Russia vs. Britain: Whose resolution will get a majority in the UN Security Council?

The Russian Mission to the United Nations will submit a draft resolution on Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Security Council today, and its permanent members will immediately begin consultations on the draft that Moscow submitted as a counter-proposal to the British document on Srebrenica, the Belgrade press writes today, reports the Patria News Agency.

At the same time, according to "Večernje novosti", Belgrade will send a new letter to the representatives of the 15 countries in the SC, pointing out that the British initiative is unacceptable and not in the interest of Serbia or the entire region, as it does not contribute to reconciliation but to the creation of new tensions.

As "Blic" reports from diplomatic sources, the Russian resolution does not mention Srebrenica or any other crime by name, but condemns all war crimes committed in the territory of former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

Russia also insists in the document on respecting the Dayton Agreement for BiH, as well as on reconciliation among peoples and cooperation among the countries of the region.

"Večernje novosti" also states that, according to the Russian government, such a document is much more suitable for the discussion on the situation in BiH, which will be held in the SC on July 7, than a resolution that would deal with any individual crime, including Srebrenica.

According to the newspaper's report, London reacted with displeasure to Moscow's move, which practically submitted a counter-resolution to the British one, while Britain has no intention of withdrawing its text.

- Theoretically, the SC can discuss both resolutions, which is not standard diplomatic practice, or only the British one can remain on the table, as it was submitted first, add "Novosti".

The newspaper also reminds that before submitting the Russian resolution, Britain counted on the support of seven other members of the 15-member SC - France, the USA, Chad, Jordan, Lithuania, Malaysia, and New Zealand, but that after Moscow's move, the balance of power could change. 

Sources of "Novosti" also claim that Britain is counting on the support of its traditional ally, New Zealand, which takes over the presidency of the SC on July 1, and that great diplomatic pressure will be exerted on this country and all non-permanent members of the SC in the coming days from London, as well as from Washington, to prevent an agreement on the debate on the Russian document at all costs.