- Resource for all students: “European Nations Fall Short of Consensus on Iraq Report” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/28REAX_LN.html)
- Resource for Hans Blix: “Report by Hans Blix to the United Nations” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/28BTEX_LN.html)
- Resouce for Mohamed ElBaradei: “Report by Nuclear Inspection Chief” ( http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/28ETEX_LN.html )
- Resource for Naji Sabri: “Iraq Says It Has Done All It Can to Avoid War” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/28BAGH_LN.html)
- Resource for John Negroponte: “White House to Disclose Evidence of Iraqi Threat” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/29POLICY_LN.html)
- Resource for Sir Jeremy Greenstock: “Britain Steps Up Pressure on Iraq” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/29EUROPE_LN.html)
- Resource for Jean-David Levitte: “European Nations Fall Short of Consensus on Iraq Report” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/28REAX_LN.html)
- Resource for Dr. Gunter Pleuger: “To Some in Europe, the Major Problem is Bush the Cowboy” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/24ALLI_LN.html)
- Resource for Sergey Lavrov: “Putin to Iraq: Don’t Hamper Inspectors” (http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Russia-Iraq.html)
ACTIVITIES / PROCEDURES:
DAY ONE
- WARM-UP/DO-NOW: Students respond to the following prompt in their journals (written on the board prior to class): “The United States is preparing for what some people believe is an inevitable war with Iraq. Divide your paper into two columns. In one column, list the reasons some people believe the United States should go to war with Iraq. In the other column, list the reasons other people believe we should not go to war with Iraq.” Be sure that students understand the reasons they list do not have to be reasons that support their own opinion. They should generate reasons to support both sides of the issue. After students have had time to brainstorm, compile a master two-column list on the board. Do not spend too much time discussing these reasons, as students will have the opportunity to do this in the body of the lesson.
- As a class, read and discuss the article “Inspector Says Iraq Falls Short,” focusing on the following questions:
- For how long have United Nations inspectors been in Iraq?
- How does the article characterize the report given by Hans Blix?
- According to Colin Powell, when is President Bush likely to make his plans clear to the public?
- How does Dr. Hohamed ElBaradei’s opinion of the inspectors’ findings differ from that of Hans Blix?
- What are the other members of the United Nations Security Council urging the United States to do regarding Iraq?
- What is the German proposal that was accepted by the Security Council?
- How did Iraq respond to the inspectors’ report?
- How have the findings of the inspectors differed from the declarations made by Iraq?
- How do the missiles that Iraq is building violate United Nations restrictions?
- What is the position of the Democratic leaders in the United States?
- What does Tom Daschle want President Bush to do, if he has proof that Iraq has nuclear and biological weapons?
- Explain to students that they will be enacting a meeting of the United Nations Security Council in which Hans Blix, Mohamed ElBaradei, and Naji Sabri present the status of the Iraqi chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons programs. Following their presentation, the Council members will debate the best next step for the United Nations, including the options of invading Iraq or continuing inspections.
