Download Delegate Julia Ring of Poland 1st Committee Prevention of Non

Delegate Julia Ring of Poland
1st Committee
Prevention of Non-State Actors from Acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction
As defined by the United Nations, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) are “weapons
that can kill or significantly harm a large number of humans and cause damage to man-made and
natural structures” (WHSMUN 26). This includes, but does not limit, biological, chemical, and
nuclear weapons. As of current and foreseeable future, Poland does not possess WMD, nor ever
has. Regardless, Poland does have a history of involvement in pacts and protocols with their
involvement. Post World War One, Poland signed the Geneva Protocol which forbade the use of
biological, bacteriological or poisonous gases in warfare. Ratified on February 4, 1929, Poland
has followed through with the Protocol and never used such heinous methods of war.
Unfortunately, Soviet warheads were stored within the borders of Poland during the Cold War to
aid the communist force within, but thankfully with the Warsaw Pact and the aid of Russia, such
stockpiles were eliminated. It is for these reasons that Poland understands the importance of
disarming WMD from non-state actors, and is why the Chemical Weapons Convention was
ratified in 1995, and in 2004 the Pole-Russo agreement to disarm stockpiles within Russia was
enacted.
As of current, the most troublesome non-state actors in the hunt for WMD are Al-Qaeda.
Dating to 1998 with a video made by leader Osama bin Laden, it was declared that acquiring and
using WMD was a part of his Islamic duty. From what is known, he sent many lieutenants in
search of these weapons, but it is believed this group of actors, acting in the name of Islam and
not of a countries from which they come. Motivated so strongly by the beliefs held, this group is
a threat to national security because they make no means or intentions to disband and will likely
try to acquire WMD at whatever cost. Another threat to national security, though it is debated as
to if they are in search of WMD, would be the Lord’s Resistance Army, or LRA lead by Joseph
Kony. Pushed to violence for a desire to purify the Acholi people of Uganda into making the
country a theocracy, his followers resorted to guerilla warfare, as notoriously made evident in the
media, even using children to follow and fight for his cause. An international threat, Kony has
evaded capture by moving from country to country in Africa, thus spreading his violence and
spawning new followers, which could eventually grow to the number which might take more
radical, international steps in furthering their goals, maybe one of which to acquire WMD.
Much speculation and conspiracy surrounds how terrorist groups gain WMD, but there
are pieces of evidence suggesting that history could take a part in this acquisition. For the past
one hundred years, the Afghanistan-Russia relations have been hilly but nevertheless, Russia has
been an active part in the country that once served as a buffer state between Czarist Russia and
the British Empire. After the third Anglo-Afghan War, an Afghan-Soviet nonaggression pact
signed in 1921. Beginning in the 1950’s, Russia provided much influence financially, militarily,
and technically to develop the country. The Soviets presented large sums to the Karmal Regime
and the Najibullah regime and aligned with the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan in the Civil
that occurred there in the 80’s. Resulting in the removal of Soviet forces, it mattered little since
resources still remained, such as military bases and more than enough weapons for more than a
couple insurgent groups to gather and use to begin their movement. It is wrong to say that Russia
would ever provide WMD to militants and non-state actors acting in Afghanistan, obviously
because the Soviet Union fell in 1991. However, Russia, currently in possession of WMD,
though bound by the treaties signed, have history in the region and it is people. It must be
remembered the legacy left, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and the aftershock of
previous military involvement, resulting in the arming of regional terrorism organizations.
The UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) is a strong method of preventing the unlawful
passage of WMD, however, it could be even stronger. It is stated that states must enact and
enforce laws preventing the transport and aid of such weapons to the actors. It has been nine
years since the passage and there is not at present a detailed list of enacted laws put forth by
countries on the council. A list should be compiled to compare, strengthen and inspire council
states to create even better state resolutions. Weapons of mass destruction are a tool, but at the
same time a weapon if placed in the wrong hands, especially those beyond reason. With a global
cooperative initiative of sharing ideas and ways to strengthen policy within states, such a list
could be beyond beneficial. Such a global collaboration could maintain the individual state needs
while growing in additional, possibly beneficial policy.
Many aspects go into the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by non-state actors.
It is crucial not to place pre-emptive or ill-deserved blame on any certain country, but it is urged
to not forget history. As it is wont to do by our race, looking over negative marks in history,
Poland urges the council to use the past as a lesson for the future and not as a hindrance of
progress made in disarming those who have made themselves enemies of the state.
Works Cited
http://www4.uwm.edu/cie/documents/WHSMUN%20Handbook%2020131.pdf
Works Consulted
http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/publications/articles/Nonstate%20Actors_Terrorism_and%20WMD.
pdf
http://www.un.org/en/sc/1540/
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/russia_invasion_afghanistan.htm
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/terrorism/wmd