Import FS
Informasjon om pensum, seminarer, undervisning osv, finner du her.

STV-2052: FN Rollespill

Utfyllende informasjon
Over er den formelle informasjon om emnet STV-2052, i tillegg har alle emnene hos oss egne sider hvor du kan finne utfyllende informasjon om undervisning, seminarundervisning, pensum, artikler, lenker og annet. En oversikt over disse sidene finnes under punktet undervisning.

Undervisningsmateriell
(Forelesningsnotater, transparenter, materiell, tidligere eksamener etc.)

Model UN country assignments	In the MUN-course a number of non-permanent member countries have more delegates than others to encourage the necessary research needed for these countries. All country representatives need to be creative and skillful to strategically express their position and work toward their interests. Members of the Security Council 2006: Argentina (Precidency) - Gudbrand, Mani, Maksim China - Geir Ivar, Eyvin, Inger, Aleksandr Alekseevich Congo - Angela, Tarjei, Lotte, Maria Denmark - Kent, Josselin, Ekaterina France - Jonas, Sergey Ghana - Francisco, Ksenia Greece - Alexandra Japan - Øyvind, Xavier Peru - Jon, Katja Qatar - Simon, Aleksandr Sergeevich Russian Federation - Hannu, Ingvild Slovakia - Marianne, Aleksey United Kingdom - Melanie, Olena, Swetlana United Republic of Tanzania - Cherubia, Marcel United States - Sigve, Sadija Observer, invited by the Secretary General: Norway - Olga, Anastasia
MUN course schedule 2006	Welcome to the Model United Nations course! LECTURES: Thursdays 14-16 in E0.105 (Social Science building). UITØMUN V: 14-15 March 2006 ESSAY DEADLINES: Assignment I: 2 March 2006 Assignment II: 28 April 2006 See READINGLIST in the right hand column for electronically available texts. Course book is Malone 2004. All other literature will be made available in class. 12 Jan 2006: Introduction to the MUN course and the UN The course schedule is presented and the requirements of the course are explained. Preparations for the Model UN conference begin. The topics of this first lecture are the historical origin of the UN, and the comprehension of the UN in context of International Relations theory: What “is” the UN when understood in a realist, liberalist, constructivist or post-modern IR theoretical perspective? Readings: Claude 1971, pp. 21-40, 57-80. 19 Jan 2006: Principal organs and UN Charter The Charter of the UN explains the purposes, principles and procedures of the UN. In this lecture, the functions and the powers of the main organs of the organization are reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on the Security Council, its membership, voting procedures, competencies and practices. What are the main disputes in the ongoing reform discussion of this pivotal organ? What is your country’s position? Readings: Malone 2004, ch. 9, and ch. 17. UN Charter High-level panel report 2004, Part 3, pp. 59-74. MA-students: Gareis; Varwick 2005, ch. 3, pp. 58-88. Miller 1999. 26 Jan 2006: The UN as an actor and/or framework? State Foreign policy in the UN The UN is an intergovernmental organization in which decisions are taken by state governments. But, the UN also possesses leeway to act as an actor on own terms. Taking this argument as a starting point, we discuss how states conduct foreign policy within the context of the UN: What are the foreign policy strategies of states in the UN? This lecture provides a basis upon which to reflect on strategies about how to represent the country you are assigned to during UITØMUN 2006. Readings: Malone 2004, ch. 24. The National Security Strategy of the United States of America (NSS), 2002. Russian National Security Concept 2002. MA students: Risse-Kappe 1991. 2 Feb 2006: The UN and maintenance of international peace and security I What effect did the UN have upon the Cold War security environment? A closer look at how the UN responded to crisis situations during the Cold War era gives way to an analysis of the emergence of the concept of peacekeeping. How did the two superpowers USA and the Soviet Union conduct policy in the Security Council? What was the role of the General Assembly? What were the main lessons learned in terms of the functioning of the UN as a collective security system in the period 1945-mid 1980s? Readings: Malone 2004, ch. 2, ch. 7. Goulding 1993. 9 Feb 2006: The UN and maintenance of international peace and security II The use of humanitarian intervention as a tool of the UN is discussed by taking a closer look at the experiences of intervention during the 1990s. A review of the arguments on the legitimacy of humanitarian intervention is the background for a reflection on how UN intervention practices (peace enforcement, monitoring and verifying missions, state-reconstruction projects, and also emergency operations) affect the principle of sovereignty in contemporary international politics. Readings: Malone 2004, ch. 3, 4, 6. Case studies: Malone 2004, ch. 30-32: Bosnia, Haiti, Rwanda. 16 Feb: Feminism and the UN Throughout this course, different theoretical perspectives are made use of for the purpose of analysing UN practices. Drawing upon SC Resolution 1325(2000) on Women, Peace and Security, which makes explicit that gender concerns shall be integrated into all aspects of UN work, we address IR gender theories to the UN. Is Res. 1325 a result of an evolving gender regime in international security? What is a feminist perspective to world politics, and what do we learn from it about the UN? Readings: Res. 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security Tickner 2004. Whitworth 2004, ch. 5, pp. 119-149. MA students: Grant 1991 23 Feb 2006: Scenario specific lecture The focus of this lecture is on the scenario for UITØMUN 2006. There will be a general introduction to the previous work of the UN on this particular topic as well as a review of current developments relevant to the scenario. Readings: Ulfstein 1998 Heininen; Segerståhl 2001 2 March 2006: MUN practices The rules of procedures (RoP) for the MUN conference are presented. Explaining and practicing how to write a resolution, and the necessary procedures on the way from a draft resolution to the adoption of a resolution. ‘Real world’ UN resolutions are reviewed. Attendance in this lecture is compulsory for participants at the MUN Conference. Readings: Malone 2004, ch. 10, ch. 16 Rules of Procedures (RoP) of UITØMUN "Preparing for UITØMUN" 9 March 2006: Final conference preparations As a final preparation for UITØMUN V, the rules of procedures are practiced on the basis of a training scenario. 14-15 March 2006: UITØMUN V: Two-day conference: 14 – 15 March 2006 Opening speech: Monday 13 March 2006 6 April: Debriefing and Concluding Discussion The functioning of the UN is reviewed in light of the experiences from UITØMUN IV and the literature studied during the course. What’s in it for the future of the UN: Has the UN reached a ‘fork in the road’? What is your view on the perspective and possibility of reform? How do different theoretical perspectives to world politics help us make sense of the UN today? Readings: Malone 2004, ch. 38, ch. 39.
STV-2052/3052: Model United Nations	Click on the links to the right for more information about the course schedule, readings, MUN preparation links, and the research website on Human Security. These links will be updated regularly prior to and throughout the duration of the course. Please check back regularly. Official information pertaining to course description, exams, and course credits can be found here. NB: You can take the MUN course either as a 2000 level course or a 3000 level course. You will not be allowed to take the course at both levels. Official information about all courses in the department of political science can be found under the link courses.
Kontakt/Registrering	Ved deltakelse på STV-2052 eller STV-3052 følg vanlig prosedyre for påmelding av fag ved Universitetet. Du har muligheten til å registrere deg som kun deltaker på konferansen, dette gjøres ved å henvende deg til: Andre spørsmål: Gunhild Hoogensen Instituttet for Statsvitenskap Universitetet i Tromsø 9037 Tromsø tlf. +47 77645593 faks. +47 77644905 mob. +47 97145942 epost. gunhildh@sv.uit.no
Programme UITØMUN 13-15 March 2006	Monday, 13 March 2006: 16:00-18:00 LIVING DIPLOMACY – an insider account of the UN Security Council, opening address by Mr. Geir Sjøberg, Advisor at the Norwegian Department of Foreign Affairs, and member of Norway´s delegation to the Security Council 2001/02. Room: B-1005. 18:00 Reception at Ardna on university campus, for all participants. Tuesday, 14 March 2006: 9:00-9:30 Registration 9:30-9:45 Opening Address by the Secretary General 9:45-12:00 Security Council 1st session. Opening statements. 12:00-13:00 Lunch 13:00-17:00 Security Council 2nd session. 19:30 Informal reception at Driv Wednesday, 15 March 2006: 9:00-12:00 Security Council 3rd session 12:00-13:00 Lunch 13:00-17:00 Security Council 4th session. Presidency decides when to stop, accepting new draft resolutions and amendments. The UITØMUN Security Council assembles in Audi-Max, Hovedgården.
MUN Linker	De Forente Nasjoner/ The United Nations FNs hjemmeside/UN website UN foundation Dag Hammarskjöld biblioteket (FN)/FNs dokumentasjonssenter/Dag Hammarskjöld library/UN documents FN charteret/The UN charter FNs nyhetsside/UN news FN-databaser, inkluderer lyd- og bildefiler fra Hovedforsamlingen og Sikkerhetsrådet/UN data bases with sound and picture files of the General Assembly and Security Council Sikkerhetsrådet/Security Council Sikkerhetsrådets hjemmeside Security Council homepage Resolusjoner/Resolutions Sikkerhetsrådets presidentskap/Security Council presidency Regler for prosedyre/Rules of procedure Terrorisme/Terrorism UN action against terrorism Security Council (SC) President statements on Terrorism (gode eksempler på erklæringer) SC Resolusjoner angående terrorisme/Resolutions on terrorism Saker på UN Agenda siden Terrorism fact sheet Lær om landet ditt/Represent your country CIA factbook (objektive fakta) list of countries at yahoo Cyberschoolbus Country at a glance Permanent mission to New York Geneva Vienna /Forberedelser/Preparatory Material FN-sambandet/Norwegian UN association NORMUN (det nasjonale Model UN) WFUNA (verdenssammenslutningen av FN-samband) Det kanadiske FN-sambandet/Canadian UN association Opplysninger om FN-rollespill (offisiell FN-side for MUN-forberedelser) Ressurser på nett Andre informasjonskilder/Additional sources World Wide Virtual Library - International Affairs Resources Amnesty International Det Internasjonale Røde Kors/International Committee of the Red Cross Lenker hos NORMUN Aviser BBC News The Guardian NY Times Alle verdens aviser (Kidon Media-Link) Alle verdens aviser (ipl) Palestina/Palestine FN, Sikkerhetsrådet, erklæringer om Palestina Ordrette møterefererat om Palestina FN - Palestinaspørsmålet gode bakgrunnsopplysninger Støttedokumenter/Resolusjoner/Supporting documentation and resolutions Resolusjoner i Sikkerhetsrådet Irak og Nord-Korea/Iraq and North Korea uavhengig organ som dekker FN (UN Wire) Det internasjonale atomenergibyrået (IAEA) Amnesty Internasjonal om Irak Irak-stiftelsen Irak aktivistnettverk US Dept of State - Iraq update Global Policy Forum Iraq Crisis Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Krise i Irak Noen irakiske linker Andre FN rollespill/Other MUNs Internasjonale FN-rollespill NORMUN Det internasjonale europeiske FN-rollespillet Kanadisk internasjonalt FN-rollespill Cambridge universitets FN-rollespill Glem ikke FN-sambandet i Fredrik Langesgate 13(rett over Pasta Basta/1001 natt)- masse opplysninger!! Don't forget your local UN association located on Fredrik Langnesgate 13 (across from Pasta Basta/1001 natt) - tonnes of information!!!
Om Model UN	FN-rollespill-programmets (MUN) popularitet stiger verden rundt. I 2001 deltok flere enn 200.000 studenter i FN-rollespill, ved å opprette slike konferanser i 32 forskjellige land. Instituttet for statsvitenskap i Universitetet i Tromsø, i samarbeid med FN sambandet, arrangerer et FN-rollespill ved å opprette et eget 'sikkerhetsråd' hver vår. Studentene spiller diplomater i Sikkerhetsrådets 15 forskjellige medlemsland. De presenterer perspektivene til de forskjellige landene, drøfter saker, lager foredrag, innstillinger til vedtak og så videre. Dette er en flott måte å bli kjent med FN-institusjonens prosedyrer. Det er en artig opplevelse og man lærer hvordan konferansene fungerer i praksis. Deltagerne får et fint supplement til den teoretiske universitetsundervisningen på mange områder innenfor samfunnsfagene. Rollespillet gir kompetanse til å kunne få delta i andre FN-rollespill i Norge og i utlandet. Yrkesmessig kan deltagelse og bidrag til et FN-rollespill føres opp på deltagernes CV (curriculum vitae).
Pensum	COURSE BOOK - available at Akademisk Kvarter: Malone, David M. (2004): The UN Security Council. From the Cold War to the 21st Century. Lynne Rienner Publishers. Articles, book sections, etc: Claude, Inis (1971): Swords Into Plowshares. The Problems and Progress of International Organization. New York: Random House, 4th ed, orig. 1956. Gareis, Sven Bernhard; Varwick, Johannes (2005): The United Nations. An Introduction. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Goulding, Marrack (1993): The Evolution of United Nations Peacekeeping, in: International Affairs, Vol. 69, No. 3, pp. 451-464. (13p.) Grant, Rebecca (1991): The Sources of Gender Bias in International Relations Theory, in: Grant, Rebecca, and Kathleen Newland (eds.): Gender and International Relations. Buckingham: Open University Press, pp. 8-26. Heininen, Lassi; Segerståhl, Boris (2001): Nuclear-wase Policy, International Negotiations and Ecological Restoration in the Barents Region, in: Massa, Ilmo and Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen (eds): The Struggle for Russian Environmental Policy. Helsinki: Kikimora Publications, pp. 159-180 Miller, Lynn (1999): The Idea and the Reality of Collective Security, in: Global Governance, 5(3), pp. 303-332. National Security Strategy of the United States of America, 2002. Report of the High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. December 2004. Website High Level Panel Risse-Kappe, Thomas (1991): Public Opinion, Domestic Structure and Foreign Policy in Liberal Democracies, in: World Politics, Vol. 43, No. 4, pp. 479-512. Russian National Security Concept, 2000 Tickner, Ann J. (2004): The Growth and the Future of Feminist Theories in International Relations, in: Brown Journal of World Affairs, Vol. X, Issue 2, pp. 47-56. Ulfstein, Geir (1998): The Legal Status of Rights to Resources in the Barents Sea, in: Berge, E and N.C. Stenseth (eds.): Law and Governance of Renewable Resources. Oakland: ISS Press, pp. 257-264 United Nations Charter Whitworth, Sandra (2004): Men, Militarism and UN Peacekeeping. A Gendered Analysis. London: Lynne Rienner Publishers. Resolutions: Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security.
MUN Resources	Rules of Procedures Rules of Procedures (RoP) are the formal guidelines that help structure the debate at MUN. Knowing the rules well, the representatives might be able to use the RoP as a tool for diplomatic maneouvering. Preparing for UITØMUN Here you find information on resolution writing, the formal recommendations of the Security Council.
MUN Scenario 2006: The Barents Conflict 2008	The Barents Sea has become a strategic security aim. The politico-economic-military importance of the Barents Sea is based on three factors. Firstly, there is extensive petroleum activity (exploration and extraction) in the area recently confirmed as the fourth largest oil deposit in the world. Secondly, the Barents Sea is a logistical hub, providing a main transportation link between the economic centers in Asia and Europe. This logistical opportunity emerged due to the melting of ice, a result of global warming, which opened vast ocean areas. The result is the Northeast Passage, guaranteeing quick market access from Europe to Asia. Thirdly, the Barents Sea provides primary resources, in particular fish, to the world market. The Russian Federation has set up a blockade of containerships outside of the Kola Peninsula, in response to Norway’s arrest of five Russian fishing ships outside of Spitsbergen, putting already tense diplomatic relations to a test. The newly elected Russian President Dmitri Rogazin from the party Rodina (Motherland) has made it his highest priority to defend Russian rights in the Barents Sea. Norway’s blacklisting of Russian ships from the fisheries protection zone around Spitsbergen, has made President Rogazin renew the objections to Norway’s 1977 claim to full rights in the zone. Norway has for a long time demanded that Russian authorities respond to overfishing and use of illegal fishing equipment by Russian boats, and the failure to act has now resulted in blacklisting and arrests. President Rogazin has expressed deep discontent with what he views as an attempt by Norway at undermining Russia’s jurisdiction, and stated his utmost concern with the defense of Russia’s national interest. The new President translated the Norwegian action as a threat against Russian access to all natural resources in the Barents Sea, including the increasingly important oil reserves. Russia has blocked the newly opened Northeast Passage on the basis of protecting their sovereign rights to resources in the Barents Sea, as well as to demonstrate their jurisdiction over the Barents and Northeast regions. The Russian blockade of the Northeast Passage comprises three vessels, including one battle cruiser, and two Akula class nuclear submarines. The blockade has particularly impacted container ships registered in the USA, as well as ships from Greece, Japan, Denmark and the UK. These ships reflect the dependence European nations have already developed upon this new, quick and cost-effective transport channel through the Arctic. Located north of Kola outside of Murmansk, these ships, 13 in number, are currently prevented from accessing safe harbours by the actions of Russia. In a recent press release, the USA has expressed utmost concern regarding their perception of the threats that their ships are facing. Interpreting the Russian action as a potential threat to their own access to oil in the Barents (now thought as one of the few alternatives the USA has to their dependency on Middle Eastern oil) the USA, acting on its own and without Norway’s consent, has entered the conflict by sending three ships into the area to assert their claim for their own ships. The presence of American ships so close to Russian soil, despite the years of cooperation since the cold war, has increased the tensions. The 2006 British “spy” fiasco whereby British spies were caught in Moscow, demonstrated even before the recent Russian elections in March that the trust between nations has been often tenuous. Such lingering mistrust has done nothing to reduce the tensions now brewing quickly and dangerously in the North. The Norwegian government, facing US and Russian ships in a region over which it also claims jurisdiction, and seeing its rule enforcement in the Barents Sea undermined by US unilateralism, refers the case to the UN Security Council. Norway claims there is no possible way for a solution to be found between itself, the US and Russia given the vital interests at stake in the area. Norway also expects that the Security Council will support the Norwegian position, as Norway has long claimed jurisdiction in the area and has been a “good” member of the UN. The mounting tension in the Barents Sea aggravates international security. Secretary General Kofi Annan has expressed deep concern about the deepening rifts between a number of the leading members of the Security Council. He has called upon the Security Council to assist in finding a solution as swiftly as possible before any further escalation.
	The following is a list of documents pertaining to Security Council Reform at the United Nations from the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library. These files can be obtained at this website: UN Bibliographic Information System R00689 OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP ON THE QUESTION OF EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION ON AND INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL. REPORT NOTE: Established by A/RES/48/26 of 3 Dec. 1993. Documents issued under series symbol A/AC.247/-. All meetings were held in New York. A/57/47 + Corr.1 (GAOR, 57th sess., Suppl. No. 47) A/56/47 (GAOR, 56th sess., Suppl. No. 47) A/55/47 (GAOR, 55th sess., Suppl. No. 47) A/54/47 (GAOR, 54th sess., Suppl. No. 47) A/53/47 (GAOR, 53rd sess., Suppl. No. 47) A/52/47 (GAOR, 52nd sess., Suppl. No. 47) A/51/47 + Corr.1 (GAOR, 51st sess., Suppl. No. 47) A/50/47/Rev.1 (GAOR, 50th sess., Suppl. No. 47) A/49/47 (GAOR, 49th sess., Suppl. No. 47) A/48/47 (GAOR, 48th sess., Suppl. No. 47)
UITØMUN Security Council 2005	16.03.2005: Day one of Security Council meetings ends in stalemate. The UITØMUN Security Council met yesterday in Audi-Max in a special session to discuss the UN operation in Congo, MONUC, in context of misconduct by UN soldiers and the special concern with women and security in this operation. The deliberations in the Security Council focused in particular on the issues of improving training programs for UN soldiers on matters of human and gender rights, as well as establishing peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Members of the Council disagreed on how these issues should be approached. The United Republic of Tanzania stressed the importance of establishing stability in the DRC, while principles of human and gender rights in training programs for UN soldiers could be further established and developed in the future. The United Kingdom urged the Security Council to deal with these two issues separately, due to their different character. Considerable irritation with the inability of the Council to focus on the issue of gender rights was noted by Denmark, who encouraged the Council to take this opportunity to address this important issue. The Russian Federation wanted the question of natural resources to be targeted, as this is a prerequisite for peace in the area. The Security Council yesterday discussed three draft resolutions. The debates were heated, and the representative of Argentina particularly urged the Council to adopt the resolution sponsored by Argentina. However, the differences were vast. The Security Council voted down all three resolutions. Today the Council reconvenes. Preparations were made by the representatives of USA, UK and China in secret surroundings of Driv yesterday evening, with the hope of forwarding a viable solution for the upcoming day’s discussion. 17.03.2005: Day Two 10:00: The UITØMUN Security Council adopts resolution on the situation in the DR Congo. Resolution 1588(2005) was sponsored by the United States, and achieved the support of all veto powers. UITØMUN Res. 1588(2005) 10:45: News Release from the United Nations News Agency reporting that a massacre of UN civil and military personnel has just taken place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Over 25 personnel were attacked with various small arms including machetes by local militias. This attack has been associated with increasing incidences of rape and sexual abuse on the part of MONUC personnel. Those participating MONUC countries most affected by the massacre have been Algeria and Benin, as well as Denmark and the United Kingdom. 