1953 United Nations Secretary-General selection

Last updated

1953 United Nations Secretary-General selection
Flag of the United Nations.svg
←  1950 13 March 1953 – 31 March 1953 1961  →
  Dag Hammerskjold, Bestanddeelnr 912-9460.jpg Lester B. Pearson 1957 (4951614) (cropped).jpg Carlos Romulo.jpg
Candidate Dag Hammarskjöld Lester B. Pearson Carlos P. Romulo
CountryFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg  Philippines
Vote
10 / 11
9 / 11
5 / 11
VetoesNone Flag of the USSR (1936-1955).svg Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg Flag of the USSR (1936-1955).svg
Round5th vote
31 March 1953		3rd vote
13 March 1953		1st vote
13 March 1953
UN Secretary-General before election

Trygve Lie

Elected UN Secretary-General

Dag Hammarskjöld

A United Nations Secretary-General selection was held in 1953 after Trygve Lie announced his intention of resigning. Lie had been at odds with the Soviet Union since the outbreak of the Korean War, and the negotiations for an armistice offered the opportunity for a new Secretary-General to turn the page. The British delegation dragged out the selection process as they campaigned for Lester Pearson of Canada, but he was vetoed by the Soviet Union. Other candidates fell short of a majority in the Security Council. After two weeks of deadlock, France proposed Dag Hammarskjöld of Sweden as a dark horse candidate. Hammarskjöld was acceptable to both superpowers and was selected Secretary-General for a 5-year term.

Contents

Hammarskjöld subsequently ran unopposed for re-selection in 1957 and was unanimously appointed to a second term.

Background

The Secretary-General of the United Nations is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. When the United Nations met in 1946, it was agreed that the Security Council would select one candidate for the General Assembly's approval. The United States had backed Lester Pearson of Canada, while the Soviet Union supported Stanoje Simic of Yugoslavia. Since neither superpower would accept the other's candidate, they compromised on Trygve Lie of Norway, who became the first Secretary-General of the United Nations. [1]

In the late 1940s, international tensions affected the workings of the United Nations. Norway joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1949, placing the post of Secretary-General in the hands of a country that was aligned with one side in the Cold War. Lie took the United Nations into the Korean War in 1950, leading the Soviet Union to veto his re-selection in 1950. The United States then announced that it would veto every other candidate. With the Security Council unable to break the Soviet-American veto duel, the General Assembly extended Lie's term to 1954. The Soviet Union subsequently treated Lie as an illegitimate office-holder, addressing all communications to "The Secretariat" rather than the Secretary-General. [1]

On 10 November 1952, Lie announced his resignation, [1] declaring in a speech to the General Assembly, "I am quite sure that this is the time to leave without damage to the UN." The Korean War had reached a stalemate, and armistice talks had begun. Lie felt that his successor "may be more helpful than I can be" in concluding the armistice. [2] However, if a successor could not be found, Lie was willing to serve out the rest of his term. [3]

At the time of Lie's resignation, all five permanent members were represented by their foreign ministers in New York. [4] Nationalist China held the rotating Presidency of the Security Council, [1] but the Soviet Union had a policy of boycotting informal meetings where Nationalist China was present. [4] Although U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson agreed with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko that informal consultations should be held, Acheson declined to take the initiative to avoid usurping Nationalist China's role. [5]

Candidates

Candidates for Secretary-General
ImageCandidatePositionRegional group
Gustaf V of Sweden and Envoy Erik Boheman in Paris in May 1947.jpg Flag of Sweden.svg Erik Boheman Ambassador of Sweden to the United StatesWestern Europe
Nas entezam.jpg State Flag of Iran (1925).svg Nasrollah Entezam Former President of the U.N. General Assembly (1950)Middle East
Luis Padilla Nervo in Paris (1951 UN photo) (cropped).jpg Flag of Mexico (1934-1968).svg Luis Padilla Nervo
  • Foreign Minister of Mexico
  • President of the U.N. General Assembly (1951)
Latin America
Lester B. Pearson 1957 (4951614) (cropped).jpg Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg Lester B. Pearson
British Commonwealth
Carlos Romulo.jpg Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg Carlos P. Romulo Ambassador of the Philippines to the United StatesEastern Europe and Asia

