However the resolution's sponsors - the US, France and the
UK - dropped a specific threat of sanctions at the last
minute in order to win support.
So Russia and China didn't bow that much to U.S pressure.
rkm
--------------------------------------------------------
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4391810.stm
UN steps up pressure on Syrians
The UN Security Council has unanimously endorsed calls for
Syria to co-operate fully with an inquiry into the death
of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri.
However the resolution's sponsors - the US, France and the
UK - dropped a specific threat of sanctions at the last
minute in order to win support.
Instead, the resolution warns of "further action if
necessary".
A UN inquiry into the killing of Hariri in February
implicated Syrian and pro-Syria Lebanese officials.
Failure to co-operate fully and now will oblige us to
consider further actions Jack Straw
- UK Foreign Secretary
Russia and China had expressed deep concern that the
sanctions against Syria proposed in an earlier draft of
the resolution were too harsh, and the threat was removed
in a subsequent version.
BBC Middle East analyst Roger Hardy says the Syrians may
be relieved that the wording of the resolution has been
softened, but the international community has nevertheless
given them a stern warning that they must co-operate fully
with the continuing inquiry into the Hariri affair.
The fact that there is a large degree of international
consensus on the issue, he says, makes it harder for them
to claim they are simply the victims of a bullying
American superpower.
'Stern warning'
The killing of Hariri in a massive car bombing in Beirut
earlier this year led to widespread criticism of Syria,
which was forced to withdraw its soldiers from Lebanon as
a result.
A UN inquiry was also subsequently launched.
Last week, the its lead investigator, Detlev Mehlis, said
Syria had given misleading information and had not fully
co-operated with his commission.
The brother and brother-in-law of the Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad were among the suspects named in an
unedited version of Mr Mehlis's report.
The Security Council resolution says that anyone suspected
of being involved with Hariri's murder should be arrested
and made available for questioning.
They would also be banned from travelling and have their
assets frozen.
Syria is key to the Middle East - pressure on it will
shift the last of the moderates to the extreme Bill, US
Speaking in the council after the vote, UK Foreign
Secretary Jack Straw said Syria's attitude to date had
been "grudging and evasive", and that Damascus had now
been put on notice that the UN's patience had limits.
"Failure to co-operate fully and now will oblige us to
consider further actions to ensure that the Security
Council... can play its part in the Lebanese government's
determination to see justice done."
Syrian inquiry
At the weekend, Syria announced its own inquiry into the
death.
KEY UN FINDINGS
Assassins had considerable resources and capabilities
Evidence suggests both Syria and Lebanon were involved
Crime was prepared over several months
Hariri's movements and itineraries were monitored
Highly unlikely Syrian or Lebanese intelligence were not
aware of assassination plot
Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but
you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Damascus said a special judicial committee would question
both civilian and military personnel in the country.
The committee will also co-operate with the UN
investigation, the Syrian presidency said.
A deputy foreign minister, Walid Moallem, has embarked on
a tour of the Middle East in what observers says is an
apparent bid to rally Arab support in its dispute with the
UN.
Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2005/10/31 17:07:00 GMT
© BBC MMV
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