Model League of Arab States

Delegates Handbook
and

Rules of Procedure

Model United Nations: Understanding the World through Simulation

Global Education Program, Department of Political Science, Youngstown State University

Copyright 2004 Global Education Program Department of Political Science, Youngstown State University Series Editor: Dr. David Porter, Ph.D. 2004 Editor: David Porter, Ph.D. Authors: Dr. David Porter, Ph.D., Matthew Vansuch 2004 Secretary General: Aaron Dragres

Sources Cover picture <http://www.raptureready.com/photo/signs/arab_league.jpg> LAS logo <http://www.leagueofarabstates.org/images/english/Logo.jpg> Figure 1 <http://www.arableagueonline.org/arableague/picture_gallery/large_images/10.jpg> Figure 2 <http://www.geocities.com/mtaerea1984/Pictures/arabmap.gif> Figure 3 <http://www.arabji.com/images/Arableag2.jpg> The clipart was obtained from the Microsoft Clipart Gallery <http://dgl.microsoft.com/mgo1en/home.asp>

The Global Education Program (GEP) is sponsored by the Department of Political Science, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH 44555. David Porter, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, Director, phone (330) 941-3436, email dsporter@ysu.edu. The mission of the Global Education Program is to develop, sponsor, and promote academically oriented extracurricular student programs designed to increase global awareness, cross-cultural understanding and sensitivity, while providing a forum for students to explore international events and issues that will shape their future. The Global Education Program pursues its mission through cooperation with community groups, area schools, and by sponsoring a variety of programs designed to serve YSU students, and the students of the universitys greater service area. For more information on the Global Education Program please contact Dr. Porter or the Political Science Department, Youngstown State University, inquires should be mailed to Global education Program, Political Science Department, Youngstown State University, One University Plaza, Youngstown, Ohio, 445550001. .

Introduction to the Model League of Arab States What began as a British plan to shore up support against the Axis powers in 1942 has developed into the foremost international body representing the Islamic states in the Middle East. The Egyptian government formally proposed such an idea in 1943. The idea of an Arab League of the various Arabian countries united under a single Arab banner was proposed, but the potential loss of self-rule that could result from a total union led many Arab statesincluding Egyptto push for an organization that would lead to closer cooperation without the previously mentioned losses. The original charter of the League established a regional organization of sovereign states that was neither a union nor a federation of independent states. The League hoped to win the independence of all Arabs still under colonial rule and to prevent the Jewish minority in the British-governed territory of Palestine from creating an independent Jewish state. When Israel declared independence in 1948 despite attempts to block its establishment, the Leagues reputation suffered greatly during its infancy. The initial seven members of the League were Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Transjordan, and Yemen, all of which signed the Pact of the Arab League on 22 March 1945. Since then, numerous Figure 1 Representatives from the future countries have joined, for a current total of 22 (plus Palestine). In 1979, charter members of the League meet at Anotniadess Palace in Alexandria on 25 Egypt was suspended from membership because of its signature to the September 1944 to discuss preparations for Camp David Accords and was not readmitted until 1989. The second the Leagues establishment. The resulting League summit, held in Alexandria in September, helped gave birth to the document, the Alexandria Protocol, detailed Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Liberation Army. In the organizations goals, objectives, and structure. It was signed at Farouq I University 1974, the League proclaimed the PLO to be the sole representative of the on 17th October 1944. Palestinian people and admitted the State of Palestine into its fold with the PLO representing it at its summit meeting in Rabat, Morocco.

Figure 2 Current members of the League of Arab States.

Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen 1945; Libya 1953; Sudan 1956; Morocco and Tunisia 1958; Kuwait 1961; Algeria 1962; Oman, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates 1971; Mauritania 1973; Somalia and the State of Palestine 1974; Djibouti 1977; Comoros 1993
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Objectives The League is a national and regional organization that seeks to promote closer ties among member-states and co-ordinate their policies and their economic, cultural, and security plans with a view to developing collective cooperation, protecting national security and maintaining the independence and sovereignty of member-states; thereby enhancing the potential for joint Arab action in all fields.1 The League uses economic and social policies and activities to promote joint action and to provide the means for cooperative development, security, liberation, and economic integration. It is entrusted with defending the interests and national causes of the Arab world through: a) b) c) the implementation of joint action plans at the regional and international levels, coordination with regional and international organizations, the examination and resolution of disputes that may arise between members and to adopt whichever resolutions and measures as may be deemed necessary to settle such disputes by peaceful means.

While the Charter defines the specifics of the League, it is the Alexandria Protocol that provides the longrange objectives and fundamental basis for the League. Two more documents have been regarded as complementary to the Charter; namely, the Treaty for Joint Defense and Economic Co-operation, concluded on 13 March 1950, and Charter for National Economic Action, issued on 26 November 1980. All members have become parties to both instruments.2 Arab Leagues Governing Structure The governing structure of the League was established in the Charter. There are five main bodies. Summit Conferences Summit conferences are called when the need arises. The first occurred on 13 January 1964 in Cairo, Egypt. The heads of state and government attend these sessions12 ordinary and 11 extraordinary summits have been convenedand discuss major issues affecting the Arab community. The result is a communiqu, a type of resolution that states the general position of the leaders. These resolutions form the basis from which the other bodies work; 195 have been passed. The Charter does not provide for a summit conference, yet the Leagues members view them as critical to the forward progress of the organization. Council of the League The Charter established the Council as the Leagues supreme body, defining its formation, scope of authority, rules of procedure, and voting. All member states are members of the Council, and each has one vote. Unanimous Council decisions are binding on all members; majority decisions are binding only on those members that have accepted the majority decision. Financial and administrative resolutions need only be passed by two-thirds of the members to be binding upon all. In the event the Council is debating hostilities between two or more members, the aggressor nation is not permitted to vote on the resolution. Affiliate or standing committees assist the Council in conducting its work. The Council is mainly concerned with pursuing the objectives of the League and monitoring the implementation of the plans and programs adopted by the League. Through the Council, the League promotes jointArab action on a wide range of economic, cultural and political activities. In addition, the Council has the power to
1 2

Retrieved from the League of Arab States home page: < http://www.leagueofarabstates.org/e_Las.asp?dd=goals> Introduction to the Charter of the League of Arab States: <http://www.leagueofarabstates.org/charter.doc> Model League of Arab States Handbook and Rules of Procedure

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amend the Charter, mediate disputes between members, act on applications for membership, and accept withdrawals from the League. Other functions include the establishment of affiliate bodies and the appointment of the Secretary-General. The Council meets twice a yearin March and Septemberin regular session and may convene in an extraordinary session if so requested by two or more members. The Treaty for Joint Defense and Economic Co-operation provides for the establishment of a Joint Defense Council that consists of the foreign and defense ministers of the members. Its main task is to adopt whatever means and measures it deems necessaryincluding the use of armed forcesto repel any act of aggression against any member and to restore peace and security. The Treaty also provides for an Economic Council. In 1977, after recognizing the importance of social issues in development, the Council reorganized the Economic Council into the Economic and Social Council. Technical Committees The Charter called for technical and specialized committees to assist members in discussing technical matters related to Arab cooperation. Since its inception, the workload for these committees increased and specialized ministerial councils were established to permanently discuss these issues. Three of the standing, technical committees continue to exist: Administrative Court, Investment Arbitration Board, and Higher Auditing Board. Secretary-General The day-to-day operations of the Agency are the responsibility of the Secretary-General. The SecretaryGeneral is appointed by a two-thirds majority of the Council. The primary responsibility is the overseeing of the Secretariat , which is the administrative body of the League and the executive organ of the Council. The Assistant Secretaries-Generals assist the Secretary-General and oversee the various departments and agencies. The Leagues current Headquarters are in Cairo, Egypt. The General Secretariat Departments include: Bureau of the Secretary-General, International Affairs, Arab Affairs, Palestine Affairs, Information Affairs, Economic Affairs, Social Affairs, Legal Affairs, Military Affairs, Administrative & Financial Affairs, Internal Audit, Institutional Development Unit, Documentation and Information Center, Principal Bureau for the Boycott of Israel-in Damascus, Arab League Center in Tunisia City, and the Arab Center for Legal and Judicial Research in Beirut. There are three affiliate organs: Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African States in Cairo, Arab Music Academy in Baghdad, and Higher Arab Institute for Translation in Algiers. The Secretariat also maintains missions in various cities, including New York, London, Beijing, Brussels, and Washington, D.C. Specialized Ministerial Councils The councils are designed to coordinate policies amongst Arab states. Each ministerial council holds regular meetings and proposes common policies to the Secretariat and the Council. Twelve such councils have been established: Information, Interior, Justice, Housing, Transport, Social Affairs, Youth and Sports, Health, Environmental Affairs, Telecom, Energy and Electricity, and Tourism. Each members corresponding government minister sits on the appropriate ministerial council. Within this category are numerous specialized Arab agencies. These include: Council of Arab Economic

Figure 3 The Arab League's first and current headquarters are in Cairo, Egypt. From 19791989, Tunis served as the League's seat.

