Disarmament & International Security Background Guide

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Esteemed Delegates,
Welcome to Bradley University’s Model United Nations Conference. You will be participating in the Disarmament and International Security Committee. My name is Kamila Badat and I am the committee chair. I am a sophomore Political Science major here at Bradley University.
The Disarmament and International Security Committee, also known as the First Committee of the General Assembly, deals with disarmament and related security questions in the International system.
At Bradley University’s Model UN conference, the Disarmament and International Security Committee will be covering three topics. These topics are nuclear disarmament, British nuclear arms increases, and Iran as a security threat to Israel. Best of luck to all of you as you prepare for the conference.

The three topics that will be presented in this background guide are:

Sincerely,
Kamila Badat
IAO Treasurer 2007-2008
BUMUN Staff 2007-2008
Disarmament and International Security Committee Chair

1.  Nuclear Disarmament

Nuclear weapons, which first appeared in the 1930’s, have immense destructive potential that they obtain from nuclear reactions. Having the capability to destroy whole cities, Nuclear weapons have long been a concern of the United Nations.
Since 1965, the United Nations has worked to stop the proliferation of nuclear weaponry. In 1970, the United Nations created the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Countries bound by the treaty agreed to no longer acquire, develop, or transfer nuclear technology to countries without. The treaty also calls for countries with nuclear weapons programs to dismantle them.
Current countries not bound by the treaty include:

Nuclear weapons programs have been of much controversy in all of these countries not bound by NPT. Israel’s nuclear weapons program really took shape in 1956, when France provided nuclear proficiency and constructed a reactor complex for Israel. Since then Israel has further developed its nuclear weapons program. Recent estimates put the number of Israeli nuclear weapons at a range of 100 to 400. India has had a nuclear weapons program since the 1950’s and has performed numerous weapons tests since then. India does however uphold a no-“first-strike policy”, meaning they will only use nuclear weapons when they are first initiated by another state. The nuclear weapons program in Pakistan was founded in 1972, and has also conducted numerous weapons tests. Pakistan has signed no doctrines and has stated that if at war with another nuclear capable country (India) they will use whatever means necessary. Only since 2003, has the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea admitted to having nuclear capabilities but they have a nuclear history that dates back to the 1970’s. As recently as 2006, the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea announced that they conducted nuclear a nuclear.
Currently the greatest concern of the International system is the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea with its possession of nuclear materials. The committee needs to make updates to the system in order to include countries not currently bound by the NPT.

Committee Directives

2.  British Nuclear Arms Increase

Britain’s current nuclear weapon system, known as Trident, is to be upheld for another thirty years before eventual disarmament occurs. The Trident system consists of a number of missile submarines that hold nuclear warheads. The current system has 4 submarines that carry 16 missiles each. 
In 2006, the British government declared that it would pursue a build up of nuclear weaponry and continue its program till 2040. This proposal calls for adding on 20 years to the Trident system. The new policy also calls for replacing the current submarines and work towards extending the life of the missiles.
In 2007, these proposals were passed in Parliament, however another vote will be made before new submarines are installed. Britain has always upheld a nuclear policy of deterrence and has maintained that attacks would not occur on a first strike basis.
As a committee decide if Britain’s build up of nuclear weapons is a cause for concern. The committee should also address if this build up disregards the NPT that Britain signed. Construct a plan regarding what to do in respect to Britain’s increase of nuclear weapons.

Committee Directives

3.  Iran, a Security Threat to Israel

Since the topic of nuclear weapons even came into discussion among the UN, one country was always at the top of the agenda: Iran. During the Shah’s reign, a program for nuclear weapons was proposed. Included in the plan, too, was the idea to build 20 nuclear power reactors. The construction of two reactors in Bushehr (coast of the Persian Gulf) began. However, they were unfinished, bombed and damaged due to the Iran-Iraq war. After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, nuclear activity was deferred. Recent plans to continue with nuclear pursuit, though, comprise of the construction of 15 power reactors and two research reactors.
Newly-elected Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was reported in early September of 2006 saying, “All our nuclear activities are transparent, peaceful and under the watchful eyes” of inspectors from International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear monitor. Both the United States and Britain have continued to criticize Ahmadinejad’s remarks regarding Iran’s “peaceful” nuclear program. Also, Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud al-Faisal recently made a comment that the Gulf States were ready to supply Iran with uranium. Although that statement sounds like a silly threat to some, policy critics agree it is something of interest.
Another problem comes in the form of another important player in the nuclear weapon debate: Israel. Because Israel is a major ally of the United States (and several critics say Israel’s say in Iran’s nukes will determine future interests), attention is being turned over to it regarding nuclear activity. In several speeches, press conferences and presidential addresses, the message is clear: Iran may very well receive severe consequences if nuclear activity continues.

Committee Directives

• What role will your country play in relations with Israel if Iran continues nuclear interests?
• Will your national leaders put pressure on Iran to quit nuclear pursuit? How?
• What other measures do you feel your country can make to in order to ensure Iran does not pose as a threat to Israel?