MUN VII RESEARCH REPORT

Transcription

1 MUN VII RESEARCH REPORT Forum: General Assembly I Issue: Securing the sovereignty of all member states territory and airspace against illegal incursion Student Officer: Louise Song Luyi Position: Deputy Chair

2 INTRODUCTION Conflicts of national interests have always existed and have taken on different forms and countries have adopted different resolutions to maintain regional and global peace and stability ever since the incipience of the new world geopolitical order after World War II.

3 INTRODUCTION In recent years, political, cultural and economic globalization has accelerated the changes in domestic affairs and international relations. A rising China in East Asia has allegedly disrupted the balance of power in Asian countries, especially South East Asia, posing menace to America s move to actively engage Asia; Arab Spring Movement, originated from Tunisia by outraged youngsters seeking democracy, has essentially destabilized many African countries, leading to prolonged civil wars and rising of terrorist groups; The ongoing fight between Israel and Palestine rendered the efforts by the United States of America to instill peace and resolve conflicts futile; Russia s annexation with Crimea in the beginning of the year, and the war between Pro-Russian activists and Ukrainian forces have resulted in a more complicated post-cold-war relations between Russia and the rest of the democratic world; territorial disputes between China and Japan, Korea and Japan and Russia and Japan, have sowed new regional tension, seeing from the daring military moves of the various stakeholders; (continued)

4 INTRODUCTION However, the aforesaid is just the tip of the iceberg, underlying it is the immense and intricate bilateral and multilateral relationships that lay the foundation of international politics and continue to remain the key concerns of the United Nation.

5 INTRODUCTION According the Charter of the United Nation, All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations, and All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.

6 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS Sovereignty A state or a governing body has the full right and power to govern itself without any interference from outside sources or bodies.

7 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS Territory A geographic area belonging to or under the jurisdiction of a governmental authority. It is marked by physical borders --- lines separating one country or state from another.

8 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS Airspace Airspace above land territory, internal waters, ar chipelagic waters, and territorial seas.

9 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS Illegal incursion Illegal incursion, under the current context, can take place in the following ways:

10 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS Unlawful War Modern laws of war regarding conduct during war, such as the 1949 Geneva Conventions, provide that it is unlawful for belligerents to engage in combat without meeting certain requirements, such as wearing distinctive uniform or other distinctive signs visible at a distance, carrying weapons openly, and conducting operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war.

11 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS Principles of the laws of war Military necessity is governed by several constraints: an attack or action must be intended to help in the military defeat of the enemy; it must be an attack on a military objective, and the harm caused to civilians or civilian property must be proportional and not excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated. Distinction is a principle under international humanitarian law governing the legal use of force in an armed conflict, whereby belligerents must distinguish between combatants and civilians Proportionality is a principle under international humanitarian law governing the legal use of force in an armed conflict, whereby belligerents must make sure that the harm caused to civilians or civilian property is not excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated by an attack on a military objective.

12 GENERAL OVERVIEW OF TOPIC Acknowledging that the topic given, which is Securing the sovereignty of all member states territory and airspace against illegal incursion, has broadly included numerous aspects of the current international relations and power balance, the council would like to scope the debate in such a way that the primary focuses are on unlawful wars and territorial disputes which cover both the physical and subtle ways of illicit invasion. In addition, given the ubiquity of the issue worldwide, the council would like to see regional blocs being formed to tackle specific issues pertaining to the region and to see the world powers to lead the peace-making processes.

13 GENERAL OVERVIEW OF TOPIC Unlawful wars and territorial disputes, although sounding like an alien term in the 21st century, are not of rare occurrence and continue to threaten the sovereignty of countries territory and airspace. Ukraine s ongoing war with pro-russia activists, Israel and Palestine s conflicts over Gaza Strip, China and Japan s territorial disputes over Diaoyu Island, known as Senkaku Islands in Japan, China s territorial disputes over South China Sea with Vietnam and Philippine, and the Korean disputed have increased the tension over the bilateral and multilateral relations with the world and their military moves have essentially destabilized the region.

