8/10/2019 Model UN Position Paper by Prianka Subrahmanyam

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/model-un-position-paper-by-prianka-subrahmanyam 1/3

Position Paper

Morocco

Prianka Subrahmanyam

Morocco believes drones are both an effective way to get information from

other countries and a threat to national safety. Although Morocco has not yet utilized these

machines, the United States has a license to sell to them, so they may use them to effectively

protect their nation in a time of war. The nation is strongly against terrorism, so any use of

drones would be strictly for the purpose of war, not as a tool of attack. The issue is not currently

affecting Morocco in a negative way, but we are deeply conscious and bearing in mind the

possible negative things that could result from drones. Drones were first used for civilian

prospects in the country like monitoring soil erosion and beach pollution, but in June 2013 , U.S.

Marines conducted a “small unmanned-flying vehicle familiarization course” in a military

exercise that involved U.S. Moroccan and German militaries in a yearly exercise called Exercise

African Lion 13 in Agadir, Morocco. The drones used were specifically military ones. Morocco

is regarded an important stronghold in West Africa, in the effort to push al-Qaeda in the Magreb

from its power bases in the Sahara. As a result, it has realized the need to purchase more drones

and related equipment to keep that job. In January 2014, Morocco purchased several drones from

France, which were designed by Israeli companies. The sources identified the unmanned

platform as the Harfang, a French variant of Israel’s drone. “It has been confirmed by French

sources that the RMAF has purchased from France at least three medium-altitude long-endurance

unmanned aerial vehicles,” [Famorocco 2014] In regards to Morocco’s existing political actions

on drones, they are not a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), so they

have not taken any pledges or signed any peacemaking acts agreeing not to use drones. Morocco

has taken antiterrorism pledges, as an attempt to dissociate itself from the ongoing political and

religious unrest in the rest of Northwest Africa and the Middle East. This action “reinforces a

historic and multifaceted military and security cooperation with Gulf States. It supports and

complements the other measures taken on the Moroccan territory to preserve the security and

tranquility of Moroccan citizens face to the threat of international terrorism,” said the ministry.

8/10/2019 Model UN Position Paper by Prianka Subrahmanyam

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/model-un-position-paper-by-prianka-subrahmanyam 2/3

In addition to its recognized international humanitarian operations and peacekeeping

commitment, the Kingdom of Morocco has participated in several military operations to defend

national security and territorial integrity of brotherly and friendly countries, including in Congo,

Golan, Zaire and Saudi Arabia in 1990. The United Nations has taken actions to counteract

violent misuse of drones, which Morocco solemnly supports. The UN passed a resolution

regarding drone strikes in December 2013 as a result of pressure from drone-savaged Pakistan.

Morocco is looking to pass a similar resolution, to go along with its belief in the usage of drones

for only surveillance and war security purposes. We propose the Northwest African Peace

Plan. All nations which ratify this document will consent to a union of nations for a peaceful and

productive use of drones. All nations must agree to:

I. Limit distribution of drones to world governments only: drones should not be

manufactured, owned, or used by any association not affiliated with the militaries

or governments of nations.

II. Use drones only as a method of defense: Drones shall not be permitted as an

offensive tactic in wartime, it can only be used to defend a nation after

provocation to do so.

III. Inform the other ratifying countries of this treaty when drones are used; if they are

used at all. Drone strikes without notice to the bordering nations that may suffer

potential damages will not be permitted.

Works Cited

Guzman, Timothy A. "U.S. Marines Train German and Moroccan Troops on How to Operate

Drones in North Africa." Global Research. N.p., 10 May 2013. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.

<http://www.globalresearch.ca/u-s-marines-train-german-and-moroccan-troops-how-to-operate-d

rones-in-north-africa/5334571>.

8/10/2019 Model UN Position Paper by Prianka Subrahmanyam

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/model-un-position-paper-by-prianka-subrahmanyam 3/3

"Morocco- CIA FactSheet." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, 20 June

2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.

<https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mo.html>.

Industry Daily Staff, Defense. "Frances Harfang/ SIDM IUAV Program." Defense Industry Daily

RSS News. Defense Industry Daily, 22 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.

<http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/frances-harfang-sidm-iuav-program-06091/>.

Bergen, Peter. "A Dangerous New World of Drones." CNN . Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970.

Web. 14 Nov. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/01/opinion/bergen-world-of-drones/>.

Apuuli, Kasaija P. "The Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) in United Nations

Peacekeeping: The Case of the Democratic Republic of Congo." Welcome to ASIL. American

Society of International Law, 13 June 2014. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.

<http://www.asil.org/insights/volume/18/issue/13/use-unmanned-aerial-vehicles-drones-united-n

ations-peacekeeping-case>.