Archived Articles
2000
End Near, Cash Low, Bosnia Mission Head Tells UN (December 13, 2000)
The Security Council is told that the UN mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina could finish its work in two years. However, the Dutch ambassador questions the success of that work, saying that "both the political and economic situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina is disconcerting." (Reuters)
Cem Warns that Annan's Proposals Might Cause Ethnic Unrest in Cyprus (November 13, 2000)
The Turkish and Turkish Cypriot governments object to a "non-paper" by the Secretary General proposing the reunification of Cyprus with a joint government. While Greek Cyprus favors such a single-state plan, Turkish Cypriot authorities want a two-state confederation. (Agence France Presse)
Leaders Reject UN Reunification Proposals (September 26, 2000)
Differences between Turkey and Greece proved to be "unworkable" in solving the Cyprus dispute and Austria is withdrawing its troops. UN suggestions for governance have been called "a monstrosity". (UN Wire)
Borders Hindering UN Role in Civil Wars (August 22, 2000)
This analysis from Dawn argues that the UN needs to find the balance between sovereignty and human rights to respond with an effective action.
Australia Can't Police Pacific: Howard (June 5, 2000)
Due to its proximity, Australia has been expected to deal with turbulent political situations in East Timor and Fiji, and possibly in West Papua and the Solomon Islands. The Australian Foreign Minister expressed however, that Australia cannot be responsible for all the emergent crisis in the Asian-Pacific region. (Sydney Morning Herald/AAP )
Reflections On The Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict (April 12, 2000)
CARE International urges the UN Security Council to consider targeted sanctions and rapid deployment of UN peacekeepers and police to ensure protection and provide humanitarian needs to civilians. CARE also argues that NGOs are an important vehicle to address needs of civilians trapped in conflict. (Care International)
CARE to Brief UN Security Council Members on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict (April 11, 2000)
CARE, the international relief and development organization, is to brief members of the U.N. Security Council on the protection of civilians in situations of armed conflict. This briefing is in preparation for a meeting of the Council addressing the issue on April 19.
UN Rights Chief Worried by Chechnya Allegations (April 3, 2000)
UN Human Rights Chief Mary Robinson visits what is left of Chechnya and hears first hand accounts of the terror people have had to live through. (Reuters)
UN Security Council Condemns Children in Armed Conflict (April 1, 2000)
A recent Security Council resolution recommends measures to curtail the recruitment of children soldiers and the killing and abuse of children in conflict. (Child Labour News Service)
Illicit Drugs Fueling Conflicts (February 29, 2000)
A new report from the UN Integrated Informational Network reveals a disturbing correlation between an increase in drug trafficking and the perpetuation of civil conflicts in Africa. (Africa News)
Russian Assessment of the Situation in the Chechen Republic (January 2000)
Russia blasts back at Chechnya's will to self-determination with the aid of this attacking report, in which the term 'terrorist group' is used and not 'independence movement'. (Russian Mission to the UN)
UN Studies How Refugees Qualify to Get Assistance (January 14, 2000)
The Security Council discussed the inadequacy of current definitions of refugee status, as well as the insufficient resources available to cope with the increasingly large number of displaced people. (New York Times)
UN Council Opens New Debate on Homeless in Africa (January 13, 2000)
UNHCR High Commissioner, Sadako Ogata addressed the Security Council on the serious problem of refugees in Africa, an issue which has been largely neglected by donor nations. (Reuters)
Gore Presides Over Security Council Debate on AIDS (January 11, 2000)
An unusual Security Council session was held to discuss the AIDS crisis in Africa, starting off a month devoted to issues concerning Africa, speakers included Kofi Annan, secretary general, Al Gore, vice president of the US and James Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank. (New York Times)
US Turns Spotlight On Africa Gore to Chair UN Session on AIDS (January 6, 2000)
An article from the Washington Post reports that US vice president Gore will chair a Security Council meeting, to start a month long campaign under the Clinton administration, devoted to the problems of Africa.1999
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)
Security Council Concludes 2-Day Meeting on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict (September 17, 1999)
One of the four open Council meetings during the Netherlands presidency. Four is an unprecedented number of open meetings to be held in a single month.
