UNITED NATIONS, DEC 30: The UN Security Council has put off decisions on the non-aligned proposal to lift sanctions against Libya and the US resolution to scrap arms embargo against Ethiopia and Eritrea.The decision on two resolutions would now be taken by the reconstituted council which takes over on January 1 as yesterday was the last scheduled working day for the 15-member council and members apparently decided against rushing into any decision.
Namibia had moved a resolution on behalf of the non-aligned members of the council calling for lifting of embargo against Libya as it has handed over for trial two suspects in the 1988 Pan Am jetliner bombing over lockerbie in Scotland.
The sanctions against Libya have been suspended but the US and Britain want the lifting to wait till after the trial of suspects is complete.
They argue that the council resolution calls for libyan cooperation during the trial and compensation to the victims if the two are found guilty. Hence any move to lift embargo should be taken only after the trial.
The US wanted the arms embargo to be lifted against Ethiopia and Eritrea since they have singed the peace accord to end their two-year old conflict. They wanted it to be done before the year-end but ran into opposition from Canada and netherlands who have peacekeeping troops there.
US wanted the sanctions to run their full course but decided against pressing its resolution calculating that both Canada and Netherlands are due to retire on January one and they would be replaced by Ireland and Norway who may not be vehement in their opposition.
Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
