Santa Margarita Catholic High School

SOCOMUN XXIII

Historical Security Council

Iranian Hostage Crisis and The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Hi Delegates! My name is Rachel Wu, and I will be your chair for Historical Security Council at SOCOMUN 2014. I am a senior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Along with being an active participant in Santa Margarita’s MUN program for four years, I am also Miss Taiwan 2013. MUN has really helped and prepared me in my international journey. It has also assisted me in forming an opinion on international issues and current events. In addition to Miss Taiwan and MUN, I am involved in Volleyball, Mock Trial, ASB, Key Club, and Symphony Orchestra. In my spare time, I enjoy listening and writing music, playing beach volleyball, watching old movies, and catching up on sleep.

Hello Delegates. My name is Alex Estrada and I will be your legal for SOCOMUN 2014. I am a junior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School and I have been apart of the MUN program for the past three years. MUN has really helped me with my public speaking as well as my critical thinking. As well as being in MUN I am involved in volleyball, soccer, and multiple clubs. In my free time, I like to bike, watch movies, and listen to music.

Hello my name is Jeni Griffin, and I will be your secretary for SOCOMUN 2014. I am currently a sophomore at Santa Margarita Catholic High School and this is my second year in MUN. My life pretty much consists of swimming and school, but in my free time I like running, surfing, volunteering, and playing the flute.

Historical Security Council is an amazing way to incorporate what you learn in class into MUN. This committee allows you to reflect on what the actual United Nations Security Council, and improve it with the repercussions in mind. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at . Hope to see you in committee!

Iranian Hostage Crisis

Background :

The Iranian Hostage Crisis was prompted when a group of Iranian students entered the United States Embassy in Tehran and took 66 Americans hostage. However, Operation Ajax started this issue. Operation Ajax was the staged name that the CIA used to describe their assistance in the impeachment of the Iranian Prime Minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. Through this process, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was reinstated as Shah. This agreement stipulated that, in exchange for both military and economic aid to Iran, the United States would receive a continuous supply of oil to the United States. However, in the 1960’s Pahlavi made unrealistic promises of personal freedoms. As time passed, the Shah became extremely wealthy, and attached to the Western Culture. This prompted, and the preaching of the clergy, prompted masses to revolt. As luck would have it, a misunderstanding occurred. American President Jimmy Carter allowed the Shah to enter The United States for cancer treatment. The Iranians assumed that the Americans were taking their Shah hostage, and demanded the return of their Shah in exchange of the hostages. This hostage crisis is one of the main reasons America lost confidence in America. Because of this loss in confidence, The Carter Administration appeared to be weak and ineffective. President Jimmy carter lost the presidential election of 1980. Coincidentally, The Iranians released the American hostages after 44 days, on the day of President Reagan’s inauguration.

Possible Solutions:

Delegates, it is your mission to derive solutions to this international crisis. While following the course of history is an option the issue at hand, the Dias would be in favor of innovative and creative solutions. Because this is the historical Security Council, we will begin debate on November 4th, 1979, the day the United States embassy was taken over by the revolutionaries. One of the many options in solving this crisis is to have military intervention. For example, if your delegation were in favor of a strong militarism government in 1979, this would be a quick and swift solution. However, this solution may seem rash and forceful to many nations. Other nations may suggest multilateral peace talks to secure the release of hostages in exchange for the shah or various incentives for the United States’ support of the Shah. Remember to research your country’s policy in 1979, and not 2014. Since this is Security Council, the UN will fund all programs sponsored by delegates, so delegates do not have to concern themselves with funding.

Questions to consider:

While there are various solutions to this crisis, a few questions you should keep in mind while researching are:

1.) Historically, what events occurred that made this crisis last 444 days? How could you reduce that time period?

2.) What is the most efficient way to end the crisis, with the hostages in mind?

3.) What is the role of the international community? What ways could countries not directly involved help this crucial global crisis?

Works Cited

"Iran Hostage Crisis." History Channel. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 1 May

2013. <http://www.history.com/topics/iran-hostage-crisis>

"Iran Hostage Crisis." Iran Hostage Crisis. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2013.

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2021.html

"The Iranian Hostage Crisis." U.S. Department of State Office of the Historian. United States Department of State, n.d. Web. 1 May 2013.

JIMMY CARTER AND THE IRANIAN HOSTAGE CRISIS." The White House

Historical Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2013.

<http://www.whitehousehistory.org/whha_classroom/classroom_9-12%20%20transitions-carter.html>.

The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Background:

The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan began as an attempt to save a falling communist regime in this midst of a widespread rebellion against their government. During the Suar Revolution in 1978, the communist party came to power. During the communist regime, President Mohammed Daoud was over thrown and a Marxist government was implemented. Reforms such as state atheism, land redistribution and women’s rights were implemented by the new communist government. This prompted the conservatives and Islamists to be deeply angered at the Afghan people. Many of the country’s religious leaders were in opposition to these reforms, and declared them a direct opposition to Islamic beliefs. The government not only imprisoned and executed many of the religious leaders, but also targeted many villages mullahs and tribal elders, upsetting most of the rural population. A full-scale rebellion was broken out within months. The Mujahedeen was formed from these rebel groups in order to fight against the communist Afghan Government and the USSR. While the USSR started by only offering finanicial aide to the Afghan government, they eventually added military intervention and decided to intervene to protect communism and attempt to stabilize the country. However, this proved to be unsuccessful as the USSR and the Afghan government combined had only gained control over about 20% of the country during the occupation. This left the remaining 80% to the Mujahedeen and independent warlords. This led to further instability and an increasing fractionalization of the country. The occupation was met with harsh resistance by the Afghan people and increased domestic support for the Mujahedeen as well as enticing foreign Muslims to join the Mujahedeen. This invasion lead to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis’s, that displaced millions of people, and left them without basic necessities. This occupation was harshly criticized by the international community. It was truly condemned by the General Assembly with a vote of 104-18. Many nations were outraged by this act, and called upon the Security Council to draft resolutions.

Possible Solutions:

Delegates, it is your mission to derive solutions to this international crisis. While following the course of history is an option the issue at hand, the Dias would be in favor of innovative and creative solutions. Since this is Historical Security Council, we will begin committee with the beginning of the occupation of Afghanistan, on December 27th, 1979. One of the many solutions that could be proposed is an international multilateral peace talk. This would be a diplomatic mediation to the conflict, and could assist with the rebuilding of Afghanistan. While this is not a humanitarian committee, the standard of living and the number of those displaced should also be incorporated. Please remember to research your country policy in 1979, and not 2014. For example, if your country is in support of communism, aiding the Soviets would be ideal. However if your country is in opposition to the Soviets, your delegation should consider aiding the Mujahedeen and independent rebel groups. Since this is Security Council, the UN will fund all programs sponsored by delegates, so delegates do not have to concern themselves with funding.

Questions to consider

While there are various solutions to this crisis, a few questions you should keep in mind while researching are:

1.) Which side does your country stand on? Are you in favor of the invasion?

2.) If you were in favor of a specific side, would your country be supportive of additional military aide?

3.) How do you plan to combat the humanitarian issue after the crisis?

Works Cited

The Communist Regime in Afghanistan 1978-1989." The Communist Regime in

Afghanistan 1978-1989. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2013.

"Mujahideen (Afghani Rebels)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia

Britannica, n.d. Web. 03 May 2013.

"Role Of UN In Soviet Invasion Of Afghanistan - Author - Romit Agrawal." Role Of UN

In Soviet Invasion Of Afghanistan - Author - Romit Agrawal. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2013.

"Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia

Britannica, n.d. Web. 03 May 2013.

"Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan." Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May

2013.