The United Nations

1. The United Nations Topic B Learning Guide 6

2. Q1. How does the UN differ from the League of Nations? • Broader mandate • USA & USSR more involved – created a global influence • Formula that allows for all members to participate in the decision making • Breaking out of specific councils to deal with issues independently.

3. GLOBALISM • Globalism is a point of view that emphasizes international cooperation and consensus. • It is a form of collectivism based on supranationalistic policies, goals and procedures • In the face of common problems, borders are transcended and common solutions are pursued • The United Nations is a global organization through which collective needs and goals are identified and collective action take.

4. Q2. How does the UN enforce its decisions? What is the Four Policeman Concept? • Roosevelt had envisage USA, G.B, USSR, China The big Four–would manage global affairs & dominate the security council.

5. SO HOW HAS IT BEEN GOING?

6. Post WHOSE WAR? • “We usually refer to the period since the end of world war II as the post-war era. However, since 1945 some 160 wars and civil conflicts have erupted. During the “post-war” period about 7.2 million soldiers and between 33 and 40 million civillians have been killed in wars. In the 2,340 weeks that passed between 1945 and 1990, there were a total of just three completely war free weeks.”

7. Q3. Name and briefly explain the duties of each of the six principle organizations within the UN. Diagram in your notes O.H. handout

8. Q4. How has the composition and role of the General Assembly changed since 1945? • Shift from post war reconstruction and old war issues (influencing nations) to adding impoverished nations • Focus on education, culture, health • Greater membership changing the domination of Europe and America to a diverse global group with interests outside those of Europe and America.

9. Q5. Describe the system of voting used in the General Assembly changed since 1945? • Simple majority • 2/3 required on issues of peace, security, expulsion, budget • 1 vote per member—represents the views of the non-industrialized world Poor countries who contribute less than .01% of the GNP hold the majority voting power. • No-binding vote • USA provides 25% of budget requirements, does not receive equitable amount of power

10. Q6. Why is the UN suffering financial difficulty? • Increase cost of military peace keeping • Some nations refuse to pay due to objections about UN involvement • Non-members feel the cost should be shouldered by the permanent members • Default on payments

11. Q7. Give two reasons why the Security Council has historically been ineffective securing world peace. • The use of veto power by its 5 permanent members. • VETO power has in the past prevented the UN from acting in any conflict which involved the vital interests of the Super powers. They must engage in bilateral negotiations to work out whatever arrangements are deemed necessary • Must receive 9 of 10 affirmative votes including all 5 permanent members • It is not a world government & cannot easily enforce its resolutions.

12. Q8. Retrieval Chart: Korean War 1950-54 • North Korea attack South Korea • Korea had been divided in two since Japan lost it in 1945 • Soviets controlled north of 38th parallel. • Soviets refused to allow a “General election” • North Korea with Soviet equipment & support invade the south—crossed the 38th parallel • Truman wanted to act through the U.N. but would react regardless • Soviet communist aggression was no different than that of Germany

13. USA went to the UN Security Council voted to stop the North’s Invasion • America made up the bulk of the forces • Macarthur lead the American forces to a swift victory in the south and eventually pushed into the north were they were pushed back by the Chinese to the 38th parallel. • Peace settlement (cease fire) in 1953 was the 38th parallel

14. CANADA’S ROLE • Sent over 8000 troupes to assist the war • L.B. Pierson “uniting for peace resolution” When veto power was used by security council. • Although, the problem of Korea has still not been solved the UN’s action in coordinating military assistance to the South was eventually successful. • Showed that the UN was capable of action to combat aggression. Collective security • This was the first incident that showed Canada’s forces “role” towards international affairs was changing

15. Q9. What is the importance of the Uniting for Peace Resolution? • UN mechanism adopted 1950 • If one or more members of the Permanent Five on the Security Council (United States, Britain, France, Russia, and China), which enjoy veto rights over any issue, are themselves the aggressors, and can use their veto to subvert any attempt by the Security Council to end the aggression. • First use was the Suez Crisis 1956 • Allows the UN to by pass the Security Council and deal with international aggression. • 7 members of the security council or 1/2 of the G.A. members needed in order to have an emergency special session. • Responsibility moved to the General Assembly

16. Q10. Describe the methods available to the Security Council in dealing with world trouble spots. • Observers, supervisors, monitors • Security personnel to protect & patrol • Maintain law • Technical & military support

17. Q11. Evaluate the success of the UN peacekeeping forces in Cyprus and the Congo. Resource for United Nations Peace Keeping http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/index.asp • CONGO 1960-64 SUCCESS • Congo was successful in helping to promote and maintain stability in the region. • 1960 Belgian gives the Congo independence --- not prepared • Disorder broke out & Belgium sent troops to the Congo to protect & evacuate European.

