In & Around the UN A Publication of the Quaker United Nations Office

Continuing Challenges in Iraq

June 2008 raqis and the international community are such a process seems daunting. Iworking hard to bring peace to Iraq, yet for - In this difficult context, the UN Security midable challenges remain. On the ground, Council passed Resolution 1770 in August the US-led Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I), 2007. This resolution expanded the UN Iraqi army, Sunni and Shia militias, and pri - Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), man - vate security contractors struggle to assert con - dated to support efforts at national reconcilia - trol, and the country lacks basic rule of law. tion in the country, and to provide humanitar - The government remains deeply divided and ian assistance to vulnerable populations. struggles to provide basic services. Iraqi While striving to expand its role, the UN Democratic Republic refugees are the third-largest refugee popula - faces significant practical challenges. For one of Congo 2 tion in the world, likely numbering more than thing, its presence in the country must contend 2 million, while another 2 million people are with a legacy that includes a harsh sanctions UN Forum on displaced inside the country. There are great regime, the Oil-for-Food scandal, a difficult Indigenous Issues 3 needs for food and shelter among the internal - battle over authorization of the American-led ly displaced and what humanitarian assistance invasion, and the bombing of the UN office in UN Peacebuilding is reaching the population is often politicized. Baghdad. Some of these events have damaged Commission 4 Many agree that a national reconciliation process is desperately needed, but carrying out (continued on page 7) Northern Uganda: Juba Peace Talks 5 Postcard from China New QUNO Director 7 By Andrew Tomlinson

ow have I managed to make it to “H ripe middle age knowing so little about the history and culture of a quarter of the world’s population?” This was the ques - tion that hit me half way through my trip to China in April. We were in Xi’an, which in 900 AD was the largest city in the world, strategically placed at the end of the silk road, and now is a bustling, commercial metropolis of some six million people. As everywhere in China, every block was a con - struction site. We were being welcomed to the city at a banquet and I was sitting next to a representative of the provincial foreign US Peace Delegation on the Great Wall of China affairs office. His English was good so I was © Andrew Tomlinson able to learn that almost every one of the Fortune 500, the world’s largest corporations, At short notice I had joined a delegation of had some kind of operation in Xi’an. He spent US peace activists to China, led by the Quaker UN Office most of his time welcoming commercial delega - American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). 777 UN Plaza tions from all over the world looking to develop There were representatives from the Friends New York, NY 10017 or expand business in the area. A high level of Committee for National Legislation (FCNL) [email protected] commercialism and technology—and yet, the and Peace Action and Progressive Democrats www.quno.org day before we had driven by farmers preparing of America, as well as AFSC staff from for planting, walking behind ploughs drawn by skinny cattle. (continued on page 6) Democratic Republic of the Congo: Persistence Needed

n January 2008 the Democratic utmost urgency as the people of the stability for the people of eastern IRepublic of the Congo (DRC) took DRC have suffered greatly through DRC is essential. a step toward peace with the signing years of violence and now live in the The peace accords require the con - of the Goma Peace Accords. The midst of a catastrophic humanitarian tinued engagement of the signing agreement is aimed at bringing peace disaster. It is estimated that 5.4 mil - groups through the creation of com - to the war-torn eastern part of the lion people have died in the DRC missions—a set of integrated commit - country and was signed by local, since 1998 and the International tees to address peace and security in regional, and the region. These commis - international sions, known as the “Amani actors, including programme,” will look at the government, reform of the military and militias, regional police, disarmament of com - bodies, religious batants, as well as develop - leaders, and inter - ment and humanitarian national actors. issues. In order to stabilize Although the the situation, militias will civil war in the need to disarm and reinte - DRC officially grate into society. In addi - ended in 2002, tion, the government will insecurity has per - have to reform the military sisted with by providing training includ - renewed hostili - ing lessons in international ties flaring in humanitarian law and build 2006 and again in local police forces and judi - cial systems. The 15,000- 2007 producing MONUC Delegation Arrives in Goma for Peace Conference: Alan Doss 900,000 internal - (right), Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic person strong UN force in ly displaced per - Republic of the Congo, and Head of the United Nations Mission in the the region, MONUC, will sons (IDPs) with - Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) confers with Babacar Gaye continue to monitor the in eastern DRC (left), MONUC Force Commander; as Ross Mountain (center), Deputy ceasefire while helping to since December Special Representative of the Secretary-General looks on upon arrival in push the peace process and Goma for the Peace Conference. 1 the work of the commissions 2006. The new © UN Photo/Marie Frechon Goma Peace forward. Accords require The safe return of dis - continued engagement with the peace Rescue Committee estimates that placed persons and refugees will also process, something lacking in the pre - 45,000 more are dying each month. 3 be a priority for any durable peace. vious Lusaka and Sun City peace Although only a portion of civilian Over one million people need to be agreements. Militia representatives deaths are due to direct violence, pre - able to return to their homes without have agreed to work with the govern - ventable conditions such as illness and fear of renewed violence. In order for ment to implement the agenda of lack of access to clean water kill tens this return to take place, disbanded peace, disarmament, and military of thousands each month. Continued militias and government forces must reform outlined in the accords. While insecurity creates an environment in demonstrate a true commitment to the agreement represents a positive which it is impossible for families to peace. In addition, the government of step for the DRC, Alan Doss, the UN cultivate their fields, medical supplies the DRC and the UN refugee agency Special Representative of the Secretary to reach populations, and local and (UNHCR) will need to employ a General in the DRC, also warned that international organizations to provide great degree of ethnic sensitivity as “Peace agreements do not make consistent programming. Without they support people returning home peace, they only set us on the road.” 2 progress toward stability, delivery or resettling in new areas. Diligence and continued involvement of services to prevent disease and The DRC is on the path to peace by the government of the DRC, mili - development of secure livelihoods to but it is an uncharted course. tias, regional actors, and the interna - produce basic food necessities will not Continued engagement by the inter - tional community, will be needed to be possible. In this context, the com - national community, the government move forward on the path to peace in mitment of the government, militias, of the DRC, regional governments, the eastern DRC. regional actors and the international Continuing down this path is of community to build lasting peace and (continued on next page) 2 Congo (continued from previous page) and former rebel militias will be nec - essary for the DRC to achieve lasting peace. QUNO will continue to look for opportunities to support work in New York that engages the UN sys - tem and governments and centers on the peaceful rebuilding of the lives of people in the Eastern Congo. O

1 UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates 22 April 2008. 2 “A Briefing on the Congo by SRSG Alan Doss,” Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, D.C., 18 April 2008. 3 For further information on the report please go to: http://www.theirc.org/special-report/congo-forgotten- Congolese Women Rejoice after Signing of Peace Accord in Goma: Women represen - crisis.html tatives of local civil society rejoice at the signing of the peace accord between rebel movements and the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to end fighting in the east of the country. © UN Photo/Marie Frechon

UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues By Jennifer Preston pril 21 – May 2, 2008 marked health and human rights. This was the This year was particularly notable Athe 7th session of the UN first session since the historic General as President Evo Morales formally Permanent Forum on Indigenous Assembly adoption of the UN opened the Forum—the first time a Issues (PFII) at UN Headquarters in Declaration on the Rights of Head of State has done so. During the New York with the theme of “Climate Indigenous Peoples. Many states two week period there were dozens of change, bio-cultural diversity and and UN agencies, in addition to side events on many of the topics dis - livelihoods: the stewardship role cussed in the plenary. It was of indigenous peoples and new very encouraging to see the challenges.” depth of engagement from all More than 3,000 delegates participants. The interaction of registered, including indigenous the UN agencies was impres - peoples’ representatives, govern - sive—and highlighted the man - ments, UN agencies and date of the PFII to ensure that NGOs. Canadian Friends indigenous peoples’ issues be Service Committee (CFSC), mainstreamed throughout the who carries the indigenous peo - UN system. ples’ rights mandate for Friends As always, the PFII was a World Committee for whirlwind of meetings, Consultation (FWCC), sent a dialogue, networking and shar - team of observers—Jennifer ing. Jennifer Preston Preston, Monica Walters-Field, represented Friends at a small Linda Kreitzer and Steve meeting at Quaker House with President of Bolivia Addresses Indigenous Forum on Climate a delegation of the European Brechtel. As in the past, QUNO Change: Evo Morales, President of Bolivia, addresses the supported the work through the opening ceremony of the seventh session of the Permanent Parliament. The purpose of the New York office. Forum on Indigenous Issues on the role the indigenous meeting was to share informa - The PFII is an advisory body peoples may play in combating climate change. tion with the parliamentarians to the Economic and Social © UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras on NGO engagement with Council, with a mandate to dis - indigenous peoples. cuss Indigenous issues related to eco - indigenous representatives, gave infor - For more information on the PFII, nomic and social development, cul - mation to the PFII regarding early ini - see www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/ O ture, the environment, education, tiatives to implement the Declaration. 3 Cautious Optimism in the UN Peacebuilding Commission

