October 15th, 2019 | The United Kingdom, along with countries like France, Kuwait, and Indonesia have effectively dealt with Aquatic Liberation Front, an environmental terrorist group, by adding an extra clause to a failed resolution titled “T-T-T.” This draft resolution was introduced by China and Indonesia, but failed during the first voting procedure because of Russia, who is a member of the P5. All members of the P5 within the Security Council hold veto rights for any resolution; this group includes Russia, France, the United Kingdom, China, and the United States. During voting procedure for resolution “T-T-T”, Russia was the only vote against it. Russian disapproval with the resolution stemmed from the repetitive nature of the bill. Yesterday, various directives were passed that dealt with the same problem: maritime terrorism. They focused on monitoring international waters, creating a piracy database, and providing education to impoverished nations. “While I agree that this would be helpful, other motions have been passed earlier,” the delegate from Russia said. He also wanted to see more clauses added that dealt with the ALF specifically. Countries like Indonesia, who heavily supported the resolution, saw the proposed resolution as a capstone to the work they had previously done. “I don’t see redundancy, I see consolidation,” the delegate from Indonesia said.
The United Kingdom was not a signatory on the resolution, but supported it because of the cohesion of solutions it presented. In addition to affirming previous directives, the resolution added clauses that dealt with ancillary events that happen as an effect of piracy. “It is critical to vote for T-T-T. It focuses on drug, weapon, and people trafficking,” said the delegate from China. “It will address new issues that piracy will bring up.”During this debate, various countries that voted in favor of the resolution offered their input, including the United Kingdom. “I see no reason that the Security Council can’t multitask and pass resolutions that work for everybody,” the delegate from the United Kingdom said.
Ultimately, the United Kingdom helped bridge the gap between Russia and the other delegates. While they are not a signatory, they support the resolutions intentions and negotiated with Russia about friendly amendments that could be added in order to gain Russia’s support. In the end, the resolution passed unanimously, as a clause that dealt with monitoring eco-terrorist groups like the ALF was added to placate Russia’s concerns.