2008 September Una-tampa Bay Newsletter

Inside this issue Solutions Luncheon ................... 1 UN News ..................................... 2

UNA-USA United Nations Association

Darfur Update ............................. 3

Tampa Bay Chapter

Chapter Info................................ 4

www.unatampabay.org

Contact Info………………………..5

“Working Together for Peace, Freedom and Justice”

Sept. 2008 Volume XXXII, No. 7

BROKERING SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL PROBLEMS: THE UNITED NATIONS IN THE 21ST CENTURY Presented by

Dr. Steven Roach, Department of Government and International Affairs University of South Florida The UNA Solutions Luncheon will be held in Ybor City at the Historic Columbia Restaurant.

Saturday, September 27, 2008 TIME: 11:30am to 2:00pm Colombia Restaurant (map p.4) 2117 E 7th Ave (Ybor City) Tampa, FL 33605 Dr. Roach is Assistant Professor in the Department of Government and International Affairs at the University of South Florida. Dr. Roach is the author of various publications including his forthcoming work: Critical Theory of International Politics (2008). His principal research interests lie in three particular areas: the intersection of international law and politics, the construction of a critical IR theory research program, and the formulation of systematic, historical models of global governance. Followed by the presentation there will be a discussion panel addressing:

What should be the most effective advocacy agenda for the UNA Tampa Bay chapter for Join us for this strategic meeting and to meet the

this election year? You may [email protected] or go to www.unatampabay.org

Greater Tampa Bay’s

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international professionals.

NOMINATION OF TOP HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL

FULL COURSE LUNCHEON COST $25

UNA-USA calls upon all UN member states, particularly the United States, to support the nomination of Judge Pillay who is singularly qualified to serve as High Commissioner in an era when human rights issues increasingly take center stage in relations among nations. UNA-USA welcomes the nomination of Navanethem Pillay of South Africa to succeed Louise Arbour as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Judge Pillay brings a distinguished professional career in law and human rights to her new post; she also has been a prominent voice over many years in support of women’s rights, particularly leading the international community to take strong positions on crimes perpetrated against women during conflict. Judge Pillay currently serves as a judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and had previously been president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). In this latter position, she was responsible for the administration and management of the tribunal and worked hard to overcome allegations of shortcomings in the operation of the ICTR. Cont’d pg 2.

“The highest destiny of the individual is to serve rather than to rule”. -Albert Einstein

Tampa Bay Chapter

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

NOMINATION OF JUDGE

2

UNA-USA ENCOURAGES INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY IN

Dear Members, Welcome back and ensure you had a wonderful

U.S. ELECTION

summer! We have a busy and exciting year

Dr. Bill McReynolds, Vice-President of

ahead of us and look forward to having each and

Government Affairs & Advocacy

every one of you involved with this year’s programs. Our United Nations Public Service Day Event, featuring Tampa’s Mayor Pam Iorio was an absolute success! Thank you to Dr. William McReynolds and Jill Isaac for putting together a lovely evening, and for all of you who assisted. Voting is a fundamental right in a free and democratic society. Connecting with our elected officials is instrumental in our advocacy plan.

Navanethem Pillay (Con’t from p.1) Judge Pillay led the tribunal to take advanced positions on crimes against women, especially establishing mass rape as a crime rather than assimilating it into more general criminal categories such as assault. Judge Pillay becomes High Commissioner for Human Rights at a pivotal moment in the history of this important United Nations post.

I encourage you to visit www.unausa.org, click on the Mobilizes button, and explore the ways you can act. I look forward to seeing you all at the historic Ybor City Columbia Restaurant for a luncheon titled Brokering Solutions to Global Problems: The UN in the 21st Century. Please visit our website to RSVP for this event. Warm Regards,

Sixty years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations is more than ever called upon to address human rights violations whenever and wherever they may occur. Judge Pillay has a strong reputation both as a leader and as an advocate for human rights. Source: www.unausa.org

