Historical Security Council
February 3rd- February 4th, 2017
Historical Security Council
Chairs:
Kaitlyn Earnest
Haylie Botts
Sachi Brown
Topics:
-Soviet Invasion of
Afghanistan
-The Escalation of
the Vietnam War
Surf City XIV
HBHS
February 3rd – February 4th, 2017
hbhsmun.webs.com
Historical Security Council
February 3rd- February 4th, 2017
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to Surf City XIV! On behalf of the Huntington Beach High School Model
United Nations Program, it is our pleasure and honor to welcome you to our thirteenth annual
advanced delegate conference, Surf City XIV. The Huntington Beach High School Model United
Nations Program is a nationally ranked organization with over thirty-six years of conference
management experience, making us one of the more senior MUN programs on the west coast. At
Surf City XIV, all committees are chaired by delegates in their Junior or Senior year who have
themselves competed at conferences across the nation. Our chairs also undergo a rigorous threemonth training program to ensure that they are experts in procedure and their topic, and at least
one of the chairs has had prior dais experience. Topic Synopses are thoroughly vetted by our
Secretariat and Advisor Staff along with outside consultation, to be sure they reflect only the
finest of our program. Topics and committees are chosen with an eye for relevance and
accessibility to delegates - we have never entertained any less-than-professional committees, and
nothing other than constructive debate is ever entertained on a committee floor. All of our staff is
readily accessible via email, and information is made available in a timely manner by email and
our website, hbhsmun.webs.com. We hope you’re excited as we are for this conference.
We also wanted to take this time to remind of the importance of research and preparation
for this conference. Surf City MUN has a reputation as a mecca for the most competitive and
knowledgeable delegates on the west coast, and we highly encourage you to invest your time to
ensure you can compete at that level. Position Papers are highly encouraged for each topic; you
can find the Position Paper Guideline on our website. To be considered for Research Awards,
papers must be submitted to your chairs by 11:59 P.M. on Friday, January 27th. The papers
must include an introductory section including topic background and country policy, a UN
involvement section, and lastly the delegate’s proposed solutions.
On behalf of all of us at HBHSMUN, we’d like to thank you for choosing to attend Surf
City XIV. We’re devoted to ensuring you have the best possible MUN experience you’ve had
yet, and with your help we’re confident we can achieve that aim. Should you have any questions
or concerns feel free to email the Secretariat at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing
you this February!
Sincerely,
______________________
Antoinette Nguyen
Secretary-General
_____________________
Emily Le
Under-Secretary-General
_______________________
Matthew Anderegg
Under-Secretary-General
_____________________
Cody Meicht
Under-Secretary General
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Historical Security Council
February 3rd- February 4th, 2017
Welcome to Historic Security Council at Surf City XIV
All questions and position papers can be sent to [email protected]
Hello delegates! My name is Kaitlyn Earnest and I am a senior at Huntington Beach High School
in my fourth year of MUN. Along with being involved in our MUN program, I also take part in
our school’s National Honors Society, UNICEF club, and play field hockey, which keeps me
busy with volunteering and sports almost everyday. When I am not busy with school activities or
stressing about college applications, I enjoy running, going to the beach, and playing with my
puppy boxer. I look forward to seeing you delegates in committee with creative solutions to help
solve these topics!
Hi delegates! My name is Haylie Botts and I am a senior in my fourth year of MUN here at
Huntington Beach High school. In my free time I love hanging out with friends, playing with
my dogs, volunteering at my church, and doing yoga. This is my first time chairing an advanced
conference, and I am so incredibly excited to be chairing Historic Security Council. I look
forward to hearing your innovative solutions during committee! If you have any questions please
do not hesitate to email us! We hope you have a wonderful experience here at Surf City!
Hi delegates! My name is Sachi Brown and I will be one of your chairs for Historic Security
Council at Surf City XIV. I am currently a junior at Huntington Beach High School with this
being my third year in MUN. Aside from MUN, I am an active board member for National
Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation at our school, in addition to taking part in
other clubs such as Charitee and Horizons. Outside of all my school activities, I love being able
to spend time with my 3 younger siblings, visit the beach, and get in any extra sleep while I can!
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in committee and wish the best of luck to all in their
research!
