UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL (UNSC) VIMUNC II MARCH 13TH TO 14TH, 2015 HOSTED BY LANGLEY HIGH SCHOOL S MODEL UNITED NATIONS AT COOPER MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 P age
United Nations Security Council Page 2 VIMUNC II HOSTED BY LANGLEY HIGH SCHOOL S MODEL UNITED NATIONS MARCH 13TH TO 14TH, 2015 Dear Delegates, CAMERON DAVIS SECRETARY- GENERAL Welcome to the second session of the Virginia Invitational Model United Nations Conference! Langley Model United Nations is incredibly excited to host you all at our Model UN conference, VIMUNC II, on March KATHERINE CASSIDY DIRECTOR- GENERAL 13-14, 2015. We hope to create a unique experience for each and every one of you this year. This year at VIMUNC II, our goal is to provide an incredible delegate ALI AKBAR UNDER- SECRETARY GENERAL experience through our wide variety of committees and incredible college chairs. Ranging from conventional General Assemblies to unconventional crisis simulations, we know that VIMUNC II will surely be unique! Through our eleven committees General Assemblies, Specialized Agencies, and AMEEN AL- DALLI UNDER- SECRETARY GENERAL Crisis Simulations we are sure that each delegate will be challenged with tackling important issues. From Chicago s gangs to the Ebola crisis, it is our hope that our topics will stimulate your minds and creativity! Position papers are required in all committees for delegates to be eligible for awards. RACHEL WU CHIEF OF OPERATIONS As it is our annual conference at Langley High School, we are working hard to give all of you the best experience possible. In recent years, our club has expanded exponentially, and we are using our numbers to provide the best crisis staff, typing staff, and hospitality staff possible. Through our conference schedule, we have been able to observe successful conferences held by both high schools and colleges, which we strive to model VIMUNC after. We hope that you have fun preparing for VIMUNC! Please feel free to email us at vimunc@gmail.com or look on our website at langleymun.com if you have any additional questions or concerns.
United Nations Security Council Page 3 LETTER FROM THE CHAIR Ladies and Gentleman, My name is Sean Gordon, and I will be your chair for the UNSC simulation at VIMUNC II. Now, if I have learned anything from the three years that I have been doing Model UN, it is that nobody reads this letter. I have been to maybe a dozen or more conferences and I don t think I have ever read one, not one single letter. If you are reading this and you haven t yet gathered that you should skip down to the content, then I will go right out there and say it. Skip to the content. I am not that interesting. What is interesting, however, are the topics we will be debating at VIMUNC, they are by far and away the most critical conflicts in the international stage. Your crisis staff and I will be working our hardest to not only make this an engaging and entertaining experience, but also one that tests your skills as a delegate and your knowledge of the topics at hand. That being said, please gloss over this letter and focus on the real information found under Topics 1 and 2. Now you may be thinking to yourself, But if he wants us to not read the letter and focus on the information so bad, why is he still writing stuff down?, and the answer to that it simple. Aesthetics. You see, children, if I type a suspiciously short letter, then it will immediately stick out as you are rapidly scrolling down trying to find out what you will be talking about for two days. You may think well that s not right, maybe it is worth more than a half a second to check this out and see what s up, or you may be like me and just think to yourself good. He gets it. That being said I am making an effort to make it look like this is just another letter, chock full of information about me, the guy you will likely never see again after the 15 th. Perhaps there is a chance we could become best friends I suppose, but if that did happen then I am sure there will be plenty of time in the future for you to learn all about my life. Wow. That was exhausting, but now we are ready for the good stuff. So tighten those ties, and straighten those flag pins. It is time to go to work. Sean Gordon, Class of 2015
United Nations Security Council Page 4 TOPIC 1:THE SPREAD OF THE ISLAMIC STATE Overview: The Islamic State (also referred to as ISIS or ISIL, the Islamic State in Iraq and al-sham/the Levant is an extremist jihadist group that aims to found a new Sunni state in the region of Iraq and al-sham, or greater Syria. The group is led by Abu Bakr al-baghdadi, a mysterious figure who was reputedly born in Iraq and joined the Iraqi insurgency after the 2003 NATO invasion. Al-Baghdadi later emerged as the leader of al-qaeda in Iraq, out of which ISIS grew. Due to its brutality and harsh tactics, even al-qaeda has renounced its existence. ISIS poses an immediate threat to Iraq and Syria, along with anyone who publically opposes them. Furthermore, ISIS recruits foreign righters for their ultimate vision of creating a new Sunni caliphate. Context of Dispute: ISIS has keep able to grow and develop due to the instability in Syria and their civil war, and Iraq after the withdrawal of the United States. Although ISIS stated goal is to found a state in the territory of eastern Syria and central Iraq, the group has also been successful in growing through foreign recruitment and the control of areas in Syria and Iraq. As a result, ISIS gained ground over Syrian rebel groups such as the Free Syrian Army, forcing them to split their forces and extending the lifespan of Assad s tentative regime. While ISIS still opposes Assad in Syria, it is more concerned with the foundation of a Sunni caliphate in the Levant. Through the Iraqi insurgence and fighting rebel groups in Syria, ISIS has gained large military experience. ISIS had its first victory with the capture of Raqqa, Iraq in March, 2013. From Raqqa, the jihadists progressed through eastern Syria, where they supplemented donations from wealthy Gulf State citizens anxiously waiting for the fall of Assad with proceeds from the oil fields and other sources. Although ISIS sought an alliance with the al-nusra front, Syria s al-qaeda affiliate, al-qaeda rejected the deal and leader Zawahiri, urged ISIS to focus on Iraq.
