Boston University International Affairs Association

Greetings and Salutations Advocates for International Aid,

As the semester winds up and we bury our heads in our work, an island not far from our coast is consumed by much graver realities. On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake shook Haiti, destroying much of its capital, Port-au-Prince. As one of the least developed and poorest countries in the world, Haiti faces a slew of crises on a daily basis and as such, is ill-equipped to handle such a monumental catastrophe. The death toll rises each day as Port-au-Prince descends into further chaos.

Fortunately, the tremendous disaster in Haiti has spurred the international community to action. The effectiveness of this action, however, for the time being is under question. How do you feel the situation in Haiti is transpiring? Join us Wednesday, January 20th, in Photonics 203 to discuss the actions taken by the United States, OAS, and MINUSTAH, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.

Cheers!
Your BU IAA E-board

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The BarMUN Secretariat is pleased to announce that BarMUN III staff applications are now open! BarMUN, BUIAA’s collegiate Model UN conference, is a fully-integrated crisis conference, and a great way to get involved with BUIAA. This year, we are also proud to add BarMUN: Historical to our conference. BarMUN: Historical is the first completely integrated historical track at any conference. It is set in the year 1694 and will run parallel to an eight committee modern simulation. Though the two tracks will not be interacting with each other, the addition of BarMUN: Historical gives both delegates and staff the chance to know their past and define their futures. You don’t need any Model UN experience to participate, and everyone is encouraged to apply. To do so, click the link below.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dG1WSXpQb1VnUkVMNWFMdDQ0b3JTOVE6MA

Join us this Wednesday at 7:30 pm in SMG 304 to discuss the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The history of the DRC conflict is heavily rooted in the events of the Belgian withdrawal from the country in 1960. The withdrawal of Belgian power in the DRC led to a power vacuum. This power vacuum persisted until 1965 (due in large part to cold war driven assassinations), when Mobutu Sese Seko took power and consolidated his rule of the DRC with an iron fist. Mobutu established what can only be described as a cleptocracy, using loans from international organizations such as the IMF to embezzle millions of dollars from the government. Mobutu also extracted a vast amount of wealth from the eastern Congo, an area with vast mineral resources. This vast mineral wealth is still a driving factor in the conflict to this day.

To the east, Rwandan refugee Paul Kagame took up a high position in the Ugandan Army after Yoweri Museveni’s National Resistance Army (NRA) overthrew Milton Obote in Uganda in 1986. Kagame would go on to use the infrastructure of the Ugandan National Army to create a Rwandan rebel force that would become to be known as the RPF. The RPF invaded Rwanda in 1990, leading to an instability that eventually erupted into the 1994 genocide. It was during the genocide that the RPF took control in Rwanda. The RPF forced those responsible for the genocide into Southwestern Rwanda, where they escaped into the eastern Congo by way of the French established “Turquoise Zone.” The genocidaires reconsolidated around the city of Goma, and most have remained in the Congo to this very day.

It was at this time that the Uganda/DRC/Rwanda powder keg exploded. Rwanda and Uganda supported Laurent Kabila and the AFDL, a rebel group that formed in the eastern Congo and slowly pushed to Kinshasa, overthrowing Mobutu in 1997. This became known as the First Congolese War. Soon after he consolidated power, Kabila turned on his supporters in Uganda and Rwanda, and began backing the rebel groups formed from ex-genocidaries (the ALiR, which became the FDLR). Kabila was killed in 2001, and his son Joseph Kabila assumed power. Joseph Kabila followed a similar policy to that of his father, fighting against Rwanda and the Rwandan backed RCD rebel group, while funding the FDLR. In 2003, the DRC established a transitional government, and in 2006 Kabila was elected president. Tensions in the area have since started to subside with the 2009 Joint-Military operation between Rwanda and the DRC, as the mission saw the opening of diplomatic relations and the removal of Laurent Nkunda and his infamous CNDP rebel group. Although this is a promising sign, recent altercations between MONUC and FARDC (The Congolese Army) have complicated matters significantly.