14 GENERAL OVERVIEW OF TOPIC Questions remain as what kind of solutions should be given to both fairly and peacefully resolve the conflicts, how international efforts should be implemented, and how much foreign influences should be exerted on individual sovereignty to tackle these problems. The council seeks active debate over these three issues to arrive at an agreed-upon international resolution to peacefully resolve the disputes and reinforce peace.

15 MAJOR PARTIES INVOLVED AND THEIR VIEWS The United States of America As the world s leading superpower, the US deems itself responsible for maintaining and upholding world peace by being actively involved in combatting any form of disruption of international peace. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the abortive attack has resulted in a new and extraordinary emphasis by the Bush administration on combating terrorism. The US is one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping budget and has been actively involved in the peacemaking programs in war-torn countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. Its recent return to Iraq has also stirred international contention as the legality of the Iraq war in 2003 is yet to be dubious.

16 MAJOR PARTIES INVOLVED AND THEIR VIEWS Russia In the past few decades, Russia and former USSR had been initiated and engaged in numerous wars, the most recent ones being that with Ukraine, Ichkeria, Mujahideen and Georgia. As the US and the EU adopted tougher economic sanctions against Russia over the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Russia struck a defiant note, promising that Russia would localize production and emerge stronger than before. Russia holds a strong stance regarding securing its territory and airspace security, and is against any form of territorial invasion.

17 MAJOR PARTIES INVOLVED AND THEIR VIEWS China China has a strong stance regarding the territorial disputes with Japan, Vietnam and Philippines and has been actively employing military forces over the contentious regions, increasing the bilateral tensions. It turns down the Philippines initiative to bring the dispute to UN for arbitration and has employed both sea and air surveillance over the disputed Diaoyu Island, also known as Senkaku Islands in Japan. China s preference would be for a series of bilateral negotiations in which its overwhelming muscle cow the other side. (ASEAN countries)

18 MAJOR PARTIES INVOLVED AND THEIR VIEWS Asia Territorial disputes among Asian countries mark a major conflict of national interest. Military employment at the disputed regions threats the regional stability. Japan, South Korea, Philippines, and Vietnam seek to resolve the disputes. Feeling the threat from a rising China, Asian countries are contriving a way to both counter-balance and cooperate with the potential superpower in the region. Asia ha actively sought amicable means to resolve the conflicts by submitting the cases to UN for international arbitration. Backed by USA politically, economically and militarily, Asia sees USA as a counterbalance to the threatening rise of China. Moreover, North Korea s nuclear test has also generated international condemnation and is deemed as a menace to its neighboring countries, especially South Korea as their bilateral relation has plummeted due to the alleged nuclear test.

19 MAJOR PARTIES INVOLVED AND THEIR VIEWS Middle East and Africa The Near East region experienced significant levels of terrorist activity in recent years, with instability and weak governance in North Africa, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen continuing to have ramifications for the broader region. Al- Qa ida and its affiliates exploited opportunities to conduct operations amid this fragile political and security climate. In Libya, lack of countrywide security coverage contributed to a high threat environment. Libya s weak security institutions, coupled with ready access to loose weapons and porous borders, provided violent extremists significant opportunities to act and plan operations. Despite the ongoing civil war in Syria, Central Africa Republic (CAR) is deeply troubled with the religious war; Arab Spring has destabilized many including Tunisia, Libya, Syria, Egypt and etc. ; and IS continues its attack in Iraq. It is of no doubt that international humanitarian aid and peacekeeping forces should intervene and reinstate regional peace.

