Forum: Commission I

Issue: Humanitarian aid to the civilian victims in the aftermath of the Russian-

Georgian conflict with emphasis on border and culture disputes

1. Introduction Dear Delegates,

In our committee, we will be discussing three different issues. This report focuses on

the one about Russian-Georgian Conflict. I would be pleased to remind you that this

report intends to lead you while you are conducting your original research. I

recommend you to conduct a comprehensive research including the different aspects

of the conflict and focusing on the border and culture disputes, the reasons and the

consequences of the war, the aftermath problems in the region, and the possible

humanitarian aid that could be provided.

2. Background Information

South Ossetia is a disputed region and partly recognized state in the South

Caucasus, located in the territory of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within

the former Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.

South Ossetia is one of the three self-governing regions in Georgia. The other

two are Republic of Abkhazia and Republic of Adjara. South Ossetia is ruled by

separatist government which is supported by the Russian government.

Abkhazia has the status of a self-governing republic, but operates as a de facto state.

The collapse of the Soviet Union stimulated a separatist movement in South

Ossetia. It declared independency in 1991, during civil war in 1991–1992 (which can

also be referred to as The Georgian–Ossetia conflict). The partially recognized

Republic of South Ossetia governs it.

Abkhazia is internationally recognized as a part of Georgia, despite the fact

that it has declared its independency from Georgia in 1999. It has never been

recognized by a single country, and the price has been high indeed. An economic

embargo remains in force and Abkhazia is isolated in just about every sense of the

word except from Russia, which maintains a border crossing and has re-opened the

railway line to Sukhumi.

Moscow has infuriated Tbilisi by making it easy for people in Abkhazia to gain

Russian citizenship. Most now hold Russian passports.

Basically, the main conflict between Georgia and Russian Federation is that

the question of independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russian Federation

supports those two regions to make them an independent republic. Other than

Russia; Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru also recognize South Ossetia and

Abkhazia as an independent republic.

In 2008, the South Ossetia War happened between Georgia on one side and

South Ossetia together with Russia and Abkhazia on the other due the main conflicts

states above. As a result, nearly a thousand people lost their lives in total including

soldiers and civilians. (Both sides claims different numbers) Russian Federation

declares this war as their victory depending on the reason that is Venezuela,

Nicaragua and Nauru recognizes Abkhazia and South Ossetia as an independent

country. However, as a counter argument, since the rest of the world doesn’t

recognize those regions it could be declared as Georgia’s victory.

3. The List of Countries Involved in the Issue

1) Russian Federation: Invaded Georgia’s regions in order to help to the people

who live in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. They also intended to help those two

regions to declare their independence. 2) Georgia: is the opponent side of Russia. They defended their borders and lost

too many soldier and civilians. At the end of the war, relatively, they didn’t lose

because of the two regions’ status of being not independent, at least not

recognized except Nicaragua, the Russian Federation, Venezuela and Nauru.

3) United States of America: The United States and Georgia have close

relations, the US having helped to train and arm the Georgian military. Georgia

has sent troops to join the US-led coalition in Iraq.

4) France: has played a major part in the ceasefire agreements between Russia

and Georgia. The EU has also condemned Russia’s actions.

5) Germany: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has stated her country’s

opinion by saying that she found some of Russia's actions disproportionate,

and in particular, she thinks the presence of Russian troops in Georgia proper

is not sensible. 4. Possible Solutions

Possible solutions to provide humanitarian aid to the civilian victims in the South

Ossetia and Abkhazia regions after the war caused by the Russian-Georgian conflict:

(with emphasis on border and culture disputes)

Asks Abkhazian, South Ossetian and Georgian representatives to create an action

plan cooperatively which will be discussed openly in the presence of government

officials and military leaders from all participant governments as well as UN officials

in Batumi, Georgia and discuss economical and political conflicts;

Encourages the organization of public campaigns consisting of such means but not

limited as:

a) youth forums,

b) exchange programs,

c) creation of a powerful symbol which unites all three regions as one;

Requests the creation of a council which cultural conflicts and diverse ideas are

discussed which will be held open to the contributions of public which will help to:

a) increase the respect of the community to different ideas,

b) expand world view of the public;

5. UN Involvement

The Security Council of the United Nations passed 32 resolutions where it recognizes

Abkhazia as an integral part of Georgia and supports its territorial integrity according

to the principles of the international law.

