China cool on French U.N. proposal for Syria weapons
Source: reuters
China responded coolly on Wednesday to a French draft resolution at the U.N. Security Council to control Syria's chemical weapons, saying any decisions must be based on consensus and promote a peaceful resolution.
An initial Security Council resolution, drafted by France, would demand that Syria make a complete declaration of its chemical weapons program within 15 days and immediately open all related sites to U.N. inspectors or face possible punitive measures.
The French draft resolution, seen by Reuters, adds that the Security Council would intend "in the event of non-compliance by the Syrian authorities with the provisions of this resolution ... to adopt further necessary measures under Chapter VII" of the U.N. Charter.
Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter covers the 15-nation Security Council's power to take steps ranging from sanctions to military interventions. It is the reference to Chapter 7, U.N. diplomats say, that has made Russia reluctant to support the initial French draft.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/11/us-syria-crisis-china-idUSBRE98A0F420130911