The Council has now voted and agreed upon the adoption of Resolution number three.
The resolution is given in its full length below:
Draft resolution 3
Submitted by: the People’s Republic of China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States of America
Sponsored by: the Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Qatar, South Africa,
Ghana, Panama, Peru
The Security Council,
Recalling the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
Recalling resolution 1325 (2000) on Women and Peace and Security,
Recalling resolution 1612 (2005) on Children and Armed Conflict,
Recalling Human Rights Council resolution S-5/1 of 2 October 2007 on the situation of human rights in Myanmar,
Recalling Presidential Statement S/PRST/2007/37 of the Security Council,
Recalling action by the General Assembly to establish the “good offices” mission of the Secretary-General, and in this regard expressing strong support for the continuing efforts of the Secretary-General and his representatives,
Welcoming the Government of Myanmar’s commitment to work with the United Nations and its invitation of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Myanmar, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; and the United Nations special rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Mr Paolo Sergio Pinheiro,
1. Calls on the Government of Myanmar to further participate in dialogue with the political opposition in order to achieve national reconciliation and political stability;
2. Encourages the Government of Myanmar to release political prisoners, as a step towards reaching national reconciliation;
3. Emphasises other United Nations Specialised Agencies, as the appropriate bodies to consider the situation in Myanmar, and stresses the importance of regional efforts, such as by the Association of South-East Asian Nations, to address the situation in Myanmar;
4. Expresses strong support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his representatives to implement his “good offices” mission, and welcomes the continuing efforts of all relevant United Nations agencies in this regard;
5. Encourages the Government of Myanmar to consider the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Professor Gambari’s recommendations and proposals;
6. Stresses the important role played by the Association of South-East Asian Nations and the Association of South-East Asian Nations countries, first concerned by this issue as neighbouring countries, in supporting the progress made towards national reconciliation in Myanmar;
7. Encourages the positive economic developments of Myanmar;
8. Welcomes the 7 step plan, and the establishment of the National Convention, as laid down by the Government of Myanmar, towards drafting a constitution, and gradually reach stability in the country;
9. Emphasises the importance of establishing a time frame, in relation to the progress of the 7 step plan of the Government of Myanmar;
10. Encourages the Association of South-East Asian Nations to cooperate with the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Professor Gambari to assess and evaluate the progress in Myanmar;
11. Requests the United Nations Human Rights Council to re-address the issues contained within Human Rights Council resolution S-5/1 of 2 October 2007;
12. Asks the Government of Myanmar to cooperate with relevant international aid agencies, notably the World Health Organisation in its effort to prevent and control transmittable diseases such as HIV/AIDS;
13. Urges the Government of Myanmar to comply with existing obligations concerning the issue of forced labour;
14. Encourages the government of Myanmar to address the problem of drug trafficking and human trafficking within its sovereign territory;
15. Urges Myanmar to comply with their obligations as a party to the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others;
16. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
den 16 november 2007
Final resolution agreed on!
Burma/Myanmar yet again represented in the Council
Representatives from the Myanmar government has now taken their place at the tables after being absent from the negotiating rooms since yesterday.
Burma declared that they were very pleased with large part of the resolution, however they expressed a concern that their self-determination would be comprimised by some of the suggested points.
They also commented that democracy delicate process and that too many reforms would unstabilize the country. Finally they declared that they with strong hesitation accepted the resolution.
Doubtful signatories
Several of the delegations has expressed doubt regarding various parts of the resolution that they are either submitters or signatories of. France therefore encouraged these countries to come forward with new amendments.
Former pro-sanction states demand morality in resolution
During the statements following the presentation of draft resolution 3 by the Russian delegation, the widespread call for amendments from some of the signatories who previously supported the implementation of economic sanctions led to unmoderated sessions to produce specific amendments to draft resolution 3. The main complaint on the resolution concerned predominantly views from Belgium and the United Kingdom that the resolution did not take morality into consideration. This view will with all probability manifest itself in the coming amendments.
