UNSC fails to adopt Russian draft calling for Nord Stream probe
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Back in February, Russia presented a draft UN Security Council resolution requesting that the UN Secretary-General establish an independent international commission to investigate into the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines
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File photo of United Nations Security Council meeting (AFP)
The draft resolution was sponsored by the Russian delegation in the security council in regard to establishing a commission for the purpose of investigating the bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline.
Three member states voted in favor and the 12 other members abstained.
Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia contended that some parties are actively trying to cover up the bombing of the Nord Stream pipelines.
"Precious time is being wasted, and there are increasing suspicions that within these investigations, efforts are being made not to shed light on what happened with the acts of sabotage, but rather to hide evidence and to clean up the crime scene," Nebenzia said during a UN Security Council meeting.
Read more: UNSC to vote on Russian resolution probe into Nord Stream explosion
Back in February, Russia presented a draft UN Security Council resolution requesting that the UN Secretary-General establish an independent international commission to investigate allegations made by US journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Seymour Hersh that the explosions were executed by the US with the help of Norway.
Russia considers the explosions that struck the two pipes an act of international terrorism. There have been no formal findings from the investigation, but US journalist Seymour Hersh has claimed that the US is behind the explosion, and has offered a number of insights into the subject. The US denies its involvement in the incident.
Read more: Two explosions with 500Kg TNT force each hit Nord Stream gas pipelines
Back in September, The Nord Stream gas pipelines were damaged by two explosions each with a force of around 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms) of TNT.
Separate investigations were launched by Germany, Denmark, and Sweden into the suspected sabotage, with German media reporting trust issues among the three EU nations.
In mid-March, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said that Copenhagen expressly forbids Moscow from partaking in the investigation of the Nord Stream pipelines’ explosion.
Read more: Denmark not to allow Russia joining Nord Stream attack investigations
The minister contended that Denmark, Sweden, and Germany are committed to the rule of law, so the investigations and consequent results should be trusted thus Russia needn’t be involved, according to the newspaper.
In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Copenhagen's decision as a "fraud" and "scam".