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Historical Security Council
February 3rd- February 4th, 2017
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
This committee is set on January 1st, 1980
Background:
In the wake of Afghan political illegitimacy and high Cold War tensions, the Soviet
Union initiated a direct move into Afghanistan on the night of December 24, 1979. i The USSR’s
action is attributable to an extensive preliminary series of events necessary in understanding their
elaborate motives and reasoning. From the beginning of USSR and US political opposition itself,
along with the preceding Afghan situation, each became a justifiable factor into the following
invasion. Because this was during the time of the Cold War, tensions between the US and USSR
drove them to increase influence in foreign nations; many smaller nations became pawns in the
US-Soviet game over communism.
The political vulnerability of Afghanistan in the prior time period allowed for
considerable space for the invasion itself to occur. Beginning in 1967, with the division of the
predominant Afghan political party, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA),
came a subsequent tensity between opposition groups.ii
On one end, the “Khalq” led by Noor Taraki held a more radical ideology in Marxist
beliefs, whereas the contrasting “Parcham” led by Babrak Karmal favored a gradual
development towards socialism. To some extent, the Khalq and Parcham did manage to briefly
join the PDPA together in 1973 against the Afghan monarchy of the time. As a result, Afghan
King Zahir Shah was successfully overthrown in a pro-Soviet coup led by Parcham supported
Mohammed Daoud. iii
The newly installed communist government was led by Daoud during the years following
the coup, only to be met with troubling outcomes due to difficulty handling the party split and
issues in tribal provinces. In the midst of Daoud’s complications, he only worsened his situation
by lessening the Soviet influence, resulting in further discontent from the Khalq since radical
government and military was simultaneously decreasing. Consequently, Daoud was assassinated
by Khalq supported rebel forces in the Saur Revolution of April 1978, leaving Taraki in his
place.
The new Taraki regime led to further internal chaos as deputy prime minister Hafizullah
Amin attempted to bolster his own influence in the nation. In the aftermath of Amin’s political
discords, the Afghan central communist government became widely denounced as rebellion
inflated amongst Islamic groups throughout the country. These revolts soon escalated into
growing violence and envy from Amin, resulting in yet another political execution of Taraki in
October of 1979. Amin, who has been accredited of backing Taraki’s execution, took power. At
the same time, instability began to widen from the progression of opposition Islamic Mujahideen
fighters, to which the Afghan government was unable to suppress. iv The Soviet Union, who
claimed Amin as unsuitable in withstanding national stability, became further convinced of the
need to replace him. On December 24, 1979, the USSR followed their convictions with the
invasion of nearly 30,000 troops in addition to the assassination of Amin who was replaced by
Babrak Karmal.v
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The Cold War tensions of the late 20th century also considerably influenced the Soviet
move into Afghanistan. Succeeding the end of World War II, divergences in political ideologies
between the democratic United States and socialist Soviet Union became significantly prominent
within international affairs of the time period. Though these two countries originally fought as
allies during the Second World War, growing mistrust between the two eventually developed
into political differences shown in events such as the invasion.
The Soviet Union’s decision to invade Afghanistan was amongst one of their many plans
to spread communism doctrines, while the US simultaneously aimed to contain it. vi The USSR
had sustained Afghanistan with militia and materials dating from 1955, which evidently
contributed towards the eventual installment of the communist PDPA party. With their clear
communist intentions present in Afghanistan under an unpopular party, the Soviet invasion gave
them an opportunity to prop up their political morals. Additionally, the Soviets had signed a
friendship treaty with Amin and Taraki in 1978, which allowed them to provide assistance at the
surge of threats. This gave the USSR yet another reason to move into the tumultuous nation once
they found fault in the Afghan government's ability to subdue the growing violence. Moreover,
the Soviets utilized the given circumstances in Afghanistan to make use of securing the
expansion of their communist ideological sphere.
In looking at the invasion itself, the Soviets had launched a tremendous, organized unit of
militia into Afghanistan. Within only a few days, they were able to take hold of key assets such
as the Afghan capital of Kabul and install Babrak Karmal as the new national head. At this point,
our prospective committee date on January 1, 1980 is in the brink of a complicated political
crossover, while opposition continues to roll out in the Afghan countryside.
United Nations Involvement:
Because of the Soviet and United States veto power within the Security Council, it
became very difficult to pass legislation during the Cold War, unless both sides supported it.