[Rickard]
Moderated caucus
Although the general attitude towards the new draft resolution was positive Belgium expressed strong dismay over the resolution, whereupon Indonesia retorted that Belgium could have participated in the discussions taking place earlier during the day if they wanted. Belgium answered that they felt unwelcome due to the unyielding attitude of the other countries. They also commented that "compromising is a wonderful thing" but that lives are on stake.
New draft resolution- new hope?
A third draft resolution is being distributed as we speak, does this mean that the Council will finally reach an agreement?
A coup to be expected?
Rumors are circulating that the UK might consider drastic measures in the end of the negotiations...
Current developments...
Qatar's latest amendment to Draft resolution 1 did not pass.
Russia commented on Panama's latest press release stating that it had nothing to do with the issue at hand and asked the delegation to "stop waisting the council's time".
The UK declared that economic sanctions now are left out of their draft reslolution indicating that they are making an effort to get added support from countries now favouring Russia's resolution.
Press release [Panama, Democratic Republic of Congo]
The intelligence service of Panama reports that Human Rights Watch has released a new report regarding Russia’s democratic downfall:
“Throughout the vast expanses of Russia, police torture criminal suspects, routinely and deliberately inflicting severe pain and suffering with the aim of extracting confessions to criminal offences or other information. Indeed, the practice now appears endemic to Russia's criminal justice system. The abuses range from ill-treatment to unmistakable torture. Methods used include beatings, near asphyxiation, electroshock, and suspension of body parts. With the exception of a few particularly grave cases in which public exposure led to prosecutions, police carry out torture with complete impunity as the provincial and federal procuracies close their eyes to evidence of abuse. The courts commonly accept forced confessions at face value, and use them as a basis for convictions.”
The BBC journalists investigating the issue accused Russian authorities for oppressing measures and trying to silence them. The BBC journalist Bob McDean stated “The Russian police confiscated all six of the newspaper’s computers to check for 'illegal software'. Journalists were not allowed to copy any of the information stored on the computers, which contained the newspaper’s entire archive. And were detained for several hours during the raid.”
Congolese intelligence service later confirmed these reports.
Exclusive interview with the Russian delegation
During the morning sessions of Friday’s negotiations the Russian delegation approached the LUMUN-blogg to comment on the progress that has been made and has yet to be reached. According to the delegates of the Russian Federation the major steps forward that needs to be taken is an equal response from the pro-sanction side to the concessions made by Russia on several points in order to reach an agreement.
They also stressed the need to address the situation in Myanmar with willingness towards dialogue instead of talking of threats. The Russian delegation restates that they will not accept any sanctions in any form, including arms embargos. On the question of the interests of the Russian military export industries and their theoretical influence, the delegation responded that most states have trade interests with countries in the region and that regional stability is in everybody’s interest.
The Russian delegations finally stated that it is important that the council comes to an agreement even though the question of whether the situation in Myanmar is a threat to international peace and security is disputed.
[Rickard]
Broken stalement?
During the final speeches of the first friday sessions, the stalemate that during most of yesterdays negotiations hindered the possibilities of meaningful progress showed some signs of maybe coming to an end.
The delegations of Russia and both the United States and the United Kingdom commemorated each other on cooperation in a constructive way. The United States especially thanked the delegation of Russia for taking small steps to reach an agreement that all sides can adhere to and accept. In the following reply, Russia restated that sanctions will be counterproductive and again stressed that constructive dialogue will be the way forward. It is yet to be revealed if these recent developments will lead to final agreement.
[Rickard]
Third morning and the final efforts
By now the lobbying taking place in the corridors is draining the conference room from a large part of its delegates. In the mean time many countries that haven't taken the opportunity to approach the speaker’s chair are now making original and interesting speeches.
Among these Panama took the floor and started by apologizing to the UK for prior offenses and continued by stating that they “believed that we are powered by deep love to the people here”. They also declared that they believed that “western values are spreading all over the world” and will be necessary in the future to be involved in world trade etc. The delegate concluded by saying that: “the only way for Myanmar is the democratic way”.
den 15 november 2007
Last formal session for the day closed
A motion has been put forward by Italy for the suspension of the meeting and some "unmoderated drinking". The motion was accepted!
New statement by the Secretary Genreral
The Secretay General would like to point out that the friendly amendment to draft resolution 1 that has just been introduced on the floor with operative clause 11 (Requests that United Nations Human Rights Council to re-address the issues contained within Human Rights Council resolution S-5/1 of October 2007) might be a good way of a possible solution of the discussions concerning Aung San Suu Kyi.
Please read clause 3 of the human rights council resolution S-5/1: Also urges the Government of Myanmar to release without delay those arrested and detained as a result of the recent repression of peaceful protest, as well as to release all political detainees in Myanmar, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and to ensure that conditions of detention meet international standards and include the possibility of visiting any detainee;
The refugee flows in Myanmar: International threat or not?
The council has been divided on yet another question. The issue of what importance should be given to the refugee issues in Myanmar. Chinas delegation in particular has stated that the refugee flows are limited in their scope and therefore not an issue of international peace and security. The pro-intervention delegations claims on the other hand that the refugee flows is a concern of international security. A factor that both sides appeals to is the question of wheter or not the refugee flows are causing security problems for Myanmars neighboring countries.
[Rickard]
Comments from Qatar
The blogg has recently talked to one of the delegates from Qatar who had a positive view on the discussions so far. However he commented:
"The more we get in to the negotiations the more pro and con it seems to get. The dividning line is becoming more visible as it goes on"
Rightful leader or none of your business?
The question of Ang San Suu Kyi has risen to the top of the agenda during the afternoon negotiations. Several delegations stresses her central role in the political opposition in Myanmar, and that a meaningful democratic political development can not be taken seriously unless she is released. It is also stressed that the release of Ang San Suu Kyi i necessary for the national reconciliation of Myanmar. Others, mainly the delegations most critical of sanctions against Myanmar, claims that the demand of the release of an individual prisoner is intrusive on the internal affairs of Myanmar and too interventionist, and also not important from the perspective of international peace and security. Some also claims that the work of professor Gambari recently have led to positive developments in Myanmar.
[Rickard]
Mild chock before coffee break
One of the Belgian delegates gave the rest of the Security Council a mild chock by jumping up and down in her chair letting out low shrieks during a fellow delegate’s speech.
After a short confusion the delegate explained that she just received a personal message on her laptop. The Council directly thereafter went into unmoderated caucus where further details about the contents of the message were discussed…
New draft resolution under discussion
A second draft resolution has been submitted by: France, United Kingdom, USA, Belgium, Italy, Ghana and signed by: Panama, Peru, Slovakia.
The draft among other things includes France's old request to freeze the accounts of the junta abroad and requests a special rapporteur to be sent to Burma/Myanmar.
Name debate continues...
Just a moment ago Russia called the United Kingdom’s attitude regarding the name issue “neo-colonial”. Is a retort to be expected?
Groupations forming
During the negotiations the delegations have divided into two main camps on the issue of Myanmar. The delegations from China, Indonesia and Russia runs a tight ship on the issue and repeatadly states that all forms of sanctions will not have any positive effects and that they will not support any resolution that contains sanctions.
The biggest supporter of the idea of sanctions, France is hard pressed on the issue and have only partly support from the other delegations who accepts the possibility of sanctions but makes reservations on the effect on the civil society in Myanmar. These delegations include United Kingdom, United States, Belgium, Italy and Panama, however, this side are not yet as coordinated and Russia could be claimed to be the main player in the discussions.
Burma/Myanmar?
There have been debates on what to call the country under discussion. The Presidency suggested that the official name of the country is Myanmar whereupon the UK delegation claimed their right to refer to the country as Burma since it has always referred to it as such and it “is internationally established”. The Presidency retorted that it is standard procedure to refer to a country by its official name.
What is your opinion? Burma/Myanmar? Write your comments below!
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.
First draft resolution presented
A draft resolution has been submitted by the Russian Federation (with the signatures of the People's Republic of China, the Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Myanmar, Qatar and South Africa).
