The LUMUN blogg

Final resolution agreed on!

2007-11-16T07:02:00.000-08:00

The Council has now voted and agreed upon the adoption of Resolution number three.
The resolution is given in its full length below:

Draft resolution 3

Submitted by: the People’s Republic of China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States of America

Sponsored by: the Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Qatar, South Africa,
Ghana, Panama, Peru

The Security Council,

Recalling the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Recalling resolution 1325 (2000) on Women and Peace and Security,

Recalling resolution 1612 (2005) on Children and Armed Conflict,

Recalling Human Rights Council resolution S-5/1 of 2 October 2007 on the situation of human rights in Myanmar,

Recalling Presidential Statement S/PRST/2007/37 of the Security Council,

Recalling action by the General Assembly to establish the “good offices” mission of the Secretary-General, and in this regard expressing strong support for the continuing efforts of the Secretary-General and his representatives,

Welcoming the Government of Myanmar’s commitment to work with the United Nations and its invitation of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Myanmar, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; and the United Nations special rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Mr Paolo Sergio Pinheiro,

1. Calls on the Government of Myanmar to further participate in dialogue with the political opposition in order to achieve national reconciliation and political stability;

2. Encourages the Government of Myanmar to release political prisoners, as a step towards reaching national reconciliation;

3. Emphasises other United Nations Specialised Agencies, as the appropriate bodies to consider the situation in Myanmar, and stresses the importance of regional efforts, such as by the Association of South-East Asian Nations, to address the situation in Myanmar;

4. Expresses strong support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his representatives to implement his “good offices” mission, and welcomes the continuing efforts of all relevant United Nations agencies in this regard;

5. Encourages the Government of Myanmar to consider the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Professor Gambari’s recommendations and proposals;

6. Stresses the important role played by the Association of South-East Asian Nations and the Association of South-East Asian Nations countries, first concerned by this issue as neighbouring countries, in supporting the progress made towards national reconciliation in Myanmar;

7. Encourages the positive economic developments of Myanmar;

8. Welcomes the 7 step plan, and the establishment of the National Convention, as laid down by the Government of Myanmar, towards drafting a constitution, and gradually reach stability in the country;

9. Emphasises the importance of establishing a time frame, in relation to the progress of the 7 step plan of the Government of Myanmar;

10. Encourages the Association of South-East Asian Nations to cooperate with the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Professor Gambari to assess and evaluate the progress in Myanmar;

11. Requests the United Nations Human Rights Council to re-address the issues contained within Human Rights Council resolution S-5/1 of 2 October 2007;

12. Asks the Government of Myanmar to cooperate with relevant international aid agencies, notably the World Health Organisation in its effort to prevent and control transmittable diseases such as HIV/AIDS;

13. Urges the Government of Myanmar to comply with existing obligations concerning the issue of forced labour;

14. Encourages the government of Myanmar to address the problem of drug trafficking and human trafficking within its sovereign territory;

15. Urges Myanmar to comply with their obligations as a party to the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others;

16. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

Burma/Myanmar yet again represented in the Council

2007-11-16T06:13:00.000-08:00

Representatives from the Myanmar government has now taken their place at the tables after being absent from the negotiating rooms since yesterday.

Burma declared that they were very pleased with large part of the resolution, however they expressed a concern that their self-determination would be comprimised by some of the suggested points.

They also commented that democracy delicate process and that too many reforms would unstabilize the country. Finally they declared that they with strong hesitation accepted the resolution.

Doubtful signatories

2007-11-16T05:38:00.000-08:00

Several of the delegations has expressed doubt regarding various parts of the resolution that they are either submitters or signatories of. France therefore encouraged these countries to come forward with new amendments.

Former pro-sanction states demand morality in resolution

2007-11-16T05:30:00.000-08:00

During the statements following the presentation of draft resolution 3 by the Russian delegation, the widespread call for amendments from some of the signatories who previously supported the implementation of economic sanctions led to unmoderated sessions to produce specific amendments to draft resolution 3. The main complaint on the resolution concerned predominantly views from Belgium and the United Kingdom that the resolution did not take morality into consideration. This view will with all probability manifest itself in the coming amendments.
[Rickard]

Moderated caucus

2007-11-16T05:26:00.000-08:00

Although the general attitude towards the new draft resolution was positive Belgium expressed strong dismay over the resolution, whereupon Indonesia retorted that Belgium could have participated in the discussions taking place earlier during the day if they wanted. Belgium answered that they felt unwelcome due to the unyielding attitude of the other countries. They also commented that "compromising is a wonderful thing" but that lives are on stake.

New draft resolution- new hope?

2007-11-16T05:06:00.000-08:00

A third draft resolution is being distributed as we speak, does this mean that the Council will finally reach an agreement?

A coup to be expected?

2007-11-16T05:02:00.000-08:00

Rumors are circulating that the UK might consider drastic measures in the end of the negotiations...

Current developments...

