Booker T. Washington High School

Model United Nations Club

Crisis Simulation Notes, Spring 2004 

The Booker T. Washington Model United Nations Club is holding its first Crisis Simulation on Saturday, April 24^th, at Booker T. Washington High School at 1514 E. Zion Street.  Students from a number of area schools are invited to attend.  In this simulation, students will represent countries and even a few nonstate actors engaged in negotiating a range of issues in four categories: security, human rights, economic development and the environment.  Almost anything is possible, because the students will run the simulation.  Each player gets to decide policy for his or her side.  The outcome will depend on how well players identify their own objectives as well as their ability to make deals with other players.  This is the subtle art of diplomacy.

How do I play?

First, register with me, John Waldron, at Waldrjo@Tulsaschools.org.  Request to play a country or a non-state actor, and I will assign you a role.  Read the briefing  attached below, and do some of your own research as well.  Also, read the briefings for the four kinds of political issues we will discuss.  The more you know about your country or group, and the more you know about the issues, the better prepared you will be.

On the day of the event, you will meet with delegates from the other countries and groups and begin to discuss the issues.  You will meet with these other delegates in a room addressing one of four kinds of issues: politics/security, economics and trade, human rights, and environment.  In each room, discussions on these issues will be led by one or two chairpersons, played by students from the University of Tulsa or Oral Roberts University.  They will help guide discussion and monitor your progress.  You will face serious problems, and try to come up with practical solutions.  There are several things you can do:

1. You can write resolutions about issues.  A resolution is a statement of what you want to do, or what you want to say about a subject.  This has some diplomatic significance, depending on the resources you can put behind a resolution.  Resolutions have greater weight if several countries sign it, or if players attach the resources (financial aid, military support, etc.) they have available to supporting them.  Examples of resolutions include condemning a country for its actions, pledging to work together to resolve a crisis, calling for democratic elections, asking for disaster relief, etc.  You may write resolutions in advance -- see the link on resolution writing on the home page.

2. You can make bilateral or multilateral deals.  Examples of such deals include trade agreements,  arms transfers, leasing of base rights, intelligence cooperation, financial aid agreements, etc.  Check your description data to see if you can offer something for trade.  Rich countries will tend to have money to offer.  Poor countries may be able to offer something in exchange -- be creative in your approach.  This is an important aspect of diplomacy, and is known as leverage.  Use whatever leverage you have to get what you want, and always try to pursue your interests.

3. You can respond to crises.  From time to time, events will occur that threaten to upset the regional order.  Some of these crises may be very important to you.  For example, there could be trouble in the oil wells of Venezuela -- bad news for Venezuela, the US and CITGO.  There could be renewed chaos in Haiti.  Acts of terrorism could break out in your capital.  Use diplomacy to try to deal with these crises so that you are protected.

4. You can discuss issues.  At all times, it may be helpful to discuss the issues at hand and find out how other players feel about them.  In order to get anything done, you will want to sound out other delegates and make deals.  This is one of the most important aspects of diplomacy.  It may even be helpful for you to take notes and keep track of the positions of your fellow delegates.

How do I win?

There are lots of ways to win.  In each room, your chairpersons will take note of your performance.  They will evaluate each student based on how well-informed they are about their country, how well they work with others and what they accomplish in the course of the day.  Prizes will be given out, measured more by their prestige value than their monetary worth.  But then, we're all in it for the glory, aren't we?

In addition, you can rate your own performance.  Did you make peace with an enemy?  Resolve a knotty political problem?  Win a foreign aid grant?  Improve trade relations?  Than you have served your country well, and can count yourself a successful diplomat.