his June will mark the end of the Despite these Tsecond session of the UN positive steps, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), a PBC remains body of 31 member states tasked somewhat dogged with helping countries emerging by its difficult first from conflict avoid a return to vio - year, in which lence. Over the past two years, the much time and PBC has worked with Burundi, energy was devoted Sierra Leone and now Guinea-Bissau to procedural issues to identify the make-or-break issues rather than sub - for helping those countries consoli - stantive activities. date peace. These peacebuilding Through the hard priorities have included issues like work of PBC improving government institutions, members and other youth employment, and providing stakeholders, the more reliable electric power, among mood in the PBC others. The PBC is above all a forum and elsewhere in Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations the UN system is and chair of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, for the government of the country, addresses a March 26, 2008 Security Council meeting during the consideration of the donor countries, the World Bank shifting to cautious report of the Secretary-General on the developments in Guinea-Bissau, and the activ - and IMF, and civil society organiza - optimism, and its ities of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support in that country. tions to come together to coordinate full potential is © UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz their activities and renew their beginning to be commitments to peace. realized. the Friends Committee on National The PBC has shown itself to be QUNO, drawing on a long histo - Legislation (FCNL) to organize a an innovative and unique body. It ry of Quaker peacebuilding activities, briefing in Washington, D.C., to brings together players from all cor - has followed the PBC closely since raise the profile of the PBC. QUNO ners of the UN, including big con - its inception. QUNO’s efforts in also works to coordinate NGO tributors of money and peace-keeping New York have aimed to help the activity in New York around the troops, ECOSOC, the Security PBC become a more effective body PBC, as NGOs work to find ways Council and the General Assembly. that engages with all important to come to grips with the new body. Thus, the PBC can sometimes tran - actors. To these ends, QUNO has Coordination with QUNO scend the power struggles that affect been holding a series of informal Geneva is also an important part of other UN bodies. dialogues on important issues before our work. Work is underway in As a result of this flexible the PBC, bringing together represen - Geneva to draw together peacebuild - format and consultative approach, tatives from UN member states, UN ing expertise, and regular communi - discussions that might not have agencies, and non-governmental cation and coordination between the traditionally been considered “peace - organizations. Topics have included two offices informs the work on both building” issues have been recast restorative justice, dialogue and sides. A day-long conference in in that light. For example, in reconciliation, and land tenure. Geneva evaluating the PBC is sched - discussions on Sierra Leone, the Through these dialogues, we hope to uled for mid-summer. government argued that the energy enrich the work by building stronger The coming months will be criti - sector was a key factor in helping connections between PBC stakehold - cal for the PBC. It must continue to consolidate peace—if there is not ers, sharing important expertise, prove its effectiveness on the ground enough electricity for economic and creating space for discussion in its focus countries and to stream - development to take place, people of difficult issues. line its work in New York as well. would not have means to support QUNO also works with the Civil society and other players need themselves and might consider turn - American Friends Service to continue to engage. While ing to violence. Before the PBC took Committee, the African Great Lakes formidable challenges lie ahead for up this issue, donors were unwilling Initiative, and Quakers in Burundi the PBC, QUNO will continue to to consider it in conversations about to share information and analysis support this body’s important and peace; the PBC successfully gave it with PBC members on peacebuilding innovative work in helping consoli - greater prominence in discussions on activities taking place in-country. In date peace. O Sierra Leone’s needs. March, QUNO collaborated with

