Iran is at the top of the agenda at the UN Security Council meeting underway in New York right now. Strong statements have been made by the US, accusing Iran of supplying weapons to Syria. But Russia has criticized the US sanctions, calling them unilateral. For more on this, RT talks to American lawyer and professor of international law at the Geneva School of Diplomacy, Dr. Alfred de Zayas, from Geneva. RT on Twitter twitter.com RT on Facebook www.facebook.com
Events at the UN gathering in New York have once again been heated up by the speech of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. US, France and other western delegations walked out of the assembly as a sign of protest at his claims. RT on Twitter: twitter.com RT on Facebook: www.facebook.com
www.unwatch.org www.unwatch.org PREQUEL: www.unwatch.org UN Watch's Hillel Neuer exposes the hypocrisy of the UN Human Rights Council, the body that created the Goldstone Report. The Council president, Amb. Luis Alfonso de Alba of Mexico, rejects the speech as "inadmissible" -- and bans it from ever being delivered again. See media coverage at www.unwatch.org "A diplomatic moment to remember..." (New York Sun, March 30, 2007); "YouTube's Top Rated, Most Discussed, Most Linked, Most Viewed Video of the Week..." (March 2007); "Bloggers cheer. . . a stunning rebuke of the UN Human Rights Council" (Slate.com); "Council President Luis Alfonso de Alba ruled the remarks inadmissible. . . in the depths of the UN, this was of course logical: Mr. Neuer's commentary had been accurate..." (The Wall Street Journal). About the speaker: www.unwatch.org
HALO 4 WITH CONAN OBRIEN bit.ly LIKE us on: www.facebook.com A leaked North Korean cartoon presenting the totally true triumphs of the totally not pudgy Great Leader. See more www.collegehumor.com FOLLOW us on www.twitter.com FOLLOW us on: www.tumblr.com
The United Nations Security Council has just voted on a draft resolution concerning the ongoing violence in Syria. Of the voting members, Russia and China were the only ones to vote against the draft, but as permanent members of the UNSC they both hold veto power, and the resolution has not been passed as a result. The news follows days of heated political debates in the UNSC, with many members supporting a Western-backed draft calling for foreign nations to put an end to what some called the "Syrian killing machine." Russia and China were the only permanent Security Council members opposing the draft, reminding others that it was not their place to intervene in another country's domestic affairs. Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin earlier said any proposals including an arms embargo or a demand for Assad's resignation would be vetoed. The Security Council meeting comes amid reports from Syria of a new crackdown in the city of Homs, with hundreds reportedly killed. RT talks to Dr Ali Mohamad, editor-in-chief of Syria Tribune website. RT on Twitter twitter.com RT on Facebook www.facebook.com
Russia and China have vetoed a Security Council resolution backing an Arab League peace plan that calls for Syrian Pres. Bashar Assad to step down amid escalating violence. Ambassador Susan Rice says the US is "disgusted" by the vote. (Feb. 4)
The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution that authorises an initial deployment of up to 300 unarmed military observers to Syria for three months to monitor a fragile week-old ceasefire in the country's 13-month old conflict. The Russian and European drafted resolution said that deployment of the UN observer mission, which will be called UNSMIS, will be "subject to assessment by the Secretary-General [Ban Ki-moon] of relevant developments on the ground, including the cessation of violence". Saturday's resolution also noted that the cessation of violence by the government and opposition is "clearly incomplete". Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey reports from the UN in New York.
This video reveals the scope and impact of the UNs work focusing principally on peace and security, development and human rights. It highlights the UNs role as a forum for united action for the common good, and for building partnerships to address problems that know no borders, like natural disasters and climate change. United Nations website: www.un.org
