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THE UNITED KINGDOM - the UNITED NATIONS the United Kingdom - the United Nations THE UNITED KINGDOM - THE UNITED NATIONS The United Kingdom - The United Nations Edited by Erik Jensen and Thomas Fisher with a Foreword by The Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Margaret Thatcher M MACMILLAN © Erik Jensen and Thomas Fisher 1990 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 1990 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, 33-4 Alfred Place, London WCIE 7DP. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. First published 1990 Published by MACMILLAN PRESS LTD Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 2XS and London Companies and representatives throughout the world Typeset by Footnote Graphics, Wanninster, Wilts British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data The United Kingdom - the United Nations. 1. United Nations. Policies of British government I. Jensen, Erik II. Fisher, Thomas 341.23'41 ISBN 978-1-349-11376-7 ISBN 978-1-349-11374-3 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-349-11374-3 This book is dedicated to Javier Perez de Cuellar and to all who have worked and continue to work to make the United Nations more effective. Contents Foreword by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Margaret Thatcher ix Acknowledgements x List of Illustrations xii List of Abbreviations and Acronyms XIV Notes on the Contributors and Editors xviii 1 Introduction 1 The United Kingdom and the United Nations: An Evolving Relationship Erik Jensen 2 Founding the United Nations: Principles and Objects 21 Lord Gladwyn 3 Britain and the Security Council 48 Sir Anthony Parsons 4 UN Peace-keeping: From Observers to the Peace Prize 69 Sir Brian Urquhart 5 Decolonisation: Cooperation and Confrontation at the 90 United Nations John Sankey 6 International Law: The Court, Commission and Judges 120 Sir Ian Sinclair 7 Constructive Criticism: The United Nations and 147 Human Rights Ben Whitaker 8 The North-South Dialogue: Britain at Odds 159 Sir Peter Marshall 9 The Specialised Agencies: Britain in Retreat 209 Douglas Williams Vll viii Contents 10 The Vision of Keynes: The Bretton Woods Institutions 235 Hans Singer 11 The Environment: Pioneers and Scepticism 246 Maurice Strong 12 The United Nations Association: The People's Voice 254 Lord Ennals 13 Present and Future: A British Perspective 274 Sir Crispin Tickell Appendices: I United Kingdom Membership of the Specialised and Other United Nations Agencies and Organisations 288 II United Kingdom Financial Contributions within the United Nations System 290 III United Kingdom Involvement in United Nations Peace-keeping 295 IV Cases at the International Court of Justice to which the United Kingdom has been a Party 296 V Permanent Representatives of the United Kingdom to the United Nations 297 Bibliography 298 Index 307 Foreword I have been very encouraged to find that the United Nations has increasingly been coming to play the role which its founders envisaged for it, both in dealing with international disputes and in confronting new problems such as global climate change. The Organisation's growing confidence and effectiveness are a very hopeful sign for all of us and one which Britain will do everything possible to sustain. A very great deal is owed to the United Nations Secretary-General, who has made a matchless contribution to the Organisation's work. This revival of the United Nations could not have taken place unless the foundations on which the Organisation is built were solid. This book shows, through the accounts of those closely involved, how Britain has played a central role in laying those foundations and building on them. Our participation in creating the Charter itself, in writing the International Bill of Human Rights, in promoting the development and humanitarian undertakings of the United Nations, and in maintaining international peace through the Security Council and peace-keeping operations, provides material for a fascinating study. I am very grateful to Dr Jensen for his initiative in launching this compilation of essays: and to the distinguished contributors who have done justice to the theme. With the much more constructive relationship which is emerging between East and West, I hope that the 1990s will prove to be the decade in which the United Nations comes into its own. Margaret Thatcher December 1989 ix Acknowledgements The Prime Minister has honoured this volume with a foreword. That in itself underwrites the value of a book about Britain and the United Nations. The recent revival of the United Nations and the resurgence of interest in United Nations' affairs points up the need for a study of the British experience; little has been written on the subject since the publication in 1957 of Professor Goodwin's work, and