Sanctions and enforcement

The United States continues to support the use of sanctions as described in the United Nations Charter. However, the reality of an increasingly interconnected world makes the enforcement of sanctions increasing difficult. Only with the renewed support of all members of the General Assembly, and especially that of the other permanent members of the Security Council, can sanctions continue to remain a positive course of action in the international arena. The US supports the increased use of more “smart sanctions” that specifically targets the political structure of an offending regime and not the civilian population. Indiscriminate sanctions do not punish the guilty parties and can easily be manipulated by other countries, as was the case with Iraq. In this regard, the US supports the adoption of the recommendations of the 2nd Interlaken Seminar on Targeted UN Financial Sanctions.
—Mike Cunnington, Ohio University, 2004.

Nuclear materials security

The United States remains firmly committed to the foundation of the international anti-proliferation regime, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The worldwide proliferation of nuclear materials and the means to deliver them is of chief concern not only to the US but to all nations. In the modern age, the proof required to go to war to prevent the spread of these materials cannot be a mushroom cloud in a major city. The US will not support any effort that hinders US sovereignty while failing to provide adequate and aggressive verification techniques. Failed WMD protocols such as the CTBT can serve as guides as to what the US considers flawed regimes. Recent US cooperation with Russia to remove uranium from the Vinca Institute in Yugoslavia, and the Russian-US Nuclear Threat Reduction Act are positive examples of international efforts to secure nuclear materials. Using the bilateral US-Russian Plutonium Producing Reactors Agreement as a framework, the US suggests that the international community find a verifiable way of making sure that nuclear reactors throughout the world are proliferation resistant. This includes research into new fuels and new types of reactors, as well as locking down dual-use equipment. The US is also committed to the prevention of the spread of the means of delivering nuclear weapons and material, and continues to support the Missile Technology Control Regime. The MTCR is the foundation of efforts to stop the spread of long range missiles, and continuing compliance needs to be re-affirmed by the international community in face of blatant violations by states such as the China, and North Korea.
—Mike Cunnington, Ohio University, 2004.

Peace making and nation building

The United Nations continues to provide an invaluable service in the rehabilitation of failed and failing states. The United States continues to welcome UN services as a politically neutral mediator to help rebuild the political and economic infrastructure in Iraq and Afghanistan, within reason. UN experience in rehabilitating conflict states such as Cyprus, and Cambodia, can help the US in its efforts to spread democracy throughout the world. Failed states provide refuge for international terrorist groups. This threat to international stability cannot be ignored. The UN must respond quicker to civil wars in conflict states. Increased targeting of non-state actors using smart sanctions will help strengthen national sovereignty, as it did in Angola against UNITA.
—Mike Cunnington, Ohio University, 2004.

Nuclear free zones

In an ever-changing global community tensions and disputes are always possible. The United States of America believes that stopping the spread of nuclear weapons is one viable way of ensuring a safer world for all peoples. If any dispute were to lead to an exchange of nuclear weapons the results could be catastrophic, not only for those involved, but for populations hundreds or thousands of miles away. Therefore the USA has favored the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones where they would limit the spread of nuclear weapons; they would not disturb existing security arrangements; provisions exist for adequate verification; the initiative for such zones originates in the geographical area concerned; and all states important to the denuclearization of the area participate. The USA will not consider any proposal that does not met these criteria. It is of special concern that the verification of the total absence of nuclear weapons by the United Nations or another body be possible in the nuclear-free–zones. The establishment of nuclear-weapons-free-zones could protect countries from attack by another state. It is also important to contain the spread of nuclear weapons, to keep them from being used by rouge states or terrorists.
—Jenny Farmer Ohio University, 2004.