National surveys indicate that the American public strongly favors international cooperation over national go-it-alone policies to resolve the world's most important problems. The 2008 presidential and congressional elections provide UNA-USA members with an opportunity to initiate debate on the importance of multilateral cooperation in advancing America’s foreign policy priorities. In the upcoming elections, UNAUSA members can voice their opinions and help educate the public and candidates about the necessity of international cooperation in solving the world’s great global challenges, from poverty to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to climate change. This election cycle is a unique opportunity to reinforce with the American people that the

Kelly Miliziano

United Nations is the world’s platform for

Tampa Bay Chapter President

A LOOK AT PUBLIC SERVICE DAY

working together— and sharing responsibilities— for international peace and security. Strengthening the U.S.-UN partnership will help enhance American security and rebuild our reputation in the world. Bearing in mind that UNA-USA takes no position on specific candidates or parties, all UNA-USA members are encouraged to take advantage of the national discussion that is occurring as an opportunity to educate the public and make our common voice heard.

Mayor Iorio addresses the UNA Tampa Bay Chapter for

The UNA Tampa Bay Chapter listening to Mayor Iorio

UNA-USA members in the Tampa Bay

Public Service Day at the University of Tampa.

speaks on Public Service.

area can play key roles in this effort by asking questions during local campaign events and on talk radio programs, organizing congressional candidate forums, by getting involved in the election campaigns of chosen candidates, registering voters and otherwise acting to “get out the vote.”

Need more ideas about how to get involved? Go to

An audience member addresses the issue about the

The Tampa Bay community signing up to

global problem of child trafficking.

volunteer with various public service groups.

the 2008 Presidential Election page of the UNA-USA website or talk to the Chapter Directors through:

www.unatampabay.org

Tampa Bay Chapter

3

ARRESTING THOSE WHO BRUTALLY SLAUGHTER UNA-USA Statement in Support of ICC Prosecutor Action on Darfur and United States Engagement to Ensure Arrest Warrants Are Not Blocked

Ambassador William H. Luers, president of the United Nations Association of the USA, issued the following statement concerning the International Criminal Court's Darfur investigation: The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) supports the decision of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to bring justice to the victims of atrocities in Darfur and calls on the United States to ensure that the UN Security Council does not block any efforts to execute arrest warrants for Darfur suspects, including a potential arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir. The ICC Prosecutor’s application for an arrest warrant for President Bashir of Sudan is an important step to ensure that there is no impunity for alleged crimes committed in Darfur. UNA-USA applauds this action and others by the ICC to bring justice where otherwise there would be no accountability. UNA-USA has supported the ICC investigation in Darfur since the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1593 on March 31, 2005, which referred the situation to the Court. Despite a Bush Administration policy of opposition to the ICC, the US did not veto the resolution. The ICC opened a formal investigation in June 2006 and named its first Darfur suspects, Sudanese Humanitarian Affairs Minister Ahmed Harun and Janjaweed militia leader Ali Kushayb, in February 2007. Both individuals are still at large and the Government of Sudan has refused to hand them over. On July 14, 2008, the ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo filed an application for an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir on 10 counts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. A decision on the arrest warrant for President Bashir is expected in the fall. The Rome Statute, the treaty that governs the ICC, specifies that heads of state will not have immunity or amnesty for crimes within the ICC’s jurisdiction. UNA-USA believes that the Security Council should seek enforcement of the mandate it gave to the ICC by all parties concerned. The UN Security Council conferred jurisdiction over Darfur to the ICC and asked it to investigate atrocity crimes committed by the parties to the conflict. Under Resolution 1593, all parties to the Darfur conflict must cooperate with the ICC, including the arrest and surrender of individuals to the Court. The Government of Sudan, which has signed but not ratified the Rome Statute, must cooperate with the Court as a UN member state. As a signatory, Sudan is obligated not to defeat the Statute’s object and purpose. For more information please go to ww.unausa.org

The UNA Tampa Bay Chapter has been assisting in addressing this issue since 2005, by involving the international leaders in the local community. The chapter has been standing up against the atrocities through education, involvement of the media, and the help of influential leaders.

The UNA Tampa Bay Chapter took up the initiative to inform the Tampa Bay community on the Darfur issue in 2005 through a luncheon and is supporting the cause at a national level. The Lost Boys of Sudan spoke to the community about the genocide and their heinous experiences.