The draft suggests that the government of Myanmar to participate in further negotiations at the same time as it encourages it to release all political prisoners. The draft also emphasis ASEAN:s role in further evaluation of the situation in Burma/Myanmar.
Press release [Panama]
Intelligence services of the Republic of Panama would like to state, that there is a threat of rocket attacks from Myanmar on Thailand. Therefore our country perceives Myanmar as international threat.
In addition, we would like to recall all the destruction and victims caused by such rocket attacks in recent years.
Press release [Qatar]
According to Mr. Gambaris briefing from Nov. 14, Myanmar has taken several positive steps in recent weeks and the process of dialogue should further continue in order to emphasize the already undertaken positive effects.
It is therefore a time for encouragement and not for undue pressure!
Qatar further proposes to:
invite international and regional NGOs to substantively contribute to the alleviation of poverty, promoting economic and social sustainability as well as providing access to adequate healthcare through establishing and launching
a) Poverty Alleviation Commission,
b) Health, Education, Drug Reduction Programme (HEDReP);
c) UN Frontier Guard in Myanmar (UN FGM);
Sincierly,
The state of Qatar
Statement by Secretary General
Moreover I have a statement from Mr. Gambari, the Special Advisor in Myanmar. He said yesterday that while the government of Myanmar has taken several positive steps in recent weeks, it is still necessary to push them further on making the process of dialogue lead to very substantive discussions and substantial negotiations in order to lead to the positive change we want in the country.
He stated that it is now up to them to show that they are moving in a direction that is more positive than negative.
Press release [Indonesia]
Indonesia has received intelligence from a reliable source that the UN human rights envoy will be meeting with political prisoners today.
Special Rapporteur Paulo Sergio Pinheiro has stated he is hoping to interview the detainees at Rangoon’s Insein jail this afternoon.
Indonesia believes this goodwill on behalf of the Junta will encourage the process of genuine dialogue between the military and the pro-democracy movement.
The Security Council should take heed of these efforts, in their current sitting, when considering an appropriate solution to the situation in
Press release [China, Russia, US]
Joint statement by the
People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation and the United States of America:
Strongly supporting the Secretary-General’s “good offices” mission.
Strongly supporting constructive dialogue between the Government of Myanmar and the political opposition.
Emphasising the role of ASEAN as an important and stimulating actor, towards national reconciliation and political stability in Myanmar.
Myanmar gems auction shrugs off Western sanctions
[Reuters]
YANGON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Western sanctions on army-ruled Myanmar's lucrative gems trade are likely to fail because nearly all buyers are from Asian countries which have no stomach for trade embargoes, officials and traders said on Tuesday.
"I don't think Western sanctions will have as much impact on our gems and jade industry as they think," a Ministry of Mines official told Reuters on the eve of the regime's first major auction since September's bloody crackdown on democracy protests.
Human Rights Watch has called for a total ban on precious stones from the former Burma, where state-controlled mines supply sapphires, pearls, jade and 90 percent of the world's rubies.
"Burma's rubies and jade are prized for their beauty, but the ugly truth is that the trade in these stones supports human rights abuses," Arvind Ganesan, director of the group's business and human rights programme, said.
"The sale of these gems gives Burma's military rulers quick cash to stay in power," he said in a statement.
International outrage over the brutal crackdown on the monk-led protests has led to tighter Western sanctions on the regime, including moves by the United States and European Union to target the gems trade.
But most of the 3,000 foreign buyers expected to attend the 12-day event in Yangon are from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand which have ignored calls for sanctions on the regime.
"So we don't think it will have much impact on our business," said a jade merchant, who declined to be named.
Although the United States imposed a ban on imports of Myanmar gems in 2003, a customs loophole allows in stones cut or polished elsewhere. As Myanmar exports virtually all its gems uncut, this interpretation rendered the ban useless.
Last month a key U.S. congressional committee approved an amendment to close the loophole.
The EU has also promised gems-related sanctions, and international jewellers Bulgari and Cartier have told their suppliers to confirm stones are not mined there.
