Summation of negotiations prior to lunch

Thursdays discussions began with reiterating points of the working paper submitted during yesterdays sessions. The effects of the working paper was called into question and Russia called several points interventionistic. This argument was countered by Ghana which claimed it is only directional and not absolute in its nature. The delegations standpoints differed concerning the operational consequenses of the working paper and the appropiateness of the measure therein. The working paper was rejected by the delegations of Russia, China and Indonesia on the basis of being counterproductive. France agrees fully with the working paper and several others agree with the need for punitive measures against the violations of human rights conducted in Burma.

The rest of the early negotiations concerned the question of sanctions against Burma. The council was soon divided in two sides between those who supported the possibility of imposing restricted sanctions limited to the government and those who rejected it and claimed that they would only lead to the detriment of civil society and a deteriorated situation in Burma. Further on the issue of the classification of the situation in Burma as a matter of international peace and security was called into question, partly on the basis that the neighboring countries did not find the flow of refugees to be a security problem. This issue also divided the council and the US delegation stated that the neighboring countries may not have an interest in secutitizing the situation in Burma since they themselves are complicit in human rights violations. At the end of the first sessions a draft resolution motioned by Russia was presented.