20 MAJOR PARTIES INVOLVED AND THEIR VIEWS European Union According to Edward Snowden s leaks of the top secret US files, EU, despite having an amicable bilateral relation with US, has been under US espionage activities. National security being threatened, EU has vehemently protested against such act and demanded US to make further explanation. Due to the colonial past, many EU countries are expected to react in the face of the current commotions in Middle East and Africa. Besides, EU is also involved in the Ukraine s fight with pro-russia activists and is expected to respond to the ongoing conflict.

21 TIMELINE OF EVENTS -----MAJOR CONFLICTS IN THE RECENT TIME 1948-Present--- Israel-Syrian Conflict. Israel and Syria first clashed in , as Syria joined other Arab nations in the First Arab-Israeli War. Subsequent full-scale wars between them erupted in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, and the 1982 Israeli Invasion of Lebanon. In-between these major wars, the two enemies often clash along their mutual border and also in neighboring Lebanon Present--- Korean Conflict. Following the wellknown Korean War of , cross-border incursions continued, as did naval battles, and North Korean acts of terrorism directed at South Korea and United States forces stationed in the South Colombian Civil War --Colombian Government (with increasing aid from the United States vs. Marxist rebels and various narcotics cartels.

22 TIMELINE OF EVENTS -----MAJOR CONFLICTS IN THE RECENT TIME Gulf War I 2 August 1990 Iraq invades Kuwait. Saddam Hussein proclaims Kuwait as a province of Iraq. 7 August 1990 Operation Desert Shield begins. The first US forces arrive in Saudi Arabia. 29 November 1990 UN authorizes any force necessary to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Iraqis are given to 15 January to leave Kuwait. 3 March 1991 Iraq accepts conditions for a permanent cease fire.

23 TIMELINE OF EVENTS -----MAJOR CONFLICTS IN THE RECENT TIME Chechen War (also known as: the Second Chechen War) --Russian Government vs. Chechen irregulars/insurgents Afghanistan War (also known as: "Operation Enduring Freedom,") --United States, Afghan government vs. Taliban and al-qaida Baluchistan War --- Pakistan Government vs. Baluch rebels Central African Republic Army Mutiny --Central African Republic government, Libya and rebels from Congo (Front for the Liberation of Congo) vs. C.A.R. Army rebels India-Bangladesh Border Conflict --Bangladesh border troops seized a village near the border which Bangladesh has claimed in the past. At least 18 troops were killed from both sides Border Clash. The first cross-border shooting of the year between North and South Korea. North Korean troops fired several shots at a South Korean guard post. Fire was returned by the South Koreans.

24 TIMELINE OF EVENTS -----MAJOR CONFLICTS IN THE RECENT TIME Darfur War --The Sudanese region of Darfur is in rebellion against the Sudanese government Iraq War (also known as: "Operation Iraqi Freedom," "Operation Telic", Gulf War II, The Third Persian Gulf War) --"The Coalition of the Willing" (United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Poland, Thailand, Bulgaria) vs. Iraqi irregular forces/insurgents, Al-Qaida in Iraq (Zarqawi's group), and various Shiite and Sunni militias Georgia-Russia War --The 2008 war between Georgia and Russia which began as a war between Georgia and South Ossetia present : Israel-Palestinian War (also known as: al- Aqsa Intifada, 2nd Intifada) --Israel vs. Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian militias and guerilla groups Ukraine and pro-russia activists conflicts in Ukraine after Russia s annexation with Crimea

25 TIMELINE OF EVENTS -----RISE OF ISIS The Islamic State of Iraq is announced January--- ISIS takes control of the predominantly Sunni Fallujah in the western Anbar Province April: ISIS threatens violence against Sunni Muslims who vote in the parliamentary elections on 30 April June: ISIS captures Mosul, and a large part of surrounding Nineveh Province. This is followed by ISIS s capture of Tikrit, the administrative centre of the Salah Al-Din Governorate. On 15 June 2014, ISIS militants capture the Iraqi city of Tel Afar in Nineveh Province. ISIS takes over Al-Qaim, Rawah and Anah in the province of Anbar and the town of Rutba.

