(New York Times) Editorial - There is a lot of shame to go around after the UN Security Council failed last week to pass a resolution condemning Syria's brutal crackdown. Russia, which used its veto, clearly values its arms sales and other trade with Damascus over the lives of the more than 2,900 Syrians killed during pro-democracy protests. China, which followed Russia, clearly fears any popular movement. Brazil, India and South Africa should also be chastised for abstaining. As democracies, they should be leading efforts to denounce President Bashar al-Assad's brutality, not enabling it. With the Security Council paralyzed, Europe and the U.S. must keep stepping up the pressure, robustly enforce their own sanctions - including a European embargo on oil imports from Syria - and adding to the list. Mr. Assad must not be allowed to think that the failed UN vote was the last word.
2011-10-11 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive