Conference Update
Hi guys,
Very sorry for long silence, my internet at my apartment has been shaky so I haven’t had a chance to write for a while. The most important information is this, as of March 1st the real world ceased to exist. Further more you will be the original ministers or deputy directors (in some cases) under the Musharraf government, which means you are a lame duck government, and really have nothing to loose. This is your chance to get the country back on your side my showing great leadership, so be sure to rise to the occasion.
We will be posting “news” articles on the blogs soon so be sure to read them as there is a good chance they will be pertinent.
Per
March 6th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
So we are the minister pre-caretaker government?
March 6th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
That’s probably a stupid question, but just to clarify.
March 7th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Dear Per,
Refering to your “stupid question,” Minister of Finance and Revenue, I am in the same state of understanding.
Please, Mr. Chair, enlighten us with helpful information of where we go from here.
Mirak Kazanjian
Foreign Ministry of Pakistan
P.S. we are extremely excited be wefeel like we are “hanging in the clouds.”
March 8th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Thankfully I see I am not alone, as Marik Kazanjian and the Minister of Finance brought up the same question that I was going to ask.
When discussing the various crises in committee, it would be beneficial that we all know specifically which government officials we are going to be serving as, seeing as the recent election topic or other issues could drastically affect many leader policies and might throw off many people once committee begins. I think if we got the specifics, people will be very relieved, and will come into committee with an accurate understanding.
March 8th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Also, will there be a blog posting on the actual issue of Kashmir, where we can discuss recent updates within Pakistan? I was just wondering because it would seem reasonable, as the conference is coming closer and closer, that we start discussing the principal conflict, delegate to delegate, by exchanging information and updates in a post designated to Kashmir.
March 8th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
You are the existing government
ie minister of finance you are still Aziz ect
Any more questions don’t hesitate to ask
Cheers,
Per
March 8th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
So its kind of an alternate chronology? Should we assume that elections have taken place or what? If elections have taken place, shouldn’t we be the caretaker government? I don’t mean to attack this decision that has been taken, but it just seems weird to against real events like this.
May I be so bold as to propose that, if the PM and his cabinet are announced before the conference, we just use those names? It would not affect policy in regards to Kashmir. The PPP has been making more noise in favor of peace in Kashmir, but its not as if the Musharraf government has been completely hawkish and the PPP would still consider war if there was a crisis.
March 8th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
That is a valid point. I guess we’d have to make a larger call for democracy, seeing as the PPP is making a larger more unified call for peace following Bhutto’s death. However, if we do take on that position, I guess we’d have to stay close to our militaristic ties to remain on the safe side, seeing as it remains unclear. With this, my question is, who will I be in committee as the Minister of Defense?
March 9th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Hi again! Eric here as Head Chair. My apologies on not having been around for awhile.
I think for simplicity’s sake we will be “stopping” news that happens for the real world. In part this is so that as Chairs we can paint the perfect logical picture for the Crisis events that will happen this weekend, but also so that all the Cabinets (including India and China) are on the same page.
In this way, if we let Pakistan go forward but kept India and China back, we would be working with two different “realities”, which may cause problems when the actual Crisis events roll around.
I do appreciate your suggestions though, and we will make sure that there are plenty of things to keep you occupied this weekend!
March 10th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Last Night, the news was made clear that PPP and PML-N have made a final decision to form a coalition as they create a new government. With this in mind, the chances of department heads being announced this week are very likely. I understand why the cut off date is important and how that gives better control for the chair.
However, I do agree with the Minister of Finanace and Revenue, because if this crsis simulation is going to be our way of exploring the future of Pakistan, the only way to do so is with the government that will be in power in the future. By taking political figures who are currently powerless, this weekend we will be exploring what could have happened in the past term.
Mirak Kazanjian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
P.S. As my “personal beliefs,” the fact that the new coalition government has been formed makes me sympathize with Musharraf. I would love to see his response. I wholeheartedly believe he will not step down as President, but rather continue his “lame duck” term trying to make the lives of PPP and PML-N a living hell, as long as they try to work against him. It would have been exciting to represent Musharraf in this weekend’s simulation, because I promise, my actions as president would have made the weekend a blast (literally).
March 10th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
So we can just assume that the PPP and PMLN are there and would be ready to capitalize upon any bad decisions by us in regards to Kashmir? That makes sense.
So I guess now we can start formulating plans in regards to Kashmir? (Of course, everyone can see this blog, so I guess we should do it privately?)
March 10th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
It is highly encouraged that you begin your plotting (and you should have started already with regards to your position paper), and of course to keep it in secret.
Alternatively, you should begin to see several news updates any day now, which should work for discussion as well.
March 10th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
A “me-specific” question:
Since we are the Musharraf government and I am Shaukat Aziz, am I Prime Minister as well?
March 10th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
No, as of November 16, 2007 Aziz completed his term as Prime Minister. The current Prime Minister is Muhammad Mian Soomro. This falls outside our March 1st cut-off date.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:12 am
So, in the spirit of sharing things before conference astually starts I thought I would post this article. Like someone already said we are essentially a lame duck government, which I think could make this a lot more interesting. We really have nothing to lose when it comes to dealing with other nations becasue, in all liklihood, we (our roles) won’t be in power much longer. There might even be a new PM and cabinet announced before the conference starts.
I came across this interview with Musharraf from a few years ago. I know that it is a bit old, but I feel that the mentality of his leadership has not changed. He is going to stay in power as long as he wants to or until people force him out of office. He has either tricked himself into believing, or truly believes, that he is the person that should be making decisions for not only his country, but other nations as well.
Coming from this mentality and the few questions he answers about Kashmir I think that we can gage a lot about how we would act if we are, in fact, the pre-caretaker government. I think the interview shows how willing he is o become involved in a conflict. With his power already threatened I think his position and confidence in himselof would become even more extreme.
http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/1101020722/interview.html
…I know that its a bit random, but I wasn’t sure where else this comment would fit…..
March 12th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Hello Per,
I can hardly believe that BMUN is merely two short days away and I’m certainly looking forward to it.
Because time stopped on the first of March, does that mean that we can not reference a lot of the suicide bombing attacks that have been going on? Or can we just assume that because (real life) Pakistan is currently in a crisis of its own, our crisis will very much parallel theirs?
Either way I am very eager. We’re going to dominate China and India. Oops did I say that out loud? Well I meant it!
Cheers!
March 13th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Unless (in the words of one delegate) the “Crisis gods” tell yo something has happened after march first it hasn’t.
I also look forward to seeing all you guys tomorrow and leading a victorious cabinet.
Cheers,
Per