Monitoring Policy Making at the United Nations |
| ||||||||||||
What Was New What's New
Week of June 30 - July 4, 2008
Iraq Security Council Empire? Social and Economic Policy Nations and States UN Finance International Justice
Iraq
Iraq Criticizes Attacks by American Troops (June 30, 2008)
While the US and Iraq are negotiating a long-term security agreement, US troops have killed a number of Iraqi civilians in two highly publicized incidents. The shootings happened during a delicate time because the White House is demanding the right to conduct military operations and detain suspects in Iraq, while retaining immunity for US soldiers. The shootings may prompt the Iraqi government to insist that the coalition arrest its soldiers and yield to Iraqi law. (New York Times)
US Advised Iraqi Ministry on Oil Deals (June 30, 2008)
The Bush administration is working behind the scenes to ensure Western access to Iraqi oil. US government lawyers and private-sector consultants have provided templates and detailed suggestions on drafting the much criticized contracts between the Iraqi governments and five major Western oil companies. The companies will be working some of the largest fields in Iraq, although critics warn that meddling in the country’s oil policies can inflame the opinion of Arab nations against the US. (New York Times)
The Good News in Iraq (Don't Count on It) (June 29, 2008)
The US army claims that Iraq is becoming a safe and stable country. According to the Pentagon, violence has dropped at least 40 percent since February 2007. But civilians still die in large numbers and people lack electricity, portable water and hospital care. This article argues that the casualties are decreasing because millions of Iraqis have fled the country. Against this background, speaking of “success” or “good news” in Iraq seems obscene. (TomDispatch)
Massachusetts Congressmen Want UN to Replace US Soldiers in Iraq (June 26, 2008)
US Congress Members James P. McGovern, John F. Tierney, and William D. Delahunt warn that a long-term security agreement between Iraq and the US will lead to endless war and a permanent presence of US forces in the Middle East. Instead, the congress members propose that UN forces should take over in January 2009 and that the US normalize relations with neighboring Syria and seek rapprochement with Iran. (Boston Globe)
Oil Sell-Off by Stealth (June 26, 2008)
Iraq may lose a large amount of its national revenue to five Western oil corporations that will enjoy direct access to the country’s largest oilfields. The lucrative deal has been drawn up by the corporations themselves, who wrote the contracts without input from the Iraqi government. The businesses have ensured their right to match any competing bid once the two year-contracts runs out. They will have a claim to long-term control over at least one third of Iraq’s known oil reserves. (Niqash.org)Security Council
Peace Deal Unraveling (June 30, 2008)
A peace deal signed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by more than 20 militias operating in the region remains fragile. Many militias are backing out of the peace agreement because of repeated violations of the ceasefire by other signatories. This article argues that the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC and the Congolese Army cannot contain the clashes between militias. Instead, efforts should aim at encouraging negotiations between militia leaders and the government to enforce the fragile peace accord. (Institute for War and Peace Reporting)UN Sanctions Action Against Pirates (July 1, 2008)
The UN Security Council has allowed countries co-operating with the Somali Transitional Federal Government the right to enter Somalia's territorial waters and use “all means necessary” to repress acts of piracy. For the past two years, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has worked to draw the Security Council’s attention to the matter of increased piracy and armed robbery in Somalia’s coastal waters. The six-month resolution only applies to the situation in Somalia and affirms that cooperating states do not have the right to deny innocent passengers to the ships of any third state. (allAfrica)Lost Opportunities in the Horn of Africa: How Conflicts Connect and Peace Agreements Unravel (June 23, 2008)
This Chatham House report argues that instead of handling each conflict separately, the UN and the African Union (AU) should deal with the Horn of Africa as if it were a “Regional Security Complex.” The report urges the UN and AU to cooperate with local religious and civil society leaders to better integrate peacekeeping efforts in the region. By doing so, policymakers can further political and economic integration in the Horn region and avoid basing their efforts on richer countries’ agendas.Conflict Diamonds and the Peace Process in Cote d’Ivoire (June 2008)
This Fatal Transactions report argues that the UN-backed diamond embargo has not stopped the Ivory Coast’s illegal exploitation and export of conflict diamonds. The UN mission in the Ivory Coast (UNOCI) as well as other regulating agencies failed to effectively impose the sanctions on the country’s diamond trade. As a result, both the Ivorian military and the rebel group New Forces profit from the illegal diamond trade, leading to armed conflict over the control of diamond mines. The report concludes that the Ivory Coast will never reach a lasting peace without the end of the diamond trade.UN Chief Signals Shift on Kosovo (June 23, 2008)
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has not been able to transfer the peacekeeping responsibilities of UNMIK to the European Union because Russia and Serbia are blocking any Security Council resolutions that would legalize such action. Ban declared that he would restructure UNMIK in order for the UN to gradually leave the region by the end of 2009, but Russia and Serbia claim this move would be illegal. Russia’s unexpected support for Serbia and the UN’s desire to close the “last chapter” of the Balkan conflicts have left Ban and the Security Council at an impasse. (Christian Science Monitor)Empire?
