Topic: Situation in Georgia
Country: Iran
Delegate Name: Todd Flynn
School: Traverse City West High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Iran position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
The situation in Georgia needs to be handled with extreme care because it is not only a conflict between countries, but also between groups of people in those countries. Both Georgia and Russia feel they have rights to land in the disputed region. The disputed territories are those of Ossetia and Abkhazia. Military actions have escalated, some deemed drastic, and the result is an area in turmoil, and a conflict under the international microscope.
On August 7, 2008 Georgia lashed out at South Ossetia's capital. The attack wasn't a light one, with bombers in the air, and troops on the ground. Russia then RESPONDED bu moving into South Ossetia and bombing Georgia. The Russians used South Ossetia as an air base (keep in mind this is land they feel they are entitled too, and the majority of the citizens have ties to Russia) and attacked Georgia. Russia put up a blockade of Georgia, drove all Georgians out of South Ossedia, and attacked undisputed lands (that is to say, Georgian lands, that Russia doesn't even want) over the next few days. By August 12th, all heavy fighting had stopped and all the fighting was done on the 15th. Russian forces began to pull out soon after, leaving troops in South Odessia and Abkhazia. By October 8, and since there have been periodic skirmishes between the Georgian and Russian factions in the areas, but relative peace has been kept over the past few months.
We the Iranian delegation support the Russian delegation for several reasons. The majority of the citizens in the disputed areas were Russians, and still want to be again. They are by heritage. Also the Georgian government bombed people and land they view to be their own. How can we justify giving them land and people that they want to bomb, and are willing to kill? The Russians, however, not only defended those lands but fought back against the attackers with gusto. They drove out the attackers in 5 days, proving to be more capable defenders of the people than the Georgians were.
The Russians have a more stable economy, a more stable leader, and want to take in these people and this land. They would not attack the citizens of South Odessia, as the Georgians did. Finally, these regions have the right to be independent. They were Russian lands, and Georgia won the territories recently. They now want to be free from the rule of Georgia. There is no doubt they deserve to be. The rulers in Georgia are doing such a poor job that “citizens” want to break away. They were attacked viciously for challenging the poor leadership of Georgia.
It is also clear that UN peace-keepers will be needed to monitor the situation. Their presence will keep both sides confidant that the UN will stay involved in the situation, and that swift disciplinary action will come as a penalty for any breaking of the laws we will make soon.
The citizens of South Ossetia and of Abkhazia will not be at peace until they are free of Georgian rule. They deserve to be heard here, and now. Think of the demands your delegation would be making if we were discussing your country. It is inexcusable for the nations of the world to sit idly by and let a nation terrorize its own people. Georgia should be disciplined for taking such harsh action, and a good way to start would be taking away some of the land they own.