Campaign

Lester B. Pearson of Canada had been a leading contender for Secretary-General in 1946, and the United Kingdom launched an intense campaign on his behalf. British ambassador Gladwyn Jebb declared to Dean Acheson that the United Kingdom would veto anyone except Pearson or Erik Boheman of Sweden. [6] France also regarded Pearson as their first choice. [7] The British delegation had instructions from London to delay the selection until February 1953, [7] when the General Assembly would reconvene after its holiday recess. [3]

On 20 January 1953, Dwight Eisenhower succeeded Harry S. Truman as President of the United States, with John Foster Dulles as his Secretary of State. The United States offered to vote for Pearson if the British would vote for an American candidate in case of a Soviet veto. The Canadians were "upset" that the British were throwing around Pearson's name so casually, [8] and the Canadian delegation respected Pearson's wishes by not campaigning for him. [9] : 325  Pearson was the heir-apparent to be Prime Minister of Canada, but he had a deep interest in the United Nations and very much wanted the job. [10]

Carlos P. Romulo of the Philippines was the leading candidate from Asia. Although the United States supported Romulo, it did not conduct a vigorous campaign on his behalf. [11]

Nasrollah Entezam of Iran was the leading candidate from the Middle East. France considered Entezam to be their second choice after Lester Pearson. [7] The Soviet Union also selected Entezam as their second choice, after Stanisław Skrzeszewski of Poland. [12] British ambassador Gladwyn Jebb admitted that he was a capable candidate, but he repeatedly announced that the United Kingdom would veto Entezam. [6] British opposition to Entezam was motivated by Iran's nationalization of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company in 1951. [13]

The United States approached the Swedish government to determine if Erik Boheman was willing to run for Secretary-General, since the British had threatened to veto anyone except Pearson or Boheman. However, Boheman declined and stated that the Soviet Union probably would not accept him. [14] Nevertheless, if Boheman was the only candidate to avoid a Soviet veto, then the Swedish government was willing to press him to reconsider. [15]

Voting

United Nations Secretary-General selection results, 1953
DateVoteCandidateForAgainstAbstainVetoes
13 March1 Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg Carlos P. Romulo 524 Flag of France.svg Flag of the USSR (1936-1955).svg
13 March2 Flag of Poland (1928-1980).svg Stanisław Skrzeszewski 137 Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
13 March3 Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg Lester B. Pearson 911 Flag of the USSR (1936-1955).svg
19 March4 Flag of India.svg Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit 218 Flag of the Republic of China.svg
30 March5 Flag of Sweden.svg Dag Hammarskjöld 1001None

On 2 March 1953, Gladwyn Jebb announced that he would be calling a meeting of the Security Council the following week. Jebb claimed that Pearson was the only candidate who could win the necessary 7 votes in the Security Council. U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge warned Jebb about calling for a vote on Pearson only to be vetoed. However, Jebb felt that Pearson might win on the second round if the other candidates were also vetoed. [16] The Soviet delegation had hinted that they might accept Pearson if there were no other choice. [12]

Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin died on 5 March 1953. Soviet Foreign Minister Andrey Vyshinsky left New York for Moscow, [17] but the selection process continued. On 12 March 1953, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States met to discuss their tactics for the upcoming meeting of the Security Council. The United States expressed its support for Romulo. However, French ambassador Henri Hoppenot objected to Romulo because of his unfavorable attitude towards the French colonial empire. [18]

First round

On 13 March 1953, the Security Council met and voted successively on three candidates. First, Carlos P. Romulo fell short with a vote of 5–2–4. The Soviet Union and France both voted against Romulo, while the United Kingdom, Chile, Denmark, and Pakistan abstained. Next, Stanisław Skrzeszewski was rejected with a vote of 1–3–7. The Soviet Union was the only vote in favor, while France, the United Kingdom, and the United States all voted against. Finally, Lester Pearson won a favorable vote of 9-1-1. However, the Soviet Union vetoed Pearson, and Lebanon abstained. [19]

The United States had supported Romulo because of its close ties with the Philippines, [19] which had only become independent from the United States in 1946. Romulo claimed that he would be elected if the Soviet Union were forced to choose between him and Lie, but Dulles was noncommittal. [20] U.S. failure to advance Romulo's candidacy was criticized by Filipino newspapers, which accused the United States of "snubbing" and "double crossing" their candidate. [11] However, Romulo's failure to win 7 votes and his veto by France made it unlikely that he could win, even if the Soviets agreed to withdraw their veto. [19]

