Articles and Documents
2011
IBSA Coalition an Emerging Player in Global Diplomacy (August 10, 2011)
The coalition of India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) went to Syria in early August to promote a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict, condemning violence from all sides. All three countries are currently elected members of the UN Security Council with long-standing bids for permanent seats, and all three oppose military intervention in Syria. As US power wanes, these emerging countries may play a larger role by engaging with developing countries. Ultimately, the delegation to Damascus demonstrates how IBSA, a coalition of multi-ethnic democracies, may influence innovative international diplomacy in the future. (Inter Press Service News Agency)
What Impact? The E10 and the 2011 Security Council (March 2011)
This IPI Report focuses on the changes in Council dynamics with emerging powers making up a signification portion of the E10. It examines the Council’s change in focus with these countries leading efforts to sustain UN post-conflict involvement and greater support for international justice mechanisms like the ICC. (International Peace Institute)
2010
The UN Security Council, often criticized as being outdated, has recently come more in line with the current global order - at least, the emerging powers. Some of the world's key rising economies, Brazil and Nigeria, now sit on the Council. India, Germany and South Africa, powerful global players, were elected yesterday. The Permanent Five, however, still reflect the world order of 1945. This article explores what the new Security Council members seek to do with their time on the UN's most powerful body. (Al Jazeera)
Canada Abandons UN Bid in Embarrassing Turn for Harper (October 12, 2010)
Despite small vials of maple syrup left on all the diplomats' desks at the UN yesterday, Canada failed to secure a non-permanent seat on the Security Council. Germany won a seat in the first round and Canada withdrew after the second round, handing victory to Portugal. Canada has sat on the Council every decade for the past fifty years. Thus, this defeat marks a significant embarrassment for Stephen Harper's government. The government was ambivalent about the campaign earlier on and this likely made the vote tougher than it might have been. (Globe and Mail)
UN Members Examine Canada (October 4, 2010)
Canada normally has had little difficulty securing a non-permanent seat on the Security Council; it has sat on the Council six times since 1946. However, this time, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's policies have likely lost some votes. Middle Eastern countries don't like his pro-Israel tilt. African nations have made it clear that they view Harper's recent initiative on maternal health as a belated attempt to buy their votes after previously cancelling aid to eight African states. But Canada may be able to count on votes from the 14 nations of the Caribbean region, thanks to $600 million in aid for that region. (Edmonton Journal)
2009
UN Session Marked by Highs and Lows (October 2, 2009)
The opening of the 64th session of the General Assembly was marked by a high-level conference on climate change, a historic Security Council meeting on nuclear disarmament, and a vastly more positive approach by the United States. Although the Obama administration still has its own power agenda, it has shown willingness to reengage with the UN, notably by promising to pay its dues. During this two-week high-level session, the UN outshone the G20 meeting and proved to be a major institution in which nations can convene. (IPS)
2008
Security Council Visiting Mission Update (May 22, 2008)
Members of the Security Council will visit Kenya, Sudan, Chad the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Cote d’Ivoire between May 30 and June 10, 2008. Security Council members aim to assess UN peacekeepers, and to promote peace and security in Africa. However, the author suggests that members disagree on whether to address post-conflict violence in Kenya, the role of the International Criminal Court in Uganda and a possible reduction of UN peacekeepers in the DRC (MONUC). (Security Council Report)
2007
In Search of Symbiosis: The Security Council in the Humanitarian Domain (March 2007)
This article, by Aurelio Viotti, analyzes the symbiosis between international security and humanitarian action by the Security Council. The author states that the merging of these two differing concepts has effectively blurred the distinction between the doctrines of just war theory and international humanitarian law. As a result, imprecise notions such as the “Responsibility to Protect� and “human security� threaten the impartiality of humanitarian action, as well as undermine one of the salutary political achievements of the Twentieth Century, the prohibition of the use of force within international relations. (International Review of the Red Cross)
2006
UN Security Council Edicts Challenged (October 26, 2006)
This Inter Press Service article analyzes permanent members' domination and influence at the UN Security Council. The author denounces action driven by national interests and the “double standards� of the Council’s resolutions, which allow some countries to possess nuclear weapons whilst forbidding others. Citing the endorsement of the Iraq occupation by the 15 members of the Security Council, the author comments on the UN inability to prevent powerful nations, such as the US, to dictate their will. The article concludes that the disregard for international law and double standards call into question the legitimacy of the top UN body.
