China, Russia Veto UN Sanctions against Zimbabwe

China and Russia have vetoed a UN resolution to institute sanctions against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s regime, saying such a move would complicate rather than resolve the country’s political crisis. The two countries blocked the Western resolution, which would have imposed an arms embargo on Zimbabwe, financial and travel restrictions on Mugabe and other top government officials, and designated a UN special envoy to the country’s conflict. The resolution was fronted by Western countries, which have harshly denounced Mugabe for stage managing his re-election through violence and intimidation. [P.E]