UNITED NATIONS
The UN Security Council adopted Monday unanimously a resolution that deplored downing of a Malaysia Airlines flight MH -17 on July 17 over Donetsk Oblast, in eastern Ukraine. The resolution was proposed by Australia and cosponsored by the Netherlands. It calls for fully upholding international law and emphasizing the accountability for “those responsible for violations of these rules to account.”
The resolution also demands that the “armed groups in control of the crash site and the surrounding area refrain from any actions that may compromise the integrity of the crash site, including by refraining from destroying, moving, or disturbing wreckage, equipment, debris, personal belongings, or remains."
In the difficult process of crafting diplomatic language acceptable to both the West and Russia, the Russian request to remove the phrase “armed groups” to refer to pro-Russian separatists was not granted.
Although hesitant until the final moments, Russia supported the resolution after some changes were made to the text. According to diplomats, a Russian proposal to change the term "the shooting" of Malaysian civil Boeing 777 to the "downing” of the plane was accepted.
The resolution calls for “a full, thorough and independent international investigation into the incident in accordance with international civil aviation guidelines." It demands that all states “and other actors refrain from acts of violence directed against civilian aircraft."
The foreign ministers of both Australia and the Netherlands, who cosponsored the resolution, delivered a strong speeches, as did representatives from 24 UN member states who wanted to address the issue -- primarily from the countries whose citizens lost their lives aboard MH-17.
Stressing that those responsible for the downing of Malaysian airliner "will be held accountable for their actions," the foreign minister of Australia said the declaration itself would not be enough and the implementation must be sought.
Julie Bishop said that there are no words that can describe the pain “shot through” the people in Australia who are mourning the deaths of all 298 victims of MH – 17.
“I cannot begin to fathom the pain and anguish their families feel," Bishop said. She requested the victims “be treated with dignity,” and deplored the limited acciess international investigators have had to the site.
"It is despicable that this access is not being provided," she said. "It is an affront to the victims and their families."
The foreign minister of the Netherlands told council members that “one priority stands out above all others: bring the victims' remains home.”
Frans Timmermans said the victim's remains should be recovered without delay.
“The demise of almost 200 of my compatriots has left a hole in the heart of the Dutch nation, has caused grief, anger and despair,” Timmermans said.
“Grief for the loss of loved ones, anger for the outrage of the downing of a civilian airplane and despair after witnessing the excruciatingly slow process of securing the crash site and recovering the remains of the victims,” were all being felt by the Dutch people, he said.
But Russia's UN’s ambassador accused Ukraine of trying to use this tragedy to gain the sympathy of the world and undertake yet another offensive in eastern Ukraine.
Vitaly Churkin said the government in Kiev is using this stage of the crisis in Ukraine for its own purpose while the “indiscriminate artillery and air strikes are hitting cities and killing civilians" in the east.
www.aa.com.tr/en
