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NewsNovember 20, 1996

Delegates from Iceland, concerned about the proliferation of nuclear weapons, suggested that the Model United Nations approve a resolution to dismantle weapons of mass destruction. "We just felt that if this was the real United Nations this would be a real asset to the world," said Ben Askew, a delegate from Iceland and student at Sikeston High School...

Delegates from Iceland, concerned about the proliferation of nuclear weapons, suggested that the Model United Nations approve a resolution to dismantle weapons of mass destruction.

"We just felt that if this was the real United Nations this would be a real asset to the world," said Ben Askew, a delegate from Iceland and student at Sikeston High School.

Askew and the Sikeston delegation were among more than 300 students from 13 area schools participating in the Southeast Missouri State University Model United Nations Tuesday. The students represented 65 countries.

Each delegation researched the countries they represented so that they could debate and vote in the interest of those nations.

Askew said the Icelandic delegation had more interest in benefiting mankind than Iceland. Despite questions about enforcement and disposal of nuclear wastes, the resolution calling for dismantling the weapons narrowly passed.

"The Model U.N. is about kids learning what the United Nations is about and being able to express our ideas," Askew said.

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Angela Arnold, also of Sikeston, agreed: "By getting involved and speaking out it was interesting seeing what would get passed by wheeling and dealing."

Tables were covered with scraps of paper, which served as notes passed as part of the negotiation process. Some of the notes commented on the good looks of delegates; others were more serious. "Cuba threatened to bomb us," Arnold said.

Julie Lessman headed the delegation from Barbados. The Cape Girardeau Central High School group was named best delegation at the Model United Nations. They best represented their tiny nation.

"We went to the library and studied about Barbados, their crops and their politics so we could talk about what people in Barbados would need," Lessman said.

A resolution from the nation of Yemen called for the United Nations to provide financial aid to poor countries setting up new oil-producing industries. Students narrowly approved the measure.

"I thought this was a very good learning experience," Lessman said. "I learned a lot about OPEC and about oil. I don't think I ever would have learned all this in class."

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