Al Jazeera - an editorial reflection

February 27^th, 2011, 10:40 AM

By E. Doll

Al Jazeera

Over the course of these past few days, it is easy for us all to say that hard work and dedication is paying off. The Security Council, General Assembly, World Health Organization (WHO), Human Rights Council, and the Summit on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples have all put in their best to solve problems and the International Press Corps (IPC) have kept up with all of it, allowing everyone a glimpse of what is happening in other committees.

With Wikileaks keeping everyone on their toes and sudden crises, the committee sessions have been anything but dull. And even if there was some minor drama and it was seemingly impossible to solve situations, everyone has pulled through with the same, if not more, determination as when this UN meeting started; we all have a sense of accomplishment and success that will only grow as the day goes on.

As a member of the press, I loved being able to see how everyone handled everything, but am also grateful that I was merely an observer and not handling such serious situations myself. I look up to all the delegates, even the one Afghanistan delegate who, as I’m sure you all know, angered me; there’s no way any of us at IPC could understand all your determination and willpower.

And as I bring this article to a close, I wish everyone here at VIU the best of luck in the future and thank them for allowing me, and my fellow press members, to watch their committee sessions and interview them. I hope you all are given only the best credit and will remember all the friends you have made here.

E. Doll, out.

ITAR - TASS

 Security Council

February 27, 2011. 10:41Am EST

By: Keely Campbell

ITAR - TASS

People in Somalia are dying and suffering every day from piracy and a lack of a supportive government and with that plans to invade Somalia is a pressing issue. At the open of this topic Portugal started the ball rolling saying they were interested in ending the conflicts in Somalia, but an invasion would be the last resort. Germany agreed with Portugal while the Russian Federation stated that “all previous attempts to intervene had been unsuccessful.” This statement is true but otherwise seemed flimsy in the minds of others.

The US delegate made a very insightful observation when he proclaimed that “Terrorist threats are dangerous to all.” This was followed by the US bringing up that he “wishes to question further to correct Somalia.”

In a brief interview with Portugal and India both were in agreement that something should be done and that a full frontal invasion wouldn’t be the best course of action. This being said Portugal, a founder of NATO, wants to set up “more ships based on peace and security.”

The council started to feel a shake when the Russian Federation delegate made it clear that Russia would not be willing to support the intentions of invading Somalia and if needed will use veto power to make their point more clear.

In a later interview the UK delegate was unwilling to state his opinion of having an imperial or democratic government set up. It was also stated that the UK believes the African Union would be able to better aid the needs of the Somali people and that it is their duty as the African Union to provide assistance.

It seems that the issue is only just starting to unfold. Given the circumstances, this reporter has it on authority that the Somalia delegate in the General Assembly will be asked into questioning from the Security Council.

Radio Mogadishu

Solution Reached in the World Health Organization

February 27, 2011. 

By: Bazinga

Radio Mogadishu

Today in the World Health Organization, all representatives of underdeveloped countries united under one goal – to get drugs for HIV/AIDS to underdeveloped countries at an affordable price. They have decided that all countries with a prevalence rate of six percent or over are now in a state of medical emergency, and need these drugs distributed to people suffering from the disease. They propose the patent laws be lifted for these countries to enable the drugs to be sold at affordable prices to people in need.

This is a very inspiring and hopeful solution for people with HIV/AIDS in underdeveloped countries. Hopefully the other countries of this council will agree with this position and take action against these diseases.

Agence Congolaise de Presse

 February 27, 10:24AM PST

Council caught off guard by terrorists

By Glove

ACP

            Moments after the Wiki-Leak of the MI6 document I was able to get the reactions of the members of the Security Council at the MUN today. After the Dias released the information I was able to get a few interviews in with delegates. The first country willing to talk to me was India who said, “India hopes that the Security Council can continue to move forward so that they can further prevent terrorism in this pressing situation.”

Next I spoke with the United States of America. The representative said that they where “very concerned about any terrorist organizations in possession of nuclear arms.” He went on to say that they (America) are “dedicating as many secret service agents as possible to locate the nuclear arms and to keep them from terrorists.”

A few minutes later I was able to get a statement from the United Kingdom. The delegate said that MI6 along with all the United Kingdom delegates are going to work to resolve the situation.

Fox News Channel

Wikileaks Strikes Again

February 27^th, 2011. 10:19AM PST

By: Sara Boulet

Fox News Channel

Late yesterday morning Wikileaks released a letter addressed to Dr. H. Goulet, one of France’s major researchers into finding a cure for HIV/AIDS. The letter was sent by M. C. Ruére, a high ranking official in the French government, and it discussed Dr. Goulet’s decision to move his research away from the potential cure for HIV/AIDS that he had, opting to focus instead on finding different treatments for the symptoms. Ruére told Dr. Goulet that the French government agreed with this decision, and that they would continue to financially support his research.