2007-11-16T04:50:00.000-08:00

Qatar's latest amendment to Draft resolution 1 did not pass.

Russia commented on Panama's latest press release stating that it had nothing to do with the issue at hand and asked the delegation to "stop waisting the council's time".

The UK declared that economic sanctions now are left out of their draft reslolution indicating that they are making an effort to get added support from countries now favouring Russia's resolution.

Press release [Panama, Democratic Republic of Congo]

2007-11-16T04:27:00.000-08:00

The intelligence service of Panama reports that Human Rights Watch has released a new report regarding Russia’s democratic downfall:

“Throughout the vast expanses of Russia, police torture criminal suspects, routinely and deliberately inflicting severe pain and suffering with the aim of extracting confessions to criminal offences or other information. Indeed, the practice now appears endemic to Russia's criminal justice system. The abuses range from ill-treatment to unmistakable torture. Methods used include beatings, near asphyxiation, electroshock, and suspension of body parts. With the exception of a few particularly grave cases in which public exposure led to prosecutions, police carry out torture with complete impunity as the provincial and federal procuracies close their eyes to evidence of abuse. The courts commonly accept forced confessions at face value, and use them as a basis for convictions.”

The BBC journalists investigating the issue accused Russian authorities for oppressing measures and trying to silence them. The BBC journalist Bob McDean stated “The Russian police confiscated all six of the newspaper’s computers to check for 'illegal software'. Journalists were not allowed to copy any of the information stored on the computers, which contained the newspaper’s entire archive. And were detained for several hours during the raid.”

Congolese intelligence service later confirmed these reports.

Exclusive interview with the Russian delegation

2007-11-16T03:14:00.000-08:00

During the morning sessions of Friday’s negotiations the Russian delegation approached the LUMUN-blogg to comment on the progress that has been made and has yet to be reached. According to the delegates of the Russian Federation the major steps forward that needs to be taken is an equal response from the pro-sanction side to the concessions made by Russia on several points in order to reach an agreement.

They also stressed the need to address the situation in Myanmar with willingness towards dialogue instead of talking of threats. The Russian delegation restates that they will not accept any sanctions in any form, including arms embargos. On the question of the interests of the Russian military export industries and their theoretical influence, the delegation responded that most states have trade interests with countries in the region and that regional stability is in everybody’s interest.

The Russian delegations finally stated that it is important that the council comes to an agreement even though the question of whether the situation in Myanmar is a threat to international peace and security is disputed.
[Rickard]

Broken stalement?

2007-11-16T02:21:00.000-08:00

During the final speeches of the first friday sessions, the stalemate that during most of yesterdays negotiations hindered the possibilities of meaningful progress showed some signs of maybe coming to an end.

The delegations of Russia and both the United States and the United Kingdom commemorated each other on cooperation in a constructive way. The United States especially thanked the delegation of Russia for taking small steps to reach an agreement that all sides can adhere to and accept. In the following reply, Russia restated that sanctions will be counterproductive and again stressed that constructive dialogue will be the way forward. It is yet to be revealed if these recent developments will lead to final agreement.
[Rickard]

Third morning and the final efforts

2007-11-16T02:12:00.000-08:00

By now the lobbying taking place in the corridors is draining the conference room from a large part of its delegates. In the mean time many countries that haven't taken the opportunity to approach the speaker’s chair are now making original and interesting speeches.

Among these Panama took the floor and started by apologizing to the UK for prior offenses and continued by stating that they “believed that we are powered by deep love to the people here”. They also declared that they believed that “western values are spreading all over the world” and will be necessary in the future to be involved in world trade etc. The delegate concluded by saying that: “the only way for Myanmar is the democratic way”.

Last formal session for the day closed

2007-11-15T07:25:00.000-08:00

A motion has been put forward by Italy for the suspension of the meeting and some "unmoderated drinking". The motion was accepted!

New statement by the Secretary Genreral

2007-11-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

The Secretay General would like to point out that the friendly amendment to draft resolution 1 that has just been introduced on the floor with operative clause 11 (Requests that United Nations Human Rights Council to re-address the issues contained within Human Rights Council resolution S-5/1 of October 2007) might be a good way of a possible solution of the discussions concerning Aung San Suu Kyi.

Please read clause 3 of the human rights council resolution S-5/1: Also urges the Government of Myanmar to release without delay those arrested and detained as a result of the recent repression of peaceful protest, as well as to release all political detainees in Myanmar, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and to ensure that conditions of detention meet international standards and include the possibility of visiting any detainee;

The refugee flows in Myanmar: International threat or not?

2007-11-15T06:41:00.000-08:00

The council has been divided on yet another question. The issue of what importance should be given to the refugee issues in Myanmar. Chinas delegation in particular has stated that the refugee flows are limited in their scope and therefore not an issue of international peace and security. The pro-intervention delegations claims on the other hand that the refugee flows is a concern of international security. A factor that both sides appeals to is the question of wheter or not the refugee flows are causing security problems for Myanmars neighboring countries.
[Rickard]

Comments from Qatar

2007-11-15T06:15:00.000-08:00

The blogg has recently talked to one of the delegates from Qatar who had a positive view on the discussions so far. However he commented:

"The more we get in to the negotiations the more pro and con it seems to get. The dividning line is becoming more visible as it goes on"

Rightful leader or none of your business?