United Nations Security Council Page 5 With the Syrian rebels fighting on two fronts and the government defending, ISIS moved back into Iraq taking Sunni-dominated Falluja, parts of Ramadi, the provincial capital, and strong authoritative power around the Syrian-Iraqi border. To the surprise of many, ISIS seized Mosul, a prominent city in Iraq. With the control of Mosul, hundreds of extremist militants were released, with negative repercussions increasing as a result. In addition, with a strong position in the north, ISIS has gained access to the highly profitable oilfields. Additionally, attacks were centered on the Mosul dam, as ISIS sought to use water as a weapon for war. ISIS brutal treatment of civilians has caused hundreds of thousands of refugees to flee the country; reports are currently surfacing of Yazidi women held in captivity and used as sex slaves by ISIS combatants. While Lebanon, Jordan, and Iran are also hosting Syrian refugees, the situation in Turkey might be the most prevalent, as the tensions between the Kurdish refugees has caused many Syrian borders to shut down. ISIS ability to grow and develop in Iraq has arisen from a combination of factors, including profits from extortion and kidnapping in Syria, experience against Syrian rebels, and especially Nuri al-maliki s lenience towards the Shia majority. Maliki s policies, including failing to integrate the Sunni clans into the government and military efforts, violently suppressing peaceful protests, and even drove some moderate Sunnis to join ISIS. While the Sahwa, a tribal Sunni force, was integral in the American effort to drive ISIS out of Iraq, Maliki disbanded the militias, even driving some to join ISIS instead. Minorities such as Alawites and the Christian Yazidi, unprotected by the government and viewed as infidels by ISIS, are left hopeless. Recently, thousands of Iraqi Yazidis-a Christian, Kurdish-speaking ethic group-were forced to flee their homes into the mountains, relying on insufficient humanitarian aid to survive. The Yazidi and other non-sunni minorities continue to be targeted by ISIS, and face especially harsh treatment in occupied territories. In Syria, ISIS has been most effectively challenged by fellow Sunnis in Iraq; Peshmerga militias in Iraq s controversial Kurdish region in the north have managed to hold off ISIS and even recently made inroads on the ISIS-controlled Mount Sinjar, but are unable to continue the aforementioned efforts without the direct assistance and support from the international community, and specifically the Security Council.. The United States, European Union, and Arab countries including Saudi Arabia and Qatar have united in an anti-isis coalition and have been carrying out
United Nations Security Council Page 6 targeted airstrikes since November, killing multiple ISIS leaders. These airstrikes are predominantly carried out by the US, and most of the US strikes take place in Syria. Plans for more active involvement on the other hand focus on making use of Iraqi coalition-trained force. As evinced in the video recordings of the executions of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, American aid worker Peter Kassig, and UK hostage David Haines among others, which were clearly produced for media consumption, ISIS is unlike any previous jihadist groups the international community has seen in the past. Their use of extreme violence and modern technology have helped them recruit new members and assert their dominance in the region. Conclusion: The situation in Iraq cannot be resolved without stronger unification, one including Sunnis and Kurds in addition to the majority Shi a. The direction taken by the new Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-abadi,will be crucial. A unified front of all Iraqi parties is necessary if ISIS is to be combatted. Notably, the situations in Iraq and Syria are interrelated. Even if NATO and other countries increase commitments to moderate Syrian rebels or deploy air or ground forces to combat Assad and/or ISIS in Syria, the extremists would move their efforts to Iraq and vice versa. Achieving stability in the region will be one of the most difficult tasks for the committee to do, but is crucial to aiding the region s efforts against ISIS. Its spread through the Levant polarizes religious and ethnic groups, provides a breeding ground for extremism in the form of training camps, and is likely to spread, according to the group s stated goals. Many ISIS fighters are young teenagers from Europe, and have expressed their commitment to bringing the fight back to Western borders. Decisive action must be taken by the Security Council if the threat of ISIS is to be reduced, and the Middle East can end the years of turmoil they have been in.
