The United Nations under Javier Perez de Cuellar, 1982-1991

When Javier Perez de Cuellar was elected United Nations secretary-general, few believed that the Peruvian diplomat would be more than a temporary placeholder. Those perceptions appeared to be confirmed when in 1982 the UN was unable to intervene effectively in the Falklands War or prevent another outbreak of mid-Eastern violence. After the Israeli-Lebanese War, the United States, a longtime advocate and supporter of the UN, seemed to be at the point of disowning its creation. The Reagan administration began reducing its monetary obligations to the world body and, by leaving UNESCO, signaled its disdain. By 1985 the UN faced financial bankruptcy.
Perez de Cuellar originally intended to serve only a single term, and had he done so the world today would be a more dangerous place. During Perez de Cuellar's second five-year term (1986-1991), a series of successful operations in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Africa demonstrated that the United Nations could play an important role in international affairs. Almost totally lacking in personal charisma, he, nonetheless, showed that the office of secretary-general was not impotent. Perez de Cuellar brought the UN closer to the dream of its founders than any other leader of the world body.
Since its creation in 1945, the United Nations has almost quadrupled in size and represents the interests of 99 percent of the earth's population. Partners for Peace examines the history and accomplishments of the United Nations by focusing on the tenures of successive secretaries-general. Doing so, it paints a vivid picture of the accomplishments and failures of the UN and its leaders as both worked to achieve mankind's most enduring dream: peace.

George J. Lankevich is professor emeritus of history, City University of New York.