While most resolutions that went against either the US or USSR policies were not passed, there
was an incident in 1950 during a time in which the USSR was refusing to participate in the
Security Council (because China was not being represented by the main communist government,
but rather the anti-communist government of Taiwan).vii
Because the USSR was not there to veto resolutions, the United Nations permitted the
United States to enter troops into South Korea. There have also been cases in which the USSR
and US have teamed up during the Cold War against other international superpowers. In 1956,
both nations voted on a resolution to remove French, British, and Israeli military from the Suez
Canal (this was vetoed by France and Britain however, and did not pass). Even though there have
been few instances where one side prevailed over the other, or where the USSR and US
cooperated to vote the same way on a resolution, the common theme of the Cold War was voting
deadlock.
As a result of the difficulty in passing resolutions during the time period, the United
Nation’s focus had a major emphasis on humanitarian aid, and human rights within the region.
October of 1971, the General Assembly passed resolution A/RES/2757. This resolution was
dedicated to providing relief to the regions in Afghanistan that were most in need. viii They drew
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attention to the extensive need for aid and called upon the international community, as well as
NGOs, to put all resources available into helping stabilize the Afghanistan nation. Another main
goal of the United Nations during the 1970s was making peace worldwide. The secretary general
of the time, Kurt Waldheim, had taken part in many conflicts in attempts to make peace
(including the Vietnam War and Arab-Israeli dispute).
In 1974, the General Assembly held the sixth special session in order to increase
economic stableness in all countries. By negotiating internationally, the United Nations proved
that they were able to pass a series of resolutions that helped restore economic order. The United
Nations was in turn taken more seriously as an international body, as they proved that
cooperation among member states could lead to a census that actually implemented solutions. ix
The United Nations also showed that another one of their main goals of the time was to decrease
the gap between wealthy and poor nations.
After the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, the United Nations condemned their actions, and
ordered a removal of all military forces.x Because the Soviets did not invade until very late
December of 1979, it will take some time (January of 1980) until the United Nations becomes
heavily involved. Delegates must follow past UN policies regarding tensions between the USSR,
US, and the international community during the time of the Cold War, and apply UN actions to
country policy in order to create an effective resolution for the situation within Afghanistan from
1980 forward.
Case Study: The Role of Pakistan
The relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan played a pertinent role when the
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan began. These two nations have always been very similar in
ethnicity, religion and culture, yet due to previous historical tensions over border disputes,
Pakistan chose to support the resistance groups such as the Mujahideen fighting against the
Soviets. In order to understand why and how Pakistan chose to support the resistance regimes, it
is crucial to recognize the history between these two neighboring nations.
These historical tensions started during the creation of the Durand Line by British India,
which helped to establish Pakistan’s borders when it formed as a nation. Due to disagreements
on the placement and creation of the Durand Line by Afghanistan, they refused to accept it
officially after the Partition. xi When Pakistan was named a state in 1947, Afghanistan continued
to ignore this agreement of the Durand Line and tensions rose between the newly formed nation,
proved when Afghanistan abstained from voting on Pakistan joining the United Nations. These
feelings towards Pakistan and the border pursued into the Pashtunistan issue, or the annexation
of the Pashtun area of Western Pakistan by Afghanistan. xii
When the Soviets started to help Afghanistan with economic and military assistance, they
supported Afghanistan on the Pashtun region for annexation, thus the United States started to
back Pakistan on the issue, naturally protecting their policy of containment for communism. The
Soviets at this time developed a natural hatred toward Pakistan largely because of the Pashtun
region, and they even published an article in their national newspaper, Pravda, describing their
hostility towards Pakistan and support for Pashtun self-determination.xiii
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It was later believed that the Soviets supplied economic and military aid to Afghanistan
on the border between the two nations, only pushing Pakistan to be more hostile towards them in
future years. After a year of high tensions and even military intervention over the region,
Pashtunistan was never created, due to its large unpopularity among the populations of each
country. However, it did make Pakistan more weary about the security of its borders because of
increasing Soviet influence in Afghanistan and contributed to its decision to strongly support the
rebel cause.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s decision to support the rebel groups in Afghanistan was also an
ideological strategy for the Pashtunistan issue and to keep their borders strong from potential
annexation of their Western border. Rather than supporting Afghan resistance groups for
religious reason, it was more of strategy to protect their sovereignty, leading them to play a large
role and alliance with the US and anti-communist nations.xiv They used religious reasons as
justification for their actions and to receive funds for war and intervention purposes.