 Country Briefings       

Nonstate Actors     

Political Issues by Room

Political Issues by Room

1. Security Issues
   1. FTOs/possibility of links with out-of-region groups.  The USA keeps a list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) operating in the region.  This includes Colombia’s FARC, Peru’s Shining Path and Tupac Amaru, among others.   Should the governments of the region take up concerted action to crush these organizations?  Is international cooperation in a “Latin American war on terror” necessary, feasible and/or desirable?  Should this include a greater US military presence in countries in the region?
   2. Drug interdiction/new patrol regimes.  The Latin American region provides most of the illegal drugs smuggled into the United States each year.  Money from this trade makes narcotrafficantes a significant force in the region, and a threat to the integrity of some governments, most notably Colombia.  The US Drug Enforcement Agency, in cooperation with the US military, is carrying out a war on drugs.  This war includes drug interdiction patrols, border controls, links between the DEA and local law enforcement, and significant amounts of aid to countries assisting the US in this effort.  Still the trade continues.  Should the countries in the region reexamine the current approach, or renew their effort to win in the war on drugs?
   3. Venezuelan instability/links with Cuba.  Since coming to power, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has suspended the 1961 constitution, crushed opposition groups and weathered several attempts to unseat him. He has expressed admiration for Cuba’s revolutionary model and is rumored to be building closer ties with Castro’s government.  International concern has mounted, from Amnesty International’s criticism of his human rights record, to fears by businessmen that he will seize control of the oil industry, to Washington’s anger over the potential threat to US interests from a Venezuela/Cuba axis.  Bush has called for a formal censure of Chavez by the members of this committee, and is rumored to be working to apply pressure on Chavez by other means.  In turn, Chavez has denounced “Yankee Imperialism” and calls for solidarity in Latin America against Bush.
   4. Suppression of FARC in Colombia/Panama.  Increasing reports indicate that the FARC has begun building contacts and bases across the northern border with Panama.  The region is rough, sparsely inhabited, and difficult for the Panamanian authorities to police.  In a few incidents, Colombian army units have crossed the border in pursuit of FARC forces, and there are rumors of Colombian paramilitary activity.  Is this self-defense, reasonable pre-emption, or a violation of Colombian sovereignty?  Should the US aid one or both states in policing the region?
   5. Kidnapping of foreigners and locals in Colombia.  The FARC has kidnapped hundreds of Colombians in its war on the government.  Hostages include politicians, oil workers, and even three American citizens, captured when their plane was shot down while surveying the interior for the Colombian armed forces.  A recent attempt to rescue hostages went badly, and a former provincial governor was killed by FARC forces.  Should the US provide advisors or even special forces troops to assist in locating and rescuing the remaining hostages?  Or is this just another way of expanding American influence in the region?
   6. The triborder region – Brazil/Peru/Colombia.  This area is sparsely inhabited and difficult to reach, making it the perfect haven for guerilla forces, rebel groups and narcotrafficantes.  Local governments could do more if they had access to more US helicopters.  Another option is to allow US AWACS aircraft to patrol the region, coordinating with local air forces.  This policy was in place with Peru until two years ago, when a communication foul-up between American and Peruvian pilots led to the destruction of an aircraft carrying American missionaries.  Should this kind of security cooperation return?
   7. Arms sales/military ties.  The US, Brazil and Cuba have the capacity to sell arms or provide military aid.  While human rights groups have been critical of the sale of arms to countries with poor human rights records, security experts have called such transactions “necessary to promote regional security and stability.”  Should military ties be a regular tool of diplomacy, or should the region promote arms control?
   8. Chaos in Haiti.  This year, rebels opposed to the rule of elected president Jean-Bertrand Aristide began to seize towns throughout Haiti.  The US called on Aristide to step down so that order could be restored and new elections be  held.  Finally, US and French forces arrived to restore order.  Aristide left the country for Africa.  He has subsequently claimed that he was forced out by US troops in a "coup d'etat."  What will be the future of Haiti?  Will continuing unrest lead Haitians to flee to the US, creating a refugee crisis?  Will democratic elections be held?  How should the region respond to the US action?

    