Second round

On 17 March 1953, the Soviet Union suggested Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit and Benegal Rama Rau of India for the Secretary-Generalship. The nomination of two Indians was calculated to force the Western powers to cast an embarrassing vote against an Asian. [9] : 321  [21] However, this became unnecessary when Nationalist China informed the United States that it would veto both candidates, [22] as India recognized Communist China. [21] The U.S. State Department felt that it was "very bad for the United Nations" if an Indian became Secretary-General, since "the problem facing the United Nations now is stopping Communist agression[ sic?] and ... this can not be done with the passive resistance advocated by India." U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. was instructed to abstain if possible but authorized to veto if necessary. [23]

The permanent members engaged in consultations on 18 March 1953 and failed to agree on a candidate. However, 9 additional candidates were nominated in addition to the ones that had already been voted on. [13]

The Security Council met again on 19 March 1953. Although the Soviet Union attempted to delay the vote, Pandit was rejected by a vote of 2–1–8. Lebanon and the Soviet Union voted for Pandit, Nationalist China voted against, and the Western powers all abstained. Zorin professed astonishment that the United Kingdom could abstain on a Commonwealth citizen. [9] : 321  The Council then asked the permanent members to "continue their consultations" and adjourned. [24]

Deadlock

The permanent members met for consultations on 23 March 1953 and failed to agree on a candidate. The list of candidates was reduced to six by removing Pandit and two candidates who declined their nominations. [25] The Security Council met on 24 March 1953 and decided to wait for Soviet Ambassador Andrey Vyshinsky to arrive on the RMS Queen Mary. [26] However, Vyshinsky declined to attend the next meeting of the Security Council on 27 March 1953, [17] and the Council did not vote. [27]

Third round

An unexpected breakthrough occurred at a consultation of the permanent members on 30 March 1953. After the existing candidates were discussed and rejected, French Ambassador Henri Hoppenot suggested two new names: Dirk Stikker of the Netherlands and Dag Hammarskjöld of Sweden. [9] : 322  To the surprise of the Western powers, Valerian Zorin declared that the Soviet Union was prepared to vote for Hammarskjöld. [28]

U.S. Ambassador Lodge said that he would not veto Hammarskjöld but had to seek instructions from Washington. [29] At the U.S. State Department, the nomination "came as a complete surprise to everyone here and we started scrambling around to find out who Mr. Hammarskjold was and what his qualifications were." [30] After consulting H. Freeman Matthews, former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden, the State Department authorized Lodge to vote for Hammarskjöld. [31] British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden sent an urgent telegram to Washington, expressing strong support for Hammarskjöld. Eden also asked the United States to "take any appropriate action to induce the Chinese to abstain." [32] A Nationalist Chinese veto was possible because Sweden recognized Communist China. [28]

The Security Council met that afternoon to vote. Hammarskjöld was recommended by a vote of 10–0–1, with Nationalist China abstaining. [28] Just before the meeting, Ambassador Lodge "dragooned" the Latin American delegates into voting for a man whom they had never heard of before. [9] : 323  Hammarskjöld was caught by surprise when his phone rang in Stockholm shortly after midnight on 1 April 1953. Upon being told that he had been named the Secretary-General of the United Nations, he replied, "This April Fool's Day joke is in extremely bad taste." [33] : 117  He finally believed the news after the third call. [34] : 59  After consulting with the Swedish government, he cabled the President of the Security Council, "I do not feel I can refuse the task imposed on me." [35]

On 7 April 1953, the General Assembly voted 57-1-1 to appoint Dag Hammarskjöld Secretary-General of the United Nations for a 5-year term. The negative vote was from Nationalist China, and the abstention may have been a Latin American country. The Swedish ambassador speculated that tensions with Juan Perón caused Argentina to abstain, but others felt that Uruguay abstained to protest the manner in which Hammarskjöld had been rushed through the Security Council without consulting the non-permanent members. [9] : 323–324  U.S. ambassador Lodge attempted to mollify the Latin American countries by explaining that the nomination had happened so fast that there had been no time to consult with them. [36]

