China has blocked a statement in the UN Security Council which would have asked Sudan to reverse its decision to expel over a dozen aid groups.
China has blocked a statement in UN security Council which would have asked Sudan to reverse its decision to expel over a dozen aid groups accused of cooperating with International Criminal Court, which issued arrest warrants against its president Omar Hassan al-Bashir on war crime charges.
The issue over the French-drafted statement left the 15-member Council sharply divided with the several members, including China, demanding that it ask the court to defer any action at least for one year to give peace process a chance in Sudan, a move that western nations like the United States, Britain and France oppose.
Diplomats said that while asking Sudan to reverse the decision, China also wanted reference to the International Criminal Court's action which was not acceptable to the western nations.
Russian position was unclear but some western diplomats said Moscow could be brought on board. China, however, was different case.
All members must agree to a statement before it can be issued.
The western countries could bring a resolution but it is unclear whether they have the necessary nine votes. Besides, China with veto power would have to agree if it is to go through.
United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon is expected to discuss the issue when he meets American president Barack Obama on Tuesday.
Officials said Ban is expected to discuss with Obama a range of security and development issues, including global financial crisis and non-proliferation.
Though the expulsion of aid groups came just as the warrants were issued by ICC, Sudan denies that the two are inter-related.
Its UN Ambassador Abdalmahmoud Abdalhaleem denied that it had anything to do with the Court's action. His country, he said, had ample evidence of their treachery.
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