United Nations Security Council Page 7 Possible Solutions: One of the first things that must be determined is how to deal with the threat of ISIS under the authority of the United Nations. Additionally, one of the main concerns is safeguarding civilians in the area, who account for the majority of ISIS victims, while many member states will also be concerned about the participation of their own nationals and any threats to their own homeland. The humanitarian and refugee crisis is also one that must be considered. Is it viable to utilize peacekeepers in this situation seeing their past corruption, or should the council look towards other options to mitigate the effects of ISIS? It is the duty of the United Nations Security Council to re-establish peace and security in the region and to protect its member countries without infringing upon international law and territorial integrity. Useful Websites: http://www.theguardian.com/world/isis http://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/isis http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/08/world/isis-fast-facts/ http://www.cbsnews.com/iraq-crisis/ http://www.bbc.com/news/world/middle_east/ http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11520.doc.htm http://www.lettertobaghdadi.com/ http://www.npr.org/2014/09/25/351277631/prominent-muslim-sheikh-issues-fatwa-against-isis-violence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjo4b-yaxfk QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER 1.What measures should the Security Council take to ensure the safety of Iraq and Syria? 2.How can the UNSC cut off funding for ISIS? 3.How should Western nations be protected from ISIS threats? 4.What are some possible methods to slow the spread of the Islamic State? 5.What kind of humanitarian aid is necessary for those affected by ISIS?
United Nations Security Council Page 8 TOPIC 2: TENSIONS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA Overview: The South China Sea has become an area of his dispute regarding security and regional disagreements in recent years. Borders disputes are at the heart of the controversy, with China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Brunei all claiming certain areas of land and sea as their own. All involved countries claim some or all of the small islands in the South China Sea. No one claim has more validity over the others; since the islands are almost universally too small to sustain long-term populations, no one has been interested in them until quite recently. An exclusive economic zone (EEZ), grants the country that possesses it certain economic rights. While many of the islands in the South China Sea lack significance, there are fisheries and potentially large energy resources, such as oil and other hydrocarbons, in the area. Additionally, the South China Sea is in a strategically critical location, linking the Pacific and Indian oceans. About half the world's yearly shipping goes through the South China Sea. This makes it an important issue not just for the claimant states, but also nations surrounding the area, and ultimately, the international community as a whole. Context of Dispute: The Paracel Islands, in the north of the South China Sea, are disputed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In 1974, China gained control over the entire Paracel archipelago in the Battle of the Paracel Islands, taking the islands from the control of what was then South Vietnam. While China currently controls the Paracel Islands, Vietnam and Taiwan claim the land as its own. The Spratly Islands, located south of the Paracel Islands, are also subject to territorial disputes. All 6 claimant states claim all or part of the Spratlys, and as a result, all, sans Brunei, have established a military and civilian presence on one or more of the Spratly Islands. The Macclesfield Bank, east of the Paracel Islands and north of the Spratly Islands, is claimed by Taiwan, China, and the Philippines. The Pratas Islands are controlled by Taiwan, and claimed by Taiwan and China. The Scarborough Shoal, which is located between the Macclesfield Bank and the Filipino island of Luzon, is also
United Nations Security Council Page 9 claimed by Taiwan, China, and the Philippines. Only a few of the islands are large enough to generate an EEZ. However, these EEZs can be very profitable and lead to expanded access to resources and energy. Reserves of oil and natural gas are known to exist in the area, but their exact size is still being determined. They still provide a powerful incentive for the developing nations that border the sea to claim as much of it as they possibly can. The South China Sea is also home to large fisheries that provide food and economic growth to many of the countries that border it. Approximately ten percent of the world's fishing is done in the South China Sea, as of 2000. Over 30% of the world's coral reefs bordered the sea at the time as well. The South China Sea's disputed status has posed a problem to environmental protection effort in the area. Ultimately, an agreement where the states agree to ignore their sovereignty disputes and collaboratively profit from the resources in the region may be the best option. The dispute is also highly charged from a political aspect. Of the claimant states, four (Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam) are members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional organization that promotes joint interests between its member states. China does not officially recognize the existence of Taiwan, which slows efforts of cooperation. Although it often falls in to conflict with other nations, China has also often sought to reassure its neighbors that it wants a peaceful solution. Another concern of China's is to keep the dispute between the 6 claimant states. Due to the South China Sea's location and commercial importance, many other countries have had concerns about freedom of navigation through the area. Countries that have particular concerns include Australia, New Zealand, Korea, India, the U.S., and Japan. The U.S., in particular, which has a very large naval presence in East Asia and a large dependence on shipping through the area, is concerned but maintaining a neutral stance. Likewise, China is keen to keep the U.S. out of the problem. Too much belligerence from China, and some of the ASEAN states, such as the Philippines, who has close ties with the United States, may ask the U.S. to intervene, or at least get involved. Concerned about its relationship with the U.S. and close economic ties with many other non-claimant nations, China aims towards avoiding attracting other nations to this issue. Economic concerns would also motivate other claimant states to attempt to avoid drawing too much outside attention.