In December 1979, when the Soviets invaded to support the communist regime backed
government of Babrak Karmal against rebel groups, this fueled nations like the United States
into a coalition to support rebel group efforts. This coalition was formed by the United States, the
United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, China, and Pakistan. These nations combined their
intelligence services to train the Mujahideen (Islamist resistance group) and provide over 60,000
tons of weapons and ammunition each year into the war. xv Over 80% of coalition forces supplies
arrived in the port of Karachi in Pakistan; its geographical location proved crucial for this
coalition. Without Pakistan, this coalition would not have been able to operate as efficiently. xvi
Pakistan also played an important role in the training of guerilla groups, supplying
equipment and weapons, and lending the technology of its intelligence agency. Pakistan’s InterServices Intelligence (ISI) worked closely with the CIA to help operate training camps stationed
all over Pakistan.
In fact, the US and Pakistan’s combined intelligence agencies launched the longest
operation in CIA history to further rally the resistance groups against Soviets. This natural
alliance between the US and Pakistan not only gave Pakistan more comfort and support in
becoming more involved, but also is accredited with the creation and strength of the the
Mujahideen or holy warriors force. xvii
With the combination of their intelligence agencies, it is estimated that the Mujahideen
was comprised of a range of 40 Muslim countries to fight for their coalition. In addition, Pakistan
further helped the rebel’s cause by recruiting fighters through an ideological jihad campaign and
Islamic schools, convincing them to join the cause.
The majority of all participants of the Mujahideen resistance groups were trained in
Pakistan, no matter what country they are from, as many African nations sent troops to be trained
and fight in the Afghan War. For the financial aspect of the war, Pakistan is attributed for the
organization of the funds straight to Afghan-jihad resistance group. Moving into the 1980s,
Pakistan saw an increase in the support for the jihad-agenda and formed only stronger relations
with Afghan resistance groups.
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Questions to Consider:
1. Does your nation support the Soviets or the resistance fighters?
2. Look at actions taken after the set committee date. What aspects of them have failed, and
what ideas can be altered to improve the situation?
3. How did the involvement of nations like the United States and Pakistan affect the issue?
Did of hurt or help the situation?
4. Does your nation support the USSR’s invasion into Afghanistan in terms of state
sovereignty?
5. How did the Soviet Invasion affect the population of innocent civilians? How can your
nation aid the humanitarian situation of a war-torn state?
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The Sino Vietnamese Conflict
The date of committee is set on March 5th, 1979
Background:
Lasting from 1979 through 1990, the Sino Vietnamese conflict was the result of built up
tensions between Vietnam and China. The tension and fragility of their relationship is mainly
due to the alliances and relations built during the Vietnam War, leading to these historic conflicts
between these two nations throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Going back to the Vietnam War, the Indochinese Communist Party, commonly referred
to as the ICP, began in Vietnam in 1930 and was founded by Ho Chi Minh. xviii The Indochinese
Communist Party went on to form Viet Minh, right as Japan entered Vietnam in World War II.
Viet Minh’s main goal was to find independence for their communist state, and to spread
communism throughout the nation under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh. xix Japan was later
forced to surrender, in 1945, as they gave the state of Vietnam over to Ho Chi Minh, who then
announced the country as the independent state of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. xx
When Japan withdrew from Vietnam, the country was left in a state of devastation,
leaving two million to die of starvation and giving Ho Chi Minh a chance to capitalize on the
disheveled nation to advance his Viet Minh movement. xxi With the withdrawal of the Japanese,
the French infiltrated the country, and war erupted between the French and Viet Minh; the start
of this was in November of 1946 when the French struck out against Viet Minh at Haiphong.
China soon backed Ho Chi Minh, as they sent economic and military aid in the form of weapons
and training to the northern communists of Vietnam. While in 1950, The People’s Republic of
China and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) acknowledged and supported Ho Chi
Minh’s Democratic Republic of Vietnam; the United States of America (president Harry S.
Truman at the time) refused the claims that Vietnam was a sovereign state.
In 1954, Viet Minh conquered the French at Dien Bien Phu, which signified the
termination of the French colonial rule in Indochina. xxii The Geneva conference of 1954 then
divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel, and called for a ceasefire. xxiii Ho Chi Minh ruled the
communist north, and Bao Dai ruled the anti-communist south. The treaty had established that
elections were to be held to find a leader for the newly found country; however, the United States
forced Ngo Dinh Diem upon the South because he supported US policies. The newly established
South government refused to hold elections, as there was a very high probability that Ho Chi
Minh would be elected the new leader of Vietnam. In 1955, Ngo Dinh Diem became leader of
the anti-communist south, replacing Bao Dai. xxiv War broke out between the north and the south
when the south refused to rejoin with the north. Violence soon began to spread to nearby
countries in Cambodia and Laos.
