UN Security Council Unanimously Approves Probe of Crash in Ukraine


UN Security Council Unanimously Approves Probe of Crash in Ukraine

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The united Nations Security Council, increasing pressure on Russia over the downing of a jetliner of Ukraine, adopted a resolution Monday calling for investigators to have unfettered access to the crash site and demanding a cease-fire in the area.

Russia, which has been accused by other nations of involvement in Thursday’s shooting down of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17, joined other Security Council members in the 15-0 vote. As a permanent member of the Security Council, it had the power to veto the resolution.

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, said a resolution would not have been necessary if Moscow had used its influence over pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine to permit access to the scene, where bodies and debris were strewn for miles.

The foreign minister of Australia, which drafted the resolution, said Russia “must use its influence over the separatists” to ensure key points of the resolution are upheld, The Los Angeles Times reported.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop addressed the council, citing “grotesque violations” of the crash site, where gunmen have been in control of the scene. “It's despicable that this access is not being provided” to investigators, Bishop said. “It is an affront to the victims and their families.”

At least 27 Australians were among the 298 victims on the plane, which US officials have said was brought down by a missile fired from an area under control of the separatists.

Vitaly Churkin, Russia’s UN ambassador, said his nation “stands ready to provide any assistance necessary.”

But Churkin quickly resumed attacks on Ukraine, accusing it of drawing on the “shock” of the jet’s downing to step up its own attacks along the border against the separatists, who are seeking independence and possible union with Russia.

 

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