Three students should be selected to represent the weapons inspectors and Iraqi ambassador, respectively:- Hans Blix, United Nations weapons inspector
- Mohamed ElBaradei, Chief inspector for atomic weapons
- Naji Sabri, Iraqi ambassador
- John Negroponte, American ambassador to the United Nations
- Sir Jeremy Greenstock, British ambassador to the United Nations
- Jean-David Levitte, French ambassador to the United Nations
- Dr. Gunter Pleuger, German ambassador to the United Nations
- Sergey Lavrov, Russian ambassador to the United Nations
Students can use the following resources to prepare for the enactment:- Resource for all students: “European Nations Fall Short of Consensus on Iraq Report” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/28REAX_LN.html)
- Resource for Hans Blix: “Report by Hans Blix to the United Nations” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/28BTEX_LN.html)
- Resource for Mohamed ElBaradei: “Report by Nuclear Inspection Chief” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/28ETEX_LN.html )
- Resource for Naji Sabri: “Iraq Says It Has Done All It Can to Avoid War” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/28BAGH_LN.html)
- Resource for John Negroponte: “White House to Disclose Evidence of Iraqi Threat” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/29POLICY_LN.html)
- Resource for Sir Jeremy Greenstock: “Britain Steps Up Pressure on Iraq” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/29EUROPE_LN.html)
- Resource for Jean-David Levitte: “European Nations Fall Short of Consensus on Iraq Report” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/28REAX_LN.html)
- Resource for Dr. Gunter Pleuger: “To Some in Europe, the Major Problem is Bush the Cowboy” (http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/articles/24ALLI_LN.html)
- Resource for Sergey Lavrov: “Putin to Iraq: Don’t Hamper Inspectors” (http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Russia-Iraq.html)
- WRAP-UP/HOMEWORK: Students researching Hans Blix, Mohamed ElBaradei, and Naji Sabri should write the speeches they plan to deliver to the council. The remaining students, playing the roles of the Council members, should brainstorm the main points they wish to make during the debate, as well as the points they anticipate others will make and appropriate rebuttals to these points. The mock United Nations Security Council meeting will be held in a future class.
DAY TWO
- WARM-UP/DO NOW: Allow students five minutes to meet and review their speeches or arguments with other students who have researched the same council members. The three students assigned to write speeches for Hans Blix, Mohamed ElBaradei and Naji Sabri should work together to review their written pieces.
- Begin the enactment by allowing the students playing the roles of Hans Blix, Mohamed ElBaradei, and Naji Sabri to deliver their presentations. Then open the floor to the Council members. The teacher can serve as the moderator for the debate, ensuring that all students have an opportunity to participate. Encourage the Council members to ask questions of Hans Blix, Mohamed ElBaradei, and Naji Sabri, so that these three students continue to be involved in the activity.
- WRAP-UP/HOMEWORK: Each student should compose a position paper, in which he or she presents his or her own opinion regarding the best “next step” in the stand-off with Iraq. Remind students that an effective position paper supports a thesis--main idea--with at least three strong reasons. Students may use reasons and arguments generated during the class debate in their papers.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Why is Britain such a strong supporter of the United States in this conflict?
- How important do you believe the opinions of other member nations are to the United States?
EVALUATION / ASSESSMENT:
Students will be evaluated based on initial journal entries, participation in class and group discussions, thoughtful preparation for the enactment and presentation of arguments, and individual position papers.
VOCABULARY:
broadly, disarmament, exhaustive, allusion, allies, disclosed, comply, interim, noncompliance, hamper, unilaterally, curtly, refurbished, confrontational, deterrent, resumption, conclusive
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:
- Write a letter to President George W. Bush, explaining what you feel is the appropriate next step for the United States. You can send your letter to President Bush at:
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500 - Imagine that the unfolding story of the stand-off with Iraq is a novel. Write the final chapter in this novel.
- Read President George W. Bush’s State of the Union address. Analyze how the president uses persuasive language and public speaking techniques to convey his position on the stand-off with Iraq.
- Neutral third-party auditors, evaluators, or inspectors are often called in to intercede in conflicts. The United Nations inspections teams are playing this role in the current stand-off with Iraq. Research another current events story in which outside parties are called in to do this, such as a recent corporate scandal, the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton, or a sports scandal. Write a performance evaluation of the auditor, special council, or other third party involved.
INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS:
American History- Create a Venn diagram to compare the presidency of former President George Herbert Walker Bush and the presidency of his son, President George W. Bush. Include details about both men’s performance in regards to foreign affairs as well as domestic issues, such as employment, the economy, and education.
Media Studies- As the United States prepares for war, the military reserves are preparing for service. Create a video documentary about what this means for members of the reserves, including an interview with a member, if possible.
Science– How do weapons of chemical warfare affect the body? Create a poster explaining how the agent attacks the human body.
Teaching with the Times- A collection of lesson plans that focus on various aspects of the United States’ stand-off with Iraq can be found at
(http://www.nytimes.com/learning/issues_in_depth/20021212.html)
Copyright 2003
The New York Times Company
The New York Times Company