Module 12 Short Answer Assignment

Read the attached scenario and respond to each question with a two to three sentence answer. Each answer is worth a maximum of five points.

Electricomski is a company that controls power production and distribution of electricity across a large part of the territory of Kryzplakistan, a central Eurasian country. Power production and the electrical grid have been designated as part of "critical national infrastructure" by Kryzplaki domestic law. Electricomski recently installed industrial control systems (ICS) to control the primary power plant for the capital city, Kryzplakigrad, to include it military command and control centers. Electricomski contracted with a foreign company to produce and install the ICS. However, an agent of Kryzplakistan's ancient enemy, Aztekistan installed malicious software in the ICS that allows Azteki agents to control the plant's turbines remotely. After a couple years, the relationship between Kryzplakistan and Aztekistan deteriorate significantly and Kryzplakistan threatens to invade if Aztekistan if certain conditions are not met. Kryzplakistan is known for frequently threatening to invade Aztekistan and, in this instance, does not make any major military movements or preparations. Following these repeated threats from Kryzplakistan, Azteki agents utilize their access to the Electricomski power plant within the intention of causing a temporary of power. They intended to accomplish this by causing the turbines to spin in excess of safety tolerances, which should trigger an automatic shut-down by the ICS. However, due to a fault in the installation of the ICS the automatic shutdown fails and the turbine explodes, killing five plant workers. It also causes the electrical grid for Kryzplakigrad to fail for three days. In the chaos that ensues, over two dozen Kryzplaki citizens are injured, and three elderly patients at a hospital die when their life support systems fail as the result of a faulty backup generator. Fortunately, cooler heads prevail and any further conflict between Kryzplakistan and Aztekistan is avoided. However, the Kryzplaki Ambassador to the UN brings a complain to the UN Security Council about the actions of the Aztekis.

1) Pretend you represent Kryzplakistan: Make a claim that Aztekistan violated Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. Summarize the argument in two to three sentences that you would make to the Security Council.

2) Now pretend you represent Aztekistan: Make the argument that Article 2(4) of the UN Charter was not violated. Summarize the argument in two to three sentences that you would make to the Security Council.

3) You still represent Aztekistan and the Security Council has voted that Article 2(4) was violated by your actions. Make a claim in two to three sentences that your actions were permitted under an exception to Article 2(4) for self-defense.

4) You now represent Kryzplakistan. Respond to the argument by Aztekistan that their actions were justified under a theory of self-defense.