Reason's solstice.

• Position: Role of the UN in world peace

Pursuit of international partnership has always required grace, agility and daring. A United Nations diplomat once likened it to the dance form which sees the performer deftly route rhythmic paths between shards of shattered glass strewn on his stage; The greater part of this Organization s history was overwhelmed by chills of unbattled wars; today their jagged icicles have melted in self-assertion's sun. But sharp-edged dangers still lurk, waiting to wound or kill.

They have not been easy for our world to address. To do so has meant reconciliation of international enforceability with national sovereignty; the assurance of State security within globally regulated weapons regimes; the right, and responsibility, of an individual to be seen as a human being as much as a member of a distinct community or citizen of a specific country.

Within States, democracy is governed by numbers and a periodic, predictable reaffirmation of the majority s mandate. The United Nations General Assembly was designed, and has admirably served, as democratic expression of the world's wish and intent. It was not intended, nor has sought, to be the enforcer of that will. But for more than half a century, it has provided remarkable, often anonymous, auspices for the negotiation and deliverance of a series of agreements binding upon signatories who recognize their essentiality to the...