The Hindu : International : Russia vetoes U.N. resolution on Cyprus

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Friday, Apr 23, 2004

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International

Russia vetoes U.N. resolution on Cyprus

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, APRIL 22. Russia demonstrated a new tough stance killing a U.N. Security Council resolution on Cyprus on Wednesday in what is seen as the first foreign policy test for the President, Vladimir Putin, after his re-election last month.

Russia used its veto for the first time in 10 years to kill a resolution pledging new U.N. security arrangements in Cyprus if both the Greek and Turkish Cypriots vote in favour of reunification this weekend. Russia's demarche looked especially striking since the other 14 members of the U.N. Security Council backed the resolution.

Moscow said it vetoed the U.S.-British draft because it saw it as an attempt to influence the outcome of the referendum in the Greek and Turkish parts of Cyprus and because both communities were opposed to the proposed resolution.

"Adopting the resolution without taking into account their positions would go against the philosophy of Cyprus settlement," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement today. The statement also said Moscow's amendments had been rejected and the resolution had been put to the vote despite an earlier understanding that it would be voted after the referendum.

Analysts said the Russian veto showed a more assertive policy Mr. Putin was following after his triumphant victory in the presidential election last month. It also demonstrated a more aggressive diplomacy of Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, appointed by Mr. Putin after his re-election.

"Russia has sent a signal that it will not rubberstamp U.N. resolutions drafted behind its back," the Izvestia daily said.

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