United Nations Security Council Page 10 As has already been mentioned, approximately half of the world's yearly shipping tonnage passes through the South China Sea. This shipping cannot be easily or cheaply rerouted, and would disrupt commerce for many, many other East Asian countries. Effects would also be felt in countries on the Indian Ocean, and countries of the East Pacific. Among others, the U.S., India, Japan, Australia, and Korea would be directly affected by any restrictions on ships passing through the area. It also is important as a precedent for other such disputes throughout the world, due to its unique and complicated situation. Most countries of the world want to maintain good relationships with both China and the other claimant states, and many would therefore support a peaceful, cooperative solution. Many countries that are more reliant on China, including many developing nations that benefit from Chinese investment, may be willing to support China's claims in order to avoid irking their new trading partner. Conclusion: Recently, China have had clashes with the Philippines and Vietnam. China is currently in a delicate position; as it prepares for a leadership transition and that transition's immediate aftermath, it is keen to avoid being seen as weak. With this in mind, it has been expanding its troops and military presence on many of the islands in recent months, along with expanding existing territory. Other claimant states have also began to expand their presence and increase military spending, leading to concerns about an arms race. The US has repeatedly issued statements urging for calm and a peaceful settlement to the disputes. Despite this increase in military aggression, China has also issued repeated statements that it still seeks a peaceful settlement that is acceptable to all claimant states. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations conducted a meeting in July, 2012, in which controversy between the South China Sea grew. Disagreements were so prevalent that the conference failed to issue a joint communiqué by the end of the meeting. Cambodia, which has no island claims and is heavily reliant on Chinese investment, blocked any strong statement against China. This has bolstered China s power in some aspects, however, other states have subsequently reaffirmed their disagreement with China s actions as a result of this.
United Nations Security Council Page 11 Possible Solutions: Self-interest, suspicion, and national pride make a permanent solution to the root cause of the problem, the question over who owns which islands, extremely unlikely in the immediate future. In order to address the claimant states, the Security Council must take direct action in cooperation with these nations. Particularly, the claimant states could develop, through joint meetings and summits, binding agreements to avoid all violence and use of force, guarantee freedom of navigation, establish search and rescue services, halt all further construction on disputed islands, establish fisheries and environmental protection, and begin joint resource acquisition, splitting the profits. A meeting between the parties could help establish new networks, tasked with the mandate of meeting the above targets. The United Nations Security Council could help achieve these goals by reminding the claimant states of the South China Sea's wider significance, or condemning all attempts to use force to claim an island. It could also inform the involved parties that it expects them to establish some sort of cooperative management regime in order to allay international concerns. However, keep in mind that China would almost certainly veto any such measure. Further Reading: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/taiping.htm http://www.southchinasea.org/docs/joyner,%20spratly%20islands%20dispute.pdf http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/08/15/the_south_china_sea_is_the_future_of_conflict http://siiaonline.org/?q=research/timeline-disputes-south-china-sea http://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/closindx.htm http://205.254.135.24/countries/regions-topics.cfm?fips=scs http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/southchinasea/index.html http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-13748349 http://thediplomat.com/tag/south-china-sea-disputes/ http://www.economist.com/topics/south-china-sea
United Nations Security Council Page 12 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER 1. What is your country s stance on Japan s right to drill the Islands or claim to do it? 2. Do nations have the right to drill in this area? 3. What is your country s stance on the position of the United States? 4. Why has China not presented a claim to the ICJ for the territoriality of the Islands? 5. Which country has the territoriality over the Islands, according to policy?
