Position Papers MiniMUN UNSC The following documents are the official Position Papers for the countries represented in the UN Security Council meeting concerning the The use of Chemical weapons and crimes against humanity in Syria. The papers are drafted for the use in this MUN. It is of great importance that you have read the position paper of your designated country before the sessions begins. The following states are members of the council during the conference. Along with the elected members of the council, the Syrian Arab Republic has been invited to the meeting, since the situation in Syria is the agenda of the council. United States of America 2 French Republic 3 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 4 Russian Federation 5 People s Republic of China 6 Plurinational State of Bolivia 7 Arab Republic of Egypt 8 Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 9 Islamic Republic of Iran 10 Japan 11 Republic of Kazakhstan 12 Republic of Senegal 13 Kingdom of Sweden 14 Ukraine 15 Oriental republic of Uruguay 16 Syrian Arab Republic 17
United States of America The USA in the UNSC The USA is one of the five permanent members of the UNSC and thus holds the veto power. This should be used sparingly and it is not a tool to trump one s own views in the council. Vetoes do not replace diplomacy. The USA has good relations with its coalition partners and the EU. Thus the US should turn to France, the UK and Japan first when discussing resolutions. The US's stance on the points on the agenda I. The US strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons in any conflict, and it therefore pushes for a condemnation of the syrian government and its multiple breaches of its responsibility to protect its population. Accordingly, the US does not believe it should be condemned for the missile strike as it acted in accordance with statements by US officials and according to its international responsibility regarding the breaches of R2P and previous UNSC resolutions. II. The US believes that any nation state which aids the syrian government in committing war crimes and crimes against humanity should cease such operations or meet pressure from the council. Likewise, it finds that states using chemical weapons against its own population is in clear violation of its Responsibility to Protect and should therefore face sanctions under chapter VII of the UN charter. III. The US does not believe the current political landscape in Syria is suited for the future and therefore believes the syrian government and president Assad should step down and allow a new democratic government to lead Syria. Therefore, the US strongly requests the syrian army stops its use of force against its own citizens to allow for humanitarian relief, and a political solution. However, The US has shown that it is willing to and capable of using military force, if the syrian government does not obey the UNSC resolutions. Do this during committee sessions : When the permanent members and some of the non-permanent members of the council agree on your draft resolution (maybe in a moderated version) you should Motion to introduce your draft resolution.
French Republic France in the UNSC France is one of the five permanent members of the UNSC and thus holds the veto power. This should be used sparingly and it is not a tool to trump one s own views in the council. Vetoes do not replace diplomacy. France has been one of three countries in strong opposition to the Syrian Government and the Russian Federation s defence of Syria in the council through its use of vetoes. Therefore, the delegation of France should turn to the US, the UK and Japan when looking for support among the council members. France in the syrian civil war France s stance on the points on the agenda I. France firmly believes the UNSC should condemn the Syrian Government and its clear violations of R2P on the basis of the chemical weapons attack in Kahn Shaykun. It also finds that the american response was proportionate and well in line with UNSC resolutions. Thus the US should not be condemned for its response. II. France finds that the Russian Federation should be sanctioned for its support of the Syrian government. Further, France finds that the attrocities carried out by the Syrian government constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity and should be treated as such by charging the Syrian government in the International Criminal Court. III. France does not see the current political situation in syria as stable and therefore finds that a solution must be found with regards to a new government. France finds that the political negotiations are at stake with the latest actions of the syrian government and its allies. Do this before committee sessions: Invite your fellow members of the European Union to discuss the formal stance of your union.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland The UK in the UNSC The UK is one of the five permanent members of the UNSC and thus holds the veto power. This should be used sparingly and it is not a tool to trump one s own views in the council. Vetoes do not replace diplomacy. The UK has been one of three countries in strong opposition to the Syrian Government and the Russian Federation s defence of Syria in the council through its use of vetoes. Therefore, the delegation of France should turn to the US, France and Japan when looking for support among the council members. The UK s stance on the points on the agenda I. The United Kingdom strongly condemns the chemical weapons attack on Khan Shaykun which bears all the hallmarks of the Assad regime. Thus they find that the international community should condemn the syrian government for the attack and expresses its outrage against any country that entertains the thought of condemning the actions of the USA. II. The United Kingdom argues strongly for sanctions against the Syrian government for its use of chemical weapons on civilians, and has previously stated the acts on april 4th was the worst of human acts. Therefore, the UK strongly believes these war crimes should have consequences, and is strongly against sanctioning the United States for its measured and proportionate response to the attrocities the Assad government has committed. While the UK does not believe sanctions should be put in place for countries who are not involved directly in the chemical weapons attack, it does believe Russia has chosen the wrong side of history, and russia should use the UNSC to change this. III. The UK is very clear that the future political situation of Syria does not include president Bashar Al-assad. However, the the transition of power must come from the ongoing UN-led peace processes. Do this during committee sessions :
Russian Federation Russia in the UNSC Russia is one of the five permanent members of the UNSC and thus holds the veto power. This should be used sparingly and it is not a tool to trump one s own views in the council. Vetoes do not replace diplomacy. Russia has strong ties to the syrian and iranian governments, and is therefore supportive of their endeavours. Russia has also been acting as guarantor for the destruction of syrian chemical weapons deposits. Russia has vetoed seven resolution on the matter of Syria, but has come under pressure for deadlocking the UNSC by an increasing bloc of UNSC members. Russia s stance on the points on the agenda I. Russia joins the fellow world leaders in condemning the use of chemical weapons against anyone, and especially against civilians. However, since no impartial investigation has been conducted, no state should be blamed for the attack. Continuing on the note of uncertainty, no nation state should conduct attacks on other nation states without hard evidence suggesting the attacked nation state has breached international law or previous UNSC resolutions. Thus the Syrian government cannot be condemned for a chemical weapons attack that might not have been carried out by syria, but the US should be condemned in the strongest terms for its aggression towards another UN member state. II. Russia believes sanctions should be put in place for states or groups who blatantly disregards international law concerning the use of chemical weapons. However these sanctions can only be put in place when hard, impartial evidence is on the table, which isn t the case concerning Syria. The Russian Federation is strongly against the french and british attitude and hypocrisy since these states are part of a coalition against terrorists in Syria, while still supporting opposition groups who are murdering civilians and committing terrorist attacks on palm sunday. III. The russian government strongly believes in the Geneva peace process, and therefore finds that the recent emergence of fabricated facts by countries more concerned with regime change than the civilians. Russia therefore believes that support of this process is needed from nations which is currently only engaged in rhetoric. Do this during committee session: after the roll call you should motion for auxiliary representation for The Syrian Arab Republic, so they are included in the committee.
People s Republic of China China in the UNSC China is one of the five permanent members of the UNSC and thus holds the veto power. This should be used sparingly and it is not a tool to trump one s own views in the council. Vetoes do not replace diplomacy. China is one of the main voices of the neutral bloc in the council, since it holds the veto power, but has only used it eleven times since 1946, the fewest uses of any of the veto powers. China s stance on the points on the agenda I. China strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons and attacks against civilians by any country, organization or person under any circumstances. However, no state can, at this point be blamed for the recent chemical weapons attack in Khan Shaykun since substantive evidence and conclusions that can stand the test of time is not available at this moment. China does not believe in unilateral responses and calls on all parties to refrain from such actions. However it does not believe in condemning the US attack II. China firmly believes that any state, organization or individual who uses chemical weapons should be brought to justice. However facts are needed to find the perpetrator and therefore cannot support charging any state or head of state for war crimes or crimes against humanity, until impartial investigations have been conducted and reported to the council. In accordance herewith, the Chinese delegation does not believe in sanctioning any state at this early stage. III. The chinese delegation has strong faith in the Geneva process, and urges all political parties to commit to this process and thereby refrain from unilateral actions. China believes that the Geneva process should be Syria-led, Syria-owned and urges the involved parties to remember the syrian people and keep their best interests in mind when dealing with the syrian issue.
