Crisis in the Congo

While the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been moved to the backburner of the world stage in light of the Mumbai terror attacks, this conflict is an example of military action on the part of the SC. Remember though, the troops sent to the Congo must adhere the restrictions set by their mandate (MONUC). Some say that these rules put a strangle-hold on what UN peacekeepers actually are able to accomplish in this war-torn nation, invoking memories of the lackluster response to the Rwandan genocide (1994). Others suggest that the UN should stick its nose elsewhere and let the situation resolve itself. See below for some links regarding this crisis (perhaps another hint?)

U.N. condemns Congo atrocities - CNN "The Most Trusted Name in News"
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/11/20/congo.un.troops/index.html?iref=newssearch

MONUC Home Site (check out the mandate section)
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/monuc/index.html

EU to hold meeting on possible Congo force: France
http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnJOE4B00FT.html

-LK

Greenland.

Greenlanders vote to begin loosening ties with Denmark and taking advantage of oil reserves off the country's coast. Perhaps Greenland is not so 'green' - as in ecological - after all! Here's the issue, as written in the International Herald Tribune

Greenlanders vote for expanding autonomy

Greenlanders vote for more autonomy

- Sarah
Press Corps

Welcome SC Delegates

Hello HSMUNer's

I'm Lukas, one of your friendly neighbourhood photographers for the conference this year, though I tend to dabble in such powerful issues like those discussed in the Security Council! I'm a third year Animal Science student from the ALES faculty (long story short, one of my friends from the debate team laid out a VERY convincing argument to help out with the conference last year), and this is my second year helping out with HSMUN.

For those of you that do not know how to use Google, here are a couple links regarding the basic dealings of the Security Council (though as well-prepared delegates I'm sure you all already know all about how these sorts of things), as well as some information regarding recent events:


The SC's Response to the Mumbai Terror Attacks:
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/bring-perpetrators-to-justice-un-security-council_100124544.html

Official UN SC Website:
http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/

List of SC Resolutions Regarding Iraq (hint hint?)
http://www.iraqanalysis.org/info/343

Keep checking back for more helpful tidbits!
LK

Serbian Foreign Minister on Kosovo

The Economist interviews the foreign minister of Serbia, who says mildly interesting things about Kosovo.

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Omar Khadr

The legal status of illegitimate combatants is demonstrated passionately and emotionally in the cry of several to repatriate Omar Khadr, who has been held in Guantanamo since he was 15 for throwing a grenade at Coalition soldiers.

On May 23rd, 2008, the Supreme Court ruled that the Canadian government was complicit in the human rights abuses that Khadr has suffered.



This article represents one side of the story.

Welcome to HSMUN 2009!

Hi everyone -

I'm Sarah, and I'll be covering Security Council for this year's UN newspaper. I'm a first year Arts student, and this is my second year of HSMUN. Last year, I was on the news staff as a writer and loved it. I can't wait to see what happens in SC this February, as there were some crazy shenanigans last year! Check out back issues of the United Nations News on for some great - although semi-inappropriate at times - quotes from your predecessors.

and Nolan was heard to say hello.

Hey guys I'm Nolan. When I'm not busy self determining I am a second years arts student at the U of A. I had an awesome time going to HSMUN when I was in highschool and, though I didn't go to HSMUN last year, I crashed a highschool model UN in Calgary last year. They weren't supposed to have a guest speaker, but they had one anyways :). Ask me about it sometime.