18. Mission • Restore law and order • Stop other nations from getting involved in the crisis • Assist in building the nations economy • Restore political stability

19. Allowed to use force only for defensive purposes. • Katanga (southern Congo) declared independent ----60% uranium 80 % diamonds • Congolese request UN assistance to crush Katanga ---- refuse • UN accused of siding with European mining companies • On the verge of Civil war • Security council gives UN troops permission use force • Mostly unnecessary – limited use– expel mercenaries. • Warring factions work towards establishing a new government.

20. CYPRUS Cyprus > independent 1960 • Constitution intended to balance the interests of Greek Cypriots & Turkish Cypriots • Series of constitutional crises result in conflict >1963 • Greece & Turkey threaten to intervene > International crisis NATO allies • Conflict led to the partitioning of Cyprus into Greek and Turkish republics • UN Security Council 1964 recommend the establishment of UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus MANDATE • Prevent a recurrence of fighting • Contribute to the maintenance and restoration of law & order • Contribute to a return to normal conditions

21. Established a buffer zone 1974 to maintain stability & peace • Canada’s longest peacekeeping mission

22. United Nations Success • Afghanistan -troops pulled out in 1985 • Namibia -monitored free elections in 1990 • 1991 Iraq & Kuwait -coalition force -protection of Kurdish population -monitor chemical and nuclear weapons plants in Iraq

23. PARTICAL SUCCESSES • 1992 Somalia • provided goods for the starving • Continues to be unrest among the warlords • 1992 Bosnia-Herzegovina • Peacekeeping >Peacemaking • Humanitarian aid • Replaced by NATO forces in 1995 • What actions the United Nations has taken to stop fighting? • The UN has placed economic sanctions on Serbia to put pressure on Serbia to stop aiding Bosnian Serbs in their attempt to conquer more territory • It has placed an embargo on all arms being sent to the region • It has sent a variety of forces to serve different functions: food distribution, supervision of cease fires, supervision of safe-havens, medical aid

24. 1994 – Rwanda • Establish a safe zone for refugees • Ethnic strife continues • 800,000 slaughtered • Worst Failure of the UN

25. Q12. International Economic Cooperation What is the International Monetary Fund? How does it affect international trade? • IMF propose to stabilize exchange rates • Dec. 1945 • A pool of currencies that member nations can draw upon to remedy balance of payments without having to devalue their currency • Credit available for countries • To encourage reconstruction and development • Helped to improve international trade

26. Q13. What is GATT? What actions by local industry affect tariff regulations? • GATT – 1947 General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade • Promote the concept of Tariffs reduction to increase productivity and wealth • Implementing domestic subsidies to protect industries • Monitor trading practices > NAFTA • Anti-dumping

27. Q14. Explain briefly the factors that could affect international trading patterns in the near future. • European Common Market • Direct completion to USA and Asian Markets • Peace Safety and Security Economic Solidarity Promotion of Social Ideas • Creates free movement • Elimination of Trade Wars • Promotes inefficiency • OPEC – Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries • Protective tariffs • NAFTA • Integrating economic systems • Branch plants • Currency exchanges • Revalued

28. World Trade Organization • Ensures global trading runs smoothly • Legal ground rules for global trading

29. Q15. Falkland Island Dispute: Cause, results and the role of the UN. Cause: • Argentina attempts a takeover of the Falkland’s Result: • British send Naval task force to protect the island Role of UN: • Attempted to get two sides to negotiate a peace and get Argentina to remove troops. • USA served a a diplomatic channel • Example of UN ineffectiveness

30. Q17. Is the UN an effective organization? • See text and LG pg. 30

31. Q18. Outline the role of the UN in the 1990’s. What areas of the world has the UN been most active in? • Support human rights with nations involved in civil war. • Middle East • Western Africa

32. Operations in 2004 • There are currently 16 separate peacekeeping operations taking place around the world • Sudan • Burundi • Ivory Coast • Liberia • Congo • Ethiopia • Sierra Leone • Western Sahara • Haiti • India/Pakistan • Cyprus • Georgia • Kosovo • Golan Heights • Middle East

33. Expanded role of the Untied Nations O.H.