VALLEY OF RUBIES
Myanmar's generals are estimated to have earned around $750 million since they began holding official gem and jade sales in 1964. A far bigger number of precious stones are smuggled out.
In neighbouring Thailand, where the majority of Myanmar's gems are bought and sold, stone merchants have yet to be put off business with the junta.
"People are unhappy about what's going on but they are not angry enough to stop buying rubies," Pornchai Chuenchomlada, president of the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association, told Reuters in October.
The state holds a majority stake in all mines, including the "Valley of Rubies", the mountainous Mogok area, 200 km (125 miles) north of Mandalay, famed for its pigeon's blood rubies and blue sapphires worth tens of thousands of dollars apiece.
Conditions in the mines, off-limits to most outsiders, are reported to be horrendous.
"Reports from non-governmental groups suggest that land confiscation, extortion, forced labour, child labour, environmental pollution and unsafe working conditions for miners are rampant," Human Rights Watch said.
By Aung Hla Tun
Writing by Darren Schuettler, Editing by John Chalmers
ILO says Burma still using forced labour
[BBC-world] Burma's ruling generals have repeatedly rejected allegations that the army is still using forced labour. But they were stung into action last November when the ILO condemned the military government for its persistent use of what the international community calls slavery. But, according to the ILO report, this has only had a limited in reducing the use of forced labour. The report said the main reason for this was that the government had not prosecuted anyone for using forced labour. In-depth investigation And most importantly it ravelled around some of the border areas where there have been persistent reports of forced labour.The investigators gathered extensive testimonies from people throughout the country and supplemented them by talking to refugees in the border areas who claim to have fled to Thailand to escape forced labour. Their report is careful to be as even-handed as possible. "The point of the exercise was to be balanced and to give credit where it was due," said one ILO source. Military problem "The local military commanders need the villagers for logistical support. They are not getting any assistance from the central command and so feel they have no alternative but to press gang civilians into service," said an ILO source. The roots of the use of forced labour, according to the ILO mission, lie in Burma's dire poverty and lack of international engagement. The country needs foreign investment, international financial support and humanitarian assistance, the report said. General's dilemma If it begins to seriously stop the use of forced labour, which the ILO says will obviously take time, and show unequivocally that it means business, then the international community should respond positively. It is in the hands of the generals.But analysts believe this is going to present the Burmese generals in Rangoon with a virtually insurmountable problem. Local commanders, especially in the border areas, regard the use of forced labour as their right, and will not give it up voluntarily. While the Burmese military leaders need the support of the local commanders they will find it difficult to eradicate forced labour. But the mission did say that the ILO will need a permanent presence in Rangoon to be able to continue to assess the extent to which forced labour has really been stopped. The ILO mission says it has no mandate to recommend whether the threat of sanctions should stand or be revoked - that is up to the ILO general session which is currently meeting in Geneva. The situation in Burma will be discussed next week. It is likely to be a tense session. The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions says more than one-million people in Burma are still subjected to forced labour on construction sites for roads, railways and military installations. By BBC Burma analyst Larry Jagan |
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UN rights expert meets with senior ministers
[UN-news] 14 November 2007 – The independent United Nations human rights expert probing recent events in Myanmar continued his visit today holding meetings with a number of Government officials, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and the UN Country Team.
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the UN Special Rapporteur for Myanmar, arrived in Yangon on Saturday on a mission to verify allegations of abuses during the recent Government crackdown on peaceful demonstrators, determine the numbers and whereabouts of those detained or killed, and collect testimony about what happened.
Today he met with Foreign Minister U Nyan Win and Information Minister Brig.-Gen. Kyaw Hsan in the new capital of Nay Pyi Taw. He also met with U Aung Kyi, Minister for Labour and Minister for Relations, who is the Government’s liaison with detained pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
While thanking the authorities for the wide range of meetings with Government officials, Mr. Pinheiro renewed his request to be given access to other non-government interlocutors, according to a statement issued by the UN.
Also in Nay Pyi Taw, the Special Rapporteur held meetings with the UN Country Team, led by Resident Coordinator Charles Petrie, as well as with over 20 members of the diplomatic corps in Myanmar, who travelled to the new capital.