FARDC has been accused of killing civilians in the Kivu region, and Medecins Sans Frontieres has claimed that FARDC used MSF clinics as bait to lure civilians in the area into a trap. Following this development, MONUC pulled its support from the FARDC regiments accused of these attacks. FARDC has criticized MONUC for its move, and shortly after MONUC decided to cease it suspension of support. The future of the mission still remains extremely uncertain. MONUC’s mandate is set expire December 31^st 2009, and as of yet no move has been made to renew it. Should MONUC renew its mandate? What will happen if it doesn’t? Come join us in better understanding this topic and debating future moves this Wednesday, December 9th, at 7:30 PM in SMG 304!

Further information:

Key Players:

Congolese Government (FARDC): FARDC is a government army plagued by corruption and self-interest. The soldiers of FARDC enjoy looting and women much more than they enjoy anything else. The soldiers may come ready and willing to help the cause of peace and stability, but eventually crumble into the corrupt and self-serving system of the army. They fight only so that they can loot further, and continue to live life as if it is one big party. It is hard to say what the future of a force so plagued by corruption will be, but it is certain that only two things will be able to help to stem the negative impact of FARDC corruption: FARDC reform, or an increased presence of MONUC forces.

MONUC- The UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC has been victim of many bureaucratic time constraints that have weakened its ability to accomplish things on the ground. Corruption also runs deep in some of the units, as many soldiers have been accused of selling weapons and ammunition to the rebel groups in the eastern Congo. This hurts the reputation of the mission as a whole, even though many of the soldiers are truly trying to help maintain peace in the region. With a tarnished reputation, MONUC has had significant difficulties gaining the trust of the civilians in the region, making their mission that much more difficult. Further constrained by UN bureaucracy, MONUC has been struggling to create a force formidable enough to actually help maintain security. Without more support from the UN, a decrease in corruption and the trust of the local populations, MONUC will continue to struggle to obtain its objectives.

Useful Acronyms/Glossary:

AFDL- The “Alliance des Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Congo.” The group led by Laurent Kabila that overthrew Mobutu.

ALiR- The “Army for the Liberation of Rwanda” was a rebel group formed primarily out of genocidaires from the Rwandan Genocide. In 2000, it merged with a Kinshasa-based Hutu group to form the FDLR.

CNDP- The “National Congress for the Defense of the People” (CNDP) was formed in 2006 by Laurent Nkunda. Supporters of ethnic Tutsi in the Kivu region, the CNDP fought against FARDC, FDLR and MONUC Forces. The group continued its campaign in the Kivus until 2009, when Laurent Nkunda was arrested by Rwandan forces at the beginning of a joint military operation between the DRC and Rwanda aimed at eradicating the FDLR.

FARDC- The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

FDLR- The “Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda” formed in 2000. The group contains within it former genocidaires and is opposed to any Tutsi control in the region. Originally supported by Joseph Kabilia to help him fight against the Rwandan-backed RCD, the group continued its armed struggle after the Second Congo War ended.

MONUC- The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UN effort towards peacekeeping in the DRC during the Second Congo War.  MONUC forces were originally only observers in the conflict, instituted at the Lusaka Accords, but began to have a troop presence in 2000.  There are now approximately 18,000 MONUC forces in the region, and they have faced criticism for corruption and abuse of power.

Articles:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8337610.stm

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL3123409._CH_.2400

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8347503.stm

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/14/content_12454163.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8339693.stm

I. Marketing Director Elections
We’d like to open nominations for the position of Marketing Director for Spring 2010! Vieshnavi will be going to Geneva in the Spring, so the new Marketing Director will be able to shadow her for the remainder of the semester to learn the ropes.  If you would like to nominate someone (or yourself), please send an e-mail to iaa@bu.edu by Tuesday, December 1st, at 5:00 PM. Two nominations have to be received before a candidate can be notified.

II. BarMUN III Brainstorm
The BarMUN III Secretariat would like to invite you to participate in BarMUN Brainstorming Sessions to
help BarMUN get off to a great start.  The brainstorming sessions will take place on: Wednesday, December 2 at 8:30 pm after the weekly meeting, and Sunday, December 6 at 1:00pm.

Proposals should include possible committees, number of committees, interconnecting themes, your general vision for events across the weekend, and any other neat things you want to share with us. Our substantive programme has historically placed focus on non-governmental organizations and non-conventional crises. Please send proposals by Tuesday at 5pm to sg@barmun.org.  Don’t want to submit a proposal but still want to contribute? Come and give feedback for the proposals to help make them the best possible, the more constructive opinions the better. Can’t wait to hear your ideas!

III. BUIAA Dinner and End of the Semester Social
The International Affairs Association would like to invite you all to dinner!  On Friday, December 11th, come join us at theCheesecake Factory in the Prudential Center.  The club will be partially subsidizing our meal as a holiday gift.  So whether you’re part of BosMUN, BarMUN, the IR Review, or the Travel Team, come out and meet as many people as you can!  Please RSVP to this email if you intend on attending. Also, we will be having an End of the Semester get- together on Saturday, December 5th.  Look for event details on Facebook!

IV. BosMUN Training Session
The first BosMUN training session will begin at 2pm on December 5 in PHO 205. This session is mandatory for all new staff and people in new positions, though senior staff are also welcome to join us to refresh their ParliPro and to get to know other staff! If you have any questions, please hit up the USGs at committees@bosmun.org!

Join us this Wednesday at 7:30 pm in SMG 304 to discuss NATO strategy in Afghanistan.

The situation in the Graveyard of Empires is deteriorating, 2009 being the deadliest year for NATO forces since the war began. This statistic, President Karzai’s corrupt Kabul government and an emboldened Taliban are all forcing NATO leaders and policy analysts to rethink the alliance’s strategy. Some favor a counterinsurgency method that requires hundreds of thousands of troops to fight the Taliban, hold territory and protect the civilian population. Others favor a counterterrorism method that focuses fewer troops on hunting isolated Al Qaeda fighters. Still others propose negotiating with the Taliban in hopes of alienating Al Qaeda. The debate continues to rage in North America and Europe, with rising death-tolls, billion-dollar costs and general war fatigue in the back of everyone’s mind.

US President Obama has ordered a review of US tactics in the country, and it is not entirely clear in which direction he will head. His top general Stanley McChrystal is calling for 40,000 more troops, but American ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry opposes this request. Other countries seem to side with Eikenberry. UK Prime Minister Brown has recently called for a NATO summit to discuss transferring security responsibility to the Afghan government.  Canada, Finland and the Netherlands have set withdrawal dates and already pulled some soldiers. Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden and most other International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) members have said they will not commit more troops. Turkey has actually pledged additional manpower, but only noncombat personnel.

Which strategy or amalgamation of strategies will allow forces to succeed in Afghanistan? Is success even possible, or should NATO just cut its losses? Does “success” mean a functioning democracy or merely the absence of an Al Qaeda stronghold? If more troops are indeed necessary, should President Obama convince other NATO states to contribute more forces? Can the UN play a role? Help us answer these questions on Wednesday at 7:30 pm in SMG 304.

For more information, check out:

http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14857213

http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14877970

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8361634.stm

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j9_7k8qJTNQhlZw3eFUA8mNiiWwAD9BU77802

Join us this Wednesday at 7:30 pm in SMG 304 to discuss the upcoming European Union Presidential election.

With the Lisbon Treaty passed by all 27 member states, the way has been cleared for a new type of Presidency in the European Council.  Currently a regularly rotated position, the Presidency under the Lisbon Treaty is to become a fixed position, allowing the President to chair EU summits, drive the work of the Council of Ministers and  represent the EU on the world stage.  Several candidates have emerged, the most intriguing being:

Herman Van Rompuy (Belgium): The Belgian Prime Minister is an academic-turned-politician, an economist who has proven effective with economic policy and compromise within his linguistically divided country.  His success in quelling tensions within his own country would serve him well if charged with keeping the EU truly unified.

Tony Blair (United Kingdom): The former Prime Minister is at once very popular and very unpopular, both in the UK and throughout Europe.  His reputation as being subservient to the United States hurts his case and while a long shot, Blair’s high profile might keep him in the running.

Jan-Peter Balkenende (Netherlands): The Dutch PM’s persistence has reminded the world that the Netherlands is an important economic force.  He is center-right, like many European leaders, and this may help his candidacy.

Vaira Vike-Freiberga (Latvia):  The “Iron Lady of Latvia” is the only female candidate in our discussion.  She offers Eastern European nationalism and a Western European upbringing and education.  The combination of tenacity, intellect and pan-European background may be enough to earn her the presidency.

