Committee:
Committee: Historic Security Council
Topic: Bosnian War
Position Papers are due January 9th to qualify for a research award
All Position Papers due by January 13th at 11:59pm
Position Papers are due to the committee email
Bring some spare change to donate to 20 Wells!
Introduction
Hi
My name is Jack Pechac, and I will be your head chair for the 2013 MVHS MUN conference in the
Historic Security Council. I’m sure you’re enchanted to meet me. I have tons of classes this year; I’m at
school from 6:56 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. I am number 9 on the varsity water polo team, and I am on the swim
team as well. I listen to a lot of music, and soft rock is my favorite genre. I play guitar and banjo, and my
favorite class at mission is music composition. If you need to know anything else about me, you can
always Facebook stalk me. I would be flattered. Remember that this committee is taking place “in the
past,” and that you do not need to consider the outcome of the war when thinking of solutions. The
goal of our committee this year is to improve our debating skills, to demonstrate diplomacy, and to have
fun! If you have any questions or concerns, email me at mvhsmunhsc@gmail.com
I.
Background of Topic
Yugoslavia, a communist republic consisting of 6 republics, and the two provinces of Kosovo and
Vojvodina, experienced a decline in the power of communism along with most of the world after the
Cold War. Desperate for a stable economic and political system, Serbian and Croatian extremists
were able to secure more power. Serbians promoted ethnic nationalism, and as the unopposed
leader of Serbia, Slobodan Milosevic manipulated the media and politics to become one of the most
prominent political figures in Yugoslavia. While being allied to Montenegro, Milosevic asserted
Serbian dominance over the two autonomous regions of Kosovo and Vojvodina, taking their votes in
the Yugoslavian Republic. Repressing the Albanian Kosovars, Milosevic demonstrated his nationalists
views, which pleased Serbian nationalists throughout Yugoslavia.
Now with control over Serbia’s, Kosovo’s, Vojvodina’s, and Montenegro’s votes in the Yugoslavian
republic, Milosevic displayed a frightening power over the government. Communist leaders of
Croatia, Bosnia, and Slovenia sought independence from the Serbian-dominated Yugoslavia. Croatia
sought independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, and as a retaliation, Serbian nationalists attacked
and cleansed a third of Croatia. Fearful of the rising Serbia, Bosnian Muslims and Croats pushed to
secede from Yugoslavia, but nationalist propaganda in Bosnia made Bosnian Serbs support ethnic
cleansing. Expecting protection from the Yugoslav National Army (JNA), the rebelling republics were
actually attacked by the Army, which had many Serbian nationalists as officers. Clearly in control of
Milosevic, Croatia and Bosnia found themselves under attack from the 4th largest army in Europe.
Sarajevo, a stronghold city for Muslims, Croats, and all those opposed to Serbia, was put under siege
by Bosnian Serbs on April 6, 1992. The city has been continually under siege now for half a year, and
inhabitants have been cut off completely. Action must be taken quickly, considering the danger that
the city is under.
II.
United Nations Involvement
With the onset of the war in Croatia, the United Nations Protection Forces (UNPROFOR) had been
stationed in Sarajevo to contain the Croatian conflict. UNPROFOR failed in its mission to keep
conflict from spreading into Bosnia, and when Sarajevo was placed under siege, UN forces were
mostly evacuated. A few peacekeeping forces were left in Sarajevo as a deterrent to Serbian attacks.
The UN has currently established an agreement with Serbian forces to allow UN flights into the
Sarajevo airport, but this deal is highly restricted and regulated by Serbian Forces. This is an
unreliable way to send aid to the city, and a more lenient deal must be made with Serbia, if peace
cannot be achieved.
III.
Bloc Positions
The middle-eastern bloc is opposed to the ethnic cleansing is Bosnia, due to their sympathy for
those who share their religion. The western bloc is opposed to genocide of all forms. Most of the
African bloc opposes this war for the same reasons as the middle-eastern bloc. The European bloc is
ambivalent: some countries are opposed, while some nationalists glorify Serbia in their attempt to
make a greater Serbia. The Asian bloc sides with most of the world in their opposition to Serbia’s
actions.
IV.
Possible Solutions
Serbia’s genocide in Croatia and Bosnia has been an attempt to control the seceding republics. The
goal of this committee should aim to stop the violence. All issues must be addressed: freeing
Sarajevo, reduction of violence, ending genocide, restoring deportees to their homes, and possible
charges against Serbian nationalists for their actions must be answered. The UN has been successful
in establishing a strict deal with Serbia, and Serbia’s small demonstration of diplomacy offers hope
for a nonviolent solution. Economically and still politically unstable, Serbia is unpredictable in how it
will react to the use of force.
V.
Guiding Questions
1. Sarajevo is the most pressing issue at the moment, and should be addressed as quickly as
possible. What is a possible solution to evacuate Sarajevo, one that won’t agitate Serbia?
2. If war is stopped and Serbia draws back, what is to become of Croatia, Bosnia, and all other
former republics of Yugoslavia?
3. How will Serbia be charged for their acts of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and mass rape in their
war efforts?
4. How will nationalistic pride be dealt with so that more violence doesn’t break out?
5. Should Serbia’s force be limited so that they cannot further dominate surrounding countries of
different ethnicities?
VI.
Works Cited
http://www.balkandevelopment.org/edu_bos.html
http://www.ppu.org.uk/genocide/g_bosnia.html
http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/easteurope/SarajevoSiege.CP.html
http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch35-3.htm