Global Policy Forum

1992 - 1996

Flaws in UN's Moral Authority (June 22, 1999)
Boutros Boutros-Ghali highlights the political problems at the United Nations that threaten to weaken the organization's mandate to promote democracy. The former UN Secretary General warns that both the unilateral policies of the US and the apparent unwillingness of other "major" countries to "play any significant role in international affairs" reflect poorly on the UN. (Inter Press Service)

Boutros-Ghali Bites Back (June 14, 1999)
In his review of Boutros Boutros-Ghali's book Unvanquished: A US-UN Saga, UN correspondent Ian Williams of The Nation elaborates on the former Secretary General's difficulties in dealing with US policy toward the UN. Boutros-Ghali admits to several "failures" while in office, particularly in regards to Bosnia, which almost financially and politically bankrupt the UN. But Boutros-Ghali claims the UN "was misused" by the US who wanted to appear actively involved in the conflict, while avoiding the hard decisions. Williams notes that the UN was most successful when "it was allowed to do its job without substantial US involvement, as in Mozambique."

Boutros-Ghali's Book Says Albright and Clinton Betrayed Him (May 24, 1999)
Former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's book on US-UN relations paints a scathing picture of the Clinton Administration and the former US representative to the UN, Madeleine Albright. Boutros-Ghali perceives the US veto of his second term in office as a "betrayal" and criticizes Albright for her "diplomatic double-face." Boutros-Ghali also "believed in the independence of his office," which led to frequent disagreements with the Clinton Administration and Albright, particularly over Bosnia and Rwanda and the US arrears to the UN. (New York Times)

Proposals for an Improved Secretary General Selection Process (1996)
Brian Urquhart, advisor to five former Secretary Generals, outlines a proposal for improving the UN Secretary General selection process. His proposals respond to the difficulties caused by the US veto of Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's second term. Urquhart's ideas include establishing a single seven-year term of office, creating an extended timetable that allows for a comprehensive search for viable candidates and releasing the candidate short list to the public four weeks prior to the election. Urquhart believes that a broader choice of suitable candidates will "avoid a desperate last-minute search for a compromise candidate." (Dag Hammarskjold Foundation)

Uncle Sam Doesn't Want You (December 2, 1996)
Brian Urquhart, a close advisor to five Secretary Generals, views the US opposition to Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's reelection "with an unhappy sense of déjí  vu." Urquhart likens the "superpower high-handedness" with the Soviet Union's opposition to the election of Secretary Generals Trygve Lie and Dag Hammarskjold. Urquhart disputes Washington's claims that Boutros-Ghali failed to bring institutional reform to the UN, stating "true reform must come from member governments." (New Yorker)

Chronology of the Secretary General Election (December 1996)
Global Policy Forum presents a timeline of the 1996 election of the UN Secretary General. The timeline examines the US opposition to Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's bid for a second term and the events leading to the US veto on his reelection. The timeline follows the subsequent scramble for a viable candidate for the post of Secretary General and the nomination and election of Kofi Annan.

Why Washington Wants Rid of Mr Boutros Ghali (November 1996)
After the Cold War the US saw its chance to take control of the UN as the Soviet opposition bloc disappeared. But Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali instead seized the opportunity to present innovative agendas for peace and development. The skeptical US reaction to these proposals showed that "all-powerful America only wanted to deal with an ordinary bureaucrat who would, by definition, have to obey or to resign." (Le Monde diplomatique)

The No-Win Gamble (November 12, 1996)
In June 1996, the Clinton Administration announced it would veto Boutros Boutros-Ghali's reelection as UN Secretary General. The US accused the Secretary General of "ordering American troops into combat." The author calls the claims an "insult and humiliation" pointing out that UN member states decide on troop deployment and no country is obligated to send troops. A majority of the member states supported Boutros-Ghali's bid for a new term and showed their anger at the US veto by voting the US off the important UN Budgetary Committee. (New York Times)

The Change in the Administration's Position Is a Mystery (November 11, 1996)
In this interview with the Washington Times, Boutros Boutros-Ghali talks about why he wants a second term as UN Secretary General. "I need a second term to make sure there will be no slackening of the reform plan," referencing his reform agenda that resulted in a "zero-growth budget" for the UN. Boutros-Ghali decided to run in spite of US demands for his resignation. Ultimately, Boutros-Ghali concedes that his biggest failure as Secretary General was not convincing the US administration of the importance of the UN.

Comments on the Secretary General Election of 1996 (November 1996)
Commentators, including UN staff members, discuss the 1996 Secretary General election and compare Boutros Boutros-Ghali's tenure with that of the previous Secretary Generals. The comments mostly favor Ghali's time in office praising his willingness to stand up to Washington. The commentators also discuss the US veto of Boutros-Ghali's second term as Secretary General. One UN staff member argues that "the great powers will not tolerate a strong and independent force at the UN."

African Newspapers on the Election of the UN Secretary General (July 1996)
Newspapers across Africa comment on the US veto of Boutros Boutros-Ghali's second term in office, claiming the Secretary General fell victim to US domestic politics. The authors believe that "right wing elements in the United States" have gained too much influence within the UN and are largely responsible for the US veto. The newspapers applaud Boutros-Ghali's leadership, particularly for not marginalizing Africa within the UN and for supporting peacekeeping missions in Angola, Mozambique, Somalia and Liberia. (Panafrican News Agency)

Needed at the UN: More Secretary, Less General (June 24, 1996)
In this article by the conservative Heritage Foundation, author James Phillips urges the Clinton administration to veto Boutros Boutros-Ghali's bid for a second term as UN Secretary General. Philips criticizes the Secretary General for his "utopian goals such as 'eradicating poverty'" and for expanding the UN's peacekeeping work. The article argues that the next Secretary General should get the UN "out of the foreign aid business altogether" and promote "free-market economic policies" and "property rights."