nothing comprehensive. Although I received early encouragement for the project, the crucial problem of finding time for the extensive editorial work was resolved only when Thomas Fisher, having just completed his degree, volunteered his services. We were able to start working together at the end of 1987. We are grateful first and foremost to those who contributed chapters. In spite of many other demands on their time they responded generously to the request for material, and they have made possible a unique collection of insights based on privileged personal experience. The views expressed are, of course, the authors' and editors' own and do not necessarily reflect either those of the United Kingdom Government or those of the United Nations: in no sense is this an official document. The text is supplemented by illustrations showing the contributors in action. In addition there are pictures of works offered to the United Nations by British artists: no other country has its sculpture so strongly represented in the precincts of the main UN centres. The project would never have become a reality had it not been for widespread support of many kinds. Sir Anthony Parsons and Pro­ fessor Adam Roberts were most encouraging and gave invaluable advice and criticism; so did Professor Geoffrey Best and Richard Sandbrook in different ways. Members of the Foreign and Common­ wealth Office were consistently supportive: Duncan Slater, David Gore-Booth, Peter Williams, Tony Brenton, Andrew Barlow, Nick Thorne and Sarah Foulds; Sally Morphet of the Research Depart­ ment was especially helpful, not least with the indices. We should like to thank them all and also those who helped in other ways: in London, Anne-Marie Crehan, Pauline Kay, Anne Meyer, Molly Owen, Carmen Steele and Carole Spurgeon, and, at Princeton, Kathy Sessions, Susan White and David Armitage, who so willingly x Acknowledgements xi gave of his time to discuss editorial matters. We are most grateful to Jacques Graubart for his interest and practical help and to the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust for their timely generosity in covering many of our inevitable expenses. Finally, Humphrey Fisher deserves especial thanks; he has always been glad to give support and guidance and has never hesitated to offer his assistance. E.J. T.F. London December 1989 List of Illustrations Unless otherwise mentioned all photographs are courtesy of the United Nations. 1. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Margaret Thatcher, addressing the General Assembly. 2. Lord Gladwyn, then Sir Gladwyn Jebb, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, at Lake Success. 3. Sir Anthony Parsons with reporters at the height of the Falklands crisis. 4. Sir Brian Urquhart being briefed by an UNTSO observer during a tour of southern Lebanon. 5. John Sankey (second from left) with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of India and the President of Tanzania. (Private collection) 6. Sir Ian Sinclair (lower left) at a meeting of the Special Committee on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States. 7. Ben Whitaker (at right) at a session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. (Courtesy of Photo L. Bianco) 8. Sir Peter Marshall (at left) accompanying the Archbishop of Canterbury at a meeting with the ILO Director-General in Geneva. (Private collection) 9. Douglas Williams casts his vote at the FAO. (Courtesy of Publifoto, Roma) 10. Hans Singer (at left) speaking at the SUNFED discussions. (Courtesy of Leo Rosenthal) 11. Maurice Strong addressing participants in a 'Whale Celebration' during the Stockholm Conference. 12. Lord (David) Ennals (second from left), when Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in informal discussion at the United Nations. 13. Sir Crispin Tiekell presiding over a meeting of the Security Council; the Secretary-General, Javier Perez de Cuellar, is seated on his right. xii List of Illustrations xiii 14. Erik Jensen at the United Nations Office in London. (Courtesy of Crown Picture Service) 15. Thomas Fisher on assignment with the British Development Division in the Pacific, Fiji. (Private collection) 16. Sir Julian Huxley (at left) in discussion with Lord Boyd Orr. 17. Barbara Hepworth's 'Single Form' in the courtyard before the United Nations, New York. 18. Henry Moore's 'Reclining Figure: Hand' outside the United Nations' building in New York. 19. The unveiling of Edwina Sandys' 'Family' in the park of the Palais des Nations, Geneva. 20. Edwina Sandys' 'Women Free' with the sculptor outside the United Nations Office at Vienna. (Courtesy of Richard D. Kaplan) 21(a/b). Panels of English oak, given by the United Kingdom, in a conference room at the United Nations Headquarters. 22. United Nations Headquarters, New York.
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