Topic: Ensuring Stability in Kyrgyzstan
Country: United States
Delegate Name: Evie Atwater
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United States position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
In examining the current situation of Kyrgyzstan, immediate UN action is necessary to address the needs of refugees who are currently facing winter without a home or reliable food source. Humanitarian aid through the UN, individual donors, and NGOs is strongly encouraged. The United States believes that stability in the region is of utmost importance. This is a situation where United Nations attention should and will be directed to the plight of the displaced refugees.
The United States realizes that root causes of unrest must also be taken into consideration. We recognize that stabilizing the government is the first step to mediating peace in the area, and we applaud and support Kyrgyzstan in its efforts to strengthen and stabilize its democracy. Current Kyrgyz officials inherited a political system full of corruption and disorder left in the wake of former president Bakiyev. Over the past few months, the new Kyrgyz government has demonstrated its commitment to creating a solid new government through crackdowns on corruption and transparent, honest elections.
We have been delighted to see the strengthening of US-Kyrgyzstan relations through our continued lease of the Manas Airbase. This agreement is a mutually beneficial one that has provided significant revenue for Kyrgyzstan and given us an important and safe military location. Any negotiations about the long time future of the base are not pressing concerns—the fate of the refugees takes precedent. The United States wishes to stress that our base will not politically influence or overshadow the humanitarian efforts in Kyrgyzstan. We do not seek to impose our interests over the plight of the displaced people of Kyrgyzstan. In fact, the US Assistant Secretary of State specifically stated that “we will be happy to discuss this matter with the new government if and when they would like to do so. We are not trying to dictate terms…as far as we are concerned, the agreement remains in effect until we are told otherwise.”
The United States hopes that other belligerent nations will not turn this humanitarian crisis into more than it is. We believe that every nation can agree that UN and WHO action is required. Let the focus remain on assisting the refugees, ensuring stability in the country, and ensuring that the people of Kyrgyzstan may live safe lives.