4 Northern Uganda: Juba Peace Talks – So Close, Yet So Far

ver the past two years, the peo - ern Uganda a tremendous source of ing countries seemed to indicate that Ople of northern Uganda and the hope. With an end to attacks and LRA forces are operating outside of international community have abductions and a growing sense of northern Uganda. Serious concerns watched progress, interruptions, security, thousands of displaced per - now exist that the region may be fac - resumptions and delays around the sons have begun to return home. ing the prospects of renewed attacks negotiation of the Juba peace While major challenges remain on by splinter groups of LRA intent on process. Launched in July 2006, the the ground in terms of needs around terrorizing civilian populations across peace process has brought the gov - food security, education and health northern Uganda, eastern ernment of Uganda and representa - services, basic infrastructure, and Democratic Republic of Congo, tives of the Lord’s Resistance Army employment, many have hoped that southern Sudan, and the Central (LRA) together to negotiate a peace - the Juba peace talks would produce African Republic. ful resolution to one of Africa’s the resolution and security needed to In April of this year, Kony refused longest standing conflicts. The peace start rebuilding lives shattered by to sign a Final Peace Agreement, talks have been hosted and mediated war. claiming confusion regarding agenda by the government of Southern However, the peace talks have also item 3 on reconciliation and Sudan and have received support seen significant challenges. Many of accountability. Some observers have from the international community these rose to the surface as parties to expressed skepticism that it was ever through the appointment of Kony’s intention to sign. At Joaquim Chissano, former the same time many commu - President of Mozambique, as Negotiations over the past two nity leaders have continued UN Special Envoy. efforts to sustain the peace Since July 2006, the talks years have given the people of talks in hopes of achieving a have focused on a five-point final agreement. While some agenda that has included 1) ces - northern Uganda a tremendous have pointed to what they see sation of hostilities, 2) compre - source of hope. With an end as a hopeless situation and hensive solutions to the war, 3) advocated for a hard line reconciliation and accountabili - to attacks and abductions and approach including military ty, 4) formal ceasefire, and 5) a growing sense of security, attacks against Kony and the disarmament, demobilization LRA, several attempts have and reintegration. While parties thousands of displaced persons been made to salvage the arrived at a cessation of hostili - peace process and maintain ties quickly in 2006, agreement have begun to return home. dialogue. The Quaker UN on following agenda items took Office and Quaker Peace and time, with talks at times being Social Witness joined over suspended. In May 2007, parties the conflict, negotiators, and the thirty other organizations in urging came to agreement on agenda item international community tried patience and support for 2, including a proposed Peace, repeatedly, over recent months, to ongoing efforts and emphasizing the Reconstruction and Development reach a Final Peace Agreement. importance of consolidating gains Plan (PRDP). This was followed by Some of the greatest challenges that have been reached through the agreement on the difficult issue of have come in the area of communi - negotiation process. (To see a copy of reconciliation and accountability cations: negotiators have had to rely the letter visit with a proposal for an approach that on indirect communications with www.resolveuganda.org/node/600) would combine traditional justice LRA leader, Joseph Kony. Secluded At the time of writing it is far mechanisms with trials and agree - in the bush, information has been from clear what the next steps in the ment that the government of Uganda transmitted to and from Kony process will be. QUNO and others would ask that International through a delegation of LRA nego - will watch the situation closely in Criminal Court to drop arrest war - tiators. Over the course of the nego - hopes of identifying openings that rants for top LRA officials once a tiations worrisome signs of divisions would help preserve gains reached Final Peace Agreement was signed. within the LRA leadership began to through the talks and opportunities Negotiations over the past two emerge. In addition, reports of for bringing long-term peace to years have given the people of north - abductions and attacks in neighbor - northern-Uganda and the region. O