The Special Rapporteur, who had not been allowed into the country since 2003, returns to Yangon tomorrow to wrap up his five-day visit.
Mr. Pinheiro’s trip follows that of the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser Ibrahim Gambari, who recently visited the troubled South-East Asian nation for the second time since Government forces began using force to respond to peaceful protesters in August.
Speaking to reporters yesterday in New York, where he briefed the 15-member Security Council on his mission, Mr. Gambari said that while the Government of Myanmar has taken several positive steps in recent weeks, it is still necessary to “push them further on making the process of dialogue lead to very substantive discussions, substantial negotiations in order to lead to the kind of positive change we want in that country.”
“I think the burden is now on them to show that they are moving in the direction that is more positive than negative,” he stated.
den 14 november 2007
Further discussions…
During the following discussions Myanmar stated that they could not secure safety for humanitarian organisations that are working on the countryside within the country since they claim that rebels are operating in these areas.
After Russia’s encouraging other members to be specific about the “concrete measures” they wished to take, France proposed to freeze the junta’s banc accounts. The UK suggested economic sanctions and Peru stated that their goal was the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Auxiliary representation from Burma accepted!
After a short unmoderated caucus the council voted on letting auxiliary representation from Burma/Myanmar and the motion was accepted. This means that the country that usually has no place in the Security Council now can join the discussions. The delegation took its place at the tables after a brief policy statement.
These developments promises an even more complex situation for the gathered delegations, to be continued...
Opening speeches concluded
All 15 delegations have now made their opening statements presenting their different views concerning the present situation in Myanmar/Burma.
Among the viewpoints presented were a reminder of UN:s important role in these questions but also foremost the responsibility of the individual countries, that the role of the Human rights council’s should not be forgotten, a call for restoration of rule of law and for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and lastly a statement that called the last 19 years in Burma for a “rein of fear.”
Russia was first to go up on the speaker’s list. The representative stated that the situation in Burma did “not warrant this council’s attention”. And reminded the other countries of the ASEAN meeting where it was agreed that there was “no threat to neighbouring countries”.
What is Russia’s next move?
Rumours are circulating that Russia soon will introduce a working paper already proposing operative clauses. Other delegations are on their toes, what to expect?
Mock session completed- or what to do about Ducktown?
During mock session the council discussed the following scenario:
“The nephews of Donald Duck, Hewey, Duey and Louie, and their families have been forced into exile and end up in a refuge camp in Ducksville. Reports of armed sectarian clashes with the regime, the Beagle Boys, have ever since been frequent. The intensity and feriocity of the violence have led to a civilian exodus from Ducksville to neighbouring Duckstown, whose officials now have started publicly discussion unilateral armed intervention in Ducksville to put and end to the armed conflicts and stop potential spill over effects. The peace and security of the entire region is at risk and the Security Council is summoned to adress to issue. “
The representative from Ducksville declared that the matter was a matter to be decided upon by Ducksville alone and asked the Security Council to not pass a resolution.
Not heeding the declaration the delegates discussed various aspects of the problem. Belgium for example condemned the ethnic cleansing taking place in Ducksville and China later agreed. Qatar made the rather bold statement proposing that a wall should be built. Russia agreed but proposed that the wall should be referred to as a security barrier.
The negotiations took place under a cordial spirit, with laughs and mild rebukes from the president as the delegates adopted themselves to the multitude of formal rules of discussion. All in all the mock session was a success and we are all looking forward to the formal sessions to start.
Opening cermony finished
After the presentation and a few introductory words by Lund's University's Göran Bexell the delegations gathered to listen to Olof Beckman's Crash Course to the Security Council.
During the lecture Beckman made quite a few bold statements such as claiming that sanctions are the fastest, swiftest and with the furthest going long-term effects, way to kill people.
On a lighter note Beckman encouraged delegates to "learn how to drink coffee" as most decisions are taken outside the formal meeting rooms. He also encouraged everyone to "... try and try again" even when they'd run out of coffee and there was no fun at all. And so we all hope they will!