The United States’ main reason for their involvement in the civil war in Vietnam was to
prohibit the expansion of communism. xxv Because this was during the time of the Cold War
between the USA and USSR, the United States was very focused on its containment policy, and
their fear of the domino theory (if one country fell to communism, all of those around it would
soon become under communist rule as well). In addition to aiding and sending troops into the
South, they previously poured millions of dollars to support the French against Indochina. In
addition, the USSR was very adamant on supporting communist nations within the international
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community, and opposing the West. The USSR and China were to first countries to acknowledge
Ho Chi Minh’s Democratic Republic of Vietnam. While the US did invade Vietnam, many argue
that they could have been more aggressive, specifically using nuclear weapons against the North.
It is important to note that too much US involvement in the war could result in Soviet backlash.
The US focused on the conflict in Vietnam (although they secretly attacked Laos and
Cambodia).
On November 2nd, 1963, president Ngo Dinh Diem was assassinated. By this point, the
North had militarily destroyed South Vietnam. Seeing that South Vietnam’s fight was coming to
an end, the United States increased their influence within the region. In the next year, 1964, the
United States officially enters the Vietnam War.
In 1964, the Gulf of Tonkin incident marked a major turning point in the US’s
involvement of the war. Previously, the United States had focused mainly on training South
Vietnamese soldiers and sailors to fight against the North. In the Gulf of Tonkin incident, the
United States had bombed two islands controlled by the North Vietnamese, and the US’s
destroyer Maddox had been spying in waters that were known to be North Vietnamese territory.
When North Vietnamese boats charged toward the United States to chase them out of the waters,
the United States shot at North Vietnamese, in which they described to be warning fires. The
next day the United States then sent in another ship, the Turner Joy, to attack the vietnamese
boats again. On August 4th, when the United States sent reports of being attacked again by
Vietnam, President Lyndon B. Johnson increased the country’s military aggression towards
North Vietnam.xxvi The United States then passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which allowed
president LBJ to take control over the way the US handled the Vietnam and took over the
majority of the fighting against North Vietnam and Viet Minh through the mid-1960s. Then by
1968, over half a million American troops were involved in Vietnam. However, due to lack of
public support from Americans at home and the continual decrease of military success, the
United States began to withdraw in 1969 and strengthen South Vietnam and prepare them for
American withdrawal. The Paris Peace Accords in 1973 marked the end of US involvement in
the Vietnam War and they officially and completely were gone in 1975. xxvii Signifying the end of
the Vietnam War, the relationships and involvement of nations like the United States and Soviet
Union played a large role in the Sino Vietnamese War.
With the victory of Vietnam against American forces and now Vietnam’s close ties with
the Soviets, the Chinese felt this as a large threat to their own security. The USSR’s involvement
post-war in Vietnam became stronger after the “Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation” signed in
November of 1978, which angered and made China feel threatened due to the Soviets’
opposition of Chinese opening trade into the West. xxviii Under the Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping,
China began an economic reform during the 1970s, further increasing trade into the West, and
these Chinese actions angered the Soviets as many western nations (the United States) were
actively opposed to their communist policy. These tensions also led to the discrimination and
oppression of the Chinese minority, the Hoa people, in Vietnam and the further mass departure
of thousands of Hoa people across the border to China.xxix That last straw between China and
Vietnam’s conflict-filled relationship was Vietnam’s occupation in Cambodia. The Khmer
Rouge was actively killing millions of their own people while and simultaneously launching
raids against Vietnamese at their border too from 1975-1978. The largest raid being the Ba Chuc
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massacre which killed over 3,000 people. Thus, in December of 1978, Vietnam fully invaded
Cambodia with over 50,000 troops in order to put down Pol Pot. The Chinese however supported
the Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot, because was influenced by the Mao cultural revolution in
China in which he based his agenda. With Vietnam’s success at ousting Pol Pot and the quick
defeat of the Khmer Rouge, China in response launched an invasion of Vietnam, signifying the
start of the Sino Vietnamese War. xxx
Starting in January of 1979, China began to prepare for an attack of Vietnam, calling on
their allies for help as Deng Xiaoping visited the United States to ensure their backing. Then, on
February 15, China officially ended their 30-year alliance with Vietnam, and shortly after
invaded with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). With over 200,000 troops, they were
divided into 20 divisions with 400 tanks and 1,500 artillery weapons marching through North
Vietnam with a scorched-earth policy. Vietnam quickly pulled their remaining troops from
Cambodia and launched a counterattack to defend the Chinese target of Long Son. The PLA then
advanced to Long Son, a strategic location to control Hanoi and the Red River Delta. Yet the
PLA’s forces were too strong as they kept pushing the Vietnamese forces back until they were
surrounded by March 2nd. From here, the Chinese continued to obliterate the surrounding cities
like Long Son to the ground, until they finally announced on March 5th that Vietnam had learned
their lesson through enough punishment. China’s punishment for Vietnam resulted in a couple of
conclusions.xxxi First, that the Soviets were not the allies Vietnam once thought they were, as
they didn’t take direct military action and only supplied equipment, weapons, and stationed
troops to protect their own borders from possible invasion. Second, that the tension in the
relationship between Vietnam and China would result further conflicts and casualties throughout
the 1980s, seeing as approximately 150,000 people were killed alone in the first short conflict
from February to March. xxxii These continual tensions only resulted in several other border
disputes causing unnecessary humanitarian devastation, loss of agriculture and industries
resulting in economic decline, and many more border skirmishes over the years. The date of the
committee is now March 5th and PLA troops are pulling out of Vietnam; it is now the question
of how to repair relations between the two nations to prevent future conflicts while alleviating
the war-torn nation with humanitarian aid.
United Nations Involvement:
Despite the international controversy in yet another communist versus anticommunist
showdown, the United Nations was very reluctant to take action in the Indochinese conflicts,
including the one of Sino-Vietnam. Their actions were limited to miniscule statements with
minimal powers and capabilities. Their reluctance to take action was fueled by previous United
Nations Security Council involvement in previous wars, specifically with the Cold War. Another
component that held back the UN from stepping in was due to the veto power. Since the United
States and the Soviet Union held veto power in Security Council, these anti-communist and
communist nations had to agree on issues to have joint implementation of United Nations aid.
For instance, during the Cold War, US and the Soviets joined forces so the UN could act on the
Suez Canal Crisis in order to give the canal back to Egypt and halt French and British forces
from invading Egypt further. xxxiii However, these two big five nations did not agree on most
issues, such as during the Korean War, forcing Security Council to go against Soviet’s wishes.
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Security Council granted the US President Truman, in S/RES/80, to send troops to defend South
Korea about communist North Korea. xxxiv Both of these examples showing the importance of the
cooperation between big five nations in order for Security Council to take action, which is one
aspect of why the United Nations did not become majorly involved within Indochinese conflicts.
In addition, another frequently asked question is why the United Nations took action in
the Korean War and not the Indochinese conflicts. With the Korean War, the United Nations was
lucky in that the Soviets ignored their action due to frustration in that the anti-communist Taiwan
held China’s seat in the big five, therefore the UN could pass resolutions and send in
peacekeepers without worrying about a veto from the Soviet Union. However, in Indochinese
conflicts, there was nothing the Security Council could do to stop it. With three of the big five or
permanent members on opposite sides of the conflict, the US, Soviet Union, China, and
Vietnam’s colonial parent France, each of these nations would object and veto proposals by the
UN if they were not in their best interest. With no interjection by the UN, it was left up to nations
to decide if they wanted to intervene on their own. Though the US for the Korean War had a duty
not through a treaty, but as a United Nations member; yet with Indochina, there was no treaty
obligation or call by the United Nations to support any given resolutions.
However, back in the Second Indochina War (Vietnam War), the Security Council did
first met upon the United States’ request at Geneva Conference in 1954, attended by China,
USSR, China, France, and the United Kingdom to deal with the issues related to Asia. The
discussion if the Vietnam war began at this conference after France lost the worst defeat of the
war at Dien Bien Phu. At this conference, they came to an agreement, which included France
removing their troops from Northern Vietnam, Vietnam would be split at the 17th parallel, and
an election would be held in two years to elect a president to unify the country. However, this
agreement was not signed by Vietnam or United States, as many nations believed it was a failure
in its hasty creation and undermined by Cold War intentions. These nations of Vietnam,
Cambodia, and Laos all signed a ceasefire at the Geneva Convention of 1954, showing steps in
the right direction towards peace in the warring nations of Indochina.
Additionally during the previous Vietnam War, the Secretary General from 1961 to 1971,
U Thant, condemned the Vietnam War to the public and worked towards improving diplomatic
relations of Vietnam and the United States. He also reinforced the ideas of the Non-Aligned
Movement in which is stressed the individual rights of developing and third world countries to
be independent as a sovereign nations and to deal with their own matters without intervention
from the United States and Soviet Union. xxxv This is yet another reason displaying his reluctance
for intervening in Indochinese conflicts.
