The Presidency: Unhappy Birthday

As a birthday party, it could have passed as a wake. Russia's Nikolai Fedorenko slouched in his chair, appearing, if possible, more morose than usual. Britain's Lord Caradon glumly stroked his chin. In the Secretary-General's chair, U Thant looked about as happy as an undertaker. Outside San Francisco's Opera House, where 1,000,000 persons had massed in the streets to cheer the birth of the United Nations 20 years ago, fewer than 2,000 were now gathered; inside were row upon row of empty seats. Adding to the gloominess of it all, the principal...

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