From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Wed Dec 23 2009 - 14:22:12 EST
"One can choose his friends, but no country can choose its neighbors."
"Security Council should act prudently in imposing sanctions," Chinese
envoy says
*www.chinaview.cn* <http://www.chinaview.cn/index.htm> *2009-12-24
02:50:51*
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- China said here Wednesday that the
UN Security Council "should act prudently in imposing sanctions," and that
"the adoption of the resolution on sanctions against Eritrea by the Security
Council should not replace diplomatic efforts to resolve disputes through
dialogue and negotiations."
The statement came as Zhang Yesui, the Chinese permanent representative
to the United Nations, was taking the floor at the Security Council after he
abstained on the vote of the draft resolution to slap sanctions on Eritrea.
The Security Council Wednesday adopted a resolution to impose an arms
embargo on Eritrea. Libya, one of the 15 non-permanent members of the
Council, voted against the draft resolution, tabled by Uganda.
Zhang, dwelling on the Chinese stance on the draft resolution, said,
"China always maintains that the Security Council should act prudently in
imposing sanctions. The adoption of the resolution on sanctions against
Eritrea by the Security Council shall not replace diplomatic efforts to
resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiations."
"The top priority now is for all parties concerned to keep calm,
exercise restraint, and refrain from action that may aggravate the
situation," he said. "One can choose his friends, but no country can choose
its neighbors."
"The harmonious coexistence among IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on
Development) members is a blessing for countries in the Horn of Africa," he
said. "We hope countries in the region, including Eritrea, will bear in mind
the long-term interests of their people and the region, and make concerted
and more constructive efforts to create a harmonious regional environment
favorable for win-win cooperation."
"China always firmly supports the peace process in Somalia," he said.
"China has maintained friendly relations and cooperation with consecutive
Transitional Federal Governments in Somalia."
"We support the efforts of the international community to promote the
political reconciliation process in the country, and have taken an active
part in supporting the diplomatic efforts of the Security Council to
coordinate with the domestic negotiations in Somalia launched in Djibouti,"
he said. "The ultimate settlement of the Somali issue relies on not only
substantive breakthrough in the political reconciliation process in Somalia,
but also sincere cooperation of countries in the region."
"We call on all parties concerned to truly respect the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Somalia, support the Somali Transitional Federal
Government, and make greater contribution to peace and security in the
country," Zhang said.
"China always supports the African Union in coordinating with the
broader international community and playing an important and constructive
role in addressing hotspot issues in Africa," he said.
In recent years, the African Union has been vigorously engaged in
diplomatic mediation and good offices efforts as well as peacekeeping
operations in hotspot issues in Africa, he noted. "It strives to resolve
issues in Africa in an 'African way' and has gained some successful
experience."
"These efforts of the African Union deserve our respect, and further
demonstrate its value in maintaining regional peace and security as a
strategic partner of the United Nations," he said. "We look forward to a
bigger role by the AU in addressing conflicts in the Horn of Africa through
political and diplomatic efforts."
Editor: Mu Xuequan
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