Trygve Lie

Question 1

What happened in the Iranian Crisis (1946) in relation to Lie?

Answer 1

• USSR refused to w’draw troops from Iran & even extended pol control by setting up the pro-Soviet “People’s Democratic Republics”
• Lie issued the Iran Memorandum that stipulated that Iran should no longer remain on the SC agenda once the USSR w/draws. pro-Soviet Republics would still remain though –> displeased the US who accused Lie of being biased twds USSR
• CW rivalry made it hard for the SG to manoeuvre in a bipolar world.

Question 2

What happened in the Korean War (1950) in relation to Lie?

Answer 2

• Lie labelled North Koreans as aggressors
• supported US/UN intervention and had helped organise UN efforts in Korea
• mended his relations w the US but earned the hostility of the USSR, who said he was biased
• USSR vetoed his nomination for a 2nd term, eventually the GA extended his term for 3 more years. nonetheless USSR refusal to recognise him as the SG crippled his ability to continue functioning as the SG and forced his resignation.

Question 3

What happened in the McCarthyism in relation to Lie?

Answer 3

• Lie allowed the FBI to set up a unit in the UN headquarters to vet future applications for staff, fingerprinting and questioning. The US conducted 2000 investigations on American employees.
• Lie severely criticised bc the UN was not supposed to receive instructions from any national gov –> damaged reputation of the UN

Question 4

Lie’s personality?

Answer 4

• Lie’s frankness and willingness to voice his political views was problematic in the context of the emerging CW. He did not look on himself as a neutral mediator trying to end a conflict btwn 2 antagonists. It was clear in his eyes that the UN had to beat back aggression –> unable to deal with sensitivities of the CW conflict.