Specifically in the Sino-Vietnamese conflict, the United Nations did happen to take note
of many of Vietnam’s actions. Following the Khmer Rouge’s rise to power in the Cambodian
capital of Phnom Penh, the United Nations greatly condemned Vietnam’s support of the
government. The United Nations Security Council did try to handle the issue as well but could
not due to disagreements between the five permanent member states with veto power. Unable to
come to a binding decision, the United Nations General Assembly took up the matter in 1979.
Following their condemnation of Vietnam’s actions, they additionally called for the withdrawal
of Vietnamese troops in Cambodia along with self-determination of the population. xxxvi The
United Nations Secretary General of the time also made significant efforts to address the
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humanitarian concerns of the Cambodian people affected. Thousands had fled for refuge due to
the precursory corruption and violence, which was addressed through UN affiliated relief
assistance.
The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) also opposed the newly installed
Vietnamese-backed government. The ASEAN chairman at the time, Mochtar Kusumaatmadja,
did so with the issuing of a denunciation of Vietnam’s behavior. xxxvii Furthermore, Vietnam’s
overarching actions greatly declined their relations with the United Nations, even though the UN
as a whole was incapable of enforcing any effective measures on the issue. Though the United
Nations did present dismal opposition towards Vietnam’s wrongdoings, their overall reluctance
and incapability due to the Security Council’s disagreements made it difficult for them to play a
major role.
Case Study: Vietnam’s Influence on Cambodia and Laos
As the Vietnam War continually unfolded in the later 20th century, a similar scene began
to occur within the surrounding nations. Like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos had also been under
the colonial ruling of France as part of French Indochina. Much of the independent and political
ways of thinking that rolled out in Vietnam influenced similar movements to follow in Cambodia
and Laos in the coming years.
Cambodia gained their independence from France eight years later than Vietnam in 1953.
Initially, Cambodia was led by Prince Norodom Sihanouk, who claimed a neutral stance in
Vietnam’s conflict, but simultaneously allowed for Vietnamese communists to hide out on their
border. He was eventually met with opposing policies as a successful coup was performed on
March 18, 1970 by US aligned Marshal Lol Nol. xxxviii Meanwhile, a widening threat from the
communist Khmer Rouge began to grow in opposition to this new leadership (Sihanouk had
joined alliance with them as well). What resulted was a five-year civil war between the two
political contestants. The Khmer Rouge led by dictatorial Pol Pot was being additionally aided
by communist North Vietnam during the conflict. Similarly, the United States was aiding the
Cambodian government in the war by methods such as bombs. xxxix By 1975, the Khmer Rouge
had become withstanding in the fighting, as they were able to get hold of the Cambodian capital,
Phnom Penh, and install their communist systems. A near 300,000 people were thought to be
killed from the prolonged violence and foreign intervention. xl
Laos also followed a similar pattern as Cambodia following the events that arose in
Vietnam. For Laos, independence proved more complicated that it was for Vietnam or
Cambodia. Following World War II, Laotian nationalism grew significantly due to discontent
with foreign occupation from the previous time period. When the French regained control over
Laos in 1946, tensions rose immensely. In 1950, the Lao Freedom Front nationalist group led by
Souphanouvong (who supported Ho Chi Minh) created the Pathet Lao as somewhat of an
extension of Vietnam’s Viet Minh. xli The Pathet Lao then initiated a civil war in Laos in 1953
against the French with support from the Viet Minh. By November 9th, 1953, Laos had gained
full independence from France and installed a constitutional monarchy. In 1957, a coalition
government was proposed as an invitation to the Pathet Lao, but collapsed the following year due
to suspicions from the United States regarded communist connections. At this point, yet another
civil war was stimulated between the US supported monarchy and Pathet Lao. In the midst of
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February 3rd- February 4th, 2017
this, the North Vietnamese communists intervened into Laos to create a passageway for supplies
and people to reach the Viet Minh in South Vietnam. By the 1960s, conflict continued to surge
between the two groups and their foreign supporters. The US involvement made combat tenser;
however, the Pathet Lao managed to become considerably successful, especially once the US
suspended bombardments in 1973. By April 1973, another coalition government was agreed
upon with equal representation between the two groups. However, by 1975, the Pathet Lao
managed to gradually expand into a complete communist rule of the Laos government.
