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 30 August 2008 14:23 BST

Brown not giving up on UN over Zimbabwe

Monday, 14 Jul 2008 12:53
Gordon Brown says he reserves right to seek UN sanctions against Robert Mugabe despite opposition from China and Russia
Gordon Brown says he reserves the right to return to seek United Nations sanctions against Robert Mugabe, despite opposition from China and Russia.

This weekend financial sanctions against members of the Zimbabwean president's inner circle and an overall arms embargo were thrown out when Beijing and Moscow used their security council vetoes.

Both countries said they were not prepared to interfere in "national issues" while talks between Mr Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai were taking place.

Speaking at his monthly press conference at Downing Street on Monday, Mr Brown said the Chinese/Russian argument would only hold up as long as mediation talks continued.

He said that unless a breakthrough was achieved then the two countries would have to "face up to the facts that mediation had not succeeded".

"EU sanctions remain very important," the prime minister continued, "and the UN envoy is going ahead and will go to Harare.

"We have not only EU sanctions but also America too. Clearly, if mediation is not successful we reserve the right to return [to the security council]."

When pushed on the issue Mr Brown added that the stance of China and Russia, dubbed "incomprehensible" by foreign secretary David Miliband, was indefensible and completely unjustified.End of story


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