GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA) BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA

ASSIGNED DELEGATION OVERVIEW

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (pop: 29,316,346) is located in South America. It borders Colombia on the west, Guyana on the east, Brazil on the south and the Atlantic Ocean on the north. Its capital city is Caracas, and the most important cities are Maracaibo, Valencia and Barquismento. The official language is Spanish, as well as many officially recognized native dialects. Its government type is a Federal Presidential Republic, where the president is Hugo Chavez Frias, who arose to power in 1999, and his government was backed up by a democratic election in 2002. Venezuela got its independence from Spain, as well as most of the American continent. It was obtained July 5th, 1811 but it wasnt recognized until 1845. The main economic activity is consisted by the oil industry and natural gas. In 2011 Venezuela surpassed Saudi Arabia as the biggest oil reserve in the world. Venezuelas Gross Domestic Product is of USD $344.2 billion and its per capita income is USD $12,600. The currency used is the bolvar. The form of government until 1958 consisted of military dictatorships, but since Dictator Prez Jimnez was forced out of the country, the main form of government became the democracy. Two interim presidents followed Perez Jimenez until a democratic leader was elected in 1959. 7 democratically-elected presidents followed. An aggressive outburst from the civilians impeached then-president Perez Rodriguez. Two more interim presidents followed, and in 1994, Rafael Caldera was popularly elected. Current president Hugo Chavez raised to power via a coup d etat to the government of President Rafael Caldera. An attempted coup d etat in 2002 briefly ousted Chavez from power, but he returned after a popular petition. Chavez was re-elected in 2006. Currently, the opposition is claiming Chavez should step aside because of his incapability due to his illness. Chavez has denied that his illness interferes with his political duties and has stated that he will remain President until 2030. Chavez has also stated that, after killing Muammar Gaddafi, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is now targeting him.

TECMUN 2011 GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA) BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE ASSASSINATION OF TERRORIST LEADERS

Whenever a terrorist leader is captured/killed, the population of the country whose government captured him/her gets a sense of relief, knowing that there is one less dangerous terrorist on the loose; and pride, since it was their country that captured him, strengthening the feeling of nationalism (i.e. USA killing Osama bin Laden). This also increases the level of trust the civilians have in their authorities and their army. However, operations to capture and kill terrorists often incur in violations of many countries sovereignty. During the last years some of the worlds most important terrorist leaders have been killed. Saddam Hussein in 2006; Shamil Basayev, author of the worst terrorist attacks against Russia, in 2006; and Osama bin Laden in 2011, just to mention some of them. The Bolivarian Government of Venezuela is absolutely committed to world peace and the respect towards the auto-determination of the states. Venezuela has constantly ratified its commitment in the global efforts to capture terrorist leaders, having captured terrorist leaders targeted by the Interpol, such as Colombian terrorist Joaquin Perez Becerra. Venezuela has deported or handed in 19 guerilla fighters to Colombian authorities. As well as handed in to US authorities one of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) ten most wanted fugitives, James Spencer. To add to the previously mentioned facts, in 2002 and 2003, Venezuela deported to Spain several suspected members of the separatist group Basque Homeland and Freedom (ETA), who were living in Venezuela. Venezuela is part of the Organization of American States Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism, which was signed in 2002. Venezuela has implemented a 15 to 25-year sentence to those who collaborate with terrorism and is included in the following treaties preventing terrorism: Organization of American States Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism (signed in 2002) Convention on Aircraft Offences (signed in 1983) Convention on Civil Aviation Safety (signed in 1983) Convention on Hostages (signed in 1988) Convention on Seizure of Aircraft (signed in 1983) Protocol Against Violence at International Airports (signed in 1988) UN Convention Regarding Bomb-Terrorism (adopted as law in 2003) UN Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism Funding (adopted as law in 2003)

