NTIMUN Topic Guide: Security Council Prepared by: Brandon Philips Welcome to NTIMUN and the Security Council. Congratulations on taking upon yourselves the challenges presented by this committee. This committee faces some of the biggest issues concerning our world today and I look forward to hearing your opinions and arguments concerning our topics at hand. My name is Brandon Philips and I am a senior at the University of North Texas. I am studying International Studies with concentrations in Peace Studies and Politics and Diplomacy. I prepared this topic guide as a jumping of point for your research on our topics and have included some sites that maybe valuable resources for information. Feel free to email me any questions you may have over topics or the conference in general. Topics for Security Council A. Solutions for dealing with Chinese aggression in Tibet B. Iran and nuclear progress I hope this topic guide will provide you with some assistance as you undertake your research. Good luck and I look forward to seeing you all in October.
Brandon Philips jbp0070@unt.edu
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
Topic 1- Solutions for Chinese aggression in Tibet
Relevance
In the lead up to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, there was unrest in the province of Tibet. Known as the 3-14 riots, many Tibetans began protesting the Chinese occupation of Tibet. This marked the 59th anniversary of the failed Tibetan resistance to the Chinese take-over of Tibet. Riots broke out when Chinese soldiers and police forces used violent means to end what began as peaceful protesting in the cities of Lhasa, Qinghai, Sichuan, and in Beijing. The Chinese forces used physical violence, tear-gas, firepower, and various other violent methods to
quell the protests. Many were injured and killed. In the following weeks the Chinese mounted a large campaign to prevent the rest of the world from finding out what happened in Tibet. The Chinese government confiscated passports from Tibetan citizens to keep them from traveling abroad, Buddhist temples were blockaded by Chinese soldiers, and students education in Tibet was converted to a pro-Chinese government approved program. The Chinese government blamed the exiled Dalai Lama for inciting the uprising.
History
In 1950, China led by Mao sought to reunify what it felt was the original provinces of China. This unification was to include Tibet. At the time Tibet was a free and independent nation built strictly on the principles of Buddhism. The culture and government revolved around the tenets of the religion. China was opposed to religious practice of all forms. Tibet fought to preserve its culture, but because of its Buddhist beliefs it had no army and very few weapons to aid in its resistance. It succumbed to the Chinese forces in 1959. Tibet was made part of mainland China but was granted a small portion of autonomy. The former government and the religious and political representative of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, were expelled from the country under penalty of death.
Current Status
As of today the province of Tibet is still under Chinese control, and it could be argued that it enjoys far less autonomy under modern day Chinese rule. Any form of protest towards the Chinese government is answered with violence. There have been numerous instances of human rights violations in Tibet at the hands of China. The Dalai Lama is still not allowed within the borders of Tibet despite the fact his the ordained spiritual leader of the culture.
Focus Questions
These are questions you should ask yourself as you delve into your research on this topic: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. What consequences should China face for its abuses to the people of Tibet? How should the world respond? How does your country feel about the problem? Does China have a right to occupy Tibet? Are there any solutions that would suit both China and Tibet? What role should the Dalai Lama play?
Resources
www.tibet.com
www.freetibet.org www.studentsforafreetibet.org www.tibetblogs.com http://english.gov.cn
Topic 2- Iran and Nuclear Progress
Relevance, History, and Current Status
In 2002 the nation of Iran announced that there were two nuclear sites within its border that were capable of enriching uranium. Immediately the global community sought access to these sites for examination. The IAEA maintained it had a right to inspect any nuclear program within Iran. Iran believed it was not bound by these regulations. Germany, France, and England immediately began diplomatic talks with Iran in order to secure healthy relations and attempt to reach an agreement on inspections. Iran maintained that its uranium enrichment program was merely for use as an energy supply for the country. Its status under the Non-Proliferation Treaty was the same as 40 other countries worldwide, and uranium enrichment was not a violation of that treaty. In 2004 Iran entered the Paris agreement in which it stated it would not continue to enrich uranium, but it did request an exemption for research purposes. It was never answered. In 2005 Iran began enriching uranium once more and the EU felt it had violated the agreement. Through Pakistani-US cooperation, Iranian uranium was found inside Pakistan. In 2003 the IAEA reported that Iran had failed in a number of instances over time to meet certain safeguard requirement regulations. The IAEA also believed that Iran was concealing part of their program. George Bush grouped Iran with Iraq and North Korea into an “Axis of Evil” based similar practices of concealing their nuclear programs. In addition Iran has been accused of funding and encouraging terrorism. These behaviors make the global community very uncomfortable with a nuclear Iran.
Focus Questions
These are questions you should consider as you delve into this topic: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. How does your specific country feel about a nuclear Iran? Are you a party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty? Do you agree with the US characterization of Iran? What if any action can be taken against Iran? What role should the UN play?
6. Is military intervention an option?
Resources
www.un.org www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/nuke.htm www.cfr.org/publication/16811/irans_nuclear_program.html www.parstimes.com/gov_iran.html