The United Nations Flashcards
What are the main organs of the UN?
- The General Assembly
- The Security Council
- The International Court of Justice
- The Secretary-General
What are the aims of the UN?
- To maintain international peace and security by taking effective collective measures
- To develop friendly relations among the nations
- To achieve international cooperation in solving international issues
What is Article 2(1)?
Sovereign equality of all its members
What is Article 2(3)?
International disputes to be settled by peaceful means
What is Article 2(4)?
Renunciation of the use of force
What is Article 2(5)?
Members are to assist UN for any action in accordance to the charter
What is Article 2(7)?
Nothing authorises the UN to intervene in matters of domestic jurisdiction
What is the role of the General Assembly?
- Serves as a forum for all member states to represented
2. To decide and pass resolutions
What are the successes and limitations of the GA?
Successes
1. The Uniting for Peace Resolution
Limitations
- Non-binding resolutions (lack of enforcement power)
- Tedious manner of procedure
- Overpowered by aims & interests of great powers
What is the role of the Security Council?
To maintain or restore international peace and security
What are the limitations of the Security Council?
Limitations
- Structural handicap (misuse of veto, lack is standing military, lack of finances)
- Priority of National interests over International Peace
- Obstructed role of Sec-Gen
- Non-enforcement of ICJ rulings
What are the 4 tools of the Security Council? (state their purposes)
- Peacekeeping
- Peace Enforcement
- Peacemaking
- Peace building
Peacekeeping: deployment of UN presence to prevent/stop violence
Peace enforcement: Occurs during fighting. UN intervenes and brings end to conflict (yawing force)
Peacemaking: Action to bring hostile parties to agreement by peaceful means
Peace building: Occurs after violent hostilities have ceased. To prevent recurrence of violence to sustain peaceful relationships
What were the successes and limitations of PE efforts in the Korean War?
Successes
- Prompt response
- Ended aggression of North Korea
- Expanded role + responsibilities of the General Assembly
Limitations
- USSR Objectives
- A US led rather than UN led operation
- No resolution to the crisis
What were the successes and limitations of the Suez Crisis 1956?
Successes
- Prompt response
- Effectiveness of the SG
- Swift formation and deployment of UNEF (UN Emergency Force)
Limitations
- Resolution of the crisis not due to UN but other factors
- Eventual withdrawal of UNEF by 1967
What were the successes and limitations of the Congo Crisis (1960-1964)?
Successes
- Overall unity in the SC
- Active role of the Sec-Gen
- Expansion of meaning if peacekeeping
Limitations
- Complex domestic situation
- CW rivalry imposed on Sec-Gen effectiveness
- Financial issues + disagreements
- Continued instability after withdrawal of UNOC
What were the successes and limitations of the Vietnam-Cambodia Crisis (1978-1991)?
Successes
- Ended large-scale civil war and brought prospect of independence and democracy for Cambodia (United Nations Transnational Authority in Cambodia: UNTAC)
- Organised & ran an election despite tough conditions
- UNTAC peacefully repatriated & resettled over 360,00” refugees from Thai border
Limitations
- Delay in UNTAC’s deployment
- Lack of will to enforce mandate
- Continued political instability upon UN’d departure
What were the successes and limitations of the Gulf War (1990)?
Successes
1. Unity within the SC
Limitations
1. More a US led operation to achieve US rather than UN aims (similar to Korean War)
What were the successes and limitations in Somalia?
Successes
- Humanitarian relief
- Role of Secretary General
Limitations
- Limited Mandate and resources
- UN presence did not end violence, entanglement in Somali domestic politics
- Complex domestic situation
What were the successes and limitations in the Rwandan crisis?
Successes
- Operation Turquoise provided some humanitarian relief in the south and eastern portions of Rwanda
- The UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMR) managed to save the lives of thousands of Tutsis jn and around Kigali and the few areas of UN control
Limitations
- US unwillingness to get involved after the failure in Somalia
- Absence of clear mandate
- Lack of proper funding for UNAMR
What were the successes and limitations in Bosnia?
Successes
- UN imposes arms embargo on Yugoslavia
- Sent international force, UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR) with mandate to monitor ceasefire in Croatia, supervise Yugoslavia withdrawal and protect civilian and UN personnel in Bosnia
Limitations
- Unsuccessful in ending violence
- Involvement of NATO (pushed by Clinton admin)
What were the successes and limitations in the Kosovo Crisis?
Successes
- Established UN Jnterim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to provide interim administration for Kosovo
- Deployed military force, the International Force in Kosovo (KFOR) consisting of NATO allies and Russian troops
Limitations
1. NATO intervention
What were the successes and limitations in East Timor?
Successes
- Successfully conducted referendum in 1999
- Success of UNTAET: set up interim administration (peace building)
Limitations
- Failed to prevent violence in the wake of the referendum
- Need to rely on INTERFER (International Force for East Timor)
What is the purpose of the International Court of Justice?
A principal judicial organ, functions as the UN’s legal arm
What are the limitations of the ICJ?
- Effectiveness and jurisdiction of court depends on the consent of states affected
- No enforcement power (Art 94: recourse to SC if there is non-compliance w ICJ’s decision)
