Al-Bayan Bilingual School
Model U.N. Page
CACMUN 
1999
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CACMUN
1999
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BBS was one of the
three top schools at this event (in this authors' humble opinion). This opinion
comes from the quality of debate, amount of time speaking, and overall ability
to influence events, and quality of resolutions.(click here
to read ALL BBS resolutions)
This is the CACMUN group.
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General Assembly
Overview
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A curious thing
happened in the General Assembly. The pariah nations of the world, Iraq, Iran,
Cuba, Libya etc. ended up having the most floor time. This resulted from a
number of factors, including the failure of the EC and American block countries
to come up with any consensus resolutions on the three key issues. Ironically,
three resolutions written by BBS students representing more moderate countries
came very close to getting floor time in the GA floor only to have other
resolutions debated instead. Of some fifty resolutions written, three of the top
six came from BBS authors.
This thrust most BBS delegates in the role of
the opposition, attacking, in this case, other countries that wanted a license
to harm their own people in one way or another. They needed to kill resolutions
formented by these countries. Of the three resolutions debated, two died, both
due, in large part, to the efforts of BBS students, and, as one MUN director
remarked, "Killing a bad resolution sometimes is the best good possible."
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General Assembly Issues
Debated
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Issue 101: The
question of the condition and treatment of refugees.
Issue 102: The
question of the role of regional organizations in settling international
conflict. (resolution passed)
Issue 103: The question of growth and
implementation of information technology on global
communication.
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Country by Country GA
highlights
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Here's a very realistic scene, a bunch of UN Ambassadors enjoy an
overpriced meal. From left to right: Russia (Moh'd), Eritrea (Saad), Uganda
(Shadi), Algeria (Fay), Canada (Nabil), and Bhutan (Faisal).
Algeria-Faye al Tukhaim
Algeria
(click
here to read the ambassador's briefing book) criticized the Iraqi proposed
plan because Algeria thought the "UN" passport idea wouldn't
work.
Australia-Shahad Dashti
Australia (click here
to read the ambassador's briefing book) justified its position on East Timor
in the Security Council and condemned Indonesia for its human rights abuses. It
also questioned how serious Iraq would be about helping refugees since Iraqi
policies cause so many people to flee.
Shahd gets in touch with
Australia's national spirit.
Bhutan-Faisal al Shatti
Bhutan (Click here
to read the ambassador's briefing book)made several speeches attacking
Resolutions 101 and 102. Bhutan also testified to the Security Council on its
position (pro-India) when China threatened to expand the India-Pakistan war into
the Himalayas.
Costa Rica-Huda
al Mousa
Costa Rica (click here
to read the ambassador's briefing book) spoke on a number of issues as well
as acting as an important second author on Canada's resolution on refugees.
Costa Rica particularly attacked resolutions that "do nothing."
Eritrea-Saad al Ghawas
Eritrea (click here
to read the ambassador's briefing book) spoke on several issues besides
acting as a major force in merging resolutions. Eritrea went through and
attacked every clause of Iraq-China's resolution 103, which failed. Eritrea also
signed a peace treaty with its neighbor, Ethiopia, ending one of the stupider
conflicts of the 1990s.
Eritrea (Saad) seems relaxed and in control
as he leads an informal
session.
Guatemala-Najwa al
Bishir
Guatemala (click here
to read the ambassador's briefing book) in its opening speech spoke of the
desire of poor countries to obtain high technology. The resolution on which
Guatemala assisted Nigeria would've helped poor countries with exactly this
issue. Unfortunately, the Iraq-China resolution debated lacked that funding, and
Guatemala attacked it for ignoring the poor countries.
Guatemala (Najwa) takes notes
during another country's speech.
Kuwait-Reem
Behbehani
Kuwait (Click here
to read the ambassador's briefing book) attacked Iraq on the POW issue in
one of the most powerful opening speeches. Since Iraq co-sponsored all three
resolutions under debate, Kuwait did its best to bring down all three of them.
The logic Kuwait offered: If Iraq lied about previous agreements, how could
anyone trust them now? Kuwait especially condemned the refugee resolution
written by Iraq since Iraq's policies actual increase the number of refugees
fleeing from oppression.
Nigeria-Adel al Omar
Nigeria (click here
to read the ambassador's briefing book)did most of the writing on one of the
best two resolutions on technology. Nigeria condemned the Iraqi-China sponsored
resolution for its its encouragement of government monopolies on technology
which would cause higher prices and, thereby, keep high technology away from the
poor.
