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The Global Interstate System
1. HISTORICAL: The trade routes were made over the years so that goods from
one kingdom or country moved to another. The well known silk-route from east to
west is an example of historical factor.
Course Module
The Contemporary World
2
The Global Interstate System
2. ECONOMY: The cost of goods and values to the end user determine the
movement of goods and value addition. The overall economics of a particular
industry or trade is an important factor in globalization.
The Soviet Union, which had previously not been active in U.N. activities, has
shifted its position toward attaching importance to them under the Gorbachev
Administration. Similarly, the United States under the Bush Administration, has
proved its cooperative attitude with the U.N., indicating that it will pay up its
arrears to the U.N. In this connection, at the 44th session of the General Assembly
in 1989, the United States and the Soviet Union co-sponsored a resolution which
called for the reinforcement of the roles of the United Nations in international
peace, security, and international cooperation. This was the first joint proposal
ever made by the two countries in U.N. history.
At the same time the United Nations still has its problems including financial
difficulties and organizational reform in economic fields. Tackling these problems
will be very important for the U.N. in winning the confidence of the international
community in the future. Also the new trend in the world away from confrontation
toward dialogue makes necessary a review of the systems and functions of the
United Nations.
Since joining the world body in 1956, Japan has all along positioned cooperation
with the United Nations as a major pillar of its diplomacy. It has cooperated in
U.N. activities in a wide range of areas, making the second largest financial
contributions among the member States next only to the United States. For
instance, Japan has been actively supporting the United Nations University (UNU)
and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), helping them set up
their head offices in Japan.
Course Module
The Contemporary World
4
The Global Interstate System
Political Activities
(a) Namibia: In January 1989, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution to
implement in April the resolution to establish the U.N. Transition Assistance
Group (UNTAG) and called for material and personnel support from member
countries. In November, a constitutional assembly election was held under
observation of the UNTAG. As a result, Namibia became independent in March
1990 and joined the United Nations in April.
(b) Central America: Conflicts in Central America made major progress toward a
peaceful settlement thanks to an active role played by the United Nations. A
general election was held on February 25, 1990. And, the Committee on
International Assistance and Verification (CIAV), which was established by the
United Nations and the Organization of-American States (OAS) in September
1989 in response to a request by Central American countries, started its activity to
ensure the dissolution and repatriation of the anti-government guerrillas "Contras."
Furthermore, the United Nations Observation Mission for Central America
(ONUCA), established as a security verification mechanism at the U.N. Security
Council in September 1989, disarmed the Contras under an agreement in May
1990 and is keeping watch on border areas.
Under these circumstances, the U.N. General Assembly held in October 1989
adopted by consensus a resolution appreciating peace-making efforts of the
Central American countries and the United Nations and calling for the U.N.
Secretary-General to sustain the U.N. contribution to the peace efforts in the
region.
Japan sent six election observers to the United Nations Observation Mission for
the Verification of the Elections in Nicaragua (ONUVEN), in addition to financial
assistance, thereby contributing to the holding of free and fair Nicaraguan general
elections.
The Contemporary World
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The Global Interstate System
In the peace process, the right to represent Cambodia has become a major issue at
the 45th U.N. General Assembly.
(d) The Middle East: The situation in the occupied territories, which worsened,
became a major focus of the Middle East discussions at the U.N. General
Assembly and Security Council. The 44th session of the General Assembly in
1989 passed, by a majority vote, an "intifada" (uprising) resolution denouncing
Israel's policy on the occupied territories, an action which attested to a high degree
of concern among countries about this issue. In a related development, the
Security Council resolved again, as it did in July and August of 1989, that Israel's
expulsion of Palestinians from 'the occupied territories violated the Geneva
Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.
Regarding the emigration of the Jews from the Soviet Union which became a
major issue in 1990, the U.N. Security Council held a session at the request of the
Soviet Union between March through May 1990. But no resolution has been
adopted.
Another development was a proposal made to improve the PLO's status in the
United Nations and help it obtain memberships in specialized agencies. Japan,
which does not recognize the PLO as a state, takes a stand basically that such a
proposal will not favor the peace process in the Middle East.
Course Module
The Contemporary World
6
The Global Interstate System
(e) Iran-Iraq: After the cease-fire in August 1988, the U.N. Secretary-General has
hosted four Iran-Iraqi Foreign Ministers meetings in 1988 and 1989, but no
significant progress has been made.
During the peace negotiations, over which the U.N. Secretary-General presided,
practically no debate took place on the issue at the General Assembly and Security
Council. In February 1990, however, the Chairman of the Security Council issued
a statement in support of the peace efforts by the Secretary-General.
(f) South Africa: At its 44th session of the U.N. General Assembly in 1989, 12
resolutions related to apartheid were submitted to a vote and were adopted by an
overwhelming majority as they had been in the previous years. A resolution
seeking comprehensive sanctions, which censured the Federal Republic of
Germany (FRG) by name, was adopted over Japan's and other countries'
opposition. The General Assembly's special session on apartheid held in
December 1989, adopted unanimously a declaration, which was both constructive
and harmonious. In his address to this session, then Parliamentary Vice Minister
Tanaka of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated Japan's strong opposition to
apartheid. He said Japan welcomed the policies of the de Klerk Government but
would continue sanctions against the country so long as no substantial
improvement was made.
Economic Activities
(a) Special Session of the General Assembly: The "18th Session of the General
Assembly devoted to international economic cooperation, in particular the
revitalization of economic growth and development of the developing countries"
was held in April 1990. With representatives including more than 60 prime
ministers and cabinet ministers in attendance, the session passed, a declaration
with consensus. The first special session held on economic problems in 10 years
since 1980 served to charter a direction of the North-South dialogue at the United
Nations during the 1900s.
Japan, maintaining a basic position that human rights possess a universal value of
mankind and that they form the basis of the world's peace and stability, has
actively taken part in U.N. activities related to human rights for the protection and
promotion of human rights in the world. In May 1990, Japan was re-elected as a
member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
At the U.N. General Assembly in 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child
was adopted by consensus. At the same time, the Second Optional Protocol to the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aiming at the abolition of the
death penalty was adopted. A large number of countries including Japan voted
against or abstained because the protocol mandates the abolishment of capital
punishment while there has been no international consensus on the issue.
On the other hand, changes in East-West relations have led to a marked decrease
in the deliberations on human rights issues in Eastern countries, while attention
has been drawn to developing countries. For instance, the human rights situation
in Myanmar was taken up at the U.N. General Assembly in 1989 and the U.N.
Commission on Human Rights. Heated discussions ensued over a resolution
related to human rights issues in China following the Tiananmen Square Incident.
Course Module
The Contemporary World
8
The Global Interstate System
However, partly in view of the progress made in the administrative and financial
reforms of the United Nations, the U.S. Government has since decided to pay up
its share excepting the part which the U.S. has been refusing to pay for political
reasons. According to its budget message for fiscal 1991, the U.S. Government
budgeted the full amount of its assessed contributions to all the international
organizations it is party to for the year 1990, and plans to pay off the outstanding
arrears to international organizations and to the U.N. peace-keeping operations
over the next five years. When these payments are completed, the financial
position of the U.N. system will improve significantly.
Globalisation vs Internationalisation
Course Module
The Contemporary World
10
The Global Interstate System
2.https://study.com/academy/lesson/zero-population-growth-definition-
countries.html
3. https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-globalization-definition-effects-
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4. http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/globalization/7-factors-influencing-
globalization-discussed/22639
5. http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/1990/1990-2-4.htm
6. http://www.essay.uk.com/free-essays/international-relations-
politics/globalisation-vs-internationalisation.php