New Zealand and the United Nations
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New Zealand was a founding member of the United Nations (UN) in 1945 at the 1945 San Francisco Conference and has been actively engaged in the organization since its formation. New Zealand sees the United Nations as a means of Collective security, mainly in the South Pacific region, particularly because New Zealand is a relatively small nation and has very little control over much larger countries or significant events. The UN was also seen as a way of safe-guarding New Zealand, at the time, a some-what fledgling country. The successor New Zealand governments also felt that the United Nations was an important political and military ally to have as it was an integral part of New Zealand's "Collective Security". [1]
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[edit] History
New Zealand’s alliance with the United Nations was a huge change in her foreign policy from previous years because past governments have put all their political and military reliance in the "Mother Country" so the immediate inclusion in the UNO was the first major step to total independence.
After the Second World War, New Zealand realized that it could no-longer rely on Britain to protect her. After the Royal Navy's defeat in the pacific, New Zealand began searching for a way to increase security of its waters and people through mainly collective security arrangements. The Prime Minister of the time after the war Peter Fraser became actively involved in the creation of the United Nations. He believed that an organization such as the UN could be a place to solve international problems peacefully, ensure New Zealand a say in world affairs, protect the interests of small powers and ally her with major world powers like the United States (later reinforced by the ANZUS security agreement). Although on some issues Peter Fraser disagreed with fellow founding members over, especially on the creation of the United Nations Security Council, he was against giving major countries veto power, because it allowed one power to stop any action and would exclude smaller powers from having a say in world issues. He failed, the USA, USSR, UK and France (China not being a major power of the time) would not accept equal status with smaller countries. Fraser later quoted on the issue: "It is very bad if one nation can hold up the advancement of mankind".[citation needed]
New Zealand has also briefly served on the United Nations Security Council from 1954 - 1955, in 1966 [2] and again from 1993 - 1994
[edit] New Zealand supported UN Military actions
Right from the start, Peter Fraser supported the formation of Israel. Successive governments have provided military support in the Middle East, Kashmir, India/Pakistan, Cyprus, Cambodia and Korea. Also more recently New Zealand peace-keeping troops have been sent to East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan.
[edit] Korea 1950-1953
New Zealand was among the first nations to respond to the United Nations call for help. New Zealand joined 15 other nations including the United Kingdom and the United States in the anti-communist war. But the Korean War was also significant, as it marked New Zealand's first move towards association with the United States and United Nations in supporting that country's stand against communism.
New Zealand contributed six frigates, several smaller craft and a 1044 strong volunteer force (known as K-FORCE) to the Korean War. The ships were under the command of a British flag officer and formed part of the US Navy screening force during the Battle of Inchon, performing shore raids and inland bombardment. New Zealand troops remained in Korea in significant numbers for four years after the 1951 armistice, although the last New Zealand soldiers did not leave until 1957 and a single liaison officer remained until 1971. A total of 3,794 New Zealand soldiers served in K-FORCE and 1300 in the Navy deployment. 33 were killed in action, 79 wounded and one soldier was taken prisoner. That prisoner was held in North Korea for eighteen months and repatriated after the armistices. This showed the United Nations that New Zealand was committed to the organization and was willing to support the UN if required.
[edit] Kashmir 1952-76
- Further information: Military history of New Zealand#Peacekeeping and observation, Sino-Indian War, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, and Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
In 1952, three New Zealand officers were seconded as military observers for the United Nations Military Observer Group in the Kashmir, to supervise a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Many New Zealand officers, including Territorial Force officers, saw service with the force until 1976.[citation needed]
[edit] East Timor/Timor Leste 1999-2003, 2006
- Further information: History of East Timor#Towards independence
Following East Timor's vote for independence in 1999, the United Nations INTERFET (International Force for East Timor) was dispatched into the area. INTERFET was comprised of contributions from 17 nations, about 9,900 in total. At its peak, the New Zealand Defence Force had 1,100 personnel in East Timor - New Zealand's largest overseas military deployment since the Korean War. Overall New Zealand's contribution saw just short of 4,000 New Zealanders serve in East Timor. In addition to their operations against militia, the New Zealand troops were also involved in construction of roads and schools, water supplies and other infrastructural assistance. English lessons and medical aid were also provided.
