SAMPLE POSITION PAPER AND RESOLUTION

Topic:  China on the Invasion of Ethiopia by Italian Forces (1935):

A.  In the past year, the nations of Italy and Ethiopia have been hurling an onslaught of recriminations and accusations against each other. A bitter conclusion to this verbal conflict is now the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. This marks the beginning of a new phase of this issue. This phase must be terminated quickly and efficiently to preserve the rights of sovereign nations against unprovoked aggression. Last December, Italian and Ethiopian troops engaged in battle at Walwal on a disputed section of the Ethiopian Somaliland frontier. While the Italian head-of-state Benito Mussolini demanded an apology and reparations, the Ethiopian leader, Emperor Haile Selassie I came to us, the League of Nations insisting that an investigation take place to determine the issue of responsibility.  It is clear to this delegation that Italy is invading Ethiopia in part, due to their previous defeat at the hands of the Ethiopians at the Battle of Adowa in 1896.

B.  Although no major battles have taken place at this time, the Italian Air Force is attacking with full might, and Ethiopia is accusing Italy of indiscriminate bombing of civilian targets and the use of biological warfare by means of chlorine gas.  Meanwhile, Italian troops are advancing slowly toward the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.  These facts clearly lay the blame upon Italy, who maintains that their invasion is intended to “restore order.”  China despises the use of biological warfare, and the meaningless assault on innocent civilians.  China desires for Italy to immediately cease all offensive actions, and remove all troops from Ethiopian territory.  Furthermore, China calls on the League of Nations to organize a commission to fully investigate the issue.  We would support world-wide economic sanctions against Italy if they refuse.

C.  Upon this basis, the nation of China stands to charge the state of Italy with a violation of the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928, which declares war to be unlawful, and of League of Nations charter, which states that the intention of the League of Nations is: (1) to promote international cooperation, and (2) to maintain peace by settling disputes peacefully and reducing armaments.  Although all nations are suffering through a Great Depression, failure to address unprovoked and unjust hostilities against sovereign states will only lead to further violence and a destabilization of the world order.

China proposes a resolution:

Protecting the rights of sovereign nations and specifically the citizens and government of Ethiopia,

Cognizant of the fact Italy has perpetrated heinous acts of cruelty against humanity,

Having examined the evidence thoroughly the following steps will be taken by this League of Nations:

 (1) Urges an immediate cease-fire and direct withdrawal of all Italian troops from Ethiopia's sovereign territory;

 (2) Authorizes the immediate adoption of economic sanctions banning international trade with Italy if they fail to comply with the conditions of section 1;

 (3) Further invites a daily committee to be organized for the purpose of reviewing of the topic conducted by a panel of representatives from the permanent members of the council not including the accused nation of Italy;

 (4) Strongly recommends a daily report on status by the Italian and Ethiopian delegation;

 (5) Emphasizes the need of an investigation team to Ethiopia to report to the review committee (from section 3 - and the assembly and council meetings;

 (6) Affirms the urgency for Italy to be temporarily removed of permanent member status (removal from Council but maintaining access to assembly) until this issue has been resolved, upon which Italy’s permanent status will be reinstated, removed, or Italy is expelled from the League of Nations depending on resolution of topic;

 (6a) If after 24 hours of passing, no plans for Italian troop withdrawal have been initiated, Italy will be dropped as a permanent member. If a plan is initiated, Italian permanent membership will remain temporarily invalid until all troops have been removed from Ethiopian territory at which time, permanent membership will be reinstated;

 (6b) If Italian troops are not removed from Ethiopian territory within 1 week, Italy will be dropped as a permanent member;

 (6c) If Italy is dropped as a permanent member, and no plans exist to remove troops in Ethiopia, or the troops are not being removed on a timely basis, then the Council will vote on further punishment or methods of dealing with the issue including expelling Italy from the League of Nations, notwithstanding military action.

 This issue is very sensitive for our nation as China is facing unprovoked aggression from Japan at this time and setting a standard in dealing with the problem is of paramount importance.

 (Source: Evan Rosenberg and Dan Snyder)