|
|
Article: The UN remains weak because the Great Powers keep it that way The big powers do not dare to give the UN the strength it needs to let the UN
- Article from:
- The Independent (London, England)
- Article date:
- October 22, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1995 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
TEN years ago, when the United Nations reached its 40th
birthday, there was an "omen". Marcela Perez de Cuellar, wife of
the Secretary-General, launched a white dove at the height of the
celebrations. It soared towards the clouds for a moment - then fell
dead at her feet.
This anecdote comes from Linda Melvern's The Ultimate Crime, a
long and highly critical history published as the UN now reaches
its half-century. As Melvern reveals, the incident was
half-mythical. It did happen, but not during the celebrations and
not at a strictly UN occasion: the dove fell dead during a Unicef
ceremony attended by children. But "the omen" became part of the
folklore of UN staff. The dead dove - that ...