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Unity, Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO), Arab States Broadcasting Union (ABSU), Arab Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), Arab Academy for Science and Technology (AAST), Arab Labor Organization (ALO), Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), Arab Satellite Communications Organization (ARBSAT), Arab Interior Ministers Council, Arab Atomic Energy Board (AAEA), Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organization (AIDMO), and Arab Civil Aviation Association. There are also a group of Arab Financial Institutions: Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, Inter-Arab Investment Guarantee Corporation, Arab Monetary Fund, and Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID). Conclusion Discord among its members has often weakened the League politically, but it has managed to settle some Arab disputes and to limit conflicts, such as the Lebanese civil wars of 1958 and 1975-76. The League has been more effective in activities fostering economic, social, and cultural cooperation among Arab states. Web Sites League of Arab States Home Page: <http://www.leagueofarabstates.org> Arab League Online excellent background, pictures, and text not present at the Leagues official website: <http://www.arableagueonline.org> Palestinian History: <http://www.palestinehistory.org> BBC Quick Guide to the Arab League: <http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/country_profiles /newsid_1550000/1550797.stm>

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Appendix I: Rules of Procedure

League of Arab States Council of the Arab League

Section 100 The Executive Committee 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Secretary-General, the Undersecretary-General of Parliamentary Procedure, the Undersecretary-General of Facilities, and the faculty advisor. The Executive Committee has final jurisdiction in all matters and shallnotbesubject to appeal. Members of the Executive Committee or duly designated officers may address or present written statements to any organ, committee, or other body at anytime. Section 110 The General Powers and Limits of the Chair 1. The Chair shall have no vote and remains under the authority of the Assembly in the dispensing of his/her duties. 2. The Chair shall have the power to: declare the opening and closing of session, direct deliberations, insure the observation of these rules, accord the right to speak, place time limits on speakers, announce decisions, and rule on procedural questions. 3. The Chair shall establish the quorum at the opening session after the review of the rules and addressing any delegate questions. All substantive votes will be based on the official quorum; procedural votes shall be based on those present and voting. 4. Subject to appeal, the Chair shall have the power to rule motions and amendments dilatory, if the motion is intended to disrupt or delay the normal fruitions of the Assembly. 5. Except where noted, delegates may appeal any ruling of the Chair. The delegate and the Chair will explain their positions. The Chair will ask the question, Shall the decision stand as is? An affirmative vote supports the Chair while a negative vote supports the delegate. Appeals are procedural, requiring a 2/3 vote (negative votes) to overturn the Chair. Section 120 Adopting the Agenda 1. The first order of business is for the Assembly to set its own agenda and order of consideration from the topics provided by the Secretariat. A motion to set the order of consideration must rank (first, second, etc.) each topic assigned to the Assembly. 2. When the Assembly is not debating a substantive question, any delegate may move to change the order of consideration. A motion to change the order of consideration must re-rank each topic remaining on the agenda. Section 130 Debate 1. No delegate may speak before the Assembly without the permission of the Chair. All speeches are limited to the issues before the Assembly. The Chair shall call a speaker out of order if the delegates remarks are not germane to the discussion. 2. The Chair, or the Assembly, may limit the length of speeches. 3. Delegates will be recognized by the Chair in the order that they signify their desire to speak, while providing equitable opportunities for all delegates to be heard. 4. The Chair of the Assembly may call for the formal rules of debate to be suspended for informal discussions, for a specified length of time. No motions, other than a motion to move back to formal debate, will be recognized during informal debate. This is up to the discretion of the Chair and cannot be appealed. 5. Previous question is moved to end debate and vote on amendments and resolutions. There shall be one speaker for and one speaker against. If the question passes, the Assembly will move into the voting procedure without delay. Section 140 Speakers List 1. The Speakers List will consist of any state wanting to speak on the current topic, resolution, and/or amendments before the Assembly. Delegates will be recognized by the Chair in the order that they signify their desire to speak, while providing equitable opportunities for all delegates to be heard. 2. There may be up to three speakers lists open at one time (topic, resolution, and amendment). Deliberations will remain fixed on one speakers list at a time. The most particular (i.e. amendment) will be exhausted, and then the Assembly will proceed to the most general (i.e. the agenda topic). 3. At the end of a speech, a speaker may yield his/her remaining time to: (a) the chair or (b) questions from the floor. Questions from the floor are to be addressed through the Chair. A speaker may refuse to answer questions, but by doing so, the speaker must surrender the floor. 4. At the beginning of a speech, a speaker may yield remaining time to another delegate. The delegate receiving time may not yield time to a third delegate. Section 150 Resolutions 1. All resolutions must be co-sponsored by three members of the Assembly. Sponsorship may be withdrawn at any time prior to the resolution being amended. The Chair shall ask if another delegate is willing to replace the withdrawing sponsor. 2. Before consideration, resolutions must be approved by the Secretary-General, or his/her representative, and be submitted to the Chair. After a delegate has been recognized by the Chair and at the end of his/her speech, the delegate may move to consideration of any resolution. Moving