5 China A further idea we heard a lot about increasingly important force, blending (continued from page 1) was harmony, in the context of societal diplomacy and commerce in a potent stability. This notion has many differ - mix. Philadelphia, New England, Hawaii, ent roots in China. Part of it is There has always been a tension at Cambodia, and China. Over a two- Confucian: Chinese civil servants for the UN around the reality that, as a week period, we went to Beijing, almost 2,000 years were trained in club of nation states, it is the rights Yan’an, Xi’an, and Shanghai, hosted Confucian ideas, including the concept and interests of nation states that will by the Chinese People’s Association of the primacy of social order. This tend to be focused on most strongly, for Disarmament and Peace cultural preference has been reinforced whereas the philosophical underpin - by a reaction to the nings of the institution (as expressed turbulence of the in the UN Charter and the Human twentieth century: Rights Charter) give weight to a vari - colonialism, civil war ety of other factors, such as the rights and the chaos of the of individuals and minorities. During Cultural Revolution. this decade the balance has shifted a One expression of little in favor of human individual this is a different set rights, as the reforms of Kofi Annan, of priorities than in including the adoption of concepts the West —collective such as the Responsibility to Protect, rights ahead of indi - moved up the UN agenda. Now it vidual rights, for appears, with the growing power of example. China, that the terms of the debate Another theme may shift again. that cropped up in It was to understand these dynam - various guises was a ics better that I went to China. I strong sense of This way to the Quakers? Sign in garden, Shanghai national identi - © Andrew Tomlinson ty —coupled with (CPAPD). British and American an acute sensitivity to any appear - Quakers did humanitarian work in ance of outside interference in the 1940s in China, with the Friends’ Chinese internal affairs. There is Ambulance Unit operating on both an emphasis given to continuity, a sides during the civil war, and this unified country existing within work of Quakers at the birth of the clear geographical borders, unified People’s Republic of China was well by race (over 95% of the popula - remembered. The primary aim of the tion are Han Chinese), language delegation was to listen and learn. We and thousands of years of history met academics, think-tanks, and gov - and culture. Layered on to this is ernment and party officials. We also the sensitivity to foreign interfer - gave presentations at a “Peace Forum” ence engendered by 100 years of organized by our hosts. Western colonial involvement, fol - There were a number of themes lowed by the Japanese occupation. that came up repeatedly on the visit. A number of times it was stated The first was development. China has that China had never invaded made great strides since the “opening another country, and that its up” of Deng Xiaoping, announced 30 military forces were configured for years ago. China has 22% of the defense, not for attack. world’s population and 8% of its These three factors, so evident arable land and the history of the to a visitor, also influence China’s The Forbidden City, Beijing, in the spring rain country has been punctuated by peri - foreign policy. At the UN, China © Andrew Tomlinson odic widespread famine. Attaining frequently aligns itself with the food security has been an impressive developing nations, with an agenda returned with a finer appreciation of achievement. But per capita GDP is that emphasizes economic develop - the roots of Chinese approaches to the still very low, so there’s a long way to ment and respect for sovereignty. In world, but above all I was impressed go before development approaches the developing world, and particularly by the friendliness and generosity of Western levels. in Africa, China is becoming an ordinary Chinese people. O

