CHEEKI BREEKI

Orlando Rivera
1-11-15
Wakefield High School
United Nations Security Council: Weapons of Mass Destruction Diplomacy

Since the beginning of the Cold War, weapons of mass destruction have had a major influence in international affairs, and with good reason. Their ability to kill large amounts of people and/or damage huge areas in a short amount of time is extremely well known. Although most nuclear weapons are in the hand of countries, the materials to construct one, as well as weapons under loose security, are prime targets for terrorists to acquire for their own agendas. In addition to the threat of nuclear terrorism, their is always the continued risk of terrorists either acquiring or creating biological or chemical weapons and using them on major population centers. Thus, weapons of mass destruction are a massive risk to the security of the world.

Although having never possessed any sort of weapons of mass destruction on it's soil, Lithuania is completely against the proliferation of WMDs. Lithuania has signed several treaties that ban the proliferation of many types of WMDs. These treaties include the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention, and The Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation. Although their have never been any nuclear weapons on our soil, Lithuania used to have two Chernobyl-type 1,500 megawatt RBMK reactors, which we were forced to shut down due to not meeting IAEA safety regulations. Lithuania has no plans to acquire WMDs at any point in the foreseeable future.

Lithuania's proposed solution is to create a comprehensive resolution with two major goals in mind. The first goal is a unification of all the current WMD treaties into a single document. The second goal is to strengthen current legislation which is designed to prevent terrorists from acquiring either WMDs or the means to create them by expanding the UN's capability to actively seek out and prosecute both any terrorists with WMDs, as well as their suppliers.

Orlando Rivera
1-11-15
Wakefield High School
United Nations Security Council: Situation in Ukraine

Originally starting as a series of anti-government protests, the situation in Ukraine has grown into one of the foremost issues in the world of international relations. With part of the country being annexed by Russia, and the continued unrest brought by about by both Ukrainian and Russian separatists, the situation shows no signs of improving in the near future. In addition to local problems, the situation in Ukraine has also raised tensions between the West and Russia, which has resulted in the placement of economic sanctions on Russia.

Although a fair distance away from Ukraine, Lithuania is deeply concerned of the potential security risks the situation brings with it. As of December 19, 2014, Lithuania has established two new rapid reaction units following the NATO Summit in Wales during the month of September. This rapid reaction force is the first of it's kind, with several other NATO members planning to follow suit. In addition, Lithuania has sent limited military aid to the Ukrainian armed forces to help with resolving the situation.

Lithuania's proposed solution is to continue to provide limited military aid to the Ukrainian armed forces in two ways. The first is to provide the Ukrainian armed forces with more modern hardware to replace most of their Soviet Union era equipment. The second is to reinforce the joint unit between the nations of Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania with additional soldiers to support continued peacekeeping operations in the region. We do not plan on committing full combat forces into the conflict at this time, nor in the near future.