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BBS was one of the three top schools at this event (in this authors' humble opinion). This opinion comes from the quality of debate, amount of time speaking, and overall ability to influence events, and quality of resolutions.(click here to read ALL BBS resolutions)

This is the CACMUN group.

A curious thing happened in the General Assembly. The pariah nations of the world, Iraq, Iran, Cuba, Libya etc. ended up having the most floor time. This resulted from a number of factors, including the failure of the EC and American block countries to come up with any consensus resolutions on the three key issues. Ironically, three resolutions written by BBS students representing more moderate countries came very close to getting floor time in the GA floor only to have other resolutions debated instead. Of some fifty resolutions written, three of the top six came from BBS authors.

This thrust most BBS delegates in the role of the opposition, attacking, in this case, other countries that wanted a license to harm their own people in one way or another. They needed to kill resolutions formented by these countries. Of the three resolutions debated, two died, both due, in large part, to the efforts of BBS students, and, as one MUN director remarked, "Killing a bad resolution sometimes is the best good possible."

Here's a very realistic scene, a bunch of UN Ambassadors enjoy an overpriced meal. From left to right: Russia (Moh'd), Eritrea (Saad), Uganda (Shadi), Algeria (Fay), Canada (Nabil), and Bhutan (Faisal).

Algeria-Faye al Tukhaim

Algeria (click here to read the ambassador's briefing book) criticized the Iraqi proposed plan because Algeria thought the "UN" passport idea wouldn't work.


Australia-Shahad Dashti

Australia (click here to read the ambassador's briefing book) justified its position on East Timor in the Security Council and condemned Indonesia for its human rights abuses. It also questioned how serious Iraq would be about helping refugees since Iraqi policies cause so many people to flee.

Shahd gets in touch with
Australia's national spirit.

Bhutan-Faisal al Shatti

Bhutan (Click here to read the ambassador's briefing book)made several speeches attacking Resolutions 101 and 102. Bhutan also testified to the Security Council on its position (pro-India) when China threatened to expand the India-Pakistan war into the Himalayas.


Costa Rica-Huda al Mousa

Costa Rica (click here to read the ambassador's briefing book) spoke on a number of issues as well as acting as an important second author on Canada's resolution on refugees. Costa Rica particularly attacked resolutions that "do nothing."


Eritrea-Saad al Ghawas

Eritrea (click here to read the ambassador's briefing book) spoke on several issues besides acting as a major force in merging resolutions. Eritrea went through and attacked every clause of Iraq-China's resolution 103, which failed. Eritrea also signed a peace treaty with its neighbor, Ethiopia, ending one of the stupider conflicts of the 1990s.

Eritrea (Saad) seems relaxed and in control
as he leads an informal session.

Guatemala-Najwa al Bishir

Guatemala (click here to read the ambassador's briefing book) in its opening speech spoke of the desire of poor countries to obtain high technology. The resolution on which Guatemala assisted Nigeria would've helped poor countries with exactly this issue. Unfortunately, the Iraq-China resolution debated lacked that funding, and Guatemala attacked it for ignoring the poor countries.

Guatemala (Najwa) takes notes
during another country's speech.

Kuwait-Reem Behbehani

Kuwait (Click here to read the ambassador's briefing book) attacked Iraq on the POW issue in one of the most powerful opening speeches. Since Iraq co-sponsored all three resolutions under debate, Kuwait did its best to bring down all three of them. The logic Kuwait offered: If Iraq lied about previous agreements, how could anyone trust them now? Kuwait especially condemned the refugee resolution written by Iraq since Iraq's policies actual increase the number of refugees fleeing from oppression.


Nigeria-Adel al Omar

Nigeria (click here to read the ambassador's briefing book)did most of the writing on one of the best two resolutions on technology. Nigeria condemned the Iraqi-China sponsored resolution for its its encouragement of government monopolies on technology which would cause higher prices and, thereby, keep high technology away from the poor.


Uganda-Shadi Suwayeh

Uganda (click here to read the ambassador's briefing book) underwent an intense grilling in the Security Council as it tried to explain its continued support for rebels fighting against the government of DR Congo.

BBS students played a strong role in the Security Council. Often times it seemed the entire debate revolved around two of BBS's most prominent debaters Russia (Moh'd Fakhraldeen) and Canada (Nabil al Khalid). In general, one could characterize the course of events as one in which Canada and America took the lead in trying to get the UN to take action while Russia and China resisted on the principles of national sovereignty. As often happens in the real SC, this resulted in a lot of work going towards a resolution that falied due to a veto or passed, watered down, over a grudging absention.

The following list was on the SC agenda, but only those underlined were actually debated:

1. The impending crisis between Russia/Chechnya/Dagestan-vetoed by Russia

2. The ongoing issue of Peacekeeping/UN involvement in East Timor-passed by in Mohammad FD's absence.

3. The continuing crisis in DR Congo and surrounding States (there has been a call by peacebroker, Frederick Chiluba - President of Zambia, for UN Peacekeeping in DR Congo)-passed with Russian abstention.

4. Ongoing issues in Kosovo-vetoed by Russia

5. Redefinition of UN SC involvement in humanitarian/human rights issues

6. Instability in South Asia (Afghanistan/Pakistan/India) possibly including issue of the Nuclear threat to peace and stability and/or State sponsored terrorism

7. The continuing war in Ethiopia/Eritrea and resulting regional instability-treaty signed but by the nations involved

Russia (Moh'd) gives his
opening speech to the GA.

Russia (Mohammad) vetoes a resolution
to send UN troops into Chechnya.

Russia and the entire Security Council seem worried as they hear that India and Pakistan are close to nuclear war.

The camel seems to be enjoying this
ride as much as Fay and Najwa.

Shadi rides off towards the pyrmaids.

They seem even bigger up close.

We're back in the saddle again:
From left to right: Faisal, Nabil, Ms. Gillian,
Saad, and Mustafa.

Home on the range.

Front with face covered: Najwa; Row 1, l to r: Ms. Gillian, Shadi, Reem, Adel, Huda, Mustafa, Faisal. Row 2: Saad, Nabil, Moh'd, Shadi, Faye.

No I can't figure out the way home. When I ask that stupid
Sphinx, it just keeps answering me with riddles!

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