Venezuela has frequently condemned the actions taken by the United States of America in their Anti-Terrorism War. The United States along with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) sacrifice the civil, economic, social, political and cultural rights of other independent states, and these actions that blatantly violate the sovereignty of the TECMUN 2011 GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA) BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA

independent states are justified by saying this is done to protect everyone, like it was done in past weeks with the killing of Muammar Gaddafi. But this is far from the truth, and not only that, these acts transgress many countries sovereignty, as well as the solution for the pacific resolution of conflicts as stated by the United Nations Chart and the rules overseeing and regulating armed conflicts. Many attacks have been made by the United States against Venezuela, the most recent of them being made in their Report of Terrorism by Countries. Venezuela has diminished these accusations, claiming that the United States want to impose their imperialism and intimidation by issuing reports such as this. It is also considered to be invalid because of recent refugee and terrorist Luis Posada Carriles, who has been protected by the United States government. The frequent Covert Operations in other countries have also been a reason not to pay attention to these accusations. For the reasons mentioned previously, and to aid the war against terrorism, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela proposes the following measures to be carried out: All states should act according to the United Nations Chart, where it is stated that the sovereignty and auto-determination of a state may not be violated by any other state. The United Nations, through the General Assembly, must implement the interstate cooperation by creating international treaties that enforce mutual efforts to properly and opportunely punish the responsible for terrorist acts, be it a person, a group or a state. Not to give political asylum and/or refugee status to known terrorists and to hand them to the respective authorities upon entrance to any state by strengthening the military forces in the borders, so that, in the given case a terrorist enters the nation, it is immediately noticed. Regulate the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations (NATO) actions to prevent them from further damaging the integrity of sovereign nations.

Summarizing: Venezuela is committed to the eradication of terrorism, and this has been shown in the 8 conventions regarding terrorism that have been signed by Venezuela. However, the AntiTerrorism war should never violate the sovereignty and/or auto-determination of independent states, which have been often violated by the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The United States along with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have also been working on an intimidation basis, making claims about terrorism in other countries, such as Venezuela, and since they are very powerful, many countries will side with them only to gain their favour. That is why, the Delegation of Venezuela calls upon action to get a broader view of the global situation, to act accordingly to the United Nations Chart, which defends the sovereignty and autodetermination of all countries, not to give asylum to terrorists and further invites all states represented here to implement a global cooperation in order to properly deal with terrorists. TECMUN 2011 GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA) BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY

Recently there have been many changes in the forms of government in countries all over the world, mainly due to coups d tat in African and Middle East countries. And this has led to various discussions about what should their new government be, and here is where political differences emerge. Developed countries will try to create a form of government that will support them, somewhat like a sock puppet; while the citizens of the country in dispute will usually fight between them to decide which form of government is better for them and for their country. Venezuelas System is a democratic socialism, because President Hugo Chavez Frias was elected by the people through a voting. However, the United States, along with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), have falsely considered this government, along with Venezuelas relationships with other socialist countries to be harmful for the area. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has even considered invading Venezuela to impose the United States imperial system. Venezuela, alongside the member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of the Americas (ALBA), was actively advocating for a peaceful and negotiated solution to the Libyan conflict, until the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its imperialist aggressions, led by the United States, captured and killed Libyan leader and martyr, Muammar Gaddafi, to gain control of the Libyan oil. And they didnt only kill him, but one of the American soldiers dishonored him by recording the event where he was humiliated and handing it to the press. What the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) cant see is that this system was created for the welfare of the Venezuelan people and Venezuelas economy. Since Hugo Chavez became president, the Gross Domestic Product has increased a 41%, the poverty has decreased a 27% and the extreme poverty has decreased an 18.2%. The percentage of children aged 7-12 who dont attend school has decreased from to 1.92% and the literacy level has grown to a 95.2%, besting the majority of Asia, Latin America and all of Africa. Industry has grown as well under the socialist regime, non-oil exports have grown a 27%, Venezuela has become the country with the largest oil reserve in the world, 12th in oil exports and unemployment rate hasnt surpassed 10%, the lowest level in over a decade. The number of graduate students has increased an 138%. Human Development has increased .11 points in the last 40 years, making Venezuela the 4 th most developed country in Latin America. One of the greatest advantages has appeared in the Tourism section, having grown a 1269% over the last 10 years. Taking into consideration all the benefits of socialism, it is strongly recommended that every country has the right to decide which form of government is more beneficent for their TECMUN 2011 GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA) BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA

economy and their overall welfare, without the intervention of countries foreigner to the affected countrys issues and policies. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela invites countries in this committee not to be misguided by any intimidation that the United States may cause. Having considered all the previous situations, the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela further requests to: Let every country decide a form of government that fulfills their needs, respecting the auto-determination and sovereignty that all countries have the right to and not interfering and/or imposing a form of government that, in a long term, will prove harmful. Eradicate the false idea given by the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that a socialist government is dangerous for the entire continent by analyzing and considering the facts previously stated that demonstrate that a socialist government has a wide array of benefits for the countries that are willing to use this form of government.

TECMUN 2011 GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA) BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA