Russia calls for UN arms embargo against Georgia

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Russia called Tuesday for a UN arms embargo against Georgia despite certain US opposition. Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin circulated a draft resolution to the Security Council that would order all countries to take measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of arms to Georgia. He said Moscow wants to make the point that Georgia's military build-up in the last six years - from a defense budget of US$18 million to US$900 million - was put to very bad use in attacking Russian-backed separatists in South Ossetia last month. Churkin was asked whether it was realistic to push for an arms embargo against Georgia when the Americans clearly won't accept it. "Well I know that strong opposition from some members of the Security Council, particularly the United States, can be expected, but we believe that it was absolutely necessary to make this political statement by introducing this draft resolution," Churkin replied. The United States and Russia are both veto-wielding members of the Security Council.