The struggle against terrorism and its implications on human rights

The global community must be prepared to defend the liberty and human rights of all peoples. Terrorism threatens the rule of law, and security of all states. The USA has been a leader n the global struggle to end terrorism, but we realize that we must strengthen alliances to defeat this injustice. States must work cooperatively to share intelligence information concerning terrorists, and in detaining the terrorists themselves. No state should be a safe harbor for terrorists. The USA also recognizes that as an international criminals, terrorists may not be brought to justice in their state of origin. The USA believes that nation states who detain suspected terrorist are must inform those detained of his or her right to have their state consulate notified of the detainees’ circumstances and to communicate with his or her consulate. Proper due process should be given then to any person detained. It should be stated that the prevention of terrorism, and bringing justice to terrorist are the only way in which states will be able to assure the rights of there own people.
—Jenny Farmer Ohio University, 2004.

The effect of HIV/AIDS on peace and security

Fighting the global HIV/AIDS pandemic requires sustained international effort, coordination, and resources. The USA will work to strengthen efforts in prevention, treatment, care, and support for HIV/AIDS-stricken countries. This effort may begin in African countries, and later extend to other regions. To further this collaborative effort, we will propose a Special Joint Task Force on HIV/AIDS. This task for will include any country that can provide research or other support to the international community. Also, this Task Force will focus our international efforts, and enlist the efforts of others, aimed at the struggle against HIV/AIDS. We will pursue a comprehensive approach to expand the delivery of HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment, including greater access to safe and effective medicines, better healthcare delivery, and the building of a skilled force of health workers. The USA will also continue to lead the world in efforts to reduce the terrible toll of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, including orphans and vulnerable children.
—Jenny Farmer Ohio University, 2004.

Rights of female refugees

The United States has been foremost in incorporating human rights issues into United States Foreign Policy. We must work together to ensure the rights of women all across the globe. The United States understands the importance of women to their families and communities. Women are largely regarded as the first line of defense against poverty and hunger. Advancing the rights of women, especially those who are refugees, will lead to stronger families, communities and nations. Currently, women and children account for 80% of the total world refugee population. This is a statistic that must be reduced for the well-being of all refugees and their respective nations. We must actively work with local leaders and governments and consult with leading regional experts to devise policies that will seek to address the specific goals and needs of a country during a humanitarian crisis. Already, Afghani women are playing an active role in the rebuilding of Afghanistan. The United States has created a $45 million annual Women and Children’s Protection Fund to serve as a way to protect women and deter gender-based violence during armed conflict. We would like to support a resolution recognizing the rights of female refugees to be treated humanely during regional conflicts and their right to return to their homeland without fear of reprisal and to enjoy all essential human freedoms put forth by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
—Andrew D. Conard, Ohio University, 2004.

The right to a decent standard of living

On that note, the United States believes that every person, no matter their race, religion, gender, or nationality, has the right to a decent standard of living. Unfortunately, there are too many across the globe that do not retain this basic human right. We have taken the initiative to promote education and basic health care in the poorest nations by building constructive relations and insuring that foreign aid is properly distributed to those who need it most. This is an issue that must be approached with open hearts and open minds. The United States would like to support a resolution calling for the right of every human being to have a decent standard of living, including the right to an education, basic health care and clean water. Too many are suffering and we must recognize that efforts must be undertaken to alleviate this situation.
—Andrew D. Conard, Ohio University, 2004.

Food security

With the onset of globalization, food security is an increasingly important issue during this young century. The United States is the world’s largest food aid donor and we are committed to global food security. The protection of food supplies on every continent is essential to sustaining the global economy and maintaining world stability. We are particularly interested in expanding opportunities for rural farmers to participate in the global economy through agriculture by improving food subsidies and seek the bilateral goal of lowering agricultural tariffs to improve the status of rural agriculture. We would like to support a worldwide food security system to monitor and respond to potential lapses in the supply and shipment of food because the insecurity of food is only part of the cycle that allows malnourishment and hunger to undermine the development of third world nations and decreases the standard of living of people across the globe. These are all issues with which we must work together to pursue the betterment of all people across the earth.
—Andrew D. Conard, Ohio University, 2004.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this page represents student scholarship pertaining to the individual's participation in the Dayton Model United Nations Conference (DAYMUNC) and should NOT be construed as the official policy of any sovereign state or nongovernmental organization.