Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 May 2009
For the purposes of this discussion, the political role of the Secretary General is defined in somewhat narrow terms. It is not intended to discuss his role in the development of policy generally, which would be a possible way of viewing the subject. Rather, attention will be given to the role of the Secretary-General in the discharge of one of the major responsibilities of the United Nations—the maintenance of international peace and security. Consequently, the role of the Secretary-General in developing and executing policies and programs of economic and social development, which has come to be one of the major fields of activity of the Organization, will not be touched upon, except incidentally.
1 See Russell, Ruth and Mather, J. E., A History of the United Nations Charter (Washington: Brookings Institution, 1958)Google Scholar.
2 Lie, Trygve, In the Cause of Peace (New York: Macmillan, 1954), p. 42Google Scholar.
3 ibid.
4 On Mr. Hammarskjöld's conception of the office, see Lash, Joseph P., “Dag Hammarskjöld's Conception of His Office,” International Organization, Summer 1962 (Vol. 16, No. 3), pp. 542–566CrossRefGoogle Scholar.
5 Security Council Official Records (IIth year), 751st meeting, 10 31, 1956, pp. 1–2Google Scholar.
6 General Assembly Official Records (14th session), Supplement No. IA, p. 2Google Scholar.
7 Ibid., p. 3.
8 Lash, , op. cit., p. 548Google Scholar.
9 General Assembly Official Records (16th session), Supplement No. IA, p. 1Google Scholar.
10 General Assembly Official Records (14th session), Supplement No. IA, p. 5Google Scholar.