U.N. General Assembly to Vote on Ukraine Resolution
The U.N. General Assembly is to vote Thursday on a resolution submitted by Ukraine denouncing the referendum in Crimea and the region's annexation by Russia -- but without explicitly criticizing Moscow.
The text is similar to the one submitted to the Security Council on March 19, but which was blocked by Russia's veto.
It "underscores that the referendum in (Crimea) of 16 March 2014, having no validity, cannot form the basis for any alteration of the status" of the region, and it urges all states and international organizations "not to recognize any alteration of the status" of Crimea.
If adopted by a majority of the 193 members of the General Assembly, the resolution would be non-binding. But a strong majority voting in favor would emphasize yet again the isolation of Russia over this issue, according to Western diplomats.
However, they said they fear there will be a high number of countries abstaining from the vote.
The draft submitted by the Ukraine was written in moderate language, aimed at attracting the maximum number of votes -- and makes no direct reference to Russia.
"The draft resolution is not aimed at condemning any member state," emphasized Ukraine's U.N. envoy Yuriy Sergeyev in a letter accompanying the draft, addressed to all the member states.
The draft resolution affirms the commitment of the General Assembly "to the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders."
It "calls upon all states to desist and refrain from actions aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including any attempts to modify Ukraine's borders through the threat or use of force or other unlawful means."
And the resolution invites "all parties to pursue immediately the peaceful resolution" of the crisis "through direct political dialogue."
Russia on March 19 vetoed -- and China abstained voting on -- a resolution denouncing the Crimea referendum. The other 13 members of the council voted in favor of the text, drafted by the United States.
As a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power, Russia can effectively block any attempt there to take a position. But this procedure does not apply in the General Assembly.
Source: Agence France Presse
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