2. Economic Issues
   1. Expansion of NAFTA.  The North American Free Trade Agreement eliminates most barriers to trade between the USA and its member countries – at the moment, Canada and Mexico.  This has vastly increased trade and promoted regional interdependence.  Chile is next on the list of countries under consideration in the US Congress, but progress has been halted recently.  The US has not acknowledged it as such, but the reason is apparently Congressional pique over Chile’s “no” vote on the UN Security Council resolution on war with Iraq.  One issue for discussion is whether to resume the policy with Chile; the answer may depend on US-Chilean cooperation in other areas.  Another issue is whether another Latin American country will be considered for NAFTA status, and if so, which one?  Most countries in the region will want to make an application.
   2. Regional free trade networks.  Most Latin American countries trade more with the US and European Union than with each other.  Some economists argue that this reinforces neo-colonial bonds on Latin America, and call for greater intra-regional trade.  In South America, the MERCOSUR trade arrangement has boosted regional trade and made Brazil into an important economic hub.  Should a Central American network be set up?  Should efforts be made to improve on Mercosur?  Should the purpose of these agreements be to compete with or compliment NAFTA?  And what kind of goods would Latin American countries exchange with each other?
   3. Foreign aid by USA State/Brazil/Mexico/IMF.  The listed players all have some capability to provide foreign aid.  Consider each foreign aid package to be of a generic value – the real details would depend on local economic and political conditions.  The question here is, who should give aid to whom and why?  This can be worked out in committee or in side deals, but by the end of the day the listed players should provide an account to their controller of where their aid packages went.  The US gets to disburse 3 aid packages, while Brazil and Mexico get 1 each.  IMF gets to make 3 loans and to change conditions of existing loans.
   4. Economic isolation of Cuba and/or Venezuela.  One US goal is to maintain strategic isolation of Cuba, and perhaps to impose isolation on Venezuela.  This is accomplished if Latin American countries refuse to aid these states or to include them in regional trade agreements.  In addition, the US may wish to impose a trade embargo on Venezuela (it already has one with Cuba) and may want other countries to follow suit.  Since most Latin American states have little trade with one another, this would mostly be a symbolic gesture – but it would be a very big symbolic gesture.
   5. CITGO investments.  As a representative of the international oil industry, CITGO gets to make new investments in drilling and distribution among oil-producing states in the region (one each of drilling and distribution).  Which countries will get the gravy?  CITGO should make a report to the controller by the end of the game.
   6. High oil prices.  With prices in the US passing $2/gallon, American politicians demand action.  The major oil exporter in the Americas is Venezuela, and it sells much of its oil to the US market.  Instability in Venezuela could cause problems for the US, if it disrupted oil production.  The US can offer Venezuela deals in other areas if they agree to increase production.  Conversely, Venezuela can cause the price to rise by threatening to cut production.  In the long run, it is in the interest of both oil producers and consumers to have a steady market, but that depends on many other factors -- political instability, refining capacity, OPEC policy, etc.

    

3. Human Rights
   1. Immigration/death of immigrants in US.  Recently, over 100 migrants from Mexico and Central America paid a coyote – a smuggler of immigrants – to smuggle them into America.  18 of them died when the truck driver abandoned them at a truck stop, leaving them to suffocate in the overheated and unventilated trailer.  Since 1994, when the US tightened border controls, an estimated 2300 migrants have died while trying to make illegal crossings.  This condition will continue as long as employers in the US are willing to pay (relatively) high wages for illegal immigrant labor.  The question here is, should the US relax border controls?  Should it declare an amnesty for illegal immigrants, making it easier for them to become citizens?  Or does this present the US with an unacceptable risk to its border, and its way of life?  Note that the debate in human rights could rapidly create an issue for the security committee, which deals with issues like border control.
   2. Truth and Reconciliation/legacy of violence in Peru, Colombia, Argentina, El Salvador, etc.  Many of the countries in this region have deplorable records on human rights, going back to “dirty wars” in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.  Should an effort be made to bring out the truth about these periods by creating an international commission to gather victim accounts and testimony from offenders?  Or will this merely reopen old wounds?
   3. Paramilitary death squads.  In many countries, paramilitaries – groups operating outside of government but with governmental sanction – conduct secret vigilante campaigns against drug dealers and rebels.  They are often guilty of acts of torture, abduction and murder of civilians.  Should more be done to combat these groups, even if it means governments admitting and rejecting their connections to these groups?  Or should the states accept these groups as a necessary evil in combating the forces of anarchy?
   4. Political rights/free elections/Chavez rule.  A number of human rights groups and governments are building a case against recent actions taken by the Chavez government, which include suspension of civil and political liberties, police violence against demonstrators, and harassment of political opponents.  Chavez replies that these efforts are part of a campaign orchestrated by America to overthrow his legitimately elected government.  Should this body call for Chavez to take specific actions to allay human rights concerns, such as holding free elections under international monitoring?  Or is this a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty?
   5. The School of the Americas.  For over thirty years, the US has operated a school at Fort Benning, Georgia, to train Latin American allies in counterinsurgency warfare.  Graduates read like a “who’s who” list of military elites throughout the region.  However, many of these graduates have been accused of atrocities against rebels and civilians in El Salvador, Guatemala, Argentina and other countries.  Is the US training torturers?  Should it be held partially responsible for the activities of its graduates?  Or is this simply a leftist campaign to discredit the US and its strategic relationships with allies?
   6. Amnesty International’s ratings.  Amnesty International and other human rights groups keep a close eye on countries in this region, and rate them according to their behavior.  Current concerns include the use of torture, abductions, treatment of migrants, political prisoners and the growing trend towards giving police powers to the military (allowing them to make arrests, carry out wiretaps and interrogate prisoners with limited judicial oversight).
   7. Refugees in Panama.  Recently, Colombian forces were reported to have crossed the border into Panama in pursuit of FARC members, who were said to be establishing a base in the region.  They may actually have moved against refugees fleeing political violence in Cuba.  The UN charter recognizes a “right of asylum” to those fleeing violence or oppression, making this issue a potential violation of basic human rights.  In case of future actions, this committee should consider how it stands on principle: which is more important, the right of asylum or the right of states to deal with rebel groups who cross borders to escape retribution?
   8. Enemy combatants in Guantanamo Marine base.  Currently, the US is holding hundreds of enemy combatants captured in the war in Afghanistan for membership in the Taliban and/or Al Qaeda.  These men have no access to lawyers or a legal process.  Should they be held on this US Marine base in Cuba indefintely?  Is this a case of a country's right to self-defense or a violation of basic human rights?

    

4. Environment
   1. Rainforest preservation.  Currently, Brazilian farmers and ranchers cut down or burn out large sections of the Brazilian rainforest every year.  According to scientists, these forests provide a vital service to the planet’s atmosphere, cleaning out carbon emissions produced by industry.  As industrial emissions grow and forested land declines, a “greenhouse effect” occurs in which carbon emissions block heat from escaping the earth’s atmosphere.  This in turn causes global warming and sea level rise.  The problem is, Brazil’s forests are an internal resource of Brazil, and clearing land is necessary to ensure rising food production for Brazil’s rapidly growing population.  What is to be done?  Is there a creative solution balancing the economic needs of the people with the environmental needs of the planet?
   2. Kyoto protocols.  In 1992, negotiations began on the Kyoto Protocols – a treaty committing members to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases to 5% below 1990 levels by the year 2010.  Put another way, it requires the major polluters to do something to seriously reduce emissions, even at the cost of economic growth.  American president Clinton signed the agreement, but the Senate never ratified it, and subsequently President Bush withdrew the presidential signature.  Many states in the region, like Costa Rica and Argentina, have worked hard to reduce emissions, even though their output is a tiny fraction of the American total.  Should these countries lobby hard to pressure the US on Kyoto?  Or will this endanger their economic ties with Washington?
   3. Transferable Emissions Credits.  One solution to environmental issues proposed by scientists has been the idea of TECs – a kind of environmental currency unit rating each country by size, population and extent of land covered by forest.  In other words, each country gets a rated number of TECs based on their contribution to the planet’s atmosphere.  For every ton of carbon emitted into the atmosphere of industry, that state would be fined a number of TECs.  Leftover TECs could be sold on the open market to allow industrial states to pay for the right to pollute more than their share.  The plan has the merit of encouraging countries to reduce emissions and to preserve forests, but has the drawback of holding states to artificial standards on production.  Can a dynamic industrial state like the US tolerate international controls on its pollution?  Is this too great an infringement on sovereignty?
   4. Greenpeace activities.  During the game, Greenpeace will issue a report rating governments based on their environmental friendliness.  They may also conduct “direct action” campaigns – acts of protest or disruption to call attention to environmental problems.  States must be seen to be doing their part to preserve the environment even while their primary concern may be generating economic growth for their hungry populations.  They may also need to respond to potentially embarrassing situations created by Greenpeace.
   5. Creation of nature preserves/promotion of eco-tourism.  Costa Rica has led the hemisphere in the promotion of “eco-tourism” – parks and nature preserves where tourists can come to see exotic wildlife.  The future of species preservation may lie in finding ways for capitalism to pay for habitat protection.  Variants on the idea include using places of the region as ranches for breeding exotic and endangered species from Africa.  This would require funding, and careful choice would have to be paid to location.  Can Jurassic Park be far behind?