[edit] Iraq (2003 to date)
- Further information: Iraq War
The New Zealand government opposed and officially condemned the 2003 Invasion of Iraq by the United States-led "Coalition of the Willing" and did not contribute any combat forces. However in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 New Zealand contribued a small engineering and support force to assist in post-war reconstruction and provision of humanitarian aid. The engineers returned home in October, 2004 and New Zealand is still represented in Iraq by liaison and staff officers working with coalition forces.
[edit] New Zealand supported UN aid Programmes
New Zealand supported aid programmes through UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultral Organisation) and UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund). In 1947, New Zealand joined ECAFE (Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East), a UNO regional commission from Iran to Japan, which tries to promote Economic development. Promoting economic development was seen as a way of maintaining global peace because it believed that poverty and unemployment was a main factor in social unrest that could lead to uprise or war.
[edit] Diplomatic Representation
New Zealand Ambassador to the United Nations--Rosemary Banks
New Zealand currently has a permanent diplomatic mission to the UN in New York City and also has Permanent Missions to the United Nations Offices in Geneva and Vienna, which focus on human rights and disarmament issues respectively. Mission staff is engaged in Multilateral diplomacy with many different countries and organizations. Representatives from the Missions communicate New Zealand’s policy positions to UN officials and foreign delegates, and to convey their views back to Ministry representatives in Wellington and New Zealand’s overseas posts. The Missions also promote New Zealand’s positions in negotiations on UN resolutions, reports and activities.
New Zealand’s contribution to the budget for 2008 was 0.256% of the total United Nations budget totaling NZD$7.3m. New Zealand will provide NZD$1.2m in 2008 to financing of the Capital Master Plan for the phased renovation of the UN Headquarters. New Zealand will also pay further instalments each year until 2011. In the 2006/07 New Zealand financial year, it contributed NZD$16.9m to 14 UN Peacekeeping operations around the world. New Zealand will contribute NZD$986,000 in 2008 to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. [3][4]
Several New Zealanders currently serve on the following United Nations bodies:
- Sir Kenneth Keith is a judge of the International Court of Justice
- Mr Paul Hunt is the Special Rapporteur on the right to health
- Mr Laurence Zwimpfer currently chairs that UNESCO Information For All Programme
New Zealand is currently represented on the following United Nations bodies:
- UNESCO World Heritage Committee, currently chaired by Ngati Tuwharetoa Paramount Chief Tumu te Heuheu
- World Food Programme Executive Board
- Economic and Social Council
- Joint United Nations Programme for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Programme Coordinating Board
[edit] See also
- New Zealand
- United Nations
- Foreign relations of New Zealand
- United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor
- 2006 East Timorese crisis
- List of Permanent Representatives from New Zealand to the United Nations in New York
- List of Permanent Representatives from New Zealand to the United Nations in Geneva
- List of Permanent Representatives from New Zealand to the United Nations in Vienna
- List of Permanent Delegates from New Zealand to UNESCO
[edit] External links
- New Zealand Government Official Site
- New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Official Site
- United Nations Official Site
[edit] References
- ^ Bowen, George; Agent, Roydon & Warburton, Graham [2007] (2007). "8", Year 11 History (in English). North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand: Pearson Education New Zealand, 142 - 143. ISBN 978-0-7339-9280-3.
- ^ Bowen, George [1997] (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001). "4", [www.pearsoned.co.nz Defending New Zealand] (in English). Auckland, New Zealand: Addison Wesley Longman, 12. ISBN 0 582 73940 3.
- ^ United Nations - NZ's engagement with the UN - NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Inside Page
- ^ United Nations - NZ's contribution - NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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