16.2.2007: Debate heats up

Friday was the second day of the simulation. Most of the people started it at the Diplomat?s Lounge with a healing cup of coffee or tea. Filling the Gossip Box was an excellent exercise for the day?s document formulation, and the surroundings of the Box seemed to be busy.

The atmosphere in the Security Council started to heat up during the second day?s negotiations. During the morning?s session there was a clear change in the course of the discussion. Many countries had the feeling that Somalia?s conflict was left aside and the debate diverted towards Ethiopia?s interests. Somehow the decisive and assertive personality of the Ethiopian diplomat reinforced that atmosphere, specially when he stated that ?Ethiopia may not start wars, but it does finish them.? United Kingdom blamed Ethiopia for using the crisis as a political weapon. In general UK was an active participant in the heated discussion and acted provocatively especially towards Ethiopia. As a reply an Ethiopian delegate called them arrogant.

The chamber room was often full on unwanted chattering, and especially the delegates of USA were on a very talkative mood. At times the delegates were not paying attention to the procedures and confusion followed. This at one point resulted in an outburst from the part of the distinguished President and she told the honorable delegates to kindly shut up. She apologized for the inappropriate language immediately.

During the course of the day, the Secretary General addressed the Council and encouraged the delegates to discuss the several substantial questions still left open, one of them being the future division of power within Somalia. She pointed out that, in order to achieve a true spirit of reconciliation in Somalia, all of the parties involved should be heard, including the Union of Islamic Courts. China expressed their disapproval of such an intrusion into the interior affairs of a sovereign nation but Secretary General stayed firm on her point and the need of a committed dialogue.

A new draft resolution arrived just in time before the end of the afternoon session and the delegates and oc members could escape into the fresh archipelago air at Suomenlinna Sea Fortress. The boat left from the Market Square and brought us to the Panimo Restaurant across the icy sea bay. The name ?Panimo? means brewery in Finnish and of course some of us had to try the malted beverage next to the served traditional bread and fish soup. The semicircular roof led our excited voices in the air around the dining room.

At the restaurant, Mr. Seppo Lempinen told the FINMUNsters about the history of the Suomenlinna, how it had been under the control of the Swedish, Russians and finally Finns. Nowadays it is again foreigners that can be seen patrolling in the islands ? as tourists. This site is also popular among Finns because of its cultural historical value and great picnic sites. After dinner, the bravest majority of us went to acquaint ourselves with the dark and cold sceneries of the Suomenlinna. It is definetely recommended to return at summertime!

The evening continued in Den Kungliga Klubben (that in turn is Swedish and means ?the Royal Club?). Well, we saw some champagne bubbling, heard birthday songs and above all, lively discussion on world and FINMUN politics. The discussion was so intense that for the most of the evening the honourable delegates sticked with the comfortable sofas and almost forgot the dance floor!