2007-11-15T06:08:00.001-08:00

The question of Ang San Suu Kyi has risen to the top of the agenda during the afternoon negotiations. Several delegations stresses her central role in the political opposition in Myanmar, and that a meaningful democratic political development can not be taken seriously unless she is released. It is also stressed that the release of Ang San Suu Kyi i necessary for the national reconciliation of Myanmar. Others, mainly the delegations most critical of sanctions against Myanmar, claims that the demand of the release of an individual prisoner is intrusive on the internal affairs of Myanmar and too interventionist, and also not important from the perspective of international peace and security. Some also claims that the work of professor Gambari recently have led to positive developments in Myanmar.
[Rickard]

Mild chock before coffee break

2007-11-15T06:03:00.000-08:00

One of the Belgian delegates gave the rest of the Security Council a mild chock by jumping up and down in her chair letting out low shrieks during a fellow delegate’s speech.

After a short confusion the delegate explained that she just received a personal message on her laptop. The Council directly thereafter went into unmoderated caucus where further details about the contents of the message were discussed…

New draft resolution under discussion

2007-11-15T05:38:00.000-08:00

A second draft resolution has been submitted by: France, United Kingdom, USA, Belgium, Italy, Ghana and signed by: Panama, Peru, Slovakia.

The draft among other things includes France's old request to freeze the accounts of the junta abroad and requests a special rapporteur to be sent to Burma/Myanmar.

Name debate continues...

2007-11-15T05:10:00.000-08:00

Just a moment ago Russia called the United Kingdom’s attitude regarding the name issue “neo-colonial”. Is a retort to be expected?

Groupations forming

2007-11-15T05:04:00.000-08:00

During the negotiations the delegations have divided into two main camps on the issue of Myanmar. The delegations from China, Indonesia and Russia runs a tight ship on the issue and repeatadly states that all forms of sanctions will not have any positive effects and that they will not support any resolution that contains sanctions.

The biggest supporter of the idea of sanctions, France is hard pressed on the issue and have only partly support from the other delegations who accepts the possibility of sanctions but makes reservations on the effect on the civil society in Myanmar. These delegations include United Kingdom, United States, Belgium, Italy and Panama, however, this side are not yet as coordinated and Russia could be claimed to be the main player in the discussions.

Burma/Myanmar?

2007-11-15T04:56:00.000-08:00

There have been debates on what to call the country under discussion. The Presidency suggested that the official name of the country is Myanmar whereupon the UK delegation claimed their right to refer to the country as Burma since it has always referred to it as such and it “is internationally established”. The Presidency retorted that it is standard procedure to refer to a country by its official name.

What is your opinion? Burma/Myanmar? Write your comments below!

Summation of negotiations prior to lunch

2007-11-15T02:32:00.000-08:00

Thursdays discussions began with reiterating points of the working paper submitted during yesterdays sessions. The effects of the working paper was called into question and Russia called several points interventionistic. This argument was countered by Ghana which claimed it is only directional and not absolute in its nature. The delegations standpoints differed concerning the operational consequenses of the working paper and the appropiateness of the measure therein. The working paper was rejected by the delegations of Russia, China and Indonesia on the basis of being counterproductive. France agrees fully with the working paper and several others agree with the need for punitive measures against the violations of human rights conducted in Burma.

The rest of the early negotiations concerned the question of sanctions against Burma. The council was soon divided in two sides between those who supported the possibility of imposing restricted sanctions limited to the government and those who rejected it and claimed that they would only lead to the detriment of civil society and a deteriorated situation in Burma. Further on the issue of the classification of the situation in Burma as a matter of international peace and security was called into question, partly on the basis that the neighboring countries did not find the flow of refugees to be a security problem. This issue also divided the council and the US delegation stated that the neighboring countries may not have an interest in secutitizing the situation in Burma since they themselves are complicit in human rights violations. At the end of the first sessions a draft resolution motioned by Russia was presented.

First draft resolution presented

2007-11-15T02:22:00.000-08:00

A draft resolution has been submitted by the Russian Federation (with the signatures of the People's Republic of China, the Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Myanmar, Qatar and South Africa).

The draft suggests that the government of Myanmar to participate in further negotiations at the same time as it encourages it to release all political prisoners. The draft also emphasis ASEAN:s role in further evaluation of the situation in Burma/Myanmar.

Press release [Panama]

2007-11-15T02:10:00.000-08:00

Intelligence services of the Republic of Panama would like to state, that there is a threat of rocket attacks from Myanmar on Thailand. Therefore our country perceives Myanmar as international threat.

In addition, we would like to recall all the destruction and victims caused by such rocket attacks in recent years.