NEW YORK – By calling a UN Security Council meeting with the demand tosupport anti-government protesters in Iran, the US is trying to bend theUNSC mandate, which does not deal with countries’ internal affairs,Russia’s UN envoy has said.
“We obviously regret the loss of lives as a result of the demonstrationsthat were not so peaceful. However, let Iran deal with its own problems,especially since this is precisely what’s taking place,” Russia’s envoy tothe UN Vassily Nebenzia said.
He slammed the US for diverting attention from important internationalissues the UN Security Council should be addressing.
“You are dispersing the energy of the Security Council, instead of focusingit on dealing with key crisis situations in Afghanistan, Syria Libya, Iraq,Yemen, DPRK, the African continent. Instead of that, you are proposing thatwe interfere in the internal affairs of a state.”
“We don’t want to get involved in destabilizing Iran or any other country.”
He also reminded Washington of its own history of cracking down on protests.
“If we follow your logic, then we should have meetings of the SecurityCouncil after the events in Ferguson or after the dispersal by force of theOccupy Wall Street movement in Manhattan.”
In her opening speech, the US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, dubbed theongoing unrest in Iran a “spontaneous expression of fundamental humanrights,” claiming the protests were simultaneously playing out in “over 78locations.”
“In the end, the Iranian people will determine their own destiny. Let therebe no doubt the US stands unapologetically with those in Iran who seekfreedom for themselves, prosperity for their families and dignity for theirnation. We will not be quiet,” Haley said, dismissing any attempts to paintthe protesters as “puppets of foreign powers.” The US envoy said Washingtonwas absolutely sure they [the protesters] are acting on their own.Attempt to disrupt Iran nuclear deal
The call to support anti-government protesters is another attempt todismantle the hard-won international nuclear deal struck in 2015, Nebenziaargued.
“The real reason for convening today’s meaning is not an attempt to protecthuman rights or promote the interests of the Iranian people, but rather aveiled attempt to seize the current moment to continue to undermine theJoint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). We consider it unacceptable tointentionally undermine the support of the international community JCPOAwhich is the main achievement of the nuclear nonproliferation in the lastfew years… Especially in the situation where the IAEA has repeatedlyconfirmed full compliance by Iran with its obligations.”
“The feeling is that there is some sort of inexplicable allergy to thiscountry and it clouds the thinking about events in this country and leadsto wishful thinking,” Nebenzia concluded.