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General Issues Archive - UN Security Council - Global Policy Forum General Issues Archive
2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997
2001
Back to Top Security Council 'Unequivocally' Condemns Terrorist Strikes Against US (September 12, 2001)
The Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the terrorist attacks against the US. By qualifying the attack as a threat to international peace and security, the Council expressed its “readiness to take all necessary steps to respond to the attacks”. (UN News)Central African Republic: Annan Warns Over “Explosive” Situation (January 16, 2001)
Not even one year after MINURCA’s mandate expires, Kofi Annan highlights the deteriorating situation in CAR, with an impasse between the government and opposition threatening to result in violence or even a coup. (UN Integrated Regional Information)Security Council Calls for New Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (January 12, 2001)
Six years after the UN’s ill-fated operation left the country, the Security Council took steps toward a new peace-building mission in Somalia. But the Secretary General’s Special Representative for Somalia already announced that the mission would be minimal.(Agence France Presse)UN Chief Hopeful on Yugo-Croat Talks on Prevlaka (January 5, 2001)
The new governments of Yugoslavia and Croatia seem set to resume stalled negotiations on the disputed Prevlaka peninsula. The Secretary General is hopeful for achieving an agreement. (Reuters)
2000
Back to Top Annan Set To Propose Somalia Mission (December 23, 2000)
In a report to the Security Council, the Secretary General suggests that a UN mission might be established to help Somalia towards peace. (Associated Press)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)UN Mission in Haiti 'To End' (November 29, 2000)
Kofi Annan recommends to the Security Council that the 70-person UN mission to Haiti not be given a renewed mandate, saying that violence and instability severely limit the work of UN advisors in the country. (BBC)Annan Wants Six-Month Renewal of Golan Force (November 24, 2000)
With peacekeeping missions in Sierra Leone, Kosovo and East Timor grabbing the headlines, it’s easy to forget about the United Nations observer force in the Golan Heights, now in its 27th year. (Agence France Presse)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.Sudanese Contradictions (August, 19, 2000)
Despite the recent bombing of the UN emergency aid aircraft, Sudan has maintained a surprising level of progress in its foreign affairs and economy. The internal situation, however, has remained as precarious as ever in this country which has been engulfed in civil war since the mid fifties. (Economist)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)Warlord Accuses UN of Fuelling Hostilities in Somalia (July 4, 2000)
A Somali warlord bashed the UN Security Council for supporting the Djibouti talks that aims to establish a transitional administration in Somalia. The bitter warlord, ousted from the Djibouti initiatives, has controlled part of Somalia since the collapse of the state in 1991. (Agence France Presse)Briefing By US Envoy to the UN Richard Holbrooke on Africa (June 30, 2000)
At a briefing with African journalists, the US Ambassador to the UN explained that Africa is a top priority for the US government. He denied the US's alleged "double" standard towards Africa, but admitted that the US is "partly to blame" for the difficulties in UN peacekeeping. (UN Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN)/ Africa News )Governments Urged To Back Somali Peace (June 29, 2000)
The UN Security Council gave strong support to Somalia's efforts to rebuild the collapsed state. Currently, a Somali peace conference is working on writing a charter and establishing a transitional assembly to restore a central government. (Associated Press)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)The Mideast Without the 'Lion' (June 12, 2000)
The death of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad may shift the delicate balance of power in the Middle East. Although analysts predict a smooth transition of power to his son Bashar, they foresee a further delay in the already stalled Syrian-Israeli peace talks over the return of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. (Christian Science Monitor)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 )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)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.Turks Bomb Kurd Bases in Iraq (April 3, 2000)
Despite a unilateral cease-fire by Kurdish guerillas, last week Turkey once again entered Northern Iraq, bombing Kurdish rebel bases and penetrating six miles inside the Iraqi border with over 1,000 troops. (Associated Press)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)Fleeing Nigerians Killed in Riots over Islamic Law (February 23, 2000)
Rising ethnic and religious tensions between Christians and Muslims spark violent protests and riots in Nigeria's capital. (Times, London)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)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)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)AIDS Needs Action, but Gore Offers Talk (January 14, 2000)
An editorial criticizing US vice-president Gore's call for Action on AIDS as inconsistent with his own past actions. (Common Dreams)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
Back to Top
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.Kofi Annan's Critique (September 22, 1999)
A New York Times' editorial about Secretary General's opening speech emphasizing the peacekeeping role of the UN in the 54th session of the General Assembly debate.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.Only Haiti Can Save Haiti (August 30, 1999)
A New York Times Op-ed article forecasting the difficulties in Haiti's transition to mature democracy. "The American Government and the Haitian people need to grant Mr. Aristide the ideological space to make hard decisions."UN Diplomats Search for Ways to Avoid Violence in Haiti (August 27, 1999)
A New York Times article about concerns after the withdrawal of the UN police mission from Haiti. "This is actually the first test case of... transition from a peacekeeping operation to a long-term development program," said Nancy Soderberg, the American envoy working on this issue.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)Global Rules Now Apply to Peacekeepers, UN Chief Declares (August 12, 1999)
New York Times article about Secretary General Kofi Annan's order that all forces operating under UN command abide by international laws protecting civilians and governing the conduct of soldiers in war.Renew the Ambition to Impose Rules on Warfare (August 12, 1999)
Cornelio Sommaruga's critical view on the 1949 Geneva Conventions on its 50th anniversary as President of the International Committee of the Red Cross.Geneva Convention Marks Anniversary (August 12, 1999)
Associated Press article on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Conventions.UN Tells Soldiers the Obvious: Don't Kill, Rape Civilians (August 11, 1999)
"The United Nations has decided it is forbidden for its commanders to send troops into battle with the order: No Survivors." (Toronto National Post )Can War Be Fair? 50 Years after Geneva (August 10, 1999)
Christian Science Monitor article about the implementation of the Geneva Conventions in current conflicts and the problem of ICRC.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.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.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)US Aims to Win on All Fronts (May, 1999)
Michael T. Klare writes in Le Monde Diplomatique that United States military interventions in Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo show a clear shift toward unilateralism in US foreign policy.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.Britain Decides to Let the Pinochet Extradition Case Proceed (April 16, 1999)
Each step in the extradition procedure is subject to judicial review. Straw would have to make a final ruling before Pinochet could be taken to Madrid.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.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.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.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 Seen Leaving Africa to Solve its Own Crises (February 19, 1999)
US reluctant to assume new financial commitments and is said to have routinely blocked the creation of UN missions in the region.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.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.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.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.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.
1998
Back to Top At the UN, a Pinch Hitter; Holbrooke's Benched for Now (December 23, 1998)
With Richard Holbrooke still under investigation by the Justice Department, Amb.Burleigh gets a chance to use his experience in Middle Eastern affairs during the Iraq crisis.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.Sudan: NGO Report (November 28, 1998)
Aid agencies seek new ways of ending the crisisPolitical Fires Send Envoy to UN Hot Seat (November 26, 1998)
An article which profiles Ambassador Peter Burleigh, the Charge d'Affaires at the US Mission to the UNLimiting 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.Aid Groups Press UN for New Effort to End Sudan's Civil War (October 31, 1998)
Private aid groups want to see a switch to an emphasis on ending the civil war rather than merely sending in reliefOnly 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.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.
The UN Should Be Capable of a Rapid Military Response (May 6, 1998)
Letter written by Jeffrey Laurenti published in the Washington Times.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.
1997
Back to Top 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)
Recent General Issues on the Security Council