UN Security Council Resolution 1808. (April 15, 2008) http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sc9299.doc.htm

UN General Assembly Resolution GA/10708. (May 15, 2008)

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/ga10708.doc.htm

UN also started an observer mission in the region: United Nations Observer Mission

in Georgia (UNOMIG)

http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/unomig/index.html

6. Maps

7. Works Cited / Further Research

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/556319/South-Ossetia

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/europe/2008/georgia_russia_conflict/default.stm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_South_Ossetia_war

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7556857.stm

http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2009/01/22/flames-0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Ossetia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian-Ossetian_conflict

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7553261.stm

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/ga10708.doc.htm

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sc9299.doc.htm

Issue: Restabilization of the border between Lebanon and Israel with special focus

on the situation in Golan Heights and Sheeba farms Forum: General Conference II

1.Background Information:

The root of the conflict lies in the relocation of Pallestinian militants from the state of

Jordan to the state of Lebanon.Israeli militants, as a result invaded the southern part

of Lebanon.The Lebanese government submitted protests against the Israeli invasion

to the United Nations Security Council.The Security Council adopted two resolutions

,resolutions 425 and 426 in which they called upon Israel’s withdrawal from

Lebanon.The organization United Nations Interm Force in Lebanon was then

established.As years passed by, the Security Council remained to defend Lebanon’s

sovereignty and have tried to persuade the Israel withdrawal even though Lebanon

was invaded again.To determine the full withdrawal of Israel from Lebanon the

United Nations has designated a border ,Blue Line, in the area of Golan Heights.The

2000-2006 Shebaa farms conflict occurred when Hezbullah attacks on the Israeli

Defense Forces were responded by air strikes in Southern Lebanon where the

conflict had started.

2.Related Countries: The Pallestinian Liberation Organization(PLO) recruited refugees from Jordan to

Lebanon which lead to cross border attacks causing the violation of Lebanon by

Israel.

Syria is also involved in the conflict as it borders with both the countries ; and Golan

Heights within Syria is occupied by Israel.

In the operations for the withdrawal of Israel from Lebanon UNIFIL has had the

military support of Belgium,Brunei,China,Croatia,Cyprus,El Salvador,France,FYR of

Macedonia,Germany,Ghana,GreeceGuatemala,Hungary,India,Indonesia,Iralend,Italy

,Luxembourg,Malaysia,Nepal,New Zealand,Poland,Portugal,Quatar,Republic of

Korea,Sierra Leone,Slovenia,Spain,Tanzania and Turkey.

3.Possible Solutions: It is important that UNIFIL increase its participation in the recuperation of Lebanon

and the withdrawal of the military forces in the border in Golan Heights and Shebaa

farms.The existing military operations and ongoing activities need to be revised.The

UN Security Council resolutions and public statements need to be improved.Effective

policy making is in need by the states on the issue.Lebanon needs to be stabilized in

order to prevent a new hostility or conflict in its southern part.A new strategic military

environment needs to be established across the Blue Line and the Shebaa Farms in

order to tackle the conflict.

4.UN Involvement:

The Lebanese government had called upon the UN Security Council and has

submitted protest against the Israeli invasion in Lebanon.The UN Security Council

has adopted resolutions 425 and 426.The Security Council has also filed a press

release related with the Israel-Lebanon border conflict.After submitting the

resolutions the UN had established UNIFIL which confirmed the withdrawal of Israeli

involvement to restore international peace.The UN designated border the Blue Line

was established to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Lebanon.

5.Maps and Graphics:

UNIFIL Strength/Fatalities/Financial Aspects

Strength:

Current (31 October 2009)

• 12,341 total uniformed personnel

• 335 international civilian

• 664 local civilian staff

• 50 UNTSO military observers of the Observer Group Lebanon

Fatalities

• 268 troops

• 2 military observer

• 6 international civilian

• 6 local civilian

_____

• 282 total

Financial aspects Approved budget (1 July 2009 - 30 June 2010): $589.80 million

6.Works Cited: United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL Facts and Figures<

http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unifil/facts.shtml>

UNSC Extension of Mandate of Force in Lebanon .Department of Public information

News and Media Division New York-Security Council 6183 Meeting. 27 August

2009,<http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/sc9737.doc.htm>

‘’Israel Pursues Strikes on Lebanon’’BBC News. 14 July 2006.<

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5178492.stm>

7.Useful Links: United Nations Interim Force in

Leanon<http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unifil/>

‘’Crossfire’’. Newsweek.April 29 1996< http://www.newsweek.com/id/102045>

‘’Lebanon and Israel must do more to achieve permanent ceasfire-UN envoy’’.UN

News Centre. 10 November 2009. <

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=32910&Cr=lebanon&Cr1>