Topic: Congo
Country: Greece
Delegate Name: Hema Karunakaram
School: Saline High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Greece position papers GLIMUN 2007 committees
The Hellenic Republic of Greece is a country that has historically had a role of being the mediator in conflicts between Asia, Europe, and Africa, because of its geo-strategic location. It has always believed that above all else, the people of this world come first in every conflict and must be protected at all costs. The current situation in Congo is **no exception**.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, first and foremost, is a sovereign nation and that must be respected before any suggestions or implications are made. Greece, being the birthplace of democracy, eagerly applauds the newly established government of the DRC, but also conscious of the problems it is facing. The bloody conflict ending in 1999 is often compared to the goriness of World War II, and it would obviously be difficult for any country to recuperate after such an occurrence. Though not as widespread, small episodes of conflict have continued to occur since the 2005 democratic elections during which Joseph Kabila was elected president. The current situation in East Congo is absolutely unacceptable, because the rebel troops of General Laurent Nkunda as well as the Bundi Dia Kongo are not only setting themselves up for yet another civil war, but they are also terrorizing the people of East Congo.
Atrocities committed by these groups include the forced displacement of countless people, physical abuse of children, and sexual violence against women. There is growing concern about the stability of Kabila’s government, as it has not a few stones but rather several large boulders obstructing its way to peace and success. With the death toll increasing at an alarming rate, it is unclear to Greece whether the current work and aid being provided by MONUC will be enough to allay the vicious massacres that are presently occurring.
The Hellenic Republic of Greece puts its full support behind the European Union as well as the UN Peacekeeping force MONUC, and believes that humanitarian aid is the most important issue to be addressed in this conference. In the end, the pride of the entire country boils down to simply the pride of its people, and that pride cannot be preserved if the people are not either. Furthermore, Nkunda’s rebel army and the Bundi Dia Kongo must be disbanded and disarmed immediately and effectively. Civil war puts immense stress on any country, and the Democratic Republic of Congo must live up to its name by staying democratic and preventing another civil war. This prevention can only occur with the cooperation of other nations. In the words of the Foreign Minister of Greece, Dora Bakoyannis, *“We must rise to take up the challenge.”*