Uganda-Shadi Suwayeh
Uganda (click here
to read the ambassador's briefing book) underwent an intense grilling in the
Security Council as it tried to explain its continued support for rebels
fighting against the government of DR Congo.
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Security Council
Overview
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BBS students played a
strong role in the Security Council. Often times it seemed the entire debate
revolved around two of BBS's most prominent debaters Russia (Moh'd Fakhraldeen)
and Canada (Nabil al Khalid). In general, one could characterize the course of
events as one in which Canada and America took the lead in trying to get the UN
to take action while Russia and China resisted on the principles of national
sovereignty. As often happens in the real SC, this resulted in a lot of work
going towards a resolution that falied due to a veto or passed, watered down,
over a grudging absention.
The following list was on the SC agenda, but
only those underlined were actually debated:
1. The impending crisis
between Russia/Chechnya/Dagestan-vetoed by Russia
2. The ongoing issue of
Peacekeeping/UN involvement in East Timor-passed by in Mohammad FD's
absence.
3. The continuing crisis in DR Congo and surrounding States
(there has been a call by peacebroker, Frederick Chiluba - President of Zambia,
for UN Peacekeeping in DR Congo)-passed with Russian abstention.
4.
Ongoing issues in Kosovo-vetoed by Russia
5. Redefinition of UN SC
involvement in humanitarian/human rights issues
6. Instability in South
Asia (Afghanistan/Pakistan/India) possibly including issue of the Nuclear threat
to peace and stability and/or State sponsored terrorism
7. The continuing
war in Ethiopia/Eritrea and resulting regional instability-treaty signed but by
the nations involved
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Country by Country SC
Highlights
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Canada-Nabil al Khaled
Canada (click
here to read the ambassador's briefing book)
took the leading roll on
several key SC issues, including writing most of the clauses on resolutions
involving Chechnya and the Congo. At one point Canada held the SC floor for over
an hour. In addition, Canada principally authored one of only two refugee
resolutons (out of 40) that made it to the General Assembly floor.
Namibia-Mustafa Malaki
Namibia
(click
here to read the ambassador's briefing book) defended its assisting the
government of DR Congo Africa and attacked Uganda. Namibia played a key roll in
working out the eventual cease-fire agreement in that conflict.
Russia-Mohammad Fakhraldeen
Russia
(click
here to read the ambassador's briefing book) voted, usually alone, against
every single clause of a UN resolution on Chechnya. When the resolution came to
vote and would've sent troops to Chechnya, Russia vetoed. Russia also spoke in
the General Assembly in defense of national sovereignty.
Russia (Moh'd) gives his
opening speech to the GA.
Russia (Mohammad) vetoes a resolution
to send UN troops into
Chechnya.
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The Emergency
Situation
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The emergency
situation (click here
to read about the situation) involved a war between Pakistan in India. With
Pakistan near collapse, its threatened to use nuclear weapons. China, fearing
that India would profit from a defeated Pakistan, threatend to send its own
troops into India on a second front. This, in turn, threatened to draw in an
anxious Russia that feared that India might fall instead. As the crisis
situation opened, Indian troops continued to march while both sides armed their
nuclear weapons.
Russia and the entire Security Council seem worried as they hear that
India and Pakistan are close to nuclear war.
The crisis situation opened with two superb delegates, India from
CAC and Pakistan, delivering fiery speeches at one another. Further the
situation suddenly thrust Russia and China, which had become quite a team, unto
opposite sides.
However, the countries made no real progress, other than
making speeches, until Russia and China met to try to diffuse the situation.
BBS's Russian ambassador led the way in seeking peace and avoiding a Holocaust.
In the end, the two sides agreed to a cease-fire.
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Fun In
Cairo
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After a busy three days, BBS
delegates took some time off the enjoy themselves and see the pyramids.
The camel seems to be enjoying this
ride as much as Fay and Najwa.
Shadi rides off towards the pyrmaids.
They seem even bigger up close.
We're back in the saddle again:
From left to right: Faisal, Nabil,
Ms. Gillian,
Saad, and Mustafa.
Home on the range.
Front with face covered: Najwa; Row 1, l to r: Ms. Gillian, Shadi, Reem, Adel, Huda, Mustafa, Faisal. Row 2: Saad, Nabil, Moh'd, Shadi, Faye.
No I can't figure out the way home. When I ask that stupid
Sphinx,
it just keeps answering me with riddles!
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