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BACKGROUND GUIDE: GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Greetings Dear Delegates,

It is an honour for us to be a part of your Executive Board. We thank you for participating in the

Winter Edition of Shikmun’19. We hope this experience exposes you to the functioning of the

world around you and shows you the wonders of MUNs. We want this to be a fun, engaging and

informative conference for all participants. We aim to make this committee as stimulating as

possible.We urge all delegates to portray the roles of their countries in an appropriate and

confident manner.The General Assembly is an integral organ of the United Nations as it puts

forward the points of view of all member countries. We feel it is important for every delegate to

voice their opinions in committee while following their foreign policy, especially in matters which

threaten world peace such as the agenda given before you. Keep in mind that the results of this

committee can lead to a full scale conflict between major countries in the world.

This document is to be used by you to understand the nuances of the agenda as well as the

Assembly. The Guide chronologically touches upon all the different aspects that are relevant and

will lead to fruitful debate in the Assembly. As a delegate it is essential for you to use this

information in the best manner with regards to your stance on the agenda.

However, it must be noted that this guide only presents a limited amount of basic information

which may form the basis for the debate and your research. The background guide is insufficient

for a delegate when it comes to discussing an agenda with respect to the affairs of their own

country. It is you who will be most appropriate to represent your own country is the best possible

way. We encourage you to go beyond this background guide and delve into the extremities of the

agenda to further enhance your knowledge of a burning global issue.

KEEP IN MIND THAT THE FREEZE DATE OF THE COMMITTEE IS 25TH APRIL 2003 REMEMBER

THAT THE REVOLUTION IS COMING .

Regards,

The Executive Board

Chairperson- Tushaar Ranganathan

Vice-chairperson- Muskaan Grover

Head Rapporteur- Ananya Chaturvedi

Rapporteur- Mahika Yadav

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Introduction to the General Assembly

The General Assembly, a forum for multilateral negotiation, is one of the most important organs

of the United Nations. It is unique, in the sense that every member-state is given equal

representation. Each member-state is allowed one vote in a particular issue. They discuss and

solve an enormous variety of issues in the UNGA, generally regarding peace, security etc. Though

it is the Security Council which decides on taking action by force for solving sensitive issues, it must

be remembered that the UNGA is the main decision making body of the UN.

The first session of the Assembly convened on January 10, 1946 in London, with 51 countries

represented. As of 2006 there were 192 members of the General Assembly. Numerous non-

members, such as states, organizations, and other entities (e.g. the African Union, the

International Committee of the Red Cross, and Palestine), maintain observer status, enabling

them to participate in the work of the General Assembly.

The General Assembly, since its embryonic stage, has made many significant achievements. This

includes, and is not limited to:-

1) The adopting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948,France.

2) Ending the Korean Crisis of 1953 through negotiation.

3) Signing of various treaties to promote nuclear non-proliferation, such as the NPT in 1968.

Finally, it is imperative to understand the types of actions the GA can perform to solve certain

issues. It can not take action by force, but can recommend the Security Council to do so. It can

recommend the formation of organizations with the aim to solve an issue. There are plenty of

other ways the GA can take action which you will understand over the course of your research

and the debate itself.

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MAP OF IRAQ

PRELUDE TO THE INVASION

Oil played a central role in shaping US policy toward Iraq over the course of the 20th century. The United

States first became involved in Iraq in the 1920s as part of an effort to secure a role for American companies

in Iraq’s emerging oil industry. As a result of State Department efforts, American companies gained a 23.75

percent ownership share of the Iraq Petroleum Company in 1928. In the 1940s, US interest in the country

increased as a result of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. To defend against a perceived Soviet threat to

Middle East oil, the US supported British efforts to “secure” the region. After nationalist officers overthrew

Iraq’s British-supported Hashemite monarchy in 1958 and established friendly relations with the Soviet

Union, the United States cultivated an alliance with the Iraqi Ba’ath Party as an alternative to the Soviet-

backed regime. The effort to cultivate an alliance with the Ba’ath foundered as a result the Ba’ath’s

perceived support for Arab claims against Israel.

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When Iraq invaded Kuwait and seized control of its oil fields in 1990, the United States shifted to a policy

of Iraqi containment. The United States organized an international coalition that quickly ejected Iraqi forces

from Kuwait, but chose not to pursue regime change for fear of destabilizing the country and the wider

region. Throughout the 1990s, the United States adhered to a policy of Iraqi containment but came under

increasing pressure to overthrow the Ba’ath and dismantle its control over the Iraqi oil industry. In 2003,

the United States seized upon the 9/11 terrorist attacks as an opportunity to implement this policy of

regime change and oil reprivatization.

The relations between USA and Iraq were very hostile during this period of time. The several verbal attacks

by Saddam Hussain and George W. Bush lead to the war. Americans were told by President Bush and his

administration that the U.S. was going to war with Iraq because of the imminent threat of Saddam's

weapons of mass destruction and ties to terrorism.

Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990 ended in Iraq’s defeat by a US-led coalition in the Persian Gulf War (1990–

1991). However, the Iraqi branch of the Party Baʿath , headed by Saddam Hussein, managed to retain power

by harshly suppressing uprisings of the country’s minority Kurds and its majority Shīʿite Arabs. To stem the

exodus of Kurds from Iraq, the allies established a “safe haven” in northern Iraq’s predominantly Kurdish

regions, and allied warplanes patrolled “no-fly” zones in northern and southern Iraq that were off-limits to

Iraqi aircraft. Moreover, to restrain future Iraqi aggression, the United Nations (UN) implemented

economic sanctions against Iraq in order to, among other things, hinder the progress of its most lethal arms

programs, including those for the development of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. UN

inspections during the mid-1990s uncovered a variety of proscribed weapons and prohibited technology

throughout Iraq. That country’s continued flouting of the UN weapons ban and its repeated interference

with the inspections frustrated the international community and led U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton in 1998 to order

the bombing of several Iraqi military installations . After the bombing, however, Iraq refused to allow

inspectors to reenter the country, and during the next several years the economic sanctions slowly began

to erode as neighbouring countries sought to reopen trade with Iraq.

In 2002 the new U.S. president, George W. Bush, argued that the vulnerability of the United States

following the September 11 attacks of 2001, UN Security Council Resolution 1441, passed on November 8,

2002, demanded that Iraq readmit inspectors and that it comply with all previous resolutions. Iraq

appeared to comply with the resolution, but in early 2003 President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony

Blair declared that Iraq was actually continuing to hinder UN inspections and that it still retained proscribed

weapons. Other world leaders, such as French Pres. Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard

Schröder, citing what they believed to be increased Iraqi cooperation, sought to extend inspections and

give Iraq more time to comply with them. However, on March 17, seeking no further UN resolutions and

deeming further diplomatic efforts by the Security Council futile, Bush declared an end to diplomacy and

issued an ultimatum to Ṣaddām, giving the Iraqi president 48 hours to leave Iraq. The leaders of France,

Germany, Russia, and other countries objected to this buildup toward war.

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When Ṣaddām refused to leave Iraq, U.S. and allied forces launched an attack on the morning of March 20;

it began when U.S. aircraft dropped several precision-guided bombs on a bunker complex in which the Iraqi

president was believed to be meeting with senior staff. This was followed by a series of air strikes directed

against government and military installations, and within days U.S. forces had invaded Iraq from Kuwait in

the south (U.S. Special Forces had previously been deployed to Kurdish-controlled areas in the north).

Despite fears that Iraqi forces would engage in a scorched-earth policy—destroying bridges and dams and

setting fire to Iraq’s southern oil wells—little damage was done by retreating Iraqi forces; in fact, large

numbers of Iraqi troops simply chose not to resist the advance of coalition forces. In southern Iraq the

greatest resistance to U.S. forces as they advanced northward was from irregular groups of Baʿth Party

supporters, known as Ṣaddām’s Fedayeen. British forces—which had deployed around the southern city of

Al-Baṣrah—faced similar resistance from paramilitary and irregular fighters.

In central Iraq units of the Republican Guard—a heavily armed paramilitary group connected with the

ruling party—were deployed to defend the capital of Baghdad. As U.S. Army and Marine forces advanced

northwestward up the Tigris-Euphrates river valley, they bypassed many populated areas where Fedayeen

resistance was strongest and were slowed only on March 25 when inclement weather and an extended

supply line briefly forced them to halt their advance within 60 miles (95 km) of Baghdad. During the pause,

U.S. aircraft inflicted heavy damage on Republican Guard units around the capital. U.S. forces resumed

their advance within a week, and on April 4 they took control of Baghdad’s international airport. Iraqi

resistance, though at times vigorous, was highly disorganized, and over the next several days army and

Marine Corps units staged raids into the heart of the city. On April 9 resistance in Baghdad collapsed, and

U.S. soldiers took control of the city.

OPERATION DESERT STORM

The projected cause of the Persian Gulf War of 1991 was the illegal Iraqi annexation of oil-rich

Kuwait from 25 August 1990 to 28 February 1991. It was a clear case of Iraqi armed aggression

against Kuwait and its subsequent annexation of ‘Iraq territory.’

It involved Iraqi attempt to make good the heavy losses it had suffered during the 10-year long war with

Iran. It was seen by USA as an Iraqi attempt to dominate the oil rich Gulf region which controlled 40% of

the World’s oil resources. Iraq’s occupation of Kuwait had posed a big menace for USA’s ally Saudi Arabia.

In order to give a legal foundation to its objective of decimating Saddam Hussain’s regime in Iraq and in

ending its annexation of Kuwait, the US was successful in securing several UN Security Council resolutions

for putting heavy economic and diplomatic pressures on Saddam Hussain for compelling him to end its

aggression and annexation of Kuwait. With the help of The United States Of America the United Nations

Security Council passed a resolution which sanctioned the use of “all necessary means” against Iraq in case

it failed to withdraw from Kuwait by 15th January 1991. On 16th January 1991, the US led multi-state

coalition launched its war against Iraq in the form of massive airstrikes. Despite several anti-war

demonstrations in some countries, including the USA itself, President George W. Bush continued with the

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round the clock air strikes against Iraqi cities and people. Those airstrikes were followed by a ground assault

on 24 February 1991 and operation Desert Storm into full swing. Iraqi regime also tried to draw Israel into

the Gulf war by firing its scud missiles into Israeli territory. However, such attempts on the part of Iraq and

the possibility of more anti-war demonstrations made the USA realise that Gulf War can get prolonged and

invite a reaction against it. On 3 March, the UN Security Council imposed conditions for Gulf ceasefire which

included the condition that Iraq must accept 1963 frontiers as the boundary, agree for a full inspection of

the process of elimination of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and pay compensations for war damages.

On 3 April 1991, the UN Security Council passed resolution for instituting a permanent ceasefire and

placement of 300-member UN Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission for monitoring the ceasefire. Thus ended

the Gulf War and Operation Desert Storm. It successfully secured the liberalisation of Kuwait.

OPERATION DESERT FOX

In November 1998, US President William J. Clinton warned Iraqi leadership that force would be used if

they continued to hamper United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) inspectors efforts. This

operation, dubbed Desert Fox, was a rapid and intense use of air power that lasted four days (17-20

December 1998). It was also the first operation that used B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft in a combat role.

As in earlier confrontations between coalition forces and Iraqi military forces in the Persian Gulf, the

intent was to show the coalition's resolve to continue to support the UN's monitoring effort. This was

the "straw that broke the camel's back" in the year-long tug of war between Hussein and the coalition.

The US deployed forces to the Persian Gulf in February 1998 as part of Operation Desert Thunder. Like

confrontations in the past, Hussein selected a time when the US and her European allies were busy

preparing for another situation, again in the former republic of Yugoslavia.

On December 16, 1998, United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) military forces launched cruise

missile attacks against military targets in Iraq. These strikes were ordered by the President of the United

States and were undertaken in response to Iraq's continued failure to comply with United Nations

Security Council resolutions as well as their interference with United Nations Special Commission

(UNSCOM) inspectors. The strikes were designed to deliver a serious blow to Saddam Hussein's capability

to manufacture, store, maintain and deliver weapons of mass destruction and his ability to threaten or

otherwise intimidate his neighbours. When U.S. bombs and missiles fell on Iraq on the evening of

December 16, one of their principal targets was Saddam Hussein's sleeping quarters on the outskirts of

Baghdad. The targeting list was stunning in its specificity. Bombs were dropped on separate buildings

that house secret units of the infamous Special Security Organization (SSO) and the Special Republican

Guards (SRG).

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In conclusion, the mission of this operation was to strike military and security targets in Iraq that

contribute to Iraq's ability to produce, store, maintain and deliver weapons of mass destruction and was

to degrade Saddam Hussein's ability to make and to use weapons of mass destruction by waging war

against his neighbours. It also aimed to demonstrate to Saddam Hussein the consequences of violating

international obligations.

28 February 1991

The Gulf War ends, leaving Iraq subject to United Nations sanctions and arms inspections to look for

weapons of mass destruction (biological, chemical and nuclear). Disputes over inspectors' access to Iraqi

facilities continue for years, with US-led air-raids taking place in December 1998.

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11 September 2001

Four aeroplanes are hijacked and flown deliberately into targets in the US. Almost 3,000 people are killed.

The attack is quickly blamed on al-Qaeda and its leader Osama Bin Laden, then resident in Afghanistan.

7 October 2001

US-led forces begin military action in Afghanistan.

29 January 2002

US President George W Bush identifies Iraq - along with Iran and North Korea - as part an "axis of evil" in

his State of the Union address.

12 September 2002

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President Bush addresses the United Nations General Assembly and warns Iraq that military action will be

unavoidable if it does not comply with UN resolutions on disarmament.

24 September 2002

The UK publishes a dossier on the threat posed by Iraq. It includes the claim that Saddam Hussein has

weapons of mass destruction which could be used within 45 minutes.

8 November 2002

The UN Security Council unanimously passes resolution 1441, giving Iraq "a final opportunity to comply

with its disarmament obligations" and warning of "serious consequences" if it does not.

15 February 2003

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Hundreds of thousands of people - estimated by organisers to number almost two million - march through

London in opposition to military action in Iraq. There are also gatherings in Glasgow and Belfast, part of a

worldwide weekend of protest.

25 February 2003

The US and the UK submit a draft resolution to the UN, stating that Iraq has missed its "final opportunity"

to disarm peacefully. But this is opposed by France, Russia and Germany,

10 March 2003

France and Russia announce that they are ready to veto a UN Security Council resolution which gives Iraq

seven days to disarm.

17 March 2003

The UK, the US and Spain abandon their attempt to secure a second UN resolution authorising force.

US President George Bush gives Saddam and his sons 48 hours to leave Iraq or face war.

18 March 2003

Tony Blair wins House of Commons backing to send UK forces into war in Iraq, despite a major rebellion by

Labour MPs.

20 March 2003

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GETTY IMAGES

The invasion - Operation Iraqi Freedom - begins with a "shock and awe" campaign of aerial bombardment

intended as a show of force. Bombs are dropped on a farming community outside Baghdad where

intelligence incorrectly suggested Saddam Hussein might be hiding.

9 April 2003

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The government of Saddam Hussein loses control over Iraq's capital Baghdad, with the advance of US forces

into the centre of the city.

DURING THE WAR

in 2003, the United States, along with coalition forces primarily from the United Kingdom, initiates war on

Iraq. Just after explosions began to rock Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, U.S. President George W. Bush announced

in a televised address, “At this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military

operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.” President Bush

and his advisors built much of their case for war on the idea that Iraq, under dictator Saddam Hussein,

possessed or was in the process of building weapons of mass destruction.

Hostilities began about 90 minutes after the U.S.-imposed deadline for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq or

face war passed. The first targets, which Bush said were “of military importance,” were hit with Tomahawk

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cruise missiles from U.S. fighter-bombers and warships stationed in the Persian Gulf. In response to the

attacks, Republic of Iraq radio in Baghdad announced, “the evil ones, the enemies of God, the homeland

and humanity, have committed the stupidity of aggression against our homeland and people.”Though

Saddam Hussein had declared in early March 2003 that, “it is without doubt that the faithful will be

victorious against aggression,” he went into hiding soon after the American invasion, speaking to his people

only through an occasional audiotape.

POSSIBLE IMPACTS OF THE INVASION-

The invasion of Iraq has been one of the biggest steps taken by U.S. since the cold war.There is an air of

unease in the surrounding area and counties as this invasion has inadvertently led to the stirring of Taliban

and other militant groups.The Iraqis feel their sovereignty to be violated whereas other Middle Eastern

countries are on their toes,thinking that they could be the next on U.S.s hitlist.

Neither is Russia going to sit calmly in the sidelines and let such an action of the United States to pass

peacefully.Currently there can be fighting between a number of sides in the Middle Eastern region. With

forces ranging from violent non-state actors to the military might of U.S. and Russian Federation, we may

very well be looking at a war in the near future.

Questions to keep in mind

1.Was the U.S. invasion of Iraq done with the prior permission of the U.N.?

2.Did U.S. break any international laws during the invasion of Iraq?

3.Are there any international laws set to provide a solution for the crisis?

4.What is the best way to defuse this situation in a peaceful manner keeping the

interests of every nation in mind?

5.How to deal with the non-state actors,if they decide to act due to the invasion?

6.Were there truly any Weapons Of Mass Destruction present in Iraq as U.S alleged?

7.What is U.S now planning to do with the land of Iraq ?Will U.S. monopolize the oil

trade now?

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Links you can refer

https://www.britannica.com/event/Iraq-War

https://www.cfr.org/timeline/iraq-war

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/war-in-iraq-begins

https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/ref/timestopics/topics_iraq.html

https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-important-facts-about-the-iraq-war

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/truth/why/