United Nations Security Council Page 13 WORKS CITED Blumberg, Antonia. "Muslim Scholars Release Open Letter To Islamic State Meticulously Blasting Its Ideology." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2015. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/24/muslim-scholars-islamic-state_n_5878038.html>. Lister, Tim. "Has ISIS Peaked? Terror Group Suffers Setbacks in Iraq." CNN. Cable News Network, 14 Nov. 2014. Web. 01 Jan. 2015. <http://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/14/world/meast/isis-setbacks-iraq-lister/>. "Security Council Adopts Resolution 2170 (2014) Condemning Gross, Widespread Abuse of Human Rights by Extremist Groups in Iraq, Syria Meetings Coverage and Press Releases." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2015. <http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11520.doc.htm>. Lock, Helen. "How Isis Became the Wealthiest Terror Group in History." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 15 Sept. 2014. Web. 01 Jan. 2015. <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/how-isis-became-the-wealthiest-terror-group-inhistory-9732750.html>. Spencer, Richard. "Iraq Crisis Q & A: Who or What Is ISIS? Is It Part of Al-Qaeda?" The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2015. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/10892898/iraq-crisis-q-and-a-who-orwhat-is-isis-is-it-part-of-al-qaeda.html>. "U.N. Cites ISIS Genocide Threat." The New York Times. The New York Times, 21 Oct. 2014. Web. 01 Jan. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/22/world/middleeast/un-cites-isis-genocide-threat.html?_r=0>. "U.N. Expresses "deep Outrage" at ISIS." CBS News. CBS, 31 Oct. 2014. Web. 01 Jan. 2015. <http%3a%2f%2fwww.cbsnews.com%2fnews%2fu-n-expresses-deep-outrage-at-isis%2f>.
United Nations Security Council Page 14 "Why ISIS Tortured a Mother in Public Is a Display of a Real War on Women - Terrorist Style." Independent Journal Review. IJReview, 30 Dec. 2014. Web. 01 Jan. 2015. <http://www.ijreview.com/2014/12/224689-isis-tortured-mother-breastfeeding-public-shows-real-warwomen/>. Wood, Graeme. "What ISIS's Leader Really Wants." New Republic. The New Republic, n.d. Web. 02 Jan. 2015. <http://www.newrepublic.com/article/119259/isis-history-islamic-states-new-caliphate-syria-andiraq>. Woodruff, Judy. "Syrian Cleric Who Led Funeral Prayers for Peter Kassig Speaks out against Islamic State, Assad." PBS. PBS, 21 Nov. 2014. Web. 01 Jan. 2015. <http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/syrian-clericled-funeral-prayers-peter-kassig-speaks-islamic-state-assad/>. "Armed Clash in the South China Sea." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, n.d. Web. "Case Filed against China Sea Claims." BBC News. BBC, 31 Mar. 2014. Web. 1 Jan. 2015. <http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26781682>. 1 Jan. 2015. <http://www.cfr.org/east-asia/armed-clash-south-china-sea/p27883?cid=othqrfa_online_ad_cpm_south_china_sea-june2012>. "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China." Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China. Association of Southeast Asian Nations, n.d. Web. 1 Jan. 2015. <http://www.asean.org/asean/external-relations/china/item/declaration-on-the-conduct-of-parties-in-thesouth-china-sea>. Etzler, Tomas. "Wrecks, Rats and Roaches: Standoff in the South China Sea." CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 1 Jan. 2015. <http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/07/world/south-china-sea-dispute/>.
United Nations Security Council Page 15 Kurlantzick, Joshua. "South China Sea: From Bad to Worse?" Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, 24 July 2012. Web. 1 Jan. 2015. <http://www.cfr.org/china/south-china-sea-badworse/p28739>. "Military." Itu Aba Island / Taiping Island. Global Security, n.d. Web. 1 Jan. 2015. <http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/taiping.htm>. "South China Sea." - The New York Times. The New York Times, n.d. Web. 1 Jan. 2015. <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/southchinasea/index.html>. "The South China Sea Is the Future of Conflict." Foreign Policy The South China Sea Is the Future of Conflict Comments. Foreign Policy, n.d. Web. 1 Jan. 2015. <http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/08/15/the_south_china_sea_is_the_future_of_conflict>. Symonds, Peter. "World Socialist Web Site." US Intervenes in South China Sea Dispute -. World Socialist Website, 26 Nov. 2014. Web. 1 Jan. 2015. <http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2014/11/26/scsen26.html>. Wong, Chun H. "China Rejects Philippine Proposal on South China Sea Disputes." WSJ. Wall Street Journal, 9 Aug. 2014. Web. 1 Jan. 2015. <http://www.wsj.com/articles/china-rejects-philippine-proposal-on-southchina-sea-disputes-1407574262>.