1957 re-selection

Dag Hammarskjöld ran unopposed for re-selection in 1957. Hammarskjöld was recommended unanimously by the Security Council on the morning of 26 September 1957. The General Assembly voted unanimously that afternoon to appoint him for another 5-year term. [37] [38]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hamilton, Thomas J. (11 November 1952). "Lie Decides to Quit His U.N. Post Now to 'Save the Peace'". The New York Times. p. 1.
  2. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 184: The Secretary of State to the Department of State, 10 November 1952—8:45 pm
  3. 1 2 Hamilton, Thomas J. (4 December 1952). "Lie Said to Agree to Stay on at U.N.". The New York Times. p. 2.
  4. 1 2 "Soviet Bloc Hints Deal on U.N. Chief". The New York Times. 13 November 1952. p. 1.
  5. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 185: The Secretary of State to the Department of State, 11 November 1952—11 a.m.
  6. 1 2 FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 190: The Secretary of State to the Department of State, 17 November 1952—5:21 pm
  7. 1 2 3 FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 193: Memorandum by the Deputy United States Representative at the United Nations (Gross) to the Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs (Hickerson), 8 December 1952.
  8. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 197: Memorandum of Conversation, by James N. Hyde of the Mission at the United Nations, 18 February 1953.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Barry, Donald, ed. (1953). Documents on Canadian External Relations, 1953. Vol. 19.
  10. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 199: Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of United Nations Political and Security Affairs (Wainhouse), 20 February 1953.
  11. 1 2 FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 210: Memorandum by the United Nations Adviser, Bureau of Far Eastern Affairs (Bacon), to the Acting Officer in Charge, Philippine Affairs (Wanamaker), 20 March 1953.
  12. 1 2 Hamilton, Thomas J. (18 February 1953). "Soviet Approval of Pearson For Lie's U.N. Post Hinted". The New York Times. p. 1.
  13. 1 2 Hamilton, Thomas J. (19 March 1953). "Big Five Discuss 9 as Lie's Successor". The New York Times. p. 1.
  14. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 202: The Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs (Hickerson) to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Lodge), 27 February 1953.
  15. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 201: The Ambassador in Sweden (Butterworth) to the Department of State, 25 February 1953—5 p.m.
  16. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 203: Memorandum by the Deputy United States Representative at the United Nations (Gross) to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Lodge), 3 March 1953.
  17. 1 2 Hamilton, Thomas J. (27 March 1953). "Vishinsky is Back, Still Untalkative". The New York Times. p. 7.
  18. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 204: Memorandum of Conversation, by the Deputy United States Representative on the Security Council (Ross), 12 March 1953.
  19. 1 2 3 Hamilton, Thomas J. (13 March 1953). "Soviet Veto Blocks Pearson U.N. Boom; Romulo Also Fails". The New York Times. p. 1.
  20. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 205: The Assistant Secretary of State (Hickerson) to the United States-Representative at the United Nations (Lodge), 16 March 1953.
  21. 1 2 Rosenthal, A. M. (18 March 1953). "Mme. Pandit or Rau Favored by Soviet for Lie's U.N. Post". The New York Times. p. 1.
  22. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 207: The Ambassador in the Republic of China (Rankin) to the Department of State, 18 March 1953—6 p.m.
  23. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 208: Memorandum for the Files of Telephone Conversations, by the Assistant Secretary of State for united Nations Affairs (Hickerson), 19 March 1953.
  24. ↑ Hamilton, Thomas J. (20 March 1953). "Mme. Pandit Loses in Vote for Lie Post". The New York Times. p. 4.
  25. ↑ "Big 5 Fail to Agree on Successor to Lie". The New York Times. 24 March 1953. p. 22.
  26. ↑ "Talks on Lie Put Off Till Vishinsky Lands". The New York Times. 25 March 1953. p. 18.
  27. ↑ "U.N. Still Deadlocked on Successor to Lie". The New York Times. 28 March 1953. p. 2.
  28. 1 2 3 Hamilton, Thomas J. (1 April 1953). "U.N. Chief is Picked". The New York Times. p. 1.
  29. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 211: The United States Representative at the United Nations (Lodge) to the Department of State, 30 March 1953—1:38 pm
  30. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 216: Memorandum of Conversation, by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs (Sandifer), 30 April 1953.
  31. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 212: Memorandum for the Files by the Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs (Hickerson), 30 March 1953.
  32. ↑ FRUS 1952–1954 III , Document 213: Memorandum of Telephone Conversation, by the Deputy Director of the Office of United Nations Political and Security Affairs (Popper), 31 March 1953.
  33. ↑ Lipsey, Roger (2013). Hammarskjöld: A Life. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. ISBN   9780472118908.
  34. ↑ Fröhlich, Manuel (2007). Political Ethics and The United Nations: Dag Hammarskjöld as Secretary-General. Routledge. p. 59. ISBN   9781134065561.
  35. ↑ "Nominee Accepts U.N. Post as Duty". The New York Times. 2 April 1953. p. 12.
  36. ↑ "Hammarskjoeld Elected Successor To Lie as U.N. Secretary General". The New York Times. 8 April 1953. p. 4.
  37. ↑ Hamilton, Thomas J. (27 September 1957). "U.N. Gives 2d Term to Hammarskjold". The New York Times.
  38. ↑ FRUS 1955–1957 XI , 88: Letter From Secretary of State Dulles to Secretary-General Hammarskjöld, 27 September 1957.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary-General of the United Nations</span> Chief administrative officer and head of the UN