Tampa Bay Chapter 4

BE PREPARED…

MARK YOUR

BROKERING SOLUTIONS TO

NATURAL

CALENDAR FOR

GLOBAL PROBLEMS: THE UN IN

DISASTERS UP

UPCOMING UNA

MORE THAN 400%

EVENTS

THE 21ST CENTURY LUNCHEON $25 On Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:30am to 2:00pm

It’s not just Florida. The number of natural disasters around the world has

At

increased by more than four times in the last 20 years, according to a report released by the British charity Oxfam. It found that the earth is currently experiencing approximately 500 natural disasters per year, compared with 120 per year in the early 1980s. The number of weatherrelated disasters in 2006 was 240,

SATURDAY 27th SEPTEMBER UNA Solutions Luncheon

compared with 60 in 1980.At the same time, the number of geologically

In 1905 Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr. founded Florida’s oldest and largest Spanish restaurant, which has been run by his family for the past 100 years. The Columbia Restaurant began in

FRIDAY 24th

Tampa’s Ybor City section as a modest corner café

steady. "We are talking about some

OCTOBER

and was originally best known for its Cuban coffee,

very unusual floods in West Africa,

United Nations Day

related natural disasters has held

very unusual floods in East Africa, extraordinary floods in Mexico and

authentic Cuban sandwiches, and for being a frequent hangout of local cigar factory workers.

SATURDAY 15th

You may [email protected] or go to

waves in Greece and eastern Europe,"

NOVEMBER

www.unatampabay.org

report author John Magrath said. “This

Board of Directors Chapter

parts of Central America, and heat

is no freak year," said Oxfam director Barbara Stocking. "It follows a pattern

Elections

of more frequent, more erratic, more unpredictable and more extreme weather events that are affecting more people. "Between 1985 and 1994, Oxfam found that 174 million people

DECEMBER TBD UNA Membership Holiday Party

were affected by disasters each year. In the following decade, this figure increased by 70 percent to 254 million people per year. The increasing disaster rate has disproportionately affected the poor, the report noted.

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” Sir Wintston Churchill (1874-1965)

Tampa Bay Chapter

ELBARADEI WARNS AGAINST A STRIKE ON IRAN

The Israeli military said its air force regularly

5

RUSSIA AND WEST AT ODDS

trains for various missions in order to confront

OVER UN GEORGIA

and meet the challenges posed by the threats

RESOLUTION

facing Israel. Israel attacked and destroyed the Osirak nuclear facility in Iraq in 1981 and attacked a target in Syria that the United States believes was a nuclear reactor. Israel and Iran long have been arch-enemies. Israel has long felt threatened by Iran's hardA military strike on Iran would turn the Middle

line Islamic regime. Recently, Israel Deputy

East "into a ball of fire," said Mohamed

Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz said the Jewish

ElBaradei, the head of the United Nations'

state "will attack" Iran if it doesn't halt its

nuclear watchdog agency. Mohamed ElBaradei,

efforts to develop nuclear weaponry. Iran's

U.N. nuclear watchdog chief, warned of the

United Nations delegation has sent a letter to

dangers of a strike on Iran.

the U.N. secretary-general and Security

ElBaradei made the remarks in an interview

Council protesting the threat.

aired on Saturday by Al Arabiya TV. The

ElBaradei said in the interview that if a

interview comes a day after reports emerged that

military strike would occur, "then I do not

Israel conducted a large-scale military exercise

think there will be any need for my work at all.

that the United States believes is in part a

I will have no way to continue my job if a

message to Iran that Israel has the capability to

military force is mobilized (against Iran)."

attack its nuclear program.