Cambodia and Laos both displayed substantial representations of the Vietnam War’s
influence in neighboring regions. Ironically, the three nations that were once previously
contained under the colonial spectrum of French Indochina ended up following similar paths
towards their nation’s political futures. Vietnam’s ability to bring about political movement in
nations beyond its own portrays the revolutionary capability they held.
Questions to Consider:
1. Country Policy: Which side does your country support? The communist North or the
anti-communist South? Also, did your country have any goals from the Geneva
conference in 1954? Are you for the reunification or the splitting up of Vietnam?
2. Should the United Nations become more involved and play a role in the reconstruction of
the divided state of Vietnam?
3. What should be done to solve the humanitarian devastation of the country?
4. What effects did the Vietnam War have on its surrounding nations and how should these
countries play a role?
5. Did the United States overstep their boundaries by intervening on a sovereign nation?
i
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviet-tanks-roll-into-afghanistan
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-july-dec06-soviet_10-10/
iii https://history.state.gov/milestones/1977-1980/soviet-invasion-afghanistan
iv http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/modern-world-history-1918-to-1980/the-coldwar/russian-invasion-of-afghanistan/
v
https://www.britannica.com/event/Soviet-invasion-of-Afghanistan
vi http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/cold-war-history
vii http://www.crf-usa.org/america-responds-to-terrorism/united-nations-fifty-years
ii
viii
https://documents-ddsny.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/327/73/IMG/NR032773.pdf?OpenElement
ix
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/United-Nations/The-Secretary-GeneralDEVELOPMENTS-UNDER-KURT-WALDHEIM-1972-1981.html
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x
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-july-dec06-soviet_10-10/
xihttp://noref.no/var/ezflow_site/storage/original/application/daf97b6b68b9445f85c58923a3afdeb
3.pdf
xiihttp://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/wcm/connect/5c14d3004f018b08ace5ec3170baead1/A
RI372008_Harrison_Pashtunistan_Afghanistan_Pakistan.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=5c14d3
004f018b08ace5ec3170baead1
xiii
https://www.scribd.com/document/117245149/Conflict-and-Peace-Studies
xivhttp://noref.no/var/ezflow_site/storage/original/application/daf97b6b68b9445f85c58923a3afde
b3.pdf
xv http://www.understandingwar.org/russia-and-afghanistan
xvihttp://noref.no/var/ezflow_site/storage/original/application/daf97b6b68b9445f85c58923a3afde
b3.pdf
xvii https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/pakistans-role-in-the-afghanistan-wars-outcome/
xviii http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/ho-chi-minh
xix
http://alphahistory.com/vietnamwar/viet-minh/
xx
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/vietnam-war/timeline-of-the-vietnam-war/
xxi
http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index-1945.html
xxii
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/french-defeated-at-dien-bien-phu
xxiii
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/geneva-conference-begins
xxiv
http://www.dummies.com/education/history/american-history/examining-the-leaders-ofnorth-and-south-vietnam/
xxv
http://asianhistory.about.com/od/asianhistoryfaqs/f/whyvietnamfaq.htm
xxvi
http://www.history.com/news/the-gulf-of-tonkin-incident-50-years-ago
xxvii
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-16568035
http://www.larouchepub.com/eiw/public/1978/eirv05n48-19781212/eirv05n4819781212_032-the_ussr_vietnam_treaty.pdf
xxix http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/06/27/china.vietnam.timeline/
xxx http://www.historynet.com/war-of-the-dragons-the-sino-vietnamese-war-1979.htm
xxviii
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xxxi
xxxii
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/october242010/vietnam-china-tk.php
http://www.historynet.com/war-of-the-dragons-the-sino-vietnamese-war-1979.htm
http://www.crf-usa.org/america-responds-to-terrorism/united-nationsfifty-years
xxxiii
http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/RES/80(195
xxxiv
0)
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/1966/11/17/u-thant-and-vietnamthe-untold-story/
xxxv
xxxvi
http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/unamicbackgr.html
xxxvii
http://countrystudies.us/indonesia/99.htm
xxxviii
http://www.coldwar.org/articles/70s/KhmerRougeandCambodia.asp
https://www.britannica.com/event/Indochina-wars#ref764002
xl http://www.cambodiatribunal.org/history/cambodian-history/khmer-rouge-history/
xli http://alphahistory.com/vietnamwar/laos-during-vietnam-war/
xxxix
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