The secretary-general of the United Nations is the chief administrative officer of the United Nations and head of the United Nations Secretariat, one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dag Hammarskjöld</span> UN Secretary-General from 1953 to 1961

Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl Hammarskjöld was a Swedish economist and diplomat who served as the second Secretary-General of the United Nations from April 1953 until his death in a plane crash in September 1961. As of 2023, he remains the youngest person to have held the post, having been only 47 years old when he was appointed. He was a son of Hjalmar Hammarskjöld, who served as Prime Minister of Sweden from 1914 to 1917.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trygve Lie</span> UN Secretary-General from 1946 to 1952

Trygve Halvdan Lie was a Norwegian politician, labour leader, government official and author. He served as Norwegian foreign minister during the critical years of the Norwegian government in exile in London from 1940 to 1945. From 1946 to 1952 he was the first Secretary-General of the United Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos P. Romulo</span> Filipino politician and diplomat

Carlos Peña Romulo Sr. was a Filipino diplomat, statesman, soldier, journalist and author. He was a reporter at the age of 16, a newspaper editor by 20, and a publisher at 32. He was a co-founder of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, a general in the US Army and the Philippine Army, university president, and president of the United Nations General Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mongi Slim</span> Tunisian politician and diplomat (1908–1969)

Mongi Slim was a Tunisian diplomat who became the first African to become the President of the United Nations General Assembly in 1961. He received a degree from the faculty of law of the University of Paris. He was twice imprisoned by the French during the Tunisian struggle for independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Security Council veto power</span> Legal power of the five permanent UNSC member states to veto resolutions

The United Nations Security Council veto power is the power of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to veto any "substantive" resolution. They also happen to be the nuclear-weapon states (NWS) under the terms of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. However, a permanent member's abstention or absence does not prevent a draft resolution from being adopted. This veto power does not apply to "procedural" votes, as determined by the permanent members themselves. A permanent member can also block the selection of a Secretary-General, although a formal veto is unnecessary since the vote is taken behind closed doors.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 143 was adopted on July 14, 1960. With Congolese requests for assistance in front of him, following the Mutiny of the Force Publique, Secretary-General of the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld had called a meeting for the evening of July 13, acting under Article 99 of the Charter. After the Secretary-General's report and a request for military assistance by the President and Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo (Leopoldville) to protect its territory, the Council called upon Belgium to withdraw its troops from the territory and authorized the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps to provide the Government with such military assistance that the national security forces may be able to meet fully their tasks. The Council asked the Secretary General to report to the Security Council as appropriate.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 156, adopted on September 9, 1960, after receiving a report from the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS) the Council noted its approval regarding the first resolution of the Meeting of Consultations of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics whereby an agreement was reached on the application of measures regarding the Dominican Republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felipe Herrera</span>

Felipe Herrera Lane was a Chilean economist, lawyer, academic and political socialist. He served as the first president of the Inter-American Development Bank, where he gained a reputation as a "developmentalist."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nasrollah Entezam</span> Iranian Ambassador and politician

Nasrollah Entezam was a diplomat, politician, and minister, as well as Iranian Ambassador to the United States and France. He was the first Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations from 1947 to 1950 and President of the UN General Assembly during its fifth session in 1950.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly</span> 1956 session of the United Nations General Assembly

The first emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly was convened on 1 November and ended on 10 November 1956 resolving the Suez Crisis by creating the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) to provide an international presence between the belligerents in the canal zone. The emergency special session was convened due to the failure of the Security Council to resolve the instability at the Suez Canal, invoking "Uniting for Peace" resolution which transferred the issue from the Security Council to the General Assembly. On the fourth day of the session the Canadian representative, Lester B. Pearson, introduced the concept of a UN police force. The creation of the United Nations Emergency Force was approved by the General Assembly with 57 supports and zero opposes. The vote had 19 countries abstaining, including the United Kingdom, France, Egypt, the Soviet Union and several Eastern European countries.

