Topic: Territorial Dispute in the South China Sea
Country: Iraq
Delegate Name: Kelsey McElroy
School: Williamston High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Iraq position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Over the last one hundred years, many disputes over land have been located in the South China Sea. The Paracel Islands and the Spratly Islands are the two biggest island groupings in the area, with other sandbars, reefs and outcroppings as other sources of debate. Many of the islands are claimed and occupied by the militaries of seven competing countries. The countries involved in the conflict are Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan and the People's Republic of China. Beijing has a map dating back to 1947 detailing its claim that the two island chains are entirely within its jurisdiction. Taiwan states the same decree of control. The Scarborough Shoal is another area of debate located around 100 miles from the Philippines and 500 miles from China. Malaysia and Brunei also claim islands that they state are within their economic exclusion zones as defined by the UNCLOS. The conflicts have caused issues for ships recently passing through the disputed water. The disputed islands are of high economical value due to shipping routes, fisheries, oil and natural gas reserves. No actual figures are known on the quantity or quality of the resources due to a lack of cooperation, but figures can be estimated by observing the rich resources of surrounding territories. The United Nations needs to reach a consensus on a plan of action that will result in a peaceful reduction of the tension in the South China Sea and make sure global law is sustained.
Iraq has six main territory disputes including the Rumaila Oil field, the Bubiyan Island and the Al-Fakkah Field. There have been many years of conflict with Kuwait over land and many disagreements with Iran over oil fields. In the past, territorial disputes have been resolved mostly through negotiation. We have followed United Nations Security Council resolutions such as 687, 773 and 833. Iraq did go to war over the Rumaila oil field but believes in following the UN resolutions and negotiating a majority of the time. Negotiation will not be enough when neither side will reach a conclusion.
Iraq would like all countries to uphold the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. We believe the nations should negotiate for control of the islands. Any resolutions passed by this committee should be followed by all the countries with a claim on the islands and surrounding geography. Iraq encourages all countries to uphold the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as they have all ratified the document. The United Nations should act as a mediator using the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as a foundation for decisions in the debate. We expect negotiations to work, but believe that countries losing land to an incorrect claim have the right to invade for their land. Iraq hopes for help from countries who drafted and passed the UNCLOS and hopes the countries with claims will be completely supportive.
