Soviets veto UN comment on destruction of airliner

September 14, 1983

The Soviet Union vetoed a resolution in the Security Council Monday night that would have deplored the Soviets' destruction of a Korean airliner. The Soviet Union accused the United States of trying to heighten confrontation with Moscow.

The US and 15 other sponsors of the text avoided humiliation in obtaining the bare minimum of nine votes for their draft resolution after intensive lobbying. Poland joined the Soviet Union in voting against it. China, Guyana, Nicaragua, and Zimbabwe abstained.