SG Flashcards
Article 97
Article 97 of the UN charter which stated that the Secretary-General ‘shall be the chief administrative officer of the Organisation’, indicating that the primary role of the SG was to handle organisational issues.
USSR vs trygve lie
Trygve Lie’s second term appointment was blocked by USSR in 1952 due to his support for the sending of forces to Korea in 1950
USSR vs Hammarskjold
The USSR also ostracised Hammarskjold during his 2nd term for overreaching his authority during the Congo crisis. His actions were seen as a reimposition of US colonial rule and the USSR denounced his decision to send a UN emergency force to keep the peace and demanded his resignation and replacement of his office with Troika, a three-man directorate.
US vs BBG
In Somalia, the US impeded meaningful action via rapidly withdrawing troops in March 1994 on a mission to capture Mohammed Farrah Aidid that was initially fully supported by the US, Security Council and Secretary-General. This would then result in 19 US military personnel dead and more wounded. US blame Boutros Boutros-Ghali (BBG)
Article 99
According to Article 99 of the UN charter, the SG can only ‘bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security’. gave Sg the right of initiative in SCSubsequently, thee GA also gave Sg the right of initiative
Article 98
Article 98 allows the SG to act in that capacity in all meetings and perform such other functions as are entrusted to him by the other UN organs. Thus, the SG has wide job scope and overarching powers.
Dag, suez crisis, illustration of how article 98 worked
Set up UNEF I; its leader was chosen by and reported directly to Dag H
Brokered dialogue between the different parties: Britain, France and Israel vs Egypt (backed by the USSR)
Persuaded Egypt to sign a ceasefire agreement and accept peacekeepers
Kept them from fighting for the next 11 years
BBG -Published ‘An Agenda for Peace’ in 1992, which redefined peacekeeping again
Boutros Boutros-Gahli developed new UN capacities for peace building in post conflict situations, ensuring the implementation of comprehensive peace agreements and laying the foundations for sustainable peace. This allowed him to redefine the principles of peacekeeping, hence making a tangible impact amidst the uncertain role provided to him in the Charter.
Dag Hammarskjold- initiative, release pow
Visited China and mediated the release of eleven US airmen under UN command who had been imprisoned by China during the Korean War; acted on the basis of his authority as SG derived from the Charter, rather than as an agent of the GA or the SC
