UN defeats rival resolutions to keep Syria cross-border aid

The United Nations Security Council on Dec. 20  rejected rival resolutions that would continue the delivery of humanitarian aid across borders to more than 1 million Syrians every month in mainly rebel-held areas, leaving future deliveries in question as winter arrives.

A resolution co-sponsored by Germany, Belgium and Kuwait and supported by the U.N. humanitarian office that would have extended the mandate for deliveries for six months and cut one of four crossing points received 13 "yes'' votes in the 15-member council, but was vetoed by Russia, the Syrian government's closest ally, and China.

Their initial draft sought to add a new crossing point to the four existing points and extend the mandate for aid deliveries for a year. It was watered down in a failed compromise attempt, dropping a crossing point in Jordan and authorizing three others for six months.

A rival resolution sponsored by Russia and China, introduced only on Dec. 16, would have extended deliveries for six months and kept only two crossing points in Turkey. It received five "yes'' votes, six "no'' votes and four abstentions a defeat because it failed to get the required nine "yes'' votes for adoption.

Accusations and recriminations flew during and after the votes, with many council members calling it a sad day and vowing to try to find an acceptable compromise.

The current year-long mandate for aid deliveries through four border crossings Bab al-Salam and Bab al-Hawa in Turkey, Al Yarubiyah in Iraq, and Al-Ramtha in Jordan expire on Jan. 10.

U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft, the current council president, said she was "deeply and profoundly disappointed'' at the Russian and Chinese vetoes.

Russia's goal wasn't to save Syrian lives but wanting "to score...

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