6 Iraq invasion and requires quarterly reports December 2008 and it is not expected (continued from page 1) that outline MNF-I activities and con - to be renewed. If the mandate is not ditions on the ground. MNF-I reports renewed, the international community the way that Iraqis perceive the UN, offer an opportunity for Security will lose any oversight (substantive or while others have made the UN itself Council members to voice concerns not) of the activities of the MNF-I. hesitant and cautious when operating and exchange views on the security sit - Some Iraqis, NGOs and others have inside the country. Most areas outside uation in Iraq and the operations of suggested that the mandate should be the US-secured Green Zone in the MNF-I. In principle, these sessions renewed with provisions for troop Baghdad are extremely dangerous for give the Security Council some over - drawdown enabling the UN to con - international staff. Because of these tinue its monitoring role. security concerns, UN staff is While the UN grapples mostly confined to the Green with major challenges as it Zone. The UN must rely on those expands its engagement on with greater access to the popula - the crisis, the situation facing tion to carry out delivery of goods Iraqis in-country and those and services. While many applaud who have sought refuge in the intentions and efforts of neighboring countries is dire. UNAMI, some non-governmental In this context, QUNO has organizations argue that it must do worked in New York to stim - more to make its presence felt by ulate discussion on the the people on the ground. There is humanitarian needs inside also concern that UNAMI is per - Iraq and in the region. ceived as too closely aligned with QUNO is heartened by the the American and multinational Hamid Al-Bayati, Permanent Representative of Iraq to the hard work that many are forces. United Nations, addresses an April 28 Security Council doing to bring peace to Iraq; In addition to these difficulties meeting on the situation in his country. yet we remain deeply con - surrounding UN operations in © UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras cerned about the situation, Iraq, the issue of the US-led and hopeful that the UN and Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I) sight of MNF-I activities. In practice, international community will be able comes before the UN Security Council few missions are overtly critical in an to overcome the practical and political on a regular basis. The Security effort to preserve good relations within complications of the conflict in Iraq Council authorized MNF-I operations the Council. to support meaningfully efforts to in October 2003 following the US-led The MNF-I mandate will expire in achieve peace. O

Introducing Andrew Tomlinson, New QUNO Director

Andrew brings to this position Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) 20 years of experience in international training. Andrew is eager to put his finance with Salomon Smith Quaker values into action in his new Barney/Citigroup, NY and S.G. position at the Quaker UN Office. Warburg & Co., London & NY. His In his busy first months, Andrew work has included projects in Mexico, has worked to make connections with the Far East, and Latin America. representatives of UN Missions, UN Most recently, Andrew founded and agencies and non-governmental managed a socially responsible invest - organizations. He has hosted events ment fund. He studied Archaeology at Quaker House, and recently and Anthropology at St. John’s participated in an AFSC-led peace College, Cambridge, U.K., holds a delegation to China. In the coming Masters in Oriental Studies from the months, Andrew will work to recruit n February 2008, QUNO welcomed University of Pennsylvania, and has new staff, and shape a strategic plan - Iits new director, Andrew Tomlinson. worked as an archaeologist in Europe, ning session to take place this July. With his dedication and energy, the Middle East, and India. QUNO is delighted to welcome Andrew has invigorated the office, and such an active and enthusiastic A Quaker for 25 years, Andrew is O is quickly finding his feet as the currently clerk of Chatham-Summit director as Andrew. “Quaker Ambassador” to the UN. Monthly Quaker Meeting. He also has

7 QUNO Out and About

his spring QUNO staff have expressed a particular interest in engagement at the UN over Tenjoyed a number of oppor - the work of the Peacebuilding time. The Young Adult Friends tunities to visit with Friends Commission and how it may gathering in May, also in around the U.S. and look for - draw on and connect to the Indiana, gave QUNO the chance ward to visits over the summer. experiences of Latin American to lead a discussion about Gathering with Friends reinvigo - Friends. In gatherings at the Quaker international service and rates our work and gives us the Quaker Hill Conference Center, the contribution of Young Adult opportunity to share about the QUNO explained its efforts to Friends past and present. witness of Quakers at the UN. connect individual Friends’ expe - QUNO staff look forward to We were pleased to attend the riences, particularly those in cen - greeting Friends at the Friends Friends World Committee for tral Africa to the UN system. United Meeting Triennial in Consultation (FWCC) Section of QUNO also spoke with students North Carolina in July and at the Americas annual meeting at Earlham College about the New England Yearly Meeting in held in Indiana. Friends international body and Quakers Rhode Island in August. O

Crane Statue in the Forbidden City, Beijing © Andrew Tomlinson

See article, page 1

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