2005
Zimbabwe Report Discussed at UN (July 27, 2005)
The situation in Zimbabwe is not on the UN Security Council agenda, but the US, UK and seven other nations voted to discuss a report on the Zimbabwean government’s slum demolition campaign. The discussion of an item not on the agenda marks one of the few times that Council members have invoked the rule to vote on procedural matters. Though China and Russia opposed the vote, saying it amounted to “meddling in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs,� the veto cannot be used on procedural votes. (BBC)
2003
No Taiwan in UN: China (August 8, 2003)
China rejected the request that the General Assembly discuss the possibility of Taiwan representation at the UN. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman remarked, “Taiwan, as part of China, has no qualification (. . .) to join the United Nations which is composed of sovereign countries.� (Associated Press)
Security Council's Dilemma on Enforcement (February 14, 2003)
The UN has passed dozens of resolutions over the years that have not been carried out. Resolutions concerning Israel, Cyprus and Morocco are some examples of countries' refusal to comply. (CNN)
2002
Syria's UN Head Closely Watched (June 1, 2002)
Syria takes over the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of June 2002 following a heated debate on whether a state on the US list of “state-sponsored terrorism� should deal with issues like the global fight against terrorism. (Associated Press)
2000
Call for Taiwan's UN Seat Unlikely to Succeed (August 10, 2000)
Facing the usual opposition from China, Taiwan is about to be rebuffed in its eighth bid to join the UN. China's influence will probably be stronger than that of the twelve countries which signed a petition to Secretary General arguing for Taiwan's inclusion.(Associated Press)
UN Security Council to Hold Millennium Summit (August 4, 2000)
It was agreed that the heads of state and government of the 15 members of the Security Council would hold a summit meeting on September 7 to discuss the maintenance of international peace and security, particularly in Africa. The council has met only once at summit level, on January 31, 1992, after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. (Agence France Presse)
Swiss President Says Country Will Join United Nations in 2002 (June 25, 2000)
Although the referendum to join the UN was turned down in 1986, the Swiss government is optimistic about persuading the citizens to join the UN in the year 2002. (Ottawa Citizen)
US Report Says the UN has Improved With Changes (May 29, 2000)
In addition to highlighting the UN Secretary General's efforts to improve management, the report, prepared for the US Congress, points out that some shortcomings in recent UN operations are beyond the realistic capacity of the institution. (New York Times )
Costly UN Practice: Ambiguity (May 24, 2000)
From the starving children in Iraq to the hostage crisis in Sierra Leone, the trend is to blame all failures to the UN, the "crippled" institution. Whether the institution will prevail or fail however, depends on the will of the member states that constitute it. (Christian Science Monitor)
Who Should Lead the World Toward Peace? NATO or the UN (January 2000)
In a fiery commentary, Saul Landau outlines why to scrap NATO. (Z Net)
1999
Sovereignty and World Order (September 20, 1999)
Another brilliant and scathing analysis by Noam Chomsky. Delivered at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas. (Z Magazine)
Annan Says Donors Should Not Detract From Development Task (November 23, 1999)
An article from Panafrican News about the UN Secretary General's comment on the issue of human security, emphasizing the essential task to alleviate poverty and foster development.
Human Rights and the Security Council (October 1999)
UN representative of Human Right Watch, Joanna Weschler's view on the role of Security Council for human rights. (Undiplomatic Times)
Clinton Lauds Efforts of UN, But He Urges More Action (September 22, 1999)
An International Herald Tribune article about President Clinton's address to the UN General Assembly.
United States Leads Charge to Discredit UN (August 8, 1999)
Comparing the US to other empires, Phyllis Bennis, discusses how the US "believes it can write its own rules for its dealings with other nations" and can pass blame for its foreign policy failures blame onto the UN.
Text of Kofi Annan's Speech in The Hague (May 18, 1999)
In his speech in The Hague, the Secretary General called for greater authority and efficiency of the Security Council to avoid embarking on a "dangerous path to anarchy."Annan said he worries about actions taken by regional alliances without UN authority, such as NATO intervention in Kosovo. (UN Press Release)
Press Conference on World Perception of United Nations (April 27, 1999)
A poll on how the UN is seen by citizens all over the world.
Secretary General Annan's Thoughts on Current Issues Facing the UN (January 27, 1999)
Transcript of a comprehensive press conference by the SG to UN correspondents in Geneva, covering wide range of topics.
An Integrated Approach to Conflict, Peace and Security (January 22, 1999)
A Presentation from Session III of "Canada on the Security Council: Options and Opportunities," A Seminar Held in Ottawa, Canada and organized by the UNA (Canada) in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Security Council: Russia, Cuba Issue Joint Statement on Role (January 19, 1999)
This joint statement defends the security council as the sovereign international authority on coercive measures to restore peace. Russia and Cuba claim that attempts to bypass the security council will undermine the existing mechanism of peace maintenance.
1998
Different Security Roles: The Security Council and NATO (November 30, 1998)
Jeffrey Laurenti of UNA-USA responds to suggestions that NATO should supercede the UN as a security organization.Only One China in the UN (September 11, 1998)
Statement by Ambassador Qin Huasun of China on the status of Taiwan and how the People's Republic will never grant it country status.
