United Nations: Kurt Reply

Waldheim bows out—for now

As an ordeal by secret ballot, the exercise had become as exhausting as the U.S. presidential primary system. Sixteen times in the course of five weeks, the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council had cast their votes for U.N. Secretary-General. Just as many times, the necessary nine countries had voted to re-elect the urbane Austrian incumbent, Kurt Waldheim, 62, who has held the job for two five-year terms. And on each occasion, the People's Republic of China had blocked a Waldheim victory by exercising to veto power....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!