Malaysia became the 82nd member of the United Nations on 17 September 1957. Malaysia has held a rotational non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for four terms, and has participated in over 30 United Nations peacekeeping missions since October 1960.

United Nations Secretary-General selection is the process of selecting the next secretary-general of the United Nations. To be selected as secretary-general, a candidate must receive the votes of at least nine members of the United Nations Security Council, with no vetoes from permanent members. The secretary-general is then appointed by a majority vote of the United Nations General Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 United Nations Secretary-General selection</span> UN Secretary-General selection, 1996

A United Nations Secretary-General selection was held in 1996 at the end of Boutros Boutros-Ghali's first term. Boutros-Ghali ran unopposed for a second term and received the support of 14 of the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council. However, the United States vetoed his re-selection and eventually forced him to withdraw his candidacy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1981 United Nations Secretary-General selection</span>

A United Nations Secretary-General selection was held in 1981. Kurt Waldheim ran for an unprecedented third full term as Secretary-General, losing to Salim Ahmed Salim by one vote. However, the selection deadlocked through 16 rounds of voting as China vetoed Waldheim and the United States voted against Salim. The Security Council finally settled on a dark horse candidate who stayed home and did not campaign. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar was selected for a term beginning on 1 January 1982, becoming the first Secretary-General from Latin America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1971 United Nations Secretary-General selection</span>

A United Nations Secretary-General selection was held in 1971 to succeed U Thant, who was stepping down after two full terms. Three candidates received enough votes in the Security Council to be selected Secretary-General: Carlos Ortiz de Rozas of Argentina, Kurt Waldheim of Austria, and Max Jakobson of Finland. However, all of the frontrunners were vetoed in the first two rounds of voting. In the third round, Waldheim accidentally escaped a triple-veto when three permanent members failed to coordinate their votes and all abstained. As a result, Kurt Waldheim was selected Secretary-General of the United Nations for a term starting 1 January 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 United Nations Secretary-General selection</span>

A United Nations Secretary-General selection was held in 1961 to replace Dag Hammarskjöld after he was killed in a plane crash. After initial Soviet attempts to replace the secretary-general with a troika, it was agreed that an acting secretary-general would be appointed for the remainder of Hammarskjöld's term. Within two weeks, U Thant of Burma emerged as the only candidate who was acceptable to both the Soviet Union and the United States. However, the superpowers spent another four weeks arguing over the number of assistant secretaries-general, before finally resolving their dispute by allowing Thant to decide for himself. Thant was then voted in unanimously for a term ending on 10 April 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1950 United Nations Secretary-General selection</span>

The United Nations Secretary-General selection of 1950 took place as the Cold War turned hot in the Korean War. The Soviet Union vetoed Trygvie Lie's second term and offered to vote for any other candidate. However, the United States insisted that Lie had to continue in office as Secretary-General, pressuring its allies to abstain on all other candidates. When a Latin American candidate appeared to have enough votes to win, the United States threatened to use its veto for the first time. After a second round of voting with no candidates receiving the required majority, the Security Council informed the General Assembly that it had been unable to agree on a recommendation. The General Assembly then extended Lie's term for three years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1946 United Nations Secretary-General selection</span> 1946 UNSecretary-General selection

The United Nations Secretary-General selection of 1946 took place at the opening session of the United Nations in London. The General Assembly first voted on the membership of the Security Council, which then selected the first Secretary-General of the United Nations. The United States and the United Kingdom supported Lester B. Pearson of Canada for Secretary-General, but the Soviet Union opposed Pearson since the permanent headquarters of the United Nations would be in North America. The Security Council compromised on Trygve Lie of Norway, who had lost the election for President of the General Assembly to Paul-Henri Spaak of Belgium.

References

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.