NEW YORK – US overcomes China’s Veto threat at UN Security Council overAfghanistan Mission extension.
The United Nations Security Council unanimously agreed on Tuesday toextend a UN political mission in Afghanistan after last-minute talksovercame a Chinese threat to veto if there was no mention of Beijing’sglobal Belt and Road infrastructure project in the resolution.
The project was not mentioned in the resolution drafted by Germany andIndonesia and which was adopted by the 15-member council.
“To our regret a few countries refused to keep the text of consensuspreviously agreed,” said China’s U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun, describing theadopted resolution as a technical rollover.
Previous resolutions in 2016, 2017 and 2018 included a reference welcomingand urging efforts like China’s Belt and Road initiative to facilitatetrade and transit, but in March the US and some other council members saidthey would no longer accept that language.
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The council agreed then to a six month rollover of the mandate of the UNmission, known as UNAMA, and that expires on Tuesday. A planned vote onMonday was delayed to Tuesday to allow for further negotiations asdiplomats said China had signaled it was prepared to veto the text.
To pass, a resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the US,China, France, Russia and Britain.