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to consider a resolution is a procedural matter. 3. If two or more resolutions deal with the same topic, they will be discussed in the order in which they were introduced. Voting on a resolution is a substantive matter. Section 160 Amendments 1. An amendment is anything that adds to, deletes from, or clarifies a resolution. All amendments shall be in writing and turned into the Secretary prior to consideration by the Committee. The Chair or his/her representative must approve all amendments. 2. A formal amendment (unfriendly amendment) requires three co-sponsors. After a delegate has been recognized by the Chair and at the end of his/her speech, the delegate may move to amend the resolution on the floor. Voting to amend a resolution is a substantive matter. 3. Friendly amendments must be approved by all the delegations sponsoring the resolution. The Chair shall confirm approval; upon confirmation, the resolution will be amended without debate. Section 170 Voting 1. Each state represented in the World Health Assembly shall have one vote. During voting, no delegate may interrupt the vote except on a point of order or point of information concerned with the process of voting. 2. The voting delegate must be seated with his/her placard and will be normally conducted by a show of placards. The Chair will call for delegates to vote Yes, No, or Abstain. 3. Decisions of the Assembly on procedural and substantive matters shall be made by simple majority vote. 4. A motion to divide the question is in order after debate has ended, but before voting begins. Division only applies to resolutions and applicable amendments and is a procedural matter. There shall be one speaker for and one against. The motion must clearly state how the resolution or amendment is to be divided. The individual operative clauses may be divided and voted upon individually, but the perambulatory clauses must remain as one. If the perambulatory clause fails, the entire resolution fails. 5. Any delegate may request a roll call vote when voting on resolutions or amendments. The body shall not vote on this request. The Secretary will conduct the roll call by calling upon each state individually in English alphabetical order. The delegates will cast their vote by responding Yes, No, No with Right of Explanation, Abstain, or Pass. After all countries have been called, the Secretary will call upon those countries that passed; they must enter a vote of Yes or No. After the initial vote, the President will ask if any state would like to change their vote. 6. After all countries have voted, the Chair will announce the results. Section 180 Points and Rights of the Delegates 1. A Right of Reply is when a delegate feels that his/her personal or national dignity has been impugned by a preceding speech or statement. A right of reply allows the offended delegate the opportunity to reply to the offensive comment. This is up to the discretion of the Chair and cannot be appealed. 2. A Point of Order is called by a delegate who feels that the rules of procedure have been infringed upon. The delegate shall immediately explain the reason for calling a point of order. The delegate shall not be able to speak on the matter before the Committee. This may interrupt a speaker, is up to the discretion of the Chair, and may be appealed. 3. A Point of Information is raised when a delegate has a question concerning the proceedings of the General Assembly Committee. The Chair shall answer this question immediately, or as soon as the information is available. 4. A Point of Personal Privilege is raised to express concern for the rights or comfort of the entire Assembly. This point may also be used to rectify a problem that impairs a delegate from discharging his/her duties in an effective manner. This is up to the discretion of the Chair,andcannot be appealed. Section 190 Postpone Definitely (Table) 1. A motion to Postpone Definitely pertains only to the substantive matter being debated, and must include a time for the matter to be brought back before the Assembly. There shall be one speaker for and one speaker against the motion. Section 200 Recess/Caucus 1. Recess is a break from the deliberations for the purpose of a short break, or for lunch. A caucus is a break from deliberations for the purpose of negotiations between delegates. Motions to recess or caucus must include a specified length of time. The Chair may limit the length of a recess or caucus and may require caucuses to remain in the meeting room.

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Arab League Council Parliamentary Rules - Short Form

Note: this form is meant to be a short reference for the convenience of delegates and staff.

Substantive Rules - Pertaining to Resolutions or Amendments

Rule Resolution Comment Requires 3 co-sponsors; reviewed by Chair Requires 3 co-sponsors; adds to, deletes from, or clarifies a resolution; must be presented to the Chair in writing Informal means of amending a resolution; agreed upon by all sponsors and co-sponsors Vote Required Majority Speakers List Interrupt Speaker No Second Required No

Amendment

Majority

List

No

No

Friendly Amendment

By Consent

No

No

No

Procedural Questions - Affecting or Pertaining to Debate

Rule Previous Question Point of Order Point of Information Personal Privilege Postpone Definitely Caucus & Recess Appeal the Chair Right of Reply Division of Question Comment Used to bring debate to a close on a resolution or amendment Correct a violation of procedural rules Used when a delegate has a question Expresses concern or rights of Committee Table resolution or amendment; must state time the issue will come back to the table Must state time or duration Used to overrule procedural rulings; a yes vote supports the Chair Personal or national dignity has been impugned Must state how resolution or amendment is to be divided Vote Required Majority Chair rules Chair Chair Majority Majority 2/3 Against Chair Majority Speakers 1 Against, 1 For Explain violation State question State concern 1 Against, 1 For 1 Against, 1 For Delegate, Chair Delegate 1 Against, 1 For Interrupt Speaker No Yes No No No No No No No Second Required Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes

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