The Role of the United Nations and Multilateral Organizations in International Security

Abstract

In a report published by the News Agency Reuters on major events during the year 1988, the United Nations (UN) was referred to as the World Organization which resumed its central diplomatic role after years of marginal impact. The achievements of the UN over the last couple of years were also recognized by the award of the Nobel Peace Prize for its peace-keeping operations. The report emphasized the UN’s successes in bringing closer to peace the situations in Afghanistan, the Gulf, Cyprus, Southern Africa and the Western Sahara. These successes could not have taken place except for, and as a result of, improved relationship between the two superpowers. This improvement also led to a change of attitude towards the UN and its global role. The report concluded by stressing the point that in spite of these successes, the UN still finds itself in a precarious financial situation, particularly if it has to undertake the more ambitious and costly peace-keeping operation in Namibia.