Source: CNN

"In my opinion, any military strike -- as I mentioned -- is the worst thing that can happen now," said ElBaradei, head of the International

UNITED NATIONS - Russia and key Western nations remained at odds Thursday over a U.N. resolution aimed at bringing peace to Georgia, with the U.S., France and Britain insisting on immediate withdrawal of Russian troops and a commitment to Georgia's territorial integrity, according to U.N. diplomats. Russia put its draft resolution, which restates and endorses a six-point peace plan promoted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and signed last week by Russia and Georgia, into a final form that can be put to a vote in the U.N. Security Council. But Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin did not indicate when he would call for a vote. "Our draft resolution is a reconfirmation of the six-point agreement, and there's no territorial integrity in the six principles," Churkin said after a council meeting Thursday called by Russia. "We believe the six principles are clear and already implemented." But the U.S. and its European allies have criticized Russia for remaining in Georgia and performing military operations despite last week's cease-fire. The agreement says both Russian and Georgian forces must move back to positions they held before fighting broke out Aug. 7 in Georgia's South Ossetia region, which has close ties to Russia.

Atomic Energy Agency. The American, British and French envoys made clear Thursday that they won't accept a resolution that doesn't include clarifications of the six-point plan including an immediate Russian withdrawal and reaffirmation of Georgia's territorial integrity.

"It will make the Middle East turn into a ball of fire. It is a lot worse than having sanctions. A military strike will lead Iran, even if it plans today to manufacture a nuclear weapon, to establish a crash course to speed the process to have the

"What we see on the ground is the result of ambiguity," U.S. deputy ambassador Alejandro Wolff said. "We have a presence of so-called Russian peacekeeping forces at key Georgian choke points that will control economic life, it will control humanitarian activities ... That's why clarifications are so important."

weapon with the blessing of all Iranians, even those living in the West." A U.S. military official confirmed to CNN on Friday that Israel conducted a major aerial military exercise over the eastern Mediterranean Sea on June 2. The exercise was first reported in the New York Times. The United States believes the maneuvers were in part an Israeli effort to send a public message that it has the capability to attack Iran's nuclear program, the official said. The planes flew several hundred miles into the eastern Mediterranean. Iranian airspace if it were attacking the Natanz enrichment plant, the official acknowledged.

Georgia and Iran are countries that are minutes away from each other.

Wolff said that if the resolution is put to a vote without such clarifications, "we would be prepared to oppose it." "We need clarity on Russian intentions and Russian withdrawal," Britain's U.N. Ambassador John Sawers said. "There's no way that Russian positions can be considered 'in line' with the resolution." France's deputy ambassador Jean-Pierre Lacroix said that all parties are determined to work toward a unanimous resolution, and diplomats said there are efforts under way to try to find a compromise acceptable to all 15 council members. Source: AP

Tampa Bay Chapter 6

DIRECTORS Kelly Miliziano -President st

Dr. William McReynolds-1 VP VP Gov’t. & Advocacy

The YPIC Tampa Bay Chapter will no longer be in effect as of September 2008. All YPIC members are requested to actively join the United Nations Association Tampa Bay Chapter meetings for the

Rajeev Ratra -VP Technology

upcoming events. While we appreciate supporters of all ages, YPIC members are typically between the ages

Jill Isaac - VP Education

of 21-40, and are a diverse group of individuals. YPIC has held two community-involved projects each year.

Sara McMillan-VP Membership

We thank YPIC for their efforts and for collaborating in the upcoming UNA programs. Former YPIC members,

Dr. Carol Zavarella -Treasurer

please contact Kelly Miliziano at [email protected] for further information.

Kelly Reynolds-Secretary Dr. Mark Amen Matthew Johnson, Esq. Dr. Tim Kennedy

Membership Application/ Renewal Name: ___________________________________ Address:________________________________ City:_________________ State:__________ Zip:__________ Telephone: _________________ Email: _______________________

Paul Yingst-Past President Maya Lacevic-University Rep. Ryan Nevel –YPIC Chair

BECOME A MEMBER

www.UNAUSA.org

Annual Membership (select one) Introductory Individual ___ $ 25 Individual Renewal ___ $ 35 Family ___ $ 40

___ $ 10 ___ $ 40 ___ $ 100

Patron ___ $500

Yes! I want to make a donation of $________ to help the work of UNA-USA. All dues and donations are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to: UNA-USA and send to: UNA-USA, 801 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017-4706.

A Non-Profit Organization UNA-USA Tampa Bay Chapter www.unatampabay.org

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