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Russian diplomat says surprised by absence of UN reaction to assault on RF embassy

UNITED NATIONS, June 17, /ITAR-TASS/. Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, on Monday said he was surprised by the absence any reaction on the part of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to an atrocious attack on the Russian embassy in Kiev committed by a mob of radicals Saturday.

“Frankly speaking, I’m a little bit surprised by the absence of a statement on behalf of the Secretary General,” Churkin said. “I think that’s because he is on a business trip somewhere, but I’ll make more inquiries because we think the Secretary General should rise to the defense of international law any time situations of this time take place.”

Churkin also said he was frustrated by the absence of condemnation of the mob on the part of the UN Security Council. The text of an appropriate statement was blocked by the Lithuanian delegation, while the UN procedure requires that such documents should be endorsed by consensus.

He said that many members of the Security Council expressed regret Monday morning over the absence of an opportunity to condemn the assault and the French ambassador said it was a mistake.

“It’s quite obvious the Lithuanian delegation broke the best traditions of the Security Council,” Churkin said, adding that Russia always expresses support for counterparts from other countries in such situations.

June 14, an aggressive mob attacked the Russian embassy in Kiev. Several hundred people blocked entry and exit of the embassy’s building, tore the Russian flag off it, hurled smoke pellets and firecrackers at it, and overturned several cars belonging to Russian diplomats.

Kiev police and Ukrainian security service officers did not undertake any resolute steps against the mobsters.

Staff members of the UN Secretariat declined to discuss Monday. Assistant spokesperson Farhan Haq spoke in general terms at an official briefing, saying it was necessary to stop violence and to avoid bellicose rhetoric.

However, he said later off the camera he was concerned by the reports that the Ukrainian police did not stop the radicals in the mob.

Haq said all the diplomatic missions should have proper security wherever they are located. “That’s the UN’s principled position and part and parcel of international law,” he said.