Advertisement
X

The Great UN Divide

Nine votes and no veto from a permanent member are needed to pass the second resolution.

Total members in Security Council: 15

Date: Voting expected between March 10-14
Compromise: Britain offers to amend the resolution
Possibility: To avoid vetoes, the US might not seek the vote

For the resolution

  • Angola Cash-strapped, its oil industry relies on US companies. Promised help in reconstruction.
  • US Buying votes; says nothing will stop it from going to war
  • UK Has ignored the popular peace movement at home to support war
  • Bulgaria Bargain with the US, including repayment of outstanding debt of $1 billion and a NATO membership
  • Guinea Its vote for the US is in exchange for military help to combat influx of refugees into the country

Against the resolution

  • France Has gone too far to change its stance now, except in the face of damning evidence against Iraq
  • Russia Could use its veto despite guaranteed repayment of $8 billion that Iraq owes to it, and a blank cheque on Chechnya
  • China Joins the anti-war group in a bid to counter American dominanceGermany Has risked jeopardising relations with the US to keep its anti-war masses at home happy
  • Syria Will vote against the resolution. Worried it could become Washington’s target in the future.

Fence-sitters

  • Mexico US accounts for 80% of its exports. A ‘No’ vote could jeopardise US regularisation of four million illegal immigrants in the US.
  • Chile Publicly against war. Could vote with the US to avoid scuttling a crucial free trade agreement.
  • Cameroon Wary of ditching France, it will go with whoever offers it best economic sops
  • Pakistan A tightrope walk between the US and Muslim hardliners at home. Likely to abstain if the vote seems to go against the US. Will vote in favour if there is a distinct pro-war swing.

Permanent members

  • US Buying votes; says nothing will stop it from going to war
  • UK Has ignored the popular peace movement at home to support war
  • France Has gone too far to change its stance now, except in the face of damning evidence against Iraq
  • Russia Could use its veto despite guaranteed repayment of $8 billion that Iraq owes to it, and a blank cheque on Chechnya
  • China Joins the anti-war group in a bid to counter American dominance
Advertisement
Published At:
US