When a very flustered French delegate was interviewed, she stated that her government feels very strongly about finding a cure for HIV/ AIDS. The public may find this difficult to believe however, since the French government did in fact help Dr. Goulet stop his research into finding a cure, and instead decided to fund his research into treating symptoms. The representative for the Republic of France then went on to say that her government felt that it was costing them too much money, but that they would be agreeable to restarting research into this cure with some funding from other countries.

The delegate continued, saying: “It was costing us way too much and we weren’t financially stable [enough] ... to keep it going.” It’s hard to understand how France wasn’t financially stable enough to continue the research into finding a cure for HIV/ AIDS, but they were still able to continue giving Dr. Goulet the same amount of funding, for his other research.

When France’s delegate was asked about that, she simply responded, “Well, yes.”

Later in the interview, she revealed, “We weren’t completely sure of the doctors and the man working on it ... so instead of costing lives ... we thought we’d halt it now and save money ... and maybe start it up again when it’s safer.” The delegate was asked what in the past eight years had changed that made this possible cure any safer, since no further work was done on it. The delegate did not have an answer.

There has been plenty of speculation that the government of France only agreed with Dr. Goulet in his decision to stop his research and move it towards treating symptoms just to help pharmaceuticals companies make more capital.

There was also speculation regarding why the WHO was working on new antiretroviral drugs simply because European nations are against getting rid of them since they make so much money.

The delegate from France affirmed both of these speculative statements.

Fox News Channel

 Wikileaks Brings News of Missing Nuclear Arms

February 27^th, 2011. 10:24AM PST

By: Sara Boulet

Fox News Channel

Yesterday afternoon, while the Security Council was in the process of discussing how to eliminate terrorism, another Wikileaks article was brought to the attention of the United Nations. The leaked documents indicate the discovery of an American B-47 bomber by the United Kingdom’s intelligence agency. The bomber was downed on March 10^th,1950. When asked about why the intelligence agency hid this from the world, the United Kingdom’s delegate from the Security Council started to say that he had not been informed about it, but then switched to “No comment.”

The NSA has confirmed that the B-47 bomber was carrying two nuclear capsules. Remains of the plane were found in an abandoned warehouse, near the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. There was evidence of activity, from within the past couple days, including tire tracks from large trucks. This suggests that the nuclear weapons have been moved out of the region.

When asked for his reaction to the news of these missing nuclear weapons, the Americans delegate for the Security Council mentioned he had new CIA information, which indicated the Taliban had acquired these nuclear weapons, most likely with the help of some “Rogue-Russian allies.” He continued by saying that the Taliban probably planned to give these weapons to Al Shabab.

The delegate informed some members of the International Press Corps, of new intelligence, which proves the Taliban has been the main source of resources for the recognized terrorist organization Al Shabab. Al Shabab is a terrorist group in Somalia, which directly opposes the United Nations, and has described itself as waging jihad, which is more or less a holy war, against the “enemies of Islam.”

The American delegate believes that it is very dangerous for any terrorist group to have possession of nuclear arms, and could very well cause the destruction of the entire world.

The USA is willing to do anything to stop Al Shabab from gaining and keeping control of these nuclear arms, including “...invading Somalia.”

Associated Press

 Down to the Wire: One Session Left

February 27^th, 2011.

Associated Press

            As of yet the United Nations building remains still silent.  As the sun rises, slowly the exhausted delegates, daises and reporters trickle in.  It is visible on their faces that they’ve put everything they have into the past few days and the effort has taken its toll.  Still, looking into the eyes of any of the early arrivals and one sees only determination. 

           

            Despite the exhaustion, frustration and immensity of the task asked of this weekend, all those here have stepped up to the plate.  Delegates have prospects to push, and this will be the final stretch to do so.  After an amazing first three days of sessions, nobody expects anything but an explosive last session before the end of this conference.

            Yesterday showed some amazing progress towards solid resolutions.  The delegates had been here long enough that all distractions had been processed and were now ignored.  The subject matter at hand was elbow deep, and progress was made.  The WHO, the Summit on Indigenous Peoples and the HRC all passed a resolution while the Security Council passed two.  Subjects ranged from the HIV/AIDS crisis to dealing with the terrorist attacks in Sweden.

            All of this was accomplished under the greatest of strains.  Not only were the subjects grave, but the international community was rocked by further leaks from the now infamous Julian Assange.  It seems unlikely that the release was timed in relation to the terrorist attacks in Sweden, though the lack of restraint after such a sever occurrence. 

            Still, the world and especially the governments of France and England were rocked by yesterday’s releases.  Much of world is muttering in fearful breaths at the possibility that nuclear arms have found their way into the arms of Al-Qaeda and its allies.  Protests have also risen around the world around corporate greed that turned research away from a potential cure to HIV.  For all the day and night efforts of those here at the United Nations, it remains to be seen if these issues can really be overcome with a few strong words and the strokes of a pen.

            We at the Associated Press stand confident.  Human perseverance is great.  Compromise, understanding and little help from technology brings the world closer together with each passing day.  We’ve seen over this weekend how that growing global village is learning to work together as a common entity, understanding themselves as global citizens, to resolve global issues.  There will be bumps on the way, but we will overcome.