Model United Nations debate report

Model United Nations Debate 18th December 2002

We held our first Model United Nations debate at the end of the Christmas term. The debate was chaired by Holly Baine and Tom Wills of Year 13. Around 70 delegates attended, and all Year groups were represented. Two resolutions were debated, one from Germany concerning the rights of women in Islamic nations and the other, an emergency resolution on the legality of military action against Iraq (see copy of the Resolution below) by Cuba. This resolution was narrowly passed by the Assembly.

Emergency resolution submitted by Cuba
Regarding the joint attack on Iraq by the armed forces of the USA and UK on 18th December 2002

Recognizing the threat that Iraq's non-compliance with Council resolutions and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles poses to international peace and security,

Endorsing UN Security Council resolution 1441,

Noting that Iraq has complied with resolution 1441 paragraph 3 and supplied the UN with a full and complete declaration of all aspects of its programmes to develop chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons,

Further noting that Iraq has cooperated fully and unconditionally with the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) weapons inspectors,

Deeply concerned that the USA edited the declaration from Iraq, without the consent of all members of the Security Council and that the unedited edition has not been circulated to Member Nations apart from permanent members of the Security Council,

Recognising that the Security Council has not been made aware of any material breach of resolution 1441 by Iraq,

Fully alarmed that military action by the USA and the UK has not been sanctioned by the Security Council contrary to paragraph 12 of Resolution 1441

1. Decides that the US and UK have acted unlawfully in conducting military actions within the sovereign territory of Iraq,

2. Requests an emergency convening of the UN Security Council,

3. Directs that the US and the UK desist from any further military actions against Iraq,

4. Further directs the US and the UK to submit to the Security Council any evidence that suggests that Iraq has breached conditions of the resolution 1441

5. Requires that UNMOVIC and the IAEA submit an account for the events at Mosul airfield on 18 December 2002 to the Security Council,

6. Further requires that Iraq submits an account for the events at Mosul airfield on 18 December 2002 to the Security Council,

7. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

The following students were commended for their contribution by the Chair:
Year 7 Simon Wallis
Year 8 Daniel Jones
Year 9 Sahd Deen
Year 10 Athea Gupta
Year 11 Lizzie cocker
Yaer 12 Hani Shawa
Year 13 Matt Preisinger (Mr USA)

Congratulations to all who took part, since the standard of debating was extremely high and for many students it was their first experience of public speaking. Special thanks to Matt Preisinger who was persuaded to attend and represent the USA with 5 minutes notice, and to Holly and Tom for an excellent job in chairing the debate.