The 38th floor: a time for realism; following are excerpts from statements by UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali made between 1 January and 31 March 1994.

An indispensable mechanism ...

This is a time not for frustration and dismay, but for realism. We need, therefore, to treat this time not as one more transition, but as a turning point. We must combine our efforts towards greater international solidarity and purpose.

The United Nations, by undertaking a range of problems as wide as the globe itself, must be expected to experience failures as well as to achieve successes. The failures cannot be put to one side: they require continuing commitment. And successes cannot be regarded as permanent; every positive outcome is likely to require further effort.

The United Nations exists to carry out common world commitments. It is an indispensable mechanism for human betterment. But as it serves its Member States, it cannot be expected to protect them from hard decisions.

In this context, I see seven contradictions which must be resolved. If the Member States can deal with these issues, the United Nations can turn towards greater global unity, justice and success. If these contradictions remain unresolved, we can expect to descend into ever-deepening troubles and, ultimately, chaos.

At the Gabriel Silver Memorial Lecture

at Columbia University,

New York, 7

More than fine words ...

How can the question of reform in the United Nations system be advanced, when so many vested interests stand in the way of change? How can decisions be taken, for example, to rationalize the work of the multiplicity of international bodies and agencies, especially in the economic and social sectors, inherited from the cold-war era, when each has its own council accountable to different ministries and interests in the capitals of Member States?

The vision which we share is still not generally shared. There have been fine words from government leaders. There is a remarkable consensus that we live in a time of unique opportunity. There is agreement that new ways of conducting international relations are now possible.

But the reality on the ground is different. The political will to carry through the changes is not always apparent. it has been insufficiently understood that it requires more than fine words to implement new ways of doing international business.

We have a new vision of international cooperation and progress. What is needed now is a new commitment, based firmly in the public opinion of the Member States, to take our project forward.

To Parliamentarians for Global Action,

The Hague, 20 January

Humanity's common...