14:20: The UITØMUN Security Council adopts a resolution introduced by the United Kingdom in response to today's reports on violent attacks on UN personnel in the DR Congo. The UITØMUN Security Concil strongly condemns these attacks, and expresses its utmost concern with the security of UN civilian and military personnell in the DR Congo. The United States abstained from the voting on this resolution. UITØMUN Res. 1589(2005) 15:20:The UITØMUN Security Council is demonstrating its capacity to address the serious situation in the DR Congo. UITØMUN Resolution 1590 was adopted with the consent of all veto powers. UITØMUN Res. 1590(2005)
UITØMUN 2006	14 March, 2006 - Day One of MUN: Environmental damage in the Barents aggravates security disputes Council members listen to the opening speech of Quatar The 15 member states of the UN Security Council convened in Audi-Max Tuesday morning, March 14, 2006, for an emergency session on the serious tension amounting in the Barents Sea that aggravates international security. The UN Secretary General has expressed deep concern about the deepening rifts between a number of the leading members of the Security Council and called upon the Security Council to find a solution as swiftly as possible, to avoid further escalation of the crisis. The delegate from Ghane presents his view to the Council The Norwegian government has seen its rule enforcement in the Barents Sea undermined by US unilateralist action. The USA, acting on its own and without Norway’s consent, has sent three ships into the area to assert their claim for their own ships taken under arrest by the Russian Federation in the Northeast Passage. Ice melting, instigated by global warming, has made the realization of the Northeast Passage possible, and the Passage has emerged as a logistical hub providing a main transportation link between the economic centres in Europe and Asia. The Russian blockade demonstrates Russia’s disagreement with Norway taking arrest in five Russian fishing ships outside of Spitsbergen, on the basis of which Norway is challenging Russia’s access to resources and Russian jurisdiction in the Barents Sea. Disagreements over jurisdiction and access to resources in the sea has then escalated to a serious security crisis in international waters. During the deliberations in the UN Security Council on Tuesday, it was revealed that the Russian Federation has blocked the Northeast Passage because of the environmental damage that the 13 vessels have caused. Large oil spills from rusty and dangerous vessels, including Japanese and Danish vessels, have been registered, and photographic evidence was provided of the damage caused to the vulnerable Arctic habitat. The Russian Federation has assumed full environmental and sustainable stewardship of the region, thereby demonstrating its important and vital role in the development of this new transport and resource corridor upon which more and more of the world’s nations will depend. Some members of the Security Council, in particular France and Greece, disputed the accuracy of the information about the oil spills. The Secretary General reiterated that the information has been confirmed by the UN News Agency. MUN conference 2006 It was established in the deliberations Tuesday that inspections of the vessels were necessary in order to take action against environmentally hazardous ships in international waters. A draft resolution was tabled by the People’s Republic of China, but the detailed wrangling on how to conduct the inspections prevented any agreement. A further draft resolution tabled by the Kingdom of Denmark also faded in incremental discussions. The members of the Security Council were clearly surprised when they in the afternoon Tuesday received information that Russian inspectors had boarded a vessel registered in France, after having received an intelligence report that suggested the vessel might be carrying other materials than it was registered for. Russia is holding the ship and the crew, fearing that this material might be intended to reach a terrorist group, as well as could be used to construct nuclear weaponry. This information suggests the validity of Russia’s claims, despite the ongoing controversy over the Russian Federation’s claim to sovereignty over the Northwest Passage, challenged from the United States, among others, that considers the passage to be an international strait. The French delegation to the Security Council was seemingly outraged by the information, and disputed the accuracy of its content. The delegation of Qatar urged the French to act upon the serious security crisis in a balanced manner. The delegation of Ghana demanded that the members contribute their energies toward a sustainable solution, a message reiterated also by Slovakia and The Democratic Republic of Congo. The Security Council discussions continue today. All delegations were observed in vivid debate in secret surroundings of Driv yesterday evening, with the hope of forwarding a viable solution for the upcoming day’s discussion. Council members debating at Driv