Who do you support?  Which of the president’s new functions is the most important and how does this affect your vote?  How might their nationalities or political agendas impact their policies? Come meet us this Wednesday, November 11th at 7:30 pm in SMG 304!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7371840.stm

Join us this Wednesday at 7:30 pm in SMG 304 to discuss the status of the deposed Honduran president, Manuel Zelaya.

José Manuel Zelaya was elected president of Honduras in 2005. He was seized by the army in June 2009, in the first military coup in Central America since the end of the cold war. Zelaya was ousted by the Honduran Supreme Court on the grounds that he had abused his power in attempting to re-write the Constitution. In September, Zelaya was smuggled back into the country and took refuge in the Brazilian embassy.

What is your opinion? Did Zelaya abuse his power? Should he have been exiled? Should international organizations intervene? Come meet us this Wednesday, November 4th at 7:30pm in SMG 304!

http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/z/jose_manuel_zelaya/index.html

BarMUN III Secretariat Applications close tonight!

BarMUN III secretariat applications are due today, November 3, at midnight! Everyone is encouraged to apply for this exciting opportunity. If you have any questions, or need an application, don’t hesitate to email Jess at sg@barmun.org.

This week, in true Bostonian spirit, we will let freedom and democracy ring throughout the BUIAA.  Secretariat applications will open, E-Board Secretary elections will occur, and we will ratify our updated constitution!

Congratulations on being elected BarMUN III Secretary-General, Jess!  Applications to be on the BarMUN III Secretariat will open tomorrow via the weekly email.

First up is elections for the position of Secretary on the Executive Board of BUIAA. This post was held by Jess, but which she relinquished when she was elected SG. If you would still like to nominate someone, you have until tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3pm to email their name to iaa@bu.edu. Candidate names will be released in the weekly e-mail tomorrow evening.

Secondly, we will also ratify our constitution. There have been lots of changes in the club made in the last year, and we need to keep our constitution up-to-date. We need 2/3 of our club body to vote, so be sure to come to SMG 304 at 7:30!

For all of you fretting over the lack of our fabulous simulations in your life, we will be returning to normal general meetings next week!

Dear Members!

The IAA is co-hosting the screening of Persepolis with the American Islamic Congress as part of AIC’s Muslim Film Festival. The screening marks the opening of the Film Festival in Boston this year. Join us on Thursday October 22nd,  at the Photonics Building Rm 206 at 7pm! Free and open to all students!

Persepolis: The Boston Muslim Film Festival returns with an opening screening of the Oscar-nominated animated film “Persepolis.” Based on the graphic novels by Iranian author Marjane Satrapi, the film tells of the trials faced by an outspoken Iranian girl who finds her unique outlook on life repeatedly challenged during the 1979 Revolution. Followed by a panel discussion by local Iranian women.

Cheers!

Your IAA Eboard

This week, we are shaking things up with something different. Come join us for an exciting (and free!) event at the Howard Gotlieb Center for Reporting History, a part of the Student Discovery Series. Thomas Fiedler, the Dean of the College of Communication, and Alex Rankin, the Assistant Director of the HGARC will both speak – check out more on their poster!

“Journalists have long shaped our collective understanding of history, our perceptions of the past, and interpretations of the present. Investigate the investigators; hold and read original documents, notebooks and photographs from such celebrated journalists as Dan Rather, David Halberstam and Oriana Fallaci. Join us at Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center for an evening of journalistic revelation.

Investigate the fine line between truth and fabrication in the shaping of a US president. Discover the motivations behind interviews of the most important people of the 20th century. Unearth the countless historical accounts left untold.”

Gain a greater understanding of how journalists influence the world around us through a look at documents which are now part of history themselves. This unique perspective will allow you to see the world from the perpective of such acclaimed journalists is not something to be missed!

The event will be held in the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, located on the 5th floor South of Mugar Memorial Library from 7 to 8:15 on Wednesday 14 October.

Want to get more involved? We are still taking travel team applications for SCSY and UPMUNC, and BosMUN, our high school conference, is hiring! If interested in chairing, vice-chairing, crisis directing or crisis staffing this amazing conference, fill out this application.

Last but not least, BarMUN III Secretary-General nominations are now open!!! If there is someone you think would make a good SG (yourself included) for the next BarMUN, don’t hesitate to send their name to iaa@bu.edu. Nominations will close on Monday 19 October and elections will be held next Wednesday 21 October.