you've time.

[chvemn]

01:30 PM on 02/05/2012

Shes not looking to good, the price she pays for spreading freedom(sarcasm).

[PALEOLOGOS DRAGASH]

02:09 PM on 02/05/2012

Umm....the last time she looked good (or cute) she was a toddler.

[Know-some-secrets]

05:28 PM on 02/05/2012

Hillary keeps saying she is exhausted. Why doesn't she just step down? What exactly has she accomplished as Secretary of State that would not have happened without her?

[PALEOLOGOS DRAGASH]

12:53 PM on 02/05/2012

Sweetie, YOU should definitely know the meaning of "travesty".

[prncaragorn]

12:28 PM on 02/05/2012

Oooooooo, Hillary sporting a "Tin tin" haircut. She must mean business this time. Mr. Biden makes bold statement that America stands with somebody but he forgot who.,

[Danish5666]

12:19 PM on 02/05/2012

It is sure funny to listen to US official's hypocrisy. What moral standing the US had, have been lost a long time ago.

[looneydoone]

12:03 PM on 02/05/2012

Many of the USA's vetos have been "a travesty" Madame Secretary