WiFi Issues and Time Misuse

By Purv Ashar, Udita Nair, Arwa Darukhanawalla

Day one of UNiS; committee brilliantly opens with WiFi issues and more than a few silent delegates. While Iran remained absent, the countries present in committee motioned, spoke and quarreled to resolve the historical disputes between Iran and Iraq. The first General Speakers List consisted of the United States, Soviet Union, Iraq, West Germany, Zambia, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Kuwait, China, Italy and Venezuela. During the GSL, delegates could confirm their stance on the issue, deciding the turns committee would take.

The USA blames both countries, proposing that Iran and Iraq work together. Iraq was prepared to put this suggestion into action however, Iran refused this notion of peace. The Soviet Union believes that it was Iraq who initiated war and points out that it is crucial for cooperation between Iran and Iraq. Furthermore, the delegate of the Soviet Union supplied arms to both countries, but mentioned that the Shaq Al Arab must be administered, along with compensating in yearly installments.

The delegate of Iraq themselves stated that war cannot go on and laid the idea of formulating a long-lasting mutual peace on the table. This was in reference to the treaty of Algiers that was signed, but then broken. West Germany spoke about how the Shaq Al Arab led to the buildup of conflict between the two nations by summarizing the background of the situation, but failed to confirm their national stance. Similarly, Zambia declared neutrality, claiming to have never financed either country. In addition, Zambia endorsed giving resource support as opposed to support in arms, as the latter would lead to rising tensions and foreshadowing of war. Furthermore, a point the delegate of Zambia emphasized on was the entry of a third party to act as a mediator. Not a country, as that could overcomplicate the situation. The United Kingdom declared being neutral as well.

On the other hand, Kuwait operated out of fear of being involved due to their geographic location. However, they too wished for peace and compensation due to economic loss. By the discretion of the chair, the delegate of China had to participate in the GSL. Their speech got off to a strong start, and it is understood that they commiserated with the deaths that took place, and agreed to neutrality, along with a desired long lasting peace.

The horrors of Zoom haunted the delegate of Venezuela, whose speech was delayed due to technical difficulties. However, the delegate of Italy was found tip-toeing on the line of arguing with the chair about their participation in the GSL, and after some attempted delaying tactics, the delegate of Italy revealed that they would continue supporting and supplying Iraq, but they still want peace.

Committee started to gain a little speed and since many delegates mentioned peace, the delegate of Iraq motioned for a moderated caucus to discuss the terms of the long lasting peace settlement. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Venezuela, USA, the Soviet Union, Iraq, and UAE participated, from which some volunteered and some were chosen. The UAE, for example, was chosen by the discretion of the chair. It seems as though the delegate of the UAE formulated a multi-step plan to get themselves out of having to speak in the moderated caucus. Step one, they attempted to stay completely still so the chairs would think they were frozen to which the chairs replied, “delegate we can see you blinking.” Step two, the delegate mentioned that they didn’t know they were supposed to speak. And lastly, they stated that they wanted to have a “peace kind of thing”. Following this statement, the delegate passionately said, “peace between both countries is needed!” Simultaneously, the chairs hinted at what they could have spoken about during their allotted time.

On the contrary, Saudi Arabia was committed to war and believed that the only peaceful solution would be when Iran and Iraq were compensated and mutually benefited. The delegate of Kuwait looked at their own gain; they deserved a lot more reparations as they lost more due to the country’s geographical location. The Soviet Union continued to remain neutral to both powers and focused on the demilitarization of the waterway. Venezuela and Iraq longed for peace. However, Venezuela blamed Iraq for the start of the war and asserted that they must pay for their actions. Iran’s involvement was for their own protection. Iraq looked at putting into action a long lasting peace settlement and the ban of chemical warfare, along with the demilitarization of borders.

Advised to talk more about the waterway, the delegate of USA motioned to open a moderated caucus to discuss the future of the Shaq Al Arab waterway and the Prussian Gulf. The speakers comprised Libya, Syria, Ghana, West Germany, UK, Venezuela, Iraq, China, the Soviet Union and USA. Libya was cut off in the middle of their speech, but managed to suggest that the United Nations take control to prevent violence and the Iran-Iraq agreement be solved under international law. Furthermore, they declared support to Iran. Venezuela is in full agreement with Libya. Additionally, Ghana believes the country should get full control and enter a press conference to prevent tensions from escalating. China, the Soviet Union, and Iraq support the demilitarization of the waterway. The United Kingdom brought another perspective, wherein it would be pointless to go to either side, as it was the waterway that fueled the conflict.

As the committee trucked along, a moderated caucus designed to discuss the UN’s role in keeping peace in the region was passed by the discretion of the chair. The UK, Zambia, the Soviet Union, Italy, Iraq, West Germany, Venezuela, Kuwait, and the USA took part in this discussion. Most delegates come to a consensus on the UN’s involvement. However, the delegates of Zambia and Kuwait were against the involvement of the UN because they believe their interference could escalate tensions (but a third party as a mediator is still needed) countries may start to rely on the UN, respectively.

Communication lines open, but less than halfway through day one, an update occurred, drastically altering the course of committee…