26 UN INVOLVEMENT, RELEVANT RESOLUTIONS, TREATIES AND EVENTS Geneva Convention The Geneva Conventions comprise four treaties, and three additional protocol that establish the standards of international law for the humanitarian treatment of war. The Geneva Conventions extensively defined the basic, wartime rights of prisoners (civil and military); established protections for the wounded; and established protections for the civilians in and around a war-zone. The treaties of 1949 were ratified, in whole or with reservations, by 196 countries. Moreover, the Geneva Convention also defines the rights and protections afforded to noncombatants, yet, because the Geneva Conventions are about people in war, the articles do not address warfare proper the use of weapons of war which is the subject of the Hague Conventions, and the bio chemical warfare Geneva Protocol (

27 UN INVOLVEMENT, RELEVANT RESOLUTIONS, TREATIES AND EVENTS The Charter of the United Nation It is the foundational treaty of the United Nations. As a charter, it is a constituent treaty, and all members are bound by its articles. It defines the role and purpose of the UN and provides basic guidelines for the UN organs as well as its member states regarding various international issues, such as but not limited to international peace, climate change, immigrants, securing sovereignty and so on.

28 UN INVOLVEMENT, RELEVANT RESOLUTIONS, TREATIES AND EVENTS A/RES/68/ Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism" UN resolution 68/178 was a resolution passed on 18 th December It reaffirms the fundamental importance in response to terrorism and the fear of terrorism, of respecting all human rights and fundamental freedom and the rule of laws. It also states that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. The resolution provides basic behavioral guidelines for countries while countering terrorism.

29 UN INVOLVEMENT, RELEVANT RESOLUTIONS, TREATIES AND EVENTS A/RES/68/ Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order The resolution was passed on 18 th December 2013 during the plenary session. It reaffirms that all States should promote the establishment, maintenance and strengthening of international peace and security and, to that end, should do their utmost to achieve general and complete disarmament under effective international control, as well as to ensure that the resources released by effective disarmament measures are used for comprehensive development, in particular that of the developing countries;

30 UN INVOLVEMENT, RELEVANT RESOLUTIONS, TREATIES AND EVENTS A/RES/68/ United Nations regional centers for peace and disarmament The resolution was passed on 5th December 2013 during the plenary conference. It reaffirms that, in order to achieve positive results, it is useful for the three regional centers to carry out dissemination and educational programs that promote regional peace and security and that are aimed at changing basic attitudes with respect to peace and security and disarmament so as to support the achievement of the purposes and principles of the United Nations

31 EVALUATION OF PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE THE ISSUE The previous UN resolutions have provided basic guidelines for dealing with international relations. However, in the face of a new international power structure and geopolitics, more recent and relevant solutions pertaining specifically to the issues should be come up with.

32 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS 1. Regarding securing the sovereignty of the countries in Africa and Middle East to counter the rise of IS (the Islamic State), an international framework for the counteractions should be put up to regulate foreign military moves in Iraq and Syria, serving both to stabilize and protect the autonomy of the affected country.

33 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS 2. Regarding the territorial disputes, international treaty over military moves at disputed region should be established. Countries should refrain from unlawful physical marine, aerial and territorial attack. Negotiations and peace talks should be conducted and audited by third parties that are concerned with their conflicts. However, how much could the third party influence the decision-making process should be defined.

34 WORKS CITED UN resolution on United Nations regional centers for peace and disarmament S/68/57 UN resolution on Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order S/68/175 The US, EU, Middle East and Africa s stance regarding terrorism and unlawful war en_stategov&client=state_en_stategov&output=xml_no_dtd &proxystylesheet=state_en_stategov&filter=0&entqr=3&lr= lang_en&oe=utf8&ie=utf8&getfields=*&searchbutton=search

35 WORKS CITED UN Charter War in the 21 st century ml#.u_mwx5sszqk