Preparing the Battlefield (July 7, 2008)
According to the New Yorker’s Seymour Hersh, the Bush administration is seeking war with Iran even though it lacks a legitimate reason. In 2007 the US Congress dramatically increased funding for US covert operations in Iran. The Presidential Finding – a highly classified federal document – details the expanded scale of operations that aims to undermine Iran’s nuclear ambitions and destabilize the regime. For example, the US funds an Iranian opposition group of Baluchi Sunni fundamentalists, even though this group has ties to al-Qaeda.Social and Economic Policy
Crude Oil – The Supply Outlook (October 2007)
This Energy Watch Group report uses data from ten world regions to project the future of global oil supply. The study finds that oil production reached its peak in 2006 – earlier than most experts had predicted. After large oil fields pass their production peak, new smaller fields have to be developed. But smaller fields reach their peak quickly. The report predicts that the production rate of oil will decrease by 2030 and costs will increase. The supply gap will affect all aspects of daily life as consumers are forced to lower their energy usage.Hoarding Nations Drive Food Costs Ever Higher (June 30, 2008)
Conventional economists argue that everyone will benefit if countries specialize in producing a few different food commodities and import the rest. But without any protection of the domestic market, farmers in poorer countries must compete with commodities subsidized by richer countries. As over 29 countries have restricted food exports to ensure that their people have enough to eat, the import-dependent countries have even less access to food. A group of food-importing countries is promoting an agreement in the Doha Development Round to prevent countries from unilaterally restricting exports. (New York Times)GDP: The Measure and Mismeasure of the Economy (June 30, 2008)
This Canadian Broadcasting Corporation article criticizes world leaders and economists who use Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as an indicator of quality of life. GDP measures overall output and strength of a country’s economy. But, the author says “GDP is a measure of quantity, not quality,” as it fails to reflect the income gaps between the rich and the poor. He proposes alternate measures like the UN Human Development Index and the Genuine Progress Indicator that use health, environmental impact and standard of living as indicators of the quality of life.
Why the Oil Industry Benefits from Bottled Water Sales (June 26, 2008)
The world’s largest oil companies – Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon, ConocoPhillips and British Petroleum – have close ties to the bottled water industry. The oil companies supply the bottled water industry with oil-based plastics that release large amounts of toxic pollutants during production. Bottled water companies claim that their products are healthy and clean, but the connection between the oil and water industry reveals the negative environmental impact of bottled water. (AlterNet)The Global Crisis: Food, Water and Fuel (June 5, 2008)
This Global Research article discusses the triangular relationship between water, food and fuel: three basic commodities whose prices have risen in the past few years. The article argues that price hikes do not result from the shortage of commodities, but from market manipulation by international corporations and financial institutions. Financial groups that speculate in the oil market and large private corporations that control the grain market are responsible for the global food and oil crises. The author warns that the increasing power of these non-state actors directly affects the livelihoods of millions of people.Can Capitalism Survive Climate Change? (April 1, 2008)
This Foreign Policy In Focus article argues that consumption and capital accumulation contradict global efforts to curb climate change. World leaders talk about shifting away from fossil fuels but they avoid discussing how to change the global economic system that is driven by over-consumption. The author proposes a strategy based on the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility.” Richer governments should recognize poorer nations’ rights to develop and counties like China should cooperate with global efforts to reduce global warming.Nations and States
Explaining African State ‘Failure’: Does the State Make the Nation or the Nation Make the State? (June 23, 2008)
Analysts generally present two broad explanations for failed states in Africa. Primordialists argue that African countries cannot build nations because it is impossible to change or model ethnic identities to fit a broader national identity. On the other hand, constructivists contend that people can create a nation, but some African leaders politicize identities and mobilize ethnic groups against each other. Both explanations, however, overlook the influence of international organizations and NGOs. (e-International Relations)UN Finance
Updated Table and Chart on Members Paying UN Regular Budget Assessments Promptly and in Full (2008)
In 2008, only 36 countries paid their full UN dues on time. Compared to 2007, five more countries paid on time in 2008. But as in 2007, their contributions represent merely 15% percent of the total UN regular budget.US Congress Approves $665 Million for United Nations and International Organizations (June 27, 2008)
The US Congress passed a supplemental appropriations bill to pay the UN $524 million. Most of the payment goes towards funding the UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur, while the rest pays for other UN peacekeeping missions in countries such as Haiti, Cote d’Ivoire, and Liberia. However, the US still owes the UN $1.734 billion and does not pay its UN bills on time and in full. If the US expects the UN to take on more responsibilities, the US will have to contribute more to the UN budget. (Better World Campaign)House Passes FY 2008 State Department and Foreign Aid Spending Bill, Boosts Funding for UN Peacekeeping (June 25, 2007)
The US House of Representatives passed a bill to increase funds to UN peacekeeping operations as well as UN funds, agencies, and programs. The bill gives $195 million more than the President requested to the peacekeeping budget, although the US still owes $622 million. While some UN system budgets received increased funding, the House banned funding to the Human Rights Council and the International Seabed Authority, and reduced funding to the United Nations Development Program. (UNA-USA)International Justice
Cambodian Genocide Tribunal Running Out of Money (June 25, 2008)
The Special Tribunal for Cambodia faces economic difficulties months before its first trial begins. The tribunal’s estimated budget nearly tripled to $143 million, and following numerous delays in court proceedings the tribunal is struggling to find donors. So far, only Japan responded to requests for additional funds, making Japan the court’s largest donor. Many Cambodians fear that the former Khmer Rouge officials awaiting trial might die before facing justice if trial proceedings delay further. (Los Angeles Times)