Schedule of Events 

9:00     registration                                                                 Cafeteria

10:00   opening ceremonies                                                   Cafeteria

10:30   1^st plenary session – all players assemble                Cafeteria

11:00   1^st round                                                                      Break-out rooms

1:00     lunch break                                                                 Cafeteria

2:00     2^nd round                                                                     Break-out rooms

3:00     break – players meet in national teams                    Cafeteria

3:30     final plenary session and award ceremony               Cafeteria

4:00     end of game

 Notes on Play

 All students engaged in this simulation are expected to follow proper rules of decorum.  This means above all the doctrine of reciprocity – treat everyone with the respect with which you should be treated.  There will be no use of profanity, personal insults or any behavior not appropriate during the school day.  The moderators in each room will be accorded the status of teachers.  Listen to them, follow their instructions and treat them with respect.  Anyone who fails to follow these procedures will be asked to leave the simulation. 

Awards

 At the end of this event we will be presenting an award for best diplomat.  Don’t expect anything fancy – the real prize is the prestige and the knowledge that you represented your country well.  Known as the “Chelsea,” this prize is given to the diplomat who best represents the interests of his or her country while demonstrating excellent negotiating skills and clear, courteous speech.  Your controllers will be on the lookout for good diplomats, so don’t forget to shine!  And remember, there are no small countries, only small diplomats!

 Don’t forget to thank your controllers for all the work they did for you.  Thanks for attending the first annual Booker T. Washington International Crisis Simulation.  I hope to see many of you here next year!

Instructions for advisers 

1. Introductions

Now that you have the committee assembled, start by going around the room and having each delegate identify themselves.  Get them to say three things about their diplomatic agenda.  This will help establish the diplomatic setting.  Keep a list of all delegates and the countries they represent.

 2. Selecting an issue

The hardest part of the game is starting.  The delegates must find issues to address.  Consult the list of issues for your committee room, or see if any delegate has a topic they wish to bring up.

 3. Speaking rights

As chair, you will control the order of discussion during formal proceedings.  Choose the order of speakers by acknowledging students as they indicate their wish to speak (usually by raising their placards).  If several wish to speak at once, keep a speaker’s list on paper and follow that order.  Try to make sure that everyone gets the chance to speak.  If someone is abusive or interrupts the order, you may take away their speaker’s rights, usually for a specified period of time (at your discretion).

 4. Caucusing

Delegates may wish, at times, to break from formal procedures and talk freely.  At any time, a delegate can motion for a caucus.  If a majority of delegates approve they may then break up for a specified period of time (at your discretion) and move about the room.  Caucusing can be a useful opportunity to make side deals, sort out alliances and prepare the ground for new initiatives.

 5. Delegate actions

Delegates have a variety of tools at their disposal.  They may sponsor resolutions, negotiate bilateral and multilateral deals, or even take unilateral actions.  The delegation descriptions in your binder list the individual capabilities of each player.  This game follows a fairly anarchic format. Delegates may do as they wish, keeping in mind the principle of reciprocity.  The diplomatic version of the golden rule is “do what you like, keeping in mind the possibility of retaliation.”

 6. Crisis Situations and News Flashes

From time to time, events will intrude on your negotiations.  Each room will have crises to deal with.  Delegates should address these crises as they develop and try to find solutions where possible.  Crises will sometimes unfold in response to delegate actions.  Sometimes, a crisis can be made worse by inaction or by taking the wrong step.  This is designed to inject a note of realism into the game.

 7. Scoring

As chair, it will be your job to evaluate the performance of your delegates.  This is at your discretion, but there are a few things to consider: preparation, rhetorical skills, diplomatic skills, accomplishments and crisis responses.  Try to determine which delegates stood out, and why.  We will use this to determine awards at the end of the event.

Booker T

Booker T