War Prospects in Asia Are Both Remote and Scary (August 24, 1999)
"North Korean missiles, China-Taiwan saber-rattling, India-Pakistan tension.... What we are seeing is a new style of Asian conflict in which diplomatic tensions can run high but the threshold of real war is also high." (International Herald Tribune)
No Nonproliferation Without Nuclear Reduction (August 23, 1999)
Whereas India has officially published its nuclear strategy, "the US position is that the US is entitled to possess and continually improve nuclear forces beyond all rational connection to existing or foreseeable threats. But others should not have them at all." (International Herald Tribune)
The Economic Causes and Consequences of Civil Wars and Unrest in Africa (July 8, 1999)
A condensed version of an address by K. Y. Amoako, UN Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of Economic Commission for Africa Organization of African Unity, stressing the two-way linkages between development strategies and resolution of the continent's conflicts.
Shouldered Aside in Kosovo, UN Rethinks Global Role (June 18, 1999)
This article from the Christian Science Monitor discusses what impact the Kosovo crisis has had so far on the role of the UN. While some point at the organization's weaknesses in face of NATO's unilateral action, others show more optimism.
Cold War's End Leaves Danger of Nuclear War (April 13, 1999)
General Lee Butler, former Director of Strategic Plans and Policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks out about how Russia's disintegration increases the prospect of accidental nuclear war.
UN: North Korea Needs More Food (April 2, 1999)
UN aid official said Friday that North Korea will run out of food this month, leaving its people to fend for themselves for two to three months until the summer harvest.
Diamonds Cause of African Civil Wars (March 17, 1999)
Media Institute of Southern Africa/Inter Press Service article on the role of the diamond industry in controlling the flow of arms to African nations including references to a UN document citing the industry's role in mercenary activities in Africa.
Tracing Today's Conflicts Back to Colonialism (March 31, 1999)
This article analyzes the current situation in many conflict areas with reference to the past.
Humanitarians Worry That a Helping Hand Can Hurt (February 27, 1999)
The author looks at some of the dilemmas faced by peacekeepers and aid agencies.
UN Mission to Stay in Central African Republic on Condition (February 22, 1999)
Security Council may extend MINURCA's mandate to allow for the conduct of presidential elections and other reforms.
US Arms Makers Rely On Exports for Survival: Developing Countries Turn Into Major Market (February 18, 1999)
International Herald Tribune article examines the increasing dependency of US arms manufacturers on the market in developing countries and provides facts and data.
UN Gives Morocco Just 11 More Days (February 1, 1999)
Peacekeepers may withdraw if there is no progress towards the referendum on independence for the Western Sahara.
26 Speakers Address the Security Council On Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict (February 1999)
Link to the press statement released by the UN detailing its 3980th Meeting on 22 February 1999 - the continuation of debate on the issue which was first taken up on 12 February, in a Security Council briefing which was open to the Public.
South Africa Still Undecided About Seeking a Permanent UN Seat (January 7, 1999)
Deputy President Mbeki discusses South Africa's potential seat on the Security Council and issues of foreign policy with British PM Tony Blair.
1997-1998
Limiting a State's Sphere of Influence (November 15, 1998)
The Burma Law in Massachusetts brings up the debate on exclusive foreign power of the Federal Government.
Children and Armed Conflict (June 29, 1998)
A statement by the then-President of the Security Council (Amb. Monteiro of Portugal). This is an issue which the General Assembly has previously discussed, but was on this occasion the focus of a briefing of the Council by the Special Representative of the SG, Olara Otunnu. See also Amb. Monteiro's statement in his national capacity.
Word & Image: Nuclear Reactions (June 21, 1998)
Article by Max Frankel in the New York Times Magazine on the support given by the media to "the perverse logic of atomic non-proliferation".
Towards a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World: The Need For a New Agenda (June 9, 1998)
Eight nation statement on disarmament and non-proliferation.
Foot Soldiers of the New World Order:The Rise of the Corporate Military (March/April 1998)
Article by Simon Sheppard of New Left Review about the emerging of professional military firms.Security Council Ministerial Meeting Calls for Report on Africa (September 1997)
Report on the 25 September 1997 meeting. Some strong statements linking social-economic problems to the security crisis in Africa (Robert G. Mugabe; Kofi Annan; Salim Ahmed Salim; Keizo Obuchi; Robin Cook; Madeleine K. Albright)