Plurinational State of Bolivia Bolivia in the UNSC Bolivia is an elected member of the UNSC with its term ending in 2018. Bolivia has had political conflicts with the United States and are therefore turning against them and has in that regard turned to Russia and Iran. However, the stance of bolivia, with regards to syria, are more aligned with those of China, and most of the elected members of the council, and should thus also consult with them when finding a solution to the conflict. The current political situation in the council is split between two opposing blocs and a middle neutral block. The two opposing blocs both hold the veto power and it is therefore important to find a middle ground and avoid either bloc use their veto power. A weak resolution might be better than no resolution. Bolivia s stance on the points on the agenda I. Bolivia condemns the use of chemical weapons in Syria. However, noting that all chemical agents declared by the government of Syria had been destroyed, Bolivia cannot condemn any part for these attacks, as no clear perpetrator is known, and calls in that regard for members of the council to stop using the council for a sounding board for propaganda. Bolivia cannot condemn the American response, but requests that any state refrains from unilateral actions which makes them both investigator, prosecutor, judge and jury, while threatening international peace and security. II. Bolivia does not believe in sanctioning any state at this moment but does, however, believe that the unilateral attacks shows disrespect to the UN charter, and thus the UN, which prohibits such unilateral actions. In this regard Bolivia believes that the council shall work towards sanctioning states which undermines the multilateral approach of the United Nations. However, Bolivia does believe that the use of chemical weapons is a breach of international law, and should the perpetrators be found, they should also be sanctioned in accordance with international law. III. Bolivia believes strongly in unity from the council, as the council has found unity with regards to syria on previous occasions, namely the Astana process and the Geneva process. It is therefore the view of Bolivia that the solution to the syrian issue is found through a multilateral political approach, and not through military engagement. Do this during committee sessions : since you have strong ties with the neutral bloc and the Pro-syrian bloc, you should use your ties to bring both sides together in a compromise.
Arab Republic of Egypt Egypt in the UNSC Egypt is an elected member of the UNSC with its term ending in 2017. On the subject of Syria, its views lie in line with those of China and several of the non-permanent member states. The delegation should therefore turn to these states when looking for allies in the council. The current political situation in the council is split between two opposing blocs and a middle neutral block. The two opposing blocs both hold the veto power and it is therefore important to find a middle ground and avoid either bloc use their veto power. A weak resolution might be better than no resolution. Egypt s stance on the points on the agenda I. Egypt condemns the use of chemical weapons everywhere, but does not believe in condemning actors since condemnations has become mere slogans and never accompanied by action. Therefore Egypt won t condemn either parties for the chemical weapons attack on Khan Shaykun or the military action taken by the United States. II. Egypt emphasizes the need to hold those accountable for the chemical weapons attack responsible, but expresses concern for the council s lacking ability to ensure this due to the polarization of the permanent members of the council, especially the US and the Russian Federation, which are using the situation in Syria as a proxy war, with the syrian people as the real victims. III. Egypt believes that the syrian people are capable of determining their own future, but it does need the support and action of the international community. This support should come through the Geneva and Astana processes and it is therefore vital that the member states, and especially the US and Russia, come together and find a middle ground instead of using the council as a place for competition, polarization and mutual casting of blame. Do this during committee sessions : Motion for a suspension of the meeting for 5 minutes for midday prayers, and have other Muslim states follow you out of the committee.
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ethiopia in the UNSC Egypt is an elected member of the UNSC with its term ending in 2018. On the subject of Syria, its views lie in line with those of China and several of the non-permanent member states. The delegation should therefore turn to these states when looking for allies in the council. The current political situation in the council is split between two opposing blocs and a middle neutral block. The two opposing blocs both hold the veto power and it is therefore important to find a middle ground and avoid either bloc use their veto power. A weak resolution might be better than no resolution. Ethiopia s stance on the points on the agenda I. Ethiopia condemns the use of chemical weapons against anyone under any circumstances, and reiterates that there can be no justification for the alleged use of chemical weapons. Ethiopia also emphasizes that a military approached cannot be allowed to get the upper hand of the situation. II. Ethiopia emphasizes the importance of council action after the attacks to not only ensure justice for the victims but also to preserve the non-proliferation architecture that is a pillar of international security. However it is critical that any council action is based on credible evidence which is not available at this point in time. However, Ethiopia argues that the council risks losing any remaining credibility if no actions is taken. III. Ethiopia emphasizes that only a political solution can end the conflict in Syria, and stresses the severe consequences if the syrian state collapses. Therefore, the importance of a united Security Council is needed as this is the time for wisdom to prevail and for statesmanship to take the upper hand to allow the council to do its utmost to ensure that the peace talks advance. Do this during committee sessions : motion for a coffee break in the afternoon and use this opportunity to inform the council the origin of coffee is Ethiopia, and advertise for your country s old coffee traditions.
Islamic Republic of Iran Iran in the UNSC Iran is an elected member of the UNSC with its term ending in 2018. Iran has strong ties with the Russian Federation and Syria and is therefore supportive of their endeavours. Iran has Iran s stance on the points on the agenda I. Iran joins the fellow world leaders in condemning the use of chemical weapons against anyone, and especially against civilians. However, since no impartial investigation has been conducted, no state should be blamed for the attack. Following this uncertainty, Iran strongly condemns the unilateral strikes of the United States. Such aggressive actions against a sovereign independent country are a flagrant violation of international law, above all, the UN Charter, create threats for regional security and impair the fight against international terrorism. II. Iran believes sanctions should be put in place for states or groups who blatantly disregards international law concerning the use of chemical weapons. However these sanctions can only be put in place when hard, impartial evidence is on the table, which isn t the case concerning Syria. Therefore, an impartial and unbiased investigation has to be concluded before any sanctions can be put in place. However, Iran believes that the American aggression was out of line, and any further unilateral action should be sanctioned by the council. III. Iran has stood by the Assad regime since the uprisings in 2011 and has supported the regime both politically and militarily. In 2014, the iranian government has worked for a political solution based on 4 points an immediate ceasefire; followed by constitutional reforms to safeguard Syrian minorities; free and internationally supervised elections; and the formation of a national unity government based on new constitutional institutions. However, the iranian government has still kept up its considerable military presence in syria targeting rebel groups. Do this during committee sessions : Bring up the American led intervention of Iraq in 2003, and draw parallels to their failed attempt at a UN sanctioned intervention.
Japan Japan in the UNSC Japan is an elected member of the council with its term ending in 2017. Japan has strong ties with the American coalition and would thus work closely with the United States, France, the United Kingdom and others. Japan s stance on the points on the agenda I. Japan joins the council in condemning the inhumane chemical weapons attack in Syria, which clearly violated UNSC resolutions. Thus Japan supports the determination of the United States to never allow the spread and use of chemical weapons. Though Japan is on the side of the US, It does believe that an investigation should be conducted before any government should be condemned for using chemical weapons. II. Japan believes the perpetrators of the chemical weapons attack should be brought to justice in the appropriate manners. But as of the council meeting, the perpetrator is not known, and only allegations have been made, which should not be the basis for actions or sanctions. Japan does not believe in sanctioning states involved in the conflict and recent escalation, but affirms the need for unity in the council so the recent use of chemical weapons does not affect the Security Council s stance on the use of chemical weapons. III. Japan strongly believes that only a political solution can end the conflict, and therefore no military actions should be taken in Syria, and the ceasefire should be upheld with support from all members of the council.
Republic of Kazakhstan Kazakhstan in the UNSC Kazakhstan is an elected member of the UNSC with its term ending in 2018. On the subject of Syria, its views lie in line with those of China and several of the non-permanent member states. The delegation should therefore turn to these states when looking for allies in the council. The current political situation in the council is split between two opposing blocs and a middle neutral block. The two opposing blocs both hold the veto power and it is therefore important to find a middle ground and avoid either bloc use their veto power. A weak resolution might be better than no resolution. Kazakhstan s stance on the points on the agenda I. Kazakhstan strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons in syria, and emphasizes that such acts endangers the peace process, and further emphasizes that such actions are to be considered crimes against humanity. However, Kazakhstan does not believe that such acts should be responded to unilaterally, and thus calls for all parties to refrain from further escalating the situation. II. Kazakhstan believes that the use of chemical weapons are to be considered as crimes against humanity, and accordingly believes the council should show unity and be consequential about the use of the chemical weapons and bring the people responsible for these actions to justice. Kazakhstan further calls for the full respect of the sovereignty of states, and believes that all members of the council should allow for a thorough investigation into these attacks so the international community can reach a fair verdict on the incident. III. Kazakhstan being one of the primary mediators in the conflict, and host of the Astana process, emphasizes that only a political solution to the conflict will be lasting, and calls for the different blocs in the council to find unity and overcome their differences to that end. Do this during committee sessions : motion for an unmoderated caucus and invite members from all blocs to discuss drafting a draft resolution in an informal setting.
Republic of Senegal Senegal in the UNSC Senegal is an elected member of the UNSC with its term ending in 2017. On the subject of Syria, its views lie in line with those of China and several of the non-permanent member states. The delegation should therefore turn to these states when looking for allies in the council. The current political situation in the council is split between two opposing blocs and a middle neutral block. The two opposing blocs both hold the veto power and it is therefore important to find a middle ground and avoid either bloc use their veto power. A weak resolution might be better than no resolution. Senegal s stance on the points on the agenda I. Senegal has used the recent chemical weapons attack to reiterate its strongest condemnations of any weapon of mass destruction, including chemical weapons, and has called on the council to take action as nothing could justify attacks using chemical weapons, including in syria and especially against civilians, and enquires the council how it cannot be worries about the prospect of non-state actors like ISIL use such weapons? II. Senegal stresses the importance of determining who holds responsibility for the chemical weapons attack on Khan Shaykun and bringing them to justice. This investigation should however, not be focused on states or governments only but include probable non-state perpetrators. In that regard, Senegal further expresses the importance of this investigation being impartial and not prejudiced against states or governments. III. Senegal urges the council to overcome the deep divisions on the syrian issue and return to consensus, which has led to progress in the Geneva and Astana processes as well as the adoption of resolution 2254(2015). Senegal reiterates its stance that only a political solution based on the Geneva Communique and the aforementioned resolution, can end the syrian conflict.
Kingdom of Sweden Sweden in the UNSC Sweden is an elected member of the council with its term ending in 2018. On the syrian issue its views are in line with its fellow EU UNSC members and their alliances. Thus Sweden would go to France and the UK for alliances in the council. Sweden s stance on the points on the agenda I. Sweden condemns the monstrous and cowardly attacks on Khan Shaykun, carried out using chemical weapons and emphasizes that should those attacks have been carried out by syrian forces it would be no surprise! Sweden argues that this attack could just be one more chemical weapons attack in addition to the gruesome amount of previous chemical weapons attacks carried out by the Syrian regime. II. Sweden believes that the chemical weapons attack on Khan Shaykun constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity, and that the perpetrators must be brought to justice. Sweden also argues that this is only possible if the council unites and sweden therefore deplores the Russian Federations use of its veto power as this hinders the council in holding those responsible for the attack accountable for their horrendous actions. Sweden is supportive of UN sanctions against Syria just as Sweden was an active supporter of EU sanctions against individuals implicated in the use of Chemical weapons. III. Sweden believes that for a stable political solution to be achieved, the syrian regime must allow humanitarian aid reaches the syrian people, millions of which are in desperate need of this. For this to succeed the Syrian regime must simplify the humanitarian convoy approval process and end all regime air strikes against schools and hospitals. In that regard, Sweden urges all states with influence over the parties involved to help end ceasefire violations and reduce violence. Do this during committee sessions : After voting procedures have concluded and votes have been cast, motion for a minute of silence for the now lost integrity of the United Nations Security Council, in case of inaction due to a veto.
Ukraine Ukraine in the UNSC Ukraine is an elected member of the UNSC with its term ending in 2018. When discussing Syria, its views are in line with those of China and the neural bloc. However, due to the Russian annexation of Crimea, Ukraine looks for allies who can stand up to Russia, and should therefore consider discussing solutions with the other permanent members of the council. Ukraine s stance on the points on the agenda I. Ukraine strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons in the Syria, which it considers a blatant violation of international law. However, Ukraine finds it hard to overlook the the gap between talking the talk and walking the walk. Ukraine therefore welcomes the american response, which was proportionate, adequate and a sign that the use of weapons of mass destruction was not to be tolerated. II. Ukraine stresses that those responsible for the blatant violations of international law must be held accountable. However, though the recent mass atrocities are of the most severe character, the real problem lies in the fact that the children fighting the suffocations in Khan Shaykun do so because of fateful decisions made in distant capitals by people preoccupied with their own grand agendas. Ukraine therefore argues that sanctions should be put in place against any government responsible for the use of chemical weapons and argues further that any government who abuses their position in this council to not fulfill international obligations should be sanctioned. Thus Ukraine rejects the Russian Federations accusation that the american airstrike was an act of aggression, saying the russian federation has lost all moral ground after its annexation of Crimea. III. Ukraine believes that the solution to the Syrian problem is political but it does not believe there is much to be optimistic about as the only achievement had been the arrival of two delegations in Geneva. Such a situation was due to a lack of political will, particularly on the part of the Syrian regime, to negotiate in full faith on the core issues. Damascus and its allies must understand that a my way or no way approach would lead nowhere, prolong the crisis and feed extremists. It also must understand that a political solution was the only way out of the quagmire. The Russian Federation had all the means at its disposal to influence Damascus and its allied militias to reconsider their militaristic approach in favour of the political process and national reconciliation. However, that influence had never been employed for good. Without serious pressure on Damascus, and the establishment of an accountability mechanism, there would be no progress on the political track. Now was the time to concentrate all efforts on the United Nations-led Geneva process. Do this during committee sessions : In one of your speeches, aggressively attack the Russian Federation for its annexation of Crimea, and their lack of moral in the council.
Oriental republic of Uruguay Uruguay in the UNSC Uruguay is an elected member of the council with its term ending in 2017. When discussing Syria, its views are in line with those of China and the several non-permanent members of the council. Uruguay should look to these parties for alliances. The current political situation in the council is split between two opposing blocs and a middle neutral block. The two opposing blocs both hold the veto power and it is therefore important to find a middle ground and avoid either bloc use their veto power. A weak resolution might be better than no resolution. Uruguay s stance on the points on the agenda I. Uruguay condemns the attack carried out by chemical weapons noting that using such weapons meant the perpetrators had intended to affect as many people as possible. The responsible parties of these atrocious war crimes must be held responsible once they have been identified by the OPCW. Since the perpetrators have not been identified by this impartial investigation, Uruguay must reject the use of unilateral force in the conflict, as seen by the recent attack from the United States. II. Uruguay believes it is the responsibility of the council to identify the perpetrators of these crimes and sanction them for committing war crimes. However, The Syrian government holds the responsibility to protect its population and help the OPCW to conduct its investigation. Therefore, Uruguay does not believe sanctions should be put in place as there are too many unknowns at the moment. However, Uruguay calls on all actors within and outside of the region to stop unilateral use of force and cease providing support to armed groups likened to Da esh(isil). III. Ururguay rejects the notion that military means helps the current situation and therefore argues that a political solution is the only real solution. Therefore it commends the efforts of the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan. However, Uruguay believes the current setup, with high involvement from the Security Council is part of the problem and not the solution and the council should therefore reflect on the position it is in currently, a direct result of the veto privilege, and calls on the permanent members to commit to not using their veto power in cases of crimes against humanity.
Syrian Arab Republic Syria in the UNSC Syria is not an elected member of the UNSC in this term and is therefore only present in the committee since the state is on the council s agenda, and is thus in the council as auxiliary representation. This means that the state does not have voting rights on substantial matters (Resolutions and amendments), but does have voting rights on procedural matters (moderated/unmoderated caucuses, etc.). However, Syria can write draft resolutions and introduce these to the committee, as long as they meet the criterias specified in the Rules of Procedure. Syria has strong ties with the Russian federation and Iran, and should use the countries to get their viewpoints substantiated and considered in the committee. Syria s stance on the points on the agenda I. Syria believes the US should be condemned for its aggression towards another sovereign state, a clear violation of the UN charter. Syria is against condemning the syrian government for the chemical weapons attack on Khan Shaykun as it is the belief of the syrian government that the attack was a story made up by the americans to authorise a military attack. II. The syrian government strongly believes, in line with the condemnation of the US, that sanctions should be put in place against the US for aggressions towards a sovereign member of the UN. The syrian government does not believe sanctions should be put in place against their government as it is not the syrian army who has used chemical weapons, but instead it is either the armed rebels or the stories of other states. Accordingly, Syria is against charging any nation with crimes and against humanity. III. Syria is of the belief that the most stable political solution is with president Bashar Al-Assad as the leader of the Syrian arab Republic. It is the stance of the syrian government that no foreign power or the UN should interfere with the internal political solution of any nation state, including Syria. Do this during committee sessions : During a speech by the US, use a Point of Personal Privilege to interrupt their speech.