US accuses Russia, China of blocking UN statement on Baghdad embassy attack

The United States accused Russia and China on Monday of blocking a United Nations Security Council statement “underscoring the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises” after a December 31 attack on the US embassy in Baghdad.

Such statements by the 15-member Security Council have to be agreed by consensus.

The US mission to the United Nations said 27 countries spoke out against the attack on the Baghdad embassy “in stark contrast to the United Nations Security Council’s silence